Category: Freedom of Expression

Political Prisoner Mehdi Sabeti Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alborz province, Mehdi Sabeti, Meshkin Dasht, مهدی ثابتی

Mehdi Sabeti, a political prisoner held in the Central Prison of Karaj, has been sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Karaj.

According to a verdict recently issued by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj and delivered to Mr. Sabeti on Saturday, June 22, he has been sentenced to two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

Sabeti was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence in Meshkin Dasht, Alborz province, on September 17, 2023. He was subsequently transferred to the Central Prison of Karaj.

Previously, a source close to the family of this political detainee told HRANA: “A few days after his arrest, Sabeti was also charged with blasphemy and disseminating falsehoods during his interrogation.”

Sabeti, aged around 34, resides in Fardis County, Alborz province.

Three Workers’ Rights Activists Sentenced to a Total of Six Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Mohammad Iran-Nejad, Morteza Seydi, Nasrollah Amirloo

Mohammad Iran-Nejad, Nasrollah Amirloo, and Morteza Seydi, labor activists, were each sentenced to two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar.

According to a verdict recently issued by branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar and delivered to these workers’ rights advocates on June 22, they were each sentenced to two years in prison for “forming a group under the title of a labor union with the intent to disrupt national security.” The court session to address these charges was held on May 26th of the previous year in the aforementioned branch.

Iran-Nejad, Amirloo, and Seydi, along with several other labor activists, were arrested by security forces on April 15, 2022. Amirloo and Seydi were released on bail on May 2 and May 9 of the same year, respectively, and Iran-Nejad was released after about a month.

Mohammad Iran-Nejad was sent to Evin Prison on June 26, 2022, to serve his sentence of two years and nine months for another case. Following the fire incident in Evil Prison on October 15, 2022, he and several other prisoners were transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison. He was released from this prison in February-March 2024.

Journalist Hadi Kasaie Zadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Hadi Kasaie-Zadeh, Tehran, هادی کسایی زاده

Hadi Kasaie Zadeh, a journalist, has been arrested by security forces and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Didban Iran.

The report does not specify the security institution responsible for Kasaie Zadeh’s arrest, the place of detention, or the charges against this journalist.

In May of this year, Kasaie Zadeh was charged with “publishing details about the death of Nika Shakarami.” at the Evin Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran.

Additionally, in another case, this journalist was sentenced to three months in prison by Branch 2 of the Tehran Criminal Court for the charge of “disseminating false information.” The sentence has been suspended for two years. According to information received by HRANA, this conviction was related to the publication of material concerning the judicial case of Reza Saghafi, the former head of the Gilan Department of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Hadi Kasaie Zadeh Mahabadi has a history of judicial confrontations due to his activities as a journalist.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Journalist Vahid Ashtari Starts Serving 14-Month Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babol, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Vahid Ashtari, وحید اشتری

On Thursday, June 20, Vahid Ashtari, a journalist, was arrested and transferred to prison to serve his fourteen-month sentence, according to Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency.

Vahid Ashtari was initially sentenced to 24 months in prison, which was later reduced to 14 months by the Court of Appeals. This case was referred to another branch in the Court of Appeals of Tehran Province in November-December 2023 following the Supreme Court’s order for retrial. However, the judges of that branch rejected the retrial and confirmed the verdict issued by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Mizan reported that this conviction is related to a case initiated after Mr. Ashtari reported the assault against him by a soldier in Babol, Mazandaran province.

This journalist has faced several other charges and convictions due to his activities as a journalist. He is also known for exposing the trip of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s family, the current Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, to Turkey, leading to a scandal known as the “baby layette Gate” for Ghalibaf.

29 Arrested in Shirvan County for Alleged Satanism

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Freedom of Expression, News
North Khorasan province, satanism, Shirvan

The chief police of  North Khorasan province announced the arrest of twenty-nine citizens in Shirvan County, in accusation of “Satanism” and possession of alcoholic beverages and drugs, as reported by IRNA.

The Police official accused these individuals of Satan worship and said their arrest occurred while they were gathered in a villa.

Saeed Motahhari-Zadeh further claimed: “A quantity of alcoholic beverages, Satanic paraphernalia, and various hallucinogenic substances were discovered at the location of these individuals.” Without referring to the identities of these individuals, he stated that most of these citizens were non-locals.

The report does not mention the location where these individuals are being held.

This incident adds to ongoing criticisms of Iran’s regime for its intrusive practices into the private lives of its citizens and violations of privacy rights.

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Student Ehsan Faridi Arrested and Jailed in Tabriz Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ehsan Faridi, Tabriz

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz University, was arrested and transferred to Tabriz prison on Tuesday, June 18th, after being summoned to the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in this city.

Based on reports received by HRANA, after appearing at this judicial institution, Faridi was arrested and transferred to the city’s prison. As of now, the charges against him remain unknown.

Ehsan Faridi is a 21-year-old student of Manufacturing Engineering at Tabriz Technical College. He was previously arrested on March 9th, 2023, and transferred to Tabriz prison. He was eventually released on bail on March 19th of the same year.

Media Activist Hossein Razzagh Sentenced to 74 Lashes on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Hossein Razzagh, HRANA, Tehran Revolutionary Court, حسین رزاق

The lashing sentence for Hossein Razzagh, a media activist, has been upheld by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals. He was initially sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 74 lashes for “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

In April this year, while Razzagh was serving his sentence in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was sentenced to 74 lashes by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. A source close to Mr. Razzagh’s family told HRANA that the reason for this sentence was “absence and failure to report to Amol Prison.”

Razzagh was released from Evin Prison on June 10. Emtedad Online, which reported his release, did not provide any details about the manner and conditions of his release.

On August 22, 2022, Razzagh was arrested by security forces in Amol concerning his previous case. In September of 2022, he was charged with a new case against him and was sentenced to four years and three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in April 2023. Additionally, he was charged in June 2023 in another case.

Hossein Razzagh has previously faced arrest and judicial actions for his activities.

Maryam Mehrabi Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi, مریم مهرابی

Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, was arrested by security forces today, June 18, and taken to an unknown location. Her brother, Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to death for political charges.

Mahan Mehrabi, Ms. Mehrabi’s brother, posted an update: “Today, my sister Maryam was arrested by security forces. Additionally, the security forces confiscated all electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones.”
So far, there is no information on the reasons for her arrest or the whereabouts of Ms. Mehrabi and her children.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. This citizen was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Mahmoud Toorang Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, HRANA, Mahmoud Toorang, Yasuj, محمد تورنگ

Following the rejection of his appeal request, Mahmoud Toorang, a resident of Yasuj, was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Yasuj Criminal Court to one year in prison and seventy-four lashes.

Based on the verdict issued on June 11 by Branch 105 of the Yasuj Criminal Court, Toorang was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disturbing public order by causing unrest and participating in protests on December 7, 2022.”

A source close to the family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Toorang’s case was previously closed following the issuance of an amnesty directive. However, the case was reopened, and after the rejection of the appeal request, he was summoned to start serving his sentence.”

Toorang, aged around 29, was initially arrested by security forces in Dehdasht on December 26, 2022. He was released on bail from Yasuj Prison on February 2, 2023. He was re-arrested by security forces in Yasuj on September 15, 2023, coinciding with the first anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini’s death, and was released on bail after 11 days.

 

Shahab Mohammadian Arrested in Yasuj

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kourosh Jalil, Shahab Mohammadian, شهاب محمدیان

On June 16, 202, Shahab Mohammadian, a resident of Yasuj, was arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an unknown location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammadian’s arrest took place on Sunday, June 16, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. Mohammadian is a relative of Kourosh Jalil, a detained citizen from Yasuj who is currently being held by the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in this city.

As of the time of this report, no information is available about the location where Shahab Mohammadian is being held or the reasons for his arrest.