Tag: 2022 nationwide protests

2022 Nationwide Protests: Four Citizens Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Ahmadali Koohkan, Hamidreza Koohkan, HRANA, Khaled Kashani, Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi, Zahedan’s Bloody Friday

HRANA – Hamidreza Koohkan, Ahmadali Koohkan, Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout), and Khaled Kashani, residents of Zahedan who were arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests, were sentenced to prison by Branch 103 of the Zahedan Criminal Court II.

According to HRANA, citing the Balochistan Human Rights Documentation Network, the four citizens were sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison.

The individuals have been identified as Hamidreza Koohkan, son of Shirjan, aged 49, a married driver; Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout), aged approximately 19; Ahmadali Koohkan, aged 27; and Khaled Kashani, aged approximately 33. All are residents of Zahedan.

According to the report, Hamidreza Koohkan, Ahmadali Koohkan, and Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout) were each sentenced by Branch 103 of the Zahedan Criminal Court II to five years in prison, with time served in detention credited toward their sentences, on the charge of “participation in the intentional destruction of public and government property.” Khaled Kashani was also sentenced by the same judicial authority to two years and one day in prison on charges of “participation in the intentional destruction of public and government property” and “aiding and abetting the intentional destruction of a banner bearing the image of the Supreme Leader and the setting fire to public and government premises.”

The report states that Khaled Kashani’s sentence has been suspended for three years.

On February 6, 2024, Hamidreza Koohkan and Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout) were arrested in Zahedan. Koohkan was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Zahedan, where he remained until April 4, 2024, when he was transferred to Zahedan Prison following the completion of his interrogation.

Din-Mohammadi, who was 16 years old at the time of his arrest, was transferred to the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Zahedan. He was released on May 30, 2024, after posting bail of 1.5 billion tomans.

Ahmadali Koohkan was arrested on April 6, 2024, after being summoned to and appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Zahedan. He was released from Zahedan Prison on bail on May 14, 2024. During the 2022 nationwide protests, on September 30, 2022, he was wounded at Zahedan’s Makki Mosalla after being struck by live ammunition in the pelvis and lower back, near his spinal cord.

Khaled Kashani was also arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in connection with a case known as “Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.”

It should be noted that, against the backdrop of the 2022 nationwide protests, the city of Zahedan witnessed the killing of approximately 100 Baloch citizens, including at least 15 children, by law enforcement and security forces. The incident has since become known as “Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.”

Spanish National Santiago Sanchez Released, Reunites with Family in Madrid

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News, Other
2022 nationwide protests, Doha, Santiago Sanchez, Spanish national, Tehran

On Sunday, December 31, 42-year-old Spanish national Santiago Sanchez was freed from prison in Iran, as reported by Shargh Newspaper.

Although specific details remain undisclosed, Mr. Sanchez has been released and returned to Madrid after being handed over to the Spanish Embassy in Tehran.

Sanchez was initially detained by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.
Known for his passion as a football fan, he embarked on a journey on foot across various countries, intending to reach Doha, the host city of the 2022 Football World Cup. His whereabouts became unknown, and social media updates ceased on October 1, 2022, when he entered Iran, the final country on his journey before reaching Doha.

Edris Menbari Receives 10-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association, Sanandaj

In a recent court ruling, the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court handed down a ten-year prison sentence to Edris Menbari, who was detained during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Judge Karami informed Menbari’s attorney that he has been sentenced to ten years for “establishing groups aimed at undermining national security.” The court session took place on October 1, 2023. He and his attorney were not allowed to attend.

Notably, the Criminal Court of Sanandaj had previously issued a verdict, sentencing Menbari to one year in prison and 40 lashes for his involvement in “disturbing public order”.

On December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj amid the nationwide protests. He was subsequently released on bail in February 2023.

It is important to mention that Edris Menbari holds the position of a board member at the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard Sentenced to Six Years and Six Months

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Mehdi Mohammadi-Fard, Nowshahr, Sari

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard has been handed a six-year and six-month prison sentence by the Sari Revolutionary Court. His arrest dates back to the 2022 nationwide protests.

HRANA received this information through a source with close ties to his family. The court convened on October 1, 2023.

Initially, Mohammadi Fard faced dual death sentences on charges of “spreading corruption on earth” and “enmity against God.” However, this ruling was subsequently overturned, leading to the case being referred to another court branch for review.

Additionally, Mohammadi Fard received a six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime,” two years for “incitement of people to engage in hostilities,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and four years for “participation in activities that undermine national security.”

Mehdi Mohammadi Fard, who is approximately 20 years old, was detained by the Iranian Public Security Police in Nowshahr during the protests.

Edris Menbari Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Edris Menbari, Nozhin

The Criminal Court of Sanandaj has issued a verdict, sentencing Edris Menbari, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, to a one-year prison term and 40 lashes.

Menbari was found guilty of “disturbing public order.” He is mandated to serve his sentence at Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah for a duration of one year, which includes time spent in custody.

The court session addressing Menbari’s charges took place on October 1, 2023, notably without the presence of his legal counsel.

Previously, on December 18, 2022, security forces apprehended Menbari at his residence in Sanandaj during the nationwide protests, and he was released on bail in February 2023.

Edris Menbari is a board member of the Nozhin Socio-Cultural Association.

It is important to highlight that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights expressly forbids flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

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Parsa Ghobadi Arrested in Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Kermanshah, Parsa Ghobadi

Parsa Ghobadi, a resident of Kermanshah, has been apprehended by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location, as reported by Kurdpa. Ghobadi had previously been detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Ghobadi reportedly was arrested last Monday, September 4, at his father’s workplace in Kermanshah.

Sources indicate that Ghobadi is in need of medical attention and has been denied access to his prescribed medication since his arrest. Despite his family’s inquiries, there has been no response from judicial and security authorities. As of now, the reasons behind his arrest and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in mystery.

During the nationwide protests in 2022, Ghobadi, who is about 19 years old, suffered a gunshot wound to his eye inflicted by regime forces.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Imprisoned Protestor Javad Rouhi Dies in Nowshahr Prison

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Amol, Javad Roohi, Javad Rouhi

Javad Rouhi (Roohi), an imprisoned protester who had been sentenced to death three times, died under suspicious circumstances in Nowshahr Prison, today morning, August 31, 2023.

According to Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency, Rouhi experienced sudden convulsions for unknown reasons leading to his demise at Beheshti Hospital in Nowshahr. The judiciary has taken steps to review all available CCTV footage from the prison ward and has initiated an examination of Rouhi’s personal belongings in prison, including his notes and medications. To ascertain the cause of death, his body has been transferred to the forensic department for thorough toxicological analysis.

Majid Kaveh, Rouhi’s legal representative, has verified the news of his client’s passing. In a somber statement, he conveyed, “Regrettably, I have been informed by Rouhi’s family that he breathed his last few hours ago in Nowshahr Prison.”

Rouhi, aged 35, a resident of Amol, was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Nowshahr.

In January 2023, Rouhi was handed three death sentences on multiple charges including “spreading corruption on earth,” “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for burning the Quran, blasphemy, arson, and destruction of property, as well as “insulting people to unrest and assembly and collusion against national security.” In February 2023, his appeal for a retrial was registered by the Supreme Court of Iran. Subsequently, the Supreme Court overturned the death sentence and handed down the case to another court branch for review.

It is worth mentioning that in recent years, numerous cases of suspicious deaths or killings of citizens in prisons and police or security detention centers have been reported. In most cases, investigations have not led to the identification of culprits or holding responsible authorities accountable.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Rapper Saman Seydi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days Amid Legal Uncertainty

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi

Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Update on Fereshteh Nouri’s Condition in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Evin Prison, Fereshteh Nouri, Tehran, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

Fereshteh (Tahereh) Nouri, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison since July 3, 2023.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional year for “disturbing public order.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five-year imprisonment was mandated for the first count.

Nouri’s arrest occurred during the protests in Tehran on September 25, 2023, leading to her spending 23 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

Hamideh Zeraei Re-Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hamideh Zeraie, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 29, 2023, Hamideh Zeraei was once again apprehended by security forces at her residence in Karaj and transported to an undisclosed location. Zeraei had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Zeraei had gone to reclaim her seized vehicle, which had been confiscated by IRGC intelligence during her prior arrest. In a call to her family, she expressed concerns about the possibility of being re-arrested by the IRGC intelligence unit.

The grounds for her arrest, her current location, and the specific charges against her remain unknown. Notably, on May 3, 2023, Zeraei had received a summons to appear at the Karaj courthouse on charges related to “propaganda for anti-regime groups.”

Zeraie, who was previously detained amidst the 2022 nationwide protests, had been released on February 7, 2024. It was widely assumed that she, along with numerous other imprisoned protestors, had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive. However, the recent summons she received indicates a different course of events, contradicting initial assumptions.