Category: Freedom of Expression

Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh Tadrisi Go on Hunger Strike, Demanding Improved Prison Conditions

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Fatemeh Tadrisi, Maryam Jalal Hosseini, Qarchak Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi, who have endured more than 24 days of detention in Qarchak Prison, have resorted to a hunger strike in protest against the dismal conditions they face behind bars.

According to an informed source, these women are currently confined in Ward 5 of Qarchak Prison, located in Varamin. On Sunday, May 28, they commenced the hunger strike to draw attention to the inadequate conditions within the prison and the prison officials’ refusal to transfer them to Evin Prison.

Jalal Hosseini was apprehended by security forces during a teachers’ protest on May 9, 2023, while Tadrisi was arrested in Baharestan Square in Tehran on the same day. It is important to note that Tadrisi had previously been arrested twice during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending one month in Kachooie Prison and some time in Evin Prison.

The specific allegations against these women remain unknown.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Arraignment at Evin Courthouse

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
compulsory hijab, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison, Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu, a student who has been vocal about her opposition to compulsory hijab, was arraigned at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Rashnu faces charges of “provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime.” Following her arraignment, she was briefly held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released upon posting a one-billion bail. However, she is now prohibited from leaving Tehran.

Speaking about the accusations, Rashnu clarified, “Merely sharing a few photos of myself without a headscarf on my personal page does not justify their claims of promoting promiscuity and immodesty. Nor does it imply an association with everyone I follow on social media.”

This is not the first instance where Rashnu has encountered legal troubles due to her refusal to comply with hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Furthermore, on July 16, she was arrested by security forces following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.

Faryad Hama-Shour Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ali Hassanzadeh, Faryad Hama-Shour, Oshnavieh, Urmia, West Azerbaijan

On May 31, 2023, Faryad Hama-Shour, a resident of Oshnavieh, had his 12-year prison sentence confirmed by the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he will serve a mandatory five-year term.

Initially, on November 10, 2022, the Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Hama-Shour to five years in prison for his alleged involvement in an anti-regime political party. Additionally, he was given a four-year sentence for purportedly assisting in setting fire to a bank in Oshnavieh, and three years for defying authority by using weapons. Presiding over the case, Judge Ali Hassanzadeh upheld this verdict at the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals.

Hama-Shour was arrested on September 27, 2022, without showing an arrest warrant, by security forces who subsequently detained him in Urmia Prison.

 

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to over Five Years and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- In a recent development, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a civil rights activist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court states that Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, he has been subjected to restrictions, including a ban on engaging in civil and political activities, using a cell phone, and traveling abroad for a period of two years.
If the verdict is upheld during the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial count of five years in prison will be enforced.

An informed source, speaking with HRANA, revealed that “Previously, Ahmadi Ragheb had refused to attend the court due to being subjected to handcuffs and ankle cuffs during the transfer. Yesterday, he was brought to the court with handcuffs and informed that the verdict had been issued in absentia as he had been absent from the court proceedings on three occasions.”

The source further added, “Following the reception of this verdict, Ahmadi Ragheb has requested a retrial. It is important to note that he has been facing these legal actions based on a complaint filed by an IRGC official.”

On February 3, 2023, Ahmadi Ragheb was released from Rajai Shahr prison after completing his previous sentence. However, in March 2023, he was re-arrested during a protest against poison attacks on schools and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

 

 

Hamideh Zeraei Re-Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hamideh Zeraie, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 29, 2023, Hamideh Zeraei was once again apprehended by security forces at her residence in Karaj and transported to an undisclosed location. Zeraei had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Zeraei had gone to reclaim her seized vehicle, which had been confiscated by IRGC intelligence during her prior arrest. In a call to her family, she expressed concerns about the possibility of being re-arrested by the IRGC intelligence unit.

The grounds for her arrest, her current location, and the specific charges against her remain unknown. Notably, on May 3, 2023, Zeraei had received a summons to appear at the Karaj courthouse on charges related to “propaganda for anti-regime groups.”

Zeraie, who was previously detained amidst the 2022 nationwide protests, had been released on February 7, 2024. It was widely assumed that she, along with numerous other imprisoned protestors, had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive. However, the recent summons she received indicates a different course of events, contradicting initial assumptions.

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Mohammad Taleghani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Social Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society, Iman Afshari, irgc, Mohammad Taleghani, Tehran

Mohammad Taleghani, a former member of Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, has been handed a two-year prison sentence and imposed social restrictions by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, the execution of this verdict has been suspended for a period of five years.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, citing “assembly and collusion against national security” as the reason for Taleghani’s sentence. In addition to the prison term, Taleghani has been banned from leaving the country and prohibited from using social media, as well as being barred from participating in civil and political activities for a duration of five years.

Taleghani’s arrest took place on July 9, 2023, when the intelligence forces of the IRGC apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. After spending eight days in custody, he was released on bail from Evin Prison.

Hojat Al-Mohammadi Arrested in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hojat Al-Mohammadi, Izeh, Khuzestan province

On May 23, 2023, Hojat Al-Mohammadi, a 38-year-old resident of Izeh, Khuzestan Province, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to an informed source who spoke with HRANA, Al-Mohammadi was arrested around four pm at his workplace. Since the arrest, he made two phone calls to his family, but he did not disclose his whereabouts during those conversations.
The allegations against him are also still unknown.

Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 28, 2023, workers’ rights activist Farhad Sheikhi was apprehended at his residence in Hashtgerd, Karaj, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Sheikhi’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it was revealed that agents from the Ministry of Intelligence were responsible for his arrest.

This is not the first time Sheikhi have faced arrest and legal action for his activism. Last time, on January 21, 2023, security forces arrested him and jailed him in Rajai Shahr Prison. He was relocated to the Central Prison of Karaj after 16 days.

This worker’s rights activist was released under the “pardon and commutation” directive on February 7, 2023.

Mohsen Sepehri Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
great tehran penitentiary, Iman Afshari, Mohsen Sepehri, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Mohsen Sepehri has been handed a five-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Sepehri was apprehended during the 2022 nationwide protests in Tehran and subsequently transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary following interrogations.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, ruling that Sepehri was found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security,” resulting in a five-year sentence. An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Sepehri was denied access to legal representation throughout the entirety of the legal proceedings.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Two Yarsan Believers Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Faribrorz Shah-Ebrahimi, Khalil Alinejad, Seyed Farhad Zonnouri, Yarsanism

Fariborz Shah-Ebrahimi and Seyed Farhad Zonnouri, followers of the Yarsan belief, were apprehended by security forces in Sahneh, Kermanshah Province on May 23, 2023, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest reportedly took place at their residences in a forceful manner, without the presentation of any arrest warrant.

According to an informed source, these people were arrested at their residences violently. The agents reportedly did not show any arrest warrant.
This is not the first instance of their persecution for their religious beliefs and practices. On November 18, 2022, they were violently detained during the 21st annual commemoration of Khalil Alinejad, a Kurdish singer-songwriter, and were subsequently released on bail.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic religion that originated in western Iran during the late 14th century under the leadership of Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, Yarsan followers often face intimidation and persecution at the hands of the security and judicial systems of the regime.