Category: News

Music Composer Mahmood Mirzai Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahmood Mirzai

About two weeks ago, security forces arrested composer Mahmood Mirzai in Tehran and transferred him to Great Tehran Penitentiary.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, composer and conductor Mahmood Mirzai was arrested by security forces.

An informed source close to his family told HRANA that, two weeks ago, he was arrested at his house. Since he lives alone, we discovered his arrest via the neighbours. He is currently jailed in Great Tehran Penitentiary, and despite promises, they have not yet allowed us to bail him out.

Mahmood Mirzai is one of the signatories of the Iranian musicians’ joint statement in support of nationwide protests.

 

Four School Students Arrested in Bonab and Bushehr

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Vali-Mohammadi, Ashkan Javidfar, Azar Badiee, Bonab, Sadegh Zendeh Boodi, Tabriz

Recently, security forces arrested four school students during nationwide protests in Bonab and Bushehr.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three school students identified as Azar Badiee, Ashkan Javidfar and Ali Vali-Mohammadi in Bonab, East Azerbaijan Province.

According to an informed source, they were arrested for chanting slogans at school. They and beaten by security forces and taken to Tabriz Correctional Center.

The intelligence agents also arrested Javidfar’s father when he quarreled with them over his son.

The Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations also reported the arrest of a school student identified as Sadegh Zendeh Boodi. Security forces arrested him before his parents’ house and took him to an unidentified location.

1200 People Arrested in Nationwide Protests Held in Harsh Conditions in Great Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Prisoners
great tehran penitentiary, Iran protests 2022

Hundreds of people arrested in the nationwide protest crackdown have been transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. The prison is already overcrowded, and the inmates are deprived of healthy drinking water, proper food and air conditioning. They are also denied medical care and co-housed with prisoners of violent crimes.

Currently, 1200 People arrested in nationwide protests are jailed in Great Tehran Penitentiary. Many of them injured by pellet guns are denied medical treatment.

A family member of one of the detainees told HRANA that the prison infirmary is ill-equipped and the injured prisoners receive only mild tranquilizers such as low doses of clonazepam. According to this source, many of the arrestees are between 18 and 24.

Moreover, according to reports obtained by HRANA, last Saturday, October 22, several detainees were beaten by prison guards. Also, they have shaved the prisoners’ heads punitively.

 

 

Arash Ramezani Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arash Ramezani, Mashhad

On October 23, 2022, security forces arrested writer Arash Ramezani in Mashhad and took him to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, writer Arash Ramezani was arrested in Mashhad.

According to an informed source, Ramezani was arrested at his workplace. The reason for this arrest and the charges are still unknown. Ramezani, living in Mashhad, has published two fiction books.

 

 

Three Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to a Total of 15 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Jafar Ebrahimi, mohammad habibi, Ramin Safarnia, Rasoul Bodaghi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi to a total of 15 years and one-month imprisonment as well as additional punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, three teacher union activists Rasoul Bodaghi, Jafar Ebrahimi and Mohammad Habibi were sentenced to over 15 years in prison.

Attorney Ramin Safarnia wrote on social media, “Bodaghi was sentenced to four years and six months on the charge of ‘assembly and collusion’ and one year on the charge of ‘propaganda against the regime’. For Jafar Ebrahimi, the sentences for the exact charges are four years and one year, respectively. Mohammad Habibi received three years and seven months on the first charge and one year on the charge.”

Moreover, all three defendants were banned from leaving the country and membership in civil and political groups.

 

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Abbas Deris Sentenced to Death

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abbas Deris, Freshteh Tabanian, Mohsen Deris, November Protests

The revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Abbas Deris to death. Abbas Deris was arrested during the November protests in 2019. His brother and codefendant Mohsen Deris was acquitted of the charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Abbas Deris was sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (Moharebeh).

Confirming this news on social media, his lawyer, Freshteh Tabanian commented, “We will bring an appeal to the Supreme Court hoping the sentence will be overturned.”

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

57 People Arrested During the Protests in Zahedan

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Freedom of Expression, News
nationwide protests, Zahedan

The Sistan and Baluchestan chief of the police announced that today, October 21, 57 people were arrested during the protests in Zahedan. He claimed that all leaders and provocateurs have been identified and will soon be apprehended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars News Agency, on October 21, 2022, 57 protestors were arrested in Zahedan.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, over 1200 people, including journalists, teachers, students and civil rights activists, have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protests across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

Seven Individuals Arrested in Abdanan and Piranshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, Ali Soleimani, Esmail Bavir, Ilam province, Mahmood Bazdar, Mohammad Zini Vand, Piranshahr, Sanoor Ghaderi, Sattar Zeidi, Zana Khoshaman

On October 20, 2022, security forces arrested a cleric, Zana Khoshaman and his wife, Sanoor Ghaderi, in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, quoting Kurdpa, cleric Zana Khoshaman and his wife Sanoor Ghaderi were arrested in Piranshahr.

The security forces reportedly raided this couple’s house and arrested them without showing any arrest warrant.
 
In another report, five individuals identified as Esmail Bavir, Mohammad Zini Vand, Sattar Zeidi, Ali Soleimani and Mahmood Bazdar were arrested in Abdanan, Ilam Province. The reason for these arrests is still unknown.

 

Young Man Dies Suspiciously in Ahvaz Intelligence Office

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Ali Bani-Asad, HRANA

Recently, a 20-year-old man arrested allegedly for possessing a prohibited weapon, died suspiciously in a detention facility at the disposal of the intelligence ministry.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 20-year-old Ali Bani-Asad, a resident of Ahvaz, died in a detention facility in Ahvaz.

An informed source close to Bani-Asad’s family told HRANA that intelligence agents arrested him last week on suspicion of holding a prohibited weapon. A few days later, someone from the Revolutionary Court called his family to say that their son had lost his life and asked them to get his body.

“Forensic medicine has reported kidney failure as the cause of death. We know, however, that he did not have an underlying disease,” the source added.

This source asserted that Bani-Asad has never been involved in any political activities and did not participate in recent protests.

Poet Saeed Heleichi Arrested in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Saeed Heleichi

On October 19, 2022, security forces arrested poet Saeed Heleichi at his father’s house in Ahvaz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on October 19, 2022, poet, translator and environmental activist Saeed Heleichi was arrested in Ahvaz.

Heleichi faced other arrests due to his civil activities especially his criticism over a water transfer project causing the drying up of the Karun river and adjacent marshes.

The reason for this arrest, the charges and his whereabouts are still unknown.