Member of Iran’s Parliament Reveals Son’s Imprisonment

Mostafa Mirsalim, a member of Iran’s Parliament, revealed that his son Mehdi Mirsalim has been imprisoned on the charge of “acting against national security” since February 2021 in Evin prison. According to his father, Mehdi Mir-Salim was arrested in July of 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Tasnim, Mehdi Mirsalim is currently serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison.

Mostafa Mirsalim had claimed that his son was arrested after two years of surveillance in July 2019 and sentenced to five years on the charge of acting against national security and started his sentencing in February 2021. Mirsalim had claimed his son was arrested for his information and access privileges. 

Baha’i Citizen Haleh Gholami Imprisoned

Haleh Gholami, a Baha’i resident of Tehran, was taken to Evin Prison to serve her two-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on July 16, 2022, Haleh Gholami was taken to Evin Prison for sentencing.

Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced Gholami to two years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security.” In her trial, membership in Baha’i organizations was presented as an act against national security.

On January 27, 2017, Gholami was arrested and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. On March 6, 2017, she was released on bail until the end of the legal proceeding.

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 Asal Mohammadi Taken for Sentencing

On July 11, 2022, workers’ rights activist Asal Mohammadi was taken to Evin prison to serve her one-year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, workers’ rights activist Asal Mohammadi appeared at the Evin Judgement Enforcement Unit for sentencing.

Earlier, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mohammadi to one year and eight months in prison and banned her from civil and political activities for two years on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security”. This verdict was upheld on appeal. Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the one-year sentence is enforceable.

Mohammadi’s lawyer, Iman Soleimani, told HRANA, “During the detention, Mohammadi did not have access to a lawyer. During the trial process, I took her case but was not allowed to study the case documents or attend court sessions, which is a violation of Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Mohammadi was in poor mental condition. Contrary to what the law explicitly states, she had been interrogated without the accompaniment of a lawyer”.

On January 24, 2022, the trial was held and during the trial, participation in online campaigns such as “white torture” or membership in Marxist groups was used as evidence for the charges.

On November 6, 2021, the security forces arrested Mohammadi and Hirad Pirbodaghi.

On November 11, Mohammadi was transferred to Public Ward 209 of Evin Prison and was released on bond on November 22, 2021.

Film Director Jafar Panahi Arrested

On Monday, July 11, 2022, film director and screenwriter Jafar Panahi was arrested in Tehran and taken to Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Saham News, film director and former political prisoner Jafar Panahi was arrested in Tehran.

Yesterday, in an open letter, dozens of Iranians involved in the movie industry condemned Iran’s treatment of the directors and actors and asked for the imminent release of two detained directors Mohammad Rasoulof and Mostafa Aleahmad.

In 2011, Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from filmmaking and leaving the country for 20 years. This verdict was upheld on appeal.

Former Political Prisoner Javad Seyedi Arrested in Tehran

Last Saturday, July 2, intelligence agents arrested former political prisoner Javad Seyedi during a pensioners’ protest in Tehran and transferred him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, former political prisoner Javad Seyedi was arrested in Tehran.

An informed source told HRANA, “Seyedi was arrested during a pensioners’ protest. He is currently held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison without access to a lawyer and family visit.”

In August of 2021, Seyedi was released on probation from Evin Prison. He was previously sentenced to three years and nine months on the charge of “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security”, and eight months on the charge of “propaganda against the regime”. Later, his sentence was reduced to two years and nine months.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Reyhaneh Ansari in Pre-trial Detention over 50 Days

Workers’ Rights Activist Reyhaneh Ansari is detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison for over 50  days.

An informed source told HRANA, “Reyhaneh is a single mother of a daughter. As the detention continues, her daughter can no longer afford her living costs”.

The Ministry of Intelligence has delayed Ansari’s release despite the one billion tomans bail that she provided.

On May 13, 2022, security forces arrested Ansari and transferred her to Ward 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran. The agents searched her house and confiscated some of her personal belongings.

Reyhaneh Ansari has been arrested on previous occasions for her civil activities.

Lawyer and Human Rights Defender Amirsalar Davoudi Imprisoned

On June 26, 2022, lawyer and Human Rights Defender Amirsalar Davoudi was taken to prison to serve a ten-year sentence. Earlier, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals sentenced him to 14 years in prison, of which, based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years is enforceable. 

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Sunday, June 26, 2022, lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi was taken to prison for sentencing. 

An informed source told HRANA that while Davoudi was at Evin Courthouse to inquire about his case, he was arrested for sentencing without prior notice.

On December 1, 2021, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal sentenced Davoudi to two years in prison on the charge of “offensive statements against the Supreme Leader of Iran”, two years for “disturbing public opinion” and ten years for “creating a group which threatens national security.” Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, ten years in prison for the last charge is enforceable. 

Davoudi was arrested by security forces on November 20, 2018, and transferred to Evin prison. Before his arrest, the intelligence agents had searched his office and confiscated some of his documents and personal belongings. 

Amirsalar Davoudi is a member of the Iranian Bar Association, who has worked as an attorney for many political activists including Soheil Arabi, Zeynab Jalalian and Saeed Shirzad.

Mehdi Salimi Imprisoned in Evin

On Saturday, June 18, 2022, writer, translator and researcher Mehdi Salimi was taken to Evin Prison to serve his six-month sentence. Earlier, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran had sentenced him to three years in prison, of which two and a half years have been suspended for five years.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Saturday, June 18, 2022, writer Mehdi Salimi was taken to Evin prison to serve his six-month sentence.

In July of last year, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Afshari, sentenced Salimi to three years in prison on the charge of “blasphemy” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, out of multiple charges, the most severe is enforceable. Therefore, three years of sentencing is enforceable, of which two years and six months have been suspended for five years.

As additional punishments, among other things, he has been banned from leaving the country during the suspension, prohibited from membership in civil and political groups. and obligated to visit the Martyrs’ Section of Behesht Zahra Cemetery on a monthly basis.
Mehdi Salimi is a resident of Tehran, writer and translator of several books on philosophy and social critical theories. During the trial, the translation of Salimi’s books and essays such as “Theories about Gender Studies” was presented as examples of the charges. Salimi had been arrested on July 7, 2020, in Ahar, East Azerbaijan Province, and was later released on bail.

Workers’ Rights Activist Sajad Shokri Arrested in Karaj

On Saturday, June 11, 2022, workers’ rights activist and former political prisoner Sajad Shokri was arrested by security forces at his house in Karaj City.

According to HRANA, the Human Rights Activists news agency, on Saturday, June 11, 2022, security forces arrested workers’ rights activist Sajad Shokri at his house in Karaj.

On prior occasions, Shokri faced other arrests and convictions. On August 6, 2020, Shokri was arrested in Tehran and jailed in Evin Prison. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to four years in prison on the charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and “spreading lies to disturb public opinions and propaganda against the regime”. On December 15, 2021, he was released on probation.

Teacher Union Activist Esmail Abdi Hospitalized on Sixth Day of Hunger Strike

Teacher union activist Esmail Abdi was hospitalized after the sixth day of the hunger strike. Since last Sunday, May 1, Esmail Abdi, who is currently imprisoned in Kachooie Prison, has been on hunger strike in protest against “convictions against teacher union activists and suppression of imprisoned teachers and workers’ families.”

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association’s Telegram channel, Esmail Abdi was hospitalized due to deteriorating health conditions after six days of hunger strike.

On June 27, 2015, when Abdi went to Evin Courthouse to enquire about the reason for being banned from leaving the country, he was arrested and interrogated for many hours. After six months in detention, in March of that year, he was sentenced to six years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran on the charges of “propaganda against the regime and assembly and collusion against national security”, of which, five years was enforceable.

Earlier, Abdi was sentenced to ten years of suspended imprisonment which was supposed to last for five years. However,  while serving the last months of his five years sentence, this suspended sentence was reactivated by the court order.