Tag: Manouchehr Fallah

Political Prisoner Yaghoub Derakhshan Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Ahmad Darvish Goftar, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Fallah, Peyman Farah-Avar, Sharifeh Mohammadi, Yaghoub Derakhshan

HRANA– Yaghoub Derakhshan, a 50-year-old prisoner from Bandar Anzali, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar. The sentence was formally delivered to him on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Sources familiar with the case told HRANA that during his first arrest in July 2024, Derakhshan was charged with “propaganda against the regime” and was released on bail after several weeks. However, during his second arrest, he was charged with the more serious offense of “armed rebellion (baghi).”

HRANA’s sources say the court proceedings were “unusually fast” and “lacked fair trial standards.” The trial was reportedly held via videoconference without the presence of his chosen defense lawyer, and his family was kept uninformed about the legal process.

These sources also reported that Derakhshan was subjected to intense physical and psychological pressure during interrogation, leading to coerced confessions which were later used as the primary basis for his death sentence.

A source close to the family stated: “The judicial process was neither transparent, nor fair, nor legal. Derakhshan was not given a chance to defend himself, and we were kept in the dark about the case.”

Lakan Prison, where Derakhshan is currently held, has been repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations for housing political prisoners alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes, its lack of access to medical services, and unsanitary conditions.

Due to a lack of transparency from the judiciary, specific details of Mr. Derakhshan’s charges remain unknown.

HRANA’s investigations also show that Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar, who presided over this court, has issued similar sentences for political prisoners in Gilan over the past year, including for Manouchehr Fallah, Peyman Farah-Avar and Sharifeh Mohammadi.

Currently, based on data collected by HRANA, at least 56 prisoners in Iran face the death penalty on political and security-related charges.

Political Prisoner Manouchehr Fallah Sentenced to Death on Moharebeh Charges

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Executions, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Kish Island, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Fallah, moharebeh, Rasht, منوچهر فلاح

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of Moharebeh (enmity against God).

The verdict, issued by Judge Darvish Goftar, was formally communicated yesterday to his defense attorneys, Ms. Khorsandi and Ms. Khojasteh. Fallah was convicted of Moharebeh for allegedly acting against national security.

A source close to Fallah confirmed the ruling to HRANA, stating, “Since the beginning of his legal proceedings, Mr. Fallah has been denied access to a lawyer.” His trial took place on December 11, 2024, via video conference.

Fallah was arrested in June 2023 by security forces at Rasht Airport and transferred to Lakan Prison.

In December 2023, in a separate case, he was sentenced by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court to one year, three months, and one day in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader, as well as seven months and 16 days for propaganda against the regime. After accepting the verdict, one-quarter of his sentence was reduced, and he completed his prison term for this case in May 2024.

Before his arrest, Manouchehr Fallah, a tattoo artist, resided on Kish Island.

Continued Hunger Strike: Latest Update on Manouchehr Fallah in Lakan Prison, Rasht

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Executions, News
Hooman Taheri, Issa Chulandim, Jamshid Azizi, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Falah, Manouchehr Fallah, Mohammad Miri, Rasht, Sasan Khanzadeh

Despite his deteriorating physical condition, political prisoner Manouchehr Fallah continues his hunger strike in Lakan Prison, Rasht.

A source close to Fallah’s family confirmed this news to HRANA, stating, “Manouchehr Fallah, who is on hunger strike, is suffering from low blood pressure of 7 over 5, fatigue, and cold hands and feet. The prison authorities have not only ignored his demands, but the case judge announced yesterday that his case, under controlt of the criminal court, must be reviewed again by the prosecution office.”

The source added, “Fallah’s sentence related to the Revolutionary Court case was completed in May of this year, but another part of his case is still under review. On Tuesday, Javad Pour Sajedi, the investigator in charge of his case and the investigator of Branch 16 of the Revolutionary Court, asked him to end his hunger strike, but he refused. On the same day, Manouchehr received a notice stating that his temporary release could be granted if he posts a 5 billion toman bail. Manouchehr subsequently wrote a letter requesting the reconsideration of the bail amount, but he has not received a response due to obstruction by the case investigator.”
It is worth noting that five other political prisoners in this prison, identified as Issa Chulandim, Jamshid Azizi, Hooman Taheri, Sasan Khanzadeh, and Mohammad Miri, have announced in a letter that they joined Manouchehr Fallah’s hunger strike on Sunday, August 11.

Fallah was arrested by security forces at Rasht Airport in June 2022 and was eventually transferred to Lakan Prison in this city.

In December 2023, Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht sentenced him to one year, three months, and one day of imprisonment for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and seven months and sixteen days for “propaganda against the regime.”

Manouchehr Fallah, a tattoo artist, resided in Kish before his arrest.

 

Manouchehr Fallah Receives 22-Month Prison Sentence for Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kish Island, Lakan prison, Manouchehr Fallah, Mehdi Rasekhi, Rasht

Manouchehr Fallah has been sentenced to a term of 22 months and 17 days by the Rasht Revolutionary Court, following charges related to his political activities.

Presiding over the court, Judge Mehdi Rasekhi has imposed a one-year, three-month, one-day sentence for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and a seven-month, sixteen-day sentence for “spreading propaganda against the regime.”

Sources close to Fallah’s family have disclosed that additional charges are currently under review by the Rasht Criminal Court as part of another aspect of his legal case.

The arrest of Fallah traces back to July of this year when authorities apprehended him at Rasht airport, subsequently incarcerating him in Lakan Prison. In September, he commenced a hunger strike in protest against the uncertainty surrounding his legal status.

Before his arrest, Fallah, a professional tattoo artist, had been residing in Kish Island.