Tag: Tehran

Narges Sardari Apprehended in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, Narges Sardari, Tehran

On August 16, Security forces arrested Narges Sardari at her residence in Tehran, subsequently transporting her to an undisclosed destination.

A source connected to her family, who shared insights with HRANA, disclosed that during the apprehension, she was compelled to bring her three-year-old child along, who was later entrusted to a family member a few hours following the incident at the courthouse.

Furthermore, Narges Sardari’s spouse, Mehdi Saeed Etemad, a well-known actor and comedian, has been under detention for more than two months. Etemad Saeed’s arrest was executed by security forces on June 9, 2023, in Tehran. Intelligence agents conducted a search of his residence and confiscated a portion of his possessions.

The precise reasons underlying her arrest, and her current location are currently unknown.

 

 

Donya Hosseini Detained by Security Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Donya Hosseini, Tehran

On August 12, 2023, Donya Hosseini, also known as Azad, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently transported to an undisclosed facility.

A reliable source within her family, speaking to HRANA, confirmed the involvement of security forces in her apprehension. Presently, the specific reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, and the exact location of her confinement remain undisclosed.

Hosseini, aged 34, was arrested for her activism during the nationwide protests in October-November 2022 and released from Evin Prison after a period of time.

Students Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi Each Sentenced to One-Year Prison Terms

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Allameh Tabatabai University, Hasti Amiri, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Tehran, Zia Nabavi

Tehran, August 9, 2023: In a recent development, Hasti Amiri and Zia Nabavi, both students at Allameh Tabataba’i University, have been each handed a one-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, as reported by Emtedad News.

Presiding Judge Iman Afshari conveyed the verdict to the students, indicating that they have been found guilty of “propaganda against the regime.” This decision was reached during a court session held on July 10, 2023.

The legal action against Amiri and Nabavi stems from their participation in protests against a series of poison attacks targeting schoolgirls across Iran.

Furthermore, during a protest assembly at Allameh Tabataba’i University on December 7, 2022, more than 30 students were barred from entering the university premises and subsequently faced disciplinary measures. As a consequence, The Student Basij of the university sought the involvement of security institutions and the initiation of legal proceedings against Amiri and Nabavi.

Both of these students have a documented history of arrests and convictions due to their involvement in various activist initiatives.

Between late November 2022 and March 7, 2023, at least 290 schools, primarily girls’ schools, were targeted by poison attacks using an unspecified toxic gas, affecting at least 7,068 students in 103 schools. For further details and statistics, please refer to the HRANA report.”

Meysam Dehbanzadeh Sentenced to Six Years in Prison on National Security Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Iman Afshari, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Tehran, Tehran Revolutionary Court

Former political prisoner Meysam Dehbanzadeh has been handed a six-year prison sentence by the Tehran Revolutionary Court after being found guilty of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “forming groups to act against national security.”

Presiding judge Iman Afshari delivered the verdict and additional restrictions, including a travel ban and limitations on social activities.

Dehbanzadeh’s lawyer, Erfan Karam Veisi, was informed of the court’s decision. Along with the prison sentence, Dehbanzadeh will face several punitive measures, including a prohibition from entering Tehran Province and neighboring regions, leaving the country, and joining civil and social groups. He will also be required to make monthly appearances at the Supervision and Follow-up Office of the Judiciary for two years.

This legal case against Dehbanzadeh was linked to the fire incident at Evin prison, which occurred last year.

On May 27, 2023, he was granted release from the Great Tehran Penitentiary under a “pardon and commutation directive.” However, his release was contingent on providing bail for the new legal case that had been opened against him during his time in prison, as confirmed by his lawyer, Karam Veisi.

Hami Bahadori’s Six-Year Sentence Upheld by Tehran Court of Appeals

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Evin Prison, Hami Bahadori, Tehran

The Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the six-year sentence against Hami Bahadori, a Baha’i citizen currently incarcerated in Evin Prison.

On June 21, Judge Salavati, presiding over branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, delivered a verdict sentencing Bahadori to five years for “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the five-year term for the first charge will be enforceable.

In addition to the sentence, Bahadori will face a two-year travel ban, and some of his and his wife’s belongings have been confiscated.

A reliable source close to Bahadori’s family, who spoke to HRANA, revealed that judicial officials initially attempted to link his charges to the nationwide protests in 2022. However, they eventually abandoned those allegations, invoking only his activities as examples of the charges.

Bahadori’s arrest took place on October 22, 2022, by security forces, and he was subsequently detained in Evin Prison. On April 3, 2023, he conveyed his grievances about the unjust treatment of religious minorities within the judicial system through a written letter.

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.

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.

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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.