Category: Freedom of Expression

Writer and Translator Loghman Ghanbari Arrested by Security Forces in Sarpol-e Zahab

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Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC Intelligence, Loghman Ghanbari, Ofra Bengio, Sarpol-e Zahab

Loghman Ghanbari, a writer and translator, was arrested at his residence in Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah province, by security forces on April 7, 2024, as reported by Kurdpa.

Around 20 IRGC Intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and seized some of his belongings.

Ghanbari, known for translating the book “The Kurds in a Volatile Middle East,” published in Sweden after Iran’s Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance denied a license, was accused of “association with Israel” based on his correspondence with the book’s author, Ofra Bengio.

After a day of interrogation, Ghanbari was released upon signing a written commitment.

Alireza Ghanbari and Javad Mohammadi-Fard Begin Prison Sentences on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Alireza Ghanbari, HRANA, Javad Mohammadi-Fard, Urmia, Urmia prison

Alireza Ghanbari and Javad Mohammadi-Fard, both residents of Urmia, have been incarcerated in Urmia Prison to commence their sentences.

Confirming their imprisonment, a source close to their families informed HRANA that they were arrested on April 2 by security forces at their residences and subsequently transferred to Urmia Prison.

Their initial arrests occurred in June-July 2022 by security forces. Initially detained in the Ministry of Intelligence’s facility in Urmia, they were later moved to Urmia Prison after approximately six months.

In June-July 2023, the Urmia Revolutionary Court convicted them of political charges. Mohammadi-Fard was sentenced to four years for “heading a group for causing unrest and acting against national security,” along with 16 months for “insulting the Supreme Leaders of Iran and the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” Ghanbari received a four-year sentence for “joining anti-regime groups,” along with 16 months for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic of Iran” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” including detention time. These verdicts were upheld on appeal.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, both individuals will serve four years in prison.

Mohammadi-Fard, aged 44, is single, while Ghanbar, aged 50, is the father of two.

Hooram Mehrnavaie Taken Into Custody by Security Forces in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other

On April 2, Hooram Mehrnavaie was apprehended by security forces following being summoned and his presence in the Ministry of Intelligence office in Bukan, as reported by Kurdpa. He was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

The specific grounds for Mehrnavaie’s detention, his current location, and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

This marks not the initial encounter with law enforcement for Mehrnavaie, aged 21. On December 2, 2022, he was arrested and later released on bail. Subsequently, the Revolutionary Court of Bukan sentenced him to 54 months in prison for “collaboration with anti-regime political parties.” On April 9, 2023, he was incarcerated in Bukan Prison and later granted release on probation, equipped with a monitoring ankle device.

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi Arrested in Borujerd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Borujerd, Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi, HRANA, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi

Farzad Moazzami Goodarzi was apprehended in Borujerd on April 4, 2024, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. Notably, his relative, Reza Moazzami Goodarzi, lost his life during the 2019 nationwide protests, also known as the Aban Protests, due to gunfire from regime forces.

According to a source close to Goodarzi’s family who confirmed the arrest to HRANA, security forces arrived at his residence at 10:00 AM for his arrest. The agents attempted a search, though they were unsuccessful due to his mother’s resistance. Eventually, they confiscated some of Goodarzi’s personal belongings along with items belonging to his family.

As of now, the reasons behind Goodarzi’s arrest, his current location, and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Goodarzi had previously been arrested on September 5, 2023, by security forces but was subsequently released on bail from the local prison.

Faraj Arsan Arrested by Security Forces

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Faraj Arsan, Ilam province, Malekshahi

Faraj Arsan, a resident of Malekshahi in Ilam Province, was reportedly arrested by security forces in Ilam on April 3, 2024.

According to Kurdpa, Arsan was taken into custody without a warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Sources cited in the report indicate that Arsan was apprehended at his residence, with his participation in a Nowruz celebration gathering noted. As of now, the location of his detention and the charges against him remain unknown.

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Student Samaneh Asghari Commences Prison Term at Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Esmaeil Nazari, Kharazmi University, Qarchak Prison, Samaneh Asghari, Shahre Ray, سمانه اصغری

Samaneh Asghari, a student at Kharazmi University, has begun serving her one-year prison sentence at Evin prison.

Esmaeil Nazari, Asghari’s spouse, publicly announced, “Today, April 3rd, my wife went to the Courthouse in Shahre Ray to begin serving her sentence at Evin prison.”

Asghari was arrested by security forces at her residence in Tehran on September 14, 2023, and later released on bail from Qarchak Prison in Varamin on October 4, 2023.

In December 2023, the Revolutionary Court sentenced Asghari to one year in prison, a ruling upheld by the Appellate Court of Tehran.

It’s important to note that Asghari was previously detained in connection with nationwide protests in October 2022, initially receiving a sentence of 18 years and three months. However, she was pardoned under the general amnesty and commutation directive, leading to her release from Qarchak Prison in April of the current year.

Woman Arrested for Displaying Israeli Flag in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Israel, Israel flag, Tehran

A woman has been arrested by IRGC Intelligence for displaying an Israeli flag in the streets of Tehran, as reported by Fars News Agency.

The identity of the woman and the location of her detention have not been disclosed in the report. She was apprehended while allegedly trying to depart the country.

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

Saeed Farokhi Pour Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, HRANA, Mahsa Amini Protests, Saeed Farokhi Pour, Tehran, سعید فرخی پور

Saeed Farokhi Pour (Farohkipour) was apprehended by security forces on April 1, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed facility. His minor son, Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, was killed at the hands of regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, known as the Mahsa Amini Protests.

Confirming Farokhi Pour’s arrest, a source close to his family informed HRANA that the arrest occurred at Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery in Tehran, where Farohki Pour was attending his son’s burial. Despite inquiries by his family regarding his whereabouts and condition, they have received no response.

The motive behind his arrest remains undisclosed.

Amir-Mehdi Farokhi Pour, aged 17, was fatally shot during the protests on September 27, 2022, and succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Omid Ghadimi Receives 40-Month Sentence on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Divandarreh, Foad Ghadimi, Omid Ghadimi, Sanandaj

According to Kurdpa, the Revolutionary Court of Divandarreh has sentenced Omid Ghadimi to 40 months in prison along with a fine. Ghadimi’s brother, Foad Ghadimi, was tragically killed by regime forces during the nationwide protests of 2022.

The court has determined that Ghadimi will serve 32 months for alleged “membership in an opposition political party,” eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” and is also fined for “disseminating false information.”

Ghadimi was apprehended by security forces in September 2023 and held in a detention facility in Sanandaj until his release on bail on December 25, 2023.

His brother Foad Ghadimi lost his life to regime gunfire during the nationwide protests on September 21, 2022.

Mohammad Abbaszadeh Arrested by Security Forces in Ilam

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Ilam, Mahsa Amini Protests, Mohammad Abbaszadeh, Nowruz, محمد عباس زاده

On March 27, 2024, security forces detained Mohammad Abbaszadeh (Abbas-Zadeh) in Ilam following his participation in a Nowruz celebration gathering, as reported by Kurdpa. Abbaszadeh was then taken to an undisclosed location.

It’s worth noting that the agents conducted the arrest without presenting any formal warrant. Interestingly, just last month, Abbaszadeh had been summoned and subsequently released after signing a letter of commitment. This summons was reportedly linked to his vocal opposition to the parliamentary election.

In May 2023, the Criminal Court of Ilam sentenced Abbaszadeh to six months in prison and imposed a fine. Additionally, he was required to pen a short essay on the “divine punishment of blasphemy.”

Abbaszadeh’s activism has previously led to his arrest during the 2022 nationwide protests, commonly referred to as the Mahsa Amini protests. In that legal proceeding, he was fined and sentenced to 74 lashes, along with one year of suspended imprisonment.