Category: Freedom of Expression

Seven Women’s Rights Activists Arrested in Gilan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Bandar-Anzali, Frough Saminia, Fuman, Jelveh Javaheri, Matin Yazdani, Negin Rezaie, Rasht, Yasamin Hashdari, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras

On August 16, 2023, a total of seven women’s rights activists were apprehended individually in Rasht, Fuman, and Bandar Anzali, subsequently being transported to undisclosed locations. The detained individuals include Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras, Negin Rezaie, Matin Yazdani, Frough Saminia, Jelveh Javaheri, and Yasamin Hashdari.

Zahra and Zohreh Dadras were taken into custody by security forces at their residence in Rasht. However, inquiries made by their family members regarding their condition have gone unanswered thus far. Moreover, Frough Saminia, Yasamin Hashdari, and Matin Yazdani, a photographer, have also been apprehended individually within the same city.

The exact motives behind their arrests, their current locations, as well as the nature of the charges against them, all remain undisclosed at present.

Filmmaker Saeed Roustayi Receives Prison Sentence over “Leila’s Brothers”

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Freedom of Expression, News
iranian filmmaker, Leila's Brothers, Saeed Roustaee, Saeed Roustayi

Renowned filmmaker and screenwriter Saeed Roustayi has been handed a six-month prison sentence, along with supplementary penalties, by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as revealed by Didban Iran.

Approximately nine days of this prison term will be carried out, while the remainder has been suspended for a five-year period.

Roustayi’s conviction stems from charges of “propaganda against the regime,” linked to his creation of the movie “Leila’s Brothers”, which he showcased at the Cannes Film Festival.
In addition to the prison sentence, Roustayi has been subjected to various restrictions affecting his career as a director and producer, including limitations on engaging with fellow cinema professionals. Further, he has been directed to complete a 24-hour filmmaking course at IRIB University in Qom.

The 2022 drama film “Leila’s Brothers” garnered significant attention. It secured a spot in the competition for the Palme d’Or at the renowned 2022 Cannes Film Festival and notably clinched the International Federation of Film Critics prize.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested Just One Day After Release

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Saqqez, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On Monday, August 14, journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested by security forces and promptly taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Her recent arrest comes after being granted bail and released from Evin Prison on August 13.

A reliable source close to Maroufian’s family, speaking to HRANA, has confirmed that she is now held at Qarchak Prison.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.
On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

 

Activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi Detained in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi

Mashhad, August 12 – Security forces took activist Mehdi Shaki Mashhadi into custody on Saturday, with his current whereabouts undisclosed.

According to a reliable course who spoke to HRANA, Mashhadi was arrested at his residence in Mashhad. The precise reasons behind his detainment, his present location, and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Shaki Mashhadi has a prior history of arrests linked to his activism. His last arrest dates back to December 2022 when he was apprehended by security forces in relation to the 2022 nationwide protests.

Donya Hosseini Detained by Security Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Donya Hosseini, Tehran

On August 12, 2023, Donya Hosseini, also known as Azad, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source within her family, speaking to HRANA, confirmed the involvement of security forces in her apprehension. Presently, the specific reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, and the exact location of her confinement remain undisclosed.

Hosseini, aged 34, was arrested for her activism during the nationwide protests in October-November 2022 and released from Evin Prison after a period of time.

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Wrestling Coach and Referee Masoumeh Soleimani Receives One-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Khorramabad, Masoumeh Soleimani, Mostafa Sohrabi

Khorramabad Criminal Court has handed down a one-year prison sentence to Masoumeh Soleimani, a wrestling coach and referee, according to a report from Kolbar News.

Presiding judge Mostafa Sohrabi found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through the Internet.”

The presiding judge, Mostafa Sohrabi, found Soleimani guilty of “inciting violence through online platforms.”

Soleimani’s arrest occurred on May 10, 2023, in Khorramabad by security forces. After spending four days in detention at an IRGC facility, she was subsequently released on bail.

Notably, Soleimani has a history of arrests linked to her activist involvement.

 

Woman Arrested in Sabzevar After Confrontation Over Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
irgc, Sabzevar, Shakiba Yazdani

Shakiba Yazdani, a 35-year-old resident of Sabzevar, was apprehended and subsequently incarcerated on Monday evening, August 7, following a dispute with a religious vigilante who confronted her about her hijab.

According to a source connected to the citizen’s family, the incident unfolded when an individual, invoking the religious duty of ‘enjoining good’, confronted Yazdani regarding her attire. Both parties attempted to record the encounter. Subsequently, after a span of two weeks, a group of ten intelligence agents affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accompanied by the previously mentioned individual, who was a retired IRGC member, detained Yazdani and transferred her to the Sabzevar security police detention center.

The source also revealed that despite being hospitalized for a heart condition, Yazdani was not granted sufficient medical attention, as security personnel hindered her from receiving necessary care and subsequently returned her to the detention facility. On Tuesday, she was transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

As of now, the specific charges against Yazdani remain undisclosed.

 

Kermanshah Resident Vahid Sorkh Gol Apprehended

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kermanshah, Vahid Sorkh Gol

On August 9, 2023, Vahid Sorkh Gol was apprehended in Kermanshah and transferred to an undisclosed location after his appearance at the Public and Revolutionary Court.

According to a source with close ties to his family, the exact location where he is being held remains undisclosed.

Some time ago, Sorkh Gol received a summons to appear at the Kermanshah courthouse, for facing the charges of “spreading anti-regime propaganda” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Each Sentenced to One-Year Prison Terms

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Allameh Tabatabai University, Hasti Amiri, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Tehran, Zia Nabavi

Tehran, August 9, 2023: In a recent development, Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, both students at Allameh Tabataba’i University, have been each handed a one-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Emtedad News.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari conveyed the verdict to the students, indicating that they have been found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” This decision was reached during a court session held on July 10, 2023.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. As a consequence, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Iranian-American Woman Held in Detention on Alleged Espionage Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Emad Sharqi, Iranian-American woman, Khorasan, Morad Tahbaz, Shahab Dalili, Siamak Namazi

An Iranian-American woman has been taken into custody under allegations of “espionage,” as reported by Khorasan Newspaper.

Withholding details about her identity and the specific facility of her detainment, Khorasan stated: “In recent weeks, this individual has been arrested, with a history of involvement in NGOs within Afghanistan.”

Several other Iranian-American dual citizens, including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and Shahab Dalili, are presently incarcerated in Iran. According to Khorasan, diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are underway for their potential release.

While the legal pursuit of individuals for espionage isn’t inherently considered a human rights violation, concerns arise regarding the credibility of these allegations. The Iranian regime frequently employs such charges to quell political dissidents, and the lack of transparency in legal proceedings raises further doubts about the legitimacy of these cases.