Tag: Tehran

Prominent Activist Narges Mohammadi Assaulted in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Narges Mohammadi, Tehran, zanjan

Narges Mohammadi, a prominent political prisoner currently housed at Evin Prison, has suffered physical abuse at the hands of a prison official in the infirmary due to her non-compliance with hijab regulations.

Mohammadi and another inmate were in the prison infirmary where she was subjected to verbal harassment and physical violence by a prison officer. Following the altercation, Mohammadi was transported from the infirmary via ambulance. Her current condition and well-being remain uncertain.

It is noteworthy that Mohammadi has a history of prior arrests and convictions linked to her activism. In October 2020, she was released from Zanjan Prison after enduring approximately five and a half years of imprisonment. However, her ordeal persisted as she faced another legal case, culminating in a sentence of 30 months of imprisonment, 80 lashes, and two fines.

On November 16, 2021, Mohammadi was arrested once again during a commemorative event honoring Ebrahim Ketabdar, who had lost his life during the November 2019 protests in Karaj. Subsequently, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court handed down a staggering eight-year prison sentence, accompanied by seventy-four lashes, two years of exile, and various social restrictions.

Adding to her ordeal, Mohammadi received an additional one-year prison sentence in early August, stemming from a new case initiated during her incarceration.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Iman Afashari, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran, Varamin

The Tehran Revolutionary Court has issued a one-year prison sentence to journalist Nazila Maroufian.

Presiding over the court, Judge Iman Afashari found Maroufian guilty of “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a one-year imprisonment and a fine of 15 million tomans.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially apprehended by security forces and confined to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Later, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison but was eventually released on temporary bail after paying 600 million tomans (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court imposed a two-year suspended prison sentence on Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “disseminating propaganda against the regime and spreading false information to manipulate public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” In addition to the suspended sentence, she was fined and received a five-year travel ban.

On July 4, security forces conducted a search and raid at her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and returned to Evin Prison following her appearance at the courthouse. After some time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was once again arrested and held for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. Then, on August 30, security forces apprehended her at her residence in Tehran, during which she experienced physical mistreatment.

Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

Afshin Naziri Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Naziri, Evin Prison, Tehran

In a recent development, Afshin Naziri was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on August 29 and subsequently confined to Evin Prison.

According to accounts, Naziri’s arrest transpired at his Tehran residence, where six plainclothes agents conducted the apprehension. His family was informed by the security forces that he would be prohibited from communicating with the outside world, including phone calls and visitations, for ten days.
The motives behind this arrest and the charges brought against him remain unknown at this time.

Journalist Nazila Maroufian Re-Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Nazila Maroufian, Qarchak Prison, Tehran

Journalist Nazila Maroufian was re-arrested on August 30, 2023, at her residence in Tehran by security forces. The subsequent transfer of Maroufian to the Ershad Courthouse unfolded amidst distressing circumstances, as she reportedly endured physical mistreatment during the apprehension.

According to a source close to her family, on Wednesday morning, security forces forcibly entered Maroufian’s residence, breaking down the door. The incident escalated as Maroufian was subjected to physical aggression. The agents confiscated some of her personal belongings and transferred her to the Ershad Courthouse for further proceedings.

Maroufian’s family is now facing a demand of a two-billion-Toman bail (equivalent to approximately 40,000 dollars) for her potential release, as stated by the source.

The security-affiliated news agency, Tasnim, cited “promoting abominable acts” as the primary basis for Maroufian’s arrest. Specifically, the agency reported that her public appearance in attire deemed inappropriate and the subsequent sharing of a corresponding photograph on social media were cited as pivotal factors that prompted the issuance of her arrest warrant by the Ershad Courthouse.

Maroufian’s ordeal began on October 30, 2022, when she was initially arrested by security forces and incarcerated in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Subsequently, she was transferred to Qarchak Prison before being granted temporary freedom upon payment of a 600-million-toman bail (approximately $12,000 USD).

In January 2023, the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, handed down a two-year suspended imprisonment sentence to Maroufian. This sentence was related to charges of “spreading propaganda against the regime and disseminating falsehoods to disrupt public opinion through an interview with Mahsa Amini’s father.” Alongside the suspended sentence, she also received a fine and a five-year ban on leaving the country.

On July 4, security forces conducted a raid and search on her residence, subsequently summoning her to Evin Courthouse. Four days later, she was re-arrested and confined once again to Evin Prison, following her appearance at Evin Courthouse. After a period of time, she was charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

On August 14, she was re-arrested and detained for two days in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.
Nazila Maroufian, a journalist and student at Allameh Tabatabai University, hails from Saqqez and currently resides in Tehran. With a notable career in media, she has contributed to outlets such as Didban Iran and Rouydad24.

 

Tehran Revolutionary Court Sentences Baha’i Citizen Nazila Haghar to Five Years in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Nazila Haghar, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Nazila Haghar, a Baha’i citizen, has received a five-year prison sentence from the Tehran Revolutionary Court, a verdict that was subsequently affirmed on appeal on August 20, 2023.

In a trial in absentia, Haghar was handed down a five-year sentence for “membership in an illegal group aimed at undermining national security.”
The court cited her involvement in organizing educational programs for children as evidence of this charge.
In July 2022, security forces conducted a thorough search of her residence and confiscated some of the items belonging to her and her family.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both 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.

 

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Amir-Hossein Balali Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Amir-Hossein Balali, Tehran

Amir-Hossein Balali, a former student activist, has been apprehended by security forces and moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Emtedad Online.

The arrest of Balali took place at his residence in Tehran, where authorities conducted a search and seized several of his personal items. As of now, details about his location and the nature of the charges remain undisclosed.

Court of Appeal Upholds Eight-Year Sentence for Farhad Hafezi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Farhad Hafezi, Farhad Hafezi Semnani, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld an eight-year sentence against Farhad Hafezi Semnani (Azarm). Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, a five-year prison term will be enforceable.

Originally, the Tehran Revolutionary Court had issued a verdict of five years on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and an additional two years for “insulting former and current Supreme Leaders of Iran.”

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Mahmood Ojaghlou Sentenced to 11 Years Following Appeal

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
ethnic minorities in iran, Evin Prison, Mahmood Ojaghloo, Mahmood Ojaghlou, Mahmood Ojaghlu, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeals has handed down an eleven-year sentence to Azerbaijani (Turk) activist Mahmood Ojaghlou.

Originally facing multiple charges, Ojaghlou had initially received a five-year term for “assembly and collusion against national security,” an additional year for “propaganda against the regime,” five more years for “affiliation with anti-regime groups that threaten national security,” and another five years for “incitement of individuals to participate in warfare.” Notably, the Court of Appeals has cleared him of the last accusation, leading to a reduced cumulative sentence of 11 years.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, five years for one of the four charges above will be enforceable.
Further sanctions include a travel prohibition, a ban on involvement with political parties and groups, as well as restrictions on media and social media interactions for a two-year period. In addition, he is required to prepare concise summaries of select books.

Ojaghlou’s apprehension took place on December 11, 2022, leading to his incarceration in Ward 4 of Evin Prison.
It’s worth noting that he has a history of previous summons and detention related to his activism.

According to documented accounts by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), a total of 12 individuals were sentenced to a combined 751 months of imprisonment in 2022, all linked to their involvement in advocating for the rights of ethnic minorities.

Court of Appeal Affirms Six-Year Sentence for Former Political Prisoner Majid Tavakoli

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini Protests, Majid Tavakoli, Tehran

The Court of Appeal in Tehran has upheld a six-year prison sentence for Majid Tavakoli, a former political prisoner who was detained during the nationwide protests in 2022.

Yesterday, August 23, the Tehran Court of Appeals, Branch 36, communicated its decision to Tavakoli’s legal representative. Initially, he was handed a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” and a five-year sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security.” In addition to the prison term, he has been subjected to further restrictions, including a ban on engaging in online social activities for two years. Moreover, Tavakoli faces a two-year ban on residing in Tehran and a two-year ban on leaving the country.
Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year imprisonment term will be enforceable.

Tavakoli, recognized as a student activist and former political detainee, was apprehended by security forces in Tehran on September 23, 2022, during the Mahsa Amini Protests. He was subsequently granted release on bail on December 19, 2022.

Background on the 2022 Nationwide Protests

The arrest of Mahsa Amini by Tehran Morality Police for her improper hijab 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.

 

Former Political Prisoners Forough Taghipour & Marzieh Farsi Detained in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Forough Taghipour, Marzieh Farsi, Tehran

Forough Taghipour and Marzieh Farsi, former political prisoners, were arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 21.

A source, closely tied to the families, confirmed their arrest to HRANA. As of this moment, the detainees have not been able to reach out to their families, although indications suggest that they might have been transferred to Evin Prison.

Of particular concern is the health of Mrs. Farsi, who is battling cancer and requires immediate access to her medication, a pressing issue that has raised alarm within her family.

It’s worth noting that they have a history of previous convictions and incarceration related to their activism.