Inmate Executed in Zanjan Prison

On Monday, December 6, an inmate previously convicted of drug-related crimes was executed in Zanjan Central Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Iran Human Rights Organization, 23-year-old Mohammad-Reza Markoohi was executed in Zanjan Central Prison.

“Three years and seven months ago, along with his cousin, Mohammad-Reza Markoohi was arrested for carrying drugs on a highway connecting Zanjan to Qazvin. Both were sentenced to death by Zanjan’s Revolutionary Court. Two years ago, his cousin died from a disease in jail”, according to an informed source cited in this report.

The most recent report of the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between October 8 of 2020 and October 9 of 2021, at least 266 citizens, three of whom were juvenile offenders, were executed and 90 citizens were sentenced to death.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 82% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

The execution has not been reported by official sources in Iran as of this writing.

Asghar Firoozi and Alireza Saghafi Summoned to Endure Their Sentences

Political activist Asghar Firoozi and workers’ rights activist Alireza Saghafi were summoned to endure their sentences by the executive units of the courthouses of Mashhad and Karaj, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Firoozi was arrested by security forces in Mashhad. After the December 2018 arrests, he was sentenced to three months in prison.

Saghafi was arrested in September 2019 and sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj City on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”.

“The court letter… was sent to Mr. Firoozi’s workplace, and because he was not present, agents searched the institution and asked his colleagues to hand the letter to him. Similarly, agents went to Mr. Saghafi’s workplace,” an informed source told HRANA.

Both activists have previously faced other arrests and convictions for their civil activities.

Hirad Pirbodaghi’s Mother, Setareh Jalali, on Sit-Down Strike

Setareh Jalai, the mother of Hirad Pirbodaghi, went on a sit-in in front of Evin Courthouse in cold weather on December 5. The strike was in protest of her son’s continued detention and the lack of information regarding his condition. She was informed yesterday by prison and court officials that Pirbodaghi’s case will be taken to court for examination within the next 48 hours. This news is at odds with prior information the court has granted his release on bail. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the workers’ rights activist is still detained and awaiting legal proceedings in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran after 30 days.

In phone calls, Pirbodaghi stated that he had been under extreme coercion by security forces to confess.

“Last Saturday, they called her mother to provide the bail of 800 million tomans (189,680 USD). As her mother told me, the letter was issued on November 24, indicating that the security forces had obstructed the execution of this order,” an informed source told HRANA. “When the family went to Evin Courthouse, they were told that for now, the release is not going to happen. On the second day of her sit-down strike, however, Hirad’s mother was told to meet with prison officials”.

In this meeting, she was told that the case will be sent to a branch of the court for examination within the next 48 hours.

On November 6, Pirbodaghi was arrested violently by security forces alongside Asal Mohammadi. Their houses were searched during the arrest. He was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence.

Pirbodaghi was indicted on the charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” on November 7.

Mohammadi was released on bond from Evin Prison on November 22. The reason for his arrest is still unknown at the time of writing.

The day before their arrests, Pirbodaghi and Mohammadi, accompanied by seven other activists, had filed a complaint in a judicial office against the use of solitary confinement as a torture method. Mohammadi and Pirbodaghi have previously faced other arrests and convictions for their non-violent activism and worker’s rights advocacy.

Two Citizens Arrested By Security Forces in Sanandaj

On Sunday, December 5, 2021, security forces arrested two residents of the village “Niar” in Sanandaj County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Saadi Menbari, 26 years old, and Siamak Arang, 26 years old were arrested by security forces who searched their houses at the time of the arrest without a warrant.

The reason for arrest, the charges and the whereabouts of these detainees are unknown at the time of writing.

Life Imprisonment and Death Sentence Against Two Brothers Without Any Proper Due Process

In a blatant violation of due process, prison officials verbally informed Abbas Daris’s family that he has been sentenced to death without providing a letter of conviction or any other written documents.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Daris’s family was informed of his sentencing about four months ago. 

Arrested during the November 2019 Protests, Daris is currently held in Mahshahr Prison. He was indicted alongside his brother Mohsen Daris on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh)”, “disturbing the public order” and “murdering a Counter-Terrorism Special Forces agent (NOPO)”. Mohsen Daris was sentenced to life in prison on charges of “collaborating to murder the NOPO agent”.

Karim Dahimi, a political and human rights activist, told HRANA that according to a report by the second crime scene analyst, “NOPO agent Reza Sayyadi was shot dead from behind on November 18, 2019, and therefore not from the front, where the protesters were standing. Moreover, Daris’s family has been told that they can compensate the victim’s family by paying blood money (Diya). This stands at odds with the charge of “enmity against God”, which indicates that the case does not have any plaintiff. This unorthodox request implies that they know that he is innocent”.

“Everything proceeded informally and verbally. They didn’t provide a single written statement regarding his conviction,” an informed source told HRANA. “The problem is that in this province, even verbal statements from the court and prison officials can be true and reliable. That the judiciary officials are not complying with legal routines and cooperating with his family and lawyer increases our concerns”.

Abbas Drais is 48 years old and the father of two children, ages 12 and 14. Reportedly, his wife died from a stroke after receiving the shocking news of his death sentence. His children are currently living with their grandmother.

In January 2020, the regime’s TV channel, known as the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), reported the murder of the NOPO agent. Considering the previous cooperation of IRIB with security forces in extracting confessions under torture, it is likely that both brothers have been subjected to torture-tainted confessions.

In November of 2019, an unprecedented 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 of human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by regime forces.

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Leila Hosseinzadeh’s Five Year Sentence Upheld by The Court of Appeals

Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals in Tehran upheld the verdict of student activist and former political prisoner, Leila Hosseinzadeh. Hosseinzadeh was sentenced to five years in prison and a two year ban on online social activity by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran due to her attendance at the birthday ceremony of imprisoned Gonabadi Dervish, Mohammad Sharifi Moghaddam, held at the entrance of the Sharif University of Technology.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Hosseinzadeh’s lawyer, Amir Raisian, was notified about the court;’s decision to uphold the initial verdict.

In February 2021, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran convicted her on the charge of “assembly and collusion for the purpose of acting against national security”.

Amid the nationwide protests which broke out in December 2017, Hosseinzadeh was arrested alongside other student activists and released on bail after spending 16 days in detention. On March 7, 2018, she was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”, as well as one year in prison and a two year ban on leaving the country on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. The sentence for her first charge was reduced on appeal from five years to two years and six months. Grounded on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, 30 months of this sentence was enforceable.

On July 28, 2019, she was arrested and detained for 10 days in a facility at the IRGC’s intelligence unit. Afterwards, she was sent to Evin prison to serve her sentence.

On March 11, 2020, while on furlough, she was set free due to her “intolerance of punishment”.

Meysam Kazemi Arrested and Transferred to Bebahan Prison

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, Meysam Kazemi was arrested and transferred to Behbahan Prison after appearing at Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the resident of Behbahan City was indicted with the charge of “circulating media about those arrested in relations to Behbahan’s unrest on July 16, 2020”.

Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Court is headed by Judge Kazem Tayyeb. Contrary to claims by judiciary officials in the summons, Kasemi’s lawyer was not allowed in court. At the end of the court session, he was detained and transferred to Behbahan Prison. 

On July 26, 2020, hundreds of Behbahan’s citizens gathered at Bank-Melli Square to protest against “poor economic conditions” and “death sentences against those who were arrested during the protest of November 2019”. Many citizens were arrested for their participation in the protests, both during the events and in the period following.

During the November 2019 protest, security forces in Behbahan City used live ammunition against protestors, leading to the death of several protestors including Mehrdad Dashinia, Mahmood Dashtinia, Farzad Ansarifar, Mohammad-Hossein Ghanavati and Mohammad Hashamdar.

 

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.

Saturday, November 27 

A number of seasonal workers at the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled today in Shush City, first before the Ministry of Cooperatives, Labour, and Social Welfare and then in front of the Governorate building. Their demands regarded issues with their contracts. Last Thursday, this group of workers assembled in front of the office of Parliament member Kaab Amir.

A group of personnel at Distribution Electrical Company in Golestan Province assembled in front of their company’s building, asking for permanent, official employment rather than their current temporary agreement.

Workers at petrochemical company Fajr assembled before the company entrance to protest against an increase in working hours. Reportedly, shift hours were increased from 8 to 12 without workers’ consent. According to labour code, shifts longer than 12 hours are forbidden. 

Nurses and other personnel at the Ministry of Health assembled in front of the Planning and Budget Organization building to ask for the implementation of an “extra payment plan”, a reduction in taxes, and a pay raise. Despite being enacted in 2014 by Parliament, the “extra payment plan”, has not yet been put into action after seven years.

Injured veterans of the Iran-Iraq War assembled in front of the Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs in Tehran to protest against poor living conditions.

The victims of Fardadkar Amitis Company, who lost their money due to fraudulent acts by the investment company, protested before the Qoddoosi Courthouse in Tehran. About ten thousand victims have lost a combined 2500 billion tomansb (594,887,500 USD). The protesters asked to move the case from the Qoddoosi Courthouse to the Economic Crimes Court and the Branch of Economic Corruption of the Revolutionary Court.

A group of farmers in Bavy County protested for their water allocation for fall cultivation. They assembled before the Karun Irrigation Company, Eastern Lands in Ahvaz City. Despite promises, two months have passed without farmers receiving water allocation. 

A group of physicians and medical graduates working in the government sector assembled before the Medical Sciences Building in Yazd City. They protested against unfair salary calculation methods and heavy taxes.

Sunday, November 28

Families of the victims of Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752 marched on the Military Courthouse where the trial of low-ranking military officers is being held. The assembly was on surveilled by many security agents. In the early hours of January 8, 2020, Flight 752 was hit by a missile sent by regime military forces. After a few days of covering up the cause of this incident, the regime admitted that the plane was hit by a missile shot from an anti-missile defense base.

 

Several families with children with SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy) assembled in front of the Parliament building in Tehran to ask that their children’s medicine, necessary to treat SMA, be imported.

A group of retirees of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled at the entrance of the factory. They claimed that the years of service payment is lower than dictated by labour law.

Retirees using the Fulad Company pension fund assembled in front of pension fund offices in the cities of Ahvaz and Isfahan. They asked for a raise in pensions in order to stay above the poverty line, as well as the elimination of pension disparities and issues with supplementary insurance.

A number of truck drivers in Sarbaz County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, assembled in front of the governorate building to protest against a cut on fuel rations. They said that fuel rations for their trucks have been cut without compelling reason.

Monday, November 29

A number of retirees of airline company Homa assembled in front of Homa’s pension fund offices. They protested against delays in payments and the merger of Homa’s pension fund with the national pension fund.

In Bandar Mahshahr, a number of jobseekers assembled before the refinery tanks of the Persian Gulf Bidboland Gas Refining Company. They protested the company recruitment policy, which discriminates against native workers.

Tuesday, November 30

A number of the victims of financial frauds from financial institution Caspian assembled in front of the judiciary building in Tehran to demand the return of their investment, including profits and loss.

 

A number of residents in a nomadic area known as “Sargachineh” in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province protested in front of the provincial governorate building. Residents said that 57 hectares of land have been unlawfully assigned to one person who is not even a native of this area.

For the third consecutive day, families of children with SMA assembled in front of the parliament in Tehran to ask for the import of required medicine for their children.

A number of seasonal workers of Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled at company premises. They had been protesting for several consecutive days to demand that their contract issues be addressed.

Technical workers from various districts assembled at their workplace, Distribution Electrical Company of Tehran, to ask for permanent employment contracts. One of the workers said that many of workers have not been offered a permanent contract after 20 years.

Municipal workers in Khorramshahr City assembled in front of the governorate building to protest against a four-month delay in payments.

Dozens of workers of three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City assembled on company premises. Reportedly, these workers protested against the return of four fired managers.

 

Workers at two companies that are contracting for Petrochemical Company Apadana in Asaluyeh City went on strike to protest against the employers, who failed to keep promises regarding workers’ demands.

The teachers and educators from the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Fars, Qom and Khuzestan provinces went on strike and assembled before the buildings of the ministry of education in each province. These teachers demanded the implementation of a plan, which has already been enacted in the parliament and whereby teachers’ income will be raised in accordance with a ranking

Wednesday, December 1

About 120 retired workers of Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Agro-Industry Company assembled before the company entrance to protested a miscalculation in benefits.

For the fourth consecutive day, dozens of families with children with SMA assembled in front of parliament in Tehran to ask for the import of required medicine for their children. During this assembly, President Raisi appeared and promised to address this issue in a meeting with that included three representatives from the families.

 

Municipal service workers and gardeners in Kish protested before the building of the Kish Free Zone Organization to protest against low wages and benefits.

 

For the second consecutive day, educators in Qom City assembled before the  provincial Ministry of Education to ask for the implementation of a plan that, though passed by the parliament, have not yet been enacted.

Several retired and working school teachers in Shiraz City went on strike to demand implementation of the afore-mentioned plan.

For the second consecutive day, a number of workers of three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City assembled on company premises.

Thursday, December 2

In response to a call by the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, retired and working educators in 73 cities across the country assembled in front of the building of the Ministry of Education (or, in Tehran, Parliament) in each city. They demanded the implementation of a plan already enacted by Parliament whereby teachers’ income will be raised in accordance with a ranking.

In Qom City, a number of farmers assembled before a production cooperative company to ask for their water portion. They also protested against heavy fines for unauthorized withdrawals from wells.

For the third consecutive day, dozens of workers at three copper mining companies in Varzeqan City went on a strike and assembled at their company premises.

 

Two Workers Killed, One Severely Injured Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions

On December 2, two workplace accidents in Qom and Bandar Lengeh cities left two workers dead and one severely injured.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim News Agency, a lift inside a food production factory based in Qom City malfunctioned and fell, leading to the death of a female worker inside.

“Following this accident, the judiciary ordered closure of the factory until safety deficiencies are fixed,” the Director-General of Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare of Qom City commented.

The same day, two fishermen in Bandar Lengeh City died after four fishing boats caught fire.

“Around 13:30, in a wharf, due to a technical problem in the engine, a fishing boat caught on fire and the fire spread to three adjacent boats. In this accident, a fisherman lost his life and another was severely injured,” commented Bandar Lengeh’s governor, Ahmad Sheybani.

Sattar Rezai Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

Late on December 1, worker’s rights activist Sattar Rezai was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unidentified location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU), security forces arrested Rezai at his father’s house in Isfahan.  About 10 to 12 undercover agents were involved in the nighttime raid.

The reason for his arrest and his current whereabouts are unknown at the time of writing.