Category: Freedom of Expression

Omid Mehrban Sentenced to Over One Year and Nine Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Behbahan, Mohammad-Hassan Mehrban, Omid Mehrban

The Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Mohammad-Hassan (Omid) Mehrban to one year, nine months, and two days.

Mehrban’s lawyer, Sajjad Chatrsefid, announced that his client received one year, three months, and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and six months and one day for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Mehrban has the right to appeal the verdict.

Mehrban was arrested by IRGC Intelligence at his workplace in Behbahan on September 9, 2023. On September 27, he was transferred from the IRGC detention facility in Ahvaz to Behbahan Prison after his interrogation ended. He was released on bail after seven days.

Six Individuals Arrested in Oshnavieh by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Fakhreddin Modarresi, Hassan Rasouli, Hesameddin Mohmoudi, Moloud Roosta, Omid Rashid-Pak, Oshnavieh, Rahim Rafa'ati

Security forces in Oshnavieh, West Azerbaijan province, arrested six residents and transferred them to an undisclosed location, according to reports from Kurdpa.

The individuals have been identified as Omid Rashid-Pak, Fakhreddin Modarresi, Rahim Rafa’ati, Hesameddin Mohmoudi (aged 19), Moloud Roosta, and Hassan Rasouli.

Rashid-Pak and Modarresi were taken into custody on May 2, while the other four were arrested on May 1, 2024.

The reasons for their arrests, their current locations, and the charges against them remain unknown at this time.

Journalist Mohammad Parsi Faces Legal Action

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Parsi, Nika Shakarami, محمد پارسی

The Tehran prosecutor has initiated legal action against journalist Mohammad Parsi for “publishing an article detailing Nika Shakarami’s death.” Parsi confirmed this legal action to the public.

Recently, a report by the BBC revealed leaked documents about the sexual assault and murder of teenage girl Nika Shakarami, committed by security forces during nationwide protests. This report has sparked widespread reactions, resulting in the arrest of several individuals by the Iranian regime in an attempt to silence dissent.

Parsi, the chief editor of the literary magazine Kandoo, has previously faced legal challenges for his journalistic work.

Student Motahareh Goonehei Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Ardabil, Mehdi Hadizadeh, Motahareh Goonehei, Tehran University of Medical Science, مطهره گونه ای

On May 1, 2024, Motahareh Goonehei, a student at Tehran University of Medical Science, was summoned and arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Tehran.

A source close to Goonehei’s family confirmed to HRANA that she was summoned by IRGC Intelligence over the phone, leading to her arrest. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The charges against Goonehei have not been disclosed at this time.

Both Goonehei and her husband, Mehdi Hadizadeh, who is also a student at Tehran University of Medical Science, had previously been suspended from the university and required to continue their studies at Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

Goonehei was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Soran Mahmoudi Sentenced to Three Years for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahabad, Piranshahr, Soran Mahmoudi, سوران محمودی

The Revolutionary Court of Mahabad has sentenced Soran Mahmoudi, a resident of Piranshahr, to three years in prison on political charges, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Judge Doosti, who presided over the case, sentenced Mahmoudi to three years for “membership in a group aiming to undermine national security.” Mahmoudi was initially arrested by security forces in September 2023 and was released on bail in November while awaiting legal proceedings.

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Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh Arrested and Jailed in Sabzevar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Joveyn County, Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh, Sabzevar, محمد حسین محبی زاده

Mohammad-Hossein Mohebi-Zadeh, a resident of Joveyn County in Razavi Khorasan Province, was arrested and jailed in Sabzevar Prison, on April 29.

A source close to Mohebi-Zadeh’s family informed HRANA that he was apprehended by police and taken to Sabzevar Prison. The specific reason for his arrest is unknown at this time. He had previously been detained by security forces on February 29, 2024, in Sabzevar, and was held for two days before being released on bail.

Subsequently, Mohebi-Zadeh was summoned and indicted for “disseminating false information.” He has a history of judicial confrontations due to his activism.

 

 

East Azerbaijan Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentences for Milad Jalili and Salar Taher-Afshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Milad Jalili, Salar Taher-Afshahr, Tabriz Appellate Court

The Appellate Court of East Azerbaijan Province has confirmed the prison sentences for Milad Jalili, a Tabriz resident, and Salar Taher-Afshahr, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist. Jalili and Taher-Afshahr were originally sentenced to eight and six months in prison, respectively.

According to the verdict from Branch 32 of the East Azerbaijan Province Appellate Court on April 29, Taher-Afshahr received a six-month sentence for “aiding in the dissemination of propaganda against the regime,” while Jalili was given an eight-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime by performing political rap music in support of convicted secessionists.” Notably, Jalili was acquitted of charges of “acting against national security by inciting people to violence and unrest.”

Jalili was taken into custody on November 28, 2023, and Taher Afshar on December 19. They were both released on bond on January 29 and 22, 2024, respectively. However, Taher Afshar was re-arrested in Urmia on February 6 and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran after four days. February 28, 2024, he was released on bond.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) recorded 329 reports, citing the arrest of 324 citizens linked to ethnic and national rights. Notably, 156 of these arrests occurred without the issuance of a judicial warrant.

Ayoub Gheibipour Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Ayoub Gheibipour, Kerman, Qasem Soleimani, Sheiban Prison, ایوب غیبی پور

The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced Ayoub Gheibipour to eleven years in prison and exile to Kerman Prison for charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Gheibipour was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to his lawyer Sajjad Chatrsefid, the ruling includes ten years in prison to be served in exile in Kerman Prison for “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Gheibipour can appeal the ruling.

This verdict followed the overturning of an initial verdict by the Supreme Court. Gheibipour had previously received ten years in exile imprisonment for “arson and destruction of public property, propaganda against the regime,” citing the burning of Qasem Soleimani’s statues as an example of this charge.

Gheibipour was arrested during the nationwide protests in Ahvaz and was transferred to Sheiban Prison in the city. He was released on February 13, 2024, on a heavy bail of three billion toman (approximately $60,000). During his detention, he was denied access to medical care.

Farahnaz Nik-Khoo Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Evin Prison, Farahnaz Nik-Khoo, Farahnaz Nikkhoo, irgc, judge Salavati, Tehran

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Farahnaz Nik-Khoo to ten years in prison on political charges.

Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Salavati, sentenced Nik-Khoo to ten years for “acting against national security through espionage.”

On December 3, 2022, IRGC Intelligence arrested Nik-Khoo at Tehran airport as she was attempting to leave the country. She was initially detained in Evin Prison, and after seven months, on April 30, 2023, she was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

The exact nature of the activities leading to these charges remains unclear.

A reliable source previously informed HRANA that Nik-Khoo was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and interrogated for two weeks. Meanwhile, the case is under the purview of IRGC intelligence.

Nik-Khoo, 50 years old, is a retired employee of the national telecommunications company.

Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi Sentenced to Four Years in Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Omid Izadi Sadegh-Abadi, Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi, Saman County

The Criminal Court of Saman County sentenced Omid Izadi Sadeghabadi, a disabled citizen, to four years in prison and a fine on political charges.

The verdict, issued by the court on April 20, 2024, found Izadi Sadeghabadi guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime (through media activities supporting Israel)” and “disseminating false information to disturb public opinion.”

Izadi Sadegh-Abadi, approximately 35 years old, is a resident of Saman County in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province.