Tag: Reza Valizadeh

Another Iranian–American Imprisoned in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Jamshid Sharmahd, Reza Valizadeh, جمشید شارمهد, رضا ولی زاده

HRANA – Afarin Mohajer, an Iranian-American dual national residing in Los Angeles, has been in detention for 51 days and continues to be held in legal limbo in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, Ms. Mohajer, who had traveled to Iran for a visit, was arrested on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Imam Khomeini International Airport. No reliable information has yet been made available regarding the charges brought against her.

HRANA published an initial report on her arrest eight days ago, but it has now been confirmed that she also holds United States citizenship.

The arrest of dual nationals in Iran has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and Western governments over the past four decades. Critics argue that the Islamic Republic uses such detentions as tools of political pressure or bargaining leverage. This pattern began in 1979 with the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and continued in the following decades with the arrests of dual-national tourists, researchers, journalists, and activists.

In recent years, several similar cases have occurred. For example, Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American and former Radio Farda journalist, was arrested during a trip to Iran and sentenced to 10 years in prison, two years of exile, and social restrictions on charges of cooperation with the U.S. government. Additionally, Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German political activist residing in the United States, reportedly died in custody before his execution in October 2024.

Amid the rise in such cases, the European Union and several Western governments, including France and Germany, have issued warnings about the risk of their citizens being arrested in Iran and have advised them either to avoid traveling to Iran or to leave the country as soon as possible.

Appeals Court Upholds 10-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Punishments for Reza Valizadeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Ministry of Intelligence, Reza Valizadeh

HRANA News Agency – The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the 10-year prison sentence and additional punishments for Reza Valizadeh, a journalist currently imprisoned in Evin Prison.

He was previously convicted by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and sentenced to 10 years in prison, a travel ban, a ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, and a two-year prohibition on membership in political and social groups.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the Appeals Court confirmed all aspects of the initial verdict against Reza Valizadeh.

His lawyer, Mohammad-Hossein Aghasi, stated:

“Today, I visited Abdolreza Valizadeh to show him the appeal rejection. I had previously said that the court’s standard procedure is to uphold the original ruling, but perhaps a retrial could finally open the blindfolded eyes of justice.”

In December 2024, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Reza Valizadeh to 10 years in prison on charges of “collaboration with a hostile government (the U.S.)”. Additionally, he was banned from leaving the country, prohibited from residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, and barred from joining political or social groups for two years.

Background on Reza Valizadeh’s Arrest

  • After living abroad for several years, Reza Valizadeh returned to Iran in March 2023. Upon arrival, he was interrogated by IRGC intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence, released after signing a commitment, and allowed to remain free.
  • However, a few months later, in early October 2023, he was arrested by security forces and transferred to Evin Prison.
  • According to Voice of America (VOA), he was detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison, controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and denied family visits.

Before emigrating, Reza Valizadeh was previously arrested in 2007 but later released on bail. He reportedly holds dual citizenship and has worked with various media outlets, including Radio France, Voice of America (VOA), Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Journalist Reza Valizadeh Sentenced to Ten Years Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Reza Valizadeh, رضا ولی زاده

Reza Valizadeh, a journalist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and additional penalties.

According to Mohammad Hossein Aghasi, his attorney, the verdict issued by Judge Iman Afshari convicted Mr. Valizadeh of “collaboration with a hostile government (the United States).” Alongside the 10-year prison sentence, he has been banned from leaving the country, residing in Tehran Province or neighboring provinces, and joining any political or social parties or groups for two years as part of his supplementary punishments.

Despite the conclusion of investigations and the issuance of an initial verdict, Mr. Valizadeh remains confined to Evin Prison’s Ward 209, a section controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, and is denied both transfer to the general ward and visitation with his family.

The trial for Mr. Valizadeh was held on November 20, following his arrest in late September by security forces. He had previously returned to Iran in March after living abroad for several years. Upon arrival, he was interrogated by the IRGC and Ministry of Intelligence and released only after signing a written commitment to cooperate with authorities if summoned.

Months later, he was detained again and transferred to Evin Prison. Voice of America previously reported that he is being held in isolation and remains barred from meeting his family.

Before his emigration, Mr. Valizadeh had been arrested in 2007 and was later released on bail. With probable dual citizenship, he is an experienced journalist, having worked with several media outlets, including Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

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.

Update on the Latest Status of Journalist Reza Valizadeh in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Abolqasem Salavati, Evin Prison, Reza Valizadeh

Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian journalist, has been arrested and transferred to Evin Prison after returning to Iran. Despite his extensive background with various media outlets, Valizadeh has been denied access to a lawyer since his detention.

Having lived abroad for several years, Valizadeh returned to Iran in February-March last year. Upon his arrival, he was interrogated by agents from the IRGC’s Intelligence and the Ministry of Intelligence. Although released after making a formal pledge to appear for future proceedings, it has been reported that several months later, he was rearrested by a security agency roughly one month ago and sent to Evin Prison. Authorities have still not granted him legal representation.

A source close to Valizadeh’s family revealed that his case is currently being handled by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, overseen by Judge Abolqasem Salavati. To date, the specific charges against him remain undisclosed.

Prior to leaving Iran, Valizadeh was arrested in 2007 and later released on bail. He is suspected to hold dual citizenship and has worked with media organizations such as Radio France, Voice of America, Radio Farda, and the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).