Tag: irgc

Dorsa Dehghani Released on Bail; Sina Kamali Sarvestani Still in Detention

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Baha'i arrests, baha'i citizens arrested, Baha'i citizens detained, Baha'i citizens in Iran, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

Baha’i citizen Dorsa Dehghani was released on bail on Thursday, July 1st, while  Sina Kamali Sarvestani, another Baha’i resident of Shiraz, is still being held in an undisclosed location after 17 days of detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens were arrested separately on June 14 by IRGC intelligence agents.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism.

Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of 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.

Baha’i Citizens Sina Kamali and Dorsa Dehghani Still in Detention in Shiraz

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Prisoners, Religious Minorities, Women
Baha'i, Baha'i citizens, baha'i citizens arrested, Dehghani, Dorsa Dehghani, irgc, Sarvestani, Shiraz, Sina Kamali Sarvestani

After 14 days, Baha’i citizens Dorsa Dehghani and Sina Kamali Sarvestani are still in detention in an unknown location in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the citizens were arrested separately on June 15 by IRGC intelligence agents.

A source close to their families said that Dehghani and Sarvestani have made a brief calls and spoken with their families but are being interrogated under psychological and physical pressure. The lack of accountability of the security agencies about their condition and whereabouts has caused increasing concern from their families.

Darsa Dehghani was treated for a medical problem before his detention, but he has not had access to his medications since being arrested.

According to unofficial sources, more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian constitution recognizes only Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Because their faith is not considered legitimate by authorities, the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

This deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a violation of 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.

 

Teacher Union Activist Arrested in Connection with Online Activity Regarding Presidential Election

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Hamidnia, irgc, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Massoud Hamidnia, rheumatoid arthritis, Shush city, Teacher arrested, teacher union, Teacher union activist

On June 19, teacher union activist Massoud Hamidnia was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents at his home in the city of Shush in Khuzestan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, security forces raided his home without a warrant and confiscated several of his personal belongings including his laptop and mobile phone.

The detained activist is suffering from medical problems such as rheumatoid arthritis, and he has been denied access to his medications since the arrest, raising concern among his family.

Hamidnia’s family was told that he had been arrested in connection with his activities on social media and cyberspace regarding the recent presidential election.

As of this writing, no information is available on his whereabouts or the charges against him. Hamidnia has thus far only been allowed to make one short phone call to his family.

 

 

Medical Staff Member Arrested For Protesting in Shiraz

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Citizen arrested, Citizen arrests in Iran, Citizen detained, Citizens detained, irgc, Namazee, Namazee Hospital, Namazee Hospital Shiraz, Security forces, Shiraz

On June 17, a member of the medical staff of Namazee Hospital in Shiraz was arrested by security forces after speaking out against the Islamic Republic.

Based on a video posted on social media, the citizen was forcefully arrested by security forces.

As of this writing, no information is available on his whereabouts.

Citizen Detained by IRGC Intelligence Agents in Mazandaran

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
election, Iran elections, Iran presidential election, irgc, Mazandaran, Mazandaran province, Ministry of Intelligence, Politics

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mehr News Agency, a citizen was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Mazandaran province for what they described as “links to a monarchist group based abroad”.

The report says: “This operation revealed that this trained person and his associates were trying to recruit members in cyberspace and real-world to increase people’s dissatisfaction and to reduce the maximum turnout in the presidential election, and, like in 2009, inflame the political atmosphere.”

The report does not mention the identity of the detained citizen.

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Parliament Approves General Plan to Reward Individuals Sanctioned by “Hostile” Countries and Increase Punishment for Espionage

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, Other
ICANA, irgc, Ministry of Intelligence, NAJA Intelligence Operation, Parliament, Parliamentary Judiciary Commision, Sanctions, Self sacrificers, Veteran status

The general plan to increase the punishment of espionage was approved by Parliament. The plan will also extend  benefits to individuals sanctioned by countries deemed “hostile” by a designated committee.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting the Islamic Consultative Assembly News Agency (ICANA), under the proposed plan, those who spy for “hostile” countries will be considered “corruptors on earth” and sentenced to execution.

The determination of whether the spying country is hostile or not will fall under the responsibility of a committee consisting of representatives of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, the NAJA Intelligence Organization, and the Ministry of Intelligence, headed by the representative of the General Staff of the Armed Forces.

A member of the Parliamentary Judiciary Commission has stated that those who are on the list of sanctions of countries deemed hostile will be considered “self sacrificers” (a citizen classification most commonly reserved for veterans) and enjoy the attached rights and privileges.

Labor Activist Maziar Seyednejad Transferred to IRGC Detention Center in Evin Prison

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Labor and Guilds, Prisoners
Activist arrested, Activist imprisoned, Evin, Evin Prison, irgc, Khuzestan province, Labor activist, Maziar Seyednejad, Ministry of Intelligence, Seyednejad, solitary confinement, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

On Monday, June 7, labor activist Maziar Seyednejad was arrested by security forces at his private home in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Seyednejad is currently being held in solitary confinement in the Ministry of Intelligence Detention Center in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Recently, the labor activist’s 3 year sentence was confirmed by the Court of Appeals in the Khuzestan Province.

Seyednejad has not, as of yet, been allowed access to a lawyer.

HRANA Recap: Recent Hunger Strikes in Iranian Prisons

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Abolfazl Ghasali, Evin Prison, Farzad Samani, Greater Tehran Prison, Hossein Hashemi, Hunger Strike, Iraj Hatami, irgc, Khalid Pirzadeh, prison hunger strike, Rajai Shahr Prison, Tehran, tehran prison, Urmia prison

Khalid Pirzadeh on a hunger strike in the Greater Tehran Prison

 

On May 31, political prisoner Khaled Pirzadeh went on a hunger strike for the second time this year in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Pirzadeh has been denied visitations and leave in the 25 months since his imprisonment.

Earlier this year, Pirzadeh went on a hunger strike following the failure of authorities to fulfill their promise to agree to parole. Pirzadeh ended his hunger strike in March after authorities promised that his demands would be met.

In May of 2019, the political prisoner was sentenced by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, headed by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, to 5 years in prison, and an additional 2 years for “insulting the leadership”.  According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, of the 7 total years, 5 can be enforced on Pirzadeh on the charge of “conspiracy and collusion”.

Khaled Pirzadeh underwent foot surgery in August 2020. His legs and spine were severely damaged during detention and required further surgery and physiotherapy. He was also barred from being hospitalized in December 2020 despite having a heart problem.

 

 

Iraj Hatami on a hunger strike in protest of continued imprisonment in Rajai Shahr Prison 

 

On May 30, Iraj Hatami, currently being held in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj, went on a hunger strike to protest his continued imprisonment and the fact that previous time served in detention has not been counted towards his 10 year sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  Hatami was arrested by security forces in October 2010 and sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of “collaborating with a hostile US government”.

Before his arrest, Hatami worked for the Ministry of Defense and spent two years and three months in military detention. Had this time been counted by prison officials, Hatami’s 10 year sentence would have ended last year. Mr. Hatami suffers from diabetes and high blood pressure.

 

 

Farzad Samani on a hunger strike in the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center in Urmia

 

Farzad Samani, a student detained in one of the IRGC intelligence detention centers in Urmia, went on a hunger strike on May 30.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, Samani has been on a hunger strike to protest pressure from the IRGC’s intelligence services and the extension of his and Sakar Eini’s imprisonment for the sixth consecutive time.

The undergraduate student was arrested in his dormitory at Kharazmi University in Karaj in December 2020, and was later transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center in Urmia.

So far, no information is available on the charges against Samani and Eini.

 

 

Hossein Hashemi on a hunger strike in Tehran Prison after his punitive transfer

 

On Tuesday, June 1, political prisoner Hossein Hashemi went on a hunger strike in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists,  Hashemi is one of the detainees from the November 2019 nationwide protests.

Per the report, Hashemi was taken from the ward under the pretext of going to interrogation, but was then transferred to the 4th section of the Greater Tehran Prison, which holds prisoners accused of violent crimes.

It is said that Mr. Hashemi’s transfer took place following a verbal argument with Eliassi, the supervising prosecutor of the Evin court. Eliassi had previously threatened to move Hussein Hashemi to a place where he would regret his actions.

 

 

Abolfazl Ghasali went on a hunger strike in Evin prison in Tehran

Tehran resident Abolfazl Ghasali, currently serving out a sentence in Evin Prison, has been on a hunger strike since May 27.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Ghasali demands to be granted leave of absence during the COVID-19 outbreak, release on parole due to family’s financial problems, and a retrial.

Ghasali has had several nosebleeds since the day he started the hunger strike. The prisoner is also said to have suffered heart and lung problems during his detention due to poor nutrition and poor prison conditions. He also went on a hunger strike in December last year to protest the failure to address his needs.

In 2018, Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided by Judge Mohammad Moghiseh, sentenced Ghasali to a total of 7 years in prison on charges of “Gathering and colluding and disturbing public order with the intention of committing a crime against national security”, and “insulting the Supreme Leader”.

3 years and 6 months of imprisonment are enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

 

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Sentenced to 40 Years in Urmia Prison

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Prisoners
freedom of expression, Hosseini, irgc, Mahabad, Naqadeh, Naqadeh Prison, Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, Urmia, Urmia prison

On May 25, the Mahabad Revolutionary Court sentenced Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, a resident of Naqadeh in West Azerbaijan, to 40 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, The First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad summoned Hosseini and informed him upon arrival that he had been sentenced in absentia.

Hosseini is facing 40 years in Urmia Prison on charges of Moharebeh (rebellion, or “waging war against God” in Shariah Law) through membership in an opposition group.

In April, Hosseini’s last hearing was held in the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Javad Gholami. The political prisoner also faced a hearing for Moharebeh in July 2019.

Hosseini is currently being held in Naqadeh Prison in the West Azerbaijan Province.

Suleiman Karimpour Sent to Mahabad Prison to Serve out 2-Year Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
irgc, Mahabad Prison, Ministry of Intelligence, Right to a fair trial, Suleiman Karimpour, unfair trial

On May 18, Soleiman Karimpour, a citizen of Mahabad in the West Azerbaijan province, was sent  to Mahabad Prison on charges of “collaborating with one of the opposition parties”.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa,  Karimpour was sentenced by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court to two years in prison, and the confiscation of a private car. The sentence was later upheld by the Court of Appeals.

in September 2020, Suleiman Karimpour was arrested by security forces and later transferred from the IRGC Intelligence Detention Center to Mahabad Prison. He was released on bail in December 2020.

Per the report, Karimpour was denied a lawyer and family visits during his detention.