Tag: HRANA

Six Baha’i Citizens’ Sentences Reduced to 29 Years and 10 Months on Appeal

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News, Religious Minorities
Arsalan Yazdani, Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Iraj Shakoor, Pedram Abhar, Saba Sefidi, Saeedeh Khozuei, Samira Ebrahimi

The Tehran Court of Appeals has revised the sentences of six Baha’i citizens, resulting in a combined prison term of 29 years and 10 months. The affected individuals are Saeedeh Khozuei, Saba Sefidi, Iraj Shakoor, Samira Ebrahimi, Pedram Abhar, and Arsalan Yazdani.

Presiding over Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, Judge Abasasli issued the following breakdown for the revised sentences: Khozuei and Yazdani will serve six years each, Shakoor and Abhar five years each, Ebrahimi four years and five months, and Sefidi three years and five months.

A source close to the families, speaking to HRANA, revealed that “the government will confiscate the properties seized from these citizens during their arrest.”

The charges against each individual are as follows:

  • Saeedeh Khozuei: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Arsalan Yazdani: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Iraj Shakoor: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups.”
  • Pedram Abhar: Five years for “membership in anti-regime groups.”
  • Samira Ebrahimi: Three years and five months for “membership in anti-regime groups” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”
  • Saba Sefidi: Three years and five months for “membership in anti-regime groups.”

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced them to a combined 32 years and 10 months.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.

Report on Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini’s Condition in Central Prison of Karaj

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, Abolfazl PourHosseini, Central Prison of Karaj, Erfan-e-Halgheh, HRANA, irgc, Karaj, Qom, ابوالفضل پورحسینی

Abolfazl Pour-Hosseini, a follower of Iranian mysticism known as Erfan-e-Halgheh, has recently been sentenced to three years in prison with an additional two years of suspended imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court. He is currently imprisoned in the Central Prison of Karaj.

A source close to Pour-Hosseini’s family provided HRANA with details about this verdict. Moreover, Pour-Hosseini faces charges of “propaganda against the regime and inciting people to act against national security” in a separate case under review by the Karaj Revolutionary Court.

According to this source, Pour-Hosseini has rejected the charges and declined to sign the charge sheet.

On June 13, 2023, IRGC Intelligence forces in Karaj arrested Pour-Hosseini, detaining him in the Central Prison of the city. According to a statement from one of his friends to HRANA, Pour-Hosseini was distributing a leaflet about Erfan-e-Halgheh at the time of his arrest.

Pour-Hosseini had previously been arrested in 2022 for attending a meeting of this mysticist group in Qom, being released on bond after a period of detention. Aged approximately 47, Pour-Hosseini is the father of one daughter and anticipates becoming a father once again.

Notably, concerns persist about the violation of freedom of religion in Iran, exemplified by cases like Pour-Hosseini’s. This incident adds to ongoing apprehensions regarding the protection of religious rights in the country.

 

Four Inmates Executed for Drug Offenses in Central Prison of Karaj

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Executions, News
Central Prison of Karaj, HRANA, Karaj, Manouchehr Nourabad, Mojtaba Amiri, Sasan Maleki

On December 5, 2023, the Central Prison of Karaj carried out the execution of four inmates convicted of drug offenses.

HRANA has identified three of the executed inmates as Sasan Maleki, Mojtaba Amiri, and Manouchehr Nourabad (Barzgar). These individuals had been transferred to solitary confinement in anticipation of their impending executions. HRANA is actively working to identify the fourth inmate involved in the execution.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. The lack of official information raises concerns about transparency and accountability in the execution process.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Kamran Rezaie Executed in Shiraz

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Executions, News
Aban protests, Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Kamran Rezaie, moharebeh, Shiraz

On November 30, 2023, Kamran Rezaie, 33, was executed in Adelabad Prison, located in Shiraz.

As per the Iran Human Rights Organization, Rezaie, apprehended during the 2019-2020 nationwide protests (Aban Protests), faced accusations of killing a Basij militia force member. The nature of the charges remains unclear, leaving uncertainty as to whether intentional murder was the sole accusation or if additional charges, such as “enmity against God” (Moharebeh), were involved.

Remarkably, over the past six years, neither media outlets nor human rights organizations have reported on Rezaie’s case. As of the latest update, HRANA has been unable to independently verify the details surrounding his case.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Five Citizens Receive a Combined 20 Years and Fine for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Kamran Rezaie, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Tehran Revolutionary Court, Teymour Rezaeian, Zahra Safaie

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has recently sentenced Zahra Safaie, Parastoo Moeini, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Kamran Rezaiefar to five years, totaling twenty years in prison for political charges. Meanwhile, co-defendant Teymour (Timur) Rezaeian has been ordered to pay a fine.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afshari found these individuals guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

The arrests occurred on September 12, 2023, with Rezaeian apprehended one day later. Initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Later, they were transferred to the IRGC’s detention center, known as A-1.

According to HRANA reports, Safaie is currently held in the Women’s Ward of Evin Prison, while her son, Mohammad-Masoud Moeini, and Rezaiefar are in Ward 4 of the same prison. Two other defendants have been released on bail.

Notably, Rezaiefar has a history of arrests and convictions. In November 2021, he received a death sentence for “spreading corruption on earth,” which was later overturned by the Supreme Court. The current status of his legal case remains uncertain.

 

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Reza Aghdasi Sentenced to Four Years and Three Months on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iran Khodro, Karaj, Reza Aghdasi, Tehran

Reza (Gholamreza) Aghdasi has received a verdict of four years and three months for political charges from Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He is currently jailed in Evin Prison.

Presiding over the court, Iman Afshari delivered a three-year and seven-month sentence (including the detention period) to Aghdasi for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Following being fired from Iran Khodro, an Iranian automaker company, Aghdasi was arrested on October 24, 2023, and subsequently detained in Evin Prison after being summoned to Evin Courthouse.

According to a source close to his family, Aghdasi, aged 57 and a resident of Karaj, is grappling with hearing impairment and other health issues. His residence was searched during the 2022 nationwide protests, resulting in the confiscation of some of his belongings.

Twelve Inmates Executed Across Various Prisons

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News
Ayoub Karimi, Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh, Hamed Bakhshayesh, HRANA, Karaj, Kashan, Khorramabad Prison, Lakan prison, Mohsen Sedaghat, Qezel Hesar Prison, Rasht

In a recent escalation of capital punishment, a total of twelve inmates faced execution in different Iranian prisons. The executions took place at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Lakan Prison in Rasht, Kashan Prison, and Khorramabad Prison.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar Prison recorded the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On Wednesday, Qezel Hesar prison witnessed the highest number of executions, totaling seven inmates. Among them, three individuals, including one identified by HRANA as Hamed Bakhshayesh, were convicted of murder, while two others received the death penalty for drug offenses. Another inmate, Ayoub Karimi, a Sunni prisoner, faced charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh) and spreading corruption on earth through sympathizing with Salafism.” HRANA is actively working to identify the seventh executed inmate.

On November 25, 2023, Mohsen Sedaghat, and Geda-Ali Saber Motlagh (62) were also executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht. Motlagh was a political prisoner in the 1980s. In 2020-2021, he was rearrested and sentenced to death. He was accused of killing a government official which he was consistently refuted. Sedaghat was convicted of murder.

Lastly, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the execution of Masoud Basak, aged 33, in Kashan Prison and Morad Biranvand, aged 40, and Morad Geravand in Khorramabad Prison.

 

Baha’i Citizen Rouya Malakooti Receives Six-Year, Eight-Month Sentence

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Baha'i women, Hadi Mansouri, HRANA, Mashhad, Rouya Malakooti

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, has handed down a six-year, eight-month prison sentence to Baha’i Citizen Rouya Malakooti.

The verdict includes a six-year term for “forming groups to act against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

In the event the verdict is upheld on appeal, Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code mandates the enforcement of the initial six-year prison term.

Malakooti, along with eight other Baha’i women, was summoned to appear in Mashhad on July 29. While all were called, only Malakooti was arrested and subsequently jailed in Vakilabad Prison after an extensive interrogation.

The 2022 annual report by HRANA underscores a troubling trend, revealing that 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities target the Baha’i community.

The Baha’i faith faces persistent discrimination in Iran, as it is not officially recognized by the authorities. This systemic injustice results in consistent violations of the Baha’is’ fundamental right to practice their religion, a direct violation 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 explicitly guarantees every person the right to freedom of religion, freedom to change their religion, and freedom of expression, individually or collectively, openly or in private.

Mohammad Davari Receives Four Years and Six Months Prison Sentence

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News
Bardsir, HRANA, Kerman, Mahmood Sadati, Mohammad Davari, Shiraz

The Shiraz Revolutionary Court has issued a verdict sentencing workers’ rights activist Mohammad Davari to four years and six months in prison. The sentence includes a two-year mandatory residence in Bardsir County, Kerman Province, a two-year travel ban, and additional social deprivations.

Presiding over the court, Judge Mahmood Sadati delivered a three-year prison term, a two-year prohibition from leaving the country, a ban on social media activities, and a two-year mandatory residence in Bardsir County for charges related to “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.” Additionally, Davari was handed a one-year and six-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.”

Despite the severity of the charges, a source informed HRANA that the court did not provide any specific examples for the accusation of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Furthermore, Davari is concurrently facing allegations of “disseminating false information” in another pending legal case, currently under consideration by the Shiraz Criminal Court.

Notably, Mohammad Davari has a history of prior arrests and convictions stemming from his activism. He is a civil engineering graduate from Yasuj University and a political science alumnus from Shiraz Payam Noor University.

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Detained for Over 70 days in Legal Limbo

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Morteza Nour-Mohammadi, Shabestar, Tabriz, Tabriz Prison

Morteza Nour-Mohammadi Naradrli (Nazarlu) remains in a state of legal uncertainty, having been detained for more than 70 days in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz.

According to a source close to his family, HRANA learned that Nour-Mohammadi has recently been formally charged by the Public and Revolutionary Court. Additionally, the bail required for his temporary release has been escalated to 700 million Tomans, approximately 14,000 dollars.

Initially accused of the political charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” Nour-Mohammadi now faces an additional legal challenge, being charged with “membership in a group to act against national security.”

On September 9, 2023, Nour-Mohammadi, a resident of Shabestar, was apprehended by security forces at the National Organization for Civil Registration in Sufian city and subsequently detained in Tabriz Prison. After a period, he was moved to a detention facility.

Nour-Mohammadi had publicly revealed that the Civil Registration office had denied issuing a birth certificate for his newborn child with the name “Hunai.” This denial was attributed to the Iranian regime’s stringent restrictions on name selection, particularly those with ethnic or foreign origins.