Tag: HRANA

Detention Order for Baha’i Citizen Nahid Behroozi Extended

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alborz province, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Kachooie Prison, Nahid Behroozi

Nahid Behroozi (Forouhari), a Baha’i citizen, remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj, 26 days after her arrest. Today, her detention order was extended for another week.

A source close to Behroozi’s family confirmed to HRANA: “Today, Ms. Behroozi’s detention order was extended for another week. Despite 25 days having passed since her arrest, she remains in a state of uncertainty in Kachooie Prison, Karaj.”
This Baha’i citizen was transferred to Kachooie Prison, Karaj, on August 15th after completing interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

Behroozi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence agents at her home in Fardis, Alborz province, on Monday, July 29, 2024.

The reasons for Behroozi’s arrest and the charges against her remain unknown.

Mazaher Heydari Continues Hunger Strike in Shahr-e Kord Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Gonabadi Dervish, HRANA, Mazaher Heydari, Shahr-e Kord, Shahrekord, مظاهر حیدری

Mazaher Heydari, a Gonabadi Dervish currently imprisoned in Shahr-e Kord, has been on a hunger strike for over 12 days and has been denied the right to make phone calls to his family.

A source close to Heydari’s family confirmed to HRANA, “Mr. Heydari began his hunger strike on Saturday, August 10, in protest against the 40-month prison sentence issued against him. Since then, the authorities have deprived him of phone calls to his family, and in protest, he has sewn his lips shut.”

In June of this year, Heydari was arrested by security forces in Shahr-e Kord and later transferred to the city’s prison. That same month, he was sentenced in absentia by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shahr-e Kord, presided over by Judge Balanian, to a total of 40 months in prison on charges of “disturbing public opinion,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, 32 months in prison, will be enforced.

Mazaher Heydari has previously faced legal actions due to his activities.

The Gonabadi Dervishes (Darvishes) are members of a Sufi Muslim community in Iran, known for their spiritual practices and emphasis on mysticism. Despite their peaceful beliefs, the Gonabadi Dervishes have faced increasing persecution by the Iranian regime, which views their independence and religious practices as a threat to the state’s control over religious expression. Over the years, many members of this community have been subjected to arrests, imprisonment, and harassment, with their leaders often targeted by the authorities.

Parivash Moslemi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Amini, Parivash Moslemi, Pariwash Moslemi, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

Parivash Moslemi, a political defendant imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years and eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Based on a ruling recently issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and delivered to Ms. Moslemi in prison two days ago, she has been sentenced to two years in prison for the charge of “assembly and collusion,” one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to the family of this political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Moslemi did not attend any of the sessions related to her charges, including interrogations and court hearings. She had previously declared in writing and verbally that she did not recognize these proceedings and would not participate.”

Moslemi was arrested on July 7 after reporting to the Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was subsequently transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Ms. Moslemi, aged around 46, was arrested by security forces in the city of Nur in March-April this year. She was released three days later from one of the city’s security detention facilities.

Parivash Moslemi was previously detained by security forces in September 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. She was finally released a month later after posting bail from Qarchak Prison located in Varamin.

Three Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to Prison and Other Penalties on Appeal

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Ganjali Darani, Arash Nabavi, Arshia Rouhani, Baha'i citizens, Hamid Monzavi, HRANA

Arshia Rouhani, Hamid Monzavi, and Arash Nabavi, Baha’i citizens residing in Isfahan, have been sentenced by the province’s Appeals Court to two years in prison each, along with fines and additional penalties.

The ruling, issued by Branch 37 of the Isfahan Appeals Court under the presidency of Ahmad Ganjali Darani, sentences each of these Baha’i citizens to two years in prison, a fine of 24 million tomans, and a two-year ban on leaving the country and engaging in online activities. A source close to the family of one of these Baha’i citizens confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that the appeal hearing took place earlier this month in the mentioned branch.

Previously, Arshia Rouhani and Hamid Monzavi Joshaghani had been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to five years in prison each, a fine of 50 million tomans, a two-year ban on online activities and leaving the country, and the confiscation of their assets. Mr. Nabavi had also been sentenced by the same branch to ten years in prison, a fine, confiscation of assets, and other additional penalties.

Arash Nabavi, approximately 38 years old, was arrested in August of last year and released after two months on bail.

In September of last year, two businesses owned by Rouhani and Monzavi in Isfahan were sealed by the Ministry of Intelligence but were reopened after a month. On October 30, 2023, Rouhani and Monzavi were summoned and arrested by Branch 13 of the Isfahan Public Prosecutor’s Office. They were released the next day on 300 million toman bail. Rouhani had previously faced legal action due to his 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.

Prisoner Executed in Urmia Prison for Drug-Related Crimes

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mohammad Daghestani, Urmia prison, محمد داغستانی

At dawn today, August 21, the execution of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was carried out in Urmia Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner, who was hanged at dawn today, as “Mohammad Daghestani.” He had been arrested on drug-related charges and was 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 responsible organizations.

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Political Prisoner Reza Arabpour Detained for Over 21 Months Without Verdict

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, HRANA, Izeh, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Rasoul Bodaghi, Reza Arabpour, Sadegh Ghasemi, Sheiban Prison, Vahid Abbasi, رضا عرب پور

Reza Arabpour, a political defendant arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022 in Izeh, remains in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, over twenty-one months after his arrest, with no legal resolution in sight.

HRANA’s sources indicate that Mr. Arabpour has been in detention for over 600 days. Despite a court session being held in June of this year at Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, no verdict has been issued for him. Arabpour, hence, remains in a state of uncertainty in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.
Previously, Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense attorney for this political defendant, had told HRANA that Arabpour, along with Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari, are involved in a joint case, and a court session was held to address charges including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), corruption on earth (Efsad-e-Fil-Arz), and forming a rebel group.”

In November 2022, Reza Arabpour, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Bahman Bahmani, Behrooz Salahshoor, Rasoul Bodaghi, Vahid Abbasi, Sadegh Ghasemi, and Esmail Mousavi Nazari were arrested by IRGC intelligence officers. After completing the interrogation process, they were transferred to Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

A few months later, the indictment of these individuals on the mentioned charges was referred to Branch 4 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.
Among these citizens, so far, Bahman Bahmani, Mohsen Ahmadpour, Vahid Abbasi, Esmail Mousavi Nazari, Behrooz Salahshoor, and Rasoul Bodaghi have been released from Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, on bail.

Ramin Haeri Sentenced to Sixteen Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Javad Haeri, Mashhad, Ramin Haeri, Vakilabad prison

Ramin Haeri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to sixteen months in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court in this city.

Based on a recent verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and communicated to this political prisoner in prison, Mr. Haeri was sentenced to sixteen months in prison on charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.”

A source close to the political prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, adding, “Mr. Haeri is also facing another case on the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader, for which no court hearing has yet been held.”

Haeri was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Mashhad on February 27, 2024, and was taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city.

He was eventually transferred to Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, on March 28, 2024. He is currently being held in Ward 104 of this prison, alongside violent crime offenders, without regard for the principle of separating different types of crimes.

Two Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Esmaiel Jawadi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Mohammad Karami-Zadeh

On August 19, the execution of two prisoners, convicted of separate murder charges, was carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

HRANA has identified the two prisoners as Mohammad Karami-Zadeh and Esmaiel Jawadi. According to HRANA’s information, Karami-Zadeh was initially sentenced to death on drug-related charges, but his death sentence was overturned under Article 45. Subsequently, during a “conjugal visit” in prison, he murdered his wife, for which he was ultimately sentenced to death again on murder charges.

Esmail Jawadi, the other executed prisoner, had been sentenced to death for the murder of his friend, allegedly motivated by issues of honor.

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

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.

Mojgan Kavousi Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Mojgan Kavousi, Mozhgan Kavousi, Sari Revolutionary Court, مژگان کاووسی

Mojgan Kavousi, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court after her request for retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mojgan Kavousi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Maziar Tataei, Ms. Kavousi’s defense attorney, announced on his personal page: “Following the acceptance of the retrial by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, the sentence of my client, Ms. Mojgan Kavousi, which was originally 61 months, has been reduced to 12 months by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court.”

On July 30, Kavousi’s request for retrial was accepted by the Supreme Court, and her case was referred to an equivalent branch for reconsideration.

In December 2022, Kavousi was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Sari Revolutionary Court to eight months in prison for “propaganda activities against the regime,” 18 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and 39 months for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

In December 2023, she was sent to Tonekabon Prison to serve her sentence. In late June this year, her prison sentence was converted to a suspended sentence, and she was released from Tonekabon Prison.

Kavousi has previously been arrested and imprisoned for her activism. She was arrested during the November 2019 protests and was sentenced to imprisonment. She was eventually released from Kachooie Prison in Karaj in January 2022 after serving 20 months.

Two Prisoners Executed in Sabzevar Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Musa-Reza Ebrahimi, Sabzevar, Zardkoohi

Today, August 14, 2024, the death sentences of two prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Sabzevar Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoners as “Musa-Reza Ebrahimi, 24, and Reza Zardkoohi, 31.”
These individuals had been arrested on drug-related charges and were later sentenced to death by the judiciary. Mr. Ebrahimi was arrested approximately three years ago in connection with these charges and was subsequently transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

The prisoners were moved to solitary confinement yesterday in preparation for their executions.

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

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.