Tag: Karaj

Tragic Execution of Ten Inmates at Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad Behzadi, Qezel Hesar Prison, Shahab Shahbazi

In a somber development on October 18, 2023, Qezel (Ghezel) Hesar Prison bore witness to the execution of ten inmates who had been convicted of drug-related offenses and murder.

HRANA has identified two of these individuals as Shahab Shahbazi and Mohammad Behzadi, both convicted of drug-related crimes. The organization is actively working to confirm the identities of the remaining inmates who met a similar fate.

It’s worth noting that HRANA had previously reported on the relocation of two inmates to solitary confinement within this prison, signaling the imminent implementation of the death penalty.

At the time of composing this report, official sources and domestic media outlets within the country have not yet provided any information regarding these executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Civil Rights Advocate Arsham Rezaie Arrested in Karaj

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News
Arsham Rezaie, irgc, Karaj, Mahmood Rezaie

On October 17, civil rights activist Arsham (Mahmood) Rezaie was arrested by security forces in Karaj and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a source closely connected to his family, the IRGC intelligence conducted the apprehension at Rezaie’s residence in Karaj. As of now, the specific reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain undisclosed.

It’s worth noting that Rezaie has faced previous arrests and convictions due to his involvement in civil rights activities.

Four Inmates Executed in Qezel Hesar

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar, Karaj, Nazir-Mohamad Tajik, Nour-Mohammad Barbari, Qezel Hesar

On October 11, Qezel Hesar (Ghezel Hesar) Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of four inmates who had been convicted of murder. HRANA, citing Etemad News, had previously reported the execution of another inmate at the same facility.

Three of the executed individuals have been identified by HRANA as Nazir-Mohamad Tajik, Nour-Mohammad Barbari, both Afghan nationals, and Shahab Elhami.

Just yesterday, HRANA disclosed the transfer of six death-row inmates to solitary confinement in Qezel Hesar, hinting at the impending executions.

HRANA is actively pursuing further information regarding these recent executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

Execution of Inmate in Qezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On October 11, 2023, an inmate who had been convicted of murder faced execution at Qezel Hesar (Ghezel Hesar) Prison in Karaj, as revealed by Etemad News.

The prisoner who met his fate through hanging was found guilty of the murder of a friend in a coffee house seven years ago. Following the crime, he fled to Turkey, where Turkish authorities apprehended him. He was subsequently transferred to Interpol and later into the custody of Iranian authorities.

HRANA had reported just yesterday about the transfer of six death-row inmates to solitary confinement in Qezel Hesar, indicating their impending executions.

According to data compiled by the Center of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), between October 10, 2022, and October 8, 2023, a total of 659 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, representing a 24% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. Seven of these executions were conducted publicly. Concerningly, many of the defendants were denied access to a fair trial and due process. For details and statistics, read HRANA’s report.

 

Student Arzhang Mortazavi Arrested Once Again in Karaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arzhang Mortazavi, HRANA, Karaj, Kharazmi University

Arzhang Mortazavi, a student at Kharazmi University, found himself in the custody of security forces in Karaj on October 7th, where he was subsequently transported to an undisclosed location. This marks his second arrest, following his previous detention during the 2022 nationwide protests.

A reliable source with close ties to Mortazavi’s family provided HRANA with information regarding his arrest at his residence. It has been reported that the agents conducted a search of his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

Mortazavi had previously informed on social media about his summons to appear before the Public Security Police.

His initial arrest took place on December 17, 2022, in front of the university entrance. However, on February 21, 2023, he was released from the Central Prison of Karaj under the provisions of a general “pardon and commutation” directive.

In a separate development, late last month, Mortazavi received a suspension from the university for four semesters and was compelled to transfer to Damghan University.

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Fariba Asadi Detained in Kachooie Prison for Over 20 Days

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Asadi, Kachooie Prison, Karaj, Masoud Vazifeh, Mehran Delfan-Azari, Meysam Gholami

Fariba Asadi, a former political prisoner, remains in custody, enduring over 20 days of legal uncertainty within the confines of Kachooie Prison, Karaj.

A reliable source close to her family has conveyed to HRANA that Asadi faces charges related to violating hijab rules and spreading propaganda against the regime.

Notably, Asadi had previously been arrested by security forces in February 2021, alongside Mehran Delfan Azari, Meysam Gholami, and Masoud Vazifeh. They were detained on allegations of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in an anti-regime group.”

On October 2, 2021, Branch 2 of Shiraz’s Revolutionary Court sentenced Asadi to a one-year term for the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Subsequently, she was taken into custody at her residence in Tehran in January 2022, in order to commence her sentence at Qarchak Prison in Varamin. However, she was ultimately released following a pardon under the “pardon and commutation” directive.

Tragic Suicide Claims Inmate’s Life at Qezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Hamed Mohammadi, HRANA, Karaj, Qezel Hesar Prison

On Wednesday, August 30th, a tragic incident unfolded at Qezel Hesar Prison in Karaj as an inmate ended his life through a drug overdose.

HRANA has identified him as Hamed Mohammadi who was imprisoned for drug offenses for three years.

According to a source close to Mohammadi’s family, the incident occurred on Tuesday evening when Mohammadi ingested methamphetamine, ultimately leading to his demise in the prison’s infirmary the following Wednesday morning.

The Department of Statistics of Human Rights Activists in Iran reported a grim tally of violations against prisoners’ rights in 2022. These violations included 133 instances of physical assaults on inmates, 432 cases of denial of medical care, 204 incidents of unlawful transfer to solitary confinement, 102 attempted hunger strikes, 166 cases of coerced transportation or exile, 4,983 threats against prisoners, 46 instances of prisoners being denied visitors, 652 occurrences of psychological and physical torture, 20 prisoner deaths due to illness, two arrestees losing their lives at the hands of prison authorities, and 14 tragic cases of prisoners taking their own lives.

The disturbing statistics reveal a pressing need for reforms and increased scrutiny within the Iranian prison system to ensure the safety and well-being of all inmates.

Three Inmates Convicted of Drug Crimes Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Behrooz Rahmani, Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Kiumars Rezaie, Rahman Ebrahimi

Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the execution of three inmates on August 23. The individuals had been sentenced for drug-related offenses.

Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) has identified the inmates as Rahman Ebrahimi, Kiumars Rezaie, and Behrooz Rahmani. Ebrahimi and Rezaie had been serving ten-year sentences, while Rahmani had been imprisoned for three years.

At the time of writing, no official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have reported on these executions.

These executions bring renewed attention to the ongoing discussions surrounding the criminal justice system’s approach to drug-related crimes. In 2022, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran recorded 457 reports concerning the death penalty. Approximately 43% of these executions were linked to drug-related charges.

 

Verdicts Upheld for Eight Individuals Arrested Amid Nationwide Protests in 2022

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Moazzami Goodarzi, Amin Mehdi Shokrollahi, Amir-Mohammad Jafari, Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou, Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou, Hossein Mohammadi, Karaj, Mehdi Mohammadi, Mohammad Hosseini, Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi, Mohammad-Mehdi Karami, Reza Aria, Ruhollah Ajamian, Shayan Charani

The Supreme Court of Iran has affirmed the sentences for eight defendants involved in the case surrounding the death of Basij militia member Ruhollah Ajamian, as reported by Shargh Newspaper.

Initially handed down by the Karaj Revolutionary Court, the verdicts stand as follows: Hamid Ghareh-Hassanlou has been sentenced to 15 years of imprisonment in Yazd, while Reza Aria, Hossein Mohammadi, and Mehdi Mohammadi each face ten years of exile in Kerman.
Mohammad-Amin Akhlaghi Savojbolaghi, Amin-Mehdi Shokrollahi, and Farzaneh Ghareh-Hassanlou have each been given five years to serve in Mashhad. The Supreme Court has upheld all of these sentences.

Shayan Charani, Amir-Mohammad Jafari, and Ali Moazzami Goodarzi have been sentenced to three years of imprisonment in Qom. However, both Charani and Jafari were granted pardons and subsequently released, whereas Goodarzi’s sentence was upheld.

Furthermore, Aryan Farzamnia’s verdict has been revoked due to documented mental and psychological health concerns.

On January 7, 2023, two other individuals involved in this case, Mohammad Mehdi Karami and Mohammad Hosseini, were executed.

These individuals were initially apprehended in Karaj for their alleged roles in the death of Basij militia member Ruhollah Ajamian during a protest.

 

 

Rapper Saman Seydi Remains Detained for Over 300 Days Amid Legal Uncertainty

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News, Prisoners
2022 nationwide protests, Karaj, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi

Rapper Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been held in Rajai Shahr Prison, Karaj, for over 300 days, with no clear indication of further legal proceedings.

Despite his requests, Seydi has not been permitted to have representation from a private lawyer. Judge Salavati has denied his lawyer access to the case documents, hindering his defense.

The arrest of Seydi took place on October 2, 2023, in Tehran during the protests, following which he was transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison.

On November 8, 2023, Seydi was convicted on several charges, including “enmity against God (Moharebeh), assembly and collusion against national security,” and sentenced to death. However, the Supreme Court of Iran later overturned this verdict, leading to the transfer of his legal case to another court branch for retrial.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab 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.