Tag: Evin Prison

Civil Rights Advocate Yashar Tabrizi Receives One-Year Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
aKBAR gHOLIZADEH, Evin Prison, Shahriar, Yashar Tabrizi

Yashar Tabrizi (Akbar Gholizadeh), a civil rights advocate and former political prisoner, has been handed a one-year prison sentence by the Shahriar Revolutionary Court.

The presiding judge, Barjesteh, relayed to Tabrizi’s legal counsel that his client had been sentenced to a year behind bars for charges related to “propaganda against the regime.” A reliable source indicates that Tabrizi is awaiting an additional verdict from the Shahriar Criminal Court on the allegation of “spreading falsehood.”

Following his arrest in Tehran on June 10, 2023, Tabrizi was transported to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He secured his release from Evin Prison on bail after a 14-day period, pending the conclusion of legal procedures.

This civil rights advocate has faced previous detentions and convictions due to his activism.

 

Former Political Prisoners Forough Taghipour & Marzieh Farsi Detained in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Tehran

Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, former political prisoners, were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21.

A source, closely tied to the families, confirmed their arrest to HRANA. As of this moment, the detainees have not been able to reach out to their families, although indications suggest that they might have been transferred to Evin Prison.

Of particular concern is the health of Mrs. Farsi, who is battling cancer and requires immediate access to her medication, a pressing issue that has raised alarm within her family.

It’s worth noting that they have a history of previous convictions and incarceration related to their activism.

 

Film Director Navid Mihandoost Begins Three-Year Term at Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Navid Mihandoost, Reza Mihandoost

Writer and film director Navid (Reza) Mihandoost has commenced a three-year prison sentence in Evin Prison.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court previously handed down this three-year imprisonment due to charges of “actions against national security through involvement and collaboration with anti-regime groups aiming to overthrow the government.” Additionally, he was sentenced to an extra six months for “disseminating propaganda against the regime by inscribing protest slogans on city walls.”

On August 18, 2020, the appeal process affirmed this verdict. As per Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year prison term is now in effect.

In December 2019, Mihandoost was apprehended by the Ministry of Intelligence agents and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was subsequently released on bail after two months, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings.

Aged around 51, Mihandoost hails from Nowshahr and boasts an accomplished career as a director for several TV series and cinema productions.

Blogger Elaheh Askari Detained in Evin Prison Following Arrest

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elaheh Askari, Evin Prison

Elaheh Askari, a blogger, was taken into custody by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence on August 16, 2023. She has subsequently been placed in detention at Evin Prison.

Reports indicate that Askari’s arrest occurred outside the Immigration & Passport Police Office, where she had gone to retrieve her passport. Following her apprehension, law enforcement agents conducted a search of her residence.

At present, the precise grounds for Askari’s detention and the specific allegations against her remain undisclosed.

Shahab Dalili on Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Iran-US prisoner swap, Shahab Dalili

Shahab Dalili is now on the fourth day of a hunger strike within Evin Prison. He has been serving ten years sentence in prison since 2016 when he was arrested by security forces while leaving the country.

A family member of Dalili corroborating this information during a talk with HRANA, revealed, “Shahab Dalili initiated his hunger strike on Sunday night in response to his omission from the roster of prisoners set for release as stipulated by the recent Iran-US prisoner swap agreement.” His protest has brought about physiological effects such as reduced blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches.

Shahab Dalili and his family have made a specific appeal to the US government. They are urging the authorities to figure in the release of Dalili, who holds permanent residency in the United States, during the impending negotiations between the two nations.

Notably, in the wake of the recent prisoner swap accord, prisoners including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unidentified US nationals, have been relocated to house arrest within a hotel.

Shahab Dalili’s ordeal began in 2016 when he traveled to Iran to attend his father’s funeral. It was during his departure back to the US that he was apprehended by security personnel. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a decade in prison on charges of “collaborating with an adversarial nation.” Nonetheless, his name remains absent from the roster of beneficiaries within the current agreement.

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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.