Kaveh Amiri Receives Eight-Month Prison Sentence for Propaganda-Related Charges

The Shahriar Revolutionary Court has issued an eight-month prison sentence to Kaveh Amiri, aged 39.

Judge Barjesteh, who presided over the case, recently informed Amiri that he has been sentenced to eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” including time served during detention. Notably, Amiri has been acquitted of the charge of “disturbing public opinion and endangering national security.”

On September 10, 2023, Amiri was summoned to the Shahriar Public Security Police, where he was subsequently arrested and held in Evin Prison following an interrogation. He was released on bail after three days.

Journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi Sentenced to a Combined 25 Years in Prison

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued sentences of 13 and 12 years to two female journalists, Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi, respectively. In addition to their prison terms, they have been prohibited from participating in political groups and are subject to restrictions on their social media and media-related activities. These journalists are currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

Judge Salavati, who presided over the case, sentenced Hamedi to seven years for “collaboration with an adversarial country, the USA,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Mohammadi received six, five, and one-year sentences for the same charges, respectively.

Should the verdicts be upheld on appeal, the initial jail terms, specifically seven years for Hamedi and six years for Mohammadi, will be enforced.

Hamedi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Shargh, was arrested at her residence in Tehran on September 22, 2022, by security forces. She gained recognition as the first journalist to publish a picture of Mahsa Amini in a coma.

Mohammadi, a reporter for the daily newspaper Ham-Mihan, was arrested on September 29, 2022, after traveling to Saqqez and covering the funeral of Mahsa Amini.

Multiple Arrests Made During Zahedan Protest

On October 20, 2023, security forces detained several individuals participating in a protest in Zahedan, subsequently relocating them to undisclosed facilities, according to Haal Vsh.

On this day, dozens of people in Zahedan took to the streets chanting slogans against the regime. Video footage shared on social media shows the intervention of police special forces, escalating what was initially a peaceful demonstration.

As of now, the identities of the detainees and their current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard Sentenced to Six Years and Six Months

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard has been handed a six-year and six-month prison sentence by the Sari Revolutionary Court. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

HRANA received this information through a source with close ties to his family. The court convened on October 1, 2023.

Initially, Mohammadi Fard faced dual death sentences on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “enmity against God.” However, this ruling was subsequently overturned, leading to the case being referred to another court branch for review.

Additionally, Mohammadi Fard received a six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” two years for “incitement of people to engage in hostilities,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and four years for “participation in activities that undermine national security.”

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard, who is approximately 20 years old, was detained by the Iranian Public Security Police in Nowshahr during the protests.

Mohammad-Reza Bashang Arrested in Tehran

On October 17, 2023, security forces apprehended Mohammad-Reza Bashang in Tehran and transported him to an undisclosed facility.

HRANA learned of this incident through a source with close connections to his family. Despite their repeated inquiries, judicial and security officials have yet to disclose Bashang’s whereabouts or condition.

Bashang had previously been arrested by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending five months in detention as a result.

As of now, the cause behind Bashang’s recent arrest, his current location, and the specific charges levied against him remain veiled in uncertainty, deepening concerns over his well-being and the transparency of the legal process.

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Lawyer Saleh Nikbakht Receives One-Year Sentence and Social Media Restrictions

Saleh Nikbakht has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and faces restrictions on his social media activities.

Presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amoozad, the Tehran Revolutionary Court delivered this verdict to Nikbakht for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, he has been prohibited from engaging in social media activities for a duration of two years.

According to sources cited by HRANA, Nikbakht’s refusal to accept the forensic report concerning the cause of Mahsa Amini’s death was cited as evidence supporting this charge. Nikbakht, who served as Amini’s lawyer, found himself embroiled in this legal case following a complaint filed by the Ministry of Intelligence, primarily due to his interviews with media outlets outside Iran.

On March 11, 2023, Nikbakht was indicted at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Nikbakht has represented Mahsa Amini and several political prisoners, including Jafar Panahi, Eskandar Lotfi, and Masoud Nikkhah, in legal matters.

Leila Hosseinzadeh Faces New Legal Case

Former political prisoner Leila Hosseinzadeh is confronted with a new legal case brought forth by the prosecutor’s offices of Evin Courthouse.

Hosseinzadeh stands accused of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

On August 20, 2022, security forces arrested Hosseinzadeh in front of her residence in Tehran and subsequently detained her in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During the arrest, she was beaten by the agents. She was later relocated to a detention facility in Shiraz, known as House No. 100, and subsequently to Adelabad Prison.

On January 4, 2023, Hosseinzadeh was once again transferred to Evin Prison. After five days, she was granted release on bail.

Leila Hosseinzadeh, a student activist from the University of Tehran, has a documented history of previous arrests and convictions tied to her activism.

Reza Rasaei Receives Death Sentence Amidst Controversial Charges

Reza Rasaei, one of the participants in the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by the Criminal Court of Kermanshah in connection with a legal case related to the “killing of the head of the IRGC’s intelligence of Sahneh County.”

According to Kurdpa, Rasaei has been found guilty of involvement in the death of Nader Beirami, the head of the IRGC’s intelligence in Sahneh County. Additional charges against Rasaei include causing non-lethal injuries, using a knife, and disrupting public order.

Critically, the court’s decision appears to have relied on a confession extracted under duress during Rasaei’s detention.

Rasaei was apprehended on November 24, 2022, by the police and subsequently detained in Sahneh County. After completing the interrogation process, he was transferred to Dizel-Abad prison in Kermanshah.

Several other protesters involved in a demonstration on November 18, 2022, are also facing charges related to their alleged role in the death of the IRGC’s intelligence officer. During this protest, several protestors were also killed by police and security forces.

Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, aged 34, is known as a Yarsan follower and a resident of Sahneh County.

Student Mohammad Navid Badami Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a sentence of one year in prison and 74 lashes to Mohammad Navid Badami, a student at Shahid Beheshti University, with seven months of the prison term being suspended.

Presiding over the court, Judge Ali Mazloum found Badami guilty of “disturbing public order.”

On May 20, 2023, Badami was apprehended by security forces during a student gathering protesting the death sentences issued against three defendants in a case known as “Khaneh e Isfahan (Isfahan House).” He was subsequently released on bail on June 12, 2023.

It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey Sentenced to Six Years in Prison

The Court of Appeal in Mazandaran Province has confirmed the initial six-year prison sentence and travel ban imposed on Mohammad Moradi Kia-pey, a resident of Sari.

Initially, Moradi Kia-pay was sentenced to five years for “inciting actions against national security through activities on social media” and an additional year for “repeatedly promoting anti-regime propaganda.”

Among the items seized were technical and telecommunications equipment, as well as SIM cards. Additionally, he is prohibited from traveling abroad for two years, engaging in information technology-related work, and using the Internet and social media without restrictions.

On June 25, 2023, IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Moradi Kia-Pey in Sari. Subsequently, he was detained in a facility located in Tir Kola Village. After 16 days of detention, he was released on bail.

Moradi Kia-Pey had a prior encounter with the law during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was granted amnesty through a general “commutation and pardon” directive, leading to his release after approximately 30 days of confinement.