Tag: HRANA

Baha’i Citizen Ataollah Zafar Returns to Evin Prison After Six-Month Suspension

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Ataollah Zafar, HRANA, Iman Afshari

Ataollah Zafar, an 80-year-old Baha’i citizen, returned to Evin Prison yesterday to serve the remainder of his two-year sentence, following a six-month suspension of his prison term.

According to HRANA, Mr. Zafar was taken back to Evin Prison on Wednesday, October 2, to complete his sentence after the temporary halt.

Zafar was first arrested by security forces on May 1, 2022. Shortly after his arrest, he was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) to the prison’s general ward.

In July 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, under Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Zafar to five years in prison for “membership in illegal groups aimed at disrupting national security.” The sentence was later reduced to two years by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Zafar has a history of previous arrests and convictions. He was released on bail from Evin Prison on October 29, 2022, after his sentence was suspended. In March 2023, his case was closed as part of a pardon.

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.

Mohammad Tahmasbi Held Without Charges for Over 50 Days in Ahvaz Ministry of Intelligence Detention Facility

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Izeh, Mohammad Tahmasbi, Urmia, محمد طهماسبی

Mohammad Tahmasbi, a 32-year-old resident of Izeh, has been detained in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz for more than 50 days without being formally charged, despite suffering from serious health issues.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA, “Mr. Tahmasbi has been held without charges for 50 days in Ahvaz. He suffers from intestinal adhesions and shortness of breath, requiring specialized medical treatment that is unavailable in the detention facility.”

Tahmasbi was arrested by security forces in Urmia on August 13, 2024, before being transferred to Ahvaz. After a month of no contact, he informed his family via a phone call that he was being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz.

To date, no details have been provided about the reasons for Tahmasbi’s arrest or any charges filed against him.

Four Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

Yesterday, September 30, four prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, who had previously been sentenced to death for drug-related offenses and murder, was carried out in preparation for the implementation of their sentences. HRANA is currently investigating further details, including the identities of these prisoners.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i Citizen from Shiraz, Arrested and Charged

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mahboob Habibi, Negar Misaghian, Shiraz, محبوب حبیبی, نگار میثاقیان

On Saturday, September 28, Mahboob Habibi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city, known as House No 100.

A source close to Habibi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Mahboob Habibi was arrested in the presence of his two-year-old child by security forces and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Shiraz.”

The following day, on Sunday, September 29, Habibi was formally charged during an interrogation at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office with accusations including “propaganda against the regime.”

Mahboob Habibi and his wife, Negar Misaghian, have previously been arrested and faced legal action due to their religious beliefs and activities.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Sentenced to Six Years in Prison and Fine

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammadi Rahbari, Varamin

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi Rahbari, a 26-year-old citizen currently held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six years in prison and a substantial monetary fine by the court.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining, “Mr. Mohammadi was recently sentenced by the judiciary to six years in prison and fined 250 million tomans (approximately $4,200).” The source added that he was arrested last year due to his activities on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), ahead of the first anniversary of the 2022 nationwide protests. One of the main charges brought against him includes “manufacturing explosives for use in protests.”

Mohammadi was violently arrested on September 15, 2023, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. After some time in Ward 209, he was moved to the general ward.

Mohammad Mehdi Mohammadi is a resident of Varamin.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Javad Mohammadi-Fard Attempts Suicide in Urmia Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Javad Mohammadi-Fard, Urmia, Urmia prison

Javad Mohammadi-Fard, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, attempted suicide by hanging. He was transferred to a psychiatric facility and returned to prison hours later.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family told HRANA: “On Monday, September 23, Mr. Mohammadi-Fard attempted suicide by hanging due to severe stomach illness and the authorities’ refusal to grant him medical leave. Instead of being transferred to a hospital for proper medical treatment, he was sent to the Razi Psychiatric Hospital in Urmia and returned to prison just hours later.”

The source added, “Prison officials did not allow all family members to visit Mohammadi-Fard, and only his brother was granted access. His health condition remains poor.”

Despite suffering from stomach pain and bleeding, suspected by a doctor to be cancer, Mohammadi-Fard has been denied specialized treatment and medical leave.

Javad Mohammadi-Fard was arrested in July 2022 in Urmia and released on bail. In July 2023, he was sentenced by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on national security charges. His sentence was upheld in February 2024, and he was sentenced to four years in prison. He was transferred to Urmia Prison in April 2024 to serve his sentence.

Prisoner Executed in Jiroft Prison

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Citizen executed, HRANA, Jiroft Prison, Yaser Balandeh, یاسر بالنده

A prisoner sentenced to death for murder has been executed in Jiroft Prison, Kerman Province, according to HRANA.

The prisoner has been identified as Yaser Balandeh, who was previously convicted on murder charges.

At the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have yet to officially confirm the execution.

According to the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2023, at least 767 citizens, including 21 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the executions of 7 individuals were carried out in public. Additionally, during this period, 172 others were sentenced to death, with 5 of them sentenced to public execution. It is worth noting that during the same period, the initial death sentences of 49 other individuals were also upheld by the Supreme Court.

Baha’is Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad Arrested in Gorgan

Posted on by . .
News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i faith, Bahais, Gorgan, HRANA, Shahin Mavaddat, Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, Soodabeh Mehdinejad

On Monday, September 23, 2024, Baháʼí couple Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad, residents of Gorgan, were arrested by security forces at their home and taken to an undisclosed location. The agents also conducted a thorough search of their residence, seizing multiple electronic devices and religious books.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “On Monday, 10 Ministry of Intelligence agents arrived at the home of Shahin Mavaddat and Soodabeh Mahdinzhad with a search and arrest warrant. They detained the couple following a two-hour search, during which they confiscated mobile phones, personal electronic devices, Baháʼí religious texts, and the home’s CCTV system.”

The source added that security forces also examined the electronic devices of other family members. During the entire search, the agents recorded the events using three cameras.

As of now, no information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest or their current whereabouts.

Soodabeh Mahdinzhad has a prior history of arrest and sentencing due to her religious beliefs.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

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.

Growing Concern Over Detained Izeh Resident Hojjat Al-Mohammadi

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, HRANA, Izeh, حجت آل محمدی

Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, a resident of Izeh, has been detained for over eight days with no information on his current location, sparking growing concerns among his family and loved ones.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that security forces arrested Mr. Al-Mohammadi at his home in Izeh on Monday, September 16. Despite repeated efforts by his family and lawyer to inquire with security and judicial authorities, officials have refused to disclose any details regarding his whereabouts or condition, further intensifying the family’s anxiety.

This is not Al-Mohammadi’s first encounter with security forces. On August 13 of this year, he was also arrested and later released from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Prior to that, on May 23, 2023, he was detained by security agents in Izeh and subsequently transferred to the same prison. He was later sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to nine months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” After serving his sentence, Al-Mohammadi was released on January 29, 2023.

Hojjat Al-Mohammadi, 39, is a father of a young child and a resident of Izeh, a city increasingly under scrutiny for its political and social unrest.

Amir Hossein Haghjooyan Arrested by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, Dizelabad Prison, HRANA, Kermanshah, Reza Rasaei, Sahneh

On September 23, 2024, Amir Hossein Haghjooyan, a relative of Reza Rasaei, an executed protester, was arrested by security forces in Sahneh County, Kermanshah province, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Haghjooyan was detained by several members of IRGC Intelligence in Sahneh and moved to an unknown location.”

As of now, no details have emerged regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges he may face.

Haghjooyan is the son of Kheirallah Haghjooyan, a member of the Yarsan Civil Activists Consultative Assembly, and a cousin and close companion of Reza Rasaei, who was executed in August 2023.

It’s important to note that Reza (Gholamreza) Rasaei, arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, was secretly executed at dawn on August 6, 2023, in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, without prior notice to his family or a final meeting with them.

Yarsanism, also known as Ahl-e Haqq, is a syncretic faith founded in western Iran during the 14th century by Sultan Sahak. As a religious minority, followers of Yarsan often face systemic persecution and harassment by Iranian authorities.