Category: Women

Sepideh Rashno Released on Bail

Posted on by A MN
News, Women
HRANA, Sepideh Rashno

On August 30, 2022, Sepideh Rashno was released on an 800-million-tomans bail after being indicted. 

According to #HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, artist Sepideh Rashno was indicted and then released on bail until the end of the legal proceeding.

On August 29, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court indicted Rashno on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, “propaganda against the regime”, and “promotion of impurity and indecency.”

On July 16, security forces arrested Rashno after a quarrel on a city bus with a woman who harassed and assaulted her for what she deemed as improper hejab. Such incidents are on the rise in public places as the government has tightened the hejab enforcement. 

On July 30, Official media outlets inside Iran released a forced confession video of Rashno. HRANA revealed that prior to this confession, Rashno had been hospitalized due to the risk of internal bleeding indicating she had been tortured to make the confession.

Rashno, age 28, is a student of Tehran University and a resident of Khorramabad.

Political Prisoner Masoumeh Askari Assaulted in Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners, Women
Evin Prison, Masoumeh Askari, Qarchak Prison

Retired teacher and political prisoner Masoumeh Askari was beaten by the prisoners of violent crime in Kachooie Prison. The prison officials purposely hold political prisoners in the same ward as the prisoners of violent crime, which is a violation of prison rules and exposes the political prisoners to life-threatening violence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, political prisoner Masoumeh Askari was beaten by eight prisoners of violent crime.

An informed source told HRANA that about four days ago, eight prisoners of violent crimes assaulted Askari. She suffers from psychiatric diseases, kidney, liver and diabetes. Prison officials refused to send her to a healthcare facility to assess her condition.

On August 2, 2018, security forces arrested Askari in Tehran and transferred her to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. After a few days, she was released on bail.

Askari was arrested in December of 2018 and was detained for one month in Ward 209 of Evin Prison and later transferred to the public ward. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced her to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion.” This verdict was upheld on appeal. 

Askari is a retired teacher and single mother.

Sepideh Rashno Hospitalized Prior to Forced TV Confession

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Women
hejab, Sepideh Rashno, Taleghani hospital

An informed source has revealed to HRANA that detained artist Sepideh Rashno had been hospitalized due to the risk of internal bleeding, which raised the question as to whether she was tortured to make confession aired on July 30. 

On July 16, security forces arrested Rashno after a quarrel on a city bus with a woman who harassed and assaulted her for what she deemed improper hejab. 

The informed source told HRANA, “Overnight, a lot of agents took Rashno to the Taleghani Hospital in Tehran for a possible internal bleeding caused by assault.”

A few days after the hospitalisation, Iran’s State TV broadcast Rashno’s forced confession. A picture on social media showing Rashno’s paled face and circles around her eye raised concern about her health condition. So far, she has been denied access to a lawyer and the charges against her are unknown.

Rashno is in custody for her resistance and confrontation against an individual who was enforcing the hejab code in public transportation, a practice which is praised by the Iranian authorities.

IRGC Detained Artist Sepideh Rashno 

Posted on by A MN
News, Women
hejab, IRGC detention facility, Khorramabad, Sepideh Rashno

Artist and student Sepideh Rashno is still held at an IRGC detention facility known as Ward A-1. On July 16, security forces arrested Rashno after a quarrel on a city bus with a woman who harassed and assaulted her for what she deemed as improper hejab. Such incidents are on the rise in public places as the government has tightened the hejab enforcement. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Artist and student activist Sepideh Rashno is held at an IRGC detention facility awaiting further legal proceedings.

So far, she has been denied access to a lawyer and phone calls in prison.

The charges against Rashno are unknown so far.

Last week, a video circulated on social media showing a woman harassing another and blaming her for an improper hejab. After publishing the video, security forces arrested  Rashno, who is an artist and a resident of Khorramabad.

The Iranian regime encourages citizens to get involved in the enforcement of the Islamic code in public as a religious duty, which demonstrates how significant compliance with these rules is for the government.

Two Documentary Filmmakers Mina Keshavarz and Firoozeh Khosravani Arrested

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Women

On Tuesday, May 10, 2022, security forces arrested two documentary filmmakers Mina Keshavarz and Firoozeh Khosravani.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, two documentary filmmakers Mina Keshavarz and Firoozeh Khosravani were arrested in their homes in Tehran. The agents searched their houses and confiscated their personal belongings.

Firoozeh Khosravani was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin prison in Tehran. The entity which is responsible for the arrest of Mina Keshavarz remains unknown.

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Prison Sentence of Asal Mohammadi Upheld by Court of Appeals

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Asal Mohammadi, Iman Soleimani, white torture

Branch 36 of the Court of Appeals upheld one year and eight months imprisonment sentence for Asal Mohammadi. Initially, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran had convicted Mohammadi on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the Court of Appeals upheld one year and eight months imprisonment sentence against workers’ rights activist Asal Mohammadi.

Mohammadi’s lawyer, Iman Soleimani, told HRANA, “During the detention, Mohammadi did not have access to a lawyer. During the trial process, I took her case but was not allowed to study the case documents or attend court sessions, which is a violation of Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Mohammadi was in poor mental condition. Contrary to what the law explicitly states, she had been interrogated without the accompaniment of a lawyer during the interrogation.”

On January 24, 2022, the trial was held and during the trial, participation in online campaigns such as “white torture” or membership in Marxist groups was used as evidence for the charges.

On November 6, 2021, the security forces arrested Mohammadi and Hirad Pirbodaghi in an aggressive manner.

Five days later, on November 11, Mohammadi was transferred to Public Ward 209 of Evin Prison and was released on bond on November 22, 2021.

Afsaneh Azimzadeh & Negar Masoudi Summoned to the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin Court

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Afsaneh Azimzadeh, filmmaker, IRGC's intelligence unit, Negar Masoudi, photographer, the Association in Defense of Child Laborers

Children’s Rights Activists Afsaneh Azimzadeh and documentary filmmaker and photographer Negar Masoudi were summoned to the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin. Earlier, they had been sentenced to a total of 6 years and 8 months in prison and a fine. Later on, the prison sentence was commuted to a fine.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin summoned Children’s Rights Activists Afsaneh Azimzadeh and documentary filmmaker and photographer Negar Masoudi.

Earlier, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Afshari, sentenced Negar Masoudi to four years and eight months in prison on the charge of “acting against national security and propaganda against the regime.” She also was fined the amount of 80 million tomans for “provocation of indecency and prostitution.” Afsaneh Azimzadeh was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “act against national security.” Later, the court commuted the prison sentence.

On December 14, 2020, security forces arrested Afsaneh Azimzadeh and transferred her to Ward 2-A of Evin Prison which is at disposal of IRGC’s intelligence unit. On January 26, 2021,  he was released on bail.

Afsaneh Azimzadeh is the co-founder of the Association in Defense of Child Laborers. For more than 15 years, she has been involved in the education and social aiding of child labourers.

On October 29, 2020, Negar Masoudi was arrested by security forces in Tehran and sent to Ward 2-A of Evin prison. On January 9, 2021, she was released temporarily on bail of 2.5 billion tomans.

Negar Masoudi is a documentary filmmaker and photographer. She has launched a various photo and video exhibitions and directed a number of documentaries.

Political Prisoner Zahra Safai Denied Urgent Medical Treatment by Prison Officials

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners, Women
Parastoo Moeini, Zahra Safai

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, despite prior agreement and a set appointment, prison officials denied dispatching the political prisoner Zahra Safai to a hospital. The denial was under the pretext of her disagreement with transfer with handcuff and foot cuffs. According to the State Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization’s rules, transferring the prisoners with foot cuffs except for prisoners of violent crimes is forbidden.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, through the obstruction of prison officials, political prisoner Zahra Safai was denied medical treatment.

Mrs Safai suffers from heart disease and has had angiography surgery in the past. Since September of last year, she has been dispatched several times to a hospital outside the prison. This time, the prison officials denied her access to urgent medical care.

On February 24, 2020, security forces arrested Zahra Safai and her daughter Parastoo Moeini in Tehran and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. In April 2020, they were sent in exile to Qarchak Prison in Varamin City. On June 28, 2020, Mrs Safai was released on bail with the amount of 300 million tomans. However, on July 26 of that year, they increased the bail ten times and subsequently arrested and sent her back to Qarchak Prison when she could not provide the set bail.

In February of 2021, Branch 23 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Mrs Safai to 5 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to act against national security”, one year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and two years on the charge of “offensive statements against the former and current Supreme Leader of Iran”. As an additional punishment, she was banned from leaving the country and membership in any political parties or civil groups.

Zahra Safai has also faced arrest and conviction in 2006. Further, during the 1980’s she had been imprisoned for a while. Her father, Haji Safai was a well-known businessman who was executed on the charge of “advocacy for the People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran (the Mujahedin-e-Khalq or MEK)”.

Workers’ Rights Activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost Still in Detention After Two Months

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Women
Alieh Eghdam Doost, Fuman, workers rights activist

After two months, workers’ rights activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost is still in detention in Women’s Ward of Evin Prison as she is unable to afford the bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Alieh Eghdam-Doost has been detained in Evin Prison for the past two months.

Last month, on his personal page on social media, Ramin Safarnia, her lawyer, informed that Mrs Eghdam-Doost has been granted bail. But so far, she and her family have not been able to provide the bail. 

On February 7 of 2022, security forces arrested Eghdam-Doost at her house in Fuman City. This arrest was made under the warrant issued by Branch 2 of Fuman’s Courthouse on behalf of Evin Courthouse. Reportedly, Eghdam-Doost has been charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Alieh Eghdam-Doost, 69, is a workers’ rights activist and has faced other arrests and convictions before.

 

Four Women’s Rights Activists Summoned for Sentencing

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, Women
Akram Nasirian, Asrin Darkaleh, Maryam Mohammadi, Nahid Shaghaghi

Four women’s rights activists, Nahid Shaghaghi, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh were summoned by the Judgement Enforcement Unit of Evin courthouse for sentencing. According to the summons letter, they have to appear at the court within 30 days.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Four women’s rights activists, Akram Nasirian, Maryam Mohammadi and Asrin Darkaleh have been summoned for sentencing.

Akram Nasirian on April 29, 2019, Nahid Shaghaghi on May 15, 2019, Maryam Mohammadi on July 8, 2019, and Asrin Darkaleh on July 28, 2019, were arrested by security forces. They all were released on bail from May to August.

Subsequently, Branch 24 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced each of these activists to 3 years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security”, 6 months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 8 months on the charge of “removing Hijab in public”. Per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment of three years sentence on the first count was enforceable for each.

The sentencing was later reduced on appeal to two years and three months each.

These four activists are members of “Voice of Iranian Women”, striving for women’s empowerment and raising the voice of Iranian women.