Singer Arya Aramnejad Arrested

Singer Arya Aramnejad Arrested

Arya Aramnejad, young songwriter and singer, was arrested a few hours ago when five intelligence agents in Mazandaran Province raided his house.

According to a report by Gooya News, Arya Aramnejad had gone to the city of Sari, the capital of Mazandaran Province, in order to appear in front of the Appeals Court handling his conviction. Upon returning home, he was arrested on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 and taken to an unknown location.

During this raid, Ayra Aramnejad was beaten and battered by intelligence agents from Babol County and then handcuffed. Intelligence agents also searched his house and seized the singer’s handwritten notes, documents, computer and other personal belongings.

Translated by Laleh Gillani © 2011

Source: http://www.hra-news.org/00/10345-1.html

Wife of Mostafa Tajzadeh Arrested

Persian2English - Saham News reports that Fakhrosadat Mohtashamipour, the wife of Mostafa Tajzadeh was arrested while protests took place in Tehran today. Mohtashamipour allegedly contacted her daughter with her mobile phone during the arrest. Mohtashamipour’s daughter said, “I could hear my mother disputing with the anti-riot police forces.”

Fakhrosadat Mohtashamipour is the wife of Mostafa Tajzadeh, an adviser to Mir Hossein Mousavi, a member of the Iran Islamic Participation Front and the Islamic Revolution Mujahedin Organization, and the former Deputy Interior Minister in Mohammad Khatami’s cabinet. Tajzadeh is detained in prison. He was arrested after the 2009 presidential election in Iran.

Mohtashamipour had written many letters to the authorities of the Islamic Republic in protest to the illegal arrest and imprisonment of her husband.

According to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mostafa Tajzadeh was tried in branch 15 of the Revolutionary Courts on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security, and propagation activities against the regime,” and sentenced to six years in prison and 10 years’ ban on journalistic and partisan activities. He did not request an appeal.

Mostafa Tajzadeh speaks to the Iranian press a month before the 2009 Iranian Presidential election

Iran executes at least 20 people in three days

Iran Human Rights - According to different reports from Iran, at least 20 people may have been executed during the last three days. All those executed have been charged with drug trafficking by the Iranian authorities.

No independent sources have confirmed the charges.

Seven people were executed in the Kerman province:

Seven people were hanged in the towns of Jiroft and Bam in the Kerman province, south east of Iran, reported the official web site of the Iranian judiciary yesterday March 1. According to this report five of the executions took place in the prison of Jiroft and two in the prison of Bam. Those who were executed were identified as: “Mohammad Nabi N.” convicted of trafficking of 60 kilos of morphine, “Mehdi S.” for keeping and carrying 8 kilos and 145 grams of crack, “Ali Bakhsh S.” for keeping, carrying and selling 50 kilos opium, “Hamidreza D.” for carrying 31 kilos and 250 grams of heroin, “Sohrab N” for carrying 2 180 grams of heroin, “Malek N.” for keeping 900 grams of crack and “Saeed M” for participation in trafficking of 6 kilos morphine, 5 kilos heroin and 23 kilos of crack.

“Malek N” and “Saeed M” were hanged in the prison of Bam while the other five were hanged in the prison of Jiroft.

Three people were executed in Shiraz:

According to the official site of the Iranian judiciary in Shiraz, three people were hanged in the Adelabad prison of Shiraz. According to this report that was published yesterday, “A. A.”, “H. R.” and “S. K.” were convicted of “armed” drug trafficking of heroin and opium.

According to the same website, another person identified as “M. M.” was lashed 70 times in the “Khomeini square” of Lamerd , in the Fars province. He was convicted of stealing animals and sentenced to three years in prison and 70 lashes.

Execution of 8-11 people in Orumiyeh:

According to reports from unofficial sources, between 8 to 11 people may have been executed in the prison od Oroumieh, north-west of Iran. According to the Kurdish news agency “Mokarian”, eight people have been execued in Oroumieh during the past days. However, HRANA, reported that nine people were executed in this prison on Monday Februart 28th. According to this report 7 of those executed were Kurdish prisoners and two of them were Azari. Two of the executed were women according to the report. The campaign for the rights of the “ethnic minority” prisoners reported that 10 people were executed in the prison of Oroumieh, Three of them were identified as “Hamid Bahadori”, “Seyad Ansari” and “Behzad Honareh”. Another unconfirmed report said that 11 people have been executed in the prison of Orumiyeh on Sunday. According to these reports, all of those executed in Oroumieh, were convicted of drug related charges.

Official Iranian sources haven’t confirmed Orumiyeh’s executions.

According to the IHR’s annual report on the death penalty in Iran in 2010, at least 546 people were executed in 2010 in Iran. According to this report there are more than 200 cases of unconfirmed executions in addition to the 546, that haven’t been included among in the annual report.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of IHR, condemned these executions and said:” This is a regime which is uses execution as a tool to extend its survival”.

Interview with human rights activist on executions: “silence allows violators set the standards”

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, spokesperson for the Iran Human Rights organization

The International Campaign for Abolishing the Death Penalty in Iran spoke to human rights activist Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam on his organization’s recent annual execution report that covers Iran’s 2010 record. The Iran Human Rights group’s report states that, according to Iranian sources, “85 people have been executed in January 2011. At least 3 of those executed in January 2011 were arrested in connection with the 2009 post election protests.”

In the interview, Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam draws attention to the serious matter of secret executions in Iran and the role of the United Nations in dealing with Iran’s illegal actions. He also provides tips on what can be done by international communities and human rights activists to highlight the urgency of the situation on a global scale, both in the civil and political society.

The International Campaign for Abolishing the Death Penalty in Iran (ICADPI) – In your organization’s annual report, it said that the number of executions in 2010 in Iran is probably the highest since the mass executions of political prisoners in the summer of 1988. Are there any similarities between the executions then and now?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – A similarity is that many of the executions are carried out in secret. In terms of the political situation in the country, I believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran feels threatened, the same way it did in the 1980′s. Additionally, some of the people who held key positions in 1988 are playing an important role in today’s executions. For example, the General Prosecutor, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i was a main figure in the mass executions of 1988. Nonetheless, there is a big question mark around why so many executions are kept a secret. According to our report, many of the executions, especially in Mashhad, were linked to drug related offences.

Iranian authorities seem to be more than proud to say that they are fighting against drug trafficking, so why are they keeping the executions a secret?

ICADPI - What is your personal opinion on why they are keeping the executions a secret?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – I really do not know. The pattern of executions began in 2009, but did not reach its peak until summer 2010. According to our report, in the month of August, approximately 200 people may have been executed in one prison. These prisoners are executed in large numbers and then the act is kept a secret. This means that Iranian authorities are hiding something.

I have been asked by journalists about why the executions are kept a secret. One journalist asked whether the reason has anything to do with the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in drug trafficking. Some documents released by Wikileaks indicates that the IRGC may have been involved in drug trafficking with Azerbaijan. I don’t want to speculate, but there are many unanswered questions. It seems that the government of Iran is trying to hide something. It seems that the regime is in a big hurry to execute 60-70 people in a singe day. It seems strange.

ICADPI – Who is responsible for these executions?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam - It is very important that the UN launches a process to see who is responsible. In Iran, it is not difficult to see who is responsible. We know that Sadegh Larijani, the head of the Judiciary and the Prosecutor General, Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i play extremely important roles. I’m not sure exactly what happens in the process, but we do know that the orders have to be signed by the head of the Judiciary. And the head of the Judiciary position is assigned by the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. I believe that everyone, from the Supreme Leader to those who put the noose around the prisoners’ necks are all responsible. The head of the Judiciary, the Prosecutor General, and the Supreme Leader have the highest level of responsibility. They have to be accountable for what has happened. Unfortunately, the UN and world communities do not have a proud history of defending people. The UN usually enters the picture after a genocide has occurred, like the one in Rwanda, Sudan, and the former Yugoslavia. When it comes to mass executions, it has been more difficult [to get the UN to take action] because there has not been a strong enough will by member countries. I think it is time to make clear that the human rights conventions are not just formalities, but breaking them has consequences.

ICADPI - Has the United Nations been responsive enough? The UN wrote a statement expressing deep concern on the recent wave of executions in Iran.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – The UN can do much more than what it is doing. It released that statement late in January, after Iranian authorities had already executed an average of three people a day in over a month. The fact that the UN released a statement is good, but I am surprised it did not take any actions before that. In November 2010, for the third time, the UN voted on a moratorium to stop the death penalty worldwide. This shows that the issue of the death penalty is on the UN’s agenda. So why has the UN not shown a stronger reaction to the executions in Iran? This is a question that the UN has to answer. I believe Iranian human rights organizations have asked the UN to send a special rapporteur to Iran. I know that officials from other countries have also asked for the same thing. Last year, the UN signalized that Iran has allowed special rapporteurs to visit Iran. So, why has the UN not pushed for a special rapporteur to go yet? I think perhaps that the issue of human rights and the death penalty are not considered high priorities at the UN.

Although, at the same time, I think it is difficult for the UN to take action, because member countries are not pushing enough. The UN is made up of many member countries. The role of the civil society is very important to make the issue of the death penalty a priority among the public opinion. We can urge individual countries to take more action against executions so a higher priority is given to the issue of the death penalty.

For example, 20 or 30 years ago it was unthinkable that leaders of big nations would gather and discuss environmental issues. But, due to the power of the public opinion, every political party in the western world has to now have a program on how it plans to counter environmental issues like pollution. We can do the same with the death penalty. Civil societies and NGO’s are needed to change the public opinion and give higher priority to the issue of the death penalty.

ICADPI – What can world communities do exactly?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – I think symbolic actions are sometimes very important. If you look at 2010, we had the biggest mobilization, as far as I can remember, against one single death penalty case: Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani. It was not only human rights organizations and civil societies that got involved. Governments and state leaders, including their spouses, also got involved. I think that is the reason why Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani is still alive today. When people around the world have the ability to show such a strong reaction to one single death penalty case, I think they can also do the same [for the issue of the death penalty as a whole]. However, if people show a strong reaction to one case and keep quiet about so many others, this act may be misinterpreted by the Iranian authorities.

Thanks to the Internet, we live in a world where everyone is witness to the crimes committed in Iran. So, not reacting appropriately could serve as a green light for the Iranian authorities [to continue committing execution crimes]. Symbolic reactions and statements are very important to show that we do not accept [the crimes committed by the Islamic Republic of Iran].

We are aware that Iranian authorities spend a lot of money and resources to buy votes from different countries for when the UN has to vote on human rights violations. Thus, we know that statements issued by the UN are important to the Iranian authorities, even if they pretend that this is not the case.

ICADPI - What can be done beyond issuing statements?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – Beyond statements, the world can do a lot. The world can push the UN to send a special rapporteur to, visit Iran, the prisons, and speak to the families of those who have been executed. In Mashhhad and other parts of Iran, death row prisoners have not been given fair trials, especially those convicted of drug trafficking and Moharebeh (enmity against God). Additionally, many death row prisoners have not had the chance to see their lawyers. In Iran, the government even breaks its own laws and the conventions it has ratified. This means that the UN is able to begin a legal process [against the] Iranian government and key individuals involved in the unlawful executions. Politically it may not be pragmatic, but this is the price we have to pay for our values.

It is a question of priority and how important these issues are to the UN and member countries. Of course, it is difficult to put those responsible on trial, but we can send a strong statement to the world about what is acceptable and what is not. As long as the world is silent, government authorities who violate human rights are setting the standards on what is wrong or right. If we really believe that killing people is a crime, then we have to pay the price to defend it.

ICADPI - How?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam - We should report on every single execution. If we show reaction to every execution, then we can expect authorities to do the same. We should show reaction at every level of civil society. For example, Iranians should hold lectures in universities and contact the media. We should not miss a single opportunity to talk about it. Since the concept of citizen journalism was born, every person is able to be a source of media and help spread the message. Through the Internet we can create much awareness that was not possible years ago when we relied solely on classic media.

ICADPI – What can human rights activists do to improve their work?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – It is good to be more critical in what we are doing. I believe that Iranian human rights activists are able to act in a more coordinated manner. We are all aware that the Iranian civil society, especially those outside Iran, are not very coordinated. But, since recently, I see very positive signs. I think the Iranian civil society has made a lot of progress. In this process that has lasted 30 years, we have moved away from the point where we support political organizations, ideologies, and leaders. Now, a significant part of civil society is fighting for fundamental values, like the struggle against the death penalty.

ICADPI - How can Iranians outside the country help?

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam – One thing we can do is coordinate our actions. There are millions of Iranians, mostly outside the country, who have the freedom to do what they want, however, unfortunately, only a small portion are involved in the struggle of human rights in Iran. We are not working coordinated enough and we are not trying hard enough to involve other Iranians as well. There is a lot of potential and energy not yet used. When I heard about the International Campaign for Abolishing the Death Penalty in Iran, I knew it was a wonderful concept. I think this is the way to go. The campaign shows that Iranians can gather and unite on a single issue, no matter of their political differences. We cannot expect anything to happen over night. We have to just get started and make sure more people also join us.

Zahra Bahrami Executed, Another Victim of Iranian Regime’s Political Game

Report By Persian2English

Zahra Bahrami, the 45 year old Iranian-Dutch citizen and mother of two who was arrested during the 2009 Ashura protests (December 27, 2009), was hanged today.

Zahra Bahrami was executed even though her second case file with political charges was still opened and unresolved.

On August 16, 2010, branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court charged her with Moharebeh (enmity against God). She was detained since December 27, 2009 and spent a long duration of time in solitary confinement. Her other charges included “Acting against national security”, “Propaganda against the regime”, and “Membership in a royalist group”.

Fars News Agency, the media outlet affiliated with Iran’s Security Military force, announced her charges as “Membership in an international drug smuggling gang/group” and “Working with a Dutch ally.”

Last year she travelled to Iran to visit one of her children. Upon her arrest during post-election protests, Zahra Bahrami was held for months in the IRGC ward in Rajai Shahr ‘Gohardasht’ prison and ward 209 of Evin prison for interrogations.

Zahra Bahrami’s death sentence was issued to her lawyer Jenus Sharif-Razi on January 2, 2011 by Judge Salavati, the head of branch 15. But, the final verdict on the death sentence was not announced to Zahra Bahrami’s family or lawyer.

In an interview with Rooz, Sharif-Razi said that all case files related to drug offences do not get sent to the Appeals Court. Instead, the cases are sent to Iran’s General Prosecutor and only he may make a decision on the verdict. Sharif-Razi explained that she was unable to appeal the sentence and the only chance of launching an investigation into the case was by receiving amnesty from the Clemency and Pardons commission.

Banafsheh Nayebpour, Zahra Bahrami’s daughter has stated in past interviews that the charges against her mother related to drug smuggling are completely baseless and all the confessions were extracted under torture. According to Banafesheh Nayebpour, her mother was guaranteed release if she made the false confessions. She also explained that the charges against her mother are politically motivated.

In the past year, the Islamic Republic of Iran has forced political prisoners to falsely confess by use of torture and empty promises. The executions that are carried out affect the overall political environment in Iran.

READ MORE: Daughter of Ashura Death Row Prisoner: Mom’s False Confessions Based on Promise of Release

Reza Shahabi on Hunger Strike, His Life in Danger!

Take URGENT ACTION with Amnesty for Reza Shahabi!

Persian report by Rowzane.com
Translation by Laleh Gillani, Persian2English

The Islamic Republic of Iran routinely arrests Iranian workers and teachers for demanding better wages, job security and improved working conditions. Scores of Iranian workers and their leaders are currently in jail for going on strike, building a union or celebrating May Day. The Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran has issued the following statement regarding Reza Shahabi, the jailed board member of Bus Workers’ Union in Tehran:

Announcement No. 63

In our Campaign’s Announcement No. 62, we reported that since December 4, 2010, Reza Shahabi, the board member of the Bus Workers’ Union in Tehran, has gone on hunger strike to protest against constant pressures and physical torture inflicted on him.

In an interview with Radio Farda, Hassan Shahabi, Reza Shahabi’s brother has confirmed the news of his brother’s dry hunger strike and poor physical condition. So far, Hassan Shahabi has inquired about the status of his brother’s case by referring to multiple revolutionary courts in Tehran. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Court at Evin prison has sent Hassan Shahabi to another court whose officials have denied receiving the case file.

On December 8, 2010, Robabeh Rezaei, Reza Shahabi’s wife visited the Special Interrogation Security Office in Evin prison to file a complaint about her husband’s ongoing incarceration and uncertain situation. The judicial officials stationed in Evin prison have refused to meet with Robabeh Rezaei or accept her formal complaint thus far.

Consequently, Robabeh Rezaei was left with no other option than to refer to the Attorney General’s office in Tehran. It has been reported that an official by the name of Amjad who is in charge of branch 2 of the Attorney General’s Interrogation Office, has denied Rezaei’s entrance into the building and has refused to acknowledge the receipt of her husband’s case.

In her complaint, Rezaei states that if any harm comes to her husband, she holds Iran’s judicial system directly responsible. She has also demanded immediate release of her husband who is being held in ward 209 of Evin prison.

As we have previously reported, the second branch of the Islamic Republic’s Security Interrogation Unit in Evin prison issued a letter on October 11, 2010, setting the bail for Reza Shahabi’s release to 60 million toman (approximately $60 thousand USD). Although his family has posted the bail, after three days of uncertainty and frustration, they were informed that his release from prison has not been approved.

To date, Reza Shahabi has spent six months in prison, and two months has passed after his release order was issued. Despite all this, the judicial authorities refuse to comment on his status and have kept his family in the dark regarding the details surrounding his case.

Since Reza Shahabi is currently in dire physical condition and his life is also in danger, there is an immediate and urgent need to take any action to save him. We urge everyone to unite in order to protest Reza Shahabi’s imprisonment and to demand his immediate release. We call upon everyone to act now so that Reza Shahabi does not have to continue his hunger strike. By filing petitions, protesting against the imprisonment of all Iranian workers, and demanding their release from prison, we can ask Reza Shahabi to end his hunger strike to prevent further damage to his health.

The Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran strives to be the voice of Reza Shahabi and all Iranian workers in captivity. We carry the voices of Iranian workers across the world. Please help this campaign in any shape or form possible and lend a helping hand to our cause.

We demand the immediate release of all members of the Bus Workers’ Union, Reza Shahabi, Mansour Ossanloo, Ebrahim Madadi, Gholamreza Gholam-Hosseini, and Morteza Kamsari. We also insist on freeing all political prisons including the labor activist and children’s rights advocate Behnam Ebrahimzadeh, without further delays or conditions.

The Campaign to Free Jailed Workers in Iran
Shahla Daneshfar
Bahram Soroush
17 Azar, 1389 (December 8, 2010)

Human Rights Attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh Back on Hunger Strike

Persian Report by Kaleme
Translation by Banooye Sabz | Edited by Persian2English

Monday, December 6, 2010 - According to reports by Kaleme, human rights attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh informed her family in a telephone conversation yesterday that she will once again begin a dry hunger strike (no food or water) starting today in protest against her continued detention and the unjust incarceration of other innocent prisoners.

According to her husband, Reza Khandan, Sotoudeh made the decision to go on a dry hunger strike for the following reasons:

- The continuation of her 95 day temporary detention with out bail despite the fact that her court hearing took place 9 days ago and she has two young children.

- False, unkept promises by judiciary and security officials to overturn her temporary detention.

- Biased positions and violations of the law by the presiding judge responsible for the court hearing in the presence of Sotoudeh’s lawyers and other members of the Central Bar Association of Iran. Lack of impartiality by the presiding judge in finding Sotoudeh guilty before the completion of her trial.

- Disappearance of 12 legal letters containing requests by Sotoudeh from her case file.

- Threats to her lawyers during the court hearings.

- Announcement by the court that Sotoudeh would be charged with heavier crimes for hiring lawyers that are not acceptable and trusted by the court.

- Incarceration of Sotoudeh in Evin’s ward 209 for a period of 95 days with the intent to increase pressure through exposure to unbearable conditions.

- Preventing Sotoudeh’s two young children who have no access to cabin visitations from visiting with their mother. One exception was made during these 95 days but was harmful to the children due to altercations by prison officials with family members.

- A variety of restrictions on Sotoudeh including refusal to provide her pen and paper.

- Lack of timely announcement of the passing of Sotoudeh’s father and refusal to allow her temporary leave from prison in order to attend her father’s funeral; a legal right of every prisoner under Islamic law.

Nasrin Sotoudeh is charged, amongst other things, with “acting against the national security of the country” and was arrested on December 6th, 2010 and has been on a hunger strike several times since her arrest protesting the manner in which her case file has been handled.

Human Rights Violations Report | Part 2: Week of November 29, 2010

Tehran University Student Mojtaba Hashemi Sentenced Lashes and Prison!

Tehran University student Mojtaba Hashemi has been sentenced to prison and 74 lashes for “acting against national security”, “disturbing the public order”, “insulting the Supreme Leader and the President”. As the Student Day is approaching and following the increasing pressure on the student activists, the court has issued a verdict for Mojtaba Hashemi, a member of the central branch of the Islamic Association of Tehran University School of Law, who was arrested on December 8, 2009 at the University after being beaten. According to JARAS, he has been sentenced to a total of 6 months in prison for “acting against national security”; 91 days for “insulting the Supreme Leader”, 91 days of imprisonment and 74 lashes for “disturbing the public order”, and a $100 fine for “insulting the President”. Currently, over 80 students and student activists are imprisoned.

صدور حکم حبس و شلاق برای مجتبی هاشمی، دانشجوی دانشگاه تهران

Kurdish Human Rights Activist in Critical Condition in Prison is Denied Treatment!

Jailed human rights activist Mohammad Sadegh Kaboudvand passed out for the second time in the past two months because of brain pressures and problems in his nervous system. He fainted at 3 am on Friday, November 19th, after he stopped breathing. After regaining his conscious, he had temporary blindness and a part of his brain stopped working. He was also suffering from severe pain, cold sweat, and numbness and paralysis in parts of his body. He regained subnormal conditions after 30 minutes. Prisoners in his cellblock informed the guards about his condition and that he might have suffered a brain stroke and he was transferred to the prison infirmary with an ambulance. But he did not receive the necessary treatment in the infirmary and was treated unsuitably and insulted by the guards and the non-medical staff of the infirmary. After he was checked in standing position, he was returned to his cell. Notably, people such as A.Q. have passed away in prison in the past under similar circumstances and lack of attention by the heads of the infirmary.

وضعیت وخیم جسمی محمدصدیق کبودوند

Political Prisoner Kept in Isolation for 8 Months in Solitary Cell and Under Torture

According to reports, political prisoner Reza Joshan has been confined to a solitary cell for 8 months in complete isolation and under medieval conditions. This 25 year old political prisoner was transferred to solitary cell by the orders of intelligence agency interrogators in mid April 2010 in the Sepah Cellblock in Gohardasht (Rajai Shahr) Prison. He was interrogated and physically and mentally tortured by a head interrogator identified as Mohebi for one month. Mohebi subsequently ordered that he be transferred to Section 17, Cellblock 6, in Gohardasht prison and he was kept in complete isolation in this cell until mid November.

زندانی سیاسی رضا جوشن 8 ماه در ایزوله کامل، سلول انفرادی و تحت شکنجه های قرون وسطایی

Student Activists Esmaeil Salmanpour and Farzad Eslami Detained

Ahead of Student Day in Iran, there have been reports that Esmaeil Salmanpour, former member of Amir Kabir Islamic Student Association, and Farzad Eslami, a law student at Azad University and the former secretary of the University’s Muslim Student Committee, have been arrested. According to Bamdad-Khabar, Esmaeil Salmanpour, a student activist at Amir Kabir University of Technology, had previously been arrested on February 6, 2008 at a 14^th anniversary memorial service for former Prime Minister Bazargan held in Hosseiniyeh Ershad. He had been suspended from the university for 3 semesters.

اسماعیل سلمان‌پور و فرزاد اسلامی بازداشت شدند

Death Row Political Detainee Habibollah Golparipour Transferred to Oroumiyeh Prison

Habibollah Golparipour, a Sanandaj resident and human rights activist who was confined in Mahabad Prison, has been transferred to Central Oroumiyeh Prison. According to the Mokrian News Agency, he had been held in Sanandaj and Mahabad detention centers for a long time. The Mahabad Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to death for ‘committing’ “Moharebeh” (waging war against God) by membership in anti-regime groups based on Article 186 and 190 of the Constitution. His sentence was recently upheld by the Supreme Court.

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انتقال حبیب‌الله گلپری‌پور، زندانی محکوم به اعدام به زندان ارومیه

Two Year Prison Sentence for Eye Witness Leila Tavassoli

Leila Tavassoli, an eye witness to last year’s Ashoura upheavals who testified in regards to the Security Forces running over people with their vehicles in Valiasr, was sentenced to two years in prison and has been transferred to Evin to begin her sentence today. According to Mizan News, Leila who is the daughter of Dr. Tavassoli a senior member of the Freedom Movement Party, was arrested last Ashoura and held in ward 209 of Evin prison for two months. She was sentenced to two years in prison by the Lower Court and the Appeals Court later upheld the sentence. She was summoned via a letter last week to begin serving her sentence. Leila Tavassoli who was married less than a month ago, reported to Evin accompanied by her husband as well as her attorney this afternoon and was transferred to a quarantine ward that has recently been transformed to a political prisoners women’s ward. At this time, her uncle Ebrahim Yazdi, Secretary General of the Freedom Movement Party who is the oldest political prisoner is being held in ward 209 of Evin prison. Her brother in law Farid Taheri is also currently incarcerated in ward 350 of Evin.

اجرای محکومیت دو سال زندان لیلا توسلی

Isa Saharkhiz Undergoes Surgery in Rajai Shahr Prison Clinic

Journalist Isa Saharkhiz was transferred to the prison clinic yesterday and since no leave permission was issued, a medical team was brought into the prison clinic to operate on him in the Rajai Shahr prison. According to JARAS, this imprisoned member of the Central Council of Defense of the Freedom of Press, who has been incarcerated for over a year in Evin and Gohardasht, is being kept under very harsh conditions, he has been in severe pain in the last few days and remains in Rajai Shahr prison without medical leave despite having had lost mobility of his right leg.

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عمل جراحی عیسی سحرخیز در بهداری زندان رجایی‌شهر

Yet Another Hand Amputation Sentence in Kermanshah

The amputation sentence of an individual convicted of robbery was carried out in Kermanshah Central prison in full view of a group of prisoners referred to by the prosecutor as “Thugs and Riff Raffs with priors”. According to ISNA, the head of Kermanshah Branch 107 of the Criminal Court said: “An individual who had been convicted of robbery and sentenced to six years in prison had been on leave last Ramadan and had gone AWOL not returning to prison after his leave permit expired. This individual was arrested a year later committing another robbery and subsequently “confessed” to 57 charges of robbery.

اجرای حکم قطع دست یک نفر دیگر در کرمانشاه

Journalist and Human Rights Activist Emaddedin Baghi Returned to Prison

On Tuesday, December 2^nd, Baghi was told over the phone to return to prison on Saturday or Sunday to begin serving his sentence. According to RAHANA, Baghi who had to undergo an oral surgery on Saturday and told the official that he would return to prison on Sunday. As the anniversary of Ayatollah Montazeri’s death is approaching, Baghi had to return to prison on Sunday for the 4^th time.

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عمادالدین باقی بار دیگر به زندان رفت

Human Rights Lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh’s Detention Extended

Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh’s husband, said today that the judge presiding over her case has extended his wife’s detention. He added that no sentence has been disclosed to her lawyer as of yet. Reza Khandan told the Feminist School that during a visit on Thursday with his wife, she told him that despite the fact that days have passed since her last court hearing she is still being held in solitary confinement and has not been transferred to the general prison ward. Nasrin Sotoodeh, a lawyer and a women’s rights activist who was arrested on September 4th, has been incarcerated in solitary confinement ever since. During her detention she has repeatedly gone on hunger strikes in protest to the illegal manner of her arrest, interrogations and handling of her case, at one time was on hunger strike for nine days.

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قرار بازداشت نسرین ستوده تمدید شد

Sunni Missionaries Sentenced to Over 40 Total Years in Prison

The 28^th branch of the Revolutionary Court has sentenced 7 Boukan residents who have been imprisoned in solitary confinement since June of 2009 and have been under intense pressure to make false confessions by the Intelligence and security forces in prison. According to Sunni News, Mamousta Mohammad Berati has received an 11 year prison term, and Hossein Heydari, Sobhan Ahmadzadeh and Abdollah Khosrozadeh have been sentenced to 6 years of imprisonment. Moreover, Himan Mahmoud Takhti and Hesam Mohammadi have been sentenced to 5 years in prison while Sadigh Ahmadi has received a 2 year prison sentence. They have been convicted of propaganda, organizing religious ceremonies and crossing the border. They have been transferred to Ward 350 of Evin Prison.

صدور بیش از چهل سال زندان برای مبلغان مذهبی سنی

Majid Dori Writes Statement from Prison for National Student Day in Iran

Majid Dori Writes Statement from Prison for National Student Day in Iran

Majid Dori

Majid Dori is a university student who has been denied education and expelled from Tehran’s Allameh Tabatabai University. He has been in prison since July 9, 2009 without a period of time off. On the occasion of Iran’s National Student Day (December 7th), Majid Dori has issued a statement from prison. Due to eye problems and limitations imposed on him every day, the statement was released late.

It is noteworthy that Majid Dori recently refused to be placed in shackles while visiting an eye doctor outside the prison. This refusal has cost him dearly since prison officials have placed new restrictions on him. The following is the full text of Majid Dori’s statement:

Men and women, ablaze
Their most painful song, still not sung.
Silence fills the air, the impatient silence
How it is bursting with anticipation
- – Ahmad Shamloo

How long do you intend to sacrifice Quran and flee from reality by oppressing others? How long do you intend in the name of law and religion to repress the dissidents and delay what is inevitable? Till when do you intend to ignore the Green movement, mar it by blood and entrap it in the darkness?

Once more, 16 of Azar (December 7) has arrived, the Student Day, the day belonging to our universities, the day spearheaded by scholars, the day that served your purpose well before but now places your security forces on alert. Your fear and anxiety is sufficient enough to prove that our universities are alive with Greens, not dead from darkness. Although our numbers may have decreased, our perseverance has increased. Iran’s universities are bidding their time to strike at your peaceful slumber.

What do you think our universities are? Do you think you’re the commanders and students your obedient soldiers? Wishful thinking! Iranian students don’t follow orders blindly and stand up to tyranny regardless of your military might. Our universities don’t bow to ignorant individuals disguised as statesmen who plot our destruction. We will make a stand boldly and take our chances in this battle.

Of course, we deserve a government whose path has been blocked by a man whose words are based on falsehoods, a man who doesn’t fear lying. Student activists welcome expulsion from school since becoming a star is still fashionable. Those in charge of our universities have no other thought but destruction and no other way but that of the iron fist.

My professor from the University of Allameh was in prison with me while a few feet from us, Mahdieh Golroo was in the women’s ward. Glowing with pride, they arrested all, students and professors, men and women. In other universities, they did no less. Countless students were arrested, and their accumulative prison sentences proved that our universities continue to stay by our people and don’t abandon the battlefield.

We were beaten, but our universities still endured; we were slaughtered, but our universities persevered. They attacked our dormitories, but we made a stand. We were killed but our universities continued the fight; we were imprisoned but our universities didn’t surrender. This is how Iran became a university and the entire population transformed into students fighting for freedom and democracy. University, hearts embraced thee; minds preoccupied with thee; lips shouted thy name.

So greetings to student activists, the heroes, the expelled. Greetings to all college students since being a student has become a crime. Greetings to all professors although… Greetings to the destitute who rejected oppression and shouted in the name of freedom. Greetings and salutations to a movement that was Green, is staying Green, and will remain Green.

Freedom is approaching from the bloody trail
Nonetheless imminent as I tremble
What is concealed in your hand?
What shackles your feet?
Freedom, do you come in chains?

Humbly,
Majid Dori
Behbahan Prison
Azar 1389 (December 2010)

Four men were hanged in Isfahan (central Iran)

Four men were hanged in Isfahan (central Iran) Today

Iran Human Rights, December 4: Four people were hanged in the prison of Isfahan, central Iran, early Saturday December 4.

According to the state run Iranian news agency ISNA, four men convicted of drug trafficking were hanged in the central prison of Isfahan today. The men were identified as: "Abdollah N." convicted of keeping and selling 495 grams of crack; "Zarif D." for keeping nine kilos and 450 grams of crack; "Masoud Gh." (born in 1972) for trafficking of 261 (grams?) of crack and finally "Bakhtiar S." (born in 1966) for keeping 74 kilos and 800 grams of crack and 603 grams of opium, 94 grams of another opium product and drug addiction. Besides death penalty "Bakhtiar S" was also sentenced to 2 years in prison, 70 lashes and a fine of 18200000 rials ( 1820 USD).

Iran Human Rights strongly condemns crackdown of the human rights lawyers by the Iranian authorities

Iran Human Rights strongly condemns crackdown of the human rights lawyers by the Iranian authorities

Iran Human Rights, November 17: Iranian state television has once again broadcast a purported statement by Sakineh Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to death by stoning for adultery in which she calls herself a "sinner."

The report also broadcast purported statements by two men whose faces were blurred that state TV identified as Ashtiani’s son, Sajjad Qaderzadeh, and her lawyer, Houtan Kian, both of whom were arrested last month. It also aired comments from two Germans who were detained allegedly while trying to interview Ashtiani’s family in October.

In the state TV report, Qaderzadeh retracted his previous allegations that his mother was tortured, and criticized Kian and Ashtiani’s previous lawyerMohammad Mostafaei for publicizing the case.

Ahtiani’s lawyer, Houtan Kian (picture) “confessed” that he advised Qaderzadeh to lie to Western journalists.

On the other hand, Tehran’s chief prosecuter, Abbas Jafari Dolatabadi confirmed yesterday in an interview with the state run Iranian news agency ISNA, the arrest of five lawyers during the past week.

According to various reports three female lawyers Sara Sabbaghian, Maryam Kian Arasi and Maryam Karbasi were arrested in Khomeini airport, on their arrival from Turkey earlier this week. All the three have been involved in human rights cases and defending their imprisoned colleagues, human rights activists, bloggers and women sentenced to death by stoning.

The two other lawyers who were arrested in Tehran last week are Roza Gharachorlou and Mohammad Hossein Nayeri, both involved in human rights cases.

Iranian authorities have previously arrested the human rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh (picture), the defender of several minors on the death rowand Mohammad Oliaei-fard defender of several political prisoners. Both of them are being held in the notorious Evin prison.

Several other human rights lawyers such as Khalil Bahramian, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah and AbdolfattahSoltani (all defenders of several political prisoners) are waiting for their trials, while the human rights lawyer Mohammad Seifzadeh has been sentenced to 9 years in prison.

Iran Human Rights strongly condemns the televised "confessions" and arrest of the human rights lawyers by the Iranian authorities. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of Iran Human Rights, expressed his concern about the situation of the human rights in Iran and said: “This is continuation of the regime’s general crackdown of the Iranian civil society. In the past months we have been witnessing a broad campaign by the Iranian authorities against the human rights lawyers and the situation will probably get even worse”. He added “Iran is probably one of the few countries where defense lawyers are persecuted for doing their job”. “We ask the world community to play a more active role in defending the Iranian human rights lawyers and to ask for immediate release of all the detained lawyers and end persecuting them” he said.

Political Prisoner Rahim Rash Tortured, Remains on Hunger Strike after 26 Days

Rooz Online reporter Saman Rasoulpour conducted an interview with Soran Rash, the son of political prisoner Rahim Rash. He talked of his father’s physical condition. Rahim Rash’s hunger strike, that he launched to protest against torture and his detention, has reached its 26th day. Rahim Rash is in critical condition. Soran Rash stated, ”My father was tortured in Orumiyeh detention centre [in northwestern Iran] and will continue his strike despite the fact that he has lost a lot of weight and cannot walk on his own.”

English translation of the interview provided by Siavosh Jalili for Persian2English

Rooz Online: Mr. Rash, what is the lastest news on your father’s condition? Is he still on hunger strike?

Soran Rashi (SR): On Sunday, our family visited my father. He said that he is continuing his hunger strike. It has now been 26 days.

Rooz: Where did the visit take place? How was your father’s physical state?

SR: A few days prior to our visit, my father was transferred from the IRGC Orumiyeh prison to the Mahabad General prison. The transfer took place following the deterioration of my father’s health. Our family visited my father after the transfer. He has lost a lot of weight and is in critical condition. He was taken to the prison clinic several times and he was connected to serums. My father cannot stand on his feet and he walks with the help of others.

Rooz: Mr. Rash, what did your father say about his charges against him and the treatment he received from security officials?

SR: They have only orally stated the charges against my father which are ”acting againt national security” and “enmity against god”. My dad said that he was tortured and abused in the Orumiyeh detention centre.

Rooz: Your father was tortured while on hunger strike?

SR: Yes! My father went on hunger strike a day after he was arrested and he continues to be on strike to this day. My father was subjected to torture in the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence detention centre in Orumiyeh. My father says that one of the reasons he continues his hunger strike is because of the tortures and abuses inflicted on him. We, however, do not know the details of the acts of torture.

Rooz: Has a trial date been set? Is it possible that he will be freed before the trial?

SR: My father did not accept any of the charges against him. Three others were arrested from our village at the same time as my father. These three people are currently detained in the security and intelligence detention centre in Orumiyeh. My father stated that there is a high chance that he his trial will not take place until the other three are transferred to the Mahabad detention centre as well.

Rooz: Do they all face the same charges?

SR: My father and the three others were arrested on the same night and they were transferred to the Mahabad detention centre. That is why we think that my dad will probably be tried when the other three are also transferred to Mahabad. The reason my father was transferred is because he launched a hunger strike. Of course, we do not see any connection between my father’s condition and them.

Rooz: Given the dire state Mr. Rash is in, has your family asked him to end his strike?

SR: Prison officials as well as my mother and brother have asked him to end his strike. Initially, my father went on strike to protest his detention, however, after he was mistreated in the detention centre, he is more determined to continue with his strike.

Rooz: Even though his physical condition has deteriorated gravely?

SR: Yes. My father was also arrested in 1997 when he was taken to Saqez prison. That time, rarely anyone believed that he would be able to last a 36-day hunger strike. Eventually my father was brought home on a stretcher. The doctor [on the case] said that if my father had continued his hunger strike, he would have only survived a few more days. The news did not receive media coverage back then because unlike today, the Internet and other forms of media were not pervasive. Despite all this, my father was exonerated and freed. This time as well, my father insists to continue his hunger strike until he is released.

Political Prisoner Reza Joushan Losing Eye Sight, Denied Medical Care

According to Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran, 25 year old political prisoner Reza Joushan suffers from acute eye disease since a week ago. Despite this, Mohebbi, the chief interrogator of the Ministry of intelligence, has denied him medical treatment. Reza Joushan’s eyes are red and watery. He suffers from severe pain and the deterioration of vision.

According to reports, Reza Joushan asked one of the guards why he was not permitted to visit the prison clinic. The guard replied that he must await his turn because prisoners can only visit the clinic once every two months.

Reza Joushan protested against the lack of medical treatment, and as a result, Gerami, the manager of the prison, paid him a visit on August 10th. Reza Joushan described his eye problems to Gerami, but nothing has been done yet to remedy the situation.

Reza Joushan is detained in ward 6 subsection 17 of Rajai Shahr prison since four months ago. He is kept in isolation and is denied visitation or contact with his family.

Mohebbi, a Ministry of Intelligence officer and also the chief interrogator who serves as the director for the IRGC division at Rajai Shahr prison, has ordered the arrest of students, labour and women activists, and participants in the uprising in Karaj. Mohebbi often leads the raids of arresting activists. He is personally in charge of the interrogation and torture of detainees in the IRGC section of the prison.

Reza Joushan was arrested on December 1, 2009 when Ministry of Intelligence agents raided his home. He was taken to solitary confinement in the IRGC division of the prison, and after two months, he was transferred to ward 4.

On December 7, 2009, Ministry of Intelligence agents raided his home and arrested his mother Zahra Assadpour. She was detained in a solitary confinement cell in the IRGC division of the prison. After weeks of interrogations and physical and psychological torture, she was moved to the women’s ward of Rajai Shahr prison. Zahra Assadpour was previously arrested along with her daughter Fatemeh Joushan for visiting family in Iraq’s Camp Ashraf (the camp is run by Iranian opposition group the People’s Mujahedin of Iran). Zahra Assadpour and Fatemeh Joushan were imprisoned for 14 months in Rajai Shahr prison.

Zahra Assadpour and her son Reza Joushan were brought to the Revolutionary Court on February 8, 2010. They were issued a sentence of one year imprisonment in Zanjan and four years exile in the Ghaylar village close to Zanjan (a province in north western Iran).

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemns the inhumane treatment of political prisoners in Iran and considers the denial of medical care for prisoners and the visitation bans as crimes.

We call on the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights and other international authorities to take action to end the crimes committed by Ali Khamenei’s regime in Iran.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran

Majid Tavakoli Transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison

Student political prisoner Majid Tavakoli was transferred from Evin to Rajai Shahr prison (I.e. Gohardasht prison). Majid’s brother Ali Tavakoli told HRANA that he has not been able to communicate with his brother. A prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison has reportedly witnessed the transfer. In recent years, exile to Rajai Shahr prison is an action taken on political prisoners to punish them.

Tavakoli is one of the 17 political prisoners who launched a hunger strike around July 26th (almost all the prisoners ended their hunger strike after two weeks. Imprisoned journalist Keyvan Samimi remains on hunger strike). Tavakoli was last arrested on December 7, 2009 after delivering a speech for Student Day at Amirkabir University.

On January 19, 2010, branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Majid Tavakoli to eight years and six months in prison. Additionally, Tavakoli was banned for five years from both leaving the country and engaging in any political activities.

TAKE ACTION | 12 ‘Hunger Strike’ Prisoners Transferred Back to General Ward, 3 Remain in Solitary

After 22 days in solitary confinement, 12 of the political prisoners formerly on hunger strike were transferred back to ward 350 (the general ward) in Evin prison. Abdollah Momeni, Bahman Ahmadi Amouie, and Keyvan Samimi remain in solitary confinement. Samimi is still on hunger strike after 23 days.

The Kaleme website reports that the 12 prisoners have lost weight and are physically weak. They have also not been able to meet with their families.

The transferred prisoners expressed grave concern over the physical well being of Keyvan Samimi. They stated that Samimi will break his hunger strike once Abdollah Momeni and Bahman Ahmadi Amouie are also transferred to the general ward.

Student activist Majid Tavakoli who was one of the prisoners on hunger strike was recently transferred from Evin to Rajai Shahr prison. Long time political prisoner Reza Malek remains in a solitary confinement cell in ward 350.

Abdollah Momeni, Keyvan Samimi and Bahman Ahmadi Amouie Return to Evin Prison’s General Ward

HRANA reports that Daftar-e Tahkim Vahdat spokesperson Abdollah Momeni was returned to ward 350 (general ward) in Evin prison. Momeni endured 22 days of solitary confinement in ward 240 and he was on hunger strike for 18 of those days. Advar News reports that two other political prisoners, journalists Bahman Ahmadi Amouie and Keyvan Samimi, who were detained in solitary confinement in ward 240, were also transferred back to general ward 350.

Yesterday 12 other political prisoners were transferred back to the general ward as well. Imprisoned journalist Keyvan Samimi, who was on hunger strike until yesterday, maintained his strike until all the prisoners who were transferred to solitary confinement returned to ward 350.

Rajai Shahr Prison: New Murder Under Torture

35 year old prisoner Hassan Ghashghaei died under torture in a solitary confinement cell in ward 1 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj (I.e. Gohardasht prison).

On August 11, 2010, after returning to prison from court, Hassan Ghashghaei was transferred to solitary confinement. He was blindfolded and his hands and feet were cuffed. The guards then brutally tortured him. He fell into a coma and died a few hours later.

Before his arrest, Hassan Ghashghaei clashed with security forces when he resisted against their oppressive behaviour. He was later arrested in Varamin (city in the south part of the Tehran province). He was imprisoned for five years. He was detained in ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prison but was later moved to ward 1, known as “the last verse of the song of death.” When Hassan Ghasghaei protested against the brutality of the guards, he was transferred to solitary confinement known as the “dog house”. He was murdered under torture.

Prison authorities usually report the death of prisoners under torture as death due to drug overdose or suicide. A number of prisoners have lost their lives in the torture chambers of this medieval-like prison. Prisoners are subjected to the most brutal tortures such as rape and breaking of the hands, feet, spine, and shoulders.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran condemn the crimes against humanity committed in the form of systematic and organized deadly tortures against political and ordinary prisoners. We ask the U.N. Secretary General and the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights as well as other international authorities to take action to bring crimes committed by Ali Khamenei’s regime to the security council.

Human Rights and Democracy in Iran

Hanieh “Sharareh” Farshi Shotorban arrested in Tabriz for Facebook Activities

Hanieh “Sharareh” Farshi Shotorban arrested in Tabriz for Facebook Activities

28 year old Hanieh “Sharareh” Farshi Shotorban was arrested on July 18, 2010 in Tabriz. There is no news on her condition and she is not permitted to contact her family.

Security forces in Tabriz entered Sharareh’s home and, after searching the area and confiscating her personal items like her computer and phone, they arrested her at 6:00am on July 18, 2010.

She was taken to a detention centre run by the Tabriz Ministry of Intelligence. Later, she was transferred to Evin prison.

Her charges include “insulting what is sacred” and “having contacts with a foreign entity”. It is believed that her charges are related to her Facebook membership and activities.

Sharareh Farshi Shotorban has no history of political activism.

Mohammad Mostafaei in Turkey + A Letter to His Wife and Daughter on their Birthdays

A spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees announced on Wednesday that Mohammad Mostafaei, who refused to turn himself in to Iran’s judicial system, is in Turkey and has the option to seek asylum. Mostafaei was detained by Turkish authorities and taken to an unknown location when problems were detected with his passport. Turkey Radikal newspaper who reported the news did not provide any additional information on the passport problems. Citizens of Iran do not require a Visa to enter Turkey.

Metin Corabatir, a UNHCR spokesperson in Turkey, announced, “We are monitoring developments concerning the case…The channels are open for him to apply for asylum.”

The Associated Press

A European diplomat in Ankara said Turkish authorities had contacted several Western embassies to see if they were willing to offer the lawyer asylum. The diplomat asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of the case.

Turkey’s Interior Ministry, in charge of police and asylum cases, declined to comment.

Amnesty International last month accused Iran of harassing Mostafaei and said his wife and her brother had been detained. The lawyer maintained a blog that helped generate a wave of international outrage over death by stoning. Britain and the United States called for the practice to be scraped.

Iran said last month it would not carry out the stoning against Mostafaei’s client, Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, for the time being, but the mother of two could still face execution by hanging for adultery and other offenses.

Mohammad Mostafaei Writes a Letter to His Wife and Daughter: Happy Birthday

On August 1, 2010, the day of his daughter’s birthday, Mohammad Mostafaei wrote a letter to his wife Fereshteh Halimi and their daughter Parmida. Fereshteh Halimi’s birthday is on August 4, 2010.

Persian published by the Committee for Defense of Political Prisoners

Letter by MOHAMMAD MOSTAFAEI | August 1, 2010

Translation AZITA ERAANI for PERSIAN2ENGLISH

Dear Fereshteh and my darling Parmida,

Happy Birthday to both of you.

Seven years ago today (August 1st), my dear Parmida was born to a sweet mother who is now imprisoned while committing no crime. Parmida is very lonely today, because her mom and dad are not there to wish her a happy birthday. We had planned a birthday party for her and all her friends were invited. We wanted to tell her how much we love her. But what happened instead? Her mother was unjustly and illegally arrested and taken hostage. And worse yet, her uncle and grandfather were arrested as well. My Parmida is so lonely today. What has she done to deserve the sorrow of missing both her parents? She has not seen her mother now for one week; a mother who has focused her time and energy on the care of her child. Today Parmida cannot hear her mother call out her name or her father wish her a happy birthday.

Is the justice from a country that claims to be a pillar of Islam the separation of a family? Does justice mean to take a mother away from her child and illegally send her to prison? I wonder, if the same happened to you, would you find it acceptable? I wish you would at least consider her release for a day so she would be able to wish her only child a happy birthday. It has been one week and Fereshteh has only been allowed to speak with her mother once. She did not provide any information on her condition or her surroundings. Is this what you call humanity? Who would accept this kind of treatment for a mother?

Get over yourselves and call forth your conscience. Do not let the curse of a mother follow you. Do not torment a young child by keeping her away from her mother. Please do not let my little girl suffer like this, [living] in the void left by the absence of her mother and father. You are depriving Parmida of her mother’s nurture that she needs and depends on. Please allow this mother to take her child in her arms. I swear, in the seven years of Parmida’s life, her mother has never taken her eyes off of her once. She has dedicated herself entirely to her child’s best possible upbringing. She has never for a moment neglected or hesitated from loving her child, but today, you are depriving this child from that love, by keeping her innocent mother in jail. I swear to God, unjustly separating a mother from her child to trap another person is an unforgivable sin. If you are not afraid of justice in this world, be very afraid of Judgment Day! Free Parmida’s mother now!

I have said it before and will say it again: she is innocent. I emphasize that Fereshteh Halimi and her brother have no information on my whereabouts. It is only too clear that they are taken as hostages.

My darling Parmida,

Every time I look at the beautiful drawing that you made for me, I cry. I cannot wait to see you. I want to see you soon and take you to the playground in the park. Happy birthday and I wish you all the best. I promise that you will have every opportunity in this world and the brightest future. I send you and your dear mom kisses. May God be with you both. Your mom’s birthday is in three days (August 4th). I wish her a happy birthday as well. Your mother has tolerated my absence for the last ten years so that I could help the innocent, the needy, and all those unjustly sentenced to death by execution, hanging, or stoning. I ask you to tolerate our absence today.

My dearest Fereshteh and Parmida, I wish you a happy birthday and I kiss you both.

- Mohammad Mostafaei

Bazaar Merchant Sentenced to Death, Another Sentenced to Ten-Year Imprisonment

Imprisoned bazaar merchants Mohsen Dogmechi (right) and Javad Lari (right).

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran reports that on August 1, 2010, two well known merchants of the Tehran Bazaar, Javad Lari and Mohsen Dogmechi, received heavy and inhumane sentences by Salavati, the presiding judge of branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Lari was sentenced to death and Dogmechi received ten years imprisonment in Gohardasht prison (Karaj, Iran). Both prisoners are currently detained in ward 350 of Evin prison.

Mrs. Mohammadi, the lawyer for 51 year old Javad Lari, informed her client of the execution sentence. Lari was arrested on September 15, 2008 when Ministry of Intelligence agents invaded his workplace. He was transferred to a solitary confinement cell in ward 209 of Evin prison. The head of interrogations at the Ministry of Intelligence, Alavi and Saeed Shabkhan, were in charge when Lari was under physical and psychological torture to agree to a mock television interview. After Lari refused, the heads of interrogation created false allegations against him and his file was sent to branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court.

Judge Salavati issued his verdict based on the allegations of the Ministry of Intelligence that charged Lari with Moharebeh (waging war against God), acting against national security, propaganda against the regime, arranging holidays (the arranged holidays to various Iranian cities were for his family), and establishing a financial fund to support the Mujahedin organization.

The Revolutionary Court is reported to hold secret meetings that aim to find ways to cover up false allegations and the mistreatment of political prisoners and their lawyers.

Mohsen Dogmechi is a 50 year old merchant well known in the Tehran Bazaar. He was summoned to the Revolutionary Court on August 1st where he received a sentence of ten years imprisonment in Rajai Shahr prison (I.e. Gohardasht prison). His charges are: providing financial aid to families of political prisoners, and visiting his son in Camp Ashraf.

Political prisoners and their family members report that inhumane death sentences for political prisoners are issued by Ali Khamenei, the Iranian Supreme Leader. The sentences are then announced by the presiding judge. Families of political prisoners say that they are only permitted to request mercy or an appeal from Khamenei. Dogmechi and Lari were also both political prisoners in the 1980s where they were subjected to torture.

Another imprisoned bazaar merchant is Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhabzi who is detained in ward 209 of Evin prison since December 2009. His current situation is uncertain.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran (HRDAI) condemn the heavy and inhumane death sentences issued by the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. HRDAI considers this act a crime against humanity. We ask the UN Secretary General, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other international authorities to halt the systematic and organized crimes committed by the Iranian regime. We demand for the violations of human rights in Iran to be presented to the security council so appropriate measures are taken.

Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran