Father of Hossein Ronaghi handed 4-month prison sentence in absentia

Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, father of political prisoner Hossein Ronaghi has been sentenced to 4 months in prison for sharing information about his son’s illness and his situation in prison.

According to the Kaleme website, Branch 116 of the Tabriz Public (criminal) Court charged Hossein Ronaghi’s father with publishing lies in cyberspace and sentenced him to 4 months in prison based on Article 698 of the Islamic Penal Code and Article 19 of the Islamic Penal Code which was adopted in 2013. The court session for Ahmad Ronaghi was conducted in absentia without his knowledge, or presence of a lawyer on his behalf.

The Tabriz Public Court operating out of its legal jurisdiction, issued the indictment based on claimed evidence provided by the Intelligence Office of East Azerbaijan Province. The Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that interrogations must be done in the presence of the accused and the resulting documents must be signed. If the accused is illiterate, a trusted witness must sign.

Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, whose son has confronted various illnesses as a direct result of his incarceration, is himself suffering from degenerative eye disease rendering him almost blind in one eye while the other eye has fifty percent vision. He also suffers from heart disease and has undergone surgery several times.

During the past 6 years since the arrest and imprisonment of his son, Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki has been summoned to the Tabriz Court numerous times and subjected to high-pressure interrogations in attempts to have him sign false confessions. Hossein Ronaghi’s family is constantly harassed and threatened by the Tabriz Intelligence Agency for publicizing information about the deteriorating health and situation of their incarcerated son. His brother Hassan Ronaghi has received threats to remain silent and his mother was once served with a warrant for talking about her son. His mother Zoleikha Mousavi who continues to speak out about her son despite the threats, recently shared that authorities told her the family’s efforts on behalf their son’s freedom would be futile.

In an interview with Rooz on July 6, a day after Ahmad Ronaghi was served his prison sentence, Zoleikha Mousavi said that even if her husband is taken away, the family will not remain quiet. Hossein Ronaghi’s mother said in the Rooz interview that authorities are aware that according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code it is unlawful to return her son to prison. She said Hossein Ronaghi’s sentence should be terminated if the judiciary conforms to what is stipulated in this penal code. She added that because of his situation, Hossein Ronaghi has a pardon from the Supreme Leader. She said the IRGC and Intelligence offices told them they are not opposed to releasing her son, yet it seems Hossein Ronaghi is being held due to a personal agenda.

Zoleikha Mousavi said that they were given 10 days to follow up on the court order for her husband. Hossein Ronaghi’s mother stressed that the family has been subjected to unceasing threats to not conduct interviews during the years but they will not back down. For his birthday, Amnesty International, which has declared Hossein Ronaghi a Prisoner Of Conscience, launched an Urgent Action Campaign demanding that he not be returned to prison. Journalism Is Not A Crime was also among international human rights groups asking that the ailing blogger not be returned to prison.

According to reports by CHRR, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, jailed blogger and human rights activist was violently arrested at his home in the city of Malekan near Tabriz on December 13, 2009 during the mass unrest following the contested presidential elections. At the time he used the penname Babak Khorramdin and worked with Iran Proxy, a group that worked towards combating Internet censorship in Iran. His brother Hassan Ronaghi Maleki was also arrested and held in solitary confinement where he was subjected to severe torture to add duress and demoralize his brother. He was released on bail after one month and suffers permanent damage to his neck and spine from the torture. Hossein Ronaghi was held for 13 months in Evin prison’s Ward 2-A [under control of IRGC] where he endured severe physical torture and psychological pressure in an effort to coerce an interview and false televised confession, which he refused. Eventually Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

While he was in perfect health when he was arrested, Ronaghi’s health has rapidly deteriorated throughout the years as a result of the torture, substandard prison conditions in Evin prison and lack of medical attention behind bars. He has endured 4 kidney operations and countless transfers to the hospital and back to prison during this time. The activist has embarked on several hunger strikes behind bars in protest of his situation along with that of other political prisoners. Despite the recommendation by the Official Forensic Office to release Hossein Ronaghi on medical grounds, he has been ordered back to prison after a short furlough. On July 5, 2015, Hossein Ronaghi’s 30th birthday, agents went to his family home and delivered the prison sentence for Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki – issued by a court session that was conducted without their knowledge.

Maryam Sadat Yahyavi arrested

Maryam Sadat Yahyavi, Green movement activist was arrested at her residence on Sunday November 2^nd.

According to Kaleme the civil rights activist was previously among the many who were arrested on February 14, 2011 (25 Bahman). She was subsequently sentenced to 3 years in prison, which was later reduced to one year. However after an official medical report showed that she was suffering from a terminal disease, her prison term was suspended.

Last summer Maryam Yahyavi was among a group of young Green activists who were interrogated after being summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence for distributing green candles during a religious ceremony.

The reason for her detainment is not known and it is unclear which government agency ordered the arrest of the activist. Maryam Sadat Yahyavi has cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment when she arrested.

Sources:

http://www.kaleme.com/1393/08/12/klm-201723/

http://www.radiozamaneh.com/185466

Maryam Shafipour transferred to a hospital

AdvarNews – Maryam Sahfipour has been transferred from Evin prison’s Ward 209 to a hospital.

According to news obtained by AdvarNews,  the interrogator in charge of this student activist’s court file had given her family permission to have visitation today. When her family went to Evin prison in the morning to have a visitation with her, they were told that Maryam Shafipour has been transferred to a hospital.

The officers and the prosecuting office gave no explanation for the reason she was transferred to a hospital and would not even provide the name of the facility Maryam Shafipour is hospitalized in. During her last visitation with her family, she had complained about her right arm feeling numb and said she needs to see a doctor.

This student activist was detained on July 27^th after she appeared at Branch 2 of Shahid Moghaddas Court per a summons order, and was transferred behind bars in Evin prison. Maryam Shafipour was previously detained in 2010 and was handed a one-year suspended prison term by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court.

AdvarNews
http://advar-news.biz/article14032.html

Shiva Nazarahari released from prison on furlough

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Shiva Nazarahari, jailed human rights activist, women’s rights activist and founding member of Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) was granted temporary prison release today.

According to CHRR, Shiva Nazarahari who is among political prisoners detained after the contested election results of 2009 was released on furlough on September 8^th. The founding member of Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR) is a human rights activist, blogger, journalist, women’s rights activist, member of the One Million Signature Campaign, Right to Education Campaign, and Society for Defending Street and Working Children.

Shiva Nazarahari has been behind bars in Evin prison’s women’s ward since September 8, 2012. With the year she spent behind bars after her arrest in 2009, she has now spent about 2 years behind bars, which is half her sentence.

Nazarahari was detained twice in the aftermath of the contested 2009 presidential elections. Days after the elections on June 14, 2009, Shiva was detained. She was held in solitary confinement in Evin’s ward 209 for 36 days before being transferred to the general ward. She was released on bail on September 24th.

On December 20 2009 Nazarahari was detained with a number of other activists while on their way to attend the funeral of the late dissident cleric Ayatollah Montazeri. She endured 2 months of solitary confinement and was released on bail after 9 months of detention in September 2010.

Shiva Nazarahari was handed a 4-year prison sentence and 74 lashes on the charges of “moharebeh” (enmity with God), “propaganda against the regime,” and “illegal gathering with the intent of disturbing national security.” She turned herself in at Evin prison to serve her prison sentence on September 8, 2012.

CHRR

شیوا نظرآهاری به مرخصی آمد

 

 

Ali Nakouyi arrested in Shiraz, condition of 3 detained student activists unknown

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Reports indicate that on Thursday June 20, Ali Nakouyi was detained by Intelligence agents while there is no news of the whereabouts or condition of three individuals arrested in Fars province.

Per the reports, Ali Nakouyi who is a Green activist residing in Fars province was accosted by plainclothes officials equipped with wireless devices and weapons as he was leaving his workplace on June 20. The officials detained him and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

At the same time, Intelligence officials raided the residence of Ali Nakouyi, conducted a search of his home and confiscated his personal items including his computer, CD’s and family photo albums. Ali Nakouyi worked as a security official at the Shiraz airport checkpoint stations. While he is a supporter of Grand Ayatoolah Dastgheib who is the spiritual leader of the opposition movement critical of the government and a Mousavi supporter, no explanation has been given for Nakouyi’s arrest.

The whereabouts of three other individuals who were detained about 2 weeks ago also remains unknown. The three student activists Mohammad Reza Vahedi, Azita Rasti Firouzadeh, and Mehdi Farmani were detained on Tuesday June11th. Despite efforts on the part of their family members to obtain any information, no information has been released regarding their condition.

During the past few weeks, student, political and civil rights activists have been subjected to an increased wave of arrests.

CHRR

Ali Nakouyi arrested in Shiraz, condition of 3 detained student activists unknown

بازداشت علی نکویی در شیراز و بی خبری از سه فعال دانشجویی بازداشتی

Arash Sadeghi, jailed activist on 22nd day of hunger strike

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Arash Sadeghi, student activist and member of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s 2009 presidential election campaign continues his hunger strike in protest of his mistreatment by prison officials.

According to CHRR, Arash Sadeghi has been held incommunicado in Ward 290 of Evin prison is now on his 22nd day of hunger strike and in poor physical condition.

Arash Sadeghi was studying for his masters in philosophy at Allameh Tabatabai University until he was banned from his studies. He was arrested on July 9, 2009 during the time of protests following the disputed presidential elections. In November 2010, Arash’s mother lost her life after suffering a heart attack when her home was violently raided at night by security agents who were searching for her son. Arash was able to visit the gravesite of his deceased mother when he was temporarily released from prison.

Arash was first released after 50 days of being held in temporary detention while being interrogated. He was detained again on December 27, 2009 and temporarily released on bail in March 2010. On December 10, 2009 while in temporary custody, Arash Sadeghi launched a hunger strike for 17 days in Evin prison in protest of the abuse and mistreatment at the hands of prison officials. Resulting from the hunger strike he had convulsions, suffered a seizure and ended up in a coma.

Since his last arrest on January 15, 2010, Arash Sadegh has been kept in custody in Ward 209 of Evin prison, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence.

This political prisoner was handed a 6-year prison sentence and 74 lashes by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Pir Abbasi. His charges were “gathering and conspiracy against the regime” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison sentence was later reduced to 5 years by the court of appeals.

http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article21360

Kouhyar Goudarzi appeals for support of jailed activist Arash Sadeghi

Kouhyar Goudarzi:

Arash Sadeghi, one of the most oppressed Green movement political prisoners, is on his 22^nd day of hunger strike. For 22 days Arash has been on hunger strike in protest of his mistreatment behind bars, yet not one international institution has expressed concern. Arash’s father still has no information about the condition of his son. The only hope of a prisoner on hunger strike is the support of those who have compassion and value for the life of their fellow human being.

Let us be the voice of Arash.

Before it is too late, please spread the word, and share Arash’s plight.

Arash Sadeghi, student activist and member of Mir Hossein Mousavi’s 2009 presidential election campaign, was studying for his masters degree in philosophy at Allameh Tabatabai University until he was banned from his studies. He was arrested on July 9, 2009 during the time of protests following the disputed presidential elections. In November 2010, Arash’s mother lost her life after suffering a heart attack when her home was violently raided at night by security agents who were searching for her son. Arash was able to visit the gravesite of his deceased mother when he was temporarily released from prison.

Arash was first released after 50 days of being held in temporary detention while being interrogated. He was detained again on December 27, 2009 and temporarily released on bail in March 2010.

This political prisoner was handed a 6-year prison sentence and 74 lashes by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Pir Abbasi. His charges were “gathering and conspiracy against the regime” and “propaganda against the regime.” The prison sentence was later reduced to 5 years by the court of appeals.

This is not the first time that Arash has launched a hunger strike. He had gone on hunger strike for 17 days in Evin prison when he had convulsions, suffered a seizure and ended up in a coma.

Since his last arrest on January 15, 2010, Arash Sadegh has been kept in custody in Ward 209 of Evin prison, which is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Intelligence.

http://on.fb.me/1343EOp

 

Ashkan Zahabian arrested for fourth time

Committee of Human Rights Reporters –Ashkan Zahabian, student activist in the Green Movement and member of Tahkim-e Vahdat (Student-Alumni Association) was arrested at his parental home this morning Monday May 27^th.

According to news provided to CHRR, this morning Security Ministry agents raided the home of Ashkan Zahabian’s parents, aggressively arrested and transferred him to an undisclosed location. In 2009, Zahabian served as a student volunteer at the Babol campaign headquarters of presidential election candidate, Mehdi Karoubi.

The Kaleme website reports that Ashkan Zahabian, Mashhad Ferdowsi University student barred from continuing his education, was previously detained for a third time in April 2011 when per a summons he showed up at the Sari Intelligence Office. His first arrest was in June 2009 only four days after the contested election results, at a Mazandaran University student protest. He lost consciousness during the violent arrest by plainclothes officials and Intelligence Ministry agents detained him.

In February 2009, Zahabian was banned from continuing his education because of his activism and was expelled from university one term shy of graduating. In November 2009, he was arrested again and the Babol Revolutionary Court sentenced Zahabian to 6 months in prison stemming from his student activism. He was deprived of his right to an attorney and was not allowed to defend himself in court. At Babol’s Matikola Prison, his health deteriorated and he endured solitary confinement while on hunger strike in protest of being held in a facility among criminals, and being denied needed medical treatment.

The new charges against Ashkan Zahabian stem from his meeting with the Grand Ayatollah Sanei, Grand Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani, and other clerics in the city of Qom.

CHRR

اشکان ذهابیان برای چهارمین بار بازداشت شد

Shiva Nazarahari returned to prison

Committee of Human Rights Reporters –  Shiva Nazarahari, human rights activist, founder and former head of Committee of Human Rights Reporters, returned to Evin prison today May 2, 2013.

According to CHRR, Nazarahari who had not requested prison leave was arbitrarily granted a second furlough on May 1st (mother’s day). She was contacted by personnel from the judicial authority and required to present herself back at Evin prison today.

This member of CHRR was first granted temporary release on March 13 for the Nowruz holidays after enduring 184 days behind bars without furlough. She returned to Evin prison after one month.

On December 20, 2009, Shiva Nazarahri was arrested while she was on a bus with other activists intending to attend the funeral of the late dissident cleric Ayatollah Montazeri. She was handed a 4-year prison sentence and 74 lashes on the charges of “moharebeh” (enmity with God), “propaganda against the regime,” and “illegal gathering with the intent of disturbing national security.” She turned herself in at Evin prison to serve her prison sentence on September 8, 2012.

In the past days, a number of political prisoners who had been on furlough were summoned back to prison. Bahare Hedayat, women’s and student rights activist turned herself in at Evin prison to serve the remaining of her 9.5-year prison sentence. Journalists Masoud Bastani and Bahman Amouie were summoned back to Rajai Shahr prison and ordered to present themselves at the facility tomorrow. Both of their spouses, journalists Mahsa Amrabadi and Jila Baniyaghoub are held behind bars at Evin prison.

Unconfirmed reports indicate that all political prisoners who were on furlough have been summoned to return to prison. Ahmad Zeidabadi and Mehdi Mahmoudian are among those handed a summons by the judiciary with an order to return to prison in the next few days.

CHRR

Shiva Nazarahari returned to prison

شیوا نظر آهاری به زندان اوین بازگشت

Akbar Amini summoned by phone to appear at the Ministry of Intelligence

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Akbar Amini, member of Saraye Ahl-e Ghalam (Association of Writers) has been summoned by phone to appear at the offices of the Ministry of Intelligence.

According to CHRR, this Green Movement activist is required to appear at the Intelligence Ministry on Monday May 20^th while no reason was given for the summons order.

On April 16^th, Judge Salavati presiding over Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court handed Akbar Amini a 5-year prison sentence; 4 years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” along with a 5-year ban from membership in any political party or group, and activity in any Internet or media outlet. A one-year suspended term from a previous sentencing was also enforced, requiring him to spend a total of 6 years in prison.

Akbar Amini was among a group of writers who were detained on October 30, 2012 when security agents raided a gathering of the Saraye Ahl-e Ghalam (Association of Writers) and arrested around 70 members. Most were later released but 17 members were transferred to Evin prison.

On February 14, 2011 (25 Bahman), when Akbar Amini climbed on top of a crane and waved a green cloth in an act of protest, he was violently arrested by agents of the Intelligence Ministry.

CHRR

Akbar Amini summoned by phone to appear at the Ministry of Intelligence

احضار تلفنی اکبر امینی ارمکی به وزارت اطلاعات