Tag: ahvaz

Hooman Seydali Detained for over 19 Months in Legal Limbo

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hooman Seydali, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, هومن صیدالی

Hooman Seydali, arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has remained in an uncertain state in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over nineteen months.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Seydali has been held in Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for 592 days. Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court has issued a hefty bail of fifty billion tomans for his temporary release, but his family’s inability to provide this amount has led to the continuation of his detention.

A source close to Seydali’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Seydali has been charged with suspicion of membership in opposition groups.”

Hooman Seydali, 47 years old and a resident of Izeh, was arrested by security forces on December 20, 2022, during the nationwide protests and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Latest Status of Political Prison Jaber Sakhravi in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Jaber Sakhravi, Sheiban Prison

Jaber Sakhravi, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz has recently suffered a stroke but he has been denied transfer to a hospital in Ahvaz for a physiotherapy session due to opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “Mr. Sakhravi had a stroke 10 days ago and was hospitalized in Golestan Hospital for two days. Despite doctors’ recommendations for continued treatment, he was returned to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison. Doctors have prescribed 12 physiotherapy sessions for his recovery, but the Ministry of Intelligence of Ahvaz is preventing his transfer to the hospital. As a result, the first physiotherapy session, scheduled for Monday, July 22, at Golestan Hospital, did not take place.”

According to information received by HRANA, in addition to suffering from a stroke that has slowed and slurred his speech, Mr. Sakhravi also suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS), right leg paralysis, testicular swelling, and stomach pain. Despite his family providing the necessary medications, prison officials refuse to deliver them to him.

Sakhravi is in his tenth year of imprisonment in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. HRANA has previously reported on his latest status.

Sakhravi was sentenced by “Judge Sha’bouni” at the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 14 years and six months of imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security through moharebeh (enmity against God).” This sentence was later reduced to 12 years and five months by Branch 16 of the Ahvaz Court of Appeals

Extended Detention: Ongoing Uncertainty for Aman Jalali Nejad in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Aman Jalali Nejad, HRANA, Khuzestan, Sheiban Prison, امان جلالی نژاد

Aman Jalali Nejad, a teacher residing in Ahvaz, remains in detention and uncertainty for over ninety days in Sheiban Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, recently, Jalali Nejad’s detention was extended for another month until August 10.

Jalali Nejad was arrested by security forces at the entrance of Ahvaz on April 8, 2024. In early June of this year, he was transferred from the quarantine ward of Sheiban Prison to the prison’s security ward.

This teacher was charged with “propaganda against the regime” on June 10, 2024, in Branch 13 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Aman Jalali Nejad is a teacher and painter employed by the Khuzestan Province Department of Education and resides in Ahvaz.

Ruhollah Kavousi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days, Facing Political Charges

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, HRANA, Izeh, Ruhollah Kavousi, Sheiban Prison

Ruhollah Kavousi, a political detainee, has been held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, for over 300 days without resolution. Despite his poor health, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical facilities.

A source close to Kavousi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Kavousi has developed kidney and liver diseases, affecting his physical health. Nonetheless, he has been denied transfer to external medical facilities and proper medical care.”

Based on HRANA’s information, despite 306 days passing since his arrest, Kavousi remains in limbo in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz. His case is under review by the second branch of the Izeh Prosecutor’s Office. He faces charges including “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Kavousi, from Izeh, was arrested by security forces in Ahvaz on September 1, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in the city.

Christian Convert Yasin Mousavi Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Izeh, Sheiban Prison, Yasin Mousavi, یاسین موسوی

Yasin Mousavi, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Based on the verdict issued by the third branch of the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, presided over by Judge Fathinia, and communicated to Mr. Mousavi, he has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison on charges including “membership in groups aimed at disrupting national security” and “propaganda against the regime through promoting Zionist Christianity.”

Mousavi was previously arrested on December 24, 2023, along with several other Christian converts in the city of Izeh. After enduring twenty days of solitary confinement at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Mousavi was released on bail from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz on April 30, 2024.

Mousavi has a history of previous arrests and imprisonment in October 2017, April 2021, and November 2022.

Despite the fact that Christians are recognized as a religious minority under Islamic law, the security services pursue the issue of Muslims converting to Christianity with particular sensitivity and deal harshly with those who convert to Christianity.

The persecution of Christian converts is a blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief, including the freedom to express their faith openly or privately.

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Christian Convert Esmaeil Narimanpour Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, Dezful, Esmaeil Narimanpour, Payam Rahaee Church, اسماعیل نریمان پور

Esmaeil Narimanpour, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, as reported by Mohabat News.

Narimanpour was charged with “acting against national security through association with Zionist-Christian organizations.”

Narimanpour was initially arrested by security forces in Dezful county on December 24, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, in April 2024. During his arrest, security personnel conducted an extensive search and seized several of his possessions. Furthermore, on the day of his arrest, his wife and brother were detained and interrogated for hours at the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Ahvaz, but were later released after signing a commitment letter.

Narimanpour is affiliated with the Payam Rahaee Church and has previously been arrested for his non-violent religious activities. Despite Christians being legally recognized as a religious minority in Iran, there remains persistent surveillance and interference in their religious practices by security forces, particularly targeting Christian converts.

It is crucial to emphasize that such actions stand in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. These international instruments affirm the right of everyone to freedom of religion, the freedom to change their religion or belief, and the freedom to express these beliefs individually or collectively, openly or in private.

Baha’i Sepideh Rashidi Detained in Ahvaz by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Religious Minorities
ahvaz, IRGC Intelligence, Sepideh Rashidi

IRGC intelligence officials have detained Baha’i citizen Sepideh Rashidi (Derakhshan) in Ahvaz, subsequently transferring her to an undisclosed location. This action has significantly heightened her family’s concerns due to the absence of information about her current condition.

A source close to Rashidi’s family confirmed to HRANA that her arrest occurred on Monday, May 27, 2024. During the arrest, IRGC Intelligence agents conducted an extensive search of her family’s home and seized some of her personal belongings.

As of now, the reasons for Rashidi’s arrest, her exact whereabouts, and any formal charges remain undisclosed.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.

Omid Mehrban Sentenced to Over One Year and Nine Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Behbahan, Mohammad-Hassan Mehrban, Omid Mehrban

The Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr sentenced Mohammad-Hassan (Omid) Mehrban to one year, nine months, and two days.

Mehrban’s lawyer, Sajjad Chatrsefid, announced that his client received one year, three months, and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and six months and one day for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Mehrban has the right to appeal the verdict.

Mehrban was arrested by IRGC Intelligence at his workplace in Behbahan on September 9, 2023. On September 27, he was transferred from the IRGC detention facility in Ahvaz to Behbahan Prison after his interrogation ended. He was released on bail after seven days.

Ayoub Gheibipour Sentenced to Eleven Years in Prison and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Ayoub Gheibipour, Kerman, Qasem Soleimani, Sheiban Prison, ایوب غیبی پور

The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced Ayoub Gheibipour to eleven years in prison and exile to Kerman Prison for charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Gheibipour was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

According to his lawyer Sajjad Chatrsefid, the ruling includes ten years in prison to be served in exile in Kerman Prison for “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Gheibipour can appeal the ruling.

This verdict followed the overturning of an initial verdict by the Supreme Court. Gheibipour had previously received ten years in exile imprisonment for “arson and destruction of public property, propaganda against the regime,” citing the burning of Qasem Soleimani’s statues as an example of this charge.

Gheibipour was arrested during the nationwide protests in Ahvaz and was transferred to Sheiban Prison in the city. He was released on February 13, 2024, on a heavy bail of three billion toman (approximately $60,000). During his detention, he was denied access to medical care.

Civil Rights Activist Sepideh Gholian Launches Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, Dezful, Evin Prison, Sepideh Gholian, Sepideh Qolian, سپیده قلیان

Sepideh Gholian (Qolian), a prominent civil rights activist detained in Evin Prison, commenced a hunger strike on April 3, 2024, demanding her transfer to Ahvaz Prison near her home.

A source close to her family confirmed Gholian’s hunger strike to HRANA.

Gholian’s troubles began on March 15, 2023, when security forces arrested her upon her return to Dezful shortly after her initial release. She was promptly sent back to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison four days later.

In May 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted Gholian of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” resulting in a two-year sentence that included a period of detention. Alongside her imprisonment, she faced various restrictions, including a prohibition on joining political or social groups, limitations on cell phone usage, and a two-year ban from entering Tehran and its neighboring provinces. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Furthermore, a case was initiated following a complaint filed by Ameneh-Sadat Zabihpour, an Iran-state TV reporter with ties to security agencies as an interrogator. In this case, Gholian received an additional sentence of one year and three months for her alleged involvement in “removing hijab, facilitating indecency, and persisting in committing criminal acts.”

It’s important to note that Gholian has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to her activism.