Tag: Alborz

Karaj Court Sentences Four to Death and Prison on Espionage Charges

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Executions, News
Alborz, Fazeli-Harikandi, moharebeh

HRANA – The head of Alborz Province’s Judiciary has announced the preliminary verdict issued for four defendants in a case related to espionage charges. According to this ruling, two of the defendants were sentenced to execution and imprisonment, while the other two received prison sentences.

According to Mizan, the head of Alborz Province’s Judiciary stated that two men from Karaj and a couple from Isfahan were tried by Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court. Based on the preliminary ruling, two of the defendants were sentenced to execution and imprisonment, while the other two received prison terms. The total prison sentences imposed amount to more than 26 years. The ruling was issued on charges including “enmity against God (moharebeh),” “collaboration with hostile groups and the Zionist regime,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” “membership in a criminal group with the aim of disrupting national security,” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Hossein Fazeli-Harikandi alleged that the defendants had received training in manufacturing explosive projectiles, launchers, and firing techniques, and were tasked with attacking “one of the country’s important military centers” in late May of this year.

He further claimed that they were instructed to document their actions through photos and videos, though he provided no evidence or indication of transparent judicial procedures to support these assertions.

Reiterating security-related allegations, Fazeli-Harikandi accused the three men and one woman of links to the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK) and Mossad, asserting that they had been recruited online through intermediaries in neighboring countries. Without offering proof, he also accused them of sending coordinates of sensitive locations and setting fire to public sites.

The head of Alborz Province’s Judiciary did not reveal the defendants’ identities or clarify the conditions under which they were interrogated and made to confess.

Fazeli-Harikandi emphasized that the verdict is preliminary, and if appealed, the case will be referred to the Supreme Court for review.

The trial was held in mid-September at Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court. The defendants had been arrested about one month before Israel’s military strike on Iran.

The Fifth Day of Israeli Attacks on Iran: A Review of the Incidents

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News, Other
Alborz, and Kerman, Bushehr, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, East Azerbaijan, Hamedan, Hormozgan, HRANA, Isfahan, Israeili Strikes, Israel, Kermanshah, Khorasan Razavi, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Markazi, Qazvin, Tehran, West Azerbaijan

HRANA News Agency – The military conflict between Iran and Israel, which began in the early hours of Friday, June 13th, with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, entered its fifth day yesterday. Since the outset of the conflict, military installations, civilian infrastructure, and residential areas across Iran have been targeted.

Yesterday, the spokesperson of the Iranian Red Crescent reported that 21 provinces have been affected since the start of Israel’s attacks. According to published reports, at least seven people were killed or injured in yesterday’s assaults. Based on non-governmental sources, as of June 17, 23:00 UTC, the total number of casualties over the past five days has reached at least 1,911, including 585 dead and 1,326 injured.

Geographic Scope of the Strikes

In continuation of Israel’s military attacks on Iranian territory, yesterday energy infrastructure, military facilities, and residential areas were attacked in the provinces of Tehran, Isfahan, East Azerbaijan, Alborz, Markazi, Qazvin, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, West Azerbaijan, Khorasan Razavi, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Hamedan, Bushehr, and Kerman. Isfahan Province was Israel’s primary target yesterday.

Regarding the geographical scope of Israel’s attacks in Iran, Mojtaba Khaledi, the spokesperson for the Red Crescent, without naming specific provinces, stated: “Since the beginning of Israel’s attacks, 21 provinces have been involved.”

Casualties among Red Crescent rescue workers in Tehran were among yesterday’s notable events. According to the Red Crescent spokesperson, four rescue workers have been killed in the Israeli attacks so far.

Explosions in some areas have caused extensive damage and likely resulted in additional casualties. Further information is under investigation and will be updated.

Military Equipment and Scale of Attacks

The Israeli army previously announced that during the first three days of attacks on Iran, it conducted 720 airstrikes across various parts of the country. This figure has not yet been updated by Israel.

In the investigations of human rights groups, proportionality under the laws of war is of particular importance — including proportionality between targets and weaponry. According to information gathered from credible sources, the Israeli army used the following weapons in its attack:

 

WeaponTypeModel/VariantDescription & Role
1HaropLoitering attack drone– (IAI Harop)Autonomous kamikaze drone that loiters and dives onto targets (especially radars). Used to suppress Iranian air defenses and communications by homing in on radar emissions.
2HarpyLoitering anti-radar drone– (IAI Harpy)Anti-radiation loitering munition designed to seek and destroy enemy radars. Older, fire-and-forget drone that crashes into SAM radar emitters. Complemented Harop in knocking out Iran’s SAM sites.
3F-35I “Adir”Stealth multirole fighterF-35I (Israel variant)5th-gen stealth fighter jet with Israeli electronics. Penetrated Iranian airspace undetected to lead initial strikes, targeting air defenses, command centers, and nuclear sites with precision munitions.
4F-15I “Ra’am”Strike fighter-bomberF-15I (Israel variant)Long-range heavy fighter (F-15E variant) carrying large payloads (bunker busters, etc.). Non-stealth, but high payload and range; used to bomb hardened sites like Natanz once air defenses were down.
5F-16I “Sufa”Multirole fighterF-16D Block 52+ (Israel)Versatile fighter jet with conformal fuel tanks for extended range. Dropped guided bombs (e.g., SPICE, JDAM) on a wide array of targets (missile launchers, bases, leaders). Backbone of strike force.
6DelilahAir-launched cruise missile– (IMI Delilah)Standoff cruise missile (loitering munition) with ~250 km range. Can loiter and be retargeted in flight. Used to surgically strike mobile or well-hidden targets (radars, convoys) from afar.
7RampageAir-to-surface guided missile– (Elbit Rampage)Supersonic guided strike missile (air-launched rocket) designed to penetrate bunkers and hit high-value targets at long range. Difficult to intercept due to high speed.
8Blue SparrowAir-launched ballistic missile (ALBM)– (Blue Sparrow target missile)Air-dropped ballistic missile used as a pseudo-weapon. Released from aircraft to strike like a short-range ballistic missile. Provided Israel a way to hit distant hardened targets quickly.
9LORAShort-range ballistic missileLORA (IAI)Surface-launched ballistic missile (ground/ship) with ~400 km range and 10 m accuracy. Carries a 570 kg warhead. Used to hit fixed strategic targets (bases, infrastructure) at long range in opening salvo.
10SPICE-1000/2000Precision glide bomb kitSPICE family (Rafael)Electro-optical/GPS guided bombs (1000 lb or 2000 lb) that glide to target. Extremely accurate (<3 m CEP). Used to destroy buildings, runways, and other fixed targets with minimal collateral damage.
11JDAM BombsGPS-guided bomb (kit)GBU-31 JDAM etc.Joint Direct Attack Munition – a guidance kit for 500–2000 lb bombs using GPS/INS. Turns “dumb” bombs into all-weather smart bombs (~5–10 m accuracy). Formed a large portion of munitions dropped on Iranian targets.
12GBU-39 Small Diameter BombGuided glide bombGBU-39/B SDB I250 lb glide bomb with GPS guidance and pop-out wings (range ~110 km). Small warhead for pinpoint strikes on SAM sites, launchers, etc. Allows multiple bombs per aircraft hardpoint.
13GBU-28 “Bunker Buster”Laser/GPS guided bombGBU-28/B5,000 lb deep-penetration bomb developed to destroy heavily fortified underground facilities. Can penetrate dozens of feet of concrete/earth. Deployed by F-15I against Iran’s buried nuclear sites (e.g. Natanz).

 

Latest Casualty Figures

Since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Iran, hundreds of both military and civilian individuals have been killed or injured. The military or civilian status of a significant number of the victims cited in this report remains under investigation.

In addition to the figures reported during the first four days of attacks, HRANA, after reviewing and verifying additional information and documentation, has added 806 more fatalities and injuries to its earlier casualty reports for those initial days. However, in some cases, these new figures reflect reclassification of victims rather than an actual increase in total numbers.

Beyond the casualties reported in previous days, as detailed earlier, yesterday’s attacks accounted for three additional deaths and four injuries. According to HRANA’s reports, based on its volunteer network and other non-governmental sources, the total number of people killed or injured as a result of Israel’s attacks has now reached at least 1,911.

 

Civilian Casualties (Killed and Injured)
ProvinceCityDateKilledInjuredNotesNeighborhoods & Locations
KashanKashanJune 1734–Checkpoint Station

According to non-governmental sources, as of the time this report was compiled (June 17, 23:00 UTC), a total of 1,911 military or civilian citizens have been killed or injured, broken down as follows:

▫️Civilians:
Deaths: 239
Injured: 335

▫️Military personnel:
Deaths: 126
Injured: 123

▫️Unspecified:
Deaths: 220
Injured: 868

▫️Total deaths: 585
▫️Total injured: 1,326
▫️Total human casualties: 1,911 individuals

While a detailed examination of various non-governmental sources documents 1,911 casualties inside Iran, yesterday Ali Mousavi, the Islamic Republic’s ambassador in London, announced that nearly 1,500 people have been killed or injured in the Israeli attacks on Iran. He did not provide precise figures but stated that 224 civilians, including 20 children, have been killed. This comes after the Minister of Health announced yesterday that 1,800 people were injured in Iran during the first four days of the attacks.

At noon yesterday, the Red Crescent spokesperson reported: “So far, 145 injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals by the Red Crescent, and 75 were treated at the scene.” Additionally, a government spokesperson said that 120 women and children have been injured as a result of the Israeli attacks.

Previously, Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations for the Ministry of Health, claimed in a social media post that 1,481 people were killed or injured during the first 65 hours of Israel’s attack on Iran. He stated that “more than 90 percent of these individuals were civilians.” According to Kermanpour, 522 people have been discharged, with 224 killed and 1,257 injured.

Continued Israeli Strikes on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure on the Fifth Day

On the fifth day, Israeli attacks struck civilian areas and infrastructure in the cities of Tehran, Kashan, Tabriz, Nazarabad, Zarandieh, Khomein, Qazvin, Najafabad, Ardestan, Shahin Shahr, and Naein. Among the civilian targets were the IRIB broadcasting complex in Tehran, the Nazarabad Industrial Zone, and the Zaviyeh Industrial Park.

According to documented reports, the following civilian areas were targeted: Piroozi Street, areas near IRIB headquarters, Majidieh, Andarzgoo, Sabalan Square, Velenjak, Pasdaran, and Elahieh in Tehran; Valayat District in Qazvin; and areas near Alavijeh Junction in Shahin Shahr.

Additionally, yesterday air defense confrontations with hostile projectiles were reported in Mahabad, Tehran, Natanz, Bandar Abbas, Qazvin, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Saqqez, Sabzevar, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Nahavand, Malayer, and Bushehr.

Alongside civilian sites, several military locations were struck, including: a checkpoint headquarters in the Kashan region, Heshmatiyeh Barracks, Al-Zahra Barracks in Tabriz, Quds IRGC Barracks in Shahin Shahr, an ammunition depot and Ayat Base in Villashahr, Hashem Abad Air Defense site in Naein, an additional ammunition depot in Ekhtiarabad, and the 15th of Khordad Barracks in Isfahan.

Communication Disruptions and Secondary Consequences

From the start of the attacks, the Minister of Communications claimed that due to the “special circumstances of the country,” the ministry had temporarily restricted internet access. WhatsApp remained blocked for the fifth consecutive day. IRIB, as the sole official radio and television broadcaster in Iran, urged citizens to delete WhatsApp and Instagram from their phones, claiming that these apps were stealing Iranian user data and cooperating with Israel.

Since the outbreak of military hostilities, access to services based on Cloudflare has also been disrupted — an ongoing issue that has seriously affected independent media activity, emergency data transmission, and real-time access to information.

This morning, Bank Sepah’s infrastructure came under cyberattack, disrupting its services. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency confirmed the cyberattack and reported that because Bank Sepah supports some gas stations, fuel service disruptions may occur in the coming hours.

Later in the day, users across various provinces reported widespread internet disruptions. No official government statements have been made about these interruptions so far.

Official media outlets also reported widespread internet disruptions across multiple provinces. Simultaneously, ArvanCloud Radar and the Telecommunication Infrastructure Company’s monitoring dashboard — which show real-time internet status — also experienced disruptions. Some IT experts warned of the possibility of a complete disconnection from the international internet in the coming hours. Meanwhile, NetBlocks, which monitors internet access restrictions worldwide, confirmed the internet disruptions in Iran.

Yesterday, the Israeli attacks also shut down Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. According to published images, shopkeepers refused to open their businesses.

Arrests and Security Crackdowns

Yesterday, at least 21 individuals were arrested for online activities. Among them: 1 in Bafgh, 18 in Lorestan Province, 1 in Boukan, and 1 in Tehran.

Including these new detentions, a total of 139 Iranian citizens have been arrested over the past five days for their online activity and content related to Israel’s attack on Iran.

Additionally, Fars News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s security institutions, reported the formation of legal cases and arrests of several citizens and media outlets. According to the report, among those targeted were ISNA News Agency, Dideban Iran website, Asr Iran website, Salam Telegram channel, and individuals including Mostafa Mehryein, Motahareh Gonei, Sadegh Al-Hosseini, Ali Sharif Zarchi, Asal Esmaeilzadeh, Hassan Asadi Lari, Atiyeh Rad, Ali Taremi, Atefeh Chaharmahalian, Hadi Tabakhgar, and Hadi Kasaeizadeh. Some of them received warnings, legal cases were opened for others, and some were arrested by court orders. HRANA had previously reported the arrests of Motahareh Gonei and Mostafa Mehryein.

The Tasnim News Agency also reported the arrests of two individuals in Isfahan and Savojbolagh, accusing them of being “affiliated with the Mossad intelligence agency.” The deputy governor of Zanjan Province also announced the arrest of several individuals on charges of collaborating with Israel. Government-affiliated media also published video footage reporting that one individual in Bushehr was arrested for allegedly collaborating with Israeli intelligence.

It should be noted that yesterday, an Iranian prisoner named Esmail Fekri was executed on charges of “spying for Israel.” The judiciary’s news agency claimed that Mr. Fekri was arrested in December 2023, and after the initial verdict, the case was sent to the Supreme Court for appeal, where, “based on the existing evidence,” the lower court’s ruling was upheld.

Other Related Developments

One related development was the cancellation of all nurses’ leave across the country. Sajad Razavi, Deputy Minister of Health for Treatment Affairs, announced that all doctors and nurses nationwide had their leaves canceled and were required to remain continuously present at medical centers.

Emphasis on Compliance with Humanitarian Obligations

As stated above that among other instances, the civilian targets have included the IRIB broadcasting complex in Tehran.

While IRIB functions as a central propaganda outlet for the Iranian government and the IRGC, its targeting raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law. State media is protected as a civilian object unless and for such time as it makes an effective contribution to military action and its destruction offers a definite military advantage. The dissemination of propaganda alone does not satisfy this threshold. Absent concrete evidence that IRIB was directly used for military purposes, such as transmitting operational instructions, its targeting would likely constitute a violation of IHL.

As the field consequences of the attacks expand, the damage to civilian infrastructure and disruption of emergency and medical services have increased. These conditions underscore the urgent need for strict adherence to humanitarian law obligations, including the principles of precaution, proportionality, and distinction between military and civilian targets.

International bodies and human rights defenders have once again stressed the need to ensure safe and unimpeded access to emergency aid and protection for civilians. The ongoing indiscriminate nature of attacks without proper distinction poses serious challenges to the legitimacy of military actions by both parties.

HRA, while continuing to monitor developments on the ground, emphasizes the need for independent investigations, accurate documentation of suspected violations, and legal accountability for all parties involved.

 

Saba Blvd in the Andarzgoo area
– Tehran		KermanshahNear IRIB (state broadcaster)

The Fourth Day of Israeli Attacks on Iran: A review of the Incidents

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News, Other
Alborz, East Azerbaijan, Hamedan, Ilam, IRIB, Israeli Attacks, Kermanshah, Khuzestan, Kurdistan, Markazi, Qom, Tehran, zanjan

HRANA News Agency – The military confrontation between Iran and Israel entered its fourth consecutive day on Monday, June 16, following Israel’s early morning airstrikes on Iranian territory last Friday. The conflict has since intensified, with Iran mounting a military response and hostilities continuing to escalate.

Over the past four days, military installations, civilian sites, and residential areas in at least 19 provinces across Iran have come under attack. According to official and local reports, at least 16 people were killed or injured on Monday alone. Additionally, 77 casualties have been confirmed from earlier days of the conflict. In total, as of June 16, 22:00 UTC, non-governmental sources report that at least 1,098 people have been killed or wounded since the start of the attacks, including 452 fatalities.

Geographic Scope of the Strikes

As Israeli military attacks on Iranian soil continue, yesterday a number of energy infrastructures, military installations, and residential areas were targeted in the provinces of Ilam, Kermanshah, Tehran, Qom, Hamedan, Khuzestan, Zanjan, Alborz, Markazi, East Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Fars. Notable sites targeted yesterday include the IRIB building in Tehran, the Musian fire station in Ilam province, Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, and an oil refinery in Kermanshah. An emergency vehicle was also struck in yesterday’s Israeli attacks in Tehran. In addition, IRGC barracks and missile warehouses in several provinces were hit.

Explosions in some of these areas have caused widespread damage and likely human casualties. Further information is being reviewed and updated.

Fighter jets, drones, various planted bombs, Delilah air-launched cruise missiles, short-range projectiles, and suicide microdrones are among the primary weapons reportedly used by Israel in yesterday’s attacks.

The Israeli army announced yesterday that it has carried out 720 airstrikes on various locations across Iran since the beginning of the attacks.

The map below shows the distribution of attacks and defense activity from the beginning of the conflict up to the present.

Update on Casualties and Human Losses

Since the start of Israeli attacks on Iran, more than a thousand military or civilian citizens have been killed or injured in total. The military or civilian status of a significant number of the human victims mentioned in this report is still under investigation.
HRANA had reported 1,005 people killed or injured during the first three days of attacks. With access to new information regarding casualties from previous days, this figure has now increased to 1,082.

The table below provides updated casualty figures from the first three days of the attacks, supplementing earlier reports. In some instances, the changes reflect reclassification rather than an actual increase in numbers.

Updated Casualty Figures from Previous Days

ProvinceCityDateCategoryKilledInjuredNotesLocation
TehranTehranUnknown (June 13–16)Civilian121Victims include 5 childrenResidential areas
HamadanAsadabadUnknown (June 13–16)Civilian40Victims were firefightersAsadabad Agricultural Airport
UnknownUnknownUnknown (June 13–16)Civilian13Qasemi family; a 2-month-old infant was killedUnknown
TehranTehranJune 13Civilian10–Shahrara
TehranTehranJune 15Civilian40–Tajrish / Mohebbi Shariati Street
TehranTehranJune 15Military10–Police HQ (FATA)
TehranTehranJune 15Military10–Unknown
LorestanUnknownJune 13Military10–Military Garrison
East AzerbaijanTabrizJune 13Military20–Shahid Fakouri Airbase
QomQomJune 15Military242–Hazrat Fatemeh Air Defense / Mostafa Khomeini Garrison
HamadanAsadabadUnknown (June 13–16)Military20–Asadabad Agricultural Airport

 

Latest Statistics on Casualties and Human Losses So Far

In addition to the previous section, reports published regarding yesterday’s attacks have documented the deaths of 13 individuals and the injury of at least 3 others, bringing the total number of people killed or injured due to Israeli attacks—according to non-governmental sources—to at least 1,098.

Uncategorized Casualties
ProvinceCityDateKilledInjuredNotesLocation
MarkaziKhomeinJune 1520–Unknown
Civilian Casualties
ProvinceCityDateKilledInjuredNotesLocation
KermanshahKermanshahJune 1601Attack on a truck dealershipDizelabad
TehranTehranJune 1630Red Crescent relief personnelUnknown
TehranTehranJune 1602Includes an IRIB journalistIRIB Building
Military Casualties
ProvinceCityDateKilledInjuredNotesLocation
ZanjanZanjanJune 1620–Ansar al-Mahdi IRGC Garrison
MarkaziKhomeinJune 1660–Rouhollah IRGC Garrison

 

According to non-governmental sources, as of the time this report was compiled, a total of 1,098 military or civilian citizens have been killed or injured, broken down as follows:

▫️Civilians:
Deaths: 224
Injured: 188

▫️Military personnel:
Deaths: 109
Injured: 123

▫️Unspecified:
Deaths: 119
Injured: 335

▫️Total deaths: 452
▫️Total injured: 646
▫️Total human casualties: 1,098 individuals

It is also worth noting that access to casualty data has become significantly more difficult for non-governmental groups since the first day of attacks. This could be due to government-imposed security measures or communication disruptions.

While non-governmental sources estimate Iran’s human losses at just under 1,100, Hossein Kermanpour, Head of the Ministry of Health’s Public Relations and Information Center, reported a significantly higher figure in a social media post yesterday. According to Kermanpour, 1,481 people were killed or injured during the first 65 hours of Israeli attacks, with “over 90 percent” identified as civilians. He added that 522 of those affected have been discharged, reporting a total of 224 deaths and 1,257 injuries.

However, yesterday, the Minister of Health, in an interview with IRNA, stated that 1,800 people have been injured due to Israeli attacks. Regarding yesterday’s attack on Quds Square in Tehran, he said that not only were water pipes broken, but 59 people were injured in the incident. He added that 12 people “attained martyrdom” in the Quds Square bombing, one of whom was a pregnant woman.

Continued Israeli Attacks on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure on the Fourth Day

The Israeli army’s attacks continued yesterday, causing damage to non-military infrastructure. Throughout the day, the cities of Bushehr, Qeshm, Bandar Abbas, Dehloran, Natanz, Tehran, Sanandaj, Tabriz, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Bandar Anzali, Bostanabad, Marand, Malayer, and Shahriar witnessed air defense engagement with hostile projectiles. Among the affected provinces, Tehran once again experienced the heaviest attacks. The areas in and around Tehran that were hit include: Khalazir village, Shahrak-e Gharb, Bideganeh neighborhood, Vavan township, Bagheri township, Olympic Village, areas around Mehrabad Airport, around Azadi Square, Tehranpars, and the IRIB building in Tehran.

Other key areas that witnessed attacks and air defense activity include: areas along the Imam Reza and Tehran–Qom highways, Marand Industrial Town, Shahrak-e Emam and the oil refinery in Kermanshah, areas around the Tehran–Saveh highway, Nazarabad and Mehrshahr in Alborz province, Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, and a truck dealership in Kermanshah.

In addition to civilian sites, several IRGC missile warehouses in Faraman and Dowlatabad in Kermanshah province, the Fatemeh Masoumeh air defense unit, Mostafa Khomeini garrison, and the Qiam Kushk-e Nosrat pilot training base in Qom, an air defense unit in Andimeshk, IRGC garrisons in Zanjan, Sardroud, and Marivan, the Alvand missile site in Khomein, and a military base in western Tehran were among yesterday’s military targets.

Disruptions in Communications and Secondary Consequences

From the first day of the attacks, Iran’s Ministry of Communications imposed temporary internet restrictions “due to the country’s special circumstances.” The WhatsApp messaging service has remained blocked for the fourth consecutive day, and user access to Cloudflare-based services has been disrupted. These measures have severely hampered the operations of independent media, the transmission of humanitarian data, and immediate access to information.

Judicial and security authorities began threatening citizens from the early hours of the conflict. In the latest statements, the head of Iran’s judiciary announced that those arrested on charges of collaborating with Israel would be tried and punished swiftly under wartime conditions. Mohseni-Ejei warned that the harshest punishment would be imposed without leniency on individuals cooperating with Israel.

Yesterday, security crackdowns on citizens in Iran continued, with at least 15 arrests recorded, bringing the total number of arrests over the past four days to more than 115 individuals. These citizens were mostly detained for publishing content related to the Iran-Israel military conflict. Those arrested yesterday include two individuals in Kerman, two in Tehran, five in Ardabil, several in Khorramabad and Borujerd, one in Shahr-e Qods, several in Gerash County, and five in North Khorasan. In addition, 60 citizens in Isfahan Province are facing legal proceedings. The head of Isfahan’s cyber police accused these individuals of “disturbing public opinion in cyberspace.”

The newspaper Ham Mihan also published images of at least two citizens being arrested, identifying them as “individuals linked to Israel.” A channel affiliated with the IRGC published images of two detainees, claiming they were “preparing for an operation from an unfinished building.” Another channel close to security agencies released a video reporting the arrest of five Afghan nationals in Nahavand County, claiming that “several microfiles” were discovered in their possession.

Meanwhile, the judiciary announced that 28 individuals had been arrested in Tehran Province over the past four days, with some of the charges including “espionage, photographing military fortifications and restricted areas, possession of military weapons, and membership in anti-regime groups.”

In the past three days, at least 100 other individuals in Iran had already been arrested by security forces for publishing content related to the Iran-Israel conflict.

Yesterday, the judiciary also announced that the execution of Esmaeil Fekri on charges of “espionage for Israel” had been carried out. According to the judiciary’s news agency, Mr. Fekri was arrested in Azar 1402 (December 2023), and after the initial verdict was issued, the case was referred to the Supreme Court for appeal. The court, citing “available evidence,” confirmed and upheld the original sentence.

International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Analysis

On the third day of the international armed conflict between Iran and Israel, concerns over increasing violations of fundamental principles of international humanitarian law have intensified. According to Article 51 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, parties to the conflict are obligated to distinguish between military objectives and the civilian population. However, reports of the deaths of at least ten children in a residential building strike and the killing of a worker at a horse stable reinforce the possibility of indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.

The repeated targeting of locations with no apparent military value not only calls into question the principles of proportionality and precaution but also directly contradicts the absolute prohibition of direct attacks on civilians, as stated in Article 48 of the mentioned Protocol. Furthermore, under Article 57, even if a military target is located near civilian areas, the parties are obligated to take all feasible precautions to minimize harm to civilians, including the issuance of effective advance warnings—a measure that, in many cases, appears not to have been observed.

Human rights organizations have once again emphasized the need to halt indiscriminate attacks, protect civilian lives, and ensure access to emergency assistance. The Human Rights Activists in Iran also noted in its latest assessment, while highlighting concerning patterns in target selection: “Protection of civilian lives must remain at the center of attention.”

The organization has reaffirmed its commitment to documentation, legal analysis, and pursuit of accountability for all parties under international humanitarian law, warning that the continued execution of indiscriminate attacks may constitute war crimes.

International Reactions to Ongoing Conflict

As the conflict continues, the international community has issued new responses regarding the military attacks. A number of governments and international bodies have called for restraint from both parties and an immediate return to diplomatic channels. Statements released yesterday emphasized the need to avoid escalating violence, fully respect civilian rights, and ensure access to humanitarian aid.

These positions underscore the role of neutral international organizations in monitoring developments and supporting peace-building efforts, while also expressing concern over the risk of the conflict expanding further. There was also a renewed call for all parties to uphold their obligations under the United Nations Charter and the rules of international humanitarian law.

Russia and Turkey announced their readiness to mediate in order to end the conflict between Iran and Israel. A spokesperson for the Russian presidency stated that Russia remains in contact with both sides of the war and that its earlier offer to mediate still stands. Simultaneously, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in a phone call with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian, said that Turkey is ready to play a mediating role in resuming nuclear negotiations and ending the dispute with Israel.

Emphasis on Adhering to Legal Obligations

With the expansion of field consequences resulting from the attacks, damage to civilian infrastructure and disruptions in emergency and medical services have also increased. These conditions further highlight the critical importance of strictly adhering to humanitarian law requirements, including the principles of precaution, proportionality, and distinction between targets.

International institutions and human rights advocates have once again reiterated the need to guarantee safe and unimpeded access to emergency aid and to protect the civilian population. At the same time, the ongoing use of indiscriminate attacks without regard for civilian locations poses a serious challenge to the legitimacy of both parties’ military actions.

The Human Rights Activists in Iran, while continuing to monitor developments on the ground, have stressed the need for independent investigations, thorough documentation of suspected violations, and the pursuit of legal accountability for all parties involved.

 

Missile strike on Farabi Hospital
in Kermanshah		Missile strike on Farabi Hospital
in Kermanshah		Dormitory of Shahid Beheshti
University of Medical Sciences
East TehranMehrabad area,
next to the Mapping Organization		One of the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs buildings in Tehran
Truck dealership in KermanshahKimi Darou pharmaceutical
factory in the Tehranpars -Tehran		Bagheri Township, Chitgar,
and Iran Mall in Tehran
IRIB (Islamic Republic of
Iran Broadcasting) building		IRIB (Islamic Republic of
Iran Broadcasting) building		IRIB (Islamic Republic of
Iran Broadcasting) building

Farhad Sheikhi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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News
Alborz, Divandarreh, Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, Karaj, Karaj Central Prison, Musa Asif al-Hosseini, فرهاد شیخی

Farhad Sheikhi, a workers’ rights advocate, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Karaj to one year in prison, a two-year travel ban, two years of mandatory residence in Divandarreh, and a two-year ban on living in Alborz and Tehran provinces.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asif al-Hosseini and communicated to Mr. Sheikhi, he has been sentenced to one year in prison, two years of exile to Divandarreh in Kurdistan province, and a two-year travel ban for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, after the period of exile, he is prohibited from living in Alborz and Tehran provinces for two years. His court session regarding this charge was held on June 19th of this year.

Farhad Sheikhi was arrested by security forces at his home in Hashtgerd on May 28th of 2023 and was subsequently transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

Mr. Sheikhi was eventually released on June 13th of the same year from Karaj Central Prison on a bail of 100 million Tomans after being formally charged at the Hashtgerd Prosecutor’s Office.

This workers’ rights advocate has previously been arrested and sentenced due to his activities. He was released from prison on February 7, 2023, as per a pardon directive.

Five Inmates Spared from Execution in Kerman and Karaj

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Executions, News
Alborz, Citizen execution, Hamedan, Karaj, Kerman

In Kerman and Karaj provinces, five inmates convicted of murder in separate cases were spared from execution by receiving consent from the victims’ families.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Young Journalists Club, four death-row received consent from victims’ families in Kerman Prison.

Similarly, the General Director of Alborz Prisons Organization announced that in one of the prisons of this province, a death-row inmate convicted of killing his cellmate in Hamedan Prison received amnesty from the victim’s family after 23 years of incarceration.

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Three Christian Converts Summoned in Karaj to Endure Their Sentences

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Alborz, Alborz province, Alireza Nourmohammadi, Amin Khaki, cash bail, Christian converts, Court of appeals, Freedom of religion, Islamiz Law, Karaj, Khaki, Milad Goodarzi, Shariah Law

Christian Converts Amin Khaki, Milad Goodarzi, and Alireza Nourmohammadi were summoned to appear today, November 10, at the Executive Unit of the Court of Karaj to endure their sentences.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Branch 12 of the Court of Appeals of Alborz Province had previously sentenced each of these citizens to three years in prison.

In their first trial, which took place on June 26 of this year, they were each sentenced to 5 years imprisonment and paying a fine of 40 million tomans by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj on charges of “propaganda and catechizing deviant against the holy Sharia of Islam”.  Following the verdict, they were released each on bail of 250 million Tomans. On August 22, the verdict was reduced to three years each on appeal.

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

The Iranian regime targets Christian converts despite 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 and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

 

 

Update on Political Prisoners’ Health Conditions in Rajai Shahr Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Afshin Baymani, Alborz, Alborz province, Ali Musa-Nejad Farkoosh, Arjang Davoudi, Farzin Rezaei Roshan, Karaj, Mehdi Meskin Navaz, Motalleb Ahmadian, Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajai-Shahr, Saeed Eghbali

Below are the available updates on the health conditions of political prisoners held in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

Rajai Shahr Prison, previously known as Gohardasht Prison, is located in Karaj City in Alborz Province. According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Rajai Shahr Prison has been used by security forces for years as an exile prison for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, despite having been built specifically to house inmates convicted of violent crimes.

The rights of each prisoner to receive adequate medical treatment has been asserted explicitly by both Iran’s domestic law and international law and other human rights documents. Additionally, various articles of Iran’s Executive regulations of the Prisons Organization have specified inmates’ diseases and treatments.

Nonetheless, Rajai Shahr prison officials frequently violate these political prisoners’ right to adequate medical treatment, hence putting their lives in danger. Often, when inmates are dispatched to medical centers they are met with obstruction from prison officials and security agents.

The following provides the latest health condition of 15 political prisoners held in Salon 10, Ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prisons.

  • 1. Motalleb Ahmadian suffers from infection in the testicles (orchitis) and bladder as well as spinal cord injuries. He has not yet received any required medical condition for his degenerative diseases. Both the general practitioner and infectious disease specialist of the prison have stressed that Mr. Ahmadian should undergo surgery and receive treatments from a urologist.
    For his spinal cord injury, he has to do MRI test every six months, and in order to prevent the progression of the disease, he has to be under regular examination by a neurologist.
    In 2019, the specialist prescribed spinal injections, which he could not receive due to the obstruction of the head of the prison as well as the prison healthcare officer. In 2020, finally, he was permitted to obtain the medicine from outside of prison. For the next injection, which was supposed to be done by September of this year, he has not yet been able to obtain the medicine.

    Motalleb Ahmadian was arrested on October 5, 2010, on a charge of “membership in one of opposition political groups”. He has sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court.

  • 2. Afshin Baymani has kidney stones and diabetes. After spending many years in prison, Baymani has contracted coronary artery disease. In March 2020, because of his critical health condition, he had to be hospitalized in a specialized cardiovascular hospital where they had his medical documents. Instead, the prison officials decided to instead dispatch him to a general hospital. Recently, even after seven electrocardiography tests, the physician of the prison healthcare has not yet requested the dispatch of Mr Baymani to the hospital.

    Afshin Baymani was arrested on September 5, 2000, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through collaboration with The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced him to death which later was reduced to life imprisonment. Afshin Baymani is now serving the twenty-second year of his sentence.

  • 3. Hamzeh Savari suffers from a baker’s cyst behind the right knee and a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee, which had made walking painful for him. He urgently needs to undergo surgery to treat the cyst. He also suffers from lumbar disc injuries, arthritis and spine problems. Savari has varicocele, causing severe pain in the testicles. He underwent previously surgery, but again with the recurrence of the disease, he needs another surgery.

    Hamzeh Savari was arrested on September 2, 2005, on the charge of  “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and acting against national security”. The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced him to capital punishment, which later was reduced to life imprisonment. He was 16 years old at the time of arrest and currently he is serving the seventeenth year of his prison sentence.

  • 4. Hassan Sadeghi suffers from Glaucoma (damage to the optic nerve) and intra ocular pressure, as well as joint pain which is particularly acute in the knees. His right eye vision has been worsened due to the damage in long-untreated optic nerves. Despite these poor health conditions, the assistant prosecutor of the prison Amin Vaziri has hindered him from dispatching to the hospital.
    Sadeghi can hardly walk due to the fractures of the bones in the sole of both feet caused by the tortures he endured in the ’80s (he endured his first prison sentence from 1981 to 1987).

    Hassan Sadeghi was arrested on January 28, 2013, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran “. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment and the confiscation of his property (an apartment and a store). He is 58 years old and serving the ninth year of his sentence.

  • 5. Abolghasem Fouladvand suffers from coronary artery disease. The assistant prosecutor of the prison Amin Vaziri has refused to allow him to be sent to the hospital for medical treatment.

    Abolghasem Fouladvand was arrested in 2013 on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment. He is 59 years old and currently serving the eighth year of his sentence.

  • 6. Hooshang Rezaie suffers from diabetes.

    Hooshang Rezaie was arrested in 2010 on a charge of “membership in Komola (Kurdistan’s Organization of the Communist Party of Iran), spying, murder and adultery”. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to death which was later reduced to 15 years imprisonment. Hooshang Rezaie was transferred to the quarantine section of Rajai Shahr after testing positive for Covid-19.

  • 7. Iraj Hatami suffers from heart problems, unstable blood pressure, blood fats and cholesterol issues.

    Iraj Hatami was arrested on October 18, 2010, and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on the charge of spying for the U.S.A. He had been working in Iran’s Ministry of Defense, from 1991 to 2004. Since two years and three months of his detention period in the military Detention Center has not been subtracted from his sentence term, he is still in prison. To protest, in June of this year, he went on a hunger strike.

  • 8. Ali Eshagh has unstable blood pressure, intestinal colitis (inflammation of the colon), meniscus tear in both knees. Four years ago, he underwent a heart attack. He refused to dispatch to the hospital due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

    Ali Eshagh was arrested on November 21, 2019, and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on a charge of “membership in Fedaian Organisation (Minority)”. He was born in 1950. He had also been spending in prison from 1983 to 1989 for the same charge.

  • 9. Farhad Fahandezh suffers from digestive and heart diseases.

    Farhad Fahandezh was arrested on August 16, 2012, on charges of “Propagation of the Baha’i Faith and directing Baha’i organizations.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years imprisonment. He was born in 1959. Currently, he is serving the ninth year of his sentence. Earlier, he was arrested in 1983 and spent 6 years in prison.

  • 10. Saeed Eghbali permanently lost 70 percent of his hearing due to the serious damages in the middle of his eardrum from injuries sustained from beatings during his detention period, which, without adequate treatment, quickly grew infected. According to his doctor, to prevent the spread of the infection, surgery will be required.


    Saeed Eghbali was arrested on February 1, 2018, on a charge of “assembly and collusion in purpose to act against national security and propaganda against the regime”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years in prison, which was upheld on appeal. Currently, he is serving the second year of his prison sentence.

  • 11. Soheil Arabi suffers from blunt trauma and hydrocele caused by beatings sustained during his time in the IRGC’s detention center. Moreover, his feet have been swollen due to several fractures on his feet.

    Soheil Arabi was arrested on November 7, 2013, on charges of ” blasphemy”, “propaganda against the regime”, “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. In his first case, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment. For the second case, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment, two years exile in Borazjan and paying a fine for 4 million tomans, on a charge of “spreading lies in the purpose to disturbing public opinions and the propaganda against the regime” and one year and eight months on the charge of ” destruction of state property”. In addition, for another new case, he has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, paying a fine, being banned from leaving the country and once every three times mandatory appearance at the Supervision and Follow-up office of Judiciary by Branch 26 of Tehran’s revolutionary court.

  • 12. Ali Musa-Nejad Farkoosh suffers from an infectious disease of the stomach and intestines, requiring surgery.

    Ali Musa-Nejad Farkoosh was arrested on January 10, 2019, on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime and act against national security, offensive statements against current and former supreme leader of Iran and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight years imprisonment. According to article 134 of Iran’s penal code, 5 years as the severest punishment is enforceable for the above-mentioned charges. He is serving the first year of his sentence. A while ago, he was granted furlough for medical treatment.

  • 13. Farzin Rezaei Roshan suffers from bipolar disorder and depression as well as Fibromyalgia (a disorder characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by fatigue, sleep, memory and mood issues).

    Farzin Rezaei Roshan was arrested in June 2017, on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to four years imprisonment. He is serving the second year of his sentence.

  • 14. Arjang Davoudi can only walk with the aid of a walker. It is because of diseases, senility and harsh condition of prison as well as serious damages of lumbar vertebrae after being pushed and fallen from stairs by one of the prison officials. He requires surgery on his knees. Moreover, he suffers from other diseases such as cataracts, diabetes and heart problems.

    Arjang Davoudi was arrested on November 9, 2002, on charges of “forming illegal political groups and membership in one of opposition political parties, offensive statements against the supreme leader of and high-ranking regime officials.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to fifteen years and eight months imprisonment which later was reduced to ten years and eight months on appeal. In 2012, on the new charge of “advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”, he was sentenced to death. The verdict was revoked in the supreme court of Iran and instead changed to five years imprisonment in an exile prison in Zabol. Moreover, he had been spending a while in Bandar-Abbas Prison.

  • 15. Mehdi Meskin Navaz requires surgery due to the rupture of the cruciate ligament of the knee. In addition, he needs physiotherapy treatment because of issues in the knee, neck, and lumbar vertebrae.

    Mehdi Meskin Navaz was arrested on May 5, 2019, on charges of “assembly and collusion, acting against national security, offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 13 years imprisonment and two years of compulsory residency in Ghahraj city in Kerman Province and prohibition from membership in political parties and groups. Currently, he is serving the third year of his sentence. As of this writing, Meskin Navaz has been transferred to the quarantine section after testing positive for Covid-19.

Continue reading “Update on Political Prisoners’ Health Conditions in Rajai Shahr Prison”

Update on Political Prisoners’ Living Conditions in Rajai Shahr Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Fouladvand, Afshin Baymani, Alborz, Alborz province, Gohardasht, Gohardasht Prison, Hamzeh Savari, Hassan Sadeghi, HooshangRezaie, Karaj, Mehdi Meskin Navaz, Mohammad Ali (Piruz) mansouri, Motalleb Ahmadian, Political Prisoners, Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajai-Shahr, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Saeed Eghbali, Saeed Masouri, Soheil Arabi, Ward 10

This report sheds light on the situation of 27 political prisoners in Rajai Shahr Prison. Some of these prisoners are suffering from poor health conditions due to lengthy imprisonment or being beaten in detention.

Rajai Shahr Prison, previously known as Gohardasht Prison, is located in Karaj City in Alborz Province. Although the prison is built for housing the inmates convicted of violent crimes, for years it has been used by security forces as an exile prison for political and prisoners of conscience.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Rajai Shahr Prison, like many other prisons of the country, has long failed to provide inmates with adequate medical treatment.

Rajai Shahr Prison is composed of 10 wards with three salons for each ward. There are two types of salons in each ward.

Salon type 1: In the ’80s, the cells of this salon were used as solitary confinement. This salon contains 30-35 small size cells in each of which two or three inmates are housed.

Salon type 2: These Salons are composed of 15 large rooms in each of which 5 to 7 inmates are held. In each salon, there are three toilets, three bathrooms and a room to be used as a shared kitchen.

The Canteen (prison commissary) of the prison is run by the companies affiliated with the Prisons and Security and Corrective Measures Organization. The store sells products that are marked up 10 to 20 percent. Last year, prices decreased somewhat due to complaints from inmates, but after a while, the store increased the prices again. Products not available in the Canteen are available only on written request, which must be approved by the head of the prison.

Despite being classified as a jailhouse for housing the inmates convicted of violent crimes, Rajai Shahr Prison has additionally been used for a high number of political prisoners. Considering the long history of violence against political prisoners and prisoners of conscience, the monitoring of this infamous prison by human rights activists is of great importance.

It is worth mentioning that along with political prisoners held in Salon No. 10, there is a salon allocated to Sunni-faith prisoners, who mostly are imprisoned for national-security-related charges. HRANA is working on a report about their latest situation as well.

Currently, 24 political prisoners are housed in Salon No. 10 in Rajaie Shahr Prison. The latest updated list of these prisoners goes as follows:

1. Saeed Masouri, arrested on January 8, 2001, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through membership in The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. In 2003, the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced him to the death penalty, which later was reduced to life imprisonment. Dr. Saeed Masouri was born in 1965. He is serving the twenty-first year of his sentence.

2. Afshin Baymani, arrested on September 5, 2000, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through collaboration with The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced him to death which later was reduced to life imprisonment. Afshin Baymani is now serving the twenty-second year of his sentence.

3. Motalleb Ahmadian, arrested on October 5, 2010, on a charge of “membership in one of opposition political groups”. He has sentenced to 30 years imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court.

4. Hamzeh Savari was arrested on September 2, 2005, on the charge of ” enmity against God (Moharebeh) and acting against national security”. The Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz sentenced him to capital punishment, which later was reduced to life imprisonment. He was 16 years old at the time of arrest and currently he is serving the seventeenth year of his prison sentence.

5. Mohammad Ali (Piruz) Mansouri, arrested in September 2007, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 20 years imprisonment. Following his heart attack, on September 9, 2021, he was granted furlough for the first time after fourteen years.

6. Hassan Sadeghi, arrested on January 28, 2013, on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran “. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment and the confiscation of his property (an apartment and a store). He is 58 years old and serving the ninth year of his sentence. Also, he had been spending in prison from 1981 to 1987.

7. Abolghasem Fouladvand, arrested in 2031 on a charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment. He is 59 years old and currently serving the eighth year of his sentence.

8. Soheil Arabi, arrested on November 7, 2013, on charges of ” blasphemy”, “propaganda against the regime”, “offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. In his first case, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment. For the second case, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment, two years exile in Borazjan and paying a fine for 4 million tomans, on the charge of “spreading lies in the purpose to disturbing public opinions and the propaganda against the regime” and one year and eight months on the charge of ” destruction of state property”. In addition, for another new case, he has been sentenced to two years imprisonment, paying a fine, being banned from leaving the country and once every three times mandatory appearance at the Supervision and Follow-up office of Judiciary by Branch 26 of Tehran’s revolutionary court.

9. Saeed Eghbali, arrested on February 1, 2018, on a charge of “assembly and collusion in purpose to act against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years in prison, which was upheld on appeal. Currently, he is serving the second year of his prison sentence.

10. Behnam Moosivand, arrested on February 1, 2018, on a charge of “assembly and collusion in purpose to act against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years in prison. The court of appeal upheld the sentence. Currently, he is serving the second year of his prison sentence.

11. Reza Mohammad-Hosseini, arrested in May 2019, on charges of ” assembly and collusion, offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran, illegal border crossing, illegally entering the county, disobeying the orders of the agents.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 16 years and 6 months imprisonment, which was upheld on appeal. While he was serving his term in prison, in a new case he was sentenced to flogging with 50 lashes on the charge of “offensive statements against the on-duty-government officer”. He is serving the third year of his sentence.

12. Mehdi Meskin Navaz, arrested on May 5, 2019, on charges of “assembly and collusion, acting against national security, offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 13 years imprisonment and two years of compulsory residency in Ghahraj city in Kerman Province and prohibition from membership in political parties and groups. Currently, he is serving the third year of his sentence. As of this writing, Meskin Navaz has been transferred to the quarantine section after testing positive for Covid-19.

13. HooshangRezaie, arrested in 2010 on a charge of “membership in Komola (Kurdistan’s Organization of the Communist Party of Iran), spying, murder and adultery.” The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to death which was later reduced to 15 years imprisonment. Hooshang Rezaie was transferred to the quarantine section after testing positive for Covid-19.

14. Ahad Barzegar, arrested in 2019 on charges of “advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to six years imprisonment. According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest enforceable punishment for this charge is only five years. He is serving the second year of his sentence. He has also been imprisoned in the ’80s for political-related charges.

15. Ali Eshagh, arrested on November 21, 2019, and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on a charge of “membership in Fedaian Organisation (Minority)”. He was born in 1950. He had also been spending in prison from 1983 to 1989 for the same charge.

16. Arash Nasri, arrested on December 19, 2019, on charges of “membership in Komola (Kurdistan’s Organization of the Communist Party of Iran) and Khabat (The Organization of the Iranian Kurdistan Struggle), illegal border crossing, illegally entering the country, holding illegal firearms”. Currently, he is waiting for his trial. These accusations are based on the publication of two photos on her personal Instagram account with the clothes of the mentioned groups.

17. Iraj Hatami, arrested on October 18, 2010, and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on the charge of spying for the U.S.A. He had been working in Iran’s Ministry of Defense, from 1991 to 2004. Since two years and three months of his detention period in the military Detention Center has not been subtracted from his sentence term, he is still in prison. To protest, in June of this year, he went on a hunger strike.

18. Arsham (Mahmood) Rezaei, arrested on January 7, 2019, on charges of “propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion to act against national security, offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight years and six months imprisonment, which was upheld by the appellate court. According to article 134 of Iran’s penal code, five years as the severest punishment is enforceable for the above-mentioned charges. He is serving the first year of his sentence. Recently, he has been transferred to the quarantine section of Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj after testing positive for COVID-19.

19. Nasrollah Lashni, arrested in 2014 on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years imprisonment and two years prohibition from political activities. This verdict was upheld by the appellate court. In October 2020, as punishment for not returning to prison after a furlough, he was sentenced to flogging of 40 lashes, which was reduced to 30. In addition, he has two open cases with the charges of “illegal border crossing” and “membership in one of opposition political parties”.

20. Ali Musa-Nejad Farkoosh, arrested on January 10, 2019, on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime and act against national security, offensive statements against current and former supreme leader of Iran and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to eight years imprisonment. According to article 134 of Iran’s penal code, 5 years as the severest punishment is enforceable for the above-mentioned charges. He is serving the first year of his sentence. A while ago, he was granted furlough for medical treatment.

21. Farzin Rezaei Roshan, arrested in June 2017, on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to four years imprisonment. He is serving the second year of his sentence.

22. Abdul Rasoul Mortazavi, arrested in August 2019, on charges of “forming illegal political groups, propaganda against the regime and offensive statements against the supreme leader of Iran”. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 26 years imprisonment from which 11 years as severest punishment are enforceable.

23. Pouria Vahidian, arrested on November 21, 2020, on charges of “collaboration with The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran.” He is still waiting for issuing verdict by the court. Earlier in July 2018, he has been also sentenced to three years and six months imprisonment on the charges of “collaboration with The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran through writing political slogans on walls.” Back then, he was released after serving one year of his term.

24. Amir Doorbin Ghaziani, arrested on December 13, 2013, arrested on November 21, 2020, on a charge of spying for the U.S.A. The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years imprisonment. He is serving the eighth year of his sentence.

Currently, there are three political prisoners being housed in other wards.

1. Farhad Fahandezh, arrested on August 16, 2012, on charges of “Propagation of the Baha’i Faith and directing Baha’i organizations.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to ten years imprisonment. He was born in 1959. Currently, he is serving the ninth year of his sentence. Earlier, he was arrested in 1983 and spent 6 years in prison.

2. Farhad Meysami, arrested on July 31, 2018, on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security and propaganda against the regime.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years imprisonment and two years prohibitions from membership in political groups and parties, engagement in media and leaving the country. By enforcing Article 134 of the Islamic penal code, five years of this sentence is enforceable. He is serving the fourth year of his sentence.

3. Arjang Davoudi, arrested on November 9, 2002, on charges of “forming illegal political groups and membership in one of opposition political parties, offensive statements against the supreme leader of and high-ranking regime officials.” The Revolutionary Court sentenced him to fifteen years and eight months imprisonment which later was reduced to ten years and eight months on appeal. In 2012, on the new charge of “advocacy for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran”, he was sentenced to death. The verdict was revoked in the supreme court of Iran and instead changed to five years imprisonment in an exile prison in Zabol. Also, he had been spending a while in Bandar-Abbas Prison.

It is worth mentioning two other political prisoners who have been recently released from Rajai Shahr prison. Peyman Arefi was arrested in May 2009 on the charges of ” insult against Prophet of Islam and advocacy for Kingdom Assembly of Iran “. The Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment in exile. A few months ago, he was released on probation with an electronic tag on his ankle. In September of this year, Asghar Padashi was released from the Rajai Shahr prison after serving three years of his ten years prison term. He was sentenced to ten years imprisonment and paying a fine of 34000 dollars on the charges of “spying for Mossad.”

From the above-listed political prisoners, 15 inmates suffer from serious diseases or injuries.

As domestic law, as well as international law and other human rights documents, affirms, each prisoner has the right to receive adequate medical treatment. Various articles of Iran’s Executive regulations of the Prisons Organization have specified inmates’ disease and treatment. Nonetheless, Rajai Shahr prison officials violate the rights of these political prisoners for adequate medical treatment and endanger political prisoners’ lives.

 

 

Political Prisoner Mojgan Kavousi Transferred Back to Evin Prison from Kachooie Prison

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Alborz, Alborz province, COVID, Evin, Evin Prison, Kachooie, Kachooie Prison, Kachooie Prison in Karaj, Karaj, Mojgan Kavousi, Noshahr, Yarsan Followers, Yarsanism

On Wednesday, October 13, political prisoner Mojgan Kavousi was sent back to Evin Prison from Kachooie Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kavousi was relocated to Karaj police detention center a while ago, and from there to Kachooie Prison.

In a phone call with her family, Kavousi informed them about this relocation.  The reason for her transfer to Kachooie Prison is still unknown.

On July 26, 2021, Branch 28 of the appellate court in Mazandaran Province issued an order to transfer the political prisoner to a prison in Alborz Province for the remainder of her sentence.

“Due to  COVID-related restrictions making family visitation difficult, Mrs Kavousi asked for transferring to Noshahr where her family are living,” an informed source told HRANA. “On July 13, 2021, they transferred her to Noshahr but after spending one-night in police detention centre, they sent her back to Tehran. Considering that her family are residing in either Tehran or Noshahr, it is not clear why she should be transferred to a prison in Alborz Province.”

On November 20, 2019, Mojgan Kavousi was arrested by security forces amid nationwide protests in the mid-fall of the year, from her home in Noshahr. After being held three weeks in detention, she was sent to Noshahr Prison. On December 19, 2019, she was released on bail.

The Revolutionary Court in Noshahr sentenced her to 6 months on a charge of “the propaganda against the regime”, 33 months on a charge of “membership in opposition parties” and 30 months on a charge of “provoking to disturb the public order”. During the appeal process, the sentence was increased by seven months due to the influence of the prosecutor.

Mojgan Kavouci is a writer, researcher and follower of Yarsanism.

Nine Citizens Arrested in Qom, Alborz, and Tehran Provinces for Supporting Erfan-e-Halgheh

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alborz, Alborz province, Erfan-e-Halgheh, Qom, Qom Province, Tehran

The IRGC in Qom recently announced the arrest of nine supporters of Erfan-e-Halgheh (Circle of Mysticism).

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Fars, the arrests took pace in the three provinces of Qom, Alborz, and Tehran.

According to Fars, nine “main members of Erfan-e-Halgheh” were arrested and sent to prison with a court order. The report does not mention the identities or whereabouts of these citizens.

Inter-universalism is known  as Erfan–e Halgheh (Circle of Mysticism) in Iran.