HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week in Iran, many of which were continuations of ongoing movements.  Read our recap below for details, photos, and videos from the demonstrations.

Friday, January 21

In Ahvaz City, dozens of citizens assembled at the premises of the Debel al-Khuzai Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company to ask that they recruit native workers. According to the protesters, the company prioritizes non-native people in recruitment.

“We assigned our lands to them, but this company and other manufacturing and industrial companies prioritize non-native people in recruitment. Many of young people in this area are unemployed,” stated one of the protestors.

The workers of the Mianab Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company in Shush City went on strike and assembled at their workplace. They protested against low wages and the company’s failure to pay their insurance contribution.

A number of the residents of the village Margh Malek, located in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, held protests against the seizure of their lands by the Oghaf Organization. They announced that if their demands are not addressed, they will hold protests next week before the Shahrekord Justice building.

Saturday, January 22

A group of prison guards and personnel assembled before the Parliament in Tehran to protest failure to address their issues. HRANA has reported that dozens of personnel at Arak Prison went on strike against a three month delay in payments. They refused to perform daily prison duties.

A group of workers of the Yasuj Municipality assembled before the governorate building to ask for wage demands. The private contractor for which they work has delayed six months of payments as well as end of year bonuses. According to the workers, the contractor has to afford at least two to three months payments per the terms of the contract.

Sunday, January 23

Personnel in charge of managing Edalat stock from cities across the country protested before the Iranian Privatization Organization offices to ask for two years unpaid wages. After three days of protests, members of the Supreme Council of the Stock Exchange held a session to address their demands and decided that until next week, 75 per cent of these delayed payments will be remitted.

A number of the retirees and pensioners of Fulad Company’s pension fund assembled before the offices of this pension fund in Tehran, Ahvaz and Isfahan. As they had announced, they will protest each Sunday until their demands are addressed.

 

A group of medical staff who are working on temporary three month contracts assembled before Parliament to ask to change their employment contract.

A number of municipal workers in Mehran City assembled before the governorate building in Ilam City to ask for wage demands. Reportedly, these workers are experiencing a five month delay in wages and nine months of unpaid employer’s insurance contribution.

For several consecutive days, workers at the Mianab Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company in Shush City went on strike and assembled at their workplace. They protested against low wages, employment contracts and mismanagement.

A group of retirees and pensioners under the support of the Social Security Organization assembled before the quarters of these organizations in Tabriz, Rasht and Mashhad cities. Their demands include raising pensions above the poverty line, implementing a plan to close pension gaps and addressing issues with supplementary insurance.

Monday, January 24

Dozens of retired teachers and educators assembled before the Civil Servants Pension Organization building in Tehran, Sanandaj, Ardabil, Rasht, Shiraz, Hamedan and Kermanshah cities. In Noorabad and Darab, they assembled in their cities. They asked to close pension disparities, among other demands.

A group of the retirees of the Iran Telecommunication Company from various cities assembled before the building of Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order in Tehran. On the same day, a group of personnel of the Commercial Deputy of the Iran Telecommunication Company assembled before the company office in Tehran.

Personnel of Isfahan Telecommunication company who have temporary contracts, assembled inside the governorate building to protest against the layoff and asked for returning to work. They said that due to following their demands such as wages and implementation of Job classification Plan, they have been fired and the management doesn’t let them entering inside the company premises.

Dozens of workers of petrochemical company Razi located in Bandar Imam Khomeini assembled at the complex’s security office.

For several consecutive days, a group of workers at the Mianab Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company went on strike and assembled at their workplace to protest against employment contracts, low wages and mismanagement. According to the workers, employees have been halved to 500 people, 400 of  which have temporary contracts, since 2017 when the company was assigned to the private sector.

A group of workers on the Shafarud Dam assembled at their workplace to protest against several months of unpaid wages and employer insurance contributions.

Tuesday, January 25

A number of construction workers assembled before Parliament in Tehran to protest against failure to receive Social Security insurance after ten years of demands, even after the policy was enacted last year in Parliament.

For several consecutive days, workers at the Mianab Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company in Shush City continued their protest at their workplace.

For the second consecutive day, a group of welding workers at the Ilam Petrochemical Company assembled on company premises to protest against conditions about working hours in their contracts. They asked to return to previous conditions in their contracts.

A number of citizens held protests before Parliament to ask to change family laws, particularly Mahr (money or possessions which the groom is obliged to pay to the bride.). During divorce, many men who cannot afford to pay Mahr are condemned or imprisoned.

A group of workers of the petrochemical company Razi Mahshahr went on strike and assembled at their workplace. They protested against a rejection of their five representatives by their employer. As revenge, the employer banned the representatives from coming to work.

A group of citizens who have pre-purchased imported trucks held protests before the office of the President to protest customs duty costs.

A group of workers of tire company Barez Kerman assembled on company premises to protest against delays in payments and low wages.

Workers at the Morwarid Petrochemical Company in Asaluyeh City went on strike and assembled at their workplace to demand delayed wages.

Wednesday, January 26

A group of lawyer interns held protests in Shiraz, Qazvin, Kerman, Tehran and Yazd before the building of the association of lawyers to ask for their demands.

A group of nomadic people in Izeh and Dezpart cities assembled before the governorate building to protest against not receiving barley quota and subsidized forage.

A group of the maternity healthcare assistants from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences went on strike and assembled before the faculty dean’s office to protest against heavy workload due to understaffing.

A number of medical students in residency at two hospitals in Tehran went on strike and assembled at their workplace to ask for unpaid wages.

A group of workers who work for contractors in the Tondgooyan refinery in Tehran assembled on company premises. They asked for the implementation of the Job Classification Plan and to address other issues.

Thursday, January 27

A group of workers of the Mianab Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company in Shush City assembled this time before the Imam of Friday Prayer’s office. They asked to have a contract with the company rather than private contractors.

Dozens of stock market shareholders who lost their investments due to fraudulent activities in Iran’s stock market held protests before the Planning and Budget Organization.

Inmate Executed in Urmia Prison for Drug-Related Crime

On January 27, an inmate on death row who was previously convicted for drug-related crimes was executed in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Thursday, January 27, 2022, the inmate was identified as Mirsoltan Amiri, a resident of Oshnavieh City.

On July 3, 2021, Amiri’s son, Shahria Amiri, was executed in the same prison for a similar crime.

This execution has not yet been announced by judicial officials or reported by media inside Iran.

Azerbaijani Turk Activist Mohammad Aini Arrested in Rasht City

On January 23, Azerbaijani Turk activist Mohammad Aini was arrested after an appearance at the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Rasht City. After, he was transferred to an unidentified location. He was summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence the day before the arrest.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security and judicial officials have not provided his family with any information about his whereabouts or the reason for his arrest.

Aini has faced other arrests. In October of 2020, amid the widespread protests in the Azerbaijani regions in the Western part of the country, he was arrested in Rasht City. After some time, he was released from jail on bail. In February of 2021, he was tried by Branch 12 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on the charge of “acting against national security” and was finally acquitted.

Tohidi, Mohammad Iran-Nejad and Sara Askari Fined, Sentenced to Imprisonment

Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Yashar Tohidi, Mohammad Iran-Nejad and Sara Askari, all residents of Tehran, to more than seven years of imprisonment combined, as well as a fine.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Tohidi and Iran-Nejad were each sentenced to three years and five months in prison on charges of “acting against national security through membership in one of the Marxist groups” and “propaganda against the regime”. If this verdict is upheld, the severest punishment of two years and nine months on the charge of “acting against national security through membership in a Marxist group” is enforceable per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Askari has also been sentenced to six months in prison and a fine of 7,000,000 tomans on the charge of “spreading lies”. Her sentence has been suspended for five years.

The trial against these citizens was held on January 17, 2022.

On June 23, 2021, security forces arrested Tohifi and transferred him to the IRGC-controlled Ward 2-A in Evin Prison. After 12 days of interrogation, he was released on bail of 500 million tomans until the end of legal proceedings.

Iran-Nejad and Tohidi have already faced other arrests and convictions in their rap sheets.

Chia Agha-Beygpour Jailed to Serve His Sentence in Bukan Prison

On January 25, Chia Agha-Beygpour, a resident of Bukan City, was jailed to serve his sentence. In November of last year, he was sentenced to one year and two months imprisonment, 74 lashes and a fine.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Chia Agha-Beygpour was sent to Bukan Prison to serve his one year and two months imprisonment.

In November of last year, the Revolutionary Court of Bukan convicted him for ” “propaganda against the regime” in favor of one of the opposition political parties.

On July 29, 2021, security forces arrested and held him in a detention centre at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence in Bukan. During the arrest, he had been deprived of contacting his family and having a lawyer. On September 6, he was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

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Translator and Civil Activist Shohreh Hosseini Summoned to Serve Her Sentence

Translator and civil activist Shohreh Hosseini was summoned by the Executive Unit of Evin Courthouse to serve her sentence. She was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to three years and three months in prison. Grounded in Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, from the verdict, the severest punishment of two years and seven months is enforceable.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, translator and civil activist Shohreh Hosseini was summoned to appear at the executive unit of Evin courthouse in order to endure her sentence in this prison.

On January 18, 2021, the Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Afshari, sentenced Shohreh Hosseini to four years and two months on the charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and “membership in anti-regime group and propaganda against the regime”. This verdict was reduced to three years and three months on appeal. For the charge of ” assembly and collusion”, the punishment of two years and seven months is enforceable.

On October 2, 2020, IRGC’s security agents arrested and transferred her to the detention centre known as Ward 2-A in Evin Prison. Four days later, she was released on bail of 500 million tomans until the end of the legal proceedings. These agents confiscated some of her personal belongings such as a laptop, phone and some documents.

Once again, on December 8, 2020, Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor office was summoned and arrested. They also raised the bail to 1 billion tomans.

On December 29, 2020, she was transferred from Ward 2-A to the public ward of Evin at the end of the interrogation process. 19 days later, she was released temporarily by providing the bail of 1 billion tomans.

French Tourist Benjamin Briere Sentenced to Eight Years In Prison

On January 25, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Benjamin Briere to eight years in prison. The court session had been held on January 20.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  French tourist Benjamin Briere who is jailed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad City, was sentenced to eight years in prison on charges of “spying” and “propaganda against the regime”. Two other charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “drinking alcohol” were already dismissed by the court.

Briere’s lawyer, Saeed Dehghan, tweeted that “1. Just before the trial, they changed the branch where the court was going to be held, 2. the trial was not public and 3. it was quite obvious that the judge has already taken a position, 3. They mentioned the word “exchange” (apparently referring to a prisoner swap with the French government) which reveals their intention”.

Briere has been in pre-trial detention for almost 600 days.

In late December of 2021, he was denied making a phone call to his family on Christmas night and in protest, went on hunger strike.

In May 2020, Briere was arrested by security forces and has since been jailed in Vakilabad Prison.

According to Dehghan, these charges were based on actions such as taking aerial photos with a remote-controlled helicam and posing questions such as “why is the veil (Hijab) forced in Iran but not other Islamic countries”.

Sunni Prisoner Arkan Palani Jaf Beaten in a Solitary Confinement Cell

While still on hunger strike, Sunni prisoner Arkan Palani Jaf was relocated to a solitary confinement cell and beaten by prison guards. Last Wednesday, he sewed his lips shut and went on hunger strike in protest against the prison’s refusal to grant him furlough.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Sunni prisoner Arkan Palani Jaf was held in solitary confinement in Rajai Shahr Prison and beaten by prison guards. He has been on hunger strike since last Wednesday.

According to an informed source, the prisoner’s head Allah-Karam Azizi, the Head of Penitentiary No 4 and other prison officials have been ordered to punish him by beating. “They beat him and worn and ripped threads off of his sewed lips. They threatened him to beating every day if he continues his hunger strike,” he commented.

Palani Jaf has spent more than four years of his seven year sentence without furlough. His request for furlough has been dismissed several times.

Earlier, on Monday, December 17, 2021,  he went on a hunger strike, which ended after a few days.

Palani Jaf was arrested in 2016 and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to 7 years on the charge of “collaboration with ISIS”. According to an informed source, the security agents wanted to arrest his brother and when they failed, arrested him instead despite having no evidence for his association with ISIS.

Palani Jaf is 28 years old and a resident of Sarpol Zahab City. He is currently jailed in Rajai Shahr Prison.

Rapper Toomaj Salehi Fined and Sentenced to Six Months Suspended Imprisonment

The Revolutionary Court of Shahin-Shahr sentenced Toomaj Salehi to six months in prison and a fine. The verdict was suspended for one year. Salehi is a rapper who is well-known for his protest songs.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists. Rapper, Salehi was exonerated from the charge of “provoking violence and insurrection”.

On September 12, 2021, Salehi was arrested by security forces at his home and nine days later, released on bond from Dastgerd Prison.

Civil Activist Atena Daemi Released from Lakan Prison in Rasht City

On January 24, civil activist Atena Daemi was granted an early release and freed from Lakan Prison in Rasht. Since December of 2016, she was spending her sentence in Evin Prison until March 2021 when she was sent to exile in Lakan Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Daemi was arrested on October 21, 2014 and was sentenced on May 15, 2015. Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to 14 years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran.” This verdict was reduced to 7 years on appeal. The severest punishment of five years was enforceable from these two charges.

Daemi began serving her sentence in 2016 in Evin Prison. In 2018, while still in jail, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran opened a new case against her and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee on a new charge of “membership in anti-regime groups”. She was sentenced to an additional three years and seven months and the verdict was upheld on appeal. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of two years and one month was enforceable.

In July 2020, she was sentenced to two years and 74 lashes in another new case, this time opened by Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. Her request for a retrial was dismissed. During this time, she and her family were consistently pressured by judicial and security forces.

On March 16, 2021, she was transferred at night from Evin Prison to Lakan Prison to spend the rest of her sentence in exile.