Tag: Markazi Province

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Ban on Legal Practice for Behnam Nezadi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behnam Nezadi, HRANA, Markazi Province, بهنام نزادی

HRANA News Agency – Branch 8 of the Markazi Province Court of Appeals fully upheld the conviction of attorney Behnam Nezadi, who was sentenced to four months in prison and a one-year ban from practicing law. The Supreme Court had referred the case to this equivalent branch for reconsideration after accepting his request for retrial.

In a ruling issued on May 16, 2025, Branch 8 of the Markazi Province Court of Appeals reaffirmed the previous sentence: four months of imprisonment and a one-year ban from the legal profession. The case had initially been returned for review by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court following a request for retrial, and was referred to this equivalent branch.

Mr. Nezadi was released from Evin Prison on April 15, 2025. He had been arrested on March 1, 2025, to serve his sentence.

This member of the Central Bar Association had previously been sentenced on January 2025, by Branch 9 of the Markazi Province Court of Appeals to four months in prison and a one-year ban from practicing law, following a retrial request submitted by his lawyers. Earlier, in late November 2024, he had been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Arak to one year in prison and a two-year ban from practicing law on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In another part of his case, Branch 106 of the Arak Criminal Court sentenced Behnam Nezadi to 13 months and 16 days in prison for “disclosing confidential information,” and to 113 days in prison for “spreading falsehoods.”

Political Prisoner Hamidreza Gharibi’s Prison Sentence Increased on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamidreza Gharibi, Markazi Province, Mohsen Edalat, Saveh Prison, حمیدرضا غریبی

The prison sentence of Hamidreza Gharibi, a political prisoner held in Saveh Prison, has been extended to 49 months and 18 days by the Appeals Court of Markazi Province after consolidating his previous sentences. Initially, Gharibi had been sentenced to a total of 31 months and 17 days in two separate cases.

Following the consolidation, Branch 8 of the Appeals Court of Markazi Province, under Judge Mohsen Edalat, sentenced Gharibi to 15 months and 1 day for insulting the Supreme Leader, 7 months and 16 days for propaganda against the regime, and 27 months and 1 day for blasphemy.

In his first case earlier this year, Gharibi had been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Saveh Revolutionary Court to 6 months and 1 day in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader on social media, with the sentence suspended for one year. He was acquitted of propaganda against the regime in the same case, but following an appeal by the Saveh prosecutor’s office, the Appeals Court sentenced him to 7 months and 16 days for this charge.

In August 2023, in a separate case, Gharibi was sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 1 of the Saveh Revolutionary Court for blasphemy. After submitting to the ruling, his sentence was reduced by one-fourth.

Hamidreza Gharibi, a resident of Saveh, was first arrested in early September 2022 and released on bail after about a month. He was rearrested on June 21, 2023, and transferred to Saveh Prison.

Attorney Mehdi Shakibafar Sent to Saveh Prison to Serve His Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Karaj, Markazi Province, Mehdi Shakibafar, Saveh, مهدی شکیبافر

Today, August 26, 2024, Mehdi Shakibafar, an attorney, was sent to Saveh Prison to serve his sentence.

Shakibafar announced that he was leaving his mother’s home in Karaj on his birthday to report to the Enforcement of Judgments Office in Saveh to begin serving his prison term.

Previously, Shakibafar was sentenced by Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals in Markazi Province to 15 months and one day in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” and one year for “spreading falsehoods,” 11 months of which was suspended for five years. Additionally, he was sentenced to 21 months of disqualification from practicing law as supplementary punishment.

Initially, Shakibafar was acquitted of the charges in the preliminary court. However, following an appeal by the prosecutor, who argued that “his acquittal would embolden him further,” the case was re-examined.

Journalist Salaheddin Khalaj Asadi Sentenced to Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRA, Markazi Province, Salaheddin Khalaj Asadi, خلج اسدی

Journalist Salahuddin Khalaj Asadi has been sentenced to forty lashes by the Appeals Court of Markazi Province.

This journalist reported that the case was filed following a complaint by Masoud Pirayesh, Director General of the Sports and Youth Department of Markazi Province. Mr. Khalaj Asadi was sentenced to forty lashes on the charge of insulting a government official.

Khalaj Asadi also announced that he was acquitted of the charges of “personal insult, defamation, and spreading falsehoods.”

It is crucial to note that the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights prohibits flogging as a form of cruel and inhumane punishment.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publications of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) documented 2,380 cases in which citizens, including journalists and civil rights activists, faced legal and security consequences for exercising their freedom of expression and thought. These incidents resulted in the arrest of 3,130 individuals.

Lawyer Mehdi Shakibafar Sentenced to Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Markazi Province, Mehdi Shakibafar

Mehdi Shakibafar, an attorney, has been sentenced to twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment by Branch 9 of the Central Province Court of Appeals.

Based on a recent ruling issued by Branch 9 of the Court of Appeals in Markazi Province and communicated to Mr. Shakibafar, he has been sentenced to fifteen months and one day in prison for the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and seven months and sixteen days in prison for the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” totaling twenty-two months and seventeen days of imprisonment.

Previously, this attorney had been acquitted of the charges in the initial court, but following the prosecutor’s objection that “the acquittal will embolden the defendant,” his case was reviewed again.

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Hamidreza Najafi Receives Eight Months in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Hamidreza Najafi, Markazi Province, Mobtakeran Machinery Company, حمیدرضا نجفی

The Court of Appeal of Markazi Province has sentenced Hamidreza (Hamid-Reza) Najafi, a resident of Arak, to eight months in prison.

Najafi was convicted of “spreading propaganda against the regime” but was acquitted of the charge of “inciting people to commit acts of violence.”
Initially, the Arak Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to three years and six months for “propaganda against the regime and incitement to commit acts of violence.” In addition, the Criminal Court imposed a 15-month prison term for “disseminating false information.”
Najafi, a 41-year-old innovative entrepreneur and CEO of Mobtakeran Machinery Company, was detained in September of this year. He was granted release on bail after a period of confinement.

Civil Rights Activist Majid Rezaie Arrested and Detained in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fariba Fereydooni, irgc, Khomeyn, Majid Rezaie, Markazi Province, Tehran

On July 15, civil rights activist Majid Rezaie was apprehended by security forces at his residence in Tehran and subsequently taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Rezaie, he is currently being held in the quarantine section of Evin Prison, where he will serve a nine-month sentence.

Previously, on May 22, Rezaie received a summons from the Judgement Enforcement Unit in Tehran to initiate his sentence.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court initially imposed a one-year sentence, which was later reduced to nine months after Rezaie entered a plea of no contest. Additionally, he has been sentenced to four hours of daily penal labor for the Tehran Municipality over a three-month period. Furthermore, he is required to attend a course conducted by the Institute of Psychology Ma’avaye e Qom, purportedly aimed at “enhancing emotional regulation.”

On July 23, 2020, Rezaie and his wife, Fariba Fereydooni, were arrested by agents of the IRGC in Khomeyn County, Markazi Province. He was released on bail after 21 days of detention.

Nationwide Protests: 276 People Indicted in Markazi Province

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News, Prisoners
Markazi Province, nationwide protests

The Chief Justice of Markazi Province announced the indictment against 276 people arrested during the protests in this province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, in Markazi Province, 276 people have been indicted for participating in protests.

This Chief Justice claimed that 40 individuals were identified as leaders of the protests. A hundred minors or young arrestees were released without pressing any charges after signing a commitment letter.

Since the outbreak of nationwide protests, over 15000 people have been arrested. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds
Abadan, Assaluyeh, Babol, Behbahan, Bidkhoon refinery, Bushehr petrochemical company, Isfahan, Markazi Province, Pars Tire, Saveh, Sepahan Cement Company, Shiraz, Sina Palayesh, Tabriz, Tehran, Tehran Metro, Urmia, zanjan

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week against the results of cities’ local elections and inadequate labor conditions. This week also featured the continuation of widespread labor strikes across the country. The oil industry, petrochemical industry and power stations experienced strikes in Abadan, Isfahan, Assaluyeh, Kerman, Qeshm Island, Yasuj, Bid Boland, and Urmia and Bushehr. Below is a brief recap and footage from some of the week’s demonstrations.

 

Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20

Several citizens in Yasuj protested the results of the city’s local elections in front of the Boyer-Ahmad government building.  A group of Tehran Metro staff held protest rallies in front of the metro operating company in Tehran. Project workers of Farab Company of Bidkhoon refinery in Assaluyeh went on strike and left their jobs.

 

Citizens in Yasuj:

 

Tehran Metro staff:

 

Project workers in Bidkhoon refinery in Assaluyeh:

 

Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22

9 protest rallies and 11 workers’ strikes took place. A group of pharmacists in front of the Ministry of Health building in Tehran. Workers of Pars Tire in Saveh in Markazi Province rallied in front of the local factory. Workers of Sepahan Cement Company protested at their workplace, and a group of resident doctors in protested in the cities of Tehran, Urmia, Zanjan, Babol, Shiraz and Tabriz. Workers in Tehran Oil Refinery, Gachsaran Petrochemical Company, phases 13 and 14 of Assaluyeh, phase 13 of Kangan, Lidoma Company located in phase 13 of South Pars, AJC Company working in Abadan Refinery, Bidboland Refinery of Behbahan, Bushehr Petrochemical Company, Sina Palayesh Company Qeshm Island, and workers of Tehran Metro Line 5 went on strike.

 

Workers of Bidboland Gas Refinery in Behbahan:

 

 

Workers of Gachsaran Petrochemical Company:

 

Workers of Tehran Oil Refinery:

 

Workers of Lidoma Company located in phase 13 of South Pars:

 

Pharmacists in Tehran:

 

Resident doctors in Tehran, Urmia, Zanjan, Babol, Shiraz and Tabriz:

Pars Tire workers:

 

Wednesday, June 23

Workers of recently-closed stoning units of Hana Industrial Town located in Neyriz city in Fars gathered in front of the city government building. A group of employees of Ramin power station in Ahvaz city in front of the office building of the station, and a group of employees of Abadan refinery in front of the entrance door.

 

Ramin power station workers in Ahvaz:

Abadan refinery employees:

 

Thursday, June 24

Several residents of Maravneh village of Ahvaz city,  workers of Mapna 3 Qeshm power Station continued their participation in the nationwide protests of the workers of the country’s oil industry.

 

Mapna 3 power Station employees:

Residents of Maravneh village:

 

Friday, June 25

Workers of refineries, petrochemicals and power plants, workers of Yazd Steel, went on strike.