Tag: Karaj

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Sayyad Mohammadian Arrested in Karaj

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Karaj, Miandoab, Sayyad Mohammadian

On Monday, November 25, 2024, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Sayyad Mohammadian was arrested by security forces at his home in Karaj and transferred to Kachooie Prison.

A source close to his family confirmed the arrest, stating: “Sayyad Mohammadian was detained by security forces at his residence in Karaj. Following inquiries by his family, they were informed that he was arrested to begin serving his six-month sentence.”

Mohammadian was previously arrested in Karaj by security forces on May 15, 2024, and later released on bail on June 15, 2024, from Karaj Central Prison.

He was convicted by the Karaj Revolutionary Court of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced to six months in prison. The sentence was upheld by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals.

Sayyad (Ovchu) Mohammadian, from Miandoab, currently resides in a village near Karaj. He has previously faced arrest and interrogation for his activism.

Three Prisoners Executed on Drug Charges in Karaj Central Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Karaj, Karaj Central Prison

At dawn on Monday, November 25, 2024, three prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were executed in Karaj Central Prison.

The identities of the executed individuals have been confirmed as Ashkan Moradi, Jalal Haj Babayi, and Davood Heidari. All three had been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

Two days prior to the executions, on Saturday, November 23, the prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their sentences to be carried out.

Notably, another prisoner, Ehsan Basati, who was also on death row for similar charges, had his execution postponed and was returned to the prison’s general ward.

As of the time of publication, neither prison officials nor relevant authorities have officially announced these executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Workers’ Rights Activist Farhad Sheikhi Faces Ongoing Imprisonment Amidst History of Targeted Punishment

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News, Prisoners
Farhad Sheikhi, Hashtgerd, HRANA, Karaj, The Central Prison of Karaj, فرهاد شیخی

Farhad Sheikhi, a labor activist, is currently serving an eight-month prison sentence in the Central Prison of Karaj, following a ruling by the Alborz Province Court of Appeals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sheikhi was arrested in late September 2024 after appearing at the Criminal Enforcement Office in Hashtgerd and was transferred to Karaj Central Prison to serve his sentence.

On November 5, a source informed HRANA that Sheikhi was punitively transferred to solitary confinement for five days before being returned to his ward.

Sheikhi’s legal troubles began on May 28, 2023, when security forces arrested him at his home in Hashtgerd. Initially detained in Rajai Shahr Prison, he was later charged at the Hashtgerd Prosecutor’s Office on June 13, 2023. He was released on a bail of 100 million tomans pending trial.

In June 2024, Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Musa Asef al-Hosseini, convicted Sheikhi of “propaganda against the regime.” He was sentenced to one year in prison, two years of exile to Divandarreh in Kurdistan Province, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on residing in Alborz and Tehran Provinces following the completion of his exile.

On August 29, 2024, the Court of Appeals reduced his prison sentence to eight months, while the other aspects of his punishment remained unchanged.

Sheikhi, a dedicated workers’ rights advocate, has faced repeated arrests and convictions for his activism. On February 7, 2023, he was released from a prior imprisonment following an amnesty directive.

Sheikhi’s case exemplifies the ongoing challenges faced by labor activists in Iran, who continue to face judicial and extrajudicial pressures for their advocacy.

Toomaj Aryankia Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Christian Azadegan Party, Karaj, Toomaj Aryankia, Toumaj Aryankia

Toomaj Aryankia, a Christian convert, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and a 2-year ban on social activities by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj.

According to HRANA, citing Mohabat News, Mr. Aryankia was convicted by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj, presided over by Judge Mostafa Narimani. He was charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” “collaboration with hostile governments,” and “membership in anti-regime groups.”

The report states that Aryankia’s request for retrial was rejected by the judge, prompting him to appeal the verdict. He is currently awaiting the appellate court’s decision.

The Christian convert was arrested on October 24, 2022, after his home was searched by security forces, who confiscated copies of the “Bible” and some personal items. He was released shortly after on a bail of 5 billion tomans.

Toomaj Aryankia, a member of the “Christian Azadegan Party (AMA)” and the “Pan-Iranist” group, has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his activities.

Three Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Zahedan Prison

Early this morning, November 13, three prisoners previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identities of the prisoners executed today have been confirmed as Hamzeh Torkashvand, Jafar Rahsepar, and (first name unknown) Rasgoo.

These individuals were previously arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not announced the executions.

Update: With the identification of four additional prisoners executed early this morning in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, the number of executions in this prison today has risen to at least seven. HRANA has identified the four individuals as Khaled Tajik, Ahmad Alizadeh, and Saman Bozorgi, along with a woman whose name remains unknown.

In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

 

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Two Prisoners Executed in the Central Prison of Karaj

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Executions, News
Central Prison of Karaj, Hamzeh Jahanian, Javad Dolabi, Karaj, Safadasht

At dawn on Monday, November 11, two prisoners previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in the Central Prison of Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identities of the executed prisoners have been confirmed as “Hamzeh Jahanian” and “Javad Dolabi.”

HRANA’s investigation reveals that these prisoners were arrested in Safadasht, Karaj, on charges related to drug offenses and later sentenced to death by judicial authorities. On November 7, they were transferred, along with two others, to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

At Least Four Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Mohammad-Hossein Bayat, Mostafa Sarlak

Update: With the identification of four more prisoners executed at dawn today in Ghezel Hesar Prison, the number of individuals executed there has risen to at least eight. HRANA has confirmed the identities of seven of them: Ajmal Azizi, Jalil Eghbali, Faramarz Enhesari, Mostafa Sarlak, Mohammad-Hossein Bayat, Mohammad Tajik, and Sadegh (last name unknown). Alongside these individuals, an Afghan national was also executed, whose identity has not yet been confirmed. He had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

This morning, November 6, at least four prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Among those executed, two had been convicted of murder, while the remaining two, Afghan nationals, were sentenced to death on charges of rape.

The prisoners executed included Mostafa Sarlak and Mohammad-Hossein Bayat, who were sentenced to death for murder. The other two prisoners, identified as Mohammad Tajik and Sadegh (last name unknown), both Afghan nationals, were convicted on charges of rape.

On the day before the executions, these individuals, along with at least six others, were transferred to solitary confinement cells in Ghezel Hesar Prison to await the carrying out of their sentences.

HRANA is actively investigating the status of the additional prisoners who were moved to solitary confinement.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Cells for Imminent Execution in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Execution, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

Yesterday, November 4, three prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, previously sentenced to death for drug-related charges, were moved to solitary confinement in preparation for their execution.

The transfer of these prisoners, sentenced earlier for drug-related offenses, was carried out as part of preparations for their execution. One of the three prisoners is an Afghan national. Further details, including the identities of these inmates, are being investigated by HRANA.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Four Prisoners Executed in the Central Prison of Karaj on Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
HRANA, Karaj, Kermanshah

At dawn yesterday, October 29, four prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were executed in the Central Prison of Karaj.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, three of the executed prisoners have been identified as Mohammad Nedaei, Ali Akbar (Mohsen) Akhayer, and Akbar Khorram Taj. These individuals were arrested approximately six years ago on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death.

Kurdpa identified the fourth prisoner as Morovat-Ali Karami, from Kermanshah, who was also executed on similar charges on Tuesday morning.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly confirmed these executions.

The reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists for the year 2023 reveal a concerning prevalence of executions for drug offenses in Iran, constituting 56.4% of the total executions. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Four Prisoners Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Abdullah Tajik, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Mohammad Jalali, moharebeh, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Saman Anbari

At dawn on October 30, four prisoners were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Two of these individuals had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, while the other two were convicted of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) due to armed robbery.

HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, identified the executed prisoners as “Abdullah Tajik, an Afghan national, Mostafa Gholamzadeh, Mohammad Jalali, and Saman Anbari.” According to HRANA, Mr. Tajik and Mr. Gholamzadeh were sentenced for drug-related offenses, while Mr. Jalali and Mr. Anbari were convicted of moharebeh for their involvement in armed robbery.

Earlier, on Monday, HRANA reported that eight prisoners had been moved to solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison, all of whom were facing death sentences on drug-related charges. Except for Abdullah Tajik and Mostafa Gholamzadeh, the remaining prisoners were subsequently returned to the general ward.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced these executions.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2023, with Zahedan Prison following closely behind. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.