Pedram Moeini Arrested in Baneh

On June 11, 2023, Pedram Moeini was apprehended by security forces in Baneh, Kurdistan Province, and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Farzam Moeini, Pedram’s brother, HRANA was informed that plainclothes agents arrested Pedram without presenting an arrest warrant while he was at his workplace in Baneh. These agents conducted a search of the premises and confiscated his mobile phone. The motive behind Pedram Moeini’s arrest and the specific location of his detention have yet to be determined.

It should be noted that Pedram Moeini had previously been detained during the nationwide protests on September 24, 2022, and was held in Evin Prison. He was later released on bail amounting to one billion Tomans.

Ardavan Fallahi’s Detention Extended in Evin Prison, Charges Modified

Ardavan Fallahi, who was apprehended during the nationwide protests in 2022, is currently held in Evin Prison alongside his father, Nasrollah, and sister, Arghavan.

In a recent update provided by their lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, it has been revealed that the Evin Courthouse has decided to extend their detention once again after six months since the arrest. Notably, the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh),” as initially stated in his detention extension notice, has been dropped by judicial officials. However, Fallahi still faces charges such as “spreading corruption on earth” and “assembly and collusion against national security,” which carry severe penalties if convicted.

Ardavan Fallahi, aged 24, was arrested in Isfahan on November 3, 2022, followed by the subsequent arrests of his 66-year-old father and 22-year-old sister in Shiraz the following day. On February 12, 2023, they were transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran.

Despite having attended two sessions, they have yet to be formally indicted.

Union Activist Davoud Razavi to Five Years in Prison

Davoud Razavi, a union activist and member of the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate, has recently been handed a five-year prison sentence along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency for Human Rights Activists, the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate reported on June 7 that Razavi has been convicted of “assembly and collusion against national security,” resulting in a five-year prison term. Additionally, he has been banned from engaging in social activities online and participating in political groups for a duration of two years. Presently, Razavi is being held in Evin prison.

During the court proceedings, the prosecution highlighted various activities undertaken by Razavi, including his membership in the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate, involvement in protest gatherings, participation in union organizing, attendance at the ILO summit, and association with other workers’ rights activists. These activities were cited as evidence to support the aforementioned charges.

Razavi was arrested on September 27, 2023, and initially confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, on December 18, he was transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary before being relocated back to Evin Prison on April 9, 2023.

It’s worth noting that Razavi has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism. In 2019, he received a five-year suspended prison sentence.

Baha’i Citizen Hami Bahadori Remains in Detention for Six Months

Baha’i citizen Hami Bahadori continues to be detained for over six months with no signs of release. The Tehran Revolutionary Court has scheduled a second court hearing for June 10, 2023.

According to an informed source, Bahadori was supposed to be released on bail after being indicted on January 3, 2023. However, Judge Salavati has refused to grant him bail, despite numerous pleas from his family. The judicial officials have shown no willingness to consider their requests.

On October 22, 2022, security forces arrested 26-year-old Bahadori and transferred him to Evin prison. The first court session was held on March 5, 2023, at the Tehran Revolutionary Court, where Bahadori faced charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “promoting the Baha’i faith.”

Bahadori recently penned a letter expressing his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system.

Radio Host Sajad Shahrabi Remains Detained in Evin Prison for Over One Month

Sajad Shahrabi, a radio host, continues to be held in Evin prison without release on bail for a period of 34 days.

Shahrabi’s sister, Shima Shahrabi, has announced that despite a one-billion-Toman bail being granted, they have decided not to accept the bail and refuse to release him. On May 2, 2023, security forces arrested Shahrabi at his father’s residence and subsequently transferred him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After 13 days, he was moved to the Public Ward of the same prison.

The reasons behind Shahrabi’s detention and the specific charges against him have not been disclosed.

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Update on Iranian-German Nahid Taghavi’s Condition in Evin Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency – Nahid Taghavi, an Iranian-German citizen, is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison, where her health condition continues to deteriorate. She is being denied access to essential medical care despite her urgent needs.

Renowned human rights activist Narges Mohammadi, who has had the opportunity to observe Taghavi’s condition, expressed her concerns, saying, “This is the second time I have seen 68-year-old Mrs Taghavi in prison. The pain is evident on her face. She rarely leaves her bed, except to visit the prison infirmary to receive a strong pain reliever injection.”
On October 16, 2020, security forces arrested Taghavi at her residence in Tehran, subsequently subjecting her to solitary confinement in IRGC’s Ward 2A of Evin Prison. After enduring five long months in isolation, she was eventually transferred to the Women’s Ward within Evin Prison. Out of her 220 days of incarceration, she has spent a staggering 200 days in solitary confinement.

Since her arrest, she has undergone eighty interrogations, totalling nearly one thousand hours of questioning.
Ultimately, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced her to ten years and eight months in prison on charges of “accomplice in running illegal groups and propaganda against the regime.”

Despite suffering from severe spinal injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome, Taghavi has consistently been denied adequate medical care and the ability to make phone calls to her family, further exacerbating her already dire situation.

Children’s Rights Activist Zohreh Sayadi Imprisoned in Evin Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Zohreh Sayadi, a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and a resident of Tehran, was sent to Evin Prison on May 30, 2023, to commence her one-year sentence. Despite her ongoing medical treatment and deteriorating health condition, authorities proceeded with her imprisonment, disregarding the unbearable toll it will have on her well-being.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Sayadi’s one-year sentence on Monday, May 29, immediately summoning her for the execution of this prison sentence. The following day, Sayadi appeared before the court, only to be arrested and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. The source further revealed that Sayadi is battling cancer, and her incarceration has disrupted her critical medical treatment.

On December 10, 2019, security forces apprehended Sayadi at her Tehran residence, taking her to Evin Prison. After enduring a 13-day period in custody, she was finally released on bail.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh Tadrisi Go on Hunger Strike, Demanding Improved Prison Conditions

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi, who have endured more than 24 days of detention in Qarchak Prison, have resorted to a hunger strike in protest against the dismal conditions they face behind bars.

According to an informed source, these women are currently confined in Ward 5 of Qarchak Prison, located in Varamin. On Sunday, May 28, they commenced the hunger strike to draw attention to the inadequate conditions within the prison and the prison officials’ refusal to transfer them to Evin Prison.

Jalal Hosseini was apprehended by security forces during a teachers’ protest on May 9, 2023, while Tadrisi was arrested in Baharestan Square in Tehran on the same day. It is important to note that Tadrisi had previously been arrested twice during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending one month in Kachooie Prison and some time in Evin Prison.

The specific allegations against these women remain unknown.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Arraignment at Evin Courthouse

Sepideh Rashnu, a student who has been vocal about her opposition to compulsory hijab, was arraigned at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Rashnu faces charges of “provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime.” Following her arraignment, she was briefly held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released upon posting a one-billion bail. However, she is now prohibited from leaving Tehran.

Speaking about the accusations, Rashnu clarified, “Merely sharing a few photos of myself without a headscarf on my personal page does not justify their claims of promoting promiscuity and immodesty. Nor does it imply an association with everyone I follow on social media.”

This is not the first instance where Rashnu has encountered legal troubles due to her refusal to comply with hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Furthermore, on July 16, she was arrested by security forces following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to over Five Years and Additional Punishments

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- In a recent development, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a civil rights activist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court states that Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, he has been subjected to restrictions, including a ban on engaging in civil and political activities, using a cell phone, and traveling abroad for a period of two years.
If the verdict is upheld during the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial count of five years in prison will be enforced.

An informed source, speaking with HRANA, revealed that “Previously, Ahmadi Ragheb had refused to attend the court due to being subjected to handcuffs and ankle cuffs during the transfer. Yesterday, he was brought to the court with handcuffs and informed that the verdict had been issued in absentia as he had been absent from the court proceedings on three occasions.”

The source further added, “Following the reception of this verdict, Ahmadi Ragheb has requested a retrial. It is important to note that he has been facing these legal actions based on a complaint filed by an IRGC official.”

On February 3, 2023, Ahmadi Ragheb was released from Rajai Shahr prison after completing his previous sentence. However, in March 2023, he was re-arrested during a protest against poison attacks on schools and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.