Mahsa Yazdani’s 13-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has confirmed a 13-year sentence against Mahsa Yazdani, whose son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022 at the hands of regime forces.

Yazdani’s lawyer, Meysam Mousavi, publicly announced the affirmation of this verdict by the Mazandaran Court of Appeals on Sunday, November 19.

Initially, the Sari Revolutionary Court imposed a five-year term on Yazdani for “blasphemy,” an additional five years for “incitement against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an extra year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a total of 13 years, with five years to be enforced.

On August 22, 2023, Yazdani was apprehended by security forces in Sari. After spending 45 days in detention, she was granted release on bail.

Her son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the protests on September 22, 2022.

Three Political Defendants Sentenced to Over 61 Years in Prison

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a combined sentence of 61 years and 10 months to political defendants Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, Mahboobeh Rezaie, and Samaneh Nowruz Moradi.

Presided over by Judge Amoozad, the court communicated the following verdicts:

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” three years with property confiscation for “illegal acquisition of property,” and one year and seven months for “defying government officers on duty.”

Mahboobeh Rezaie: Seven years and nine months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” seven years and nine months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year and seven months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” seven years and nine months for blasphemy, and one year and seven months for “removing hijab and showing the act of depravity on the Internet.”

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi: Six years and three months for “membership in anti-regime groups to act against national security,” six years and three months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year and three months for “propaganda against the regime.”

As additional penalties, they have been sentenced to two years of compulsory residence in Tehran and a two-year prohibition from participating in political/civil groups and engaging in activities on social media.

The court session addressing their charges took place on November 4, 2023.

Reza Mohammad-Hosseini was arrested at his residence on May 1, 2023, and initially detained at Detention Facility A-1 under the IRGC’s jurisdiction, later moved to Evin Prison, and ultimately relocated to Qezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Samaneh Nowruz Moradi was arrested at her Tehran residence on April 24, 2023, and incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Mahboobeh Rezaie was arrested by security forces on May 22, 2023, and detained in Evin Prison after a period.

These individuals, known for their activism, had previously faced arrests and imprisonment.

 

Asrin Mohammadi Arrested in Bukan

On November 15, Asrin Mohammadi was apprehended by security forces in Bukan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed location. Notably, her brother Shahriar Mohammadi was killed by regime forces during nationwide protests just last year.

Milad Mohammadi, Asrin’s brother, took to social media to disclose that 17 security agents arrested his sister at a printing shop in Bukan. He reported that Asrin endured physical abuse and injuries inflicted by special police forces during the arrest.

The grounds for Mohammadi’s arrest, the charges against her, and her current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

It is worth noting that Shahriar Mohammadi, aged approximately 30, met a tragic end when he was fatally shot during the protests on November 18, 2022.

Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Zahra Saeedianjoo Detained in Izeh

Zahra Saeedianjoo was arrested in Izeh by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a source close to her family. The arrest occurred on Monday evening, coinciding with the approaching first anniversary of her brother Milad Saeedianjoo’s death, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The specific allegations against Zahra Saeedianjoo remain unknown at this time. It’s worth noting that she had been previously arrested in Tehran on July 9, and subsequently released on bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz after a month in detention.

Milad Saeedianjoo, aged 26, tragically lost his life on November 16, 2022, when he was fatally shot by regime forces during the protests in Izeh. The circumstances surrounding his death continue to be a source of concern and scrutiny.

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Tehran Resident Shaghayegh Moradi Detained by Security Forces

Shaghayegh Moradi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Sunday, November 12, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed facility.

A source with ties to her family shared the news of Moradi’s arrest, which reportedly took place at her residence in Tehran. The reasons behind her arrest and the specific allegations against her are currently undisclosed.

Moradi is known for her work with the art-cultural magazine Bukhara in Tehran.

Political Activist Abdollah Momeni Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Modara reports that the Tehran Revolutionary Court has imposed a one-year prison term on political activist Abdollah Momeni.

Presided over by Judge Mazloum from Branch 29, the court convicted Momeni of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” ordering the seizure of his cell phone and other electronic devices.

During the trial, a speech delivered by Momeni at a conference on political issues was presented as evidence for the aforementioned charge.

Intelligence agents arrested Momeni at his residence in Tehran on April 27, 2023, taking him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence. After three days, he was released on bail.

Momeni, a prominent former student activist and former spokesperson for the Alumni Association of Iran (Advar-e Tahkim Vahdat) organization two decades ago, had previously served a five-year sentence and was released from Evin Prison in March 2014.

Actress Mojgan Khaleghi Taken Into Custody in Isfahan

Mojgan Khaleghi, a movie and theater actress, was apprehended in Isfahan on November 11, according to Shargh Newspaper. The incident unfolded at the Isfahan Courthouse.

The 39-year-old actress had visited the courthouse to reclaim her confiscated belongings. As of now, the grounds for her arrest remain undisclosed, and information regarding her current detention site remains elusive.

Workers’ Rights Activist Peyman Farhangian Receives One-Year Sentence and Travel Restrictions

The Gilan Court of Appeal has recently sentenced Peyman Farhangian, a poet and advocate for workers’ rights, to a one-year imprisonment term. Additionally, he has been subjected to a two-year travel ban and other social restrictions.

According to the verdict issued on November 8, Farhangian was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” The court has further mandated the removal of his Instagram page. Notably, the initial guilty verdict was delivered by the Criminal Court of Astaneh-ye Ashrafiyeh during a court session held in absentia, without the presence of Farhangian or his legal representative.

This marks a recurring legal challenge for Farhangian, who has a history of facing convictions and imprisonment for his activism. On September 23, 2020, he was initially handed a 38-year sentence, later reduced to ten years on appeal, with seven years of the term suspended for five years. Commencing his sentence on May 16, 2022, in Ezbaram Prison in Lahijan, he was granted probation and released in December 2022.

Makki Grand Mosque Staff Member Arrested in Zahedan

On the evening of November 6, Abubakr Tohidi, a member of the camera crew at the Makki Grand Mosque, was detained by security forces in Zahedan and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a report by Haal Vsh.

Tohidi was reportedly apprehended at a police checkpoint in Zahedan. The grounds for his arrest, his current location, and the charges against him remain undisclosed at this time.