Tag: Hossein Taj

Atefeh Rangriz Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atefeh Rangriz, Damghan, Hossein Taj, Iranian women’s rights activist, Shahroud

Atefeh Rangriz, a women’s rights activist, has been sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 102 of the Second Criminal Court of Damghan in connection with another segment of her legal case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, this latest sentence was issued on charges of “spreading falsehoods.”

Her attorney, Hossein Taj, shared the news in a statement, noting that Branch 102 of the Damghan Criminal Court imposed this two-year sentence. On Tuesday, December 3, Ms. Rangriz was temporarily released on a three-day medical furlough.

This new ruling follows a series of previous convictions. Earlier this month, the Revolutionary Court of Damghan sentenced her to seven years in prison for forming a Telegram group, deemed disruptive by authorities, and an additional seven months for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also imposed a two-year ban on her online activities.

Ms. Rangriz had been granted medical leave on November 6 from Shahroud Prison due to her worsening health condition.

Rangriz has a history of arrests and convictions due to her activism. Her latest arrest occurred on September 10, 2023, when security forces detained her in Damghan. She was subsequently released on bail on October 21, 2023. This new sentence relates to an earlier case in which the Shahroud Revolutionary Court convicted her of “collaboration and membership in groups opposing the regime,” sentencing her to two years, seven months, and 16 days in prison. She also received an additional seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.” Rangriz began serving this earlier sentence on June 30, 2024, in Shahroud Prison.

Maryam Akbari Monfared’s Imprisonment Extended by Two Years After Completion of 15-Year Sentence

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News, Prisoners
evin court, Hossein Taj, Maryam Akbari-Monfared, moharebeh, Semnan, Zeinab Jalalian

On October 11, Maryam Akbari Monfared completed her 15-year prison sentence, but she remains behind bars due to the enforcement of a new two-year sentence. This extension means the political prisoner, who is the second longest-held female political detainee in Iran, will continue her incarceration.

Akbari Monfared’s lawyer, Hossein Taj, commented on the situation: “After 15 years of imprisonment with exile and not a single day of furlough, my client’s sentence ended. Over the years, several cases were initiated against her, most of which ended in acquittal. However, the latest case, presented without evidence, resulted in a two-year sentence. According to the law, the new sentence should be served in Tehran.”

Akbari Monfared was arrested on December 31, 2009, following the Ashura protests, demonstrations that erupted in response to the disputed results of the 2009 presidential election. In June 2010, she was sentenced by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, to 15 years in prison. She was charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh)” for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, an accusation she has consistently denied.

On March 9, 2021, Akbari Monfared was transferred from Evin Prison to Semnan Prison, where she has been held in the general ward. Her detention conditions violate the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their crimes, and she has had limited access to health facilities.

In July 2022, two new cases were brought against her in the courts of Evin and Semnan. A year later, in July 2023, her lawyer confirmed that she had been sentenced to an additional two years in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

Akbari Monfared’s family has a history of political persecution. Two of her brothers were executed in 1981 and 1984 by Iran’s Revolutionary Courts for alleged membership in the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. In 1988, her younger brother and sister were also executed during the mass killings of political prisoners.

A mother of three daughters, Maryam Akbari Monfared now holds the position of the second longest-serving female political prisoner in Iran, following Zeinab Jalalian.