Follow the latest human rights events in Iran during February 2019 here every day.
Latest updates:
15:02 30.11.1397 - Release of three citizens from Kurdistan on bail: Kiumars Vaez, Jabar Haji Moradi, and Hadi Bagheri, three residents of Sanandaj who were arrested by security forces on February 25, were released on bail after four days.
14:58 30.11.1397 - Arrest of a labor activist in Sanandaj: Iqbal Shabani, an inspector of the Bakers' Union in Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, February 29. The reason for his arrest and his place of detention are unknown.
13:56 29.11.1397 - Arrest of three environmental activists in Shahrekord and Sanandaj: Youssef Farhadi Babadi, an environmental activist in Shahrekord, and Arman Vafaee and Shaho Faraji, two environmental activists in Sanandaj, were arrested by security forces on February 28. The reasons for their arrests and their conditions are not reported.
13:51 29.11.1397 - Release of Masoud Shams Nejad on bail: Masoud Shams Nejad, a lawyer residing in Urmia, was released from prison on a bail of one billion tomans. He was sentenced to six years in prison by a lower court for "propaganda against the regime" and "membership in an opposition party."
13:50 28.11.1397 - One of the lawyers of imprisoned environmental activists: We still have not been able to speak with our clients: Kazem Hosseini, one of the lawyers for eight imprisoned environmental activists, told IRNA: "We have not been able to speak with our clients because the authorities have not allowed us to, and we have only had brief greetings with them." He described this action as "illegal" and expressed hope that they would be allowed to communicate with the defendants in future court sessions. So far, five court sessions for these individuals have been held in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, and they have been held privately. These eight environmental activists have been in detention for a year, and security charges have been raised against them.
13:40 28.11.1397 - Court session for journalist Masoud Kazemi: Masoud Kazemi, a journalist, was tried in the Tehran Revolutionary Court on Saturday, February 27. He has been accused of "spreading falsehoods," "insulting officials," "propaganda against the regime," and "insulting the leadership." Masoud Kazemi was arrested on November 14 and released on bail after a week.
13:31 28.11.1397 - Summons of Amir Chamani to court two days after his release from prison: Amir Chamani, a civil activist residing in Tabriz, received a summons two days after his release from prison on February 25, requiring him to appear at Branch 19 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. He wrote on his Twitter page that while he was in Tabriz prison, a third case was opened against him in Branch 19. Amir Chamani has been arrested multiple times in recent years and imprisoned on charges including "propaganda against the regime" and "insulting the leadership."
19:38 27.11.1397 - Weekly magazine report: Following reports of protests and unrest in the women’s prison in Shahr-e Rey known as Qarchak, Gholamhossein Esmaeili, the head of the Tehran judiciary, described the situation in this prison as normal. However, reports from the Majzooban Noor website and Telegram channel indicate that following an attack by security forces on prisoners and the use of tear gas, several prisoners were injured. The Human Rights Campaign in Iran also states that after these events, several prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement, and gas, electricity, and phone services in Qarchak prison were cut off. The program continues this week: six-year prison sentence issued for Masoud Shams Nejad, a lawyer in Urmia; the "unsatisfactory" physical condition of Arash Sadeghi, a civil activist in prison; the third and fourth court sessions for eight imprisoned environmental activists; the continued detention of Esmail Bakhshi and Sepideh Gholian.
18:55 26.11.1397 - One-year prison sentence issued for Mahdi Mo'tamedi Mehr: National-religious sources reported the issuance of a one-year prison sentence for Mahdi Mo'tamedi Mehr, a member of the political office of the Freedom Movement of Iran. This political activist was accused of "propaganda against the regime" in Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Karaj. According to the national-religious website, this sentence was issued following a complaint by the IRGC intelligence of Alborz province against Mahdi Mo'tamedi Mehr for participating in a Q&A session of the Unity Party of Iran. He has previously been arrested and imprisoned multiple times and has another open case for the charge of "spreading falsehoods."
18:46 26.11.1397 - Arrest of three citizens in Sanandaj: The Mokrian news agency, which covers news from Kurdistan, reported the arrest of Kiumars Vaez, Jabar Haji Moradi, and Hadi Bagheri, three residents of Sanandaj. According to this report, these individuals were arrested by security forces on February 25. No news has been published regarding the reason for their arrest.