Category: Freedom of Expression

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj Revolutionary Court, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, زرتشت احمدی راغب

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a political prisoner held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years in exile in connection with a new case opened against him during his imprisonment.

Based on a verdict issued in absentia by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef Al-Hosseini, and recently communicated to Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb in Ghezel Hesar Prison, he has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in Qeydar, located in Zanjan province, on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”
A source close to the family of this political prisoner confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb was recently transferred to solitary confinement and, upon returning to the public ward last week, was notified of the new sentence. This case was initiated during his imprisonment following a complaint by Ghezel Hesar Prison officials against him.”

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism.

Six Women’s Rights Activists Arrested to Serve Prison Sentences

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Gilan, Hooman Taheri, Jalveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Shiva Shah Sia, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

On Saturday, July 13th, Matin Yazdani, Forough Saminia, Jalveh Javaheri, Negin Rezaie, Shiva Shah Sia, and Azadeh Chavoshian, women’s rights activists in Gilan, were arrested to serve their prison sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Based on this report, these women’s rights advocates were arrested to serve their sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. Their cases, along with those of five other women’s rights activists in Gilan named Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras, and Hooman Taheri, were referred to the Enforcement of Judgments department in late June of this year.

These eleven women’s rights activists were separately arrested by security forces in Gilan on August 16 and 17, 2023. Zahra Dadras was released on bail from Lakan Prison on September 17 of last year, and Zohreh Dadras was released on October 1 of the same year.

On February 29, 2024, a court session was held to address the charges against them in a joint case at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi. Their initial verdicts were issued by this branch in early March of this year.

Their sentences were confirmed on May 28 of this year by Branch 11 of the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Agideh.

According to the issued verdict, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years, six months, and two days in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Zahra Dadras was sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison for “membership in a group and assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Additionally, other defendants in this case were also sentenced to prison. Farough Samiei Nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavooshian, and Matin Yazdani were each sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison, while Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri were each sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

Judicial Case Filed Against Former Political Prisoner Fariba Asadi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Asadi, Fereshteh Khadem, HRANA, Kachooie Prison, Mohammadshahr Revolutionary Court, Qarchak Prison, فریبا اسدی

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner who was released from prison in February 2023 after serving a previous sentence, is now facing a new judicial case.

A knowledgeable source close to Asadi confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that this case was opened following a complaint by Fereshteh Khadem, an official of the Mohammadshahr Revolutionary Court. The charges against Ms. Asadi include “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “disrupting public order and peace,” “public display of sinful acts,” “insulting officials and agents,” “intentional assault and battery,” and “insulting ordinary people.”

This source added that Fereshteh Khadem had previously filed a complaint against Ms. Asadi, which was closed with a no-prosecution ruling. The trial for Fariba Asadi’s new charges is scheduled for July 21, at the Mohammadshahr Criminal Court 2.

Asadi was previously arrested along with three co-defendants in February 2021 by security forces on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups.” She was released on bail after a while. In October 2021, she was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In January 2022, she began serving her sentence in Qarchak Varamin Prison. She was ultimately released from Evin Prison in late February 2023 following an amnesty directive.

She was arrested again in September last year in connection with another case and released on bail from Kachouei Prison in Karaj in March of the same year.

Lawyer Mehdi Shakibafar Sentenced to Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Markazi Province, Mehdi Shakibafar

Mehdi Shakibafar, an attorney, has been sentenced to twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment by Branch 9 of the Central Province Court of Appeals.

Based on a recent ruling issued by Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals in Markazi Province and communicated to Mr. Shakibafar, he has been sentenced to fifteen months and one day in prison for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and seven months and sixteen days in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” totaling twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment.

Previously, this attorney had been acquitted of the charges in the initial court, but following the prosecutor’s objection that “the acquittal will embolden the defendant,” his case was reviewed again.

Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Mohammad Reza Shoghi, محمدرضا شوقی

On Wednesday, July 10, Mohammad-Reza Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested by security forces in the city.

A source close to his family confirmed this news to HRANA, saying: “This morning, Mohammad Reza Shoghi was arrested after an appearance at the Security Police office in Gorgan. Mr. Shoghi had previously been summoned to this security agency by phone.”

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges and reasons for the arrest of this resident of Gorgan.

Mohammad Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

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Women’s Rights Activists Zohreh and Zahra Dadras Arrested to Commence Serving Their Sentences

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Chavoshian, Forough Saminia, Gilan province, Hooman Taheri, Jelveh Javaheri, Lakan prison, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Sara Jahani, Shiva Shah Sia, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

Zahra (Fatemeh) Dadras and Zohreh Dadras, women’s rights activists in Gilan province, were arrested to serve their prison sentences and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht on July 10, 2024.

Abolfazl Ghorbani, the lawyer for these two women’s rights activists, announced: “At 9 AM today, Zohreh (Fatemeh) Dadras was detained and transferred to the Enforcement of Judgments department without prior summons or notice. Similarly, Zahra Dadras was arrested at 12 PM today after appearing at the Criminal Sentences Execution branch. Both sisters were then transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht.”

Hirakani News Agency announced today that the other nine defendants in this case, Forough Saminia, Sara Jahani, Yasamin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Sia, Negin Rezaie, Azadeh Chavoshian, Matin Yazdani, Hooman Taheri and Jelveh Javaheri, have also been summoned to the Revolutionary the Enforcement of Judgments office in Rasht by phone.

These women’s rights activists were separately arrested by security forces in Gilan on August 16 and 17, 2023. Zahra Dadras was released on bail from Lakan Prison on September 17 of last year, and Zohreh Dadras was released on October 1 of the same year.

On February 29, 2024, a court session was held to address the charges against them in a joint case at Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi. Their initial verdicts were issued by this branch in early March of this year.

Their sentences were confirmed on May 28 of this year by Branch 11 of the Gilan Provincial Court of Appeal, presided over by Judge Mohammad Sadegh Iran Agideh.

According to the issued verdict, Zohreh Dadras was sentenced to nine years, six months, and two days in prison for “forming a group to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Zahra Dadras was sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison for “membership in a group and assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Additionally, other defendants in this case were also sentenced to prison. Farough Samiei Nia, Sara Jahani, Yasmin Hashdari, Shiva Shah Siah, Negin Rezaei, Azadeh Chavooshian, and Matin Yazdani were each sentenced to six years, one month, and seventeen days in prison, while Jelveh Javaheri and Hooman Taheri were each sentenced to one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

Environmental Activist Yousef Farhadi Babadi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran, Yousef Farhadi Babadi, یوسف فرهادی بابادی

Yousef Farhadi Babadi, an environmental activist, has been sentenced to two years in prison and a fine by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Mr. Farhadi Babadi’s lawyer on July 6th, he has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda activities against the regime” and one year in prison and a fine of 15 million tomans for “spreading falsehoods against the Ministry of Intelligence.”

The court session for addressing the charges against this citizen was held on Tuesday, July 2nd of this year in the aforementioned branch.

Farhadi Babadi was summoned to Branch 1 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office in late April after receiving a summons. The indictment for his case regarding the above charges was issued in May.

This citizen also has a history of previous arrests.

Amir Sheibani Zaveh’s Conviction Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Sheibani Zaveh, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison

The Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province upheld the ten-month prison sentence and additional punishments for Amir Sheibani Zaveh, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Based on a recent ruling issued by Branch 35 of the Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province and communicated to him, Mr. Sheibani Zaveh has been sentenced to ten months of imprisonment, an eighteen-month travel ban, and an eighteen-month ban on online activities for the charge of “propaganda against the regime through online activities.”

This political prisoner was indicted on May 5 by Branch 901 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

In January of 2024, Sheibani Zaveh faced another legal case for which he recevied by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, to one year of discretionary imprisonment, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on online activities for the same charge of “propaganda against the regime.” This sentence was later upheld op appeal.

In April of this year, Sheibani was arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison to serve his sentence.

Sheibani has a history of arrests and convictions due to his activities.

Morteza Keyvanloo’s Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Joghatai, Morteza Keyvanloo, Sabzevar

The seven months and fifteen days prison sentence for Morteza Keyvanloo, a resident of Joghatai County, has been upheld by the Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province.

Based on a ruling issued on June 18 of this year by Branch 35 of the Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province and communicated to Mr. Keyvanloo, he has been sentenced to seven months and fifteen days of discretionary imprisonment.

In May of this year, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar, presided over by Mohammad Gholami, convicted Keyvanloo of “propaganda against the regime on the Internet.”

Keyvanloo was arrested on February 18, 2024, by security forces in Sabzevar and was released about twenty days later on bail.

According to information received by HRANA, this citizen was also sentenced to six months in prison last year on a similar charge, with the issued sentence suspended for five years. Additionally, in another case, he was fined by the Joghatai Criminal Court.

Morteza Keyvanloo, aged around 41, is the father of two daughters and a resident of Joghatai County.

Teacher Union Activist Mohsen Omrani Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Bushehr, HRANA, Mohsen Omrani, محسن عمرانی

Mohsen Omrani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Bushehr.

According to the ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Bushehr and recently communicated to Mr. Omrani, he has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Several posts on social media have been cited as evidence for the charges against him.

The court session for these charges was held on July 2 of this year. A previous court session for Omrani’s charges was held, but the case was sent back to the prosecutor’s office due to deficiencies.

A source close to Mr. Omrani told HRANA that he is facing another legal case. In October of last year, Omrani, along with three other members of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, was sentenced to two years of discretionary imprisonment, confiscation of seized assets in favor of the government, and a three-year ban on teaching activities in academic environments. This case has been sent to Branch 3 of the Bushehr Province Court of Appeals, with a hearing date set for August.

Additionally, Mr. Omrani, along with two other union activists, was sentenced by the Bushehr Province Criminal Court to a fine for “participating in teachers’ union protests.” Later, these citizens were acquitted of the charges by the province’s Court of Appeals.

Mohsen Omrani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.