Category: Prisoners

Mojahed Korkor Sentenced to Death for the Second Time

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
Abbas Korkor, ahvaz, Izeh, Kian Pirfalak, Mojahed Korkor, Sheiban Prison, عباس کورکور, کیان پیرفلک, مجاهد کوکور

Abbas (Mojahed) Korkor, a prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been sentenced to death for the second time by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz. He had previously been sentenced to death by the same court, but that ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred to a parallel branch for retrial.

The prisoner’s sister, in a public statement, announced: “Based on the latest information, we have learned that Mojtaba has been sentenced to death once more.”

In December of this year, the Supreme Court had overturned Korkor’s initial death sentence and referred his case for retrial to a parallel branch. In April of 2023, he had been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz on charges such as “enmity against God” (Moharebeh) and “spreading corruption on earth” (Efsad-e Fel-Arz). Then, in December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence, and his case was forwarded to the execution enforcement branch of the Izeh court.

Korkor was initially held in solitary confinement at Sheiban Prison starting December 20, 2022, before being moved to Ward 8 in early August 2023.

The judiciary accused Korkor of involvement in the killing of Kian Pirfalak, a child who died during the 2022 nationwide protests. However, Kian’s family has consistently denied these allegations, with his mother stating, “When we were returning home, security forces opened fire on our car.”

The court had charged Korkor with “disrupting public order, causing severe injuries and the deaths of seven individuals, including Kian Pirfalak, significant damage to public and private property, forming opposition groups, and engaging in armed rebellion against the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

In January 2023, the Izeh prosecutor reported that judicial cases had been filed against 70 protesters involved in the November 16 protests, during which at least seven people, including Kian Pirfalak, were fatally shot by security forces.

While officials have described the November 16 events in Izeh as “terrorist attacks,” eyewitness accounts and testimonies from victims’ families directly contradict these claims.

Charges of “Baghi” and “Moharebeh” Filed Against Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a Detainee from Nationwide Protests

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Bukan, HRANA, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Urmia prison, رزگار بیگ زاده

Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a political detainee and resident of Bukan, has been charged with “Baghi” (armed rebellion) and “Moharebeh” (enmity against God), charges that could lead to a death sentence. He was arrested by security forces on April 17, 2023, during the nationwide protests and is currently held in Urmia Prison.

Zhino Beigzadeh Babamiri, his daughter, told HRANA that her father was arrested in Bukan for providing aid to those injured during the 2022 nationwide protests. He was subjected to nearly four months of torture in detention centers in Bukan and Urmia to extract forced confessions before being transferred to Urmia Prison.

The indictment against him, issued by Branch 10 of the Urmia Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, includes charges of ” Moharebeh,” “Baghi,” assembly and collusion against national security,” “financing terrorism,” “propaganda against the regime,” “espionage and collaboration with hostile governments,” “possession of satellite internet equipment (Starlink),” “possession of unauthorized weapons,” “membership in illegal groups,” and “ordering an assassination.” The case has been referred to Urmia’s Revolutionary and Criminal Courts.

According to Ms. Beigzadeh, her father’s case is connected to several other defendants, and on Monday, December 23, 2024, a court session was held at Urmia Criminal Court to address accusations that he ordered the killing of a security agent. She told HRANA that there is no evidence implicating her father in this crime.

Another part of his case is being reviewed by Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court. In a letter to the head of this branch, Mr. Beigzadeh recently protested his treatment during the investigation, citing issues such as 133 days of interrogation, hearings conducted electronically, denial of his lawyer’s presence during trial sessions, and the court’s failure to address his complaints about torture during detention.

Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a resident of Bukan, was a farmer before his arrest.

Death Row Prisoner Dies by Suicide in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Koushki

Yesterday, December 25, a death row prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, ended his life by ingesting methamphetamine pills.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the prisoner has been identified as Mohammad Koushki, a resident of Kuhdasht.

Mr. Koushki had been previously arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. On Wednesday, December 25, 2024, he took his own life by consuming methamphetamine pills.

The 2023 annual report by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights documented 12 suicides, one case of self-immolation, and four murders of prisoners in Iran’s prisons.

19-Year-Old Ehsan Khodayari Imprisoned for Political Charges in Lakan Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Ehsan Khodayari, HRANA, Rasht, zanjan, احسان خدایاری

Ehsan Khodayari, a 19-year-old political prisoner, is serving a one-year sentence in Lakan Prison, Rasht, following a conviction by the Revolutionary Court of this city. Another portion of his case remains under review in the Criminal Court of Rasht.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Khodayari was arrested by security forces in Rasht and, after two months in detention at Rasht Prison’s Ward 2, was transferred to Lakan Prison in mid-December.

Khodayari faced charges in a case divided into two parts. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Ehsan’s case was initiated for issuing a call to action on the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death on September 15. Another charge related to possession of incendiary materials is under review by the Criminal Court, with a trial expected soon.”

Ehsan Khodayari, 19, is a resident of Rasht originally from Zanjan.

Death Sentence Overturned; Shahab Nadali Jozani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Shahab Nadali Jozani

Following the overturning of Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence by the Supreme Court, his case was reviewed by a parallel court. The political prisoner, currently held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to four years in prison and five years of exile to the city of Na’in.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence has been replaced with imprisonment and exile.

After the Supreme Court’s Branch 39 overturned his death sentence, Nadali’s case was retried in a parallel branch. He was convicted of moharebeh (waging war against God) for “damaging public property with the intent to confront the Islamic Republic.” This conviction led to a five-year exile to Na’in, Isfahan Province, under strict conditions preventing social interaction or contact with others. Additionally, he received a four-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” His previous detention period will count toward his prison term.

The verdict, issued by the Revolutionary Court on December 10, 2023, can be appealed in the Supreme Court within 20 days of its issuance.

The retrial session for Nadali was held on December 3, 2023.

Shahab Nadali Jozani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Hamedan and is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In February 2024, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced Nadali to death for “rebellion through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization)” and to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Political Prisoners Bakhtiari and Nasiri Begin Hunger Strike in Solitary

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Karaj Revolutionary Court, Mehrdad Bakhtiari, Nahid Shirpisheh, Pouya Bakhtiari, Siamak Nasiri

Mehrdad Bakhtiari and Siamak Nasiri, political prisoners held in Karaj Central Prison, have been transferred to solitary confinement as punishment. In protest, they have gone on a hunger strike.

A source close to the family of one of the prisoners confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Nasiri and Bakhtiari were placed in solitary confinement at noon on December 21 as a punitive measure. They began a hunger strike in protest against this decision.” The source added: “Nasiri suffers from kidney disease, and his confinement in solitary while on hunger strike has heightened the concerns of his family and relatives.”

Background on Siamak Nasiri:

Nasiri was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Karaj on August 28, 2023, and later transferred to Karaj Central Prison.

In late January 2024, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mousa Asef Hosseini, to five years in prison for “inciting people to violence and waging war against national security.” He also received one year for “propaganda against the regime” and two years of exile to Ahvaz.

In early May 2024, the Alborz Appeals Court reduced his sentence to three years and one month in prison and upheld the two years of exile to Ahvaz.

Nasiri, aged around 36, was a Karaj resident and an employee of the gas company before his arrest.

Background on Mehrdad Bakhtiari:

Bakhtiari is the uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests. He was arrested on July 11, 2022, after releasing a video about the arrest of Pouya’s mother, Nahid Shirpisheh, and images of a broken lock on their home’s door. He was initially held in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj and later released on bail on September 3, 2022.

In early March 2023, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” a two-year travel ban, and two years of exile to Shahrekord.

On August 7, 2024, he was arrested to serve his sentence and transferred to Ward 15 of Karaj Central Prison.

Context on Pouya Bakhtiari:

Pouya Bakhtiari, a 27-year-old protester, was killed during the November 2019 demonstrations in Mehrshahr, Karaj, after being shot in the head. According to his father, Pouya joined the protests on the second day with his mother and sister. He died before reaching the hospital. Pouya was one of the hundreds killed during the nationwide protests in 2019.

Political Detainee Zahra Karami Awaits Trial After Nearly 40 Days in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Zahra Karami

Zahra Karami, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for nearly 40 days, with no clear resolution to her case. Her charges remain under review by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Karami was arrested by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on November 12, 2024. She faces multiple charges, including “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader,” “propaganda against the regime,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “supporting Israeli positions on social media.”

A source close to Karami’s family told HRANA: “About 20 days ago, Zahra was summoned to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. However, the session did not proceed to trial. Instead, the indictment was read aloud, and she was sent back to Evin Prison.”

Zahra Karami continues to face legal uncertainty, with no trial held nearly six weeks after her detention.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Prolonged Detention of Political Detainee Morteza Khaki Despite Bail Provision

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Famenin, Hamedan, Hamedan prison, HRANA, Morteza Khaki

Morteza Khaki, a resident of Famenin County, Hamedan Province, remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison, 25 days after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed: “Mr. Khaki, facing charges including insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting the Supreme Leader, and insulting religious sanctities, has been detained for 25 days and remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison. Although a bail of one billion tomans was set and provided by his family, officials have refused to accept it, citing baseless excuses.”

HRANA has learned that Mr. Khaki’s bank account and mobile phone line have been frozen since October, and his Instagram account remains blocked following his arrest.

Morteza Khaki, 48 years old, married, and a father of two, was arrested on Monday, November 25, after reporting to the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Kabudarahang. He was transferred to Hamedan Prison three days later.

Latest Update on the Situation of Maryam Vahidifar in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Maryam Vahidifar, Saeed Mohammadi Doraki, مریم وحیدی فر

Maryam Vahidifar, a 56-year-old prisoner, is currently serving a 17-month prison sentence in Evin Prison. She was sentenced by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court on security-related charges.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Ms. Vahidifar was arrested to serve her sentence and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on October 31, 2024.

A source close to Ms. Vahidifar’s family told HRANA, “Maryam’s arrest and sentencing were a result of her support for Saeed Mohammadi Doraki.”

Ms. Vahidifar was initially arrested by security forces in early winter last year and subsequently taken to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, for interrogation. She was later transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on February 10, 2024.

After posting bail, she was temporarily released on March 1, 2024, before being re-arrested to serve her sentence.

Journalist Reza Valizadeh Sentenced to Ten Years Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Reza Valizadeh, رضا ولی زاده

Reza Valizadeh, a journalist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and additional penalties.

According to Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, his attorney, the verdict issued by Judge Iman Afshari convicted Mr. Valizadeh of “collaboration with a hostile government (the United States).” Alongside the 10-year prison sentence, he has been banned from leaving the country, residing in Tehran Province or neighboring provinces, and joining any political or social parties or groups for two years as part of his supplementary punishments.

Despite the conclusion of investigations and the issuance of an initial verdict, Mr. Valizadeh remains confined to Evin Prison’s Ward 209, a section controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and is denied both transfer to the general ward and visitation with his family.

The trial for Mr. Valizadeh was held on November 20, following his arrest in late September by security forces. He had previously returned to Iran in March after living abroad for several years. Upon arrival, he was interrogated by the IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence and released only after signing a written commitment to cooperate with authorities if summoned.

Months later, he was detained again and transferred to Evin Prison. Voice of America previously reported that he is being held in isolation and remains barred from meeting his family.

Before his emigration, Mr. Valizadeh had been arrested in 2007 and was later released on bail. With probable dual citizenship, he is an experienced journalist, having worked with several media outlets, including Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.