Executions, arbitrary killings, deaths in custody, and death sentences
Political executions
Announced (regime’s media)
The sentence of 4 members of a Mossad terrorist cell in Iran was carried out
https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/4757125/
https://www.tasnimnews.com/fa/news/1402/11/09/3030534/4-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%B3%D8%AA-%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B3%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%86-%D8%A7%D8%B9%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D8%B4%D8%AF%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%DA%98%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%85%D8%A8-%DA%AF%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%B1%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B3%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A6%DB%8C%D9%84-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%DB%8C%DA%A9-%D9%85%D8%B1%DA%A9%D8%B2-%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-%D9%81%DB%8C%D9%84%D9%85
Mizan news agency- The Judiciary outlet- In August of 2022, the Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement that an operational team affiliated with Mossad had illegally entered the country through the Kurdistan region of Iraq and intended to carry out a bombing operation at a equipment production factory in Isfahan affiliated with the Defense Ministry. However, before the operation, they were arrested by the undercover soldiers of the Imam Zaman (AS) Battalion.
After conducting investigations, the case of the four main members of this team was referred to the Revolutionary Court for prosecution. Eventually, on September 18, 2023, the four individuals were sentenced to death on charges of collaborating with the usurping Zionist regime.
Following the defendants’ appeal in the Supreme Court, the case was re-examined. The branch responsible for handling the case in the Supreme Court confirmed the verdict of the Revolutionary Court. The execution of the four individuals was carried out this morning.
The main members of the Mossad bombing project team at the defense and missile equipment production factory were four individuals named: Mohammad Faramarzi (team leader and commander), Mohsen Mazloum (responsible for guarding the surroundings and supporting the team), Vafa Azarbar (nephew of Abdollah Azarbar, the second person in the Komala group, who was responsible for placing the bombs in the relevant warehouse), and Pezhman Fatehi (responsible for removing obstacles and dealing with individuals in case of any problems). The other arrested individuals in this case were support and intelligence personnel of the team… (Mizan state0run news agency, Tasnim state-run news agency- January 29, 2024)
Note1: Iran Human Rights Organization has identified the prison of execution as Qezel Hessar Prison: https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6540/
Note 2: Images from left to right: Vafa Azarbar, Mohammad Faramarzi, Mohsen Mazloum and Pezhman Fatehi
Other executions
Inmate executed in Qezel Hessar Prison
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46515/
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6537/
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/116
At dawn on January 28, 2024, Reza Qorbani was executed in Qezel Hessar Priosn, Karaj on drug related charges. Thus far, the prison authorities or relative agencies have not announced this execution. Some media have named him Mohammadreza Qorbani. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Iran Human Rights Organization, Kurdpa – January 28, 2024)
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Two Baluch brothers secretly executed
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84491.htm
https://haalvsh.org/2024/01/28/%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%b1%d8%a7%db%8c-%d8%ad%da%a9%d9%85-%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa%da%a9%d9%85-%d8%af%d9%88-%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%84%d9%88%da%86-%d9%81%d8%a7-2/
At dawn on January 28, 2024, the death sentence of at least two Baloch prisoners, brothers, without birth certificate, who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, was executed in Birjand prison without informing their families or allowing them a final visit. The identities of these two Baluch brothers are Aref Eshaqzehi, 24, married with one child, and Asef Eshaqzehi, 30, married with three children. Both are the son of Zaher and residents of Zahedan. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Haalvsh – January 28, 2024)
Another execution in Birjand Prison
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6542/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84518.htm
In the morning on January 28, 2024, Rohollah Shakeri, 21, from Bardescan Village of Khorasan Razavi Province was executed being sentenced to Qesas for “intentional murder.” (Iran Human Rights Organization, Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners- January 29, 2024)
Execution of Ali Rajabian brings the number of executions in Qezel Hessar Prison to five
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6541/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84511.htm
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/executions-fa/2024/01/29/p32293/
In the morning on January 29, 2024, Ali Rajabian from Koohdasht was executed on drug related charges in Qezel Hessar Prison, Karaj. The execution has not been announced by IRI’s state-run media or official sources, thus far. Formerly the execution of four Kurd political prisoners on this day and in this prison was announced. Thus the number of executions in Qezel Hessar Prison today reaches five. (Iran Human Rights Organization, Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Kurdistan Human Rights Network- January 29, 2024)
Three inmates executed in Karaj Central Prison
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%b3%d9%87-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%b1%da%a9%d8%b2%db%8c-%da%a9%d8%b1%d8%ac-%d9%88-%d8%a7%d9%81%d8%b2/
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46552/
At dawn on January 29, 2024, three inmates charged with drug related crimes were executed in Karaj Central Prison. The last name of two of them is identified as Ajami and Jafari… (Iran Human Rights Society, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 29, 2024)
A female prisoners executed in Sabzevar
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46597/
Early this morning, on January 31, 2024, the sentence of a female prisoner, who had previously been condemned to death for the charge of murder, was carried out in Sabzevar prison. The identity of the woman, Zahra Nazaryan, 27 years old, has been confirmed. An informed source, while confirming this news, stated that Ms. Nazaryan had previously been sentenced to death by a judicial authority for the murder of her sister’s husband. Today, after four years of imprisonment, her death sentence was executed. As of the time of preparing this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by the prison authorities or responsible institutions. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 31, 2024)
Two inmates executed in Karaj
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6546/
Yesterday morning, on January 30, 2024, the death sentences of two men in Karaj Central Prison were carried out. The identities of these two prisoners, Payam (last name unknown) and Esmail Chiyeh, have been confirmed. They had been sentenced to execution on charges of “intentional murder” and drug-related charges, respectively. Thus far, the execution of these two prisoners has not been announced by the domestic media in Iran or official sources. (Iran Human Rights Organization- January 31, 2024)
The number of executed prisons in Karaj Central Prison reaches 4
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46595/
Another executed inmate identified brings the number of executions in Karaj Central Prison on January 29, 2024, to four, all executed on drug related charges. They are Mohammad Hossein Esmaili, Ali Rajabian, Javad Ajamian and Mohammad Hassan Jafari. Thus far, the prison authorities or relative agencies have not announced These executions. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 31, 2024)
Note: Iran Human Rights Organization on its website on February 1, 2024, announced the date of the execution for Mohammad Hossein Esmaili as January 30, 2024, at the following link: https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6550/
At least one man executed in Urmia
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6548/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84647.htm
In the morning on January 31, 2024, at least one man was executed in Urmia Central Prison. He is identified as Mehdi Azarioun and was sentenced to Qesas for “intentional murder”. Thus far, the execution has not been announced by IRI state-run media or its official source. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Iran Human Rights Organization – February 1, 2024)
Two executions in Urmia Prison
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46633/
At dawn on January 31, 2024, two men were executed in Urmia Prison. They are identified as Hossein Habibi and Medi Azariun, the son of Hossein from Urmia. They were sentenced to death in separate cases on the charge of murder. Thus far, the prison’s authorities or relative agencies have not announced their execution. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – February 2, 2024)
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6553/
Hossein Habibi about 40 years old was sentenced to Qesas on murder charges. According to an informed source: “Hossein Habibi was detained on “intentional murder” charges five years ago and was sentenced to Qesas. The plaintiffs demanded 5 billion tomans, but Habibi’s family were not able to provide that and eventually the sentence was carried out.” (Iran Human Rights Organization- February 3, 2024)
Inmate executed in Qazvin
https://iranhr.net/fa/articles/6552/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84719.htm
In the morning on February 3, 2024, Hassan Mehrban, 46, who was sentenced to Qesas for “intentional murder” was executed in Qazvin Central Prison…Thus far, the execution has not been announced by IRI state-run media or its official source. The lack of classification for intentional homicide in Iran makes any type of murder regardless of the severity, weakness and motivation of the accused lead to the issuance of a death sentence. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 3, 2024)
Arbitrary killing
Kolbars
A Kolbar killed in Bastam-Saqqez border regions
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84477.htm
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/kulbar-fa/2024/01/27/p32265/
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/112
On January 27, 2024, a Kolbar, Mansour Mohammadnezhad, 45, from Jenyan Village of Saqqez County was shot at by Bastam state armed forces and lost his life. He was shot at without warning from close range. The forces suspected him of smuggling some cargo. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Kurdpa – January 27, 2024) (Kurdistan Human Rights network- January 28, 2024)
Kermanshah: Wounded Kolbar loses his life
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/kulbar-fa/2024/01/31/p32351/
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/129
On January 31, 2024, Kolbar, Jabbar Vaisi Paryab, who was wounded by pellet bullets of military forces on the evening on January 29, 2024, in Nosud border region, in the face, lost his life to the severity of the wound at Hospital. He was 30 years old… (Kurdpa, Kurdistan Human Rights Network- January 31, 2024)
Baluch nationality
Military forces shot and killed a Baluch man in Rigan
https://haalvsh.org/2024/01/27/%da%a9%d8%b4%d8%aa%d9%87-%d8%b4%d8%af%d9%86-%db%8c%da%a9-%d8%b4%d9%87%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%86%d8%af-%d8%a8%d9%84%d9%88%da%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7-%d8%aa%db%8c%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b2%db%8c-%d9%86%db%8c/
On January 27, 2024, as a result of a military and security forces ambush on one of the transportation routes in the city of Rigan and shooting towards a passenger car, a Baluch citizen lost his life due to a gunshot wound. The identity of this Baluch citizen is Abuzar Shahbakhsh, 24, son of Mohammadgol, from Zahedan. His body has been transferred to the morgue of the hospital in the city of Rigan by military forces. (Haalvsh- January 27, 2024)
Three Baluch men killed and an 11-year-old Baluch kid lost his leg on IRGC mine
https://haalvsh.org/2024/01/30/%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d9%87%d9%88%db%8c%d8%aa-%da%a9%d9%88%d8%af%da%a9-%db%b1%db%b1-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%87-%d8%a8%d9%84%d9%88%da%86-%da%a9%d9%87-%d8%a8%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d8%ab%d8%b1-%d8%a7/
Yesterday evening, on January 29, 2024, the identity of an 11-year-old Baluch child who lost his leg and was injured in a landmine explosion set by the Revolutionary Guards on the route of fuel carriers in the border area of Kalagan Saravan was confirmed. The identity of this Baluch child has been verified as Mobin Raisi, 11 years old, son of Khan Mohammad, and a resident of the Kalagan area. Around 7 pm last night, due to the explosion of an anti-personnel mine planted by the Revolutionary Guards in the border area of Kalagan Saravan on the route of fuel carriers, three individuals were killed instantly due to the severity of their injuries, and two others were injured and transferred to medical centers for treatment. The precise identities of the other victims and injured in this mine explosion are not currently available at the time of this news report. (Haalvsh- January 30, 2024)
Baluch nationality
A Baluch university student, 18, lost his life three days after his detention
https://haalvsh.org/2024/02/01/%d8%ac%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%ae%d8%aa%d9%86-%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%b4%d8%ac%d9%88%db%8c-%db%b1%db%b8-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%87-%d8%a8%d9%84%d9%88%da%86-%d9%be%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d8%b3%d9%87/
An 18-year-old Baluch student, who was arrested by the Intelligence forces of the Revolutionary Guards in Zahedan on January 31, 2024, due to his activities on social media, has tragically lost his life. The identity of this Baluch student is confirmed as “Sepehr Shirani,” 18 years old, son of Dr. Ali, from Fanouch, residing in Zahedan. So far, the security forces and judicial authorities have not provided any response to the family of the detained Baluch student regarding the main reason for his loss of life, and his body remains in the possession of the Revolutionary Guards’ intelligence. (Haalvsh- February 1, 2024)
Death sentence
The latest condition of a political prisoner sentenced to death
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46558/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84543.htm
Seyyed Mohammad Javad Vafaei Thani, a political prisoner, is currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad and is facing a death sentence. In late July of 2023, after a retrial, he was sentenced to death by the Second Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad. Seyyed Mohammad Javad Vafaei, a 28-year-old boxing coach, was arrested by security forces in Mashhad in late winter of 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. Prior to the primary verdict, a heavy bail was set for his release, and due to the inability to secure it, the possibility of temporary release was denied in his case. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
No news of Fazel and Mehran Bahramian sentenced to death
https://iranhrs.org/%d9%81%d8%a7%d8%b6%d9%84-%d9%88-%d9%85%d9%87%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a8%d9%87%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%85%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%8c-%d8%aa%d9%87%d8%af%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%a7%d8%ac%d8%b1%d8%a7%db%8c-%d8%ad%da%a9%d9%85/
Currently, Fazel and Mehran Bahramian are in solitary confinement in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, facing the threat of execution. These two prisoners have had no contact with their families for four days, and their families are left uninformed and worried about the latest condition of their loved ones. On January 29, 2024, Fazel and Mehran Bahramian, who have been sentenced to death on charges of “Moharebeh and acting against national security,” were transferred to solitary confinement in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. They have not been allowed to have any contact or visitation with their families. On the same day, the families of the two political prisoners were summoned and threatened not to speak out or report any news about their children through the media. January 31, 2024, is the second day that the people of Samirom have gone on strike and kept their shops closed in protest against the death sentences and transfer of these two prisoners.
Fazel Bahramian is the brother of the martyr Morad Bahramian, who was killed by security forces during the nationwide uprising in 2022. Mehran Bahramian, born in 1993, is unmarried, and with his father being death, Mehran is the breadwinner of the family.
On November 16, 2023, during the nationwide uprising in 2022, security forces directly shot and killed Ali Abbasi, Morad Bahramian, Moslem Houshangi, and Milad Asafi. On December 30, 2023, Fazel Bahramian was arrested by security forces during the nationwide uprising at his personal residence in Semnan. He was severely tortured. In the same month, Mehran Bahramian was also arrested. Ten days after their arrest, Fazel and Mehran Bahramian were transferred to solitary confinement cells in the intelligence detention center of the IRGC in Dolat-Abad, Isfahan. Fazel and Mehran Bahramian were subjected to severe torture, to the extent that Mehran Bahramian’s rips were broken and the eardrum was torn due to the intensity of the torture. Fazel Bahramian also suffered injuries to his head and face during the interrogations as the result of tortures. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 31, 2024)
Note: from right to left: Mehran Bahramian and Fazel Bahramian
The latest condition of political prisoner, Naeb Askari, sentenced to death
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46601/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84637.htm
Naeb Askari, a political prisoner detained in Urmia Prison, is currently facing a death sentence. After a retrial, he was sentenced to execution by the Second Branch of Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of “Baghi (taking up arms against the state).” Mr. Askari was initially sentenced to death in absentia by the Second Branch of Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of “Moharebeh” on March 26, 2023. After accepting his appeal request, the aforementioned branch changed his charge from “Moharebeh” to “Baghi” and again sentenced him to death in October 2023 after several court sessions. The court sessions for Mr. Askari were held in the said judicial authority without the presence of his defense lawyer. “Membership in one of the opposition parties in Kurdistan is one of the charges against Mr. Askari in this case.”
Naeb Askari was arrested by the Intelligence forces of the Revolutionary Guards in Urmia on 27 March 2021… (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 31, 2024) (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
Abbas Deris at risk of execution, his request for appeal rejected
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%ae%d8%b7%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%b9%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b3-%d8%af%d8%b1%db%8c%d8%b3-%d8%a8%d8%a7-%d8%b1%d8%af-%d8%af%d8%b1%d8%ae%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa-%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%87/
Abbas Deris, a resident of Mahshahr, was one of the few witnesses to the crimes and killings of protesters in the Mahshahr marshlands in 2019. The Ministry of Intelligence and the judiciary intend to eliminate all the evidence of this crime by fabricating a case and executing him. The request for a retrial for political prisoner Abbas Deris was rejected by the Supreme Court. This action has put him at serious risk of execution. The rejection of the retrial by the Supreme Court comes despite numerous flaws in Abbas Deris’ case and the initial court verdict. Fereshteh Taban, Abbas Deris’ lawyer, says:
“Despite numerous flaws in the initial court verdict, the retrial request for my client Abbas Deris was rejected by the Supreme Court of the country. My client was sentenced to death on charges of Moharebeh. We have filed a request to invoke Article 477, which is currently under review.” Previously, on 13 December 2023, Abbas Deris, who had been sentenced to death, was sentenced to 14 years in prison by the Third Criminal Court of a province in Khuzestan (instead). However, today the Supreme Court has overturned this verdict.
… Abbas Deris had previously stated, “I have no fear of execution because I am confident of my innocence.”
Abbas Deris, born in 1973, is from Abadan. He is married and has three children. Abbas’s wife suffered a stroke and passed away upon learning of the death sentence against Abbas due to the psychological pressure. His children are currently living with relatives and are orphaned. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 31, 2024)
Note: Article 477 says in brief that if there are faults or doubts in the case the death penalty can be switched with blood-money
Inhumane treatment and cruel punishments
Amputation, flogging, torture and humiliation
Physical and psychological torture
Political prisoner, Mehran Qarehbaghi deprived of medical care
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46517/
Mehran Qarehbaghi, a political prisoner detained in Shaiban Prison in Ahvaz is still deprived of being transferred to a hospital and receiving proper medical care despite his deteriorating physical condition. Mr. Qarehbaghi suffers from a heart condition. On September 20, 2024, Mehran Qarehbaghi was sentenced by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court No.2, Behbahan, to three and a half years of imprisonment for the accusation of “destroying public property” (setting fire to the seminary of Behbahan Sisters’ Campus) and forty-five lashes for “disrupting public order.” Two years of this sentence were suspended for a period of five years. Mr. Qarehbaghi had previously been sentenced separately by the Revolutionary Court of Mahshahr to ten years and one month of imprisonment and social deprivation. He was also sentenced by another branch of the Revolutionary Court to three years of imprisonment for charges of “insulting the leadership and propaganda against the regime,” of which the harshest punishment, which is two years of imprisonment, has been executed. Mehran Qarehbaghi, 31 years old, is from the village of “Tileh Koohi” in the outskirts of Behbahan city, located in Khuzestan province. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 28, 2024)
Medical care for political prisoner, Ms. Raha Poor-Ebrahim prevented
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%b1%d8%b3%db%8c%d8%af%da%af%db%8c-%d9%be%d8%b2%d8%b4%da%a9%db%8c-%d8%a8%d9%87-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c-%d8%b3%db%8c%d8%a7%d8%b3%db%8c-%d8%b1%d9%87%d8%a7-%d9%be%d9%88%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d8%a8/
Political prisoner Raha Poor-Ebrahim underwent surgery on the right foot on January 10, 2024, but before the end of the recovery period, the authorities returned him to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The prison authorities prevent proper medical care for Raha Poor-Ebrahim, the political prisoner. Raha Poor-Ebrahim is serving her three-year prison sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. In mid-fall of 2023, she had undergone seven surgeries due to the penetration of a foreign object into her right foot, but due to the lack of necessary care in the prison, the surgeries were not successful. On Friday, September 6, 2023, Raha Poor-Ebrahim was arrested by security forces in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. She was convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and “virtual activities to disrupt public order,” and in the autumn of 1402, she was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad. Raha Poor-Ebrahim ‘s sentence was later reduced to three years of imprisonment. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 27, 2027)
After two months, Zakaria Karimi still in a state of limbo
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%d8%aa%da%a9%d9%84%db%8c%d9%81%db%8c-%d8%b2%da%a9%d8%b1%db%8c%d8%a7-%da%a9%d8%b1%db%8c%d9%85%db%8c-%d9%be%d8%b3-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%da%af%d8%b0%d8%b4%d8%aa-%db%b2-%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%87-%d8%a7/
Zakaria Karimi, the brother of executed political prisoner, Ayyoub Karimi is still in jail. Ayyoub Karimi a Sunni political prisoner was executed by the Judiciary. Zakaria is charged with posting a clip of their mother on social media and human rights media before Ayyoub’s execution.
After two months in detention, he is still in a state of limbo.
On Sunday December 10, 2023, a few days before his brother’s execution, Zakaria Karimi was detained. According to informed sources, he is confined at Urmia Intelligence Agency’s detention center. No explanation has been giver in regard to the reason of his detention and the charges against him. The intelligence agents have just said that he will be released after he answers some questions. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 28, 2024)
Political prisoners Shahriar Nassrollahi banned on visits and making calls
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46555/
Shahriar Nassrollahi, a political prisoner held in Arak Prison, has been deprived of the possibility of making telephone calls and having visits with his family since January 22, 2024, following orders from relevant authorities. Mr. Nassrollahi was arrested by security forces in Khorramabad on March 11, 2023, and was transferred to the detention center of the Intelligence Agency in Arak. After a month of detention in this security institution, he was eventually transferred to Arak Prison. On October 16, 2023, he was sentenced to a total of five years in prison by the aforementioned judicial branch (branch 2 of Arak Revolutionary Court), under the presidency of Judge Hosseini, on charges including “propaganda against the system” and “membership in groups opposing the system.” Another part of Mr. Nasrallah’s case is under investigation in the criminal court of Arak city. Shahriar Nassrollahi is a 45-year-old resident of Arak city, a father of three children. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 29, 2024)
Security agencies refrain from delivering the bodies of the 4 executed Kurd political prisoners
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84601.htm
The failure to deliver the bodies of four political prisoners named Mohsen Mazloom, Mohammad Faramarzi, Vafa Azarbar, and Pezhman Fatehi, who were executed in recent days, is regrettable and heartbreaking. This unjust and inhumane act once again demonstrates the injustice and violation of human rights in authoritarian governments.
Mohsen Mazloom, from Mahabad, Hazhir (Mohammad) Faramarzi, from Dehgolan, Vafa Azarbar, from Bukan, and Pezhman Fatehi, from Kamyaran, were four members of the Komla Party of Iranian Kurdistan. They were arrested on July 23, 2022, by the security forces of the Islamic Republic in the village of “Yangjeh” in the Soumay region of Urmia. For the past year and a half, their families have had no information about the whereabouts and fate of their children, and these prisoners have been deprived of their right to access a lawyer, make contact, and have visits with their families throughout this period. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 31, 2024)
Political prisoners, Ms. Nasrin Sadat Shahrayini deprived of medical care
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46617/
Nasrin Sadat Shahrayini, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been deprived of proper medical care despite her deteriorating physical condition. On September 9, 2023, she was charged in Branch 906 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad for allegations including “disseminating computerized falsehoods,” “inciting people to kill and engage in conflict,” “propagating against the system,” and “disturbing public minds.” She was arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison after four days of detention and interrogation at the Information Detention Center of the Sepah in Mashhad. The trial for Ms. Shahrayini’s charges took place on November 14, 2023, in Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad. Finally, two days later, she was sentenced by the aforementioned judicial branch, headed by Judge Hadi Mansouri, to a total of one year and three months in prison for charges of “disseminating computerized falsehoods,” “inciting people to kill and engage in conflict,” “propagating against the system,” and “disturbing public minds.” Since her arrest, Ms. Shahrayini has been deprived of access to legal representation. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – February 1, 2024)
Hunger strike continues; the latest condition of political prisoner Hamed Qareh Oghlani
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46606/
Hamed Qareh Oghlani, a political prisoner, continues his 18th day of hunger strike in Urmia Prison despite his deteriorating physical condition. On January 13, 2024, in protest against the denial of medical furlough due to the worsening of his illness, he initiated the hunger strike.
… An informed source close to the family of this political prisoner stated, “Hamed is on the 18th day of his hunger strike… His physical condition is rapidly deteriorating. He has faced threats and false promises multiple times, but he continues his strike. During this period, Hamed has only been allowed to have two face-to-face visits with his mother, but he has not been able to make any phone calls. The relevant authorities have shown no response to his condition, which has increased concerns among his family and acquaintances.”
Hamed Qareh Oghlani suffers from the serious illness of grand mal epilepsy. In protest against the lack of transfer to a hospital and the denial of medical furlough due to the worsening of his illness, he initiated the hunger strike. On January 16, 2024, which was the third day of his strike, he was transferred to one of the double-cell units in Urmia Prison.
According to the informed source, “The conditions in the mentioned double-cell units are very harsh, cold, and dirty. The toilet inside the cell is in such a condition that using it is very difficult. The heaters are placed outside the individual cells and do not provide sufficient warmth inside the rooms. A small heater is installed on top of the cells, but due to the presence of an air vent next to it, it produces almost no heat. Two people are kept in a room measuring only one and a half square meters. Hamed and other prisoners staying in these cells walk during the nights due to the intense cold and sleep during the days when sunlight reaches inside the cells.” (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 31, 2024)
The latest condition of protest detainee, Mahmoud Mehrabi; Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84653.htm
Despite one year passing since his arrest, Mahmoud Mehrabi, one of the detainees of nationwide protests of 2022, continues to remain in an uncertain state in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan… His sister expresses her protest through the release of a video regarding the uncertainty surrounding her brother’s situation in Dastgerd Prison and the lack of response from intelligence and judicial institutions regarding his case.
Mr. Mehrabi has been deprived of access to his lawyer for months in the Information Detention Center of the Revolutionary Guards in Dastgerd Prison, and his physical condition has been reported to be poor due to the injuries inflicted during torture and mistreatment by interrogators. As a result of prolonged beatings, injuries, and torture, he has suffered a hernia and judicial authorities, especially the investigator of the second branch of the Mobarakeh Court, unlawfully prevented his access to medical services under pressure from the Revolutionary Guards.
Mahmoud Mehrabi was previously arrested on February 1, 2023, and his family was unaware of his condition and whereabouts for one month. This political prisoner was released on bail on March 24, 2023, but was re-arrested a few hours later when the intelligence forces of the Revolutionary Guards attacked his father’s house in Mobarakeh, Isfahan.
The Revolutionary Guards’ Intelligence Department has initiated an extensive case against Mahmoud Mehrabi. This security institution has included approximately 50 private plaintiffs, mostly influential individuals in the city, in the case. Mr. Mehrabi was previously held in the dangerous prisoners’ ward of Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, and currently, there is no accurate information about his condition. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46612/
… A while ago, a summons was issued for this citizen to appear in court on charges of “spreading falsehoods and propaganda against the system on social media, ineffectively inciting military and law enforcement forces to neglect their duties and surrender, in cyberspace, inciting people to war and massacre to disrupt security and insulting the leadership and Rohollah Khomeini in cyberspace” by the mentioned branch. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – February 1, 2024)
Tehran: Vahid Bani Amerian still in custody, no news of him
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46631/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84691.htm
Despite more than forty days having passed since his arrest, Vahid Bani Amerian, a political prisoner, remains in detention and in a state of uncertainty. The lack of information about Mr. Bani Amerian’s situation has increased concerns for his family. Vahid was arrested by security forces in Tehran in early days of 2024, and to date, repeated inquiries by his family to judicial and security authorities regarding his fate have yielded no results. Furthermore, he has had no contact with his family thus far. Thus far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. Vahid Bani Amerian was previously arrested by security forces in Tehran in April 2018. He was sentenced to a total of eighteen years of imprisonment and exile in two separate cases by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Ultimately, in February of last year, following the issuance of an amnesty order, he was released from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Note: Vahid Bani Amerian is an elite student of Khaje Nassir Tossi Univeristy, Tehran
Urmia: Security agencies prevent the release of Kurd political prisoner
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/prisoners-fa/2024/02/02/p32390/
Kian Mokarram, a Kurdish political prisoner, is currently serving the fifth year of his five-year sentence in Urmia’s “Open Prison.” However, he has been deprived of the right to “prison leave” due to the opposition of the intelligence agency. Previously, the intelligence agency had also opposed his right to “conditional release.” This security institution has put pressure on this political prisoner and his family, making any type of early release conditional on his cooperation with security interrogators.
Kian Mokarram, along with Saber Kamani and Kamran Kamani, was arrested by the Revolutionary Guards forces in the village of “Anbeh” in Urmia on July 8, 2019. After enduring two months of detention, he was temporarily released on bail until the end of the judicial proceedings.
This political prisoner was sentenced to five years of imprisonment by Branch Two of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Ali Sheikhlu, in September 2019, on charges of “collaboration with the Kurdistan Free Life Party (PJAK).” After his objection in the appellate court of West Azerbaijan province, the sentence was confirmed, and he was sent to prison in early winter of 2020 to serve his sentence.
In August 2021, Kian Mokarram, along with two other political prisoners named Naeb Asgari and Naeb Hajizadeh, were sentenced to 50 lashes and 3 months of imprisonment on charges of “disrupting the prison order,” following a complaint by the head of Urmia Central Prison. This case was fabricated after one of the Kurdish political prisoners was beaten by prisoners convicted of ordinary crimes, which led to protests by other political prisoners. (Kurdistan Human Rights Network- February 2, 2024)
Prison
Prison conditions
Qezel Hessar Prison: Guards’ attack on political prisoners
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%ad%d9%85%d9%84%d9%87-%da%af%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%af-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%82%d8%b2%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%87-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%b3%db%8c/
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46518/
On January 28, 2024, the prison guards of Qezel Hessar Prison stormed Ward 4, where political prisoners are held, and clashed with them. In protest against this act, the political prisoners chanted slogans such as “Death to Khamenei,” “Death to the dictator,” and “Khamenei, you oppressor, we will kill you.” During this raid, several prisoners were beaten and injured by the guards. In addition, the prison guards destroyed the belongings of the prisoners. The prison guards of Qezel Hessar Prison are present in the prison yard with weapons. The reason for the attack on Ward 4 of Qezel Hessar Prison, where political prisoners are held, was their protest and resistance against the execution sentence of four political prisoners. The agents of the Ministry of Intelligence accompanied the guards during this raid and engaged in beating, assaulting, and breaking the prisoners’ belongings. (Iran Human Rights Society, Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 28, 2024)
Qezel Hessar Prison: Two injured political prisoners identified
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46537/
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a7%d9%81%d8%b4%db%8c%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7%db%8c%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%ad%d9%85%d9%84%d9%87-%da%af%d8%a7%d8%b1%d8%af-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%af%da%86%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%ad/
Two of five injured political prisoner in a guards’ attack in Qezel Hessar Prison, Karaj, are identified. Afshin Baimani was hit in his chest and lost his awareness and was dispatched to a hospital outside the prison. Saman Yasin, also suffering injury in his chest is deprived of proper medical care.
Around 1400, tens of prison guards and some plainclothes forces entered ward 4 (allocated to political prisoners) and clashed with some of the political prisoners who protested their presence. The guards battered the political prisoners and destroyed or confiscated many of their belongings.
According to reports received so far five of them are injured. A day before, the prison’s phone was cut for unknown reasons and today the prison witnessed this clash and violence by prison guards. (Human Rights Activists News Agency, Iran Human Rights Society- January 28, 2024)
Political prisoners in Qezel Hessar on hunger strike to protest widespread executions
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%b3%db%8c%d8%a7%d8%b3%db%8c-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%82%d8%b2%d9%84%d8%ad%d8%b5%d8%a7%d8%b1-%da%a9%d8%b1%d8%ac-%d8%a7%d8%b9%d8%aa%d8%b5/
To protest the widespread executions in Qezel Hessar Prison and other prisons on every Tuesday, political prisoners confined in Qezel Hessar Prison went on hunger strike. This strike is also in solidarity with the death row political prisoners who are currently on hunger strike. It was to suppress this action that security forces raided the ward of political prisoners to crush their strike…Prisoners who are on hunger strike are: Jafar Ebrahimi, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, Sepehr Emam Jome, Loqman Aminpoor, Ahmandreza Haeri, Maysam Dehbanzadeh, Reza Salmanzadeh, Hamzeh Savari, Saeed Masouri and Reza Mohmmad-Hosseini. (Iran Human rights Society- January 29, 2024)
Protesting “Black Tuesdays” ten political prisoners went on hunger strike
https://ir.voanews.com/a/hunger-strike-evin-political-prisoners/7462328.html
A group of political prisoners held in Qezel Hessar Prison in Alborz Province have announced that they will go on a collective hunger strike every Tuesday in protest against the executions. Zartosht Ahmadiragheb, Jafar Ebrahimi, Ahmadreza Haeri, Loghman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Saeed Masouri, Reza Mohammadhosseini, Reza Salmanzadeh, Hamzeh Savari, and Sepehr Emam Jomeh are among the prisoners who have stated that they will engage in a hunger strike on Wednesdays to protest against the process of executions. (VOA- January 30, 2024)
Repairs at prison from the pocked of inmates
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%aa%d8%b9%d9%85%db%8c%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a8%d8%a7-%d8%a7%d8%ae%d8%a7%d8%b0%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%ad%d8%b1/
The expenses for repairs in Karaj Central Prison are being funded from the pockets of the prisoners. Recently, the officials of Karaj Central Prison (Karaj Penitentiary) have extorted 300,000 Tomans from each prisoner for the repairs of the prison gymnasium. In addition to prison repairs, the prison authorities intend to collect the cost of replacing the prison televisions, which are mostly worn out and non-functional, from the prisoners. As a result, the televisions of the prisoners, which are their only means of connection to the outside world, are often disconnected to put pressure on the inmates.
The quality and quantity of the prison meals are insufficient to meet the minimum nutritional needs of an individual, which can have long-term detrimental effects on the health of the prisoners. There have been reports of the spread of unknown diseases similar to scabies in Karaj Central Prison, as well as contamination of the prison’s water supply. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 31, 2024)
Where is Asadabad Prison, Mobarakeh County
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%af%d8%a2%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%af-%d9%85%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b1%da%a9%d9%87-%da%a9%d8%ac%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%9f/
The Asadabad Prison, also known as Asadabad Camp, is located in Mobarakeh County, across from the village of Asadabad, on Asadabad Prison Road. It is designated for prisoners related to drug offenses. Initially, judicial authorities announced that the prison’s population was 4,000 individuals, but the actual figure exceeds 7,000.
A former inmate describes the situation in Asadabad Prison as follows:
“Survival in this place requires money, and they find ways to extract money from the prisoners by any means. The prison consists of ten halls, all housing inmates have been involved in drug-related cases. Each hall has six rooms included in each 10 three-bed rooms. The capacity of each room is 60 (It should be 30, probably a typing error- tra.) people. However, the actual population reaches 60 individuals per room, with 30 people having beds and the other 30 sleeping on the floor.
The prison is extremely overcrowded and congested. A significant number of inmates are Afghan prisoners. Inmates there face numerous problems, but one of the main issues is the lack of attention to their cases and the uncertainty of their situations. In Asadabad Prison, there are inmates who have multiple cases that need to be consolidated. However, due to the lack of attention, they are forced to serve their sentences one by one, and no one is accountable for these conditions.
The hygiene in this prison is below zero and very poor.
Regarding medical care, the prison’s healthcare is limited to providing a few cold medication pills to the inmates. The prisoners have to endure their illnesses or diseases, or they die from them. Some of the inmates in Asadabad Prison are subjected to forced labor and are utilized as a workforce. This practice benefits the authorities of the judicial system, and they profit from it.
From the moment a suspect enters the prison, they are treated as a criminal, and their human rights are not recognized. Insulting and demeaning the suspects by the prison administrators, staff, and guards is a common and accepted practice. In Iranian prisons, the principle of separation of crimes is not observed. The agents of this system do not even adhere to their own prison organization regulations. Article 8 of the prison organization’s regulations regarding the necessity of classifying all convicts based on the type and severity of their convictions, criminal backgrounds, personalities, ethics, and behavior in Iranian prisons is generally violated. (Iran Human Rights Society- February 3, 2024)
Prison sentences
A citizen has been sentenced to imprisonment for getting into a conflict with a “promoter of virtue” following a dispute over a dog-walk
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46582/
Following a conflict and violence with a “promoter of virtue” agent over bringing a dog out for a walk, a citizen named Ms. Negar Chaparian has been sentenced to eleven months of imprisonment by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. According to a verdict issued in late fall of 2023, by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and communicated to Ms. Chaparian, she has been convicted of charges including “propaganda against the system, encouraging corruption and indecency, and causing harm to public chastity,” and sentenced to eleven months of imprisonment.
In mid-summer of 2023, Negar Chaparian got into a conflict with a “promoter of virtue” agent while walking her dog in a park. She was later arrested at her home after the images of the incident were circulated on social media. After three days of detention and being informed of the charges at the Security Courthouse in Tehran, she was released on bail. Negar Chaparian is a 34-year-old resident of Tehran. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024)
Appeals court: Reza Asgharian sentenced to pay a fine
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46576/
Reza Asgharian, a resident of Sarab County, has been sentenced by the First Branch of the Appeals Court of East Azerbaijan to pay a fine. Mr. Asgharian had previously been sentenced by the preliminary court to five months of imprisonment for the charge of “insulting the leadership of the Islamic Republic” and to pay a fine of seven million Tomans for the charge of “engaging in propaganda against the Islamic Republic.” Reza Asgharian has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to his activities. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024)
Appeals court upheld a six-year-in jail sentence against Majid Tavakoli
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84578.htm
On January 30, 2023, Branch 54 of the Tehran Provincial Court of Appeals upheld the six-year prison sentence and additional penalties for Majid Tavakoli, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison. This political prisoner had previously been sentenced to six years in prison, two years of internet activity ban, two years of residence ban in Tehran, and two years of travel ban. Mr. Tavakoli was arrested on September 23, 2022, during the nationwide protests and was released on bail on November 29, 2022. On October 7, 2023, he was sent to Evin Prison to serve his sentence. Majid Tavakoli has a history of previous arrests and convictions due to his activities. He is currently imprisoned in Evin Prison. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Khuzestan’s appeal court: Shahab Nazari sentenced to jail
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46593/
Shahab Nazari, a resident of Izeh, has had his three-year imprisonment sentence upheld by the Fourteenth Branch of the Khuzestan Provincial Court of Appeals. Mr. Nazari had previously been sentenced by the First Branch of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to two years of imprisonment for the charge of “insulting the leadership” and one year of imprisonment for the charge of “propaganda against the system,” resulting in a total of three years of imprisonment. With the application of Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, two years of imprisonment will be enforceable for this citizen. Additionally, in another part of the same case, Mr. Nazari has been sentenced by the Ahvaz Criminal Court to one year and 91 days of imprisonment for the charge of “spreading falsehoods.” Shahab Nazari, a resident of Izeh, was arrested on April 22, 2023, by security forces in Ahvaz, and was finally released on May 21, 2023, by posting a five hundred million Tomans bail from Shiban Prison in Ahvaz. Shahab Nazari, born in 2000, son of Ali Mohammad, is single and resides in Izeh. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 31, 2024)
Majid Khosh Manzar, a protest detainee sentenced to a long term in jail
https://iranhrs.org/%d9%85%d8%ad%da%a9%d9%88%d9%85-%d8%b4%d8%af%d9%86-%d9%85%d8%ac%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%ae%d9%88%d8%b4-%d9%85%d9%86%d8%b8%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d9%87-%db%b1%db%b0-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d9%84-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86/
Majid Khoshmanzar, a 48-year-old senior employee at the Mashhad Traffic Control Center, and his son, Amirreza, were arrested over a year ago. On February 1, 2023, Khosrow Alikordi announced that his client, Majid Khoshmanzar, had been sentenced to 10 years in prison and one year of exile in Tayebad. Majid Khoshmanzar, a political prisoner and senior employee at the Mashhad Traffic Control Center, along with his son, Amirreza, were arrested on October 26, 2022, simultaneous with the nationwide protests in 2022, in Mashhad. Majid Khoshmanzar and his son were accused of disabling the surveillance cameras. Amirreza Khoshmanzar is currently being released on bail.
Amirreza Khoshmanzar is a boxing champion, was detained by security forces in Tehran when he intended to travel abroad. Initially, he was transferred to Evin Prison and Ward 209. After a while, he was transferred to one of the secret prisons under the supervision of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mashhad.
Majid Khoshmanzar, his son Amirreza Khoshmanzar, and Babak Zarinnam, are accused of setting fire to the fiber-optic system in the urban traffic control section. This action has not been confirmed by any of the mentioned individuals.
The trial for the case of these three individuals was held at Branch 904 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, under the presidency of Ali Soleimani, and all three defendants were convicted of Moharebeh. (Iran Human Rights Society- February 3, 2024)
Arbitrary Arrests
Political arrests
Kurd nationality
Citizen detained in Mahabad
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84488.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/115
On January 28, 2024, Solaiman Haji-Khezri, a resident of one of the villages of Mahabad was detained by security forces and transferred to an unknow location. The forces did not present a warrant and he was detained at his workplace. Thus far, the detaining agency, his whereabouts or the charges leveled against him are not known. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 28, 2024)
A Kurd citizen detained in Bukan
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84540.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/123
On January 30, 2024, Amir Bashat, a resident of one of the villages in Bukan, was violently arrested by security forces in his own home and transferred to an undisclosed location. The security forces raided the residence of this citizen without presenting a judicial warrant. So far, the family’s efforts to obtain information about his fate have been unsuccessful. Amir Bashat, 30 years old, son of Rasoul, married and father of three children, is from Ebrahimabad village in the vicinity of Bukan. At the time of preparing this report, there is no information available about the detaining authority, the place of detention, or the charges brought against this citizen. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Kurdpa – January 30, 2024)
No news of Khalil Badri detained in Javanrud
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84612.htm
Khalil Badri, a 30-year-old Kurdish citizen residing in Javanrud, was arrested by intelligence agencies last week, and there is currently no information available about his fate. So far, there is no precise information about the reason for his arrest, the charges against him, his place of detention, or the status of this Kurdish citizen. This has led to increased concerns among his loved ones. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 31, 2024)
A citizen summoned and detained in Piranshahr
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84588.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/124
Omid Khezernazhad, son of Fattah from the village of “Gardehban”, Piranshahr, was arrested after being summoned to the intelligence office of this city on Saturday, the seventh of Bahman month. Mr. Khezernazhad had previously been summoned to the Piranshahr Intelligence Office and was detained after attending this security institution. So far, there is no available information about the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 31, 2024) (Kurdpa- January 30, 2024)
Citizen detained in Divandarreh
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84643.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/130
On February 1, 2024, Radman Soleimani, a resident of Divandareh, was arrested by security forces and plainclothes officers and transferred to an undisclosed location. Radman Soleimani is a resident of Divandareh and a merchant in this city. On January 30, 2024, during the general strike in Kurdistan, as a sign of protest against the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners, he was present in front of the Divandareh Intelligence Office. After security forces attacked the gathering, Radman Soleimani was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location. So far, there is no accurate information about the reasons for his arrest and the charges attributed to Mr. Soleimani, as well as his whereabouts. Despite repeated follow-ups by his family, they are unaware of his fate. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
Salas-e Babajani: Five citizens detained by security forces
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46620/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84675.htm
On February 1, 2024, five individuals named Osameh Ayazi, Maziar Ahmadi, Shahin Rahmani, Arin Khal Khal, and Barzan Yousefi were arrested by security forces in Salas-e Babajani County and transferred to the detention center of the Intelligence Agency in this city. The arrests of these individuals, whose ages range from 18 to 20, were carried out by officers of the Intelligence Agency. They were then transferred to the detention center located in Kermanshah’s Oil Square. As of the preparation of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrest and the charges brought against them. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – February 1, 2024) (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Baluch nationality
A Baluch youth, 19, detained
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84485.htm
Plain clothes forces of Zahedan Intelligence Agency detained Ebrahim Mingol (Barahouei) a Baluch youth active in virtual space without presenting a court order in Zahedan and transferred him to an unknown location. After ten days of follow-up by his family and relatives, there is still no information about the place of his captivity or the reason for his arrest. The forces of Intelligence Agency give no answer. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 28, 2024)
A Baluch youth detained by security forces in Iranshahr
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46630/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84687.htm
Mohammad Yousef Davoudi, a resident of Iranshahr, was arrested on, February 1, 2024, by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location. Mr. Davoudi had been summoned to Branch Four of Iranshahr Criminal Court. After appearing before this judicial authority, he was released on bail. However, after leaving the court, several security forces violently detained him. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, place of detention, and the charges brought against him. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Others
Kamal Babei detained, taken to Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46534/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84514.htm
Security forces in Isfahan detained Kamal Babaei, a resident of Isfahan and transferred him to Isfahan’s Dastgerd Prison. Thus far, the reason for his detention and the charges leveled against him are not known. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 28, 2024) (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners- January 29, 2024)
Basic freedom and rights abused
Freedom of opinion and expression
Mostafa Dehqani sentenced to paying a fine
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46521/
Mostafa (Bardia) Dehqani Tal-gerdouei, a resident of Bandar Abbas, has been sentenced to pay a fine by Branch 106 of the Criminal Court in this city. According to a recent judgment issued by Branch 106 of the Criminal Court in Bandar Abbas, presided over by Meysam Balaghi Inaloo, and communicated to Mr. Tal-gerdouei, this citizen has been sentenced to pay a cash fine of fifteen million tomans for the charge of “spreading computerized falsehoods.” The issued sentence against him has been suspended for one year. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 28, 2024)
A blogger detained in Zahedan
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84658.htm
https://haalvsh.org/2024/02/01/%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b2%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%aa-%db%8c%da%a9-%d8%a8%d9%84%d8%a7%da%af%d8%b1-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%b1%d9%88%d9%81-%d8%b2%d8%a7%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c-%d8%aa%d9%88%d8%b3%d8%b7-%d9%86%db%8c/
On February 1, 2024, security forces in Zahedan arrested a blogger named Mohammad Tootazehi, known as “Bachakook Zahedani,” and transferred him to an undisclosed location. Yesterday, Mohammad was arrested without any reason or judicial order by plainclothes officers of the IRGC Intelligence and taken to an unknown location. Despite the efforts of his family and relatives, there is no information about his whereabouts and his current situation. Just a few hours after his arrest, his personal Instagram page and channel, known by his nickname “Bachakook Zahedani,” became inaccessible. The specific charges against this Baluch citizen are not known at the moment. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
A reporter summoned and interrogated in Piranshahr
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84672.htm
On February 1, 2024, a local journalist named Avat Mam Salim, also known as “Avat Berno,” was summoned and interrogated at the Piranshahr Intelligence Agency. His mobile phone was confiscated during the process. This journalist was summoned to the Intelligence Agency in Piranshahr due to his activities and reporting on the funeral and burial of three mountaineers from Naghadeh on January 18, 2024, and Faryar Aminipour, a young marshal art athelete from Saqqez. Security forces confiscated the journalist’s cellphone and published stories against Kurdish opposition parties and a call related to the 22nd of Bahman (the anniversary of anti-monarchy revolution in Iran- tr.) on his Instagram page. Avat Mam Salim is a journalist for the “Kurd Payam” news agency. After a few hours of interrogation, he was released from detention. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Prosecution of 25 journalists and 13 media in Iran in one month
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/32803855.html
In its first report of the new Gregorian year, the “Defense of Free Flow of Information Organization” announced the judicial persecution of 25 journalists and 13 newspapers and news websites in Iran in the month of January.
According to the organization’s report, which was published on February 2, 2024, it stated that between the dates of January 1st to January 31st of the current year, a total of “25 journalists or media directors, including six women and nineteen men, came under judicial pursuit.”
The report also mentioned that during the same period, “at least 13 newspapers and news websites were under judicial pursuit.” According to the report, following the commencement of this wave, “at least 173 individuals were detained for publishing critical posts about the explosion during the commemoration ceremony of Qasem Soleimani. At least 311 individuals were summoned to judicial and security authorities, and at least 647 social media pages were blocked.
Additionally, at least 12 businesses were sealed off.” (Radio Farda- January 3, 2024)
Cultural rights
Asghar Farhadi: While Hijab is mandatory, I will not shoot any movies in Iran
https://mohabatnews.com/news/10/6737
https://www.radiofarda.com/a/asghar-farhadi-iran-director/32795119.html
Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi said, “For over forty years, Iranian artists have been creating their works despite repression and censorship. But in the past year, the production of works in Iran, especially in the field of cinema, has come to a standstill and decline.” He added that he can no longer work in such conditions. The acclaimed Iranian filmmaker and two-time Oscar winner further stated, “I no longer want to constantly cover women’s hair in my films while mandatory hijab is being challenged in Iranian society. As long as I cannot find liberation from this compulsion in my films, I will not make films in Iran anymore.” “Seeing this new generation, these young girls and boys who have boundless courage and, in addition to their enlightenment, possess an extraordinary degree of knowledge and information about Iran’s history, I am more optimistic than ever about Iran’s future.” (Mohabbat news, Radio Farda- January 28, 2024)
Severe Poverty
Inflation has widened the gap between society’s classes/ the purchasing power of lower-income households diminishes every day!
https://www.rokna.net/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AE%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1-%D8%A7%D9%82%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%AF%DB%8C-65/967400-%D8%AA%D9%88%D8%B1%D9%85-%D8%B4%DA%A9%D8%A7%D9%81-%D8%B7%D8%A8%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%AA%DB%8C-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%AF-%D8%B3%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%87-%D8%AF%D9%87%DA%A9-%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D9%BE%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%87%D8%B1-%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D9%88%DA%86%DA%A9%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D9%85%DB%8C-%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%AF
According to the report from the Statistical Center of Iran, the country’s annual inflation rate in December 2023 – January 2024 stands at 43.6 percent. Based on this, the inflation gap between different income groups reached %4.6 units in that month, increasing by %0.5 compared to the previous month. The Statistical Center of Iran has announced the Consumer Price Index for Iranian households in the month of Dey 1402 (December 2023 – January 2024), showing a 2.6 percent increase compared to the previous month. This comes despite the country’s officials repeatedly claiming to be in a year of “controlling inflation” and emphasizing the continuation of its downward trend. The Consumer Price Index for Iranian households reached 222.7 in Dey 1402, indicating a 2.6 percent increase compared to the previous month, a 38.5 percent increase compared to the same month of the previous year, and a 43.6 percent increase in the twelve-month period ending in the current month compared to the same period of the previous year. (Rokna state-run news agency- January 28, 2024)
Religious Minorities
Ms. Azita Foroughi to serve her term
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46504/
On January 27, 2024, Baha’i citizen, Ms. Azita Foroughi Motlaq, residing in Mashhad went to Vakilabad Prison to serve her term. She was sentenced by the first branch of Mashhad Revolutionary Court to three years and eight months in jail. The decree was upheld by Khorsaran Razavi Province Appeals Court. She faced the opening of her case in mid-summer of 2023 at Mashhad Prosecutor Office and was summoned to its branch 903, in District 9 of Mashhad. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) 27- January 27, 2024)
The latest condition of Roya Malakuti, a jailed Baha’i citizen
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46556/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84547.htm
Roya Malakuti, a Baha’i citizen imprisoned in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to six years and eight months of imprisonment by the Appeals Court of Khorasan Razavi Province. In July of this year, Ms. Malakuti, along with a number of Baha’i women residing in Mashhad, faced the opening of a legal case against themselves at Mashhad Courthouse and were summoned to Branch 903 of the district 9 Courthouse in Mashhad. On July 29, 2023, after appearing in court, Ms. Malakuti was arrested and transferred to the prison in the city. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 29, 2024) (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Two members of a house church in Karaj charged with “propagating against Islam”
https://articleeighteen.com/fa/news/16047/
Alireza and Amir Nourmohammadi, members of a house church in Karaj, who had been released from prison on January 10, 2024, after each depositing a bail of 150 million Tomans, have been accused of “deviant educational and propaganda activities contrary to the sacred laws of Islam, with the presentation of false and fabricated claims in religious and spiritual domains.” On December 11, 2024, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence raided a shop and two houses belonging to the Nourmohammadi brothers and another individual named Milad Goodarzi, a former prisoner of conscience, and a person referred to as “Daniel” from the Christian converts’ community. They were subsequently arrested. (Article 18- January 29, 2024)
The Appeals Court sentenced to Baha’i women to jail
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46579/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84592.htm
Golnoush Nassiri and Farideh Moradi, Baha’i citizens residing in Mashhad, have each been sentenced to three years and eight months of imprisonment by the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Court of Appeals. Each of them has been convicted by the Fourth Branch of the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Court of Appeals for their alleged membership in groups and organizations aimed at undermining national security, resulting in a three-year prison sentence, and for engaging in propaganda activities against the system, resulting in an eight-month prison sentence. These citizens had previously been sentenced to three years and eight months of imprisonment by the First Branch of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Hadi Mansouri. The investigation stages of Golnoush Nassiri and Farideh Moradi were completed in late summer of 2023, and each of them was released on bail of five billion Tomans. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024) (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 31, 2024)
Undetermined situation of Molavi Abdolmajid Moradzehi after a year of detention
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84575.htm
It has been one year since the arrest of Molavi Abdol Majid Moradzehi, the advisor to Molana Abdol Hamid and a member of the International Assembly of Muslim Scholars, and he is still in uncertain conditions in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Molavi Moradzehi was detained on January 30, 2023, by security forces on one of the streets in Zahedan and was transferred to Mashhad the following day. This prominent Baluch clergyman spent four months in solitary confinement in the intelligence detention center in Mashhad, where he was subjected to physical and psychological torture. His beard was forcibly shaved, and during this time, he was deprived of telephone contact and visits. About five months ago, Mullah Moradzehi was transferred from the political security ward to the public ward allocated for the clergymen. It is about a month since he has been deprived of telephone contact and visits with his family. So far, no official information about the charges and the judicial process of his case has been made available to the public. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Khorasan Razavi’s appellate court sentenced Ms. Horieh Sadaat Mohseni to jail
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84641.htm
On February 1, 2024, Hoorieh Sadaat Mohseni, a Baha’i citizen residing in Mashhad, was sentenced to four years of imprisonment by the Khorasan Razavi Provincial Appeals Court. This verdict was issued on January 30, 2024, of the current year and has been communicated to Ms. Mohseni. This Baha’i citizen was previously tried by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on charges of “membership in a social and developmental action group with the aim of promoting Baha’ism to undermine national security” and “propaganda against the Islamic Republic system in favor of the Baha’i group.”
Hoorieh Sadaat Mohseni was summoned by Branch 903 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Mashhad on November 11, 2023. After being informed of the charges, she was released on bail of 3 billion tomans until the final court verdict is communicated. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
Karaj: Punitive transfer of Abolfazl Poor Hosseini to solitary confinement
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46577/
Abolfazl Pourhosseini, a supporter of the Erfan Halgheh spiritual group who is currently imprisoned in Karaj Central Detention Center, was transferred as a punitive measure to one of the solitary cells of the detention center. Today, on January 30, 2024, his scheduled in-person visitation with his wife has been canceled. In response to this action, he has initiated a hunger strike and has been transferred to one of the solitary cells of Karaj Central Detention Center as a disciplinary measure.
Abolfazl Pourhosseini was arrested on June 13, 2023, by the intelligence agents of the Revolutionary Guards in Karaj. Eventually, he was transferred to Ward 15 of Karaj Central Detention Center. “The arrest of Abolfazl Pourhosseini took place during distribution of a statement related to the Erfan Halgheh spiritual group.” A few days ago, Mr. Pourhosseini was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to three years of imprisonment, and a two-year suspended jail term. Previously, in 2022, he was arrested for attending Erfan Halgheh classes in Qom. Eventually, he was released on bail after a period of time. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024)
Note: Erfan Halgheh is a spiritual group that operates in Iran. The group claims to be a provider of teachings known as “True Mysticism” that help individuals enhance their spirituality and personal growth. Erfan Halgheh emphasizes a particular interpretation of the Quran and other literary and spiritual works, and it offers various methods and practices to reach higher states of consciousness and spirituality.
A Sunni mentor detained in Kerman
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84716.htm
On February 2, 2024, one of the Sunni scholars from the faculty of the Islamic seminary “Mohammad Rasulullah,” named Ali Haidar Aulizehi, son of Abdolrahman, a resident of Rahmatabad village in Shandak district near the city of Zahedan, was detained by security forces near the city of Kerman and transferred to an undisclosed location.
According to informed sources, “Yesterday, Molana Ali Haidar was traveling to the city of Shiraz when he was detained by plainclothes security forces near the city of Kerman without any arrest warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location. Until now, his family and relatives have no information about his whereabouts and his current situation.”
As of the preparation of this report, there is no information available regarding the detaining authority, the place of detention, or the charges against this individual. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 3, 2024)
Suppressive Measures
Injured protesters
Injured protester of 2019 protests, Matin Hassani, detained; no news of him
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84696.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/02/5
Matin Hassani, one of the injured protesters in the November 2019 protests who lost one of his eyes due to a pellet gunshot, was arrested by security forces in Bukan on January 23, 2024. After 10 days of his arrest, there is no information available about the location of his detention or his fate. Thus far, there is no information regarding the detaining authority, place of detention, or the charges brought against this individual. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Families of executed political prisoners
Father of executed political prisoner still in custody in a state of limbo
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84681.htm
Despite more than 164 days passing since the arrest of Mashallah Karami, the father of Mohammad Mehdi Karami, who was killed (executed by the regime- tr.) during the nationwide protests in 2022, he remains in an undisclosed status. Mashallah Karami was arrested in his home during a raid by security forces and some of his personal belongings were confiscated on August 22, 2023. He was then transferred to an unknown location. On October 28, 2023, Mr. Karami was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence detention center to the quarantine section of Karaj Central Penitentiary. In late fall of 2023, a criminal complaint was filed against Mr. Karami by Branch 11 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Karaj, accusing him of “membership in dissident groups and organizations with the intention of acting against national security, propaganda against the system, insulting sanctities, forming a group with the intention of disrupting national security, and insulting the leadership.” (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Detained protesters
Himan Shahi and six other detainees in Urmia on trial
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a8%d8%b1%da%af%d8%b2%d8%a7%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af%da%af%d8%a7%d9%87-%d9%87%db%8c%d9%85%d9%86-%d8%b4%d8%a7%d9%87%db%8c-%d9%88-%d8%b4%d8%b4-%d8%aa%d9%86-%d8%af%db%8c%da%af%d8%b1-%d8%a7%d8%b2/
Himan Shahi and six other detainees of the nationwide uprising are still in an uncertain state despite more than 16 months passing since their arrest. On March 16, 2024, another session will be held in Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court to review the cases of Himan Shahi, Farzad and Farhad Tahazadeh, Faryad Hamzeh Shour, Reza Eslamdoust, and Shahram Maroof Mola. Himan Shahi (Karvan Shahi), a political prisoner, has been charged with “Moharebeh by setting public property on fire,” “corruption on earth,” and “disturbing public order.” These charges will be addressed during the court session. The six other political prisoners, Farzad and Farhad Tahazadeh, Faryad Hamzeh Shour, Reza Eslamdoust, and Shahram Maroof Mola, who were also arrested during the 2019 nationwide uprising, are charged with “Moharebeh and corruption on earth” in the same court. Currently, these seven political prisoners are in an uncertain state in Urmia Central Prison. In October 2023, the Urmia Revolutionary Court ruled for the acquittal of Karvan Shahi, Farzad and Farhad Tahazadeh, Faryad Hamzeh Shour, Reza Eslamdoust, and Shahram Maroof Mola on charges of “Moharebeh and corruption on earth.” However, the Urmia prosecutor objected to this ruling, leading to the reopening of the case. Himan Shahi, a resident of Oshnavieh, was arrested during the nationwide protests in early fall of 2022 in Oshnavieh city. The charges brought against him in the Urmia Revolutionary Court include “assembly and collusion, acting against internal security, Moharebeh, corruption on earth, disturbing public order in the country, participating in intentional arson and destruction of Sepah Bank and Refah Bank properties, and rebellion against officials while performing their duties.” (Iran Human Rights Society- February 1, 2024)
Professores
Mostafa Azarakhshi ousted from Shahid Beheshti University
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46550/
Mostafa Azarakhshi, a faculty member of the Faculty of Theology and Religions and an assistant professor at “Shahid Beheshti” University, has been expelled from this university. Mr. Azarakhshi was suspended from teaching at this university in Mehr month of this year due to signing a statement demanding the release of detained protesting students. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 29, 2024)
Teachers
After the sentence was canceled by the Supreme Court, five teachers were collectively sentence to 10 years in jail.
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46531/
The sentences issued against teachers’ guild activists of Fars Province, Asghar Amirzadegan, Gholamreza Kondazi, Afshin Razmjouei, Iran Rahnama and Mohammad Ali Zahmatgesh, was cancelled by the Supreme Court, but each were sentenced by the first branch of Fars Province Appeals Court to two years in jail.
Formerly branch 37 of the Fars Province’s appeals court has sentenced Mr. Gholami Kondazi to 11 years in jail, Mr. Amirzadegah, Mr. Razmjouei, Mr. Rahnama and Mr. Zahmatkesh each to five years in jail and supplementary punishments… (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 28, 2024)
Mohammad Saeedi Abueshaqi, a teacher, sentenced to paying a fine
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46571/
Mohammad Saeedi Abuesghaqi, a teacher from Lordegan, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Court in this city to pay a fine instead of serving a three-month prison term. According to a verdict issued on January 10, 2024, by the aforementioned court, and delivered to the teacher, he has been convicted of “spreading falsehoods” and sentenced to pay a fine instead of serving three months in prison. This case was opened during the protests of 2022, based on a complaint filed by the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Lordegan against Mr. Saeedi Abuesghaqi. Mohammad Saeedi Abuesghaqi, a teacher from Lordgan, had previously been dismissed from his job due to his support for the nationwide protests of 2022, based on a decision by the Administrative Violations Adjudication Board of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The issued verdict was confirmed in the appellate stage as well. Mohammad Saeedi Abuesghaqi has had a history of being summoned to judicial authorities due to his previous activities. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024)
Students
Protesting student, Shahab Bayat summoned to serve his term
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a7%d8%ad%d8%b6%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%d8%b4%d8%ac%d9%88%db%8c-%d9%85%d8%b9%d8%aa%d8%b1%d8%b6-%d8%b4%d9%87%d8%a7%d8%a8-%d8%a8%db%8c%d8%a7%d8%aa-%d8%a8%d8%b1%d8%a7%db%8c-%d8%aa%d8%ad%d9%85/
Shahab Bayat, a student of urban engineering at Azad University in Hamedan, was arrested by intelligence officers on November 1, 2022, during the nationwide protests in the city. After two weeks of interrogation and torture at the Intelligence Detention Center, he was transferred to the central prison in Hamedan. On December 6, 2022, Shahab Bayat was sentenced to 3 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Hamedan, presided over by Judge Ismaili, on charges of “inciting against the security, disrupting national security, forming a Telegram channel, and participating in protests.” His sentence was reduced to 2 years and 6 months during the appellate court, and he was released on bail in early winter of 2023. Shahab Bayat was summoned to the second branch of the Revolutionary Court of Hamedan on June 10, 2023. He was accused of “propaganda against the system” in this court. He was temporarily released on bail. However, according to the court’s notification, he was required to appear in court on July 11, 2023, and stand trial on charges of “propaganda against the system.” In his previous case, Shahab Bayat had a three-month imprisonment sentence and a two-and-a-half-year suspended sentence. If he is sentenced to prison in the new case, his suspended sentence will also be activated, adding 3 years to his sentence. (Iran Human Rights Organization- January 28, 2024)
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84553.htm
On January 30, 2024, Shahab Bayat, an Azerbaijani student activist, was summoned to the Execution Branch of Hamedan to serve his prison sentence. Mr. Bayat had previously been sentenced to six months of imprisonment by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Hamedan in Tir month of 1402 (June-July 2023), and this verdict was confirmed by Branch 11 of the Hamedan Appellate Court. He was charged with “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “critical activities on social media.” In Azar month of 1401 (November-December 2022), he had been sentenced to three years of imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Hamedan, but he was released from Hamedan Central Prison in mid-winter of the same year after completing his prison term. The repeated arrests and convictions of Shahab Bayat are clear violations of human rights and freedom of expression. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Students Hamoon Soleimani detained
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46611/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84650.htm
Hamoon Soleimani, a bachelor’s degree student in Civil Engineering at the University of Science and Industry, was arrested on January 30, 2024. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his summons, arrest, and the charges against Mr. Soleimani. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 1, 2024)
Education Ministry’s employees
Education ministry’s employees: Karim Bostanji forced to retire
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46610/
Karim Bostanchi Khezabad, a trade union activist in West Azerbaijan, has been sentenced to compulsory retirement by the Expediency Disciplinary Board of the employees of the Ministry of Education in this province. According to a recent judgment issued by the Expediency Disciplinary Board of the employees of the Ministry of Education in West Azerbaijan and communicated to him, Mr. Bostanchi has been sentenced to compulsory retirement with a reduction in rank. The judgment refers to instances such as the use of obscene language and mocking images of senior officials and authorities of the system, questioning the hijab and educational policies … supporting illegal cultural organizations of teachers, and promoting Western culture of wearing neckties. Karim Bostanchi has twenty-seven years of work experience In the Ministry of Education in his record. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – February 1, 2024)
Labor activist
Saqqez Prison: Othman Esmaili in dire health condition prevented from being dispatched to a hospital
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/131
Despite the severe physical condition of Othman Esmaili, a labor activist, his urgent need for surgery, prison authorities in Saqqez are preventing his transfer to an external hospital. According to an informed source, Mr. Esmaili’s condition is so critical that doctors have stated that if he does not undergo surgery, his life is seriously at risk. On the other hand, this labor activist has been deprived of visitation rights for the past week. (Kurdpa- February 1, 2024)
Kolbars (Load Carriers)
A Kolbar wounded in Marivan-Savoji border regions
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84495.htm
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/117
On January 28, 2028, Kolbar Zaniar Faizi, married and having two children, from Almaneh Village of Marivan in Savoji border region was wounded when state armed forces shot at him from a point-blank range without any warning. He was taken to medical centers but there is no exact information of the severity of his wound… (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, Kurdpa – January 28, 2024)
Four Kolbars wounded in Nosud and Baneh border regions
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84482.htm
Four Kolbars were wounded in Nosud border regions and Hangazhal border region, Baneh, when shot by state armed forces without receiving any warning.
Payman Mohammadi was wounded in Nosud border regions in the evening on January 27, 2024, and Yadgar Alipoor, Karou and Aras (last names not mentioned – tr.) were wounded in Hangazhal border region of Baneh. They were taken to medical centers. Thus far, there is no information about the severity of their wounds. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 28, 2024)
Three Kolbars wounded in Nosud border region
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84538.htm
On January 30, 2024, three Kolbars; Yazdan (surname not known), Barzan (surname not known) and Jabbar Vaisi were wounded when state armed forces shot at a group of Kolbars without any warning. They were taken to medical centers by other Kolbars. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Two Kolbars hospitalized being shot at and tortured by IRI border forces
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/kulbar-fa/2024/01/31/p32330/
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/128
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/01/126
Jabar Vaissi, a Kolbar, was shot at close range by Iranian border forces with pellet bullets on the evening of January 29, 2024, in the border areas of Nosud. He sustained severe head injuries and was transferred to Taleghani Hospital in Kermanshah. Currently, he is being kept in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital.
Additionally, Behnam Sharifian, another Kolbar, was detained by Iranian border forces in the Hangazhal border area of Baneh, Kurdistan province, on January 30, 2024. He was subjected to beatings and strikes by these forces, resulting in severe injuries. He has been transferred to Salaheddin Ayyubi Hospital in Baneh for medical treatment.
Jabar Vissi, from Jujar village in Salas-e Babajani, Kermanshah province, was shot at close range. He sustained severe head injuries. He is in critical condition due to multiple pellet bullet impacts to his skull.
Behnam Sharifian, was subjected to torture and beaten with rifle butts by these forces. He has suffered severe injuries to his legs, back, and waist and is currently being treated at Salahuddin Ayyubi Hospital in Baneh. (Kurdistan Human Rights Network- January 31, 2024)
A Kolbar shot and wounded in Baneh border
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84621.htm
State armed forces shot and wounded a Kolbar, Mohammad Rashidi (24), on January 31, 2024, when shooting at a group of Kolbars in Baneh border region.…According to the report there has been no warning, and the shooting took place at the point blank range. He was taken to medical centers by other Kolbars. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 31, 2024)
Baneh: A child Kolbar wounded in border forces shooting
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/kulbar-fa/2024/02/01/p32380/
A 14-year-old Kolbar from Bukan, Mardin Amini, was shot and wounded by border forces in Hangazhal border region of Baneh County. (Kurdistan Human Rights Network- February 2, 2024)
A Kolbar wounded in Baneh border regions
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84709.htm
On February 1, 2024, a young Kolbar, Sina Ahmadi, 23, from Saqqez was wounded when state armed forces shot at a group of Kolbars in Hangazhal border region without any warning. He was shot at point blank range and was transferred to medical centers due to his wounds. Thus far, the severity of his injury is not exactly known. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 3, 2024)
A Kolbar wounded in Nosud border
https://kurdpa.net/fa/news/2024/02/8
In the evening on February 2, 2024, a Kolbar, Kohsar Rostamnezhad, from Shamshir Village, Paveh was wounded when military forces shot at him. He is severely wounded in the head, eye, and arm and is transferred to Kermanshah’s Taleqani Hospital. His general condition is reported as critical. (Kurdpa- February 1, 2024)
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/kulbar-fa/2024/02/03/p32404/
Kohsar Rostamnezhad is the third member of this family who, in less than a year, was wounded by the gunfire of border guards in the border areas of Nosud.On January 9, 2024, Farshad Rostamnezhad, while working as a cross-border porter (Kolbar) in the border areas of Nosud, was targeted by border guards’ live ammunition. He was injured by several shotgun bullets and sustained head injuries.
Additionally, Fardin Rostamnezhad suffered a spinal cord injury and became paralyzed because of the gunfire by border forces in the border areas of Nosud on February 27, 2024 (the year is 2023 and this is probably a typing error- Tra.). (Kurdistan Human Rights Network- February 3, 2024)
Kurdish Minority
Kamyaran: Shahou Mountain hit by IRGC artillery
https://kurdistanhumanrights.org/fa/news-fa/environment-fa/2024/01/30/p32308/
For the second consecutive day, the Revolutionary Guards have caused extensive environmental damage to the Shahou mountain area near the villages of “Tangiwar” and “Palangan” in the Kamyaran County of Kurdistan province, through artillery bombardment. According to the residents of these villages, the Revolutionary Guards have prohibited access to this mountainous area since yesterday due to the conduct of a military-security drill. Following the execution of four Kurdish political prisoners, Pezhman Fatehi, Mohsen Mazloum, Mohammad Faramarzi, and Vafa Azarbar, the Revolutionary Guards are attempting to create an atmosphere of terror and fear in the region by conducting this drill. According to environmental activists, the Revolutionary Guards have been constructing military barracks in the protected Shahou and Kosalan areas since 2007, under the pretext of countering the presence of armed forces from opposition Kurdish parties. (Kurdistan Human Rights Network- January 30, 2024)
The issuance of a criminal warrant for Pedram Mo’ini, a civil activist in Baneh
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84615.htm
On January 31, 2024, Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Baneh, headed by Ehsan Nazari, issued a summons for trial for Pedram Mo’ini, a civil activist residing in Baneh. Pedram Mo’ini has been previously accused of charges such as “engaging in propaganda activities in favor of an opposition party to the system” and “unauthorized border crossing.” Mr. Mo’ini was arrested on June 11, 2023, by security forces without a judicial warrant and was subsequently transferred to the detention center of the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency after a few days. Ultimately, on July 2, 2023, he was released from the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency detention center upon posting bail. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners- January 31, 2024)
Foreign nationals
The last trial session of Johan Henrik Nils Flodros
https://www.farsnews.ir/news/14021108000716
https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/4757037
The fifth session of the court hearing on the charges against Johan Henrik Nils Floderus, presided over by Judge Hojat al-Islam Val-Moslemin Afshari, and with the presence of the panel of judges of Branch 26, the prosecutor’s representative, the defendant, defense lawyers, official translator, and embassy staff of Sweden, was held. Judge Afshari addressed the defendant, saying, “…Your charges revolve around corruption on earth through actions against the security of the country and the territorial integrity of the Islamic Republic, with extensive scope and organizational collaboration with the Zionist occupation regime, as well as conspiracy and collusion to commit crimes against national security, which were previously explained in the first session and will be reiterated now.” After hearing the defenses of the defense lawyers, Judge Afshari informed them that they have one week to submit their defense memorandum to the court… (Fars state-run news agency, Mizan state-run news agency- January 28, 2024)
Sealing of sites
A medical site sealed off
https://ir.voanews.com/a/sealing-therapy-sales-publications-was-sealed/7462914.html
The cultural institution “Thaleth Publications” announced on its Instagram account that its branch on Karim Khan Street in Tehran has been “sealed” by the Public Places Police Department of the Islamic Republic. The well-known publishing house in Tehran shared an image on its social media account showing the closed and sealed doors of this branch without providing further details. In some unofficial reports, the reason for this action has been cited as “non-compliance with mandatory hijab.” Thaleth Publications was one of the publishers that abstained from participating in the “34th Tehran International Book Fair” held by the Islamic Republic government in mid-spring of 2023. Sealing public places, businesses, and confiscating citizens’ private vehicles are among the measures taken by the authorities of the Islamic Republic to counter the growing trend of civil resistance against mandatory hijab. (VOA- January 30, 2024)
Others
Hojat Aal-Mohammadi will be tried on January 30th
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a8%d8%b1%da%af%d8%b2%d8%a7%d8%b1%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af%da%af%d8%a7%d9%87-%d8%ad%d8%ac%d8%aa-%d8%a2%d9%84-%d9%85%d8%ad%d9%85%d8%af%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%b1-%d8%b1%d9%88%d8%b2-%db%b1%db%b0-%d8%a8%d9%87/
Hojjat Aal-Mohammadi was previously detained by security forces in 2015 and spent four years in prison. On May 23, 2023, he was arrested by security forces at his workplace. The location of his detention is currently unknown, and his family is deprived of visiting him. His trial is underway, but there is no accurate information about the charges against him. Additionally, during his detention and interrogations, he was denied the right to choose a lawyer. The arresting officers initially took him to an undisclosed location and subjected him to brutal torture. Hojjat Aal-Mohammadi, born in 1985, is from Izeh, married, and has one child. His occupation is a construction worker. He was previously arrested in Ordibehesht month of 94 (April-May 2015) on charges of “insulting Khomeini, insulting the Prophet, and disturbing public minds.” Hojjat Aal-Mohammadi was imprisoned in Shaiban prison in Ahvaz for four years. He was released on bail in Shahrivar month of 98 (August-September 2019). During his time in prison, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological pressures and torture, to the extent that he needed ongoing medical treatment for illnesses caused by the effects of this torture after his release. (Iran Human Rights Society- January 28, 2024)
Ms. Tina Deljoo to serve her prison term
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46570/
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84558.htm
On January 30, 2024, Tina Deljoo, a women’s rights activist in Gilan, was sent to the Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve her sentence. This activist had previously been sentenced to one year in prison by one of the branches of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht on charges of “propaganda against the system”. She was previously detained by security forces in Rasht and after several days of uncertainty, she was eventually released on bail and had to report to Lakan Prison in Rasht to begin serving her sentence. Tina Deljoo is a civil activist and women’s rights defender residing in Gilan. (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 30, 2024)
Behrouz Shahrbanouzadeh detained to serve his prison term
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84525.htm
On Monday, the ninth of Bahman, 1402, Behrouz Shahrbanozadeh, a resident of Dezful, was sent to prison to serve his sentence. This detainee, who was arrested during the Jan. 2024 uprising, was threatened with detention by confiscating the bail amount. He had previously been summoned by the Execution of Judgments Branch of the Revolutionary Court in Dezful and was threatened with confiscating the bail amount to enforce the imprisonment sentence. Mr. Shahrbanozadeh was detained by security forces during his protest activities on social networks during the protest movement and was temporarily released after the end of interrogations by depositing bail. He was previously arrested during the bloody November 2019 uprising, sentenced to imprisonment, and was released from prison after serving his sentence. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – January 29, 2024)
38 individuals indicted in Malekan following their participation in a private party
https://www.hra-news.org/2024/hranews/a-46581/
Indictments have been issued for 38 individuals in the city of Malekan due to the organization and participation in a private party. Following the organization of a private party on September 16, 2023, more than sixty individuals were summoned by the security police. So far, 38 individuals have been charged with promoting obscenity and establishing a corruption center, and indictments have been issued against them. The cases of these individuals have been referred to the court for a verdict… (Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) – January 30, 2024)
Violence against women
A fifth-grade female student was physically assaulted by the school monitor due to her hijab!
https://www.etemadonline.com/%D8%A8%D8%AE%D8%B4-%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%AA%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B9%DB%8C-23/649763-%D8%B6%D8%B1%D8%A8-%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%85-%D8%AF%D8%AE%D8%AA%D8%B1-%DA%A9%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3-%D9%BE%D9%86%D8%AC%D9%85%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%A7%D8%B8%D9%85-%D9%85%D8%AF%D8%B1%D8%B3%D9%87-%D8%AD%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%A8
In mid-December of this year, in a girls’ school located on Darband Street in Tehran, an 11-year-old student was subjected to physical harassment and abuse by her school monitor. Following this incident, the student experiences panic attacks (nervous attacks caused by fear and anxiety) and does not attend school for about one to two weeks. The student’s mother, files a complaint with the Vali-e Asr Police Station (163rd Police Station) in Velenjak, near their residence. The police refer this student to the forensic medicine for examinations and the legal procedures. The student’s mother says, “It was during the physical education class. My daughter was busy gathering her sports equipment when the hijab accidentally slipped off her head and hung around her neck. Suddenly, the school monitor attacks my daughter and physically assaults her.”… (Etemad Online state-run news website- January 28, 2024)
Appendix
The case of the state-murder of Sepehr Shirani
New details on the state-murder of Baluch student Sepehr Shirani by intelligence forces of Zahedan
https://www.kampain.info/archive/84694.htm
After being subjected to torture, which led to the death of Sepehr Shirani, the intelligence forces staged his death as a suicide scenario by shooting a bullet to his head. Sepehr was arrested by the Zahedan Intelligence Agency on January 30, 2024, and was transferred to an unknown location. The lack of information about this citizen caused concern for his family, and after inquiries and follow-ups, it has been revealed that he is held in detention by the intelligence forces. Three days later, when Sepehr was still in custody of the intelligence forces and his family had no knowledge of his release, his body was discovered on the rooftop of his house, having lost his life due to a bullet wound to the head. The intelligence forces, through torture, had murdered Sepehr and presented his death as a suicide by shooting a bullet to his head and moving him to the rooftop of his house in a staged scenario. Military and intelligence forces had threatened Sepehr multiple times due to his activities on social media and his presence in the security of Makki Mosque. (Campaign in Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – February 2, 2024)
Molavi Abdolhamid demanded a clarification in the case of Sepehr Shirani’s state-murder
https://haalvsh.org/2024/02/02/%d9%85%d9%88%d9%84%d9%88%db%8c-%d8%b9%d8%a8%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%ad%d9%85%db%8c%d8%af-%d8%ae%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d8%b1-%d8%b4%d9%81%d8%a7%d9%81-%d8%b3%d8%a7%d8%b2%db%8c-%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa/
On Friday, February 2, 2024, Mullah Abdulhamid Esmailzehi, the Friday Prayer Imam of Zahedan, demanded clarification from government authorities regarding the circumstances surrounding the killing of “Sepehr Shirani,” a detained Baluch student, during his Friday prayer sermons at Zahedan Mosque. Sepehr Shirani, a 19-year-old first-semester student at Sistan and Baluchistan University, the youngest child of Dr. Ali (a dentist), with two other siblings, hailing from Fonouj and residing in Zahedan, left his home on January 30, around 4 PM. His phone was turned off, and after inquiries and follow-ups, his family confirmed his detention by the Intelligence of the Revolutionary Guards (Sepah) and were informed that his arrest was due to his activities on social media. They were told that he would be released after questioning. (Haalvsh – February 2, 2024)
Delivering the body to the family/ threats of hush hush
https://haalvsh.org/2024/02/02/%d8%aa%d8%ad%d9%88%db%8c%d9%84-%d8%ac%d9%86%d8%a7%d8%b2%d9%87-%d8%b3%d9%be%d9%87%d8%b1-%d8%b4%db%8c%d8%b1%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c-%d8%a8%d9%87-%d8%ae%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%88%d8%a7%d8%af%d9%87-%d8%aa/
On the night of February 1, 2024, the body of “Sepehr Shirani,” the detained Baluch student by the IRGC Intelligence, was delivered to his family with the condition that the family remains silent about the circumstances of his death and detention. …With the efforts and follow-ups of trusted individuals, last night, Sepehr’s body was delivered to his family on the condition that they remain silent about his arrest and killing by the IRGC Intelligence. Today, his body was transferred to his hometown, the city of Fonuj, and will be buried there in a few hours… The Zahedan prosecutor’s office denied Sepehr’s arrest by the IRGC Intelligence and claimed that his family had pursued various authorities regarding his disappearance. However, according to the information received, Sepehr has committed suicide. (Haalvsh – February 2, 2024)
Zahedan’s prosecutor denied the arrest of Sepehr Shirani by IRGC Intelligence
https://haalvsh.org/2024/02/01/%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%af%d8%b3%d8%aa%d8%a7%d9%86-%d8%b2%d8%a7%d9%87%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%85%d9%86%da%a9%d8%b1-%d8%a8%d8%a7%d8%b2%d8%af%d8%a7%d8%b4%d8%aa-%d8%b3%d9%be%d9%87%d8%b1-%d8%b4%db%8c%d8%b1/
Mehdi Shams Abadi, the prosecutor of Zahedan, has denied the death of “Sepehr Shirani” during his detention by the IRGC Intelligence and is attempting to portray his death as a suicide. The family of this deceased Baluch teenager is currently under pressure from security forces.
Mehdi Shams Abadi, the prosecutor of Zahedan, stated in his denial of Sepehr Shirani’s arrest: “This individual (Sepehr Shirani) had no previous record of imprisonment or detention, and no security agency has arrested him. The parents of this young man reported his disappearance to law enforcement agencies on Tuesday.”
In his final remarks, he added, “According to preliminary information, the cause of this person’s death has been declared as suicide.”
According to reliable sources, on Tuesday, January 30, around 4:00 PM, Sepehr left his home, his phone was turned off, and after inquiries and follow-ups, his family confirmed his arrest by the IRGC Intelligence. The reason for his arrest was stated to be his activities on social media, and they had said that they would release him after asking him a few questions. In the early morning hours of the previous day, around 4:30 AM, Sepehr’s lifeless body, with a bullet wound to his head, was discovered on the rooftop of their apartment building. His family had no knowledge of how he was released from the detention of the IRGC Intelligence and how he went to the rooftop of their home, and they are still unaware of these events. Earlier, security officials had warned Sepehr about his activities on social media and his presence at the security of the Zahedan’s central mosque, telling him that he was not allowed to post anything about the protests. However, he did not pay attention to these warnings.
A source close to Sepehr Shirani’s family said, “The IRGC Intelligence forces have put pressure on Sepehr’s family to accept the fabricated narratives of the security institutions regarding the death of their child and to remain silent.”
It should be noted that the authorities of the Islamic Republic have a long history of making false claims, denials, and distortions of the truth. They have repeatedly published fabricated narratives in government-controlled media outlets and tribunes regarding human rights violations in Sistan and Baluchistan. (Haalvsh- February 1, 2024)
Regime’s narration
Sistan and Baluchistan capital’s prosecutor: Sepehr Shirani has no history of detention and jail
https://www.mizanonline.ir/fa/news/4757843
The prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchistan province has denied the claims made about the arrest of a young man named Sepehr Shirani. In recent days, opposition media outlets, including BBC Persian, have falsely reported that Sepehr Shirani, a 19-year-old student who was arrested by the IRGC intelligence for “activities on social networks” in Zahedan on January 30, 2024, was “killed two days later.”
Mehdi Shams Abadi, the public prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchistan province, while denying the allegations made in this regard, stated: “This individual has no record of imprisonment or arrest.” He added: “The parents of this young man reported on Tuesday that their son went to the university and has not returned home since then and is missing.” Shams Abadi further stated: “Initial instructions have been given to the police, and an investigation has been initiated. The family of this individual contacted the police and reported that they found their son’s body behind the house.” The public prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchistan province said: “Based on preliminary information, the cause of this person’s death has been declared as suicide.” (Mizan state-run news agency- February 2, 2024)
Appendix
Monthly report: HRM, January 2024
January 2024 Monthly Report – Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) – Iran HRM (iran-hrm.com)
January 2024 Monthly Report – Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM) – Iran HRM (iran-hrm.com)
Overview of the Human Rights Situation in Iran in January
Based on the registered statistics at the Center for Statistics and Documentation of Iran Human Rights Monitor (Iran HRM), and through extensive research conducted in this field, the final figures of executions in January 2024 have been obtained. It should be emphasized that the actual numbers are significantly higher, as most executions in Iran are carried out secretly.
In January 2024, the statistics of executions in Iran have seen a significant increase, with the Iranian judiciary executing 88 individuals. This marks a 39% growth compared to January 2023 when the Iran regime executed 63 people, and a staggering 91% growth compared to January 2022 when 46 individuals were executed. These calculations indicate a disturbing upward trend in the number of executions in Iran, and the Iranian judiciary has employed a ruthless approach in carrying out these executions, which is highly concerning.
In the January 2024 report, we intend to explore the following aspects of executions:
- Execution of political prisoners
- Execution of women
- Secret Executions and Publicly Announced Executions
Execution of political prisoners
In January 2024, the Iranian Regime executed 7 political prisoners.
- In the early morning of Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the execution sentence of Davood Abdollahi, a Sunni prisoner, was carried out in Karaj’s Qezel Hesar Prison. He had endured more than thirteen years of imprisonment. The execution of Davood Abdollahi took place without prior notification to his family.
- In the early morning of January 23, 2024, the death sentence of the 23-year-old Mohammad Ghobadlou, was carried out. He was the ninth protester of the nationwide protest of 2022, who was executed after an unfair trial. Mohammad Ghobadlou’s defense lawyer wrote on his Twitter account regarding the execution order: “There is no legal authorization for the execution of this sentence, and undoubtedly, it would be considered murder.”
- On the same day, Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Farhad Salimi, a Sunni political prisoner, was executed in Qezel Hesar prison in Karaj. Farhad Salimi from Saqqez was sentenced to death on charges of “waging war on God” and “corruption on Earth.” In this way, in one day, two political prisoners were executed in Iran.
- Four Kurdish political prisoners Pejman Fatehi, Vafa Azarbar, Mohsen Mazloum, and Hajir Faramarzi, were executed in the Qezel Hesar Prison of Karaj on Monday, January 29, 2024. These 4 political prisoners were executed after an unfair legal procedure without the right to defend themselves. Four Kurdish political prisoners were hanged on charges of collaborating with Israel.
Execution of women
On the last day of January 2024, the Iranian judiciary carried out the execution sentence of a 27-year-old young woman named Zahra Nazaryan in Sabzevar Prison. Zahra Nazaryan had been sentenced to death for the murder of her sister’s husband. She was executed after enduring four years of imprisonment. The authorities of Sabzevar Prison and relevant institutions have not announced the execution of this female prisoner.
Last year, Iran became the largest executioner of women in the world by executing at least 25 women in 2023. In 2022, Iran ranked first as the largest executioner of women worldwide. Iran remains the leading country in the execution of women worldwide.
Secret Executions and Publicly Announced Executions
In the first month of 2024, 73 prisoners were executed secretly and without media coverage, while only 15 executions were made public. Therefore, 82% of the executions in Iran were carried out secretly. Consequently, it is evident that the numbers and figures of executions are significantly higher in Iran, but unfortunately, they do not reach independent media outlets due to the silence surrounding them. (Iran Human Rights Monitor- February 2, 2024)
Appendix
The message of a group of political prisoner to Assistant High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Nada Al-Nashif
To Ms. Nada Al-Nashif; the message of a group of political prisoners confined in Qezel Hessar Prison
https://iranhrs.org/%d8%a8%d9%87-%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%86%d8%b4%db%8c%d9%81%d8%8c-%d9%be%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%85-%d8%ac%d9%85%d8%b9%db%8c-%d8%a7%d8%b2-%d8%b2%d9%86%d8%af%d8%a7%d9%86%db%8c%d8%a7%d9%86-%d9%82%d8%b2/
On the eve of Neda Al-Nashif’s trip, a group of prisoners from Qezel Hesar prison, with the signatures of several prisoners on hunger strike, addressed a letter to her stating: “Any report or conclusion regarding the execution of prisoners in Iran by you and other United Nations officials and bodies will not be credible to the international public opinion without visiting Qezel Hesar prison and having unrestricted and unhindered conversations with live witnesses of the violation of fundamental human rights in this prison.”
Political prisoners in Qezel Hesar prison referred to the widespread executions in Iranian prisons in their message and announced that they would go on a hunger strike every Tuesday to protest this issue. They asked Ms. Nada Al-Nashif to “come to this prison during her trip and hear firsthand our observations and those of other prisoners about the details of the violations of our fellow inmates’ rights who are executed in recent months and years.”
The full text of the message from the hunger-striking prisoners of Qezel Hesar prison is as follows:
“Dear Ms. Nada Al-Nashif,
Assistant High Commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations,
Greetings,
We have learned from behind the high walls of Qezel Hesar prison that you will have a two-day trip to Tehran to investigate human rights issues, including the execution of prisoners. We deemed it necessary to inform you that in many prisons in Iran, such as Urmia prison, Zahedan Central Prison, Ahvaz Shaiban Prison, Shiraz Adelabad Prison, and dozens of other prisons in our country, every week, a number of citizens, both political and non-political prisoners, are hanged without enjoying the right to fair trial.
Honorable Ms. Al-Nashif,
It is important to know that in protest against this inhumane process, the executions and the violation of the “right to life” of our fellow prisoners, we, the political prisoners of Qezel Hesar prison, will go on a hunger strike every Tuesday until this inhumane trend is halted. Because Tuesdays are the days of execution or the last day of life for our fellow inmates in solitary cells, or the day when their lifeless bodies are taken out of the prison, and sometimes they don’t even hand over those lifeless bodies to their families.
Finally, considering that Qezel Hesar prison is the main center for holding prisoners under death sentences and the place where this inhumane sentence is carried out in Tehran, we invite you to come to this prison during your trip and hear firsthand our observations and those of other prisoners about the details of the violations of our fellow inmates’ rights in recent months and years.
Ms. Al-Nashif,
It is clear that any report or conclusion regarding the execution of prisoners in Iran by you, other UN officials, and bodies, without visiting Qezel Hesar prison and having unrestricted and unhindered conversations with live witnesses, would be a violation of fundamental human rights in this prison and would not be credible to the international public opinion.
Respectfully,
The hunger-striking prisoners of “Black Tuesdays”, Qezel Hesar prison
February 2, 2024″
(Iran Human Rights Society- February 2, 2024)
