Category: Freedom of Expression

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Shahrokh Ahmadi, Siamak Ebrahimi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Mohammad Sultani Arrested by Security Forces in Arak

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Mohammad Soltani, Mohammad Sultani

On August 5, 2023, Mohammad Sultani (Soltani) was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Arak and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source, speaking to HRANA, the agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated some of his belongings during the arrest.

As of now, the specific reasons behind his arrest, his current whereabouts, and the charges brought against him remain undisclosed. The situation is being monitored, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.

Soraya Rezaie Mahvar Arrested for Criticizing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Soraya Rezaie Mahvar

On August 1, Soraya Rezaie Mahvar, the Business Development Manager at Myket Company, an Iranian Android app store, was arrested by security forces after posting criticisms of the compulsory Hijab on social media.

A media channel with close ties to security institutions published the video footage of Rezaie Mahvar’s arrest, as well as some of her tweets. However, the report did not disclose the specific reasons behind her arrest or the location of her detention.

This arrest serves as a poignant example of the Iranian regime’s escalating legal measures to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Nowshahr County

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alvand Prison, Hamedan, Kabudarahang, Mehdi Seifi, Meisam Gholami, Meysam Gholami, Nowshahr

On August 2, 2023, Meisam Gholami, a former political prisoner and one of the detainees of the nationwide protests in 2022, was arrested along with his friend Mehdi Seifi by security forces in Nowshahr County. Both individuals were taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a source close to one of the families, who spoke to HRANA, Meisam Gholami was arrested at his workplace in Nowshahr County, and shortly after, Mehdi Seifi was also detained. Their mobile phones and some personal belongings were confiscated by the agents.

Meisam Gholami’s initial arrest took place on October 1, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Kabudarahang, Hamedan Province. He spent 14 days in detention before being released on bail from Alvand Prison in Hamedan. The trial session addressing his charges was held on February 15, 2023, at the Revolutionary Court of Kabudarahang County.

Meisam Gholami, 37 years old, has a history of previous detentions and imprisonments due to his activist activities.

Hadi Atashbar Receives Five and a Half Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hadi Atashbar, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, Yazdankhah

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has sentenced Hadi Atashbar, a former political prisoner, to five years and six months in prison. He is currently jailed in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad.

According to this verdict issued on July 27 by Judge Yazdankhah, Atashbar has sentenced to three years for “joining groups to act against national security,” one years and eight months for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and ten months for “propaganda against the regime.”

On February 14, 2023, Atashbar was arrested by security forces at his residence in Mashhad. After five days, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison, where he has remained in detention.

The 46-year-old activist has a history of detention and conviction due to his previous activities.

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Comedian Shaker Boori Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Abadan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abadan, irgc, Shaker Boori

On Monday, July 31, comedian Shaker Boori was arrested after being summoned to the IRGC Intelligence office in Abadan. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to his family, who shared information with HRANA, disclosed that security agents had recently conducted a raid at Boori’s residence, arresting him and seizing his cell phone. Following a few hours of detention, he was released. However, shortly after regaining his freedom, Boori received a summons via phone.

The reasons behind Shaker Boori’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

 

Isfahan Resident Pouya Dana Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Isfahan, Pouya Dana, Roozbeh Dana

On August 2, 2023, security forces arrested Pouya Dana, aged about 31, at his father’s residence in Isfahan and took him to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source, who spoke to HRANA, disclosed that during the arrest, the security forces seized Pouya Dana’s cell phone and that of his father.

The exact reasons behind Pouya Dana’s arrest, his current location, and the charges filed against him remain shrouded in uncertainty. His brother, Roozbeh Dana, is also among the twelve Isfahan residents who were arrested on July 11, 2023.

 

Former Political Prisoner Ali-Asghar Hassani-Rad Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali-Asghar Hassani Rad, Ali-Asghar Hassanirad, HRANA, irgc, Nowshahr

In a recent development, former political prisoner Ali-Asghar Hassani-Rad has been arrested by IRGC intelligence and taken to an undisclosed location.

A reliable source close to his family confirmed the involvement of the IRGC intelligence unit in the arrest. The incident occurred approximately two months ago when security forces visited his mother’s residence but failed to apprehend him due to his absence. Since then, Hassani-Rad had been in hiding in Nowshahr.

The reasons behind his arrest, his current location, and the specific charges against him remain unknown at this time.

Notably, this is not the first time Ali-Asghar Hassani-Rad has faced arrest. In May 2020, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 16 years and seven months in prison, with seven years enforceable. Additionally, he was banned from leaving the country, joining political groups, and engaging in social media/media activities.

However, following the “pardon and commutation” directive, Hassani-Rad was granted amnesty, leading to his release from Evin Prison on February 15, 2023.

Poet and Writer Habib Mousavi Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golestan province, Gorgan, Habib Mousavi, iranian poet, irgc

On July 31, 2023, Habib Mousavi, a poet and writer, was arrested shortly after receiving a summons and visiting the IRGC’s intelligence office in Gorgan, Golestan Province.

A credible source, who is close to Mousavi’s family and spoke to HRANA, disclosed that the poet was called in by the IRGC Intelligence Unit and subsequently detained during the meeting. The precise reasons behind Mousavi’s arrest have not been made public.

Habib Mousavi, aged approximately 50, is a poet, writer, and resident of Gorgan.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh Sentenced to Six Years in Prison on National Security Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Former political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh has been handed a six-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after being found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “forming groups to act against national security.”

Presiding judge Iman Afshari delivered the verdict and additional restrictions, including a travel ban and limitations on social activities.

Dehbanzadeh’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, was informed of the court’s decision. Along with the prison sentence, Dehbanzadeh will face several punitive measures, including a prohibition from entering Tehran Province and neighboring regions, leaving the country, and joining civil and social groups. He will also be required to make monthly appearances at the Supervision and Follow-up Office of the Judiciary for two years.

This legal case against Dehbanzadeh was linked to the fire incident at Evin prison, which occurred last year.

On May 27, 2023, he was granted release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a “pardon and commutation directive.” However, his release was contingent on providing bail for the new legal case that had been opened against him during his time in prison, as confirmed by his lawyer, Karam Veisi.