Tag: Tehran

Actor Mehdi Etemad Saeed Detained for Nearly 50 Days in Legal Uncertainty

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mehdi Etemad Saeed, PartUp Institute, Tehran

Mehdi Etemad Saeed, an actor, showman, and skill development facilitator, is still detained in legal ambiguity for over 49 days, raising his family’s concern about his condition.

Etemad Saeed was arrested by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. The agents searched his house and confiscated some of his belongings.

According to PartUp Institute, Mehdi Etemad was reportedly denied access to legal representation and has been charged with “promoting impurity and indecency.”Etemad Saeed’s whereabouts are still unknown.

Etemad Saeed is the founder of PartUp Institute and a social project with the same name.

Workers’ Rights Activist Reyhaneh Ansari Receives Four-Year Prison Sentence and Additional Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Anisha Asadollahi, Evin Prison, mohammad habibi, Razieh Zeydi, Reyhaneh Ansari, Salavati, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has handed a four-year prison sentence to workers’ rights activist Reyhaneh Ansari. According to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the original charge would have led to a four-year imprisonment.

Ansari’s lawyer, Razieh Zeydi, informed the public that Judge Salavati, who presided over the Tehran Revolutionary Court, sentenced Ansari to four years for “assembly and collusion against national security and acting against national security.” As an additional punishment, she has been prohibited from leaving the country, joining political and civil groups, and engaging in online and media activities for two years.

Ansari, along with several other civil and workers’ rights activists, was apprehended at Mohammad Habibi’s residence just days before International Workers’ Day on April 28, 2023. Subsequently, she, along with Anisha Asadollahi, was released on a one-billion-Toman bail ten days later.

It is important to highlight that Ansari has a history of arrests and convictions related to her activism.

Azerbaijani (Turk) Activist Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo Sentenced to Two Years

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Razizadeh, Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo, azerbaijani activist, Tehran

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has sentenced Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Ali Razizadeh Nazarloo to two years in prison. In addition to the prison term, he has been barred from leaving the country and participating in civil and political groups for two years.

Razizadeh was convicted on charges of “membership in an anti-regime group to act against national security.” The prosecution cited his involvement in activities such as “running an Instagram page to promote Ethnic-related ideas” and “publishing a video in support of people convicted of security-related charges” as evidence for the charges.

The court session was held on July 15, 2023.

 

Amir-Hossein Moradi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Hossein Moradi, Evin Prison, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Moradi, a resident of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces and taken to Evin Prison.

According to a reliable source close to Moradi’s family, who shared the information with HRANA, he is currently detained in the public ward of Evin Prison. The specific reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain undisclosed.

Previously, Moradi was arrested by security forces at his father’s residence in Tehran on May 8, 2023, and was later released on bond from Evin Prison on June 3, 2023.

It is important to note that Moradi has a history of arrests and incarceration due to his activism.

Update on Fereshteh Nouri’s Condition in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Evin Prison, Fereshteh Nouri, Tehran, Ward 209 of Evin Prison

Fereshteh (Tahereh) Nouri, one of the individuals detained during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been serving a five-year sentence in Evin Prison since July 3, 2023.

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years for charges related to “assembly and collusion against national security,” and an additional year for “disturbing public order.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five-year imprisonment was mandated for the first count.

Nouri’s arrest occurred during the protests in Tehran on September 25, 2023, leading to her spending 23 days in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released on bail.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hejab and her suspicious death on September 16 sparked protests sweeping across Iran. Protesters came to the streets with the central slogan “Women, Life, Freedom” in protest against the performance, laws and structure of the regime. During the nationwide protests, thousands of people, including journalists, artists, lawyers, teachers, students and civil rights activists, were arrested.

 

 

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Tehran Resident Leila Ziafar Arrested for Opposing Compulsory Hijab

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
compulsory hijab, Hijab, Leila Ziafar, Tehran

Leila Ziafar, a resident of Tehran, was taken into custody by security forces, her whereabouts undisclosed.

A video of Ziafar’s arrest at her residence was released by media sources affiliated with intelligence institutions. It is believed that she was arrested for voicing her opposition to compulsory hijab regulations on social media.

The location of her detention is still unknown.

The incident sheds light on the increasing legal actions taken by the Iranian regime to enforce the compulsory wearing of the hijab on women in recent months. Concerns over the protection of individual rights and freedom of expression continue to mount as such cases emerge.

Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian Arrested in Tehran

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Iranian Bahais, Keyvan Rahimian, Tehran

On July 18, 2023, security forces arrested Baha’i Citizen Keyvan Rahimian in Tehran and transferred him to Evin Prison.

A reliable source close to Rahimian’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that he informed his family about his transfer to Evin Prison during a phone call following his arrest.

The grounds for this arrest and the allegation against him are unknown.

The specific reasons behind his arrest and the allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Rahimian has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism. Notably, he also serves as a lecturer at an online university affiliated with the Baha’i community. It is important to mention that Baha’is face exclusion from tertiary education in Iran.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

According to unofficial sources, it is estimated that more than 300,000 Baha’is live in Iran, but the Iranian Constitution recognizes only Islam as the official religion, in addition to Christianity, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. Bahai faith is not considered legitimate by the authorities, and the rights of Baha’is in Iran have been systematically violated for years.

The deprivation of the freedom to practice their religion is a breach of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.

 

Iranian Actor Mohammad Sadeghi Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iranian Actor, Mohammad Sadeghi, Tehran

On Sunday, July 16, renowned theater and television actor Mohammad Sadeghi was apprehended at his residence in Tehran by security forces, as confirmed by Tasnim News Agency. The exact location of his detention remains undisclosed.

Sources indicate that Sadeghi was arrested by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence. According to reports, there was an alleged incident where he contemplated jumping from the third floor in an apparent bid to escape but ultimately abandoned the idea upon the arrival of firefighters and judicial officials at the scene.

Yesterday, Sadeghi took to social media to inform the public about the raid conducted by security forces at his residence. While some media outlets within Iran have suggested that his arrest is linked to allegations of “wearing women’s apparel, makeup, and inciting people to engage in illegal activities,” the precise grounds for his detention are yet to be officially disclosed.

At present, the location where Sadeghi is being held and the nature of the charges against him remain unknown, adding to the uncertainty surrounding his arrest.

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.

Concerns Mount Over Zohreh Sayadi’s Health Condition as Medical Treatment Denied in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Tehran, Zohreh Sayadi

Zohreh Sayadi, a political prisoner, continues to serve her one-year sentence in Evin Prison, but her deteriorating health condition remains a cause for concern. Despite suffering from colon cancer, she has been denied essential medical treatment, raising serious questions about her well-being.

Reliable sources close to Sayadi’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that the prison infirmary has provided her with only a minimal injection. The lack of ongoing treatment has exacerbated her illness, and her condition continues to worsen. Frustratingly, due to hindrances imposed by prison officials, she has not yet received a certificate of penal intolerance, further delaying potentially life-saving interventions.

In December 2019, security forces arrested her in Tehran. She was released on bail after a while.

Last year, she was handed down a one-year sentence which was upheld on appeal. On May 30, 2023, she was imprisoned in Evin Prison to commence serving her sentence.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.