Tag: Isfahan

Political Prisoner Mohsen Ghiasi Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Esmaeil Barjesteh, Evin Prison, Isfahan, Mohsen Ghiasi, Shahriar, محسن غیاثی

Mohsen Ghiasi, detained during the nationwide protests in 2019, known as the Aban protests, is currently serving a five-year, three-month prison sentence in Evin Prison. Recent reports indicate that he has been denied medical furlough as a punitive measure.

According to a source close to Ghiasi’s family who spoke with HRANA, in mid-March, Ghiasi was placed in solitary confinement as punishment for protesting against the poor conditions in the prison during Ramadan. He endured eight days in isolation, and his medical leave was subsequently revoked.

Security forces arrested Ghiasi on November 26, 2019, in Isfahan during the protests. After four months, he was transferred from Ward 209 of Evin Prison to the Great Tehran Penitentiary.

He was released on bail on March 15, 2020.

On March 1, 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Shahriar, presided over by Esmaeil Barjesteh, sentenced Ghiasi to seven years and three months in prison on multiple charges, including “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Following Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, which stipulates that in cases of multiple charges, the harshest punishment shall be enforced, Ghiasi began serving a sentence of five years and three months.

Ghiasi, aged 42, is a resident of Shahriar County, married, and a father of one.

The November 2019 protests were triggered by a surge in fuel prices, leading to demonstrations in numerous cities across the country. Seyed Hossein Taghavi, the spokesperson for the Parliamentary National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated that approximately 7,000 individuals were arrested during these protests. Reports from human rights organizations indicate that hundreds of people lost their lives as a result of the actions carried out by the security apparatus.

 

Fifteen Baha’i Women Face Indictment in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azita Rezvani-Khah, Baha'i, Baharestan, Bashra Motahar, Farkhandeh Rezvan Pay, Firoozeh Rastinejad, Isfahan, Maryam Khorsandi, Mojdeh Bahamin, Mojgan (Mozhgan) Pourshafee, Nasrin Khademi, Noushin Hemmat, Roya Azad Khosh, Samira Shakib, Sanaz Rasteh, Sara Shakib, Shola Ashouri, Shurangiz Bahamin

The Isfahan Courthouse has indicted 15 Baha’i residents from Baharestan City in Isfahan County.

Among those indicted are Mojgan (Mozhgan) Pourshafee, Nasrin Khademi, Azita Rezvani-Khah, Shola Ashouri, Mojdeh Bahamin, Bashra Motahar, Sara Shakib, Samira Shakib, Roya Azad Khosh, Noushin Hemmat, Shurangiz Bahamin, Sanaz Rasteh, Maryam Khorsandi, Firoozeh Rastinejad, and Farkhandeh Rezvan Pay.

These women have been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “assisting in education and propaganda activities against Islamic Sharia.” The indictment was issued on April 8, 2024. Among them, Pourshafee, Khademi, Rezvani-Khah, Azad Khosh, Shakib, Raseh, Ashouri, Bahamin, Rastinejad, Khorsandi, and Hemmat were previously arrested in 2021 and later released on bail.

Furthermore, Bahamin, Rezvan Pay, Motahar, and Shakib’s residences were subjected to raids and searches by Intelligence agents.

Baha’is are subjected to violations of their religious rights, comprising 82% of reports on infringements against religious minorities, according to HRA’s 2023 annual report.

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.

University Student Fahimeh Soltani Summoned and Arrested by Ministry of Intelligence

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News
Fahimeh Soltani, Fahimeh Sultani, Isfahan, University of Isfahan, فهیمه سلطانی

Fahimeh Soltani, a law student at the University of Isfahan, was summoned by IRGC’s Intelligence in Isfahan on April 6, 2024, and subsequently detained at an undisclosed location.

Confirming Soltani’s arrest, a source close to her family informed HRANA that “she was summoned by university officials via phone. Since the request was made outside of office hours, she did not go there. Subsequently, the IRGC’s Intelligence in Isfahan summoned and arrested her upon her appearance.”

The reason for Soltani’s arrest remains unknown at this time. This is not her first arrest. Also, in May 2023, the University’s Disciplinary Committee suspended her for two semesters due to activism.

 

Political Prisoner Amir-Nasr Azadani Enters Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News
Amir Nasr Azadani, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Isfahan, Khaneh e Isfahan, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, Saleh Mir Hashemi, امیر نصر آزادانی

Amir-Nasr Azadani, a former soccer player and political prisoner currently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has embarked on a hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day while held in solitary confinement.

On April 4, 2024, Azadani was placed in solitary confinement as a punitive measure following the publication of a voice message from within the prison.

A source close to Azadani’s family disclosed to HRANA his decision to commence a hunger strike in protest against his solitary confinement.

In January 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan initially sentenced Azadani to five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” another five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and sixteen years for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, he was acquitted of the first two charges, leaving the prison term for the third charge intact.

During nationwide protests on November 17, 2022, security forces arrested Azadani in connection to the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case. Notably, three co-defendants in the same case, Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), Majid Kazemi (30), and Saeed Yaghoubi (37), were executed on May 19, 2023, on charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh).

 

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani Faces Prolonged 8-Month Detention Over Alleged Blasphemy Charges

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News
Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, Blasphemy, Dastgerd Prison, Dolatabad Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, آرش قنبری, شهناز قنبری

Arash Ghanbari Kohyani, aged 31, has been detained for over eight months in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, in a legal limbo.

A source close to Ghanbari’s family informed HRANA that he has been held for more than 234 days in Dastgerd prison, Isfahan. The court session to address the charges against him and his sister, Shahnaz, is scheduled for April 2, 2024, to be held by the Isfahan Criminal Court.

According to reports obtained by HRANA, Ghanbari faces restrictions on making phone calls and having family visits.

Ghanbari was arrested on August 1, 2023, following his presence at the Ministry of Intelligence in Shahreza, Isfahan Province. He was subsequently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison.

On September 2, 2023, his legal case for the charge of blasphemy was reviewed by the Supreme Court, which was then passed on to another branch for further review.

He is accused of blasphemy and insulting the Prophet of Islam, despite having already been acquitted of these charges by another branch of the Isfahan Criminal Court, with the case being closed.

His sister, Shahnaz Ghanbari, aged 35, was also arrested in August 2023 and was released on bail from Dolatabad Prison, Isfahan, on September 27 of last year, after being indicted.

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Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi Acquitted of Disseminating False Information and Inciting Violence

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News
Amir Raisian, Babol, Isfahan, Protest Rapper, Toomaj Salehi

Toomaj Salehi, the protest singer, has been acquitted by the Criminal Court of Isfahan of charges related to “disseminating false information” and “inciting people to violence.” His lawyer, Amir Raisian, confirmed this development, clarifying that these charges stemmed from a video Salehi published in November 2023.

Presently held in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Salehi faces a one-year prison sentence imposed by the Revolutionary Court for allegedly “spreading propaganda against the regime.” Alongside this verdict comes a two-year travel ban, revocation of his passport, and mandatory enrollment in behavior management and knowledge skills programs. This sentence was upheld on appeal.

Salehi’s legal saga began in late October 2022 when he was initially detained by security forces during nationwide protests. Subsequently, the Isfahan Revolutionary Court sentenced him to six years and three months in prison, among other penalties. However, he secured release on bail after the Supreme Court overturned the verdict.

Nevertheless, Salehi’s freedom was short-lived as he was re-arrested in Babol on November 30, just twelve days after being bailed out from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. The Judiciary spokesperson cited Salehi’s post-release statement as grounds for this subsequent arrest.

It’s worth noting that Salehi has a prior conviction from January 12, 2022, where he received a six-month prison term and a fine, with the imprisonment suspended for one year.

Maryam Khalili Detained by Security Forces in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Isfahan, Maryam Khalili, Marzieh Khalili

Maryam (Marzieh) Khalili, aged 24, was apprehended by security forces in Isfahan on March 14, 2024, and transferred to an undisclosed facility.

A source close to Khalili’s family verified her arrest to HRANA. According to reports obtained by HRANA, Khalili has been repeatedly summoned and interrogated by judicial authorities, and previously released on bond. She now faces charges including “spreading propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “blasphemy,” as declared by the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan.

At present, the reasons behind Khalili’s arrest and her current whereabouts remain undisclosed.

Protest Rapper Toomaj Salehi’s One-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Raisian, Iranian Rapper, Isfahan, Toomaj Salehi

The Appeals Court of Isfahan Province has upheld the one-year sentence for protest singer Toomaj Salehi, as reported by ILNA.

Amir Raisian, Salehi’s lawyer, revealed that the Court of Appeal dismissed their complaint against the initial verdict, rendering it final. Despite this setback, Raisian announced plans to pursue a retrial based on Article 477 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Salehi’s conviction for “propaganda against the regime” comes with additional consequences, including a two-year travel ban, the revocation of his passport, and mandatory participation in behavior management and knowledge skills programs.

Furthermore, Raisian clarified that this verdict is connected to a legal case initiated this year, stemming from the publication of a photo by Salehi.

He emphasized that Salehi faces an even greater challenge from a separate legal case dating back two years. On January 21, 2024, the Public and Revolutionary Courthouse of Isfahan indicted Salehi on multiple charges, including Baghi, an accusation of armed rebellion that carries the potential for severe punishment, including execution. In response, Raisian, expressed concerns about due process, labeling it as “unusual,” “illegal,” and “peculiar.” The Criminal Court has undertaken another part of this legal, adding more legal challenges to this protest rapper.

Kamal Babaie’s Arrest in Isfahan Raises Concerns

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Kamal Babaie

On January 27, 2024, security forces apprehended Kamal Babaie in Isfahan, placing him in Dastgerd Prison.

According to a source close to Babaie’s family, he was arrested and confined to prison at a time when his physical well-being was reportedly not suitable for incarceration.

The motives behind Babaie’s arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed. The circumstances surrounding his detention raise concerns about the transparency and justification of the arrest.

Workers’ Rights Defender Mostafa Zamani Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
IIWU, Independent Iranian Workers Union, Isfahan, Isfahan Oil Refinery, Izeh, Mostafa Zamani

Mostafa Zamani, an advocate for workers’ rights and a resident of Izeh, was arrested on January 14, 2024, by security forces in Isfahan. The Independent Iranian Workers Union (IIWU) reported his arrest and subsequent transfer to an undisclosed location.

The arrest allegedly took place within the premises of Isfahan Oil Refinery, yet the reasons behind his detention and his current location remain undisclosed.

Zamani, known for his advocacy of workers’ rights, is also employed as a welding worker.

As HRA’s annual report reveals, in 2023, 64 workers’ rights advocates were arrested by security forces in Iran. Additionally, 29 labor activists or defenders of workers’ rights were sentenced to 654 months of imprisonment, which includes 568 months of actual imprisonment and 86 months of suspended imprisonment. These alarming statistics underscore the challenging environment faced by those advocating for labor rights in the country.