Category: Prisoners

After Supreme Court Overturns Verdict, Death Sentence Reissued for Sharifeh Mohammadi

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Sharifeh Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht. Her initial death sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel court for retrial.

Based on the ruling issued by Judge Darvish Goftar of Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, which was delivered to her lawyers today, Mohammadi has been sentenced to death on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in an opposition group.”

Mohammadi was sentenced to death on July 4, 2023, on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. This sentence against the female labor activist triggered widespread public outcry.

Her trial, held on June 8, 2023, revolved around multiple charges, including propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and baghi through her supposed affiliation with the group.

Mohammadi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence at her home in Rasht on December 5, 2023. Later that month, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, only to be sent back to Lakan after some time.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no ties to the Komala group. The charge of baghi is based on her alleged membership in this group, which is not true.”

Uncertainty in Retrial Process: Latest Update on the Case of Behfar Lalehzari

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Lalehzari, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, ایمان افشاری, بهفر لاله زاری

HRANA News Agency – Behfar Lalehzari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been waiting for nearly nine months for a decision on his retrial request at Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

A source close to Lalehzari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“Mr. Lalehzari submitted his retrial request nearly nine months ago, but Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has yet to review it. In protest against this negligence, he will begin a hunger strike.”

Lalehzari, who suffers from multiple health issues, has submitted nine requests for medical furlough, all of which have been denied by prison officials.

On September 18, 2023, security forces arrested Behfar Lalehzari at his home. After seven days in solitary confinement at the Security Police detention facility, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

Later, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to four years in prison for “assembly and collusion against internal security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling five years. The verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Death Sentence and 25 Years in Prison for Three Detainees from the 2022 Protests

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ali Ghasemi, Bukan, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Soran Ghasemi

HRANA News Agency – Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, and Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, who were arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Bukan, have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Urmia Criminal Court to execution, 15 years, and 10 years in prison, respectively, on charges of killing a security officer. Kaveh Salehi, the fourth defendant in this case, has been acquitted of the charges.

Based on the verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Urmia Criminal Court and officially communicated to the defendants in prison, Pejman Soltani has been sentenced to death for allegedly ordering the killing of a security officer, while Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri and Ali Ghasemi have been sentenced to 15 and 10 years in prison, respectively, for alleged participation in the killing. Kaveh Salehi, the fourth defendant in this case, has been acquitted of the charges.

The trial for these individuals was held on December 23, 2023, in the aforementioned court. These individuals were arrested in April-April 2023.

In addition to this case, these individuals, along with Javanmard Mam-Khosrawi, are facing another trial in the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges such as moharebeh (waging war against God), baghi (armed rebellion), assembly and collusion against national security, financing terrorism, propaganda against the regime, espionage and collaboration with hostile states, possession of satellite internet equipment (Starlink), possession of unauthorized weapons, and membership in banned groups.

Among them, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri is currently on hunger strike in Urmia Prison in protest against the verdict and the prolonged uncertainty in his case.

After Writing a Letter to Khamenei, Mohammad Davari Transferred to an Unknown Location

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Mohammad Davari, Shiraz, محمد داوری

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad Davari, a labor activist serving his sentence in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, was transferred to an undisclosed location yesterday. According to his defense attorney, this transfer is linked to a letter he wrote yesterday to Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, in which he described torture, threats of sexual violence, and fabricated charges against him in prison.

His lawyer, Fereshteh Tabanian, confirmed the news, stating:
“Following the publication of my client Mohammad Davari’s letter to Mr. Khamenei, he was taken from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz to an unknown location this morning.”

Another defense lawyer, Astareh Ansari, based in Shiraz, has been unable to obtain any information on Davari’s whereabouts despite persistent inquiries.

Details of the Letter

Two days ago, Mohammad Davari wrote a letter from prison, detailing torture, threats of sexual assault, and fabricated cases against him. He also accused prison officials of violent treatment, medical negligence, and inhumane conditions for inmates.

Davari’s Sentence

In November, 2024, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, sentenced him to:

  • Three years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” along with a travel ban, passport revocation, a ban on online activities, and two years of forced residence in Bardsir, Kerman.
  • One year and six months in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.”

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the longest sentence—three years in prison—was enforceable.

Background

Mohammad Davari, aged around 30, holds a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering from Azad University of Yasuj and is a Political Science undergraduate student at Golestan University of Shiraz. He has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

He was last arrested on May 14, 2024, and transferred to Adelabad Prison to serve his sentence.

University Professor Mohammad Sa’adati Transferred to Hamedan Prison to Serve His Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Birjand University, Mohammad Saadati

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, February 5, Mohammad Sa’adati, a dismissed professor from Birjand University, was arrested and transferred to Hamedan Prison to serve his seven-month prison sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, a source close to Sa’adati’s family confirmed that he was taken into custody on February 6 after reporting to the Enforcement of Sentences Office in Hamedan to begin his prison term.

Sa’adati was previously sentenced in absentia by the Birjand Revolutionary Court to seven months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” In a separate ruling, Branch 2 of the Birjand Criminal Court fined him three million tomans for “spreading false information.”

One of the primary accusations against Sa’adati was his interviews with foreign media outlets.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Sa’adati had relocated to Turkey with his family before returning to Iran. Upon his arrival at Imam Khomeini International Airport on May 18, 2024, security agents confiscated his passport and electronic devices, along with those of his family members.

Shortly after, Sa’adati was arrested in Hamedan by intelligence agents and was released a day later on bail.

Earlier, on September 9, 2023, Mohammad Sa’adati, a toxicology professor, was officially dismissed from Birjand University.

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Report on the Latest Situation of Ehsan Meshksar in Adel Abad Prison, Shiraz

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Ehsan Meshksar, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Shiraz, احسان مشکسار

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has rejected the retrial request of Ehsan Meshksar, a political prisoner held in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

A source familiar with the case informed HRANA that Meshksar suffers from a gastrointestinal illness and requires specialized medical care, raising concerns about his health behind bars.

Meshksar was arrested on October 28, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home in Sadra, Shiraz. He was later transferred to Adelabad Prison.

In June 2024, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison on charges including “membership in illegal groups with the intent to disrupt national security.” The Fars Province Court of Appeals subsequently upheld the verdict in full.

Ehsan Meshksar, 37, is married, a father to a 13-year-old child, and a resident of Shiraz.

Death Row Prisoner Dies by Suicide in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – On Tuesday, February 4, a prisoner sentenced to death for murder died by suicide in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, has identified the prisoner as Rasoul Ibn Ali. A source informed HRANA that he ended his life by ingesting pills and methadone, succumbing to the effects before prison medical staff could intervene.

Ibn Ali had been in prison for seven years after being convicted of murder and sentenced to death by a criminal court. On February 4, he took his own life.

In 2024, HRANA documented 20 suicides in prisons across Iran.

Mazdak Maleki Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan, Mazdak Maleki

HRANA News Agency – Mazdak Maleki, a political prisoner held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to five years in prison, along with a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition from online activities. Three and a half years of his prison sentence have been suspended.

A source familiar with Maleki’s case told HRANA: “According to the verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court on January 10, 2025, and officially communicated to him, he was sentenced to five years in prison for ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘membership in a group with the intent to disrupt national security.’ As additional punishments, he was also given a two-year travel ban and a two-year prohibition from online activities. His alleged crimes were based on his activity on the social media platform ‘Clubhouse’.”

The source added: “Three and a half years of his prison sentence have been suspended, and five months have been deducted from his sentence due to his acceptance of the court ruling. Furthermore, Maleki has been denied the right to a lawyer, and his confiscated belongings have yet to be returned to his family.”

He was initially arrested on August 27, 2024, in Isfahan by IRGC intelligence forces. On October 23, after completing his interrogation, he was transferred to Dastgerd Prison. His preliminary hearing was held in November at Branch 11 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Isfahan.

Mazdak Maleki, 38, is an electrical engineer from Isfahan who has been involved in solar energy and environmental issues.

Political Prisoner Manouchehr Fallah Sentenced to Death on Moharebeh Charges

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Executions, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Kish Island, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Fallah, moharebeh, Rasht, منوچهر فلاح

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of Moharebeh (enmity against God).

The verdict, issued by Judge Darvish Goftar, was formally communicated yesterday to his defense attorneys, Ms. Khorsandi and Ms. Khojasteh. Fallah was convicted of Moharebeh for allegedly acting against national security.

A source close to Fallah confirmed the ruling to HRANA, stating, “Since the beginning of his legal proceedings, Mr. Fallah has been denied access to a lawyer.” His trial took place on December 11, 2024, via video conference.

Fallah was arrested in June 2023 by security forces at Rasht Airport and transferred to Lakan Prison.

In December 2023, in a separate case, he was sentenced by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court to one year, three months, and one day in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader, as well as seven months and 16 days for propaganda against the regime. After accepting the verdict, one-quarter of his sentence was reduced, and he completed his prison term for this case in May 2024.

Before his arrest, Manouchehr Fallah, a tattoo artist, resided on Kish Island.

Continued Detention and Uncertainty Surrounding Haft-Tappeh Worker Tareq Kaabi

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News, Prisoners
Haft Tappeh Sugarcane Company, HRANA, Tareq Kaabi

HRANA News Agency – Twenty-three days after his arrest, Tareq Kaabi, a worker at the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Company, remains in limbo, with no information available about his whereabouts. The lack of updates on his condition has heightened concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Despite 23 days passing since Mr. Kaabi’s arrest and his family’s repeated inquiries with judicial and security authorities, there is still no information on his fate or place of detention. This has deepened his family’s concerns.”

Tareq Kaabi was arrested on January 8, 2025, while on his way to work at the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Company. Security forces from the Ministry of Intelligence violently removed him from the workers’ transport vehicle before detaining him.

As of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Tareq Kaabi, 29, is a resident of Shush and a worker at the Haft-Tappeh Sugarcane Company. He is also the brother of Maher Kaabi, a former political prisoner, and Ahmad Kaabi, who is currently incarcerated in Kerman Central Prison.