Extended Detention: Ongoing Uncertainty for Aman Jalali Nejad in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz

Aman Jalali Nejad, a teacher residing in Ahvaz, remains in detention and uncertainty for over ninety days in Sheiban Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, recently, Jalali Nejad’s detention was extended for another month until August 10.

Jalali Nejad was arrested by security forces at the entrance of Ahvaz on April 8, 2024. In early June of this year, he was transferred from the quarantine ward of Sheiban Prison to the prison’s security ward.

This teacher was charged with “propaganda against the regime” on June 10, 2024, in Branch 13 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Aman Jalali Nejad is a teacher and painter employed by the Khuzestan Province Department of Education and resides in Ahvaz.

Judicial Case Filed Against Former Political Prisoner Fariba Asadi

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner who was released from prison in February 2023 after serving a previous sentence, is now facing a new judicial case.

A knowledgeable source close to Asadi confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that this case was opened following a complaint by Fereshteh Khadem, an official of the Mohammadshahr Revolutionary Court. The charges against Ms. Asadi include “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “disrupting public order and peace,” “public display of sinful acts,” “insulting officials and agents,” “intentional assault and battery,” and “insulting ordinary people.”

This source added that Fereshteh Khadem had previously filed a complaint against Ms. Asadi, which was closed with a no-prosecution ruling. The trial for Fariba Asadi’s new charges is scheduled for July 21, at the Mohammadshahr Criminal Court 2.

Asadi was previously arrested along with three co-defendants in February 2021 by security forces on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in anti-regime groups.” She was released on bail after a while. In October 2021, she was sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court for “propaganda against the regime.” In January 2022, she began serving her sentence in Qarchak Varamin Prison. She was ultimately released from Evin Prison in late February 2023 following an amnesty directive.

She was arrested again in September last year in connection with another case and released on bail from Kachouei Prison in Karaj in March of the same year.

Mohammad-Reza Shoghi Arrested in Gorgan

On Wednesday, July 10, Mohammad-Reza Shoghi, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested by security forces in the city.

A source close to his family confirmed this news to HRANA, saying: “This morning, Mohammad Reza Shoghi was arrested after an appearance at the Security Police office in Gorgan. Mr. Shoghi had previously been summoned to this security agency by phone.”

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges and reasons for the arrest of this resident of Gorgan.

Mohammad Reza (Tahmuras) Shoghi has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

Prisoners Deprived of Water Access in Ghezel Hesar Prison

For the past twenty days, prisoners in Ghezel (Qezel) Hesar Prison in Karaj have faced significant issues with accessing clean water. During this period, the inmates have only had access to safe drinking water for seven hours a day, putting their health at serious risk. The prison officials’ failure to promptly address this health issue could lead to the outbreak and spread of various diseases.

For several days, prisoners in this prison have experienced frequent water outages. This situation has further endangered the health of the inmates. On Wednesday, July 10, the family of one prisoner confirmed this issue in a call with HRANA, stating: “For about twenty days, prisoners’ access to clean water has been limited. Every day from 5 to 8 AM, 1:30 to 3:30 PM, and 9 to 11 PM, tap water is available to the prisoners. However, even during these hours, the water pressure is very low.”

According to information received by HRANA, the frequent water outages in recent days have prevented prisoners from regularly using the showers. Additionally, the lack of water has made it difficult for prisoners to use the restrooms. Given the hot season and the absence of water, the prison’s sanitary facilities are kept in a very dirty condition, further endangering the prisoners’ health.

Family members of another prisoner told HRANA: “The frequent water outages on these warm days are causing the spread of diseases such as tuberculosis, skin diseases, and other illnesses in the prison. A water tank has been set up for use during water outages, but it is only suitable for washing hands and faces. Prisoners who can afford it are forced to buy water from the prison shop at high prices, but not all prisoners have the financial means to do so.”

HRANA had previously reported on frequent water outages in The Central Prison of Karaj as well.

It is worth mentioning that imprisonment, defined as the restraint of a person’s liberty against their will, should not infringe on human dignity. Prisoners’ access to adequate food and water, healthcare, and legal advisers is affirmed in both domestic laws and international regulations, including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The conditions of the prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, which endanger their health and fail to meet their basic needs, are repeated violations of domestic and international laws.

Othman Mameh Detained for Over 600 Days

Othman Mameh, a resident of Bukan in West Azerbaijan province, has been detained for over 600 days. The lack of information about his condition has heightened the concern of his family and acquaintances.

A source close to Mameh’s relatives confirmed this news to HRANA: “Despite 600 days passing since Mr. Mameh’s arrest and the family’s follow-ups with security and judicial authorities, the relevant officials refuse to provide a clear answer regarding his status. Mameh has not had any contact with his family since his arrest, which has added to the concerns of his family and acquaintances. The only response from security agencies is that if he had died, they would have been informed.”

Mameh, 55, was arrested by security forces in Bukan on November 18, 2022.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him.

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Inmate Executed in Adelabad Prison for Drug Offenses

On Sunday, July 7, a death-row inmate convicted of drug-related charges was executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, as reported by Kurdpa.

His identity has been reported as “Mojtaba Karami, 28 years old, from Harsin, a county in Kermanshah Province.”

The report states: “This prisoner was arrested about three and a half years ago on drug-related charges and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.”

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

According to data compiled by HRANA, in 2023, Adelabad Prison carried out 49 executions, ranking five among prisons across Iran. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Morteza Keyvanloo’s Sentence Upheld on Appeal

The seven months and fifteen days prison sentence for Morteza Keyvanloo, a resident of Joghatai County, has been upheld by the Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province.

Based on a ruling issued on June 18 of this year by Branch 35 of the Court of Appeal of Razavi Khorasan Province and communicated to Mr. Keyvanloo, he has been sentenced to seven months and fifteen days of discretionary imprisonment.

In May of this year, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar, presided over by Mohammad Gholami, convicted Keyvanloo of “propaganda against the regime on the Internet.”

Keyvanloo was arrested on February 18, 2024, by security forces in Sabzevar and was released about twenty days later on bail.

According to information received by HRANA, this citizen was also sentenced to six months in prison last year on a similar charge, with the issued sentence suspended for five years. Additionally, in another case, he was fined by the Joghatai Criminal Court.

Morteza Keyvanloo, aged around 41, is the father of two daughters and a resident of Joghatai County.

Teacher Union Activist Mohsen Omrani Sentenced to Imprisonment

Mohsen Omrani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Bushehr.

According to the ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Bushehr and recently communicated to Mr. Omrani, he has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Several posts on social media have been cited as evidence for the charges against him.

The court session for these charges was held on July 2 of this year. A previous court session for Omrani’s charges was held, but the case was sent back to the prosecutor’s office due to deficiencies.

A source close to Mr. Omrani told HRANA that he is facing another legal case. In October of last year, Omrani, along with three other members of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, was sentenced to two years of discretionary imprisonment, confiscation of seized assets in favor of the government, and a three-year ban on teaching activities in academic environments. This case has been sent to Branch 3 of the Bushehr Province Court of Appeals, with a hearing date set for August.

Additionally, Mr. Omrani, along with two other union activists, was sentenced by the Bushehr Province Criminal Court to a fine for “participating in teachers’ union protests.” Later, these citizens were acquitted of the charges by the province’s Court of Appeals.

Mohsen Omrani, a member of the Board of Directors of the Bushehr Teachers’ Trade Association, has a history of arrest and conviction due to his activities.

Soheil Habibi Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

Soheil Habibi Kohneh Shahri, a resident of Salmas in West Azerbaijan province, was arrested on Friday, July 5, after being summoned to The Ministry of Intelligence’s office in the city.

Based on the information received by HRANA, Habibi, who had been previously summoned by phone to the Salmas Ministry of Intelligence, was arrested on Friday, July 5, after appearing at the aforementioned institution and was transferred to an unknown location.
A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Soheil was a member of one of the candidates’ campaign teams during the presidential election. It is likely that his summons and arrest were due to his comments regarding one of the candidates and the previous government.”

Habibi had also been previously arrested in November 2022 for his activities.

As of the time of this report, the charges and the whereabouts of this citizen remain unknown.

Workers’ Rights Activist Sharifeh Mohammadi Sentenced to Death for Armed Rebellion (Baghi)

Sharifeh Mohammadi, a workers’ rights advocate, imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of “Baghi” (armed rebellion).

This verdict, issued by Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar of Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, was communicated to her husband, Sirus Fathi, today, Thursday, July 4th. Ms. Mohammadi was sentenced to death on charges of “Baghi” due to her alleged membership in an opposition group.
The court session addressing Sharifeh Mohammadi’s charges was held on June 8th, covering accusations of propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and “Baghi” through membership in an opposition group.

The Ministry of Intelligence apprehended Mohammadi at her Rasht residence on December 5, 2023. Subsequently, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, 2023, only to be returned to Lakan Prison later on.

A source close to the labor activist’s family previously told HRANA, “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no connection to the Komala group that she is accused of being a member of, leading to the charge of ‘Baghi’.”