Category: News

Two Brothers Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

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News, Other
Khaled Bakri, Mahabad, Mohammad Bakri, Sardasht

Khaled Bakri and Mohammad Bakri, residents of Mahabad, were arrested by security forces in this city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, the two citizens have been identified as Khaled Bakri, 46, and his brother Mohammad Bakri, 43.

Reports indicate that Mohammad Bakri was arrested on the evening of Monday, December 30, 2024, in Mahabad, while Khaled Bakri was detained on Sunday, December 29, on the road between Mahabad and Sardasht.

It is worth noting that several other individuals have been arrested in Mahabad and neighboring cities in recent days.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for these arrests, the detainees’ whereabouts, or the charges against them.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Mahabad, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Prisoner Executed in Yasuj Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Yasuj Prison

Today, January 1, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Yasuj Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the hanged individual has been identified as Pezhman Masoudi Koushk, approximately 25 years old.
 

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and related institutions have not officially announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Three Citizens, Including a Teenager, Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad and Oshnavieh

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News
Mahabad, Oshnavieh

In recent days, security forces arrested three individuals, named Faiq Ghaderzadeh, Rasoul Pourkhazri and Hemin Shah-Mohammadi, a teenager, in Mahabad and Oshnavieh.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, on Sunday, December 29, 2024, security forces detained Faiq Ghaderzadeh, a 22-year-old resident of Mahabad, at his workplace without presenting a warrant. He was then transferred to a security detention facility in Urmia.

Kurdpa also reported that security forces arrested two other citizens: Rasoul Pourkhazri, a resident of Sufian village in Oshnavieh, and Hemin Shah-Mohammadi, a 17-year-old from Amirabad, Oshnavieh. Security forces stormed Pourkhazri’s home early Sunday morning and detained him without presenting a warrant, using violent measures. He was taken to an undisclosed location. Shah-Mohammadi was similarly detained on Friday, December 27, without a warrant and transferred to an unknown location.

No information has been released about the reasons for these arrests or the charges against these individuals.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Oshnavieh and Mahabad, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations. Notably, at least 34 individuals under the age of 18 were detained by security forces during the same period.

Report of an Execution in Aligudarz Prison

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Executions, News
Aligudarz, Lorestan

At dawn on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, the execution of a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges of murder was carried out in Aligudarz Prison, Lorestan province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed individual has been identified as Mohammad Javad Gudarzi.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or related institutions.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 777 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 207 individuals to death and the execution of 883 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 772 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Fariborz Sebghatollahi’s Detention Exceeds Five Months Without Trial

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News, Prisoners
Fariborz Sebghatollahi, Lakan prison, Rasht

Fariborz Sebghatollahi, a political defendant from Astara, remains held in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Mr. Sebghatollahi has been in detention for over five months without trial or judicial resolution.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA, “It has been over 165 days since Mr. Sebghatollahi’s arrest. He was charged in the Rasht Prosecutor’s Office with alleged membership in an opposition group. However, his case remains in limbo, and no court session has been held to address his charges.”

Sebghatollahi was arrested on July 17, 2024, by Astara Intelligence Ministry agents. He was initially detained at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Astara for two days before being transferred to the Ministry’s detention center in Rasht. After interrogation, he was moved to Lakan Prison.

Previously, a source informed HRANA: “Sebghatollahi was repeatedly subjected to interrogations, psychological torture, threats against his family, and humiliation while in detention at the Ministry of Intelligence facility in Rasht. During his arrest, his daughter, daughter-in-law, ex-wife, and several friends were also detained but later released.”

Sebghatollahi, approximately 50 years old, resides in Astara.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA recorded significant violations of detainees’ rights, including 81 cases of failure to process lawsuits, 305 instances of prolonged legal uncertainty, and 921 cases of indefinite detention.

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Four Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

Yesterday, December 30, four prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to Iran Human Rights Organization and Haal Vsh, the prisoners have been identified as Ahmad Barahooie (Brahui) Chenal, Kourosh Narooie, Ayat Pourmansouri, 32, from Dezful, and Babak Shoghi, 35.

All four were executed on charges related to drug offenses.

At the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant institutions.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publications of Human Rights Activists for 2024 highlight a troubling trend: executions for drug-related offenses accounted for approximately 52% of all executions in Iran. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Eight Death-Row Prisoners on the Verge of Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, زندان قزل حصار

Eight prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, located in Karaj, have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

This development brings the total number of prisoners transferred to solitary confinement for execution to eight. Yesterday, HRANA reported the transfer of three of these individuals to solitary confinement.

HRANA is currently investigating further details about this situation, including the identities of the prisoners involved.

According to data compiled by the Department of Statistics and Publications of Human Rights Activists, in 2024, approximately 7 people per 100,000 were executed in Alborz Province. Ghezel Hesar Prison in this province recorded the highest number of executions, with a total of 138.

Report on the Arrest of Four Citizens in West Azerbaijan Province

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Afshin Khalifehzadeh, Amin Bazian, Jamal Sheikhehpour, Khaled Mohammadian, Mahabad, Sardasht

In recent days, four citizens named Khaled Mohammadian, Amin Bazian, Jamal Sheikhehpour, and Afshin Khalifehzadeh were arrested by security forces in Sardasht, Piranshahr, and Mahabad and transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, early Sunday morning, December 29, Sheikhehpour and Khalifehzadeh were arrested in Mahabad. These individuals, residents of Qom Qaleh village in Mahabad county, were detained without judicial warrants and taken to unknown locations.

In a separate report, Kurdpa confirmed the arrest of a citizen in Sardasht identified as Khaled Mohammadian in Sardasht County. Security forces entered Mr. Mohammadian’s home early the previous morning, arrested him without presenting a warrant, and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, they also searched his home.

On Friday, December 27, another citizen, identified as Amin Bazian, aged around 28, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested and taken to an unknown location.

The arrest of this individual was also carried out without a judicial warrant by security forces.

So far, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges brought against these citizens.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Political Ban for Former Isfahan City Council Member

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Mehdi Moghadari, مهدی مقدری

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the prison sentence and additional penalties imposed on Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of Isfahan’s City Council.

In its recent ruling, the court confirmed a one-year prison sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, it upheld a set of complementary penalties, including a travel ban, a prohibition on social media activity, and a two-year ban on participation in political groups, parties, and organizations.

The initial trial for Mr. Moghadari took place in Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. In August 2024, the court sentenced him to these penalties.

Mr. Moghadari was first arrested by security forces in late November 2022 in Isfahan. He was released from Dastgerd Prison in February 2023 under a general “pardon” directive. The former city council member has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activities.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Sajjad Sadeghi to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Sajjad Sadeghi, سجاد صادقی

Sajjad Sadeghi, former radio host and expert, has been sentenced in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years and six months in prison, along with social deprivations.

The ruling, issued in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court under Judge Iman Afshari and communicated to Mr. Sadeghi, includes one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and four years and six months for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” with previous detention time considered. He has also been sentenced to a 10-year ban on teaching and conducting research at universities as an additional punishment. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment—four years and six months in prison—will be enforceable.

The court hearing for Sajjad Sadeghi’s charges was held on December 2 of 2024 in the aforementioned judicial branch.

In September, Mr. Sadeghi was arrested in Tehran by security forces and later released.

Sajjad Sadeghi has previously faced legal actions due to his activities, including prior detention and a sentence of 74 lashes.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA reported a total of 81 cases where Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, issued verdicts that violated the human rights of defendants.