Category: News

Report on the Latest Condition of Afkari Brothers in Adel-Abad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz, ebrat ward, Habib Afkari, Navid Afkari, Prisoner abuse, saeed Afkari, Vahid Afkari, Vahid and Habib Afkari

Political prisoners Vahid and Habib Afkari have been held in the “Ebrat” ward in Adel-Abad Prison, Shiraz City, for about 15 months. This notorious ward is used mostly for punishing inmates or to house inmates on death row. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the brothers have been denied a phone call and access to adequate medical treatment.

Vahid and Habib Afkari are brothers of Iranian wrestler Navid Afkari, who was executed on September 12, 2020 in Adel-Abad Prison despite serious ambiguities in his case and worldwide outcry to halt the execution.

Navid Afkari and Vahid Afkari were arrested in September 2018, and Habib Afkari was arrested in December 2018. The arrests were in connection to nationwide protests in August 2018. The brothers were repeatedly beaten and tortured during interrogations.

In August 2020, Shiraz’s Revolutionary and Criminal Court sentenced Navid Afkari to execution, six years imprisonment and 74 lashes. The court sentenced Vahid Afkari to 54 years, six months in prison and 74 lashes, and Habib Afkari to 27 years and three months imprisonment and 74 lashes.

Their brother, Saeed Afkari, stated on social media that the legal due process to address the torture of their brothers has gone nowhere. In May of this year, a court session was held to address the Afakri’s complaint that they have been beaten, tortured, held for long-term in a solitary confinement cell, and threatened to death by two high-ranking officials. According to Saeed Afakri, his brother Vahid Afkari was not allowed to have access to documents during the court session.

Branch 38 of the Supreme Court of Iran rejected their request for a retrial. Saeed Dehghan, the Afakri brother’s lawyer at that time, wrote that, “even if the judge cared to take a short look at the documents, he would realize that with 24 contradictions and three false statements, there were substantial reasons for retrial”.

Hirad Pirbodaghi Still In Detention After 25 Days

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Asal Mohammadi, bail, Evin Prison, Hirad Pirbodaghi, imprisoned labor activists, solitary confinement, workers rights activist

After 25 days, workers’ rights activist Hirad Pirbodaghi is still detained and awaiting legal proceedings in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Pirbodaghi confirmed during a phone call with his family that interrogations have finished and he is waiting for bail to be assigned so that he may be released. The Evin Prison court has refused to set bail despite multiple requests from his family.

“In these increasingly cold days, he has been given just one set prison uniform which he has to wash and wear while it is still wet. Moreover, they don’t allow him to purchase anything from the prison store”, an informed source told HRANA.

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.

Mass Layoff: About 330 Workers Laid Off in Two Factories

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Azim Khodro, Borujerd, Iran-Mayeh Tabriz

Approximately 330 workers—150 workers at Iran-Mayeh Tabriz and 180 workers at Azim Khodro—have been laid off. Both mass layoffs appear to be the result of factory closure.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting ILNA, Iran-Mayeh Tabriz has been shut down since early spring. The yeast manufacturing plant, owned by a Turkish investor, laid off approximately 150 workers over the course of several months.

“In December 2020, about 40 workers were laid off with the promise of getting back to work after relaunching the pertinent factory unit”, commented one of the laid-off workers. “Not only [did] that never [happen], but they also laid off the rest of 110 workers on March 12, 2021”.

He added: “To dissuade us from filing a complaint to the labour office, they paid two months wages and promised that they [would] reopen the factory within six months. During this time, some workers, under financial pressure, left this job either to get unemployment benefits or find another job. However, about 27 workers complained to the Ministry of Labour. [The Ministry] ordered employee retention and the continuation of wage payments. Nonetheless, despite this order to get back to work, the company hasn’t allowed us to go into work. They [told us] to get our wages, but not to come to the factory”.

At Azim Khodro, a car manufacturer in Borujerd City, 180 workers have been laid off due to factory closure. Due to legal issues, courts have prohibited the owner from running the factory. As a result, workers have not been paid for seven months.

Amir Bayazidi Azar and Ghasem Azizian Summoned and Sent to Prison to Endure Their Sentences

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Amir Bayazidi Azar, Ghasem Azizian, Mahabad City, Mahabad Prison

Amir Bayazidi Azar and Ghasem Azizian, both of Mahabad City, were summoned to Mahabad Prison this past week to serve their respective sentences. Azar left on Saturday to begin a three month sentence, while Azizan left Monday to serve a 28 month sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, both men had previously been tried and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, and both verdicts were upheld on appeal.

Azar was arrested by security forces on January 16, 2021. After being held for three days in the detention centre of the Ministry of Intelligence, he was relocated to Mahabad prison. On February 7, 2021, he was released on bail. Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime”.

Similarly, Azizian was arrested by security forces on May 21, 2021. After interrogation, he was transferred to Mahabad prison. On July 19, 2021, he was released on bail. Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 28 months in prison on charges of “membership in an opposing political party”.

One Kolbar Killed, Another Injured by Regime’s Military Forces

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Adel Alipur, Baneh, Baneh City, Kolbar, kolbar killed border forces, Yaser Aminpur

On Tuesday, November 30, regime military forces at the border near Baneh City shot two kolbars (cross-border carriers), killing one and injuring the other. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdistan Press Agency (Kurdpa), Adel Alipur, a resident of the village Sarsool in Baneh County was shot and killed. Today, December 1st, Alipur’s body was buried in his village.

Yaser Aminpur, also of Sarsool, was severely injured in the foot and has been hospitalized in Baneh City.

Many poor people living in border areas work as kolbars to make ends meet. This work is illegal and involves carrying loads on foot across national borders. Yearly, dozens of kolbars are injured and killed from accidents, dangerous conditions, and border guard shootings.

HRANA’s annual human rights report has specifically documented cases in which military forces’ use of live ammunition against citizens has led to their injury or death. According to the 2020 report, beyond material damages— such as loss of pack animals due to road accidents, frost, or avalanche— 36 kolbars have been shot dead, and 109 have been injured by military forces and border guards. In this year, five kolbars lost their lives and five were injured due to freezing cold weather or falling from high.

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Nosrat Beheshti Released on Bail From Vakilabad Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners, Women
Hunger Strike, Mashad, Nosrat Beheshti, Vakilabad prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

Civil activist and retired educator Nosrat Beheshti was released from Vakilabad Prison on bail of 1 billion tomans (237,955 USD). Her release is temporary, extending from Tuesday, November 30 until the end of legal proceedings.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Beheshti has been in detention since her August 4 arrest. She was tried by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mansourim, on the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security”. She was sentenced to 5 years in prison on November 14.

On October 24, Beheshti began a hunger strike to protest prison officials’ refusal to send her to an outside hospital to treat her kidney pain. The strike lasted four days, and was resolved when she was dispatched to a hospital for treatment.

She has previously faced arrests due to her civil activities.

Two Staff Members at Photography Studio Arrested in Kerman City

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Abdolali Ravanbakhsh, Instagram, Kerman City, Kerman Province

Abdolali Ravanbakhsh, Deputy Commander of Police in Kerman Province, announced that two staff members at a photography studio were arrested for publishing photos and video clips on Instagram.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna News Agency, police searched the studio and confiscated personal belongings such as cameras, projectors, laptops and cell phones.

“Iranian Security Police experts in charge of surveilling activities in cyberspace detected an Instagram page publishing improper photos and video clips,” Ravanbakhsh commented. “A young man who ran a photography studio where he created unlawful photos and films was arrested. A woman who was helping him create the films was also arrested.”

The Iranian Judiciary system has been criticized for its violation of citizens’ privacy rights.

Five Citizens Arrested for “Publishing Immodest Pictures on the Internet”

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Cyber Police, North Khorasan, North Khorasan province

The Iranian Cyber Police (FATA) announced that five citizens in North Khorasan Province have been arrested for “publishing immodest pictures on the Internet.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna News Agency, the Iranian Cyber Police of North Khorasan Province arrested five people for “publishing immodest pictures on the Internet” and brought the case to the judiciary.

The police did not reveal the arrestees’ identities.

 

Iranian Citizens Run Bandaged-Eye Campaign in Solidarity with Protesters Injured in Violent Police Crackdown in Isfahan

Posted on by A MN
News, Other
Bandaged-eye Campaign, Chile, Gonabadi Dervishes, irgc, Isfahan, Noor Ali Tabandeh, Police violence, Security forces

Several citizens have posted photos of their faces with bandages over their eyes as an act of protest against the Regime’s brutal crackdown in Isfahan on Friday, during which several were injured from the direct shooting of military and security forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, local doctors and medical staff have reported high numbers of patients in recent days. Official sources say that at least 19 protesters were injured last Friday, and two are reportedly in critical condition. However, the number of injured people are estimated to be significantly higher.

“In just one hospital, there were about 19 patients who were injured by shooting last Friday and Saturday. Therefore, with all likelihood, contrary to what official media have reported, far more than 19 people have been injured,” a specialist and eye surgeon in Isfahan told HRANA. “The distance of pellets on these patients’ faces indicates that they have been shot from a close range–maybe only a few meters. If the bullets are made of lead, even being hit from a 30-meter distance can cause irreparable damages.”

Military forces using pellet guns against protesters is by no means unprecedented. On February 3, 2018, during a protest of Gonabadi Dervishes in front of the home of their spiritual leader, Noor-Ali Tabandeh, security forces fired pellet guns at the protesters, after which several were injured and some even lost their sight.

Since the widespread use of pellet guns by Chile Police in 2019, which led to the injury of the eye injury of 445 people and permanent blinding of 34, the bandaged eye became a rallying symbol in Chile. Iranian protesters have also used this symbol to express their protest against the regime’s brutality.

Two Workers Killed Due to Unsafe Workplace Conditions in Zanjan and Mahabad

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
ILNA, Jafari Roohi, Mahabad, Mahabad Cities, Mahabad City, Roohi, workplace safety, zanjan, Zanjan City

On Saturday, November 27 and Sunday, November 28th,  two workers lost their lives in workplace accidents in Mahabad and Zanjan cities, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna news, on Sunday, November 28,  a worker was killed in an explosion at a welding workshop in Zanjan City. Jafari Roohi, head of Zanjan’s Emergency Medical Center, commented on the incident.

“Two ambulances were dispatched to the spot. The injured man, 30 years old, had been killed right after the explosion,” Roohi said. He added that the victim died due to the explosion of a gas tank in a welding workshop.

In Mahabad, according to ILNA, a construction worker fell from the third floor of an under-construction building and lost his life.

“Today, a-31 year-old worker who was concreting a column construction fell from the third floor and died immediately,” the Mahabad Chief of Police commented.

Iran ranks 102nd in workplace safety among 189 countries.