Category: News

Update on Prisoner Kamal Sharifi in Minab Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners

Political prisoner Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year out of a 30 years sentence in Minab Prison. In violation of prison rules, he was housed with violent prisoners. Moreover, he suffers from heart disease and digestive disorders, for which he has been denied adequate medical treatment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kamal Sharifi is serving the fourteenth year of his sentence in a ward for prisoners of violent crimes in Minab Prison.

In March of 2021, he was dispatched to a hospital outside prison after a heart attack. After four days, however, he was sent back to prison before completing medical treatment. Also, due to damaged tendons in his foot, Sharifi can hardly walk for which he has not received medical treatment.

Earlier, HRANA reported that Sharifi is not allowed furlough, family visitation or regular phone calls.

Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1998 in the city of Saqqez, when Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment.

On several occasions, Kamal Sharifi was arrested in 1989 and 1990 on the charges of supporting and working for the Kurdistan Democratic Party, and eventually, the Revolutionary Court of Saqqez sentenced him to one additional year of imprisonment and 40 lashes.

Maryam Karim-Beigi Arrested at her House

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Maryam Karim-Beigi, Mostafa Karim-Beigi, Shahnaz Akmali

On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the security forces arrested Maryam Karim-Beigi at her house and transferred her to an unidentified location. Karim Beigi’s brother, Mostafa Karim- Beigi,  is one of the victims of the 2009 protests and her family has frequently been in the news.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Maryam Karim-Beigi was arrested by security forces in Tehran.

In a video post on social media, Shahnaz Akmali, Karim-Beigi’s mother, broke the news that at 7 AM, security forces raided her house and arrested her daughter.

The reason for this arrest, her whereabouts and the charges are unknown so far.

Earlier on February 21, 2022, the security agents had searched Karim-Beigi’s house and confiscated personal belongings including cell phones. Six days later, Maryam Karim-Beigi was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence for interrogation.

On April 10, 2022, Maryam KarimBeigi was informed about her expulsion from the university.

In previous years, Shahnaz Akmali had also faced arrests and convictions for her civil activities and seeking justice for the killing of her son.

Four Inmates Executed in Adel-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Ali Karam Kianpour, Execution, Fahim Valliollah, Jomeh Makaki, Mojtaba Alinazar, Shiraz Central Prison

Last Sunday, four inmates who were convicted of drug-related crimes and murder were executed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, on Sunday, June 12, 2022, four inmates were executed in Adel-Abad Prison in Shiraz.

Three of the inmates have been identified as Fahim Valliollah, an Afghan national, Mojtaba Alinazar, and Ali Karam Kianpour. Reportedly, Mojtaba Alinazar was accused of murder four years ago and Ali Karam Kianpour for the same crime five years ago. Two other prisoners were executed for drug-related crimes.

Last Friday, another inmate, Jomeh Makaki, who was convicted of drug-related crimes, was executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

None of these executions have been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far. 

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Trade Union Activist Reza Shahabi Goes on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Iranian Trade Union Activist, Reza Shahabi, Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On Monday, June 13, 2022, Reza Shahabi, trade union activist and a board member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company started his hunger strike in protest against his prolonged detention. Shahabi who suffers from poor health has been detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for over 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Monday, June 13, 2022, trade union activist Reza Shahabi went on hunger strike to protest against his detention.

Last Sunday, Shahabi’s detention was extended for one month.

On Thursday, May 12, 2022, security forces arrested Reza Shahabi at his house in Tehran.

In previous years, Reza Shahabi faced other arrests and convictions for his civil activities.

26 Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 85 Years in Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Exile, Iranian Constitution

Last Wednesday, June 8, 2022, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced 26 Baha’i citizens to a total of 85 years in prison as well as additional punishments such as a ban from leaving the country and residing in exile.  

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 26 Baha’i individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison.

During the third court session held last Wednesday, these individuals were sentenced to a total of 85 years in prison and a ban from leaving the country for 2 years. Of the 26 defendants, 11 were sentenced to five years and 15 to two years in prison.

These individuals have been charged with “assembly and collusion to act against national security”. During the trial, holding gatherings in poor neighborhoods or tourist districts under the guise of addressing issues such as water crisis and other social issues have been presented for this charge.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

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At least Nine Inmates Executed in Kermanshah, Gorgan and Shiraz

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Ali Keykhah, Ali Lakzai, Baba Sabzi, Jomeh Makaki, Jones Jahantigh, Kermanshah prison, Mehdi Kiani

In recent days, the executions of at least nine inmates in prisons across Iran have been reported.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, on Sunday, June 12, 2022, one inmate identified as Mehdi Kiani who was convicted of murder was executed in Kermanshah Prison.

Also, according to Iran Human Rights Organization, on Monday, June 6, 2022, six inmates who were convicted of rape were executed in Gorgan Prison.

Three of these executed inmates have been identified as Jones Jahantigh, Ali Keykhah and Ali Lakzai. Three years ago, they were arrested and convicted of rape. Reportedly, Ali Keykhah was 18 years old at the time of the arrest and his abetting in crime was restricted to providing other defendants with food. 

Iran Human Rights Organization also reports that on Thursday, June 9, an inmate identified as Baba Sabzi, age 44 who was previously convicted of drug-related crimes was executed in Kermanshah.

The Baloch Activists Campaign reports the execution of an inmate identified as Jomeh Makaki in Shiraz on June 12, 2022. Makaki was a resident of Zahedan who was convicted of drug-related crimes five years ago. According to this report, three other unidentified inmates have also been executed in Shiraz Central Prison.

Workers’ Rights Activist Sajad Shokri Arrested in Karaj

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Sajad Shokri, workers rights activist

On Saturday, June 11, 2022, workers’ rights activist and former political prisoner Sajad Shokri was arrested by security forces at his house in Karaj City.

According to HRANA, the Human Rights Activists news agency, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, security forces arrested workers’ rights activist Sajad Shokri at his house in Karaj.

On prior occasions, Shokri faced other arrests and convictions. On August 6, 2020, Shokri was arrested in Tehran and jailed in Evin Prison. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to four years in prison on the charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and “spreading lies to disturb public opinions and propaganda against the regime”. On December 15, 2021, he was released on probation.

Seven Defendants Humiliated by Police through Shame-Parading in Tehran

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
HRANA, IRIB News Agency, Mortezagard village, Shame-Parading, Tehran

In Tehran, the police paraded seven detainees through the streets for humiliation and public shaming. In recent years, Iran’s law enforcement officers have occasionally used shame parading as a punishment tool against both suspected and convicted offenders. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting IRIB News Agency, the police paraded seven defendants from the Mortezagard village in Tehran County for the purpose of humiliation and public shaming.

A video circulated on social media showed the police forced these defendants to humiliate themselves in public.

Shame Parading is a  blatant violation of both domestic laws, human rights treaties and human dignity.

 

 

Update on Detained Teacher Union Activist Eskandar Lotfi

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Cécile Kohler, Eskandar Lotfi, Mariwan, Saleh Nikbakht, Teachers’ Trade Associatio

Teacher Eskandar Lotfi, who was detained since May 30, 2022, has been transferred to a location unknown to his lawyer and family.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Eskandar Lotfi, a detained teacher and a member of the Mariwan Teachers’ Trade Association, has been transferred to a location unknown to his lawyer and family.

Eskandar Lotfi has been on hunger strike since his arrest in protest against the unlawful arrest and interrogators’ pressure to make forced confessions.

An informed source close to Lotfi’s family told HRANA that his case has been handed to the Evin Courthouse.

Mr Lotfi’s lawyer, Saleh Nikbakht wrote on social media, “My client, Eskandar Lotfi is on hunger strike for nine days and recently was transferred from Mariwan to an unknown location and his life is in danger.”

Three weeks ago, in a report, a state-controlled TV channel tried to connect the recent detention of two French citizens, Cécile Kohler and her husband, to nationwide teachers’ protests and the teachers’ activists. In response, in a statement, the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association condemned these attempts to make such connections and allegations. 

On Sunday, May 1, in response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association, the retired and active teachers in 45 cities assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Education. In Mariwan and Bushehr, these protests were attacked and several protestors were arrested. 

Five Inmates Executed in Prisons across Iran

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Amol Prison, Asghar Hamidi, Droud Yousef Beygi, Ilam prison, Kamal Bayani-Rad, Kermanshah prison, Khalkhal Prison, Khosro Tarak, Mazandaran province

On Thursday, June 9, 2022, two inmates convicted of murder were executed in Amol and Kermanshah Prisons. Also, on Wednesday, June 8, the executions of two inmates in Ilam Prison and one in Khalkhal Prison were carried out.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, June 9, 2022, an inmate identified as Javad Amini was executed in Amol Prison in Mazandaran Province.

On the same day, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of an inmate identified as Droud Yousef Beygi, age 33, who was convicted of murder.

Additionally, Haal Vsh reported the execution of an inmate in Khalkhal Prison in Ardabil Province June 8. The inmate was identified as Asghar Hamidi, age 31, and was sentenced to death for murder ten years ago.

Lastly, Kurdpa reported that two inmates identified as Khosro Tarak and Kamal Bayani-Rad in Ilam Prison were executed last Wednesday. The first was sentenced to death seven years ago and the latter five years ago.

None of these executions have been reported by official sources and media outlets inside Iran so far. 

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period. 

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.