Category: Prisoners

Political Activist Maryam Sadat Yahyavi Initiates Prison Term

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Maryam Sadat Yahyavi, Revolutionary Court of Tehran, مریم سادات یحیوی

On March 3, 2024, political activist Maryam Sadat Yahyavi commenced her one-year imprisonment following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. A reliable source close to Sadat Yahyavi’s family has verified her confinement in Evin Prison.

Sadat Yahyavi was initially arrested at her residence on November 2, 2014, by security forces. After 17 days of detention in Evin Prison, she was released on bail.

The Revolutionary Court of Tehran had previously sentenced Yahyavi to nine years on charges such as “spreading propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security” during her arrest on November 2, 2014. However, this sentence was later reduced to one year following an appeal.

It is noteworthy that Sadat Yahyavi has faced previous arrests and judicial confrontations due to her active involvement in political activism.

Update on Abdolbaset Avarsan’s Situation in Vakilabad Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Abdolbaset Avarsan, HRANA, Mashhad, Torbat-e-Jam, Vakilabad prison

Sunni prisoner Abdolbaset Avarsan is currently serving a 15-year prison term in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. Recent developments reveal that his request for release on probation has been rejected by judicial authorities, with sources citing influence from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A close family source, speaking to HRANA, confirmed that the judge, under the Ministry of Intelligence’s influence, dismissed Avarsan’s release request. Hailing from Torbat-e-Jam and a father of three, Avarsan’s family faces financial struggles. Despite holding a Master’s degree, his wife’s job application with the Ministry of Education was rejected during the interview due to her husband’s legal case, further complicating the family’s situation.

In 2019, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Avarsan to 15 years in prison for his alleged involvement in “armed rebellion (Baghi) through membership in a Salafi-ISIS group.”

Political Prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Continues Hunger Strike Amidst Deteriorating Health in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

Political prisoner Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb persists in his hunger strike at Ghezel Hesar Prison, facing a decline in health.

A reliable source close to Ahmadi Ragheb confirmed his unwavering commitment to the hunger strike, revealing alarming symptoms such as low blood pressure, lethargy, and diminishing consciousness. The severity of his condition is evident, with his palm turning blue. Despite his deteriorating health, prison officials remain unresponsive to his demands, while judicial authorities have initiated two new legal cases, accusing him of propaganda against the regime.

The source stated that Ahmadi Ragheb initiated the hunger strike in protest against these legal charges and the increasing number of executions. His concerns have been met with indifference from the prison administration.

Ahmadi Ragheb’s arrest took place in March 2023, leading to his incarceration in Evin Prison. In May 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran imposed a five-year and eight-month prison sentence along with additional penalties. Notably, five years of this term are currently enforceable.

In September of the same year, he, along with several other political prisoners, was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. Ahmadi Ragheb has a history of previous convictions and imprisonments due to his commitment to peaceful activism. The current hunger strike underscores his continued resistance against perceived injustices and an appeal for attention to his grievances.

Update on the Health and Legal Situation of Political Prisoner Mehran Gharabaghi in Sheiban Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Behbahan, HRANA, Mahshahr, Mehran Gharabaghi

Mehran Gharabaghi, a 31-year-old political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Despite facing deteriorating health and the urgent need for medical treatment, he has not been transferred to a hospital outside the prison.

According to a source close to his family who informed HRANA, Gharabaghi is suffering from heart disease. Despite receiving medical confirmation of the necessity for hospital treatment two weeks ago, prison officials have refused to facilitate his transfer to a hospital.

On September 20, 2023, the Criminal Court of Behbahan sentenced Gharabaghi to three years and six months for a legal case initiated against him while imprisoned. The charges include “destruction of public property (setting fire to a women’s seminary in Behbahan),” and an additional 45 lashes for “disturbing public order.” Of this sentence, two years have been suspended for five years.

In a previous legal case, Gharabaghi had received a 10-year and one-month sentence along with additional penalties from the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr. Additionally, he has been handed a three-year imprisonment, with a two-year prison term enforceable by another Revolutionary Court branch. The concerning state of his health emphasizes the need for immediate attention and appropriate medical care.

Update on the Condition of Political Prisoner Sarina Jahani in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mahsa Amini, Sarina Jahani, Shahriar, سارینا جهانی

Sarina Jahani, a political prisoner, is currently serving a two-year sentence at Evin Prison.

According to a source close to her family who informed HRANA, the Revolutionary Court in Shahriar convicted Jahani of “assembly and collusion against national security.” She began serving this prison term on February 6, 2024.

Twenty-year-old Jahani was apprehended by security forces in Shahriar on September 16, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. Initially held at Qarchak Prison in Varamin, she was later transferred to Evin Prison. On November 4, 2023, she was granted release on bail.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Tragic Suicide at Ghezel Hesar Prison Claims Inmate’s Life

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hossein Jalali, HRANA

On February 26, 2024, a devastating incident unfolded at Ghezel Hesar Prison as an inmate, identified as Hossein Jalali from Shiraz, took his own life by ingesting pills.

According to a source close to Jalali’s family, who confirmed this tragic occurrence to HRANA, the inmate had been incarcerated for drug-related offenses. Approximately seven months ago, he commenced serving a 25-year prison term at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj and succumbed to a fatal pill overdose.

Regrettably, HRANA has learned that Jalali passed away before reaching the hospital.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented seven deaths attributed to illness, twelve suicides, one case of self-immolation, and four instances of prisoners being murdered within prisons nationwide.

Tragic End to the Life of Shahin Galehdari, Political Prisoner at Urmia

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Shahin Galehdari, Urmia

In a devastating turn of events, 46-year-old political prisoner Shahin Galehdari has reportedly taken his own life in Urmia Prison.

A reliable source close to Galehdari confirmed this tragic news to HRANA, stating that he had been incarcerated since February-March 2023, serving a two-year sentence. Prison officials conveyed the distressing information of his suicide to his family yesterday.

According to the latest updates received by HRANA, Galehdari’s body has been transferred to forensic medicine. His family has been directed to claim his body.

Shahin Galehdari’s initial arrest occurred nine years ago at the hands of security forces. Following a period of detention, he was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings. In 2020-2021, the Revolutionary Court at Urmia sentenced him to two years for charges related to “acting against national security.” Subsequently, in February-March 2023, he began serving his sentence in Urmia Prison.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded seven deaths resulting from illness, twelve suicides, one case of self-immolation, and four instances of prisoners being murdered within prisons nationwide.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Morteza Parvin Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Unlawful Detention

Posted on by . .
Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
Ardabil, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, HRANA, Morteza Parvin

On February 24, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Morteza Parvin commenced a hunger strike at Evin Prison to protest his detention.

A source close to Parvin’s family, informing HRANA of his decision, revealed that on February 23, Parvin notified his family of the charge he faces – “assembly and collusion against national security.” In a phone call, Parvin expressed his refusal to cooperate with the interrogation, asserting, “They are insisting on linking me to people with whom I have never been associated. I have declined interrogation so far and will continue to do so. Despite the interrogators’ requests for me to sign interrogation sheets, I informed them that I would speak only during the hearing in the presence of the judge. In protest against my unlawful detention, I will initiate a hunger strike tomorrow.”

According to this source, Parvin’s well-being during the hunger strike is further complicated by a lumbar disc issue, heightening concern for his family.

Security forces detained Parvin in Ardabil on February 6, and after a few days, he informed his family of his transfer to Evin Prison. This incident is not the first time Parvin has faced arrest due to his involvement as an Azerbaijani-Turk activist.

Civil Rights Activist Narges Mansouri Receives Three-Year Prison Sentence

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Narges Mansouri, Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company

Narges Mansouri, a civil rights activist and member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company, has been handed a three-year imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The legal case leading to this verdict was initiated during her imprisonment, and she is currently confined in Evin Prison.

The charges against Mansouri include “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” A source close to her family has confirmed the issuance of this sentence, expressing concern over her well-being as she has been denied phone calls for the past two months.

This recent imprisonment adds to Mansouri’s ongoing legal struggles. Previously, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her in October-November 2019 to a total of six years for the same charges. In 2022, she was arrested to commence serving this sentence.

In April of 2023, Mansouri was granted medical furlough upon posting bail of three billion tomans (approximately 60,000 dollars), allowing her temporary release until December 1, 2023. However, security forces re-arrested her in Khoy County and transferred her back to Evin Prison.

Mansouri, aged 46 and a mother of a 12-year-old, continues to face legal challenges as her activism for civil rights persists. The denial of communication privileges and the renewal of her imprisonment raise concerns for her well-being.

Five Individuals Receive Prison Sentences and Fines on Political Charges

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Kamran Rezaiefar, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Teymour Rezaeian, Zahra Safaie

The Appeals Court of Tehran has issued a verdict sentencing Zahra Safaie, Mohammad Masoud Moeini (Zahra Safaie’s son), and Kamran Rezaiefar to a combined total of 12 years in prison. Parastoo Moeini (Zahra Safaie’s daughter) and Teymour Rezaeian, two other defendants in the case, have been fined.

The recent ruling, issued in early February, allocates five years of imprisonment each for Safaie and Rezaiefar, with Masoud Moeini receiving a two-year sentence. The initial conviction by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, was for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Notably, Masoud Moeini’s prison sentence has been reduced from five to two years, and Parastoo Moeini’s five-year sentence has been replaced with a fine.

The arrests took place on September 12, 2023, with Rezaeian apprehended one day later. Initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, they were later transferred to the IRGC’s detention center, known as A-1.

As per HRANA reports, Safaie is currently detained in the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison, while her son, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Rezaiefar are in Ward 4 of the same prison. Two other defendants have been released on bail