Category: Freedom of Expression

Tourism Professionals Niloofar Ghazaleh and Mohammad-Ali Moghimi Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Hijab regulations, Isfahan, Khur and Biabanak, Mohammad-Ali Moghimi, Mohsen PourBafrani, Niloofar Ghazaleh

Niloofar Ghazaleh and Mohammad-Ali Moghimi (Rahab), a couple actively involved in the tourism industry, found themselves in the custody of security forces in Isfahan.

The arrests were carried out under the directive of Judge Mohsen PourBafrani, who presides over the jurisdiction of Khur and Biabanak County.

At present, the specific reasons for their arrests, their current location, and the charges lodged against them remain undisclosed.
Moghimi is the head of the Union of Tourism Cooperative Companies in Isfahan Province. It is worth noting that Ghazaleh had previously received a five-year prison sentence for “publishing photos without hijab.” Additionally, their tourist accommodation in Khur has faced the brunt of PourBafrani’s orders.

This development coincides with recent efforts by the regime to enforce hijab regulations, leading to the closure of thousands of businesses for non-compliance. The situation raises concerns about the broader implications of these enforcement measures on individuals engaged in various sectors within the country.

Journalist Mohammad Mir-Ghasemzadeh Taken Into Custody

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Mir-Ghasemzadeh, Rasht, Someh Sara

Journalist Mohammad Mir-Ghasemzadeh, a resident of Someh Sara, has been arrested by security forces and subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Rasht.

According to a source close to his family, information obtained from unofficial sources indicates that Mir-Ghasemzadeh’s health condition is critical, prompting serious concerns among his family members.

As of now, the reasons behind Mir-Ghasemzadeh’s arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown.

Mohammad Boroughani Receives Five-Year Prison Term and Ten Years Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar, Isfahan, Karaj, Mohammad Boroughani, moharebeh, Naeen, Pakdasht, Qezel Hesar Prison

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict, sentencing Mohammad Boroughani, a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, to five years in prison and ten years of mandatory residence in Naeen County, situated in Isfahan province, as reported by Shargh Newspaper.

Initially facing a death sentence on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through the use of a cold weapon, altercation with police officers, and setting fire to the Pakdasht governorate building,” Boroughani’s fate took a different turn. The Supreme Court overturned the initial verdict, leading to a retrial in another court branch.

Currently held in Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Boroughani was apprehended during the 2022 protest in Pakdasht, Tehran Province.

Mahvash Seydal Receives Suspended Sentence and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Mahvash Seydal, Tehran Court of Appeals, Ward 209 of Evin Prison, مهوش صیدال

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict against Mahvash Seydal Tadooei, an active participant in social media communities on Clubhouse, sentencing her to one year of suspended imprisonment. In addition to the suspended sentence, Seydal faces a fine, a five-year ban on leaving the country, and five years of restrictions on using social media.

Seydal has been charged with “disseminating false information to disturb public opinions.” Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, imposed the same punishment. During the trial, the act of publishing posts on social media was presented as evidence to support this charge.

On June 21, 2023, Seydal, along with several others, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran for their activities in Clubhouse. Subsequently, on July 23, she was granted release on bail from Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Detained for Over 70 days in Legal Limbo

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nour-Mohammadi, Shabestar, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Naradrli (Nazarlu) remains in a state of legal uncertainty, having been detained for more than 70 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz.

According to a source close to his family, HRANA learned that Nour-Mohammadi has recently been formally charged by the Public and Revolutionary Court. Additionally, the bail required for his temporary release has been escalated to 700 million Tomans, approximately 14,000 dollars.

Initially accused of the political charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” Nour-Mohammadi now faces an additional legal challenge, being charged with “membership in a group to act against national security.”

On September 9, 2023, Nour-Mohammadi, a resident of Shabestar, was apprehended by security forces at the National Organization for Civil Registration in Sufian city and subsequently detained in Tabriz Prison. After a period, he was moved to a detention facility.

Nour-Mohammadi had publicly revealed that the Civil Registration office had denied issuing a birth certificate for his newborn child with the name “Hunai.” This denial was attributed to the Iranian regime’s stringent restrictions on name selection, particularly those with ethnic or foreign origins.

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Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s Suspended Sentence Lifted on Appeal, Resulting in Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Chaharmahalian, Evin, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeal has amended Atefeh Chaharmahalian’s initial suspended sentence, now imposing two years and eight months of imprisonment.

The original suspension for five years was revoked at the request of the Evin prosecutor’s office.
In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which mandates the enforcement of the harshest punishment in cases of multiple charges, Chaharmahalian will serve two years in prison.

Arrested in October 2022 amid nationwide protests, this poet and children’s rights activist was released on bail in December 2022. The Tehran Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced her to a fine and two years for “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion” and eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The original verdict, including a five-year suspension, has now been replaced.

In addition to her imprisonment, Chaharmahalian faces various restrictions, including a ban on leaving the country, limitations on using cell phones and social media, and prohibition from joining political parties or civil groups. Furthermore, she is mandated to conduct research on the topics of “physical and intellectual security, harm to peace, and the corruption and crimes of the Pahlavi regime.”

Kazem Ali Nejad Arrested in Eslamshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eslamshahr, HRANA, Kazem Ali-Nejad

On November 20, Kazem Ali-Nejad Baraloo was apprehended in Eslamshahr, Tehran Province, by security forces, who subsequently transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to his family, at 7:00 am on Monday, a group of nine individuals in plainclothes arrived at Ali-Nejad’s residence. They conducted an extensive search, seized some of his personal belongings, and took him into custody.

The grounds for Ali-Nejad’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this time.

It is worth noting that Ali-Nejad has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to political charges. The circumstances surrounding his latest detention add to the ongoing concern about the state of human rights and political freedoms in the region. The lack of transparency regarding the nature of the charges further underscores the need for a thorough and fair legal process.

Appeals Court Upholds Six-Month Sentence for Writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie, Iranian Writer, Mazandaran, ارسلان رسولی عمارلویی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has affirmed the six-month sentence imposed on writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie.

This decision follows his initial conviction by the Tonekabon Revolutionary Court for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Rasouli Amarlooie’s charge is said to be linked to the republication of an article authored by a former managing editor of Kayhan on the internet.

Known for his literary contributions, Rasouli Amarlooie has authored several books, including “Uprising,” “The 1979 Fall,” “Return from Resurrection,” “Sargalesh Hymn,” and “School Teacher.”

Keyvan Zand Karimi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Keyvan Zand Karimi, Kurdpa, Sanandaj, کیوان زند کریمی

Keyvan Zand Karimi has been handed a five-year prison sentence by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, as reported by Kurdpa.

The verdict, issued on November 8, 2023, declares Zand Karimi guilty of political charges, including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “spreading propaganda against the regime,” and “participation in illegal protest gatherings.”

Zand Karimi was apprehended by security forces in Sanandaj on May 7, 2023, leading to his incarceration in the city’s prison. After spending several months behind bars, he was granted release on bail from Sanandaj Prison on August 26, 2023.

It is noteworthy that Zand Karimi has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations due to his activist endeavors.

Actress Hanieh Tavassoli Receives Suspended Imprisonment and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hanieh Tavassoli, HRANA, Maryam Kian Ersi, Tehran, هانیه توسلی

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed actress Hanieh Tavassoli a six-month prison sentence and a 15 million-toman fine. The prison term has been suspended for three years.

The court found Tavassoli guilty of “dissemination of false information to disturb public opinion,” as announced by her lawyer, Maryam Kian Ersi.

On October 29, 2023, the Tehran Prosecutor indicted eight cinema practitioners, including Tavassoli, for disseminating false information. Tavassoli was apprehended by security forces on September 16 of this year and subsequently released on bail the following day.