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

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

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

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

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

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.

 

 

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Political Prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz Receives Additional Eleven-Year Sentence While in Prison

In a new legal case opened against political prisoner Mehdi Meskinnavaz (Meskin-Navaz), the Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed him an additional eleven-year sentence while he continues to serve his previous seven-and-a-half-year sentence in Evin Prison.

The recent verdict includes ten years for the charge of “forming a group to act against national security” and an extra year for “propaganda against the regime.” If upheld on appeal, the ten-year sentence for the first charge will be implemented. HRANA previously reported on this new legal case.

Meskinnavaz’s ordeal began on May 5, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces in Bandar Anzali for allegedly “running a Telegram channel advocating the overthrow of the regime.”
In August 2019, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Meskinnavaz to 13 years for charges including “assembly and collusion to act against national security, insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran, and propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he was stripped of political party and group membership rights and ordered to serve a two-year compulsory exile in Fahraj, Kerman. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he was liable to serve seven years and six months in prison for one of the charges.

Meskinnavaz, aged 43 and a father to a 17-year-old, continues to face an arduous journey within the judicial system.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Arrested and Detained in Tehran

On July 15, civil rights activist Majid Rezaie was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Rezaie, he is currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison, where he will serve a nine-month sentence.

Previously, on May 22, Rezaie received a summons from the Judgement Enforcement Unit in Tehran to initiate his sentence.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court initially imposed a one-year sentence, which was later reduced to nine months after Rezaie entered a plea of no contest. Additionally, he has been sentenced to four hours of daily penal labor for the Tehran Municipality over a three-month period. Furthermore, he is required to attend a course conducted by the Institute of Psychology Ma’avaye e Qom, purportedly aimed at “enhancing emotional regulation.”

On July 23, 2020, Rezaie and his wife, Fariba Fereydooni, were arrested by agents of the IRGC in Khomeyn County, Markazi Province. He was released on bail after 21 days of detention.

Appeal Court Upholds Five-Year Sentence for Union Activist Davoud Razavi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has recently upheld the five-year prison sentence against Davoud Razavi, a union activist and member of the Tehran bus workers’ syndicate.

Razavi’s conviction, handed down on July 2, 2023, stems from charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to five years in prison and imposed a two-year ban on his online social activities and participation in political groups.

Concerns about Razavi’s well-being have emerged, as a reliable source informed HRANA that he has developed an eye infection due to the use of unsanitary blindfolds during his prolonged solitary confinement, leading to poor vision.

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 is important to note that this is not Razavi’s first encounter with the judicial system, as he has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to his activism.

 

Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi Released After Eight Years of Imprisonment

On July 12, 2023, political prisoners Fatemeh Mosanna and Hassan Sadeghi were finally released from Evin and Rajai Shahr Prison, marking the end of their grueling eight-year incarceration.

A reliable source close to the families of the couple revealed to HRANA that they had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive, following the proposal made by the head of the Judiciary in February 2023. This initiative aimed to pardon or reduce the sentences of select prisoners, acting in accordance with Article 110, paragraph 11 of Iran’s constitution. The proposal received approval from Ali Khamenei, Iran’s Supreme Leader.

The couple’s arrest took place on January 28, 2013, during the funeral of Sadeghi’s father. Their daughter and underage son were also apprehended and interrogated, but were subsequently released.

Following their trial at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, both Mosanna and Sadeghi were sentenced to 15 years in prison, with the additional penalty of having their personal property, business, and house seized. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Mosanna’s own history with imprisonment dates back to 1980 when she was just 13 years old. Alongside her mother, she was arrested and imprisoned for three years. Tragically, during that time, her three brothers, Ali, Mostafa, and Morteza, as well as her brother’s wife, were executed in prison on charges of “enmity against God” and “advocating for The People’s Mujahedin Organization of Iran.”

Sadeghi also faced imprisonment in 1981, enduring a six-year sentence. He suffered severe beatings at the hands of prison agents, which have had lasting effects on his health.

Concerns Mount Over Zohreh Sayadi’s Health Condition as Medical Treatment Denied in Evin Prison

Zohreh Sayadi, a political prisoner, continues to serve her one-year sentence in Evin Prison, but her deteriorating health condition remains a cause for concern. Despite suffering from colon cancer, she has been denied essential medical treatment, raising serious questions about her well-being.

Reliable sources close to Sayadi’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the prison infirmary has provided her with only a minimal injection. The lack of ongoing treatment has exacerbated her illness, and her condition continues to worsen. Frustratingly, due to hindrances imposed by prison officials, she has not yet received a certificate of penal intolerance, further delaying potentially life-saving interventions.

In December 2019, security forces arrested her in Tehran. She was released on bail after a while.

Last year, she was handed down a one-year sentence which was upheld on appeal. On May 30, 2023, she was imprisoned in Evin Prison to commence serving her sentence.

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.