Tag: HRANA

Within Two Days, Six Citizens Arrested in Piranshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Anvar Ebrahimi, Fardin Mahmoudi, Hiwa Shojaei, HRANA, Mohammad Sohrabi, Morad Ostavar, Nemat Ahmadnejad, Piranshahr

HRANA News Agency – On Sunday and Monday, January 19 and 20, 2025, at least six individuals were arrested by security forces in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan province.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, on Sunday, security forces arrested a citizen in Piranshahr identified as Hiwa Shojaei, a 34-year-old resident of the city. The arrest reportedly occurred at his workplace without a judicial warrant.

Additionally, on Monday, January 20, 2025, security forces detained five more individuals in Piranshahr: Mohammad Sohrabi, Fardin Mahmoudi, Morad Ostavar, Nemat Ahmadnejad, and Anvar Ebrahimi.

Among the detainees, Sohrabi, who was previously arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has a history of legal confrontations and convictions due to his activism.

As of the time of this report, there is no information about the reasons for the arrests, the detainees’ whereabouts, or the charges against these six citizens.

Court of Appeals: Lawyer Behnam Nezadi Sentenced to Prison and Temporary Disbarment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Behnam Nezadi, HRANA, بهنام نزادی

HRANA News Agency – The Court of Appeals of Markazi Province reduced the sentence of lawyer Behnam Nezadi to four months in prison and a one-year ban on practicing law. Previously, the Revolutionary Court of Arak had sentenced Nezadi to one year in prison and a two-year ban from legal practice. In a separate case, the Criminal Court of Arak sentenced him to over 16 months in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals of Markazi Province issued and communicated the revised sentence to Nezadi. He was sentenced to four months in prison and a one-year ban on practicing law for the charge of propaganda against the regime.

Earlier, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Arak had sentenced Nezadi to one year in prison and a two-year professional ban on the same charge.

In another part of his case, Branch 106 of the Criminal Court of Arak sentenced him to 13 months and 16 days in prison for disclosing confidential information and 113 days in prison for spreading falsehoods.

Nezadi’s interrogation session took place in late July this year at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. During this session, he faced charges including propaganda against the regime, spreading falsehoods via social media, and disclosing the contents of confidential investigations. After the session, he was released on bail. The charges also referenced alleged acts such as “undermining the judiciary, eroding the courage of judges, and aiming to overthrow the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
Nezadi is the administrator of an Instagram page titled “Judges’ Disciplinary Violations,” where he recently published documents addressing the Judicial Disciplinary Prosecutor’s Office. In one statement, he wrote:
“Filing complaints against judges is provided for by law, and even encouraging people to seek legal recourse cannot be considered a crime. Additionally, the judiciary, as a branch of governance, cannot be equated with the entire regime.”

Behnam Nezadi, a licensed attorney from Arak currently residing in Tehran, is a member of the Central Bar Association. His case highlights the restrictions imposed on lawyers and legal activists in Iran.

Kaveh Amiri Arrested After Summons to Security Police

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kaveh Amiri, Shahriar, کاوه امیری

HRANA News Agency – Today, Kaveh Amiri, a resident of Shahriar, was arrested after responding to a summons and appearing at the local Security Police headquarters.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Amiri was summoned by phone on January 16 by the investigator to appear at the Security Police office. On Saturday, January 18, after complying with the summons, he was detained. No information has been released about the reasons for his arrest or his current condition.

A source close to Mr. Amiri’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, adding that the summons was issued under the orders of Shahriar Prosecutor Mehdi Mohammadi.

In October 2023, Amiri was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar to eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” a sentence later upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. He was arrested on January 2, 2024, to serve his prison sentence and was granted conditional release from Evin Prison in May 2024.

Mr. Amiri is also facing another legal case in Branch 108 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar on charges of “disturbing public opinion.”

Kaveh Amiri, 40, is a judo coach and a resident of Shahriar.

Five People Arrested in Naqadeh by Security Forces

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News, Other
alal Mohammadi, Ayoub Armand, HRANA, Khaled Mohammadi, Masoud Mahmoudpour, Mohammad Taher Eliasi, Naqadeh

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, five residents of Naqadeh have been arrested.

Previously, the identity of one of the detainees, Ayoub Armand, had been confirmed. The identities of the other four have now been reported as Jalal Mohammadi, Khaled Mohammadi, Mohammad Taher Eliasi, and 25-year-old Masoud Mahmoudpour.

The report states that Jalal Mohammadi and his cousin Khaled Mohammadi were arrested on Monday, January 13, by security forces at their homes without a court warrant.

Additionally, Mr. Armand and Mr. Eliasi were arrested yesterday, January 16, while Mr. Mahmoudpour was taken into custody on Wednesday, January 15, by security forces.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrests, their whereabouts, or the charges against them.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Naqadeh, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Daily Interrogations: Elnaz Ahmadi’s Three-Month Detention in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Elnaz Ahmadi, Evin Prison, HRANA, Solmaz Ahmadi

HRANA News Agency – Elnaz (Solmaz) Ahmadi, a political detainee, has been held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison for nearly three months. She is transferred daily to Ward 209 for interrogation and then returned to her cell.

A source close to Ms. Ahmadi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “After two months in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, Ms. Ahmadi was transferred to the women’s ward on December 29, 2024. She faces charges of ‘assembly and collusion against national security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’ Despite this transfer, she continues to be interrogated daily in Ward 209 before being returned to the women’s ward.”

Elnaz Ahmadi, approximately 40 years old, holds a PhD in physics.

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Ayoub Armand Arrested by Security Forces in Naqadeh

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News, Other
Ayoub Armand, HRANA, Naqadeh

HRANA News Agency – Today, January 16, Ayoub Armand, a 35-year-old married resident of Naqadeh, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

Ayoub Armand was reportedly detained without a judicial warrant and with the use of violence.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his whereabouts.

In 2024, HRANA documented 561 cases of human rights violations in West Azerbaijan Province, including Naqadeh, placing it third among all provinces in Iran for reported violations.

Detained Political Activist Akbar Bagheri Held Without Medical Care or Updates

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News, Prisoners
Akbar Bagheri, HRANA, Rajai Shahr Prison, Salavati, اکبر باقری

HRANA News Agency – Akbar Bagheri, a political detainee suffering from multiple health conditions, has been held in detention for over two months, with no information available about his whereabouts. The uncertainty surrounding his health has raised serious concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to Mr. Bagheri’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “It has been over 60 days since Mr. Bagheri’s arrest. He suffers from blood-related conditions, intestinal issues, liver problems, and hemorrhoids. He has been denied access to his medications and has had no contact with his family.”

Despite the family’s persistent inquiries and his lawyer’s efforts to obtain information from judicial authorities, no clear details about his location or condition have been provided, further intensifying the family’s concerns.

Akbar Bagheri was arrested by security forces in Tehran on November 10, 2024. As of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mr. Bagheri was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran in 2017 and transferred to Evin Prison. In the summer of 2018, he was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, to nine years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “collusion and assembly against national security.” This sentence was upheld in the Court of Appeals.

Following the events at Evin Prison in October 2022, Mr. Bagheri was transferred along with several others to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was ultimately released from Rajai Shahr Prison on May 8, 2023, under a general amnesty directive.

Drug-Related Charges: A Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison

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Executions, News
Arak prison, HRANA, Pouya Asgari

HRANA News Agency – At dawn yesterday, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Arak Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the execution took place on Sunday, January 12, 2025.

The prisoner has been identified as Pouya Asgari, 37, a resident of Arak. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Asgari was arrested in 2020 on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant organizations.

According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of these executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

 

IRGC Intelligence Arrests 7 Supporters of Erfan-e-Halgheh in Ardabil

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan-e-Halgheh, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence

The Prosecutor General of Ardabil Province has announced the arrest of seven supporters of Erfan-e-Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism), by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Ardabil.

According to HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, the detainees are accused of engaging in activities described as “deviant and contrary to Islamic principles,” including “illicit relationships, fraudulent scientific claims, unauthorized medical practices under the guise of treatment, acquiring wealth through unlawful means, and propagandizing against the regime.” Jalal Afaghi, the Prosecutor General, confirmed the arrests but did not provide details about the identities, current locations, or specific charges against those detained.

The Iranian government classifies Erfan-e-Halgheh as a “deviant and anti-religious movement” and has taken strict judicial and security actions against its founder and followers. Participants in the movement have faced severe punishments, including imprisonment, fines, and flogging.

International human rights organizations have condemned these actions as violations of the right to freedom of belief and expression. They have repeatedly urged the Iranian government to cease such repressive measures and respect religious and ideological freedoms.

Swiss Citizen Dies by Suicide in Semnan Prison, Judiciary Claims

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Semnan, Swiss citizen

The head of the Semnan Province Judiciary has alleged that a Swiss citizen detained in Semnan Prison on charges of “espionage” took their own life early this morning.

According to HRANA, quoting ISNA, the detainee’s death occurred in custody. Without revealing the individual’s identity, the Semnan Chief Justice stated, “This morning, a Swiss national committed suicide in their detention area in Semnan Prison. Despite efforts to save their life, they passed away.”

Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, the head of the judiciary, further claimed, “All evidence and documents related to the individual’s detention area have been thoroughly reviewed, and based on the findings, the suicide has been confirmed.”

He added, “The Swiss citizen was arrested by security forces on espionage charges. Supporting documents exist, and the case was under active investigation at the time of the incident.”

In 2024, HRA documented 21 suicides in prisons, 2 cases of self-immolation, 7 prisoner murders, 777 reports of prisoners held in unsuitable conditions, and 28 cases of forced confessions, highlighting the harsh and inhumane conditions in Iran’s prisons.