Category: Freedom of Expression

Morteza Nourmohammadi Arrested in Shabestar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nourmohammadi, Shabestar

On September 9, Morteza Nourmohammadi, a resident of Shabestar in East Azerbaijan province, was apprehended by security forces and transported to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

A source with close ties to his family informed HRANA that Nourmohammadi was detained on September 9, immediately following a visit to the National Organization for Civil Registration of Iran. Subsequent to his arrest, intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Previously, the National Organization for Civil Registration had declined to register a chosen name for his newborn child. It’s worth noting that the Iranian government restricts naming children in ways that deviate from the national cultural and religious norms.

The precise grounds for his detention, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Hamid Dadras Detained in Dehdasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Armin, Dehdasht, Hamid Dadras, Jaber Froughi, Sajad Parvish

On Friday, September 8, 2023, security forces apprehended Hamid Dadras, who had been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022, in Dehdasht and transported him to an undisclosed location.

A source closely connected to his family shared this information with HRANA.

At this time, the motive behind his arrest and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.
It’s worth noting that on Thursday, September 7, three additional Dehdasht residents, namely Babak Armin, Jaber Froughi, and Sajad (Sajjad) Parvish, were also taken into custody by security forces in Dehdasht.

Previously, Dadras had been taken into custody on December 9, during the 2022 nationwide protests in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province. He was subsequently released on bail after a period of detention.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Gorgan Resident Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, Tahmuras Shoghi

On September 8, 2023, Mohammad-Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently jailed in Amirabad Prison.

According to a source close to his family who provided information to HRANA, Shoghi was taken into custody at his residence on Friday, September 8, following a summons from security police received via phone a few days earlier.

As of now, the specific reason for Shoghi’s arrest, his current whereabouts, and the nature of the allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty.
Shoghi, aged 23, has previously encountered law enforcement and undergone prior arrests due to his involvement in activist endeavors.

Death Sentence and Lengthy Imprisonment for Four Baneh Residents

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Baset Karimi, Kurdistan Province, Mohammad Feyzi, Mohammad Karimi, Sanandaj, Yousef Ahmadi

Yousef Ahmadi has been sentenced to death by the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court for his involvement in armed rebellion (Baghi). In the same legal case, other defendants, Mohammad Karimi, Baset Karimi, and Mohammad Feyzi, have received prison sentences of 25, 20, and 20 years, respectively.

According to reports from Kurdpa, Judge Saeedi presided over the proceedings against these residents of Baneh. During the trial, evidence of their alleged collaboration with a political opposition party in Kurdistan was presented as the basis for the charges, as shared by a Kurdpa staff member with HRANA.

These individuals were initially apprehended by security forces in April 2020 and subsequently transferred to Sanandaj prison after the conclusion of the interrogation process at a security detention facility. Despite these developments, specific details pertaining to their case and the actions underlying the charges remain undisclosed.

Elham Farshad Recevies Three Years and Eight Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Elham Farshad, Nowshahr

The Nowshahr Criminal Court has issued a three-year, eight-month prison sentence to Elham Farshad. The exact charges against her remain undisclosed.

Elham Farshad, 29 years old, was arrested at her residence on July 13, 2022, by security forces. Subsequently, she was released on bail, amounting to 500 million Tomans (approximately 10,000 dollars).

Her arrest is connected to a confrontation with a cleric who had been harassing her due to what he deemed an improper dress code. This incident gained significant attention within Persian communities on social media.

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Vahid Karimi Sentenced to Four Years, One Month, and 17 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran Court of Appeals, Vahid Karimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has issued a verdict sentencing Vahid Karimi to four years, one month, and 17 days in prison. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to the judgment delivered on September 7, Karimi has been handed a three-year, six-month, and one-day sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, six-month, and one-day prison term will be executed.

Karimi’s arrest occurred on November 29, 2022, when he was apprehended by the IRGC Intelligence unit at his father’s residence in Qazvin, after which he was transferred to Tehran.

Initially, Karimi had been released from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a pardon and commutation directive, with the suspension of prosecution order by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, it has come to light that, following a complaint by the prosecutor, Karimi’s pardon was revoked, and the case was referred to the Court of Appeals.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Nowruzi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, great tehran penitentiary, Reza Nowruzi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On September 7, 2023, Reza Nowruzi, a former political prisoner, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Breaking this development, his attorney, Erfan Karam Veisi, confirmed: “Nowruzi was arrested at his residence by security forces.”

The identity of the security institution responsible for Nowruzi’s arrest, as well as details about his current whereabouts and the charges against him, remain unknown at this time.

Previously, Nowruzi had been arrested by security forces in Tehran in April-May 2021. Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years in prison, with five years of that sentence being enforceable. This verdict was upheld upon appeal.

On May 27, 2023, Nowruzi was granted early release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary. However, during his incarceration, in August 2022, he was charged with “disturbing prison order,” resulting in a fine and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In June 2023, he was summoned to Evin Courthouse to face further penalties related to his legal case.

Nowruzi, approximately 33 years of age and hailing from Sarab, is a father of two children.

Parsa Ghobadi Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Kermanshah, Parsa Ghobadi

Parsa Ghobadi, a resident of Kermanshah, has been apprehended by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa. Ghobadi had previously been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadi reportedly was arrested last Monday, September 4, at his father’s workplace in Kermanshah.

Sources indicate that Ghobadi is in need of medical attention and has been denied access to his prescribed medication since his arrest. Despite his family’s inquiries, there has been no response from judicial and security authorities. As of now, the reasons behind his arrest and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.

During the nationwide protests in 2022, Ghobadi, who is about 19 years old, suffered a gunshot wound to his eye inflicted by regime forces.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Mostafa Mohebi Commences His Three-Year Sentence in Rudsar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan province, HRANA, Langarud, Mahsa Amini, Mostafa Mohebi, Rudsar

Mostafa Mohebi (also spelled as Mohebbi) has begun serving his three-year prison term in Rudsar Prison. His arrest dates back to the nationwide protests in 2022, also known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

According to a source close to his family who spoke with HRANA, Mohebi was convicted by the Revolutionary Court on charges of “acting against national security,” leading to a three-year sentence. On August 28, 2023, he commenced his sentence in Rudsar Prison.

Mohebi was apprehended by security forces in January 2023 and subsequently incarcerated in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on February 3.

A 35-year-old computer engineer and Langarud resident in Gilan Province, Mohebi’s case continues to garner attention in the ongoing discourse on civil rights and freedom of expression in Iran.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Taha Rasoulian Sentenced to Seven Years, Three Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Taha Rasoulian

In a recent verdict issued by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, Taha Rasoulian, a resident of Piranshahr, has been handed a sentence of seven years and three months, according to a report from Kurdpa.

This sentence encompasses three years for “membership in a political opposition party,” three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” culminating in a total imprisonment period of seven years and three months.

Taha Rasoulian’s legal ordeal commenced with his arrest in Piranshahr on January 18, 2023, followed by his release on February 21, 2023.

In a separate legal case, in May 2023, Rasoulian faced a sentence from the Piranshahr Criminal Court, resulting in a fine and a punishment of 40 lashes, stemming from allegations of “disrupting public order and safety.”