Tag: Evin Prison

Journalist Zahra Tohidi Faces Additional Charges While Incarcerated

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hoda Tohidi, Zahra Tohidi

Journalist Zahra Tohidi is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison. On June 20, she was indicted with new charges at Evin Courthouse.

According to her husband, Alireza Khoshbakht, Zahra was accused of “propaganda against the regime.” The prosecution presented her Instagram posts as evidence during the hearing.

Zahra and her sister, Hoda (Zohreh) Tohidi, were initially arrested on September 22, 2022, by security forces in Tehran. They were released on bail on December 17, 2022.

Subsequently, the sisters received a five-year prison sentence each for “assembly and collusion against national security.” However, three-quarters of their sentence were suspended. After pleading no contest, a further reduction of one-quarter was granted.

On May 31, 2023, Zahra and Hoda Tohidi began serving their sentence at Evin Prison.

 

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.

Former Political Prisoner Reza Akbari Monfared Sentenced to Five Years

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Reza Akbari-Monfared, Tehran

Reza Akbari Monfared, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His arrest took place in March 2023, and he has since been held in Evin Prison, Tehran.

Akbari Monfared was recently informed about the verdict, although the specific charges against him remain undisclosed. This is not the first time he has faced legal action for his activism, as he previously served a five-and-a-half-year sentence from 2013 to 2018.

Writer and Translator Taimaz Afsari Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Taimaz Afsari

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On June 17, 2023, Taimaz Afsari, a writer and translator, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to Evin Prison.

A reliable source told HRANA that, Afsari was apprehended violently at his residence.

The reasons for his arrest and the allegation against him are currently unknown. According to an unverified report, the agent have search his house and confiscated some of his electronic belonging.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Nourizad Faces New Legal Case During Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Eyvanki, Izeh, Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Mohammad Nourizad, Tabas, Tehran

Imprisoned civil rights activist Mohammad Nourizad has been brought to trial for a new legal case while serving his existing sentence. The Tehran Revolutionary Court conducted a session on June 14, 2023, to address the charges against him.

According to Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, Nourizad’s lawyer, his client is facing charges of “assembly and collusion against national security, propaganda against the regime, and destruction of property within the prison head’s office.”

The initial phase of Nourizad’s legal case began on August 11, 2019, when he was arrested by security forces for his involvement in issuing an open letter with 13 other civil rights activists, calling for the Supreme Leader of Iran to step down. In this first case, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison, three years of exile in Izeh, and a two-year travel ban. While the prison sentence was upheld on appeal, the duration of exile and travel ban were reduced to two years.

In late April 2020, Nourizad received an additional one-year imprisonment for expressing support towards Baha’i citizens of Eyvanki in Semnan Province.

Regarding the second part of his legal case, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Nourizad to 8 months in prison and 74 lashes, with exile to Tabas, for “disturbance of public order,” and an additional 74 lashes for “spreading falsehood.” This verdict was also upheld on appeal.

On November 17, 2021, Nourizad was released from Evin Prison based on an early release order. However, on January 23, 2022, he was summoned and re-incarcerated in Evin Prison to complete his remaining sentence.

Nourizad’s history includes prior arrests and convictions related to his peaceful activism. He is a renowned filmmaker, writer, director, and journalist from Iran. While previously known as an outspoken religious journalist, he has become an active critic of the Islamic Republic in recent years.

Civil Rights Activist Mohammad Abolhassani Brutally Assaulted by Prison Guards

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News, Prisoners
Choobindar Prison, Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Abolhassani, Qazvin

On June 12, 2023, Mohammad Abolhassani, a civil rights activist, was subjected to a violent attack by prison guards at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin Province. The assault occurred after Abolhassani voiced his concerns about the deplorable conditions within the prison.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that Abolhassani was confronted by a prison officer, leading to a physical altercation involving the deputy head of the prison and two other guards. The incident resulted in Abolhassani losing consciousness, after which he was taken to the prison infirmary. He later regained consciousness.

Presently serving his sentence at Choobindar Prison in Qazvin, Abolhassani is housed among inmates convicted of violent crimes, contrary to prison regulations. Moreover, he has been subjected to limitations when making phone calls, including the mandatory presence of prison guards during these conversations.

In January 2021, Abolhassani while serving his sentence for a previous legal case, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to the prison term, he was assigned four hours of penal labor per day for four months. This ruling was subsequently upheld on appeal.

On January 1, 2022, Abolhassani was transferred to Evin Prison to commence his sentence.
In October 2022, he found himself facing further legal actions, resulting in an additional four-year imprisonment term.
On February 6, 2023, he was violently relocated from Evin Prison to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

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Pedram Moeini Arrested in Baneh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baneh, Evin Prison, Farzam Moeini, Pedram Moeini

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

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardavan Fallahi, Arghavan Fallahi, Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, moharebeh, Nasrollah Fallahi, Shiraz, Tehran

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

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News, Prisoners
Davoud Razavi, Evin Prison, Tehran Revolutionary Court, ward 209

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

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

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

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Sajad Shahrabi, Sajjad Shahrabi

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.