Anvar Hossein Panahi granted furlough after six years in prison

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Anvar Hossein Panahi, Kurdish political prisoner was released from Sanandaj prison on bail on August 12^th after spending 6 years in prison.

According to Ahmad Hossein Panahi, brother of the political prisoner in an interview with CHRR, the Revolutionary Court first sentenced Anvar Hossein Panahi, Kurdish social and political activist, to death. After tireless efforts and protests on the part of human rights activists, his death sentence was later commuted 6 years in prison. He was recently released on furlough with bail despite being 3 months shy of serving his full prison term.

Anvar Hossein Panahi, the Panahi family’s eldest son has a wife and 3 kids. He was detained by Security agents in the city of Qorveh on November 6, 2007 and was held incommunicado at the Ministry of Intelligence for 6 months while he was severely tortured. In March 2008 Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Hasan Babai handed the death sentence on the charges of “moharebeh” (enmity with god) and “acting against national security.”

In the past 6 years since the incarceration of Kurdish activist Anvar Hossein Panahi, more than 33 members of his family have been arbitrarily arrested. His brother Ashraf Hossein Pahani who was collecting evidence to substantiate his innocence was killed under suspicious circumstances while travelling to Tehran to deliver the evidence.

On April 14 2009 Branch 4 of the Appellate Court reduced the death sentence to 6 years in prison. During the past years since the incarceration of Kurdish activist Anvar Hossein Panahi, his family has faced summons, interrogations, endured constant harassment and threats, with over 30 members arbitrarily arrested.

CHRR

آزادی انور حسین پناهی پس از گذشت ۶ سال از زندان

 

Probability of pardon for a number of Kurdish political prisoners prior to the upcoming elections

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – According to a judicial official from Kurdistan province, in the near future several political prisoners who have less than 6 months of their prison sentences remaining, will be granted early release before the upcoming presidential elections.

According to CHRR, a family member of Kurdish political prisoner Anwar Hossein Panahi said the following; “After we presented a petition with thousands of signatures and our local people insisted on the innocence of Anwar Hossein Panahi and demanded a follow-up on his case, a judiciary official from the Sanandaj Prosecutor’s Office told us that the Ministry of Intelligence had opposed any commutation in his sentencing.” He said regarding the new order for probable early release, “This pardon is within the parameters of a ruling that requires all prisoners with less than 6 months prison time remaining, to be released.”

Last week Kurdish prisoner Arsalan Oliyayi who was arrested in 2007 by security forces and had less than 6 months remaining in his prison term was released from Sanandaj Central Prison. Oliyayi and Panahi were both sentenced to death on charges of “acting against national security,” and “moharebeh” (enmity with god). Their death sentences were later commuted by the court of appeals to 6 years in prison.

CHRR

http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article20974

 

Sirvan and Shirzad Hossein Panahi transferred to Ghorveh prison

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – After 50 days of Sirvan Hossein Panahi being incommunicado, on January 27, this political prisoner was transferred along with Shirzad Hossein Panahi from the detention center of the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj to Ghorveh prison.

According to CHRR, a close family friend of these 2 Kurdish activists said that Sirvan Hossein Panahi informed his family in a short phone call that he and Shirzad Hossein Panahi were transferred to Ghorveh prison. The family had not been able to get any information about the whereabouts or situation of their loved ones despite their efforts and inquiries with judicial and intelligence authorities.

On January 9th, 2013, plainclothes officials from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the home of the nephew of Anvar Hossein Panahi and detained him. The agents arrived at the home of Sirvan Hossein Panahi’s father in the rural village of Quruchay and detained Sirvan after conducting a rigorous search of his residence. Witnesses reported that it looked like his arm was broken as the agents confiscated his personal belongings. Another family member, Shirzad Hossein Panahi, who is also from the village of Quruchay in Dehgolan, was arrested on January 30, 2013 and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence detention center.

Anvar Hossein Panahi, the eldest son in the family, is a Kurdish activist and a Dehgolan province dignitary who was arrested in 2007 and severely tortured while in detention. He spent 6 months incommunicado in custody at the Ghorveh Ministry of Intelligence detention center. In 2008 he was sentenced to death on charges of “acting against national security,” “collaborating with a Kurdish political party” and “moharebeh” (enmity with God). After tireless efforts and protests on the part of human rights activists, his death sentence was later commuted to 6 years in prison. After enduring 5 years behind bars, Anvar Hossein Panahi was granted medical furlough after posting bail.

In the past years since the incarceration of Kurdish activist Anvar Hossein Panahi, his family has faced summons, interrogations, endured constant harassment and threats, with over 30 members arbitrarily arrested.

Sirvan and Shirzad Hossein Panahi transferred to Ghorveh prison

Adnan Hassanpour deprived of his legal right to furlough

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Kurdish journalist Adnan Hassanpour has spent 7 years in prison, making him the longest standing prisoner among journalists. He is serving his sentence behind bars in Sanandaj prison, deprived of his legal right to furlough, without a single hour of release during these years.

Leyli Hassanpour, the sister of the incarcerated journalist said in an interview with Committee of Human Rights Reporters regarding her brother, “Adnan has a good attitude but his physical condition is weakening due to being held behind bars for 7 years without any furlough.”

Despite requests from his family, his lawyer Mr. Saleh Nikbakht, and an endorsement for temporary release by the Prison Organization, judicial authorities have refused to grant furlough to the imprisoned journalist. His sister said, “In all these years Adnan’s only communication with his family has been via phone calls and occasional visitations without even one hour of furlough.” She requested that judicial authorities allow her brother his legal right to prison furlough.

Adnan Hassanpour is a prominent Kurdish journalist and passionate defender of the freedom of expression who was an editor of the weekly Aso, a Kurdish/Farsi publication that explored cultural rights. The government in 2005 shut down the publication and Hassanpour was summoned several times regarding his work.

On January 25, 2007 he was arrested and the summer of that year after a closed-door trial in the city of Marivan in Kurdistan province, Hassanpour was sentenced to death on the charges of “acting against national security” and “moharebeh” (enmity with God). The Kurdistan appellate court later upheld the death sentence. The evidence used against him was based solely on interrogation reports provided by the Intelligence Ministry, obtained during his detention. After two years of legal wrangling, with the request of his lawyer Saleh Nikbakht, the country’s Supreme Court reviewed the case and on January 30, 2009 the death sentence was commuted to 15 years in prison.

Hassanpour has a distinguished record as a journalist in Iran. The Cultural Bureau (Farhang va Ershad Islami) presented him with appreciation awards in 2004 and 2005. In addition to working as editor of Aso he was the managing director of Marivan Literary Association from 2001-2004 and edited the Association’s literary magazine, Rawt.

International groups have also recognized Hassanpour as a prominent journalist. In 2007 Hassanpour received the Press Freedom Award by the Swedish branch of Reporters without Borders. This prize is awarded to members of the press who convey dedication to freedom of expression despite pressures and violations of press freedom in their country. The same year he was also awarded the Press Freedom prize from Italy.

CHRR

Adnan Hassanpour deprived of his legal right to furlough

A representative from the Supreme Judicial Council met with death row prisoners Zanyar and Loghman Moradi

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – A representative from the Supreme Judicial Council visited Rajai Shahr prison and met with 2 Kurdish prisoners on death row, Zanyar Moradi and Loghman Moradi about their case.

Eghbal Moradi, Zanyar’s father said in an interview with CHRR, “Unfortunately I do not have precise information regarding what transpired at the meeting but we found out per news from Tehran that unfortunately the Council has rejected a stay and the execution can take place at any time.”

The father of Zanyar Moradi said, “This past week there have been talks of the execution being imminent and unfortunately this is a reality. During the 42 months that Zanyar has been imprisoned he has been deprived of any visitation. Only once when he was first detained and before the charges against him were announced, his grandparents were able to visit with him. Loghman’s family was able to have 2 brief visitations during this time but we were not able to see Zanyar and we have not even had the right to a phone call.”

“When I read the letter Zanyar had written from prison, since I myself have spent a lot of time in the prisons of the Islamic Republic, I was not at all surprised by his sentiment. I knew that at any moment they could commit any injustice they desire towards my son. What Zenyar has written is very true. The abuse and torture he described is not surprising and the authorities do as they please. These boys were severely tortured and as they said they are willing to disclose details of what was done to them in a fair trial.”

Eghbal Moradi said, “I sincerely thank every single political and human rights activist from all over the world who has protested against this unjust death sentence for Zanyar and Loghman and I am hopeful that our efforts will have a positive result.”

CHRR asked Eghbal Moradi what request he had of the judicial authorities to which he responded that those in charge never listen or care about these predicaments. “The authorities have for the past 32 years heard the cries of the prisoners’ mothers, fathers and loved ones, yet the situation has worsened. Every time those in charge come under pressure, the prisoners pay the price. I have no expectation from the authorities; if they have any humanity they must hear our cries and know that this is not just my voice. This is the voice of all the people of this nation who are saying ‘enough is enough, stop this injustice, enough killing, enough executions.’”

A representative from the Supreme Judicial Council met with death row prisoners Zanyar and Loghman Moradi

Sirvan Hossein Panahi, nephew of Kurdish political prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi, detained by security agents

Committee of Human Rights Reporters –   Sirvan Hossein Panahi, born in 1989 and the nephew of Anvar Hossein Panahi, was detained on January 9th and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to obtained reports, plainclothes officials from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the home of Sirvan Hossein Panahi’s father in the rural village of Quruchay in Dehloran County. The Intelligence agents arrived at the remote village in 4 vehicles and raided the home of Servin’s Hossein Pahani’s father. They conducted a rigorous search, confiscated personal items, detained the nephew of Kurdish political prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

In the past 6 years since the incarceration of Kurdish activist Anvar Hossein Panahi, more than 33 members of his family have been arbitrarily arrested. His brother Ashraf Hossein Pahani who was collecting evidence to substantiate his innocence was killed under suspicious circumstances while travelling to Tehran to deliver the evidence.

Security forces arrested Kurdish activist Anvar Hossein Panahi on November 5, 2007 and transferred him to the detention center at the Ministry of Intelligence. His family was kept in the dark for 6 months while he was severely tortured. In 2008 he was sentenced to death on charges of “acting against national security”, “collaborating with a Kurdish political party” and “moharebeh” (enmity with god). After tireless efforts and protests on the part of human rights activists, his death sentence was later commuted to 6 years in prison. Anvar Hossein Panahi is currently serving his sentence behind bars in Sanandaj prison.

CHRR

Sirvan Hossein Panahi, nephew of Kurdish political prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi, detained by security agents

Kurdish prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi in unknown and worrisome situation

Committee of Human Rights Reporters –  Several days have gone by since the transfer of Anvar Hossein Panahi from Sanandaj central prison; there is no news of his situation. Authorities of the Ministry of Intelligence have opened another case for this political and civil activist. A source close to the family of Hossein Panahi has told CHRR that last Thursday he was transferred from the central prison in Sanandaj to the detention center at the Ministry of Intelligence where he is under further interrogations.

According to this source Panahi is being subjected to additional pressures because the Ministry of Intelligence is questioning his activities during the short time he had been released on furlough. During that time Panahi had inquired about the situation of some of his cellmates and their families. In so doing he is accused of contacting their lawyers and activists by the Ministry of Intelligence and they have created a new file for him.

Per this report on Saturday September 21st, the family of Hossein Panahi visited the Sanandaj central prison to follow up on his situation and was told by prison officials that he had been transferred from that location.

The Revolutionary Court first sentenced Anvar Hossein Panahi, Kurdish social and political activist, to death. After tireless efforts and protests on the part of human rights activists, his death sentence was later commuted to life in prison.

However officials of the Ministry of Intelligence have told the family of Hossein Panahi that in their view the death sentence should not have been upheld and he should have remained on death row.

CHRR

Kurdish prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi in unknown and worrisome situation  

Journalist and Kurdish activist Saeed Saedi sentenced to 3 years in prison

Human House of Iran – Branch 2 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court handed down a 3-year prison sentence to activist Saeed Saedi.

The Campaign for the Defense of Civil and Political Prisoners reported that Branch 2 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court sentenced activist Saeed Saedi to two years behind bars for “illegal gathering and collusion against the regime”, and one year for “propaganda against the regime.”

On December 22, 2010 this journalist was arrested along with 26 other Sanandaj activists who included family members of death row Kurdish political prisoner Habib Latifi. Saeed Saedi was held behind bars in solitary confinement at the detention center of the Sanandaj Intelligence Ministry for 74 days after which he was released on bail.

In the past year Saeed Saedi has served as the editor of several non-governmental publications. At the time of his arrest he was the editor of the monthly publication Rovbar and was the spokesperson for the Kurdistan Reconciliation Front.

Human Rights House of Iran

http://www.rahana.org/archives/45926

Three Kurdish Political Prisoners on 26th Day of Hunger Strike in Rajai Shahr, Karaj

Human Rights House of Iran –  Today, three Kurdish political prisoners in Rajai Shahr ‘Gohardasht’ (Karaj) prison entered their 26th day of hunger strike. The political prisoners reportedly plan to be on hunger strike until their demands are met by prison officials who have so far ignored the prisoners.

Alnoor Khaziri, Kamran Sheikhi, and Seyed Ebrahim Seyedi are three Kurdish political prisoners who began a hunger strike to protest the unacceptable living conditions in prison. They are held among criminals charged with rape, murder, and drug-dealing. The main demand by the three prisoners on hunger strike that has gone ignored by authorities is to be transferred to the political prisoners’ ward. The situation for these three men on hunger strike has been unknown for the past two years. The prisoners are also demanding for their files to finally be processed.

According to the Kaleme website, the three political prisoners, Alnor Khaziri, Kamran Sheikhi and Seyed Ebrahim Seyedi, were previously held behind bars in ward 350 of Evin prison. They were illegally transferred to Rajai Shahr prison; a location where even the basic rights of people are not upheld.

These three Kurdish prisoners were kept in the quarantine area of Rajai Shahr prison for 50 days. This is a location in the prison with substandard conditions with lack of basic health and sanitary standards. Usually, when prisoners are first transferred to Rajai Shahr, they spend one day in the quarantine ward before they are transferred out. But the three Kurdish prisoners were locked up in the quarantine ward for 50 days before being the transfer to ward 6 of Rajai Shahr prison (a ward that usually hold criminals, not political prisoners.

Ramzan Ahmadkamal, Davood Abdollahi, and Ramzan Saeedi are another three Kurdish political prisoners held behind bars with dangerous criminals. who have their time behind bars housed with regular prisoners consisting of criminals. They have also not been transferred to the political prisoners’ ward.

Based on the alleged crimes of these Kurdish citizens, they are incarcerated for political reasons and they should therefore be held with prisoners who are accused of similar crimes.

Human Rights House of Iran 

Zeynab Bayazidi on Hunger Strike

Zeynab Bayazidi, a Kurdish prisoner in Zanjan prison, has gone on hunger strike. Zeynab’s mother confirmed this news in an interview and stated that Zeynab is protesting the inappropriate behavior of the  head of Zanjan prison toward several of the female prisoners.

It is reported that Zeynab is a former member of the Kurdistan Human Rights Organization and the One Million Signatures Campaign. She has spent approximately two years in prison. The Revolutionary Court of Mahabad sentenced Zeynab with citations 499 & 17. Under the penal code of the Islamic law she received citation 230, accused of spreading lies and causing disturbances. She was sentenced to four years imprisonment in the central prison in the city of Zanjan.

http://persian2english.com/?p=12591