Tag: Evin Prison

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested Just One Day After Release

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Saqqez, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On Monday, August 14, journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested by security forces and promptly taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Her recent arrest comes after being granted bail and released from Evin Prison on August 13.

A reliable source close to Maroufian’s family, speaking to HRANA, has confirmed that she is now held at Qarchak Prison.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.
On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

 

Baha’is Citizens Jamaloddin Khanjani and Maria Khanjani Arrested and Incarcerated at Evin Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'is citizens, Evin Prison, Jamaloddin Khanjani, Maria Khanjani, Yaran e Iran

On August 13, 2023, Baha’is citizens, Jamaloddin Khanjani and his daughter Maria Khanjani, were apprehended by security forces and subsequently taken to Evin Prison. Jamaloddin Khanjani had formerly served as a manager for a dissolved Baha’i group named “Yaran e Iran” or “Friends of Iran,” an organization that aimed to address the spiritual and social needs of the Baha’i community.

According to a source who communicated with HRANA, the security agents executed a search of their residence before transferring them to Evin Prison. The specific grounds for their detention, as well as the charges against them, remain undisclosed at this time.

It’s worth noting that Jamaloddin Khanjani has previously been subject to legal actions due to his involvement in peaceful activism.

HRANA’s annual report in 2022 has highlighted a concerning trend where about 65% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Shahrokh Ahmadi, Siamak Ebrahimi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Prominent Activist Narges Mohammadi Receives One-Year Additional Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mazloom, Narges Mohammadi, Zanjan Prison

Narges Mohammadi, a well-known political prisoner currently held at Evin Prison, has been handed an additional one-year prison sentence in connection with a new case opened during her incarceration.

The verdict, issued by Judge Mazloom of Tehran Revolutionary Court, Branch 29, cites “propaganda against the regime” as the reason for the one-year sentence.
A letter written by Mohammadi from inside the prison was among the allegations raised against her. In the letter, she detailed instances of sexual harassment of female detainees by security forces during the arrest and interrogation process.

Mohammadi has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Mohammadi was released from Zanjan Prison in October 2020, after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, during her incarceration, she faced another case resulting in a sentence of 30 months imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was once again arrested during a ceremony honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down an eight-year prison sentence, seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and other social deprivations.

Narges Mohammadi’s commitment to her activism continues to be met with legal challenges.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh Sentenced to Six Years in Prison on National Security Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Former political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh has been handed a six-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after being found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “forming groups to act against national security.”

Presiding judge Iman Afshari delivered the verdict and additional restrictions, including a travel ban and limitations on social activities.

Dehbanzadeh’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, was informed of the court’s decision. Along with the prison sentence, Dehbanzadeh will face several punitive measures, including a prohibition from entering Tehran Province and neighboring regions, leaving the country, and joining civil and social groups. He will also be required to make monthly appearances at the Supervision and Follow-up Office of the Judiciary for two years.

This legal case against Dehbanzadeh was linked to the fire incident at Evin prison, which occurred last year.

On May 27, 2023, he was granted release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a “pardon and commutation directive.” However, his release was contingent on providing bail for the new legal case that had been opened against him during his time in prison, as confirmed by his lawyer, Karam Veisi.

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Hami Bahadori’s Six-Year Sentence Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeals

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Hami Bahadori, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the six-year sentence against Hami Bahadori, a Baha’i citizen currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

On June 21, Judge Salavati, presiding over branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, delivered a verdict sentencing Bahadori to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year term for the first charge will be enforceable.

In addition to the sentence, Bahadori will face a two-year travel ban, and some of his and his wife’s belongings have been confiscated.

A reliable source close to Bahadori’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that judicial officials initially attempted to link his charges to the nationwide protests in 2022. However, they eventually abandoned those allegations, invoking only his activities as examples of the charges.

Bahadori’s arrest took place on October 22, 2022, by security forces, and he was subsequently detained in Evin Prison. On April 3, 2023, he conveyed his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system through a written letter.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach 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.

Workers’ Rights Activist Reyhaneh Ansari Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, mohammad habibi, Razieh Zeydi, Reyhaneh Ansari, Salavati, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed a four-year prison sentence to workers’ rights activist Reyhaneh Ansari. According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the original charge would have led to a four-year imprisonment.

Ansari’s lawyer, Razieh Zeydi, informed the public that Judge Salavati, who presided over the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced Ansari to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security and acting against national security.” As an additional punishment, she has been prohibited from leaving the country, joining political and civil groups, and engaging in online and media activities for two years.

Ansari, along with several other civil and workers’ rights activists, was apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she, along with Anisha Asadollahi, was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Ansari has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Begins Her Sentence in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, workers rights activist

Workers’ rights activist Anisha Asadollahi has commenced serving her five-year, eight-month sentence at Evin Prison.

The initial verdict, handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Asadollahi to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Despite an appeal, the sentence was upheld.

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years for the primary charges.

The court session addressing her charges took place on April 16, 2023.

Anisha Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions linked to her activism.

Amir-Hossein Moradi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Hossein Moradi, Evin Prison, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Moradi, a resident of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces and taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who shared the information with HRANA, he is currently detained in the public ward of Evin Prison. The specific reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

Previously, Moradi was arrested by security forces at his father’s residence in Tehran on May 8, 2023, and was later released on bond from Evin Prison on June 3, 2023.

It is important to note that Moradi has a history of arrests and incarceration due to his activism.

Update on Fereshteh Nouri’s Condition in Evin Prison

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

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

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

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

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

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