Tag: Mashhad Prison

Five Political-Security Prisoners Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

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Executions, News, Religious Minorities
Abdolbaset Avarsan, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Farhad Shakeri, HRANA, Malek Ali Fadaie-Nasab, Mashhad Prison, Morteza Fakoori, Taj-Mohammad Khormali, Vakilabad prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Tuesday, April 8, five political-security prisoners—Farhad Shakeri, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Taj Mohammad Khormali, and Malek-Ali Fadaie-Nasab—were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Family members of two of the executed prisoners confirmed the news in conversations with HRANA, stating: “At dawn today, Tuesday, April 8, the death sentences of five individuals—including Farhad Shakeri, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Taj Mohammad Khormali, and Malek-Ali Fadaei-Nasab—were carried out in Mashhad Prison.”

Four of the executed individuals were Sunni Muslims, while Malek-Ali Fadaie-Nasab was the only Shia among them. All five had been sentenced to death in a joint case on charges of baghi (armed rebellion).

According to the families—who are still waiting outside Mashhad Prison to receive the bodies of their loved ones—the executions were carried out without prior notice and without allowing a final visit with family members. One family member told HRANA: “The families were only informed of the executions through phone calls.”

The case involved 12 defendants—11 of whom were Sunni and one (Malek-Ali Fadaie-Nasab) Shia. These individuals were arrested in 2015 by the Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to Vakilabad Prison about a year later.

In 2019, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, presided over by Judge Mahmoud Davoodabadi, sentenced nine of the defendants—including Malek-Ali Fadaei-Nasab, Hamid Rastbala, Farhad Shakeri, Kabir Sa’adat Jahani, Mohammad-Ali Arayesh, Isa Eid-Mohammadi, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, and Taj Mohammad Khormali—to death on charges of baghi through alleged membership in the Salafi groups “Hizb al-Furqan” and “National Solidarity Front of Iranian Sunnis.” (Jebhe Hambastegi Melli Ahlesunnat Iran)

Three other defendants—Mohammadreza Sheikh-Ahmadi, Abdolbaset Avarsan, and Morteza Fakoori—were each sentenced to 15 years in prison for baghi through alleged affiliation with the Salafi-Takfiri group ISIS.

In December 31, 2020, the death sentences of Hamid Rast-Bala, Kabir Sa’adat Jahani, and Mohammad-Ali Arayesh were carried out.

Following a partial reversal of the verdicts by the Supreme Court, the case was sent back for review. In August 2023, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, presided over by Judge Ahmadian Salami, re-sentenced six of the defendants—including Farhad Shakeri, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Taj Mohammad Khormali, Malek-Ali Fadaie-Nasab, and Isa Eid-Mohammadi—to death. The sentences were upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2024.

A source close to the families of the executed prisoners had previously informed HRANA that “this case is riddled with fundamental flaws, and there is insufficient evidence to justify convicting these individuals of the charges brought against them. The use of pepper spray against one of the prisoners is just one example of the torture they were subjected to—torture that has left lasting marks on their bodies even after years.”

Execution of Eight Inmates for Various Crimes in Recent Days

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News
Eslah Allahbakhsh, Fathollah Jurkesh, Hamid Ebadi, Hassan Gorgij, Hossein-Ali Kootahi, Lakan prison, Mashhad Prison, Nouri Zamani, Qom, Rasht, Zahedan

In recent days, eight inmates have been executed in Qom, Mashhad, Isfahan, Rasht, and Zahedan for offenses including drug-related crimes and murder.

On January 17, 2024, Islam Amaneddin, a 29-year-old Afghan, was executed in Qom prison for a murder conviction dating back three years, as reported by Etemad Newspaper. Another execution reported by Etemad involved Mohsen (last name unknown), who was convicted of killing a man during a group altercation in Mashhad Prison.

On Saturday, January 20, three inmates were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, according to Iran Human Rights Organizations. The hanged individuals were identified as Nouri Zamani, 32, Fathollah Jurkesh, 30, and Hossein-Ali Kootahi, with separate drug offense convictions.

The same organization also documented the execution of Eslah Allahbakhsh, 36, an Afghan national, and Hamid Ebadi, both convicted of drug-related crimes in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on the same day.

Lastly, Haal Vsh reported the execution of 23-year-old Hassan Gorgij in Zahedan Prison, who was convicted of murder three years ago.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of  746 individuals. Out of these, 6 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 597 were male and 20 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Four Christian Converts Arrested in Neyshabur

Posted on by A MN
News, Religious Minorities
Mashhad Prison, Neyshabur Prison, Reza Radmanesh

On July 17, 2022, four Christian converts were arrested by security forces in Neyshabur City.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mohabat News, IRGC has arrested four Christian converts in Neyshabur City.

Security forces raided a home church gathering and arrested 12  of the 16 in attendance. Eight individuals were released after signing a letter of commitment and four others remained detained.

Three of the individuals informed their families that they have been transferred to Neyshabur Prison. However, one individual identified as Reza Radmanesh, age 65, was transferred to Mashhad Prison.

The persecution of Christian converts stands in blatant violation of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which state that every individual has the right to freedom of religion and belief and freedom to express it openly or secretly.

At Least Ten Inmates Executed in Rajai-Shahr, Zahedan and Mashhad Prisons.

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Abdollah Barahooie, Ali Montazeri, Ali Nosrati, Gholamhossein Zeynali, Mashhad Prison, moharebeh, Rajai Shahr Prison, Vahid Mian-Abadi, Zahedan Prison

In recent days, at least ten inmates were executed in Rajai-Shahr, Zahedan and Mashhad Prisons.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on Wednesday, May 26, 2022, at least eight inmates were executed in Rajai-Shahr Prison.

Four of these prisoners were identified as Abbas Bitarafan, Ali Nosrati and Gholamhossein Zeynali from the ward known as Darol-Quran in Rajai-Shahr Prison. They were charged with “enmity against God” otherwise known as moharebeh. Iran Human Rights Organization has identified two other prisoners as Ali Montazeri and Vahid Mian-Abadi.

Additionally, Rasank News reported the execution of an inmate identified as Abdollah Barahooie in Zahedan Central Prison last Saturday. He was convicted of drug-related crimes.

Lastly, according to Rokna News, on May 22, an inmate identified as Elias Q, age 26, was executed in Mashhad Prison. On October 10, 2018, he hit a man with his car which led to his death. After a few hours, he turned himself in.

The most recent report from the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between January 1 of 2021 and December 20 of 2021, at least 299 citizens, including four juvenile offenders, were executed. In addition, 85 citizens were sentenced to death in this period.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 88% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Vahedian Shahroudi Still in Detention After 84 Days Despite Poor Health Condition

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Ministry of Intelligence, Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, Rezvanshahr, Rezvanshahr County, Shahroudi, Vahedian, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

After 84 days, writer, educator and civil activist Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi is still in a Ministry of Intelligence detention center in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Shahroudi suffers from a severe infection in the gums and teeth but has been deprived of adequate medical treatment throughout his detention.

In early November of this year, he was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. This verdict has been finalized following his refusal to request an appeal.

Shahroudi’s daughter Hengameh Vahedian expressed her deep concern about her father’s health condition in a social media post.

“Two weeks ago, In the last visitation, he had severe infection in the gums, loosen teeth, and acute pain,” Hengameh wrote. “He needs urgent treatment before his disease worsen. Until now, however, he has not received any treatment.”

Earlier, HRANA reported about his poor health condition in a solitary confinement cell in a Detention Center at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence.

On September 1 of this year, intelligence agents arrested Vahedian in Rezvanshahr County. Two days later, in a phone call to his family, he informed them about the opening of a new case  against him on a charge of “acting against national security.” Meanwhile, Vahedian’s daughter’s home in Mashhad was searched by security forces and some personal belongings were confiscated.

Vahedian has previously been arrested and convicted for his writings and civil activities. In one case, he was arrested in Mashhad in October 2018 and later charged by Branch 903 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad with “acting against national security”, and “attempting to overthrow the regime”. He was released on bail of 350 million tomans from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in December 2018.

Shortly after his interrogation, in August 2019, Vahedian was again arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was one of the 14 signatories of a letter of request for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Mr Vahedian was released on bail from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in July 2020.

Vahedian is an author of several books including “The Return of Genghis Khan” published by Khatam Publishing in Mashhad.

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Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi Sentenced to 10 Years Imprisonment by Revolutionary Court in Mashhad

Posted on by A MN
News, Prisoners
Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Ministry of Intelligence, Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, Rezvanshahr, Rezvanshahr County, Shahroudi, Vahedian, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison, Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

Writer, educator and civil activist Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi was recently sentenced to 10 years by Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, after spending 70 days in detention, Vahedian received the verdict, which was finalized after he refused to request an appeal.

In regard to a case which opened against Vahedian in 2019, the court issued this final verdict for the charge of “organizing in purpose to disturb national security” and in accordance with Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code. During his 70 days in detention and throughout the introduction of the new case against him, Vahedian has been denied access to a lawyer.

Earlier, HRANA reported about his poor health condition in a solitary confinement cell in a Detention Center at the disposal of the Ministry of Intelligence.

On September 1 of this year, intelligence agents arrested Vahedian in Rezvanshahr County. Two days later, in a phone call to his family, he informed them about the opening of a new case  against him on a charge of “acting against national security.” Meanwhile, Vahedian’s daughter’s home in Mashhad was searched by security forces and some personal belongings were confiscated.

Vahedian has previously been arrested and convicted for his writings and civil activities. In one case, he was arrested in Mashhad in October 2018 and later charged by Branch 903 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad with “acting against national security”, and “attempting to overthrow the regime”. He was released on a bail of 350 million tomans from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in December 2018.

Shortly after his interrogation, in August 2019, Vahedian was again arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was one of the 14 signatories of a letter of request for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran. Mr Vahedian was released on bail from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad in July 2020.

Inmate Executed in Mashhad Prison

Posted on by A MN
Executions, News
Abdollah, Capital Punishment, Citizen executed, Citizen execution, Death Penalty, Death row, Death sentence, Khorasan Province, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Secret executions, Vakilabad prison

On Wednesday, November 3, an inmate who had been previously convicted of murder was executed in Mashhad Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, an inmate, identified by his first name as Abdollah had been arrested in 2018 along with two other men and accused of murdering a 60-year-old man.

Following the completion of the investigation, the criminal case was delivered to Branch 15 of the Criminal Court in Khorasan Province. The court sentenced Abdollah to the death penalty on a charge of murder and imprisonment and lashes on a charge of stealing. The second defendant was sentenced to 25 years in prison on the charge of aiding in murder and murder planning. The third-row defendant, identified as 19-year-old Saeed, was sentenced to 15 years in prison on the charge of aiding and abetting the murder.

The defendants have also been sentenced to long-term imprisonment for previous attempting to murder and murder planning. These verdicts were upheld by branch 39 of the Supreme Court of Iran.

The most recent report of the Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) states that between October 8 of 2020 and October 9 of 2021, at least 266 citizens, three of whom were juvenile offenders, were executed and 90 citizens were sentenced to death.

As the report points out, Iran’s judicial authorities do not publicly announce over 82% of executions. These unreported executions are known as “secret executions” by human rights organizations.

Wave of Mass Executions Sweeps Prisons in Northeast Iran

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Executions, News
Capital Punishment, Death row, Death sentence, Drug-related charges, executions, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Mohammad Sadeghi, Taybad, Taybad Prison, Torbad-e Jam Prison, Torbat-e-Jam, Vakilabad prison

HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists, has received several reports in the last two weeks regarding mass executions in prisons in the north of the country, including Taybad, Torbat-e Jam, and Mashhad prisons.

According to received reports, the executed prisoners were mostly foreign nationals with drug-related charges.Today, Thursday, September 23, nine prisoners were transferred for the execution of the death sentence in Torbat-e Jam prison, of which, eight were executed. The identity of one of them, 22 years old Mohammad Sadeghi, has been verified by HRANA.

Last week, at least seven prisoners were executed in Mashhad prison. Two of the executed men had family ties with Mohammad Sadeghi. Also, at least five have been executed in Taybad prison in recent days, according to reports received by HRANA. Because many of the executed are foreign nationals, information is difficult to obtain about their identities. The identities of these individuals are still being investigated by HRANA.

Iran ranks first in the world in executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death. According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

The execution of these prisoners has not been announced by the Iranian media or official sources as of this writing, nor authorities have provided transparent information.

Inmate Executed in Vakilabad Prison on Charge of Murder

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Citizen executed, inmate executed, iran death penalty, Iran execution, Karamat, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Rokna, Secret executions, Supreme Court, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison

At dawn on Sunday, September 5, a prisoner named Karamat who had previously been sentenced to death for murder was executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to  HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Rokna, the sentence was upheld by Branch 31 of the Supreme Court.

Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita, according to international organizations. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1 and December 20 of 2020, at least 236 citizens were executed.

One of these citizens was executed publicly, and two were juvenile offenders. An additional 95 citizens were sentenced to death. According to the same report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary, which human rights organizations call “secret” executions.

Activists Hashem Amini and Nosrat Beheshti Arrested; Javad Lal Mohammadi and Fatemeh Sepehri Still in Detention

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Prisoners
Fatemeh Sepehri, Hashem Amini, Javad Lal Mohammadi, Khorasan Razavi, Mashhad, Mashhad Prison, Nosrat Beheshti, Vakilabad, Vakilabad prison

Activists Hashem Amini and Nosrat Beheshti were recently arrested by security forces, while activists Javad Lal Mohammadi and Fatemeh Sepehri are still in detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Hashem Amini, a civil activist native of Bajestan, was arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on Wednesday, August 4, after being summoned by the Gonabad prosecutor’s office. Meanwhile, Nosrat Beheshti, a retired activist living in Mashhad, was detained by security forces at his home and then taken to an unknown location.

Amini was previously arrested by security forces at his home in Bajestan on June 17 and had been transferred to the Mashhad Intelligence Detention Center. He was released on bail from the Gonabad Intelligence Bureau in Khorasan Razavi Province on Thursday, July 8.

Nosrat Beheshti had previously been detained for signing the resignation request letter of Ali Khamenei the supreme leader in 2019.
Javad Lal Mohammadi and Fatemeh Sepehri are still in custody. These citizens were arrested by security forces on Sunday, August 1, during a protest rally in support of the people of Khuzestan in Mashhad.

Fatemeh Sepehri and Javad Laleh Mohammadi, are also signatories of the request letter for the Supreme Leader’s resignation, and they had previously been arrested and convicted for it.

According to a source close to the families of the two civil activists, Ms. Sepehri informed her family about her detention in the Mashhad Intelligence Office detention center on a short call. However, Javad Lal Mohammadi has not contacted his relatives since his arrest. Mr. Lal Mohammadi’s family follow-up has been inconclusive.