Tag: Evin Prison

Political Prisoner Reza Salmanzadeh Denied Medical Care in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh, رضا سلمان زاده

Reza Salmanzadeh, a political prisoner in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, despite his poor physical condition, has been deprived of proper medical care.

Payam Salmanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh’s son, released a video stating: “My father suffers from heart disease, hernia, and kidney stones, and these physical problems have worsened since the Evin Prison fire incident and him being beaten. Nonetheless, my father still has not received medical care.”
Reza Salmanzadeh was arrested by security forces at his residence in April-May 2022 and transferred to Evin Prison. He was later sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to three years and eight months in prison. This case was closed in February of 2023 following a “pardon and commutation” directive.

On the evening of October 15, 2022, a fire was seen rising over Evin Prison following a tense situation, and the sounds of gunfire and explosions were heard. Contrary to officials’ claims of controlling the fire and confrontation, the gunfire continued for hours. Following this incident, a case was filed by the Prisons Organization against several prisoners, including Reza Salmanzadeh.

On June 18, 2024, the trial session for forty defendants accused in the so-called Evin Prison fire case was held in Branch 1148 of Criminal Court Two in Tehran.

Salmanzadeh was subsequently sentenced to five years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” one year in prison for “disrupting prison order,” and one year in prison for “defying and disobeying officials’ orders.”

Report on Mohammad Rezvani Kashani’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, Political Prisoner

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Evin Prison. Despite his poor physical condition, he has been deprived of proper medical care.

A source close to the family of this prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA and said: “Mr. Kashani suffers from multiple physical ailments such as a herniated disc, kidney infections, and urinary tract bleeding, and he needs treatment. However, he has been denied proper medical care and transfer to medical centers outside the prison.”

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani was arrested by The Ministry of Intelligence at his residence in July-August 2023 and was transferred to Wards 240 and 209 of Evin Prison. He was later moved to Ward 4 of this prison.

He was then sentenced to fifteen months of suspended imprisonment for the charge of blasphemy. In another part of his case, he was sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloumi, to one year in prison for the charge of propaganda against the regime. A quarter of this prison sentence was reduced by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Mohammad Rezvani Kashani, aged around 49, is a researcher and philosophy lecturer.

Report on Political Prisoner Masoud Akbari’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Masoud Akbari, Parviz Akbari, مسعود اکبری

Masoud (Parviz) Akbari, a political prisoner, is currently serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to five years of enforceable imprisonment by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on reports received by HRANA, Mr. Akbari, who was arrested during the anniversary of the nationwide protests in 2022, was sentenced to nine years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the maximum punishment of five years is enforceable in his case.

The charges against Akbari include “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “membership in groups or organizations formed inside the country to undermine national security,” and “active and effective efforts to advance the goals of groups that have risen in armed rebellion against the regime.”

Akbari was arrested by security forces on September 16, 2023, on a street in Tehran and was transferred to Evin Prison after being held for two months in IRGC custody. It is worth mentioning that some of Mr. Akbari’s personal belongings were confiscated at the time of his arrest.

Masoud Akbari, aged around 37, is active in theater and is the father of one child.

Update on Political Prisoner Mehdi Saleh Yazdani’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, مهدی صالح یزدانی

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, a political prisoner, is serving a ten-year prison sentence on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Yazdani was sentenced to ten years in prison at Kahnouj Prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar in February-March 2024 on charges of “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque in the vicinity of Shahriar.

A source close to this political prisoner’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Mr. Yazdani’s defense attorney has appealed the mentioned charge, and his client’s case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.”

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani was arrested on December 18, 2022, by IRGC intelligence officers at his home in Shahriar. After completing the interrogation process at one of the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities, he was transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary.

Subsequently, Mr. Yazdani was charged at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shahriar with “moharebeh” through the arson of a mosque and “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”

On April 10, 2023, he, along with several other political and ideological prisoners, was transferred from Greater Tehran Prison to Evin Prison. He is currently held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Mehdi Saleh Yazdani, aged around 56, is the father of a daughter and a resident of Shahriar. Before his arrest, he was a taxi driver.

Report on Hossein Kooshki Nejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hossein Kooshki Nejad, HRANA, Khorramabad

Hossein Kooshki Nejad, a political prisoner, is serving his sentence in Evin Prison. He suffers from physical health issues which has been denied transfer to a hospital and appropriate medical care.

A source familiar with the condition of this political prisoner confirmed this news to HRANA, stating: “Kooshki Nejad has a meniscus tear in his knee and, according to doctors, requires surgery. He has made several written requests for hospital transfer, but has not received any response and has been deprived of specialized medical care.”

Kooshki Nejad was arrested on April 7th of this year to serve his sentence and was transferred to Ward 8 of Evin Prison.

Last year, he faced new legal charges in Khorramabad’s Prosecutor’s Office. The indictment for this case, accusing him of “propaganda activities against the regime,” was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Subsequently, a judge sentenced him to one year in prison.

Kooshki Nejad, born in 1988, is the brother of Reza Koushki Nejad, who was arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022.

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Journalist Dina Ghalibaf’s Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dina Ghalibaf, Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, دینا قالیباف

The Court of Appeals of Tehran Province has upheld the prison sentence and fine for Dina Ghalibaf, a journalist and student at Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. Previously, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a fine, with the sentences suspended for five years.

According to the ruling recently issued by the Court of Appeals of Tehran Province and communicated to Ms. Ghalibaf’s defense lawyer, she has been sentenced to two years in prison, including time already served, and a fine of fifteen million tomans to be paid to the state treasury for the charge of “spreading falsehoods.” The issued sentences against Ms. Ghalibaf have been suspended for five years.

Part of the issued verdict states that “the defendant, under a supervisory suspension, is required to refrain from associating and interacting with individuals active in political or social fields.”

In May of this year, Ghalibaf was convicted of the aforementioned charge by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. During this stage of the trial, she was acquitted of the charges of “defying the officers” and “engaging in propaganda activities against the regime.”

Ms. Ghalibaf was arrested in Tehran on Tuesday, April 16, and after a few days, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

After the completion of interrogations and her transfer to the women’s ward of Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, a human rights activist imprisoned in Evin, shared her account in an audio message, describing Dina Ghalibaf as “having bruises on her body and recounting sexual abuse.”

Ghalibaf was released from Evin Prison on May 1 of this year upon posting bail.

Ms. Ghalibaf, aged around 23, is a journalist, student activist, and undergraduate student in political science at Shahid Beheshti University. She has collaborated with news agencies such as ISNA and EghtesadOnline.

She was previously summoned to the university’s disciplinary committee in 2023 after participating in a student protest at the university, which was held in response to the execution of the defendants in the Isfahan house case.

Mahnaz Tarah Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahnaz Tarah

Mahnaz Tarah, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide on the evening of Tuesday, July 23, by ingesting pills.

A source close to her family confirmed the news to HRANA: “On the evening of Tuesday, July 23, Ms. Tarah attempted suicide by ingesting pills. She was transferred to Loghman Hospital and returned to Evin Prison about an hour ago.”

Mahnaz Tarah was violently arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, on a street in Tehran. She was eventually transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the public ward of the prison on November 23 of the same year.

In January of 2024, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to three years and eight months in prison for “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was reduced to two years and nine months following a plea of no contest.

Mahnaz Tarah has had previous encounters with judicial and security authorities.

Pakhshan Azizi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Mahabad, Pakhshan Azizi

Pakhshan Azizi, a political detainee held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Based on a verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Ms. Azizi in Evin Prison on Tuesday, July 23rd, she was sentenced to death on  multiple charges including “membership in anti-regime groups.” The court session to address the charges against this political detainee was held on May 28th of this year in the mentioned branch.
Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Pakhshan Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Political Prisoner Hamidreza Sahlabadi Attempts Suicide in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, HRANA, حمیدرضا سهل آبادی

On Saturday, July 20th, Hamidreza Sahlabadi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, attempted suicide by ingesting pills. Following the attempt, he was transferred to Loghman Hospital, where he remains in the intensive care unit and is not allowed visitors.

A source familiar with the situation confirmed Sahlabadi’s suicide attempt to HRANA: “Hamidreza attempted suicide by ingesting pills in protest against his summons again to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on July 27th . He was transferred to Loghman Hospital at 5 AM on Saturday, July 20th. He is currently in the intensive care unit. The authorities are preventing his family from visiting him, which has heightened their concerns about his health.”

This political prisoner was arrested on July 3, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and transferred to Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In July-August of last year, Mr. Sahlabadi was sentenced by the Criminal Court Two of Shahid Kachouyi Judicial Complex in Tehran to two years in prison on charges of “destruction of public property,” including time served. This sentence was upheld in late December of the same year by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

A court session regarding other charges in his case, along with seven other defendants, was held on June 30th in Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges included “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security,” “disruption of public order,” “propaganda against the regime,” “destruction of public property,” “armed rebellion,” and “membership in a rebellious group.”

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Sahlabadi also has a history of arrest and conviction in 2009.”

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Health Concerns for Political Prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Meysam Dehban-Zadeh, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, میثم دهبان زاده

Political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh is serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj. Last year, he was beaten by prison guards and tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. According to doctors, his left eye nerves are now damaged and are no longer treatable.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “In May of last year, following a quarrel among prisoners, Mr. Dehbanzadeh was beaten on the head with batons by six prison guards in Ward 5 of Greater Tehran Prison, where prisoners convicted of violent crimes are held. He was tied to a pole with handcuffs for a day. Last week, he was transferred to Farabi Hospital due to decreased vision and recurring headaches. Specialist doctors, after examination and an MRI of his left eye, announced that his vision problem is untreatable.”

According to HRANA’s information, this political prisoner has encountered difficulties in his daily tasks due to reduced vision in his left eye, increasing the concerns of his family about his physical condition.

On June 19th of this year, in relation to the Evin Prison fire case, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Criminal Court II, presided over by Jabar Javadi, to six years in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “property destruction,” 16 months in prison and 74 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order,” and 16 months in prison for the charge of “disobeying and resisting officers’ orders.”

Previously, in August 2023, Dehbanzadeh was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six years in prison, a travel ban, and social deprivations.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh was released from Greater Tehran Prison on May 27, 2023, following the issuance of an “amnesty” directive related to his previous case.