Tag: HRANA

Four Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Jamal Ghadirzadeh, Mojgan Basiri, Shokoofeh Basiri, Vida Ahrari, Yazd

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, security forces detained Baha’i citizens Vida Ahrari, Mojgan Basiri, Shokoofeh Basiri, and Jamal Ghadirzadeh in Yazd and transferred them to undisclosed locations.

According to an insider source who informed HRANA, these individuals were guests at Mrs. Basiri’s residence when security agents conducted a raid and apprehended them. Additionally, searches were carried out at the residences of all four Baha’i individuals.

The motives behind their arrests, as well as their current whereabouts, remain unknown.

HRANA’s annual report has highlighted a concerning trend where, in 2022, 64.63% of reported human rights violations against religious minorities are directed toward the Baha’i community.

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.

 

Political Prisoner Nayeb Askari Initiates Hunger Strike in Protest of Death Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, moharebeh, Naeb Askari, Nayeb Askari, Urmia prison

Nayeb (Naeb) Askari, a political prisoner currently held in Urmia Prison, commenced a hunger strike on September 28 to protest against his death sentence.

A source close to Askari’s family relayed the news of his hunger strike to HRANA on Thursday. Another source disclosed that Askari initiated his hunger strike upon being transferred to the quarantine section.

IRGC intelligence agents apprehended Askari on March 27, 2021, in Urmia, subsequently relocating him to a detention facility. On June 17, 2021, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, where he has remained in detention.

In April 2023, Nayeb Askari was sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, charged with “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Sources closely connected to his family have reported Askari’s deteriorating health during his detention. In February/January 2022, he experienced a convulsion but was denied adequate medical attention. The prison infirmary was allegedly ill-equipped, resorting to the arbitrary prescription of non-specific medication in such cases.

Furthermore, on July 12, 2021, he faced a new case stemming from a complaint by the head of Urmia Prison. As a result, he received an additional three months of imprisonment and 50 lashes for the charge of “disrupting prison order.”

Nayeb Askari is a father of two children, underscoring the urgency of addressing his situation.

Report on Eleven Political Prisoners and Detainees Held in Evin Prison’s Quarantine Section

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News
Alireza Hajian, Arash Keykhosravi, Behesht-e-Zahra, Behfar Laleh Zari, Evin Prison, Hamed Mohagheghi, HRANA, Mohsen Haj Mohammadi, Payam Bastani Parizi, Pouria Shokoohi Rad, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Rezavaneh Ahmadkah Beigi, Sajjad Bakhshali, Saman Rezaie, Zaman Esmaeili

Eleven political prisoners and detainees find themselves in the quarantine section of Evin Prison.

Nine among them were apprehended between September 11 and September 18, in a state of legal uncertainty. This group includes Mohsen Haj Mohammadi, Sajjad Bakhshali, Pouria Shokoohi Rad, Hamed Mohagheghi, Behfar Laleh Zari, Payam Bastani Parizi, Saman Rezaie, Alireza Hajian, and Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili. Additionally, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, a former political prisoner, faced punitive relocation to this section following his arrest on May 1, 2023. Lawyer Arash Keykhosravi, most recently arrested at his residence by security forces, completes the group.

According to information gathered by HRANA, in addition to these eleven prisoners, there are several other individuals currently detained in the same section. These individuals were recently arrested for participating in the anniversary ceremony commemorating the protestors who lost their lives during the 2022 nationwide protests at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery. HRANA is actively engaged in efforts to identify these detainees.

Here is an overview of the eleven prisoners:

1. Sajjad Bakhshali: Arrested on September 18, 2023. He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a public security police station, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” Bakhshali has previously faced multiple arrests and incarcerations for his activism.

2. Behfar Laleh Zari: Arrested alongside his wife, Rezavaneh Ahmadkah Beigi, on September 18, 2023. He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a public security police station, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” A former political prisoner, Laleh Zari was released from Evin prison in February 2019. His wife is currently detained in Qarchak Prison, Varamin.

3. Payam Bastani Parizi: Arrested on September 11, 2023, he has been charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” After 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

4. Reza Mohammad Hosseini: Arrested on May 1, 2023, Hosseini faces charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime, assembly and collusion against national security, and association with anti-regime news channels.” Hosseini is being held punitively in the quarantine section and has a history of prior arrests and convictions related to his activism.

5. Arash Keykhosravi: An attorney at law, arrested on September 25, 2023. Keykhosravi is among the nine Iranian lawyers and human rights defenders apprehended on August 14, 2021, during a meeting to discuss a lawsuit against Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the government regarding the ban on foreign vaccines. He was sentenced to two years in prison, a one-year ban from practicing law, and a ban on media activities, with the sentence upheld on appeal. Keykhosravi was also previously detained in Evin Prison from November 19, 2022, to March 6, 2023.

6. Mohsen Haj Mohammadi: Arrested on September 18, 2023, he is charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

7. Pouria Shokoohi Rad: Arrested on September 18, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

8. Hamed Mohagheghi: Arrested on September 18, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He spent seven days in solitary confinement at a Public Security Police station.

9. Saman Rezaie: Arrested on September 12, 2023, he faces the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” Rezaie spent 11 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

10. Alireza Hajian: Arrested on September 15, 2023, charged with “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

11. Zaman (Arash) Esmaeili: Arrested on September 15, 2023, facing the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” He also spent 12 days in IRGC’s detention facility 1-A.

Notably, as per Article 217 of Iran’s Criminal Procedure Law, the case investigator is obliged to grant the defendant bail after indictment. However, these detainees have been denied this right by prison and judicial authorities.

 

Jewish Iranian-American Prisoner Dies in Evin Prison Due to Lack of Timely Medical Care

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Execution of Imam Khomeini's Order, Faramarz Javidzad, HRANA, Los Angeles

Faramarz Javidzad, a Jewish Iranian-American who was incarcerated in Evin Prison, has tragically passed away due to insufficient medical attention and a delay in his transfer to a hospital.

According to a report obtained by HRANA, Javidzad suffered from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stomach bleeding. Given his medical history and deteriorating health, it is reasonable to conclude that the delay in getting Javidzad to a hospital contributed to his untimely death.

On Sunday, September 22, he was briefly taken to the prison infirmary but was subsequently returned to the public ward without receiving the proper medical treatment he urgently needed.

A source who spoke to HRANA revealed that, despite a judge’s approval for Javidzad’s transfer to an external hospital, prison officials obstructed his medical care and delayed his transfer.

Javidzad, a 63-year-old resident of Los Angeles, was involved in real estate in Iran. His arrest occurred in February/March 2022, following a complaint filed by the institution “Execution of Imam Khomeini’s Order.” After enduring three months of solitary confinement and interrogation in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, he was relocated to the public ward. Some of his fellow inmates had reported to HRANA about his worsening health condition during his detention.

As of now, neither prison officials nor any relevant institutions have issued a statement or announcement regarding Javidzad’s passing.

Azam Gholami Zahab Receives 16-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azam Gholami Zahab, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

The Mashhad Revolutionary Court has issued a 16-year prison sentence for Azam Gholami Zahab, who is currently incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

A source close to her family has informed HRANA that Gholami Zahab’s sentence includes ten years for “forming a group to act against national security,” five years for “assembly and collusion against the regime,” and one year for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Should this verdict be upheld on appeal, the ten-year imprisonment for the first charge will become enforceable.

In a previous revelation to HRANA, another source disclosed that Gholami Zahab had declined legal representation by a private lawyer.

Azam Gholami Zahab, a mother of one child, was arrested in September/October 2022 in Mashhad and has since been held in Vakilabad Prison.

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University Student Farhad Hosseini Arrested in Zanjan

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Students
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Farhad Hosseini, HRANA, zanjan

On September 19, Farhad Hosseini, a student at the University of Zanjan, was apprehended within the city and subsequently transported to an undisclosed location.

A source with close ties to Hosseini’s family shared with HRANA that they remain unaware of the exact location where he is being held, causing significant concern. Furthermore, his personal social media profiles have been removed.

The grounds for Hosseini’s arrest and the specific allegations against him remain shrouded in uncertainty at this point.

It’s worth noting that Farhad Hosseini is an Azerbaijani (Turk) activist currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Management at the University of Zanjan.

Children’s Rights Advocate Fereshteh Sedigh-Sefat Detained in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fereshteh Sedigh-Sefat, HRANA, Rasht

Rasht, September 18 – Fereshteh Sedigh-Sefat (Seddigh-Sefat), a dedicated children’s rights activist, was taken into custody on Monday at her residence in Rasht by security forces.

A source close to her family alerted HRANA to her arrest at her home. According to the source, in a short phone call, she informed her family about her transfer to a detention facility a few hours after her arrest.

Details regarding the grounds for Sedigh-Sefat’s arrest, the specific facility where she is being held, and the allegations against her remain undisclosed at this time.

Fereshteh Sedigh-Sefat, a resident of Rasht, has been actively engaged in advocating for children’s rights and facilitating community initiatives.

Report on the Anniversary of Death of Mahsa Amini

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News
Amjad Amini, Fardin Jafari, HRANA, IRNA, Kermanshah, Mahsa Amini, Marvdasht, Qarchak, Qezal Hesar Prison, Sanandaj, Saqqez

On Saturday, September 16, 2023, the nation observed the anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Jina) Amini, marked by scattered protest gatherings amidst an environment of heightened security, leading to the detention of several individuals across various cities in the country.

Reports obtained by HRANA reveal an extensive police presence and increased security measures in multiple urban centers, including Saqqez, Sanandaj, Tehran, Ardabil, Rasht, Arak, and Lahijan.

Despite these security measures, sporadic gatherings took place in cities such as Karaj and Kermanshah. In Tehran, attempts by some citizens to organize protest gatherings were met with intervention by security and military forces.

Local sources have reported that traders and shopkeepers in several Kurdish cities, including Sanandaj, Saqqez, Divandareh, Dehgolan, and Baneh, staged strikes by refraining from their daily activities. Additionally, residents of Saqqez received threatening text messages from the Ministry of Intelligence, warning of potential legal consequences if they participated in gatherings or rallies.

Several news outlets, including Dideban, have reported instances of gunfire being heard during the Kermanshah protest.

Furthermore, local human rights sources in the Kurdish region have documented an incident involving an individual named Fardin Jafari, who sustained injuries after entering a restricted area and subsequently being struck by gunfire from security forces. Shortly after this incident, Mehdi Ramezani, Deputy Governor of Kurdistan, confirmed the shooting but refuted reports of a fatality. He asserted that Saqqez remained entirely calm, with no gatherings or protests transpiring. Ramezani attributed the shooting of Fardin Jafari to his “entry into a restricted military area and disregard for warnings.” Jafari has since been hospitalized and underwent surgery due to the severity of his injuries.

Security forces also briefly detained and then released Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini’s father after he left his home today.

Ramezani justified the brief detention of Amjad Amini by alleging that “several members of a ‘terrorist group’ had planned to ‘assassinate’ Amjad Amini on his way to visit his daughter’s burial site. Security forces intervened and apprehended them, foiling their sinister plot.” However, IRNA, the official news agency of the Islamic Republic, contradicted the Deputy Governor of Kurdistan by denying any short-term detention of Amjad Amini.

Ramezani also reported the detention of several individuals in various cities of Kurdistan Province on charges related to their alleged membership in anti-regime groups. He explained, “These individuals were detained early on Saturday as they filmed and photographed businesses and industrial facilities. Security forces identified and subsequently detained them.”

The Public Prosecutor of Ardabil also informed the media of the detention of two individuals in the city on charges of “actions against national security.”

Furthermore, an intelligence official affiliated with the IRGC issued a statement announcing the detention of several individuals in Marvdasht county. These individuals were apprehended for what the statement described as “widespread propaganda and inscribing protest slogans on city walls aimed at disturbing public opinion.”

The Public Prosecutor and Revolution Prosecutor of Qarchak county also reported the detention of one individual on the charge of “membership in anti-regime groups” in their jurisdiction, along with several other detentions across various counties in Tehran Province.

Meanwhile, the IRGC’s intelligence unit in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province reported the detention of fifteen individuals in this region, citing their alleged intention to incite insecurity.

HRANA has received reports indicating that, in commemoration of the anniversary of the protests, thirteen inmates in Qezal Hesar Prison in Karaj have embarked on a hunger strike.

Prior to this, Amir Hossein Moradi and Ali Younesi, incarcerated students, had publicly announced their intention to undertake a three-day hunger strike in solidarity with nationwide protests.

Additionally, on Saturday, some female inmates at Evin Women’s Ward ignited their scarves within the prison compound as a symbolic protest act.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws, and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students, and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

Mahboobeh Mousavi Arrested in Ahvaz

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News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mahboobeh Mousavi

On September 13, 2023, Mahboobeh Mousavi, previously detained during the 2022 nationwide protests, was once again apprehended by security forces in Ahvaz and transported to an undisclosed detention facility.

According to a source with close ties to Mousavi’s family, the arrest occurred at 12:00 p.m. at her residence, with the agents failing to provide an arrest warrant. During the operation, a search of her home was conducted, leading to the confiscation of some of her personal belongings.
The specific grounds for her arrest, her current whereabouts, and the charges against her remain unknown at this time.

It’s noteworthy that Mousavi had been previously arrested by security forces on December 11, 2022, amid the nationwide protests. However, her case was officially closed following her amnesty, which was granted under a “pardon and commutation” directive implemented in February 2023.

 

Arrest of Three Family Members in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohmoud-Masoud Moeini, Parastoo Moeini, Tehran, ward 209, Zahra Safaie

On September 12, 2023, Zahra Safaie, Parastoo Moeini, and Mohmoud-Masoud Moeini, three members of the same family, were apprehended at their Tehran residence and are currently being held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

HRANA received information about their arrests from a source close to the family.

The exact reasons for their detentions and the charges brought against them are presently undisclosed. It’s worth noting that these detainees have previously encountered legal issues related to political matters and have been incarcerated in the past.