Tag: Dolatabad Prison

Law Student Fahimeh Soltani Arrested to Serve Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Dolatabad Prison, Fahimeh Soltani, Isfahan, Mohammad Tavakoli

HRANA News Agency – Fahimeh Soltani, a law student at the University of Isfahan, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, May 28, and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan to begin serving a one-year prison sentence.

Amirkabir Newsletter, reporting the arrest, stated that she was detained for the enforcement of her one-year prison sentence and subsequently transferred to Dolatabad Prison.

Soltani’s sentence, initially issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Mohammad Tavakoli—one year of mandatory imprisonment and two years suspended—was recently upheld by the Court of Appeals and finalized by the Supreme Court. Among the charges brought against her was “encouraging war and bloodshed.”

Soltani, who was previously arrested on April 6, 2024, after being summoned to the IRGC Intelligence Office in Isfahan, had been released on bail from Dastgerd Prison on April 29, 2024.

She has a history of previous arrests due to her activism and was also suspended from her studies for two and a half semesters in May 2023 by the University of Isfahan’s disciplinary committee.

HRANA’s report shows that in 2024, Iranian regime courts—both primary and appeals courts—issued a total of 33,574 months of prison sentences (equivalent to 2,797 years) against Iranian citizens for their political and civil activities. This total represents more than a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous five-year period.

10 Baha’i Women Transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan to Serve Sentences

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News, Religious Minorities
Azita Rezvanikhah, Baha'i women, Baharestan, Boshra Motahar, Dolatabad Prison, Firoozeh Rasti-Nejad, Isfahan, Maryam Khorsandi, Mojgan Pourshafe Ardestani, Nasrin Khademi Qahfarrokhi, Roya Azad Khosh, Sanaz Rasteh, Sara Shakib, Shurangiz Bahamin

HRANA News Agency – Today, January 24, 2025, ten Baha’i women, identified as Nasrin Khademi Qahfarrokhi, Roya Azad-Khosh, Sara Shakib, Boshra Motahar, Mojgan Pourshafe Ardestani, Maryam Khorsandi, Shurangiz Bahamin, Sanaz Rasteh, Firoozeh Rasti-Nejad, and Azita Rezvanikhah, were detained and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan to serve their prison sentences.

According to HRANA, all residents of Baharestan, Isfahan, were arrested this morning by security forces. The agents reportedly entered their homes, creating fear and in some cases scaling walls to gain access.

These women were previously arrested on April 25, 2021, along with several other Baha’i residents of Baharestan. They were released on bail next month. In May, 2024, they were sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to prison terms, fines, social restrictions, and travel bans. However, their case was sent back to the lower court for review due to procedural issues.

Following a retrial and a second appeal, Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court sentenced each of the 10 women to five years in prison, a fine of 50 million tomans, five years of social service restrictions, and a two-year travel ban.

Isfahan: 10 Baha’i Women Sentenced to a Total of 90 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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News
Arezoo Sobhanian, Bahareh Lotfi, Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Neda Badakhsh, Neda Emadi, Negin Khademi, Parastoo Hakim, Shana Shoughifar, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh

Negin Khademi, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Arezoo Sobhanian, Parastoo Hakim, Bahareh Lotfi, and Neda Emadi, 10 Baha’i women from Isfahan, have been collectively sentenced to 90 years in prison, fines, and additional penalties by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Tavakoli and conveyed to the defendants via their lawyer, the women were convicted of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “participating in deviant educational and promotional activities against Islamic Sharia.” These activities included organizing English language, painting, music, yoga classes, and nature camps for Iranian and Afghan children and adolescents. In addition to the prison sentences, they were collectively fined 900 million tomans, had their personal assets confiscated by the state, and were banned from leaving the country or using social media for two years.

The court details for each individual are as follows:

  • Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, and Negin Khademi were each sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of 100 million tomans. One-third of their prison sentences and fines were suspended.
  • Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Parastoo Hakim, and Arezoo Sobhanian were each sentenced to 10 years in prison and a fine of 100 million tomans. Half of their sentences and fines were suspended.
  • Neda Emadi and Bahareh Lotfi were each sentenced to 5 years in prison and a fine of 50 million tomans, with 4 years of their prison terms and half of their fines suspended.

In terms of supplementary punishments, each of these Baha’i citizens has had their confiscated assets, including mobile phones, laptops, digital devices, foreign currencies, gold, and jewelry, seized by the government. They were also banned from leaving the country and using social media for two years.

These 10 Baha’i women were arrested by security forces on October 23, 2023, and were gradually released from Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan on bail over the following two months.

Following the indictment, their court session took place on September 23, 2024, at Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

Yeganeh Agahi had a previous record of arrest, while Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, 19 years old, is the daughter of Arezou Sobhanian, another defendant in this case.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA reveal that in 2023, Judge Abolqasem Salavati has been involved in issuing verdicts in 80 cases that violate the human rights of defendants.

Maryam Mehrabi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi

Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan sentenced Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, to six years in prison and additional punishments.

Based on a verdict recently issued by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammadreza Tavakoli, and delivered to Ms. Mehrabi yesterday, she has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and five years for “inciting people to wage war and killing to undermine national security.” Additionally, she has been sentenced to two years of dismissal from service and a two-year travel ban as complementary punishments.

According to HRANA reports, Mehrabi has been denied access to a lawyer. Another part of her case, concerning the charge of “spreading false information”, is under review by Criminal Court 2 of Isfahan.

Mehrabi was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18th. Recently, she went on a hunger strike in solitary confinement to protest her prolonged detention.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Maryam Mehrabi is a teacher and resident of Isfahan. She is the sister of political prisoner Mahmoud Mehrabi, who was sentenced to death in May this year by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court for “spreading corruption on earth.” His appeal was filed with the Supreme Court in June.

Maryam Mehrabi Initiates Hunger Strike in Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan

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News, Prisoners, Women
Dolatabad Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi, مریم مهرابی

Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher imprisoned in Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, who is being held in solitary confinement, has gone on a hunger strike.

A source close to Mehrabi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Family inquiries revealed that Ms. Mehrabi is being held in Dolatabad Women’s Prison in Isfahan. She was transferred to solitary confinement some time ago and has gone on a hunger strike to protest the psychological pressure, poor conditions, and separation from her children. She has been hospitalized in the prison infirmary several times. The inability to meet or contact her has increased her family’s concerns.”

This citizen was arrested by security forces in Isfahan on June 18.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Mehrabi’s brother, Mahmoud, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to death on charges of “spreading corruption on earth.” He is currently held at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

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Maryam Mehrabi Arrested by Security Forces in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Mahmoud Mehrabi, Maryam Mehrabi, مریم مهرابی

Maryam Mehrabi, a teacher residing in Isfahan, was arrested by security forces today, June 18, and taken to an unknown location. Her brother, Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner, has been sentenced to death for political charges.

Mahan Mehrabi, Ms. Mehrabi’s brother, posted an update: “Today, my sister Maryam was arrested by security forces. Additionally, the security forces confiscated all electronic devices, including laptops and mobile phones.”
So far, there is no information on the reasons for her arrest or the whereabouts of Ms. Mehrabi and her children.

Mehrabi was previously arrested in March 2023 while pursuing her brother Mahmoud Mehrabi’s case. She was detained by security forces at the Mobarakeh County Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan. This citizen was released on bail three days later. Last September, she was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Mobarakeh City to seventy-four lashes and three months in prison, which was later converted to a fine.

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani Faces Prolonged 8-Month Detention Over Alleged Blasphemy Charges

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News
Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, Blasphemy, Dastgerd Prison, Dolatabad Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, آرش قنبری, شهناز قنبری

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, aged 31, has been detained for over eight months in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, in a legal limbo.

A source close to Ghanbari’s family informed HRANA that he has been held for more than 234 days in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. The court session to address the charges against him and his sister, Shahnaz, is scheduled for April 2, 2024, to be held by the Isfahan Criminal Court.

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Ghanbari faces restrictions on making phone calls and having family visits.

Ghanbari was arrested on August 1, 2023, following his presence at the Ministry of Intelligence in Shahreza, Isfahan Province. He was subsequently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison.

On September 2, 2023, his legal case for the charge of blasphemy was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which was then passed on to another branch for further review.

He is accused of blasphemy and insulting the Prophet of Islam, despite having already been acquitted of these charges by another branch of the Isfahan Criminal Court, with the case being closed.

His sister, Shahnaz Ghanbari, aged 35, was also arrested in August 2023 and was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, on September 27 of last year, after being indicted.

Execution of Four Inmates in Shiraz and Isfahan

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Ali Kheirbin, Asghar Jafari, Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, Majid Mosaie, Shiraz

Four inmates convicted of drug offenses and murder were executed in Shiraz and Isfahan.

On October 23, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of three individuals at Adelabad prison in Shiraz. The victims were identified as Asghar Jafari (approximately 40 years old), Majid Mosaie (38 years old), and Ali Kheirbin (42 years old). Jafari had received the death penalty for drug-related offenses three years prior, while Mosaie and Kheirbin faced similar charges in the same legal case two years ago.

In a separate incident, an unnamed woman convicted of murder was executed at Dastgerd Prison on October 21. It was reported that she had been transferred from Dolatabad prison to Dastgerd for the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni Released on Bail

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dolatabad Prison, Iranian-British Citizen, Isfahan, Sanam Kazerouni

Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Iranian-British Sanam Kazerouni, arrested amid nationwide protests, was released on bail until the end of legal proceedings.

The allegations against Kazerouni are still unknown.
Kazerouni was arrested during nationwide protests in October 2022 in Isfahan. She, age 52, is the writer of the book “from Tous to Dushanbe.”

About Iran Nationwide Protests 2022
The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her alleged improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. During these protests, at least about 19760 people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Baha’i Women of Baharestan: Sanaz Rasteh and Firoozeh Rastinejad are Temporarily Released, 6 Others Still in Detention

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Azita Rezvani, baha'i arrests iran, Baha'i women, Dolatabad Prison, Firoozeh Rastinejad, Mojgan Pourshafi, Noushin Hemmat, Sanaz Rasteh, Sara Shakib, Shola Ashouri, Shurangiz Bahamin

On May 20, Baha’i citizens Sanaz Rasteh and Firoozeh Rastinejad were released on bail from Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan after their arrest in Baharestan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 11 Baha’i women, including Rasteh and Rastinejad, were detained by security forces on April 25, April 30, and May 5.

Three of the detained women (Roya Azad Khosh, Nasrin Khademi, and Maryam Khorsandi) were released on bail earlier this week, while six others (Shurangiz Bahamin, Sara Shakib, Azita Rezvani, Mojgan Pourshafi, Noushin Hemmat, and Shola Ashouri) are still in the detention center.

In recent months, the homes of at least 29 Baha’i families have been searched by security forces. During the searches, belongings have been confiscated and, reportedly, in a few cases residents have been beaten.

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

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