Naser Balouch Arrested in Zahedan Following Makki Mosque Incident

On July 17, Naser Balouch, a 24-year-old scholar at Makki Mosque, was apprehended by security forces in Zahedan, as reported by Haal Vsh.

Balouch, a resident of Qasr-e Qand in Sistan and Baluchestan province, was forcefully arrested by the agents in a street of Zahedan. The location of his detention and the specific allegations against him remain undisclosed.

It is worth noting that in recent days, several individuals have been detained in connection with the Makki Mosque incident. Security personnel at Makki Grand Mosque apprehended an individual who was allegedly tasked by the IRGC with carrying out a terrorist act involving the poisoning of Molavi Abdolhamid.

In response to this thwarted terror attempt, the provincial Chief Justice has urged the security personnel of Makki Grand Mosque to provide supporting evidence for these allegations. Failure to do so may result in legal consequences.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Arrested and Detained in Tehran

On July 15, civil rights activist Majid Rezaie was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Rezaie, he is currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison, where he will serve a nine-month sentence.

Previously, on May 22, Rezaie received a summons from the Judgement Enforcement Unit in Tehran to initiate his sentence.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court initially imposed a one-year sentence, which was later reduced to nine months after Rezaie entered a plea of no contest. Additionally, he has been sentenced to four hours of daily penal labor for the Tehran Municipality over a three-month period. Furthermore, he is required to attend a course conducted by the Institute of Psychology Ma’avaye e Qom, purportedly aimed at “enhancing emotional regulation.”

On July 23, 2020, Rezaie and his wife, Fariba Fereydooni, were arrested by agents of the IRGC in Khomeyn County, Markazi Province. He was released on bail after 21 days of detention.

Supreme Court Confirms Death Sentence for Abbas Deris

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence against Abbas Deris, who was arrested during the November 2019 protests. Deris has been convicted of the charge of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

Announcing this development, Fereshteh Tabanian, the lawyer representing Deris stated that Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has confirmed this verdict desptie the flaws in this case. Furhter, she announced that she will ask for a retrial.

Currently incarcerated at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, Deris was initially sentenced to death by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” It is important to note that Deris’s brother, who was also a co-defendant in this case, has been acquitted of all charges. Both individuals were apprehended on December 8, 2019.

During the course of his interrogation by the IRGC, Deris was coerced into confessing to firing shots at security forces, resulting in the death of Police Captain Reza Sayyadi. This coerced confession was later broadcasted by Iran-state TV. However, during the trial, Deris admitted to participating in the protests but denied any involvement in shooting at security forces.

Abbas Deris, aged approximately 49, is a father of three children.

In November 2019, an increase in fuel prices sparked a wave of protests in dozens of cities across the country. The spokesperson of the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Seyed Hossein Taghavi, announced that 7000 people were arrested during these protests. According to reports from human rights organizations, hundreds were killed by the security apparatus.

Akbar Danesh Sararudi Arrested in Isfahan

On July 3, 2023, political activist Akbar Danesh Sararudi was arrested in Isfahan by security forces. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of Sararudi is believed to have been carried out by the IRGC Intelligence unit, according to a reliable source close to his family. However, the specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Sararudi, a resident of Isfahan, has been involved in political activism.

Update on Zohreh Sarve’s Health Condition in Evin Prison

Political prisoner Zohreh Sarv is serving her six-year sentence in Evin Prison. Zohreh Sarve’s medical condition in Evin Prison has raised concerns, as reported by a reliable source who spoke to HRANA.

She is currently suffering from knee injuries and potential breast cysts, requiring medical treatment such as sonography and MRI tests. Despite the approval of the head of the prison infirmary, prison officials have denied her request to be transported to a hospital for the necessary treatments.

In September 2021, Sarve was arrested by security forces and initially held in IRGC ward A-1. Following the conclusion of the interrogation process, she was transferred to Evin Prison after one month.

Subsequently, the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued a seven-year sentence for Sarve, charging her with “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison term is enforceable for a duration of six years.

It is important to note that Sarve has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to her activism. Prior to her arrest, she was actively engaged on social media platforms.

 

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Majid Khademi Receives Nine-Year and Three-Month Sentence

Majid Khademi, a 31-year-old resident of Behbahan, has been handed a sentence of nine years and three months by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court, following a plea of no contest.

Originally, Khademi had been sentenced to ten years and one month. However, after entering a plea of no contest, the sentence was reduced from six years and three months to five years and five months for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The convictions of two years and six months for “propaganda against the regime” and one year and four months for “membership in anti-regime groups” remain unchanged.
Additionally, as part of the ruling, Khademi has been ordered to serve two years of exile in Taft, Yazd Province. He is also prohibited from joining any political or civil groups and is mandated to attend orientation classes.

According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial prison term of five years and five months will be enforced. Furthermore, Khademi faces additional charges in the second part of his legal case, which has been transferred to Behbahan Criminal Court.

On January 18, 2020, Khademi, along with Mehran Gharebaghi, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence and subsequently taken to a detention facility in Behbahan City. Following one month of interrogation, they were transferred to Behbahan Prison.

On June 15, 2021, Khademi was released on bail of 2.5 billion tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings.

 

 

 

 

Mostaghel Newspaper’s Managing Editor Receives Prison Sentence and Fine

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency-Fariba Abbasi, the managing editor of Mostaghel Newspaper, has been sentenced to six months in prison and fined five million tomans.

Ali Nazari, the chief editor, stated, “Following a complaint lodged by the IRGC’s Thar-Allah Headquarters, the Tehran Criminal Court has imposed a six-month prison term and a fine on Abbasi.”
The court proceedings regarding the charges against her took place in mid-June.

Multiple Individuals Arrested in Connection to Makki Grand Mosque Incident

According to Tasnim, a security-affiliated news agency, a number of individuals have been arrested in relation to the Makki Grand Mosque incident. These individuals are said to have been apprehended for their alleged involvement in uncovering a plot to poison Abdolhamid Ismaeelzah (aka Molavi Abdolhamid), the Zahedan Imam of Friday Prayer and spiritual leader for Iranian Sunnis.

They are facing legal actions for charges of “spreading falsehood and disturbing public opinion.” Recent reports from media outlets like Haal Vsh, which covers incidents of human rights violations in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, have highlighted that the security personnel at Makki Grand Mosque apprehended an individual who was allegedly commissioned by the IRGC to carry out a terrorist act involving the poisoning of Molavi Abdolhamid.

In response to this thwarted terror attempt, the provincial Chief Justice has called for the security personnel of Makki Grand Mosque to provide evidence supporting these allegations, otherwise facing legal consequences.
Consequently, security forces have arrested several individuals who are relatives or close associates of Molavi Abdolhamid, including his grandson, Abolnasir Shahbaksh, and a 23-year-old cameraman named Osameh Shahbaksh, who works at the Mosque. Both individuals’ residences have been searched by security forces.

Mohammad Moradi Arrested in Sari

Mohammad Moradi, a resident of Sari, was apprehended by security forces on June 25, 2023, and subsequently taken to a detention facility operated by the intelligence branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who spoke with HRANA, the arrest took place as IRGC intelligence agents intercepted Moradi while he was leaving his residence. He was detained in a detention facility in a nearby village.

“Moradi was arrested following publishing a post on social media,” the source added.
The exact grounds for Moradi’s arrest remain undisclosed at this time, and the allegation against him is yet to be revealed.

It is worth noting that Moradi had previously been arrested during the nationwide protests in 2022. Following a period of 30 days in custody, he was released after receiving amnesty in accordance with the “pardon and commutation” directive.

 

Update on Maziar Seyednejad’s Condition in Evin Prison

Maziar Seyednejad, an advocate for workers’ rights, remains confined to Ward 6 of Evin Prison since the commencement of his sentence on May 21, 2023.

In January 2023, Maziar Seyednejad received a sentence from Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, which included two years in prison for “membership in communist groups” and an additional year for “propaganda against the regime.” Moreover, he has been prohibited from leaving the country, engaging in political and civil associations, and participating in online social activities for a duration of two years. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the two-year sentence for the aforementioned charge has been enforced.

However, it is worth noting that Seyednejad has publicly stated that, when considering his previous three-year sentence in Ahvaz, he expects to serve a total of five years.

Seyednejad’s arrest took place on June 7, 2021, when security forces apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. He was subsequently transferred to IRGC’s detention facility in Evin Prison, specifically Ward 2-A. On August 16, 2021, he was granted temporary release upon posting a 600-million-toman bail, pending the conclusion of his legal proceedings.

It is important to mention that Seyednejad has faced prior arrests and convictions due to his unwavering commitment to civil activism.