Category: Women

Supreme Court Confirms Sentence for Two Defendants in Mashhad

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Executions, Prisoners, Women
citizen executions per-capita, Death Penalty, Death sentence, first degree murder, Mashhad, Mustafah, Sakineh, second degree murder, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison

The Supreme Court recently confirmed the sentences of two defendants, a man and a woman, in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Khorasan Newspaper, the pair allegedly conspired to commit a murder together amidst an extramarital affair, and were charged with first and second degree murder respectively.

Sakineh, the second-degree defendant, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for her role in the murder, and 99 lashes for having an extramarital affair.

Mustafa, the first-degree defendant, was sentenced to death by hanging for murder, one year in prison for possession of an illegal weapon, and 99 lashes for having an extramarital affair.

The defendants objected to the verdict issued by the judges of Criminal Court One, and the case was sent to the Supreme Court. Judges of Branch 20 of the Supreme Court upheld the verdict.

16-Year-Old Girl Killed by Father in Kermanshah

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Children, Executions, Women
16-year-old Shakiba Bakhtiar, Bakhtiar, Iranian law, Islamic penal code, Kermanshah, Kermanshah province, murder, Shakiba Bakhtiar

On Sunday, July 4, 16-year-old Shakiba Bakhtiar was stabbed to death by her father after coming home late in Kermanshah.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Iran Human Rights (IHR), Iranian law provides for exemptions for those who commit “honor killings”.

It is notable that according to the Islamic Penal Code, a father who kills his child is sentenced to fines and imprisonment, not execution, if convicted in court.

In some cases, fathers have killed their children after learning that under the Islamic Penal Code, a father cannot be executed for the murder of his own child.

Some experts say that the discrimination and weakness of the law has an impact on the frequency of these murders.

 

Eight Year Prison Sentence Upheld for Baha’i Citizen and Women’s Motocross Champion Shahrzad Nazifi

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizen arrested, Baha'i citizens imprisoned, baha'i in iran, Baha'i women in Iran, Nazifi, Sentenced in absentia, Shahrzad Nazifi, Women's Motocross

After approving an appeal hearing, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran upheld an eight year prison sentence for Baha’i citizen and women’s motocross champion Shahrzad Nazifi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Nazifi was previously sentenced in absentia to eight years in prison, 4 hours of community service a day for 3 months, and a 2-year ban on leaving the country.

Nazifi was arrested on charges of “managing illegal groups and factions with the aim of disrupting the security of the country” and “bad motives and internal desire to destroy the religious system”.

Unofficial sources estimate that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali and Dorsa Dehghani Still in Detention in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

After 14 days, Baha’i citizens Dorsa Dehghani and Sina Kamali Sarvestani are still in detention in an unknown location in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the citizens were arrested separately on June 15 by IRGC intelligence agents.

A source close to their families said that Dehghani and Sarvestani have made a brief calls and spoken with their families but are being interrogated under psychological and physical pressure. The lack of accountability of the security agencies about their condition and whereabouts has caused increasing concern from their families.

Darsa Dehghani was treated for a medical problem before his detention, but he has not had access to his medications since being arrested.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Azadeh Zeinali on a Hunger Strike in Qarchak Prison in Varamin

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Women
Azadeh Zeinali, Elena Javid, Prisoner on a hunger strike, Qarchak, Qarchak Prison, Qarchak Prison in Varamin, Zeinali

Azadeh Zeinali, a theater director who is currently serving out a sentence in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, has been on a hunger strike since July 22. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Insaf News, Zelani was imprisoned on financial charges and is using the hunger strike to protest delays in the processing of her case.

“My case is being processed very slowly, otherwise I should have gone on leave by now,”  Zeinali (whose stage name is Elena Javid) said. “I have been on a hunger strike to protest this. I am currently in Qarchak prison. I was told I will be released on bail.”

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Lakan Prison Officials Turn off Air Conditioning in Women’s Ward and Cut Inmates’ Quarantines Short

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Environment, Prisoners, Women
COVID, covid-19, Evin, Evin Prison, Lakan, Lakan prison, Prison conditions, Quarantine, Rasht

Following the transfer of 9 new female prisoners to the quarantine ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht, 15 residents of the quarantine ward were transferred to the public ward before the end of their quarantine period.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, air conditioning in the women’s ward was also turned off for at least 8 hours during the day. The lack of air conditioning, coupled with steadily rising summer temperatures have created conditions under which it is nearly impossible for the inmates to wear masks.

According to an informed source, after protesting, prisoners were told that they would be sent directly to public wards without quarantine, even if other new entrances arrived.

It is worth mentioning that civil activist Athena Daemi, who was deported from Evin Prison to Lakan on March 17, 2010, was kept in quarantine for 23 days.

Political Prisoner Narges Adibi Denied Medical Leave from Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Women
Adibi, Evin, Evin Prison, Judge Babaei, Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh, Mashallah Ahmadzadeh, Narges Adibi, Political prisoner Narges Adibi, Women's Ward of Evin Prison

Political prisoner Narges Adibi has been denied medical leave from Evin Prison despite having numerous medical problems.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Ms. Adibi suffers from bronchitis, asthma, and severe joint pain.

Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh, sentenced Adibi to 8 years in prison on charges of conspiracy, insulting the leadership, insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, and propaganda against the regime.

Branch 54 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Babaei, reduced the sentence to 3 years and 6 months in May of last year.

58-year-old Narges Adibi is the daughter of Hussein and mother of two children. She was arrested in July of last year and transferred to Evin Prison to serve out her sentence, where she has been held since.

 

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali Sarvestani and Dorsa Dehghani Arrested in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, Baha'i arrests in Iran, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, baha'i in iran, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, Fars Province, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

On June 14, Baha’i citizens Sina Kamali Sarvestani and Dorsa Dehghani were separately arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, officers reportedly searched Sarvestani and Dehghani’s homes in Shiraz and confiscated all electronic devices including phones, laptops, and books.

More than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, according to unofficial sources, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

As of this writing, no information is available on the detention facility or the status of Sarvestani and Dehghani.

5 Activists and Family Members of Afkari Brothers Beaten and Temporarily Detained by Adelabad Officials

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Women
Adelabad Prison, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Afkari brothers, Fars Province, November 2019 nationwide protests, November 2019 Protests, Pouya Bakhtiari, Protests of 2019, Taghi Rahmani, Vahid and Habib Afkari

Prison authorities reacted violently to a gathering of social activists and relatives of political prisoner brothers Vahid and Habib Afkari in front of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists (HRA), several participants, including the Afkari brothers’ mother and sister, were beaten and detained by security forces for several hours.

Narges Mohammadi, Jafar Azim Zadeh, Pouran Nazemi, Nahid Shirpisheh (Mother of Pouya Bakhtiari, who was shot killed in 2019 nationwide protests) and Sakineh Ahmadi (mother of Ebrahim Katabdar, a protester who was killed in 2019 nationwide protest) were also identified as among the arrested by Ms. Mohammadi’s husband Taghi Rahmani.

On June 12, Saeed Afkari, the brother of Vahid and Habib Afkari, released a statement on the incident.

“Officers severely beat my mother, my sister, my father, my aunts, and others. The cell phones were confiscated, my sister and one of the women were arrested,” Saeed wrote. “They were released a couple of hours later.”

Frank Jamshidi Transferred to Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Women
First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj, Frank Jamshidi, Jamshidi, Judge Saeedi, Kurdistan Province, Sanandaj

Frank Jamshidi, a resident of Sanandaj in Kurdistan Province, was transferred to the city’s correctional center to serve out her prison sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Jamishidi is facing a charge of “membership in an opposition party”.

In February 2020, a hearing on her case was held in the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Sanandaj, presided over by Judge Saeedi, and Ms. Jamshidi was sentenced to four years in prison. The sentence was later reduced to one year in prison by Branch 4 of the Court of Appeals of Kurdistan Province.

Ms. Jamshidi was arrested by security agents in June 2020 and was released on a bail after 4 months of detention.