Tag: Iman Afshari

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Receive Combined Nine-Year, Eight-Month Sentences

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Shahrokh Ahmadi, Siamak Ebrahimi, Tehran Revolutionary Court

The Tehran Court of Appeals has recently confirmed a joint sentence of nine years and eight months for Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi.

The court’s decision stipulates that Ebrahimi will serve five years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Ahmadi has been sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which dictates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Ebrahimi will spend five years in prison.

These sentences were initially issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court under the leadership of Judge Iman Afshari.

Ebrahimi and Ahmadi were apprehended by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and subsequently released on bail from Evin Prison.

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Sentenced to One Year in Prison Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeal

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Hasti Amiri, Iman Afshari, Zia Nabavi

The Tehran Court of Appeal upheld a one-year sentence against Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, students at Allameh Tabataba’i University.

Initially, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, with Judge Iman Afshari presiding, had handed down the one-year sentences to both students on charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime.” This decision has now been confirmed by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeal.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. Consequently, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

 

Reza Ramezanzadeh Initiates One-Year Sentence at Great Tehran Penitentiary

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Reza Ramezanzadeh, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Reza Ramezanzadeh commenced his one-year prison term at the Great Tehran Penitentiary on Tuesday, August 29, 2023. Ramezanzadeh, a former political detainee, was apprehended during the nationwide protests.

Ramezanzadeh’s sentence of one year was handed down by Judge Iman Afshari of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The conviction was based on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” Despite an appeal process, the verdict was upheld.

On January 7, 2023, Ramezanzadeh was summoned to the Evin Courthouse, leading to his immediate detainment in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, on February 9, he was released on bail.

Ramezanzadeh’s recent encounter with the legal system is not his first; he has faced arrests and convictions previously for his activism.

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.

 

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested Just One Day After Release

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Saqqez, Tehran Revolutionary Court

On Monday, August 14, journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested by security forces and promptly taken to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Her recent arrest comes after being granted bail and released from Evin Prison on August 13.

A reliable source close to Maroufian’s family, speaking to HRANA, has confirmed that she is now held at Qarchak Prison.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.
On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

 

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Each Sentenced to One-Year Prison Terms

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Allameh Tabatabai University, Hasti Amiri, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Tehran, Zia Nabavi

Tehran, August 9, 2023: In a recent development, Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, both students at Allameh Tabataba’i University, have been each handed a one-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Emtedad News.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari conveyed the verdict to the students, indicating that they have been found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” This decision was reached during a court session held on July 10, 2023.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. As a consequence, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi Sentenced to Combined Nine Years, Eight Months in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Karam Veisi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Shahrokh Ahmadi, Siamak Ebrahimi

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed down a combined sentence of nine years and eight months to Siamak Ebrahimi and Shahrokh Ahmadi, both residents of Tehran.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari informed Erfan Karam-Veisi about the verdict against his clients. Ebrahimi received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Meanwhile, Ahmadi was sentenced to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, Ebrahimi’s four-year term will be enforceable if the verdict is upheld on appeal.

These individuals were arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 7, 2023, and later released on bail from Evin Prison.

Meysam Dehbanzadeh Sentenced to Six Years in Prison on National Security Charges

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Former political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh has been handed a six-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after being found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “forming groups to act against national security.”

Presiding judge Iman Afshari delivered the verdict and additional restrictions, including a travel ban and limitations on social activities.

Dehbanzadeh’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, was informed of the court’s decision. Along with the prison sentence, Dehbanzadeh will face several punitive measures, including a prohibition from entering Tehran Province and neighboring regions, leaving the country, and joining civil and social groups. He will also be required to make monthly appearances at the Supervision and Follow-up Office of the Judiciary for two years.

This legal case against Dehbanzadeh was linked to the fire incident at Evin prison, which occurred last year.

On May 27, 2023, he was granted release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a “pardon and commutation directive.” However, his release was contingent on providing bail for the new legal case that had been opened against him during his time in prison, as confirmed by his lawyer, Karam Veisi.

Two Female Journalists Receive Lengthy Sentences

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
compulsory hijab, Iman Afshari, Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki, Nasim Sultan Beigi, Saeedeh Shafiee

In a concerning trend of surging convictions against journalists, two female journalists, Saeedeh Shafiee and Nasim Sultan Beigi, have been handed sentences totaling over eight years by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Shafiee and Sultan Beigi each received three years and seven months for “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, they face a two-year ban on joining civil and political groups and are subject to a travel ban.
Their co-defendant, Mehrnoosh Zarei Hanzaki, was acquitted of all charges.

During the court session held on July 3, 2023, the trial took an alarming turn as the judge introduced statements from the defendants’ social media accounts unrelated to the charges, criticizing their opinions on compulsory Hijab, causing further distress.

The case has drawn international attention, with Human Rights Watch expressing deep concerns about the charges brought against these journalists for expressing their opinions and practicing their profession.

 

 

Workers’ Rights Activist Anisha Asadollahi Begins Her Sentence in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, mohammad habibi, workers rights activist

Workers’ rights activist Anisha Asadollahi has commenced serving her five-year, eight-month sentence at Evin Prison.

The initial verdict, handed down by the Tehran Revolutionary Court under the jurisdiction of Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Asadollahi to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and an additional eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Despite an appeal, the sentence was upheld.

In accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, she will serve five years for the primary charges.

The court session addressing her charges took place on April 16, 2023.

Anisha Asadollahi and several other civil and workers’ rights activists were apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Asadollahi has a history of arrests and convictions linked to her activism.

Update on Arash Johari’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Arash Johari, Evin Prison, Iman Afshari

Arash Johari, a dedicated workers’ rights activist, is currently serving a seven-and-a-half-year sentence in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. Concerningly, he has been deprived of adequate medical care, as prison officials continue to deny him access to a dentist required to complete his treatment.

Following the incident at Evin Prison on the evening of October 15, 2022, which led to escalated tensions, explosions, and fires within the facility, Johari and several other inmates were transferred to Rajai-Shahr Prison in Karaj. However, on May 1, 2023, he was returned to Evin Prison.

On October 6, 2020, Johari was arrested at his residence in Tehran by IRGC Intelligence agents and subsequently detained in Ward 2A of Evin Prison.

In January 2021, Judge Iman Afshari of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Johari to five years for “organizing illegal groups to undermine national security,” five years for “collusion and assembly,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Following a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced to seven years and six months.