Category: Freedom of Expression

Media Activist Sina Band-Alizadeh Arrested in Ardabil

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardabil, Sina Band-Alizadeh

On January 15, 2024, security forces apprehended Sina Band-Alizadeh in Ardabil.

The grounds for Band-Alizadeh’s arrest and his current location remain undisclosed. However, close associates have confirmed his arrest, linking it to his criticism in published posts as a media activist addressing the current state of the country.

As reported in HRA’s annual report, there has been an alarming 86% increase in the number of citizens arrested for expressing opinions and thoughts compared to the previous year. Band-Alizadeh’s arrest adds to concerns about the shrinking space for free expression in the country.

Workers’ Rights Defender Mostafa Zamani Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
IIWU, Independent Iranian Workers Union, Isfahan, Isfahan Oil Refinery, Izeh, Mostafa Zamani

Mostafa Zamani, an advocate for workers’ rights and a resident of Izeh, was arrested on January 14, 2024, by security forces in Isfahan. The Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU) reported his arrest and subsequent transfer to an undisclosed location.

The arrest allegedly took place within the premises of Isfahan Oil Refinery, yet the reasons behind his detention and his current location remain undisclosed.

Zamani, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights, is also employed as a welding worker.

As HRA’s annual report reveals, in 2023, 64 workers’ rights advocates were arrested by security forces in Iran. Additionally, 29 labor activists or defenders of workers’ rights were sentenced to 654 months of imprisonment, which includes 568 months of actual imprisonment and 86 months of suspended imprisonment. These alarming statistics underscore the challenging environment faced by those advocating for labor rights in the country.

Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh Tadrisi Receive Lengthy Prison Sentences and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fatemeh Tadrisi, Ilam County, Kachooie Prison, Maryam Jalal Hosseini, Mojgan Tadrisi, Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini, Revolutionary Court in Karaj, zanjan

In a recent verdict, the Revolutionary Court in Karaj has sentenced Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi to six years of imprisonment and a two-year exile on charges related to their political activities.

Presiding over the court, Judge Seyed Musa Asef-Al-Hosseini ruled that both individuals were guilty of “inciting people to violence, engaging in propaganda against the regime, insulting the Supreme Leader, and forming groups to act against national security.”

In addition to their prison terms, Fatemeh Tadrisi has been ordered to serve a mandatory two-year residence in Zanjan County, while Jalal Hosseini will be in exile in Ilam County. Presently, they are confined in Kachooie Prison, Karaj.

Security forces arrested Hosseini and Tadrisi in August of the previous year. Subsequently, on August 28, 2023, they were transferred to Kachooie Prison.

Both activists have a history of arrests and legal confrontations stemming from their engagement in activism.

Narges Mohammadi Faces Additional Penalties While Incarcerated

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ebrahim Ketabdar, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Narges Mohammadi

Renowned human rights activist Narges Mohammadi has recently been handed down a sentence of imprisonment, exile, travel restrictions, and additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a 15-month prison term on Mohammadi for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, she received a two-year ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, a two-year travel restriction, a two-year prohibition from joining political/civil groups, and limitations on smartphone usage for the same duration.

The verdict was issued on December 19, 2023, during an in-absentia court session prompted by a complaint from the Ministry of Intelligence, according to Mrs. Mohammadi’s social media page.

Currently incarcerated in Evin Prison, Mohammadi continues to face additional penalties for her activism.

In October 2020, she was released from Zanjan Prison after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, her ordeal persisted as she faced another legal case, culminating in a sentence of 30 months of imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested once again during a commemorative event honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who had lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down a staggering eight-year prison sentence, accompanied by seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and various social restrictions.

Adding to her ordeal, Mohammadi received an additional one-year prison sentence in early August, stemming from a new case initiated during her incarceration.

Twelve Arrested in South Khorasan for Alleged Misinformation and Insults

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Iranian Cyber Police, Kerman, Qasem Soleimani, South Khorasan

Fars news agency reports that the Iranian Cyber Police in South Khorasan Province have identified 27 social media channels, leading to the arrest of 12 citizens for disseminating what authorities label as “misinformation and insulting content.” Additionally, a business unit has been closed in connection with these activities.

According to a police official, these 27 websites allegedly published “fake news and insulting content against the martyrs who lost their lives during the terrorist attack in Kerman.” The 12 individuals arrested in relation to this matter will face legal action. The identities of the detainees and the location of their detention remain undisclosed.

Following the tragic explosions in Kerman during the commemoration ceremony for Qasem Soleimani, which claimed numerous lives and caused injuries, security forces and affiliated individuals on social media have been actively pursuing those expressing opinions about the incident. Consequently, dozens of individuals have been summoned, arrested, and had their social media pages removed.

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Three Detained for Voicing Opinions on Recent Kerman Blasts

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Rah Peykar, Kerman, Niloofar Sadat Hashemian, Qasem Soleimani, Shahin Ghafoori

In the ongoing trend of security and judicial actions against citizens expressing their opinions on social media regarding the deadly explosions in Kerman during Qasem Soleimani’s commemoration ceremony, three individuals have been arrested.

The detainees are identified as Amir Rah Peykar, a student at the University of Isfahan, Shahin Ghafoori, a university professor at Islamic Azad University, Qorveh Branch, and Niloofar Sadat Hashemian, an attorney and member of Iran’s central bar association.

As of now, the charges against these individuals remain undisclosed.

On January 3, 2024, two devastating explosions occurred during the fourth-anniversary commemoration of Qasem Soleimani in Kerman, resulting in dozens of casualties and over 170 injuries. Subsequently, the regime’s security apparatus arrested numerous citizens for expressing their opinions on social media regarding this incident.

Mir-Yousef Younesi Receives Five-Year Prison Term

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Younesi, Evin Prison, Mir-Yousef Younesi, MirYousef Younesi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Mir-Yousef Younesi to five years in prison. Notably, his son, Ali Younesi, is currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

The verdict was issued by Iman Afshari, presiding over Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Reza Younesi, the other son of Mir-Yousef Younesi, revealed his father’s conviction to the public, expressing concern over the handling of the case. “My father was denied the opportunity to attend the court proceedings due to his refusal to wear the prison uniform. Additionally, the judge prohibited his attorney from presenting defense arguments,” he stated.

Mir-Yousef Younesi was arrested on December 28, 2022, at his residence in Shahrud by security forces.

Ali Younesi, a student at Sharif University of Technology, is serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He has earned notable achievements, including the silver medal in the National Astronomy Olympiad (2016), the gold medal in the 2017 Astronomy Olympiad, and a gold medal in the 12th World Astronomy and Astrophysics Olympiad held in China.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Iranian Singer Mehdi Yarrahi Receives Prison Sentence and Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Mehdi Yarrahi, Tehran, Zahra Minooie, مهدی یراحی

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict against singer and musician Mehdi Yarrahi, sentencing him to two years and eight months of imprisonment along with 74 lashes.

Confirming the sentence, Yarrahi’s lawyer, Zahra Minooie, stated, “If the decision is upheld on appeal, the most severe penalty of one year will become enforceable.”

During the court session held on October 16, 2023, Yarrahi faced charges of “propaganda against the regime, inciting people to depravity, producing music content against public modesty, and promoting offenses against chastity on the Internet.”

Yarrahi was initially arrested on August 28, 2023, by the order of the Tehran prosecutor, following the release of a song titled “Your Headscarf.” He secured his release on bail from Evin Prison in October.

Previously, Yarrahi had been prohibited from engaging in legal transactions by the prosecutor’s order due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests.

Crackdown on Dissent Following Kerman Blasts: Dozens Arrested and Prosecuted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kerman, Mazandaran, Qasem Soleimani, Sadegh Zibakalam, South Khorasan province

In the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Kerman during Qasem Soleimani’s commemoration ceremony, claiming numerous lives and causing injuries, security forces and affiliated individuals on social media have actively sought to identify and apprehend those expressing opinions about the incident. As a result, dozens of individuals have been summoned, arrested, and had their social media pages removed, with an estimated 76 people detained in connection to these events.

According to 32 reports from social media channels associated with Iran’s security institutions, at least 76 arrests have been made, 108 individuals have been summoned to security/judicial institutions, 537 social media pages were taken down, and two businesses in Mazandaran and South Khorasan Province were closed.

In an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent, these security-affiliated channels have doxed 28 citizens, leading to their subsequent arrests and prosecutions. Furthermore, one security-affiliated channel has released a video featuring the coerced confession of a citizen, although the location and circumstances of the recording remain unclear. In the video, the detainee expresses regret for his opinions, attributing his actions to the influence of social media.

The regime’s approach has sparked concerns about potential violations of citizens’ privacy rights. Additionally, the Tehran prosecutor has announced legal action against Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and political pundit, and seven others for their statements regarding the recent blasts in Kerman. Furthermore, several students have faced disciplinary measures from universities due to their opinions on the incident.

Political Prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh Receives Five Years and Eight Months Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Khaled Pirzadeh, Tehran, خالد پیرزاده

Khaled Pirzadeh, a political prisoner currently held in Evin Prison, has been handed a five-year and eight-month sentence by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari ruled that Pirzadeh must serve five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” If the verdict is upheld on appeal, under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Pirzadeh will spend five years in prison.

As per HRANA reports, Pirzadeh has been acquitted of charges related to “disseminating false information” and “illegal acquisition of property.”

Khaled Pirzadeh was apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz in September 2023 and subsequently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison under the Ministry of Intelligence. Later, he was moved to Ward 6 within the same prison.

On November 14, 2023, Pirzadeh was hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions.

It is noteworthy that Pirzadeh has faced previous arrests and convictions linked to his activism.