Death Sentence Overturned; Shahab Nadali Jozani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

Following the overturning of Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence by the Supreme Court, his case was reviewed by a parallel court. The political prisoner, currently held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary Court to four years in prison and five years of exile to the city of Na’in.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Shahab Nadali Jozani’s death sentence has been replaced with imprisonment and exile.

After the Supreme Court’s Branch 39 overturned his death sentence, Nadali’s case was retried in a parallel branch. He was convicted of moharebeh (waging war against God) for “damaging public property with the intent to confront the Islamic Republic.” This conviction led to a five-year exile to Na’in, Isfahan Province, under strict conditions preventing social interaction or contact with others. Additionally, he received a four-year prison sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” His previous detention period will count toward his prison term.

The verdict, issued by the Revolutionary Court on December 10, 2023, can be appealed in the Supreme Court within 20 days of its issuance.

The retrial session for Nadali was held on December 3, 2023.

Shahab Nadali Jozani was arrested on June 6, 2023, by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Hamedan and is currently detained in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.

In February 2024, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, had sentenced Nadali to death for “rebellion through membership in opposition groups (the Mojahedin-e-Khalq Organization)” and to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.”

Now 42 years old, Nadali is married and the father of a 13-year-old daughter.

Prisoner Executed in Nahavand Prison for Drug Offenses

At dawn today, December 24, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Nahavand Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Ali Rahm Khani, 35, a resident of a village in the Chegeni County.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Rahm Khani had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court. He was transferred to solitary confinement yesterday in preparation for the execution.

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

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Majid Tavakoli Sentenced to Two Years in Prison Following Supreme Court Retrial

Political activist Majid Tavakoli has been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The ruling also imposes additional penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and engaging in online activities. This decision comes after the Supreme Court overturned a previous six-year prison sentence and ordered a retrial.

A source close to Tavakoli’s family told HRANA: “Following the appeal by Mr. Tavakoli’s lawyers against his initial six-year prison sentence issued in January 2024, the case was referred to the Supreme Court after being accepted for retrial by Branch 54 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court subsequently annulled the original verdict and sent the case to a parallel branch for reconsideration. Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals ultimately sentenced him to two years in prison for ‘assembly and collusion against national security.’ The complementary penalties, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran, and online activities, were also upheld.”

Tavakoli was arrested in Tehran by security forces on September 23, 2022, during the nationwide protests. He was released on bail on December 19, 2022.

In July 2023, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also issued a two-year ban on online activities, residency in Tehran, and international travel. This verdict was later upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals in late August 2023.

Tavakoli began serving his sentence in Evin Prison on October 7, 2023. However, following a temporary suspension of his prison term, he was released on bail in August 2023 pending further judicial review.

Majid Tavakoli is a well-known political activist with a history of arrests and convictions linked to his advocacy work.

Execution of Two Prisoners in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, on Drug-Related Charges

On December 22, two prisoners convicted of drug-related offenses were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

The Iran Human Rights Organization has identified one of the prisoners as Arman Samadi, approximately 30 years old, whose conviction dates back four years. HRANA identified the second prisoner as Ashkan Parseh, a 29-year-old resident of Aligudarz.

Both individuals were arrested on charges related to drug offenses and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly confirmed these executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Three Prisoners, Including a Woman, Executed in Sari Prison

The death sentences of three prisoners, including a woman, previously convicted in separate cases of drug-related charges and murder, were carried out in Sari Prison.

According the Iran Human Rights Organization, the executions took place at dawn on Tuesday, December 17. The identities of the executed prisoners have been reported as Effat Hamedi, approximately 35 years old and a mother of one, Yousef Sattari, 38, a resident of Sari, and Manoochehr Hedayati, 47, a resident of Babol.

A source close to the matter stated: “Ms. Hamedi was arrested four years ago on charges of murdering her husband and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. Sattari was arrested three years ago for murdering a friend over financial disputes and was also sentenced to death. Additionally, Hedayati had been detained for three years on drug-related charges and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.”

Previously, HRANA had reported the execution of another prisoner, Jamal Asgarabadi, on the same day in the same prison.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant officials.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

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Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison for Drug-Related Charges

The death sentence of a prisoner convicted on drug-related charges was carried out at dawn on Tuesday, December 17, in Sari Prison.

HRANA has identified the individual as Jamal Asgarabadi, 42, a resident of Sharifabad, Sari.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Asgarabadi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Political Detainee Zahra Karami Awaits Trial After Nearly 40 Days in Evin Prison

Zahra Karami, a political detainee, has been held in Evin Prison for nearly 40 days, with no clear resolution to her case. Her charges remain under review by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Karami was arrested by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on November 12, 2024. She faces multiple charges, including “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic and the Supreme Leader,” “propaganda against the regime,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “supporting Israeli positions on social media.”

A source close to Karami’s family told HRANA: “About 20 days ago, Zahra was summoned to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. However, the session did not proceed to trial. Instead, the indictment was read aloud, and she was sent back to Evin Prison.”

Zahra Karami continues to face legal uncertainty, with no trial held nearly six weeks after her detention.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.

Update on Student Ehsan Faridi’s Status in Tabriz Prison

Ehsan Faridi, a student at Tabriz Technical and Vocational College, remains in limbo in Tabriz Prison nearly six months after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Faridi has been held in limbo for about six months in Tabriz Prison. On Wednesday, December 11, his second court session was held at the Revolutionary Court of Tabriz via video conference, during which he defended himself against the charges.”

The first court session for Mr. Faridi was held on August 3, also via video conference. Additionally, in September, a separate hearing for another part of his case was held at the Tabriz Criminal Court Branch 2.

Ehsan Faridi was arrested on June 18, 2024, after reporting to the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to Tabriz Prison.

Faridi, a 21-year-old engineering student specializing in manufacturing and production, had previously been arrested on March 8, transferred to Tabriz Prison, and later released on bail after ten days.

Prolonged Detention of Political Detainee Morteza Khaki Despite Bail Provision

Morteza Khaki, a resident of Famenin County, Hamedan Province, remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison, 25 days after his arrest.

A source close to his family confirmed: “Mr. Khaki, facing charges including insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic, insulting the Supreme Leader, and insulting religious sanctities, has been detained for 25 days and remains in limbo in Hamedan Prison. Although a bail of one billion tomans was set and provided by his family, officials have refused to accept it, citing baseless excuses.”

HRANA has learned that Mr. Khaki’s bank account and mobile phone line have been frozen since October, and his Instagram account remains blocked following his arrest.

Morteza Khaki, 48 years old, married, and a father of two, was arrested on Monday, November 25, after reporting to the Ministry of Intelligence Office in Kabudarahang. He was transferred to Hamedan Prison three days later.

Prisoner Executed in Hamedan Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

Yesterday, December 18, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug-related crimes was executed in Hamedan Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Mohammad Shams, a 36-year-old man from Asadabad, Hamedan. He had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.