Tag: Urmia

Two Prisoners Executed in Urmia Prison Before Supreme Court Reaches Verdict on Their Appeal

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Executions, Prisoners
Citizen executions, Death Penalty, executions, Nasser Azmoudeh, Right to a fair trial, Shahriar Amiri, Supreme Court, unfair trial, Urmia, Urmia prison

On Saturday, July 3, Nasser Azmoudeh and Shahriar Amiri were executed in Urmia Prison, even though the Supreme Court has not yet reached a verdict on their appeal.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the two prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

Azmoudeh and Amiri, who had been kept in Urmia Prison since 2018, were transferred to solitary confinement the day before the execution took place.

The lack of a fair and transparent trial process in the Iranian judiciary, especially in cases that lead to irreversible sentences such as the death penalty, has long been criticized by human rights organizations. Just this week, the death sentence of a prisoner who was executed 10 months ago was overturned by 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 1st and December 20th 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 report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary. Human rights organizations call these “secret executions”.

The executions of Azmoudeh and Amiri have not been announced by Iranian media or official sources as of this writing.

10 Months After his Execution, Supreme Court Overturns Khedr Ghavidel’s Death Sentence

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Executions, Prisoners
Citizen executed, Citizen executions, citizen executions per-capita, Death Penalty, Death row, Death sentence, Ghavidel, Iran Supreme Court, Khedr Ghavidel, Supreme Court, Urmia, Urmia prison

Nearly 10 months after the execution of Khedr Ghavidel in Urmia Prison, his death sentence has been overturned by the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Ghavidel was executed in September 2020 while his case was being processed by the Supreme Court.

A source close to the family of the executed prisoner told HRANA: “A few days ago, Ghavidel’s family was invited to the Urmia Prosecutor’s Office, and they were informed about this issue. The prosecutor told Ghavidel’s family that you could file a case and receive the ransom of the executed prisoner.”

In a similar situation, on Saturday, July 3, the death sentences of two prisoners, Nasser Azmoudeh and Shahriyar Amiri, were carried out in Urmia Prison in a situation where their case has not yet been heard by the Supreme Court.

The lack of a fair and transparent trial process in the Iranian judiciary, especially in cases that lead to irreversible sentences such as the death penalty, has long been criticized by human rights organizations.

According to international organizations, Iran ranks first in the world in citizen executions per capita. The Statistics and Publication Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) reported that between January 1st and December 20th 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 report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary. Human rights organizations call these “secret executions”.

 

 

 

At Least Two Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution in Urmia Prison

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Executions, Prisoners
Death Penalty, Death row, death row prisoners in iran, Death sentence, death sentences, Nasser Azmoudeh, Shahriar Amiri, Urmia, Urmia prison

Today, July 2, two prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement for execution in Urmia Prison, despite not having yet received a response on the appeal from the Supreme Court confirming or overturning their death sentence.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the prisoners were previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

The identities of these prisoners have been verified by HRANA as Nasser Azmoudeh and Shahriar Amiri. Both have been in Urmia Prison in West Azerbaijan Province since 2018.

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 1st and December 20th 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 report, more than 72% of executions in Iran are not reported by the government or the judiciary. Human rights organizations call these “secret executions”.

Political Prisoner Kamran Ghasemi Insulted and Beaten by Officers During Family Visitation in Urmia Prison

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Prisoners
Ghasemi, Kamran Ghasemi, Mistreatment of prisoners, Political Prisoners, Urmia, Urmia prison, West Azerbaijan, West Azerbaijan Province

On June 26, political prisoner Kamran Ghasemi was beaten by prison officers after objecting to the inappropriate treatment of his family by the agents during their visitation in Urmia Prison in West Azerbaijan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human rights Activists, Kamran Ghasemi has spent the past two years in the detention facilities of security institutions and Urmia Prison. He was transferred from the youth to the political ward of Urmia Prison in May this year.

“Officers beat Mr. Ghasemi in front of his family, then kicked him out in a very inappropriate manner,” a source close to the family said. “After other political prisoners protested this incident, in response, the chief of prison transferred 15 inmates of violent crimes under his command to the door of the political prisoners and threatened that protesters will be dealt with, in case of any objection. Amir Sohrabi, the director of Urmia Prison, uses such methods to prevent political prisoners from protesting.”

In November of last year, Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia sentenced Kamran Ghasemi to 10 years and 1 day in prison on charges of acting against national security by being a member of an opposition group.

HRANA Recap: This Week’s Protests in Iran

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Environment, Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds
Abadan, Assaluyeh, Babol, Behbahan, Bidkhoon refinery, Bushehr petrochemical company, Isfahan, Markazi Province, Pars Tire, Saveh, Sepahan Cement Company, Shiraz, Sina Palayesh, Tabriz, Tehran, Tehran Metro, Urmia, zanjan

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a number of protests took place this week against the results of cities’ local elections and inadequate labor conditions. This week also featured the continuation of widespread labor strikes across the country. The oil industry, petrochemical industry and power stations experienced strikes in Abadan, Isfahan, Assaluyeh, Kerman, Qeshm Island, Yasuj, Bid Boland, and Urmia and Bushehr. Below is a brief recap and footage from some of the week’s demonstrations.

 

Saturday and Sunday, June 19-20

Several citizens in Yasuj protested the results of the city’s local elections in front of the Boyer-Ahmad government building.  A group of Tehran Metro staff held protest rallies in front of the metro operating company in Tehran. Project workers of Farab Company of Bidkhoon refinery in Assaluyeh went on strike and left their jobs.

 

Citizens in Yasuj:

 

Tehran Metro staff:

 

Project workers in Bidkhoon refinery in Assaluyeh:

 

Monday and Tuesday, June 21-22

9 protest rallies and 11 workers’ strikes took place. A group of pharmacists in front of the Ministry of Health building in Tehran. Workers of Pars Tire in Saveh in Markazi Province rallied in front of the local factory. Workers of Sepahan Cement Company protested at their workplace, and a group of resident doctors in protested in the cities of Tehran, Urmia, Zanjan, Babol, Shiraz and Tabriz. Workers in Tehran Oil Refinery, Gachsaran Petrochemical Company, phases 13 and 14 of Assaluyeh, phase 13 of Kangan, Lidoma Company located in phase 13 of South Pars, AJC Company working in Abadan Refinery, Bidboland Refinery of Behbahan, Bushehr Petrochemical Company, Sina Palayesh Company Qeshm Island, and workers of Tehran Metro Line 5 went on strike.

 

Workers of Bidboland Gas Refinery in Behbahan:

 

 

Workers of Gachsaran Petrochemical Company:

 

Workers of Tehran Oil Refinery:

 

Workers of Lidoma Company located in phase 13 of South Pars:

 

Pharmacists in Tehran:

 

Resident doctors in Tehran, Urmia, Zanjan, Babol, Shiraz and Tabriz:

Pars Tire workers:

 

Wednesday, June 23

Workers of recently-closed stoning units of Hana Industrial Town located in Neyriz city in Fars gathered in front of the city government building. A group of employees of Ramin power station in Ahvaz city in front of the office building of the station, and a group of employees of Abadan refinery in front of the entrance door.

 

Ramin power station workers in Ahvaz:

Abadan refinery employees:

 

Thursday, June 24

Several residents of Maravneh village of Ahvaz city,  workers of Mapna 3 Qeshm power Station continued their participation in the nationwide protests of the workers of the country’s oil industry.

 

Mapna 3 power Station employees:

Residents of Maravneh village:

 

Friday, June 25

Workers of refineries, petrochemicals and power plants, workers of Yazd Steel, went on strike.

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Political Prisoner Keyhan Mokarram al-Nabi on a Hunger Strike in Urmia Prison

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Prisoners
Iran hunger strike, Keyhan Mokarram al-Nabi, Mokarram al-Nabi, Mokarram al-Nabi Hunger Strike, Security forces, Urmia, Urmia prison

Political prisoner Keyhan Mokarram al-Nabi has been on a hunger strike since June 13 in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Kayhan Mokarram al-Nabi, son of Jader, was arrested by security forces in January 2020.

He has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of membership in an opposition group.

Mokarram is using the hunger strike to demand the modification and reduction of his sentence.

Shaker Behrouz on a Hunger Strike in Urmia Prison

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, Prisoners
Behrouz, Citizen arrested, Citizen sentenced to death, Death sentence, Dizaj, Hunger Strike, Ministry of Intelligence, Shaker Behrouz, Urmia, Urmia City, Urmia prison, West Azerbaijan Province

Political prisoner Shaker Behrouz has been on a hunger strike since June 13 in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Behrouz’s hunger strike is in protest of his unjust death sentence and long-term detention in solitary confinement.

Behrouz became a member of one of the Iranian Kurdish opposition parties located in Iraq in 2018, but later that year, he got a safe-conduct letter and returned to Iran.

32-year-old Behrouz was first arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents in March 2019 and sentenced to five years in prison for membership in an opposition party (KDP).

Later, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ali Sheikh Lou, further sentenced Mr. Behrouz to death on charges of armed rebellion through membership in an opposition party and the murder of a member of the Revolutionary Guards.

12 separate people testified that at the time of the murder, Behrouz was in a shop in Dizaj town of Urmia city, nowhere near the scene of the crime. However, the court refused to hear the witnesses’ statements and convicted him anyway.

An informed source additionally told HRANA that the victim’s family has stated they did not file a lawsuit against Mr. Behrouz and believe in his innocence. They are even willing to testify in court to that end.

Shaker Behrouz is the son of Salim, and a resident of the Dizaj region of Urmia city in West Azerbaijan Province.

Prisoner Dies After Urmia Officials Refuse to Transfer him to Hospital in the Aftermath of a Heart Attack

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Executions, Prisoners
iran death penalty, Shamsuddin Tatari, Tatari, Urmia, Urmia prison, West Azerbaijan

On Saturday, June 12, an inmate who was on death row in Urmia Prison died after prison officials refused to send him to the hospital in the aftermath of a heart attack.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, 55-year-old Shamsuddin Tatari suffered a heart attack at noon and died within the day after being denied the transfer.

Tatari was from the city of Salmas in the West Azerbaijan province. He was previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges and had been held in Urmia Prison for two years.

Seyed Mohammad Hosseini Sentenced to 40 Years in Urmia Prison

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Prisoners
freedom of expression, Hosseini, irgc, Mahabad, Naqadeh, Naqadeh Prison, Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, Urmia, Urmia prison

On May 25, the Mahabad Revolutionary Court sentenced Seyed Mohammad Hosseini, a resident of Naqadeh in West Azerbaijan, to 40 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Kurdpa, The First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad summoned Hosseini and informed him upon arrival that he had been sentenced in absentia.

Hosseini is facing 40 years in Urmia Prison on charges of Moharebeh (rebellion, or “waging war against God” in Shariah Law) through membership in an opposition group.

In April, Hosseini’s last hearing was held in the First Branch of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Javad Gholami. The political prisoner also faced a hearing for Moharebeh in July 2019.

Hosseini is currently being held in Naqadeh Prison in the West Azerbaijan Province.

Prison Officials Beat Inmate Amir Rezaei to Death in Urmia Prison

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Executions, Prisoners
Amir Rezaei, inmate killed, prison guard violence, prison violence, Prisoner killed, Urmia, Urmia prison

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, an inmate at Urmia Prison died on Monday after being ruthlessly beaten by on-duty guards. The identity of this prisoner has been verified by HRANA as 35-year-old Amir Rezaei.

According to an informed source, on Monday, after a clash between prisoners in Ward 14 of Urmia Prison, several prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement.

“After being released from solitary confinement, Mr. Rezaei escaped toward the 1-2 dormitory of the prison,” the informed source said. “Four prison guards followed him and arrested him; two of them beat him and one of them lifted Amir Rezaei on his head and knocked him to the ground. The prisoner’s head hit the ground, causing unconsciousness and eventually death.”

The source emphasized that guards’ aggressive handling continued long after Rezaei  had been subdued.

“Three officers dragged him to the ground, even after he lost consciousness, and transferred him to another place,” the source said.  “They took him to the hospital and found out that he had lost his life when they saw that he was unconscious. Last night [May 17], around 11 o’clock, the body was taken out of the prison.”

Prison official brutality towards inmates is an ongoing issue in Iran. Rezaei had served out half of a 20-year sentence in prison on drug-related charges when he was killed.