Continued Uncertainty for Some Political Detainees in Iran

The news agency "HRANA," the news organ of human rights activists in Iran, has reported on the uncertainty surrounding several detainees from recent months in prisons across various regions of Iran. Among the prisoners mentioned by HRANA are Mehdi Hassani, Nasim Gholami-Simiari, Ramin Haeri, Risha Moradi, Abdulghafar Dehghani, Mujib-ur-Rehman Dehghani, Vafa Ahmadpour, Danial Moghaddam, and Rahman Zahmatkesh. According to this report, Mehdi Hassani, a political detainee, has remained in limbo in Evin Prison despite nearly 21 months since his arrest. HRANA quoted a source close to the family of this political detainee, stating that it has been about 630 days since Mehdi Hassani's arrest and he is still in Ward 8 of Evin Prison. The news agency added, based on information it has obtained, that Mr. Hassani's judicial case had previously been sent to Branch 29 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran with an indictment issued, and due to this detained citizen's refusal to wear prison clothes in court, the date for his trial session has been postponed. Mehdi Hassani was arrested on September 9, 2022, while attempting to leave Iran by the security forces of the Islamic Republic in Zanjan and was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. Mr. Hassani, born in 1976, married, and a father of two, is a citizen from the city of Rey who was employed in real estate before his arrest. HRANA also reported that Nasim Gholami-Simiari, a political detainee, has remained in limbo in the women's ward of Evin Prison for over a year; 370 days since her arrest. According to the report, she has been charged three times with "conspiracy and collusion, propaganda against the regime, and rebellion" at the Evin Prosecutor's Office, but her court session has not yet been held. Ms. Gholami-Simiari was arrested on May 17, 2022, by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in Tehran. After her arrest, she was transferred to Ward 1A of the IRGC in prison for interrogation and after two months was moved to Ward 2A of Evin Prison, and finally, on September 26, 2023, she was transferred to the women's ward of this prison. Another political detainee, Ramin Haeri, has also remained in limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for over three months since his arrest. Ramin Haeri has been charged with "insulting the leadership, propaganda against the regime, and disturbing public opinion" at the Mashhad Prosecutor's Office. Mr. Haeri was arrested on February 28, 2023, by the intelligence department at his home in Mashhad and was transferred to the intelligence department's detention center. After about a month, he was moved to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. A source close to the family of this political detainee previously told the news agency that "despite the provision of the determined bail, the officials of Branch 906 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office are opposing his release." Additionally, Risha Moradi, suspected of membership in one of the opposition groups and charged with "rebellion," has also remained in limbo in Evin Prison for over 300 days since her arrest. Despite her case being referred to the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran, it has not yet been addressed. Risha Moradi was arrested on July 31, 2022, by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj and was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence detention center known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison to the women's ward of this prison on December 26 of the same year. HRANA also reported on Abdulghafar and Mujib-ur-Rehman Dehghani, two brothers from Rask County, who have also remained in limbo for over a month since their arrest, leading to increased concerns for their family and relatives due to their lack of contact. According to the news agency, Abdulghafar Dehghani was arrested on April 17, 2023, after visiting the intelligence department of the IRGC in Rask County, and Mujib-ur-Rehman, his brother who lives in Yazd, was arrested a few days later while trying to inquire about his brother's situation. According to the report, these two brothers have had no contact with their family since their arrest, and the security and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have refrained from providing clear answers regarding the reasons for their arrest, their status, and their place of detention. Additionally, Vafa Ahmadpour, known as "Vafadar," and Danial Moghaddam, two rappers who released protest songs, have also remained in detention for about three weeks, causing concern for their families. These two singers were arrested on May 10, 2023, by security forces in Shiraz. Vafa Ahmadpour, known as Vafadar, was previously arrested at his home on February 4, 2023, and was released from Evin Prison on February 19 of the same year after posting bail. He was later sentenced to one year in prison for "propaganda against the regime" by the Revolutionary Court. Danial Moghaddam has a history of summons and judicial actions due to his protest activities through singing and releasing songs. Another political detainee who remains in limbo is Rahman Zahmatkesh, a resident of Talesh County, who has been detained for over 100 days. A source close to Mr. Zahmatkesh's family told HRANA that his temporary release has not been possible due to the intervention of the intelligence department in Talesh, noting that this detainee has faced skin problems. Previously, a knowledgeable source told HRANA that "placing the lion and sun flag on the graves of those killed in the nationwide protests of 2022" was one of the reasons for his arrest. Mr. Zahmatkesh was arrested on February 15, 2023, by the IRGC agents at his father's home in the village of Kharchigil in Talesh County. To date, the charges against Rahman Zahmatkesh have not been announced.