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JINA AMINI
The face of Iran's protests. Her life, her dreams and her death.

In memory of Jina 'Mahsa' Amini, the cornerstone of the 'Zan. Zendegi. Azadi revolution.
16 February 2023 | By Gino d'Artali

And also
Read all about the assasination of the 22 year young Jina Mahsa Amini (Kurdistan-Iran) and the start of the Zan, Zendegi, Azadi (Women, life, freedom) revolution in Iran  2022
and the latest news about the 'Women Live Freedom' Revolution per month in
2024: Dec WK4P2 -- Dec WK4 -- WK 3P4 -- WK 3P3 -- Wk 3P2 -- Dec Wk3 -- Dec wk2P3 -- Dec wk2P2 -- Dec wk2 -- Dec wk1P4 -- Dec wk1P3 -- Dec wk1P2 -- Dec wk1 -- overview per month
and 2023: Dec wk 5 part 2 -- Dec wk 5 -- Dec week 4-3 -- Dec wk3 -- Dec 17 - 10 -- Dec week 2 and 1 --  November - Januari 2023

click here for a menu overview


Tribute to KIAN PIRFALA, 9 years old and victim of the Islamic Republic's savagery 10 years ago.

Editorial by G. d'A.: Dear reader, as a webmaster also I constantly have to guard the read-ability of the 'Cryfreedom'-outlet and sometimes decisions need to be made to have it be for your convenience and moreso in total support of the women-led revolt in Iran which inevitably will be a grand Victory. Still, choices must be made always and so I've decided to, for now, embed all the actual news about the 'NO-hijab; 'Biological terror attscks against schoolgirls'; 'Iranian journalists under siege'; 'Blinding as a weapon' and 'The hanging spree' as part of the 'Actual news' updates of the Iran 'Woman, Life, Freedom' section. But, if need be and urgent attention and action is needed concerning the above mentioned topics it will get an extra emphasized place as part of the actual news page-layout. Thank you for being a reader and for your support of the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' revolution.
Click here for the previously tabled topics

CLICK HERE ON HOW TO READ ALL ON THIS PAGE 
You are now at the Iran 'Woman, Life, Freedom'  section

 HEAR JINA AMINI'S VOICE
And do read also the above linked  incredible December 2023 update!

despite the mullahs' regime to force it down!
Her mother speaks out loud and clear
UPDATED:
September 29 - 16, 2024
Second Anniversary of Jina Amini's
state-sanctioned murder

incl. Commemorating Bloody Friday
a wave of arrests of her fellow-citizen

Overview of news about the Second aniversary of Jina Amini's state-sactioned murder September 2024


JINA AMINI
The face of Iran's protests. Her life, her dreams and her death.

Read also: Armita's Story: Iran's Generation Z Rebellion Against the Ayatollahs

Ongoing since Oct. 3, 2024:
Commemoration of the Fallen for
Freedom
Part6
 
Click here for previous Commemorations  
And more commemorational stories
Tortured to Death: The Story of Atefeh Na'ami
Violence During Woman, Life, Freedom Protests


'Women's Arab Spring 1.2'
Updated Dec. 13, 2024
Special reports about the Afghanistan Women Revolt and more
Updated Dec. 22, 2024
 


Syria: the Fall of Assad and aftermath
Updates Dec 23 - 20,2024


PALESTINE

Updated Dec 24, 2024

HAIL TO THE IRANIAN WOMEN'S REVOLUTIONISTS FALLEN FOR FREDOM
against the supreme leader, the arch-reactionary Ayatollah Ali Khomeini, and his placeman president. The message of the women when the former president visited a university was plain: <give way or get lost> in 2023 and still is.
IN MEMORY OF ASRA PANAHI (16)- JINA MAMINI (22) - NIKA SHAKARAMI (16), SARINA ESMAILZADEH (16) HADIS NAJAFI (20), AND MORE WOMEN WHO WERE ASSASINATED SO FAR BY THE IRANIAN AXIS OF EVIL.
  Click here for a total list so far


(Updates December 25, 2024) z



UPDATES OF THE UPRISING  AND REVOLUTION AROUND THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF JINA AMINI IN CUSTODY OF THE REGIME'S ATTEMPT AND CRUELTY TO TRY AND CRUSH IT.

This links to a page that is in full dedicated and a tribute to Jina Amini who, with stilll 'till today too many other sisters gave their life for freedom.
Long live a long and free Iran



We all grief for the loss of our sister / daughter of Iran Armita Gevarnand:
 


Read her updated story here
 

A to VICTORY tribute to
NARGES MOHAMMADI
Dec 5, 2024: Narges Mohammadi chants 'Jin, Jiyan, Azadi' after temporarily freed from prison
Nov. 18, 2024: Joint letter: Nobel Peace Laureate Urgently Needs Essential Medical Care for Serious Health Problems
May 6, 2024
"Tyranny will fall"

"Victory is not easy, but it is certain"
watch it here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LAMPz57Aqw 

 Click here for a news-overview from January 15, 2024 'till October 31, 2023











 


JINA AMINI'S VOICE IS HEARD
And do read also the above linked  incredible December 2023 update!

despite the mullahs' regime to force it down!
Her mother speaks out loud and clear
UPDATED: September 29 - 16, 2024
Second Anniversary of Jina Amini's
state-sanctioned murder

incl. Commemorating Bloody Friday
and earlier news about

a wave of arrests of her fellow-citizen
 

 

 

 

MARJAM AKBARI MONFARED

June 24, 2024: The Iranian Regime Judiciary Launches a New Case to Seize the Assets of Maryam Akbari Monfared and Her Family, in Revenge for Seeking Justice for Her Siblings Executed in the 1980s
Click the above for also earlier news
 
 

'War against the No-hijabi women'
UPDATE-Nov. 13, 2024: hijab-torture clinics

Earlier Stories and more

VIDA MOVAHED

A more than brave woman who's
challenging the mullahs' regime and its
'dress-laws'

Updated November 22, 2024

VARISHEH MORADI

Click here for extra news about 
 the Death Sentence for
Kurdish Activist Varisheh Moradi and  the(international) support she gets


Click here for more stories of Heroines of Iran 

PAKSHAN AZIZI
Updated Dec. 5, 2024 :
Ongoing Denial of Family Visits for Death Row Political Prisoner Pakhshan Azizi
and previous news:
Dozens of grieving families demand reversal of death sentences for Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi
and earlier
Iran: Death row prisoner Pakhshan Azizi's cellmates demand justice for her
and
"You dictator, I am Arash, fire responds to fire,"

Also in her case the mullahs' regime
is threathening to hang her
for opposing it and moreso
for being a Kurd.

Overview of her Actions
 

Please do read the above and following articles about heroines and other brave people who risk live and limb for the women-led revolution and no matter what they'll never give in nor up!and other stories: click on the underlined December  '24 topics:

    Alarming: Women Being Sent to the Gallows
& The gas chambers of Iran
& Female Referee Reveals Threats and Harassment when struggling for freedom
& A Woman's Defiance Against Oppression
& Daughters, Wives, Sisters: Iran's Silent Femicide Crisis
  And
 Commemoration of the Fallen for Freedom Part 6
 

and 
Click here for previous inspiring stories and  articles incl. Red Alerts  


'New' topic:  a regimes' re-newed method of torture: denial of medical care
Nov. 22 - Aug. 30, 2024:
Medical torture of women during incarceration
November 4, 2024
"UN Expert Highlights Alarming Violations Against Women and Fundamental Freedoms..."
October 19-18 2024 - July 18, 2016 Health taken hostage 
 
 And read here more about the
'Nurses 'strike' back':
Other updates can be read in
the 'Actual News' section
"Nurses can neutralize security forces' efforts with unity."
August 30, 2024
and updates:
August 28, 2024:

Nurses' demands - "A nurse will die, but will not accept humiliation,":

"NO to executions" campaign

In support - reflection and updates:
Sept. 7 - August 20, 2024

Other updates can be read in
the 'Actual News' section

'The mullahs' regime / OHCHR* gallows' dance'


Other updates can be read in
the 'Actual News' section

 July 8 - 4, 2024: The-death-sentence-against-Sharifeh-Mohammadi

June 15, 2024: Prisoner Swap with Iran is Shameful Reward
June 5 - May 23, 2024: It |Iran| puts people to death in order to terrorize the population into silence.
and other stories 

*OHCHR - UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Click here for earlier reports
 

December 24 - 16 December , 2024
<<Kurdish Political Prisoner and Her Child Face Dire Conditions in Iranian Prison...
& <<Latest report on Amanj Kadkhoda, kurdish prisoner arrested during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement...
& <<Number of Kurdish detainees in Sarpol-e Zahab rises to 11...
& <<Iranian Athlete Detained Over Instagram Video Faces Health Crisis in Prison...
& <<Effat Hamedi, 35, and Mother of a 9-Year-Old Boy Hanged in Sari Central Prison...
& <<Imprisoned Teacher Massoumeh Asgari Denied Medical Care, Faces Uncertain Future...
& <<Karaj: Azam Ahoqalander sentenced to flogging and a fine...
& <<Care Facility Closed in Iran After Resident Dies in Abuse Incident...
& <<Deportation and unemployment haunt former Afghan military women in Iran...
and more actual and fact-finding news

December 20 - 19, 2024
<<Uncertainty surrounding fate of Kurdish men...
and more arrests of Kurdish people...
& <<Care Facility Closed in Iran After Resident Dies in Abuse Incident...
& <<Iranian Political Prisoner Facing Death Sentence Moved to Solitary Confinement...
& <<Kurdish woman Nazanin Eliasi arrested by security forces in Mahabad...

and more actual and fact-finding news

Dec. 20, 2024: Iranian Women Rise Against the New Hijab Law with the Slogan "Woman, Resistance, Freedom"


When one hurts or kills a women
one hurts or kills hummanity and is an antrocitie.
Gino d'Artali
and: My mother (1931-1997) always said to me <Mi figlio, non esistono notizie <vecchie> perche puoi imparare qualcosa da qualsiasi notizia.> Translated: <My son, there is no such thing as so called 'old' news because you can learn something from any news.>
Gianna d'Artali.

Dear reader, let us, apart from all the other news following please read first the most inspiring but alas also most disturbing news.
In other words: Rise more for the 'Woman, Life, Freedom' uprisal. Gino d'Artali


Ghazal Marzban
NCRI - December 20, 2024
<<Kurdish Political Prisoner and Her Child Face Dire Conditions in Iranian Prison
The deteriorating health of a toddler in Iran's Urmia Central Prison has raised serious concerns about the treatment of political prisoners and their families under the Iranian regime. Two-year-old Ala (Solina) Khadirzadeh, the daughter of Kurdish political prisoner Soada Khadirzadeh, has been ill for more than 10 days. Despite her worsening condition, prison authorities have refused to provide medical treatment for the child, exacerbating the psychological strain on her mother.
Health Neglect in Urmia Central Prison
Ala has been suffering from an untreated illness for more than 10 days, which has significantly affected her mother's mental state. Urmia Central Prison, located in West Azerbaijan Province in northwestern Iran, has come under scrutiny for its neglect of inmates and their families. A source familiar with the situation revealed that neither mother nor child has received medical care, even within the prison. Soada Khadirzadeh has been incarcerated for more than three years and two months, serving over a quarter of her 12-year sentence. Reports indicate that her daughter has faced health challenges in the past due to poor sanitary conditions, lack of ventilation, and extreme heat in the women's ward. In September 2023, Ala developed a skin condition under these conditions, but prison officials prevented her from being taken to an outside medical facility.
Saada Khadirzadeh's Background
Soada Khadirzadeh was sentenced to 12 years and six months by the First Criminal Court of Mahabad for alleged involvement in the killing of a member of the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and membership in the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan. The verdict was officially conveyed to her family on September 6, 2022. Her arrest occurred on October 14, 2021, in Piranshahr, a city in West Azerbaijan Province near the Iraqi border. Following her arrest, she was transferred to Urmia Central Prison on November 8, 2021. Soada, who gave birth via cesarean section while in custody on June 21, 2022, was returned to prison with her newborn after just one day in the hospital, without completing her postpartum recovery. In her only instance of temporary release, on May 18, 2023, Soada traveled to a relative’s house in Piranshahr. She was rearrested the next day by Iranian intelligence forces and returned to prison within 48 hours.
Broader Implications
This case highlights the dire conditions faced by female political prisoners and their families in Iran. Soada Khadirzadeh has reportedly attempted suicide at least once during her incarceration. The lack of medical care and basic human rights underscores systemic issues within the Iranian regime's prison system, which has been widely criticized by human rights organizations. The international community-including human rights groups and advocacy organizations-must continue to pressure the Iranian regime to ensure humane treatment and adequate healthcare for all prisoners, particularly vulnerable children like Ala.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2024/12/20/soada-khadirzadeh-ala-solina/

and other news

Amanj Kadkhoda
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 24, 2024
<<Latest report on Amanj Kadkhoda, kurdish prisoner arrested during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement
Amanj Kadkhoda, a Kurdish individual from Bukan and arrested during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement in the city, has been imprisoned in Bukan Central Prison for the past eight months to serve a three-year prison sentence. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Amanj Kadkhoda, a 22-year-old from Bukan, was arrested in May this year to serve his three-year prison sentence and has spent the past eight months in this central prison. This individual was sentenced by Branch 103 of the Revolutionary Court of Bukan, presided over by Judge Panahi, to three years of imprisonment and a fine of 450 million tomans. The verdict was upheld without any changes by the Urmia Court of Appeals.
It is worth noting that Amanj Kadkhoda was arrested by security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran on November 15, 2022, during the "Jin, Jiyan, Azadi" (Woman, Life, Freedom) movement. Initially, he was taken to the police station, and a few hours later, after being tortured, he was transferred to the Public Places Office in this city. According to informed sources, this individual was subjected to continuous torture and interrogation for about a week at the Public Places Office. As a result of the torture, he sustained fractures to his nose, a finger, and three ribs. After some time, he was transferred to Bukan Central Prison. This individual had been temporarily released from prison after a month of detention by posting bail of 10 billion tomans until the completion of his legal proceedings.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-14


Landmine explosion
Landmine explosion in Saravan claims the lives of two Afghan nationals
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 23, 2024
<<At least two Afghan nationals, identified as Motiullah and Mohammad Akbar, lost their lives due to severe injuries caused by the explosion of landmines planted by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) along the Kalgan border in Saravan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.
According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Friday, December 20, 2024, landmines planted by the IRGC in the border region of 'Kalgan' in Saravan County detonated, killing at least two Afghan nationals, Motiullah and Mohammad Akbar, who were residents of the village of 'Boriya Baf Qabchaq' in the Pashtun Zarghun District of Herat. The Haalvsh news network reported that several Afghan nationals attempting to cross into Iran through the Kalgan border stepped on freshly planted mines by the IRGC, resulting in the deaths of these two individuals.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-9

Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 23, 2024
<<Number of Kurdish detainees in Sarpol-e Zahab rises to 11
Three more Kurdish individuals, identified as Dana Ahmadi, Pouya Deljou, and Yousef Ranjbar, were arrested by security forces in Sarpol-e Zahab, Kermanshah Province, bringing the total number of detainees in the city to 11. These three, along with eight others, were detained for posting content on Instagram following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on December 15, 2024, Dana Ahmadi, Pouya Deljou, and Yousef Ranjbar were arrested by IRGC intelligence forces in Sarpol-e Zahab. On the same day, Kaveh Sohrabi, Omid Salehi (17), Ayman Safaei (21), Komar Salehi (23), Hêmin Palani (25), Erfan Moradi (25), Khaled Kamari (27), and Payam Ranjbar (27) were also violently arrested during raids on their family homes by IRGC intelligence agents. These individuals were detained for <posting content on social media celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government and expressing support for Julani.> Meanwhile, the state-run Fars News Agency, without disclosing the identities of these individuals, cited the Sarpol-e Zahab prosecutor, reporting the arrest of members of a <radical Takfiri network> by IRGC intelligence forces.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-10

Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 23, 2024
<<Kurdish man, Ahad Mahmoud Hassan arrested to serve prison sentence
Ahad Mahmoud Hassan, also known as Hawtewaneh, a Kurdish resident of Kileh Sipan village in the Piranshahr region, has been arrested and transferred to Naqadeh Central Prison to serve a two-year prison sentence. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Mr. Hassan was arrested on Saturday, December 21, 2024, and taken to Naqadeh Central Prison to begin his sentence. The two-year prison term was recently handed down by Branch One of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mahmoudi, on charges of <membership in the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.> This is not Mr. Hassan's first conviction. Three years ago, the Criminal Court of Piranshahr sentenced him to six months in prison on similar charges. Mr. Hassan was initially arrested on May 4, 2020, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. He spent 40 days in detention, 30 of which were in solitary confinement without access to legal counsel or family visits. He was later released on bail of 400 million tomans.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-11


Zeinab Haj Hashemi
NCRI - December 23, 2024 - in Women's News
<<Iranian Athlete Detained Over Instagram Video Faces Health Crisis in Prison
Zeinab Haj Hashemi, a 43-year-old Iranian athlete from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, is currently jailed in Isfahan Prison, central Iran, under severe conditions. Her detention stems from charges related to a sports video she posted on her Instagram account, which authorities have labeled as <corruption and promoting indecency,> <insulting religious sanctities,> and <propaganda against the regime.> Since her arrest over two months ago, Zeinab Haj Hashemi has endured harsh solitary confinement without a formal court hearing, having only appeared before the prosecutor's office. Reports indicate that she is under intense pressure, and her health has deteriorated significantly. There are suspicions that she may be suffering from cancer, necessitating urgent medical attention. Despite this, officials have reportedly frozen her bank accounts and blocked her social media profiles, further isolating her. Zeinab Haj Hashemi holds a master's degree in midwifery and a bachelor's degree in information technology. She is currently unmarried. Her case highlights the Iranian regime’s ongoing crackdown on women's rights and freedom of expression, particularly concerning the enforcement of strict dress codes and the suppression of dissenting voices.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2024/12/23/zeinab-haj-hashemi-athlete-cancer/

NCRI - December 22, 2024 - in Women's News
<<Effat Hamedi, 35, and Mother of a 9-Year-Old Boy Hanged in Sari Central Prison
A 35-year-old woman named Effat Hamedi, the mother of a 9-year-old boy, was hanged at dawn on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, alongside three men in Sari Central Prison. Effat Hamedi was arrested four years ago on charges of murdering her husband and subsequently sentenced to death. This news was reported by independent media outlets on December 22, but it has not yet been announced by state-run media or official authorities.
Many women executed by the mullahs' regime are themselves victims of domestic violence against women and have acted in self-defense.
Effat Hamedi is the sixth woman executed in Iran during December, doubling the number of female executions compared to November 2024. Including Effat Hamedi, at least 34 women have been executed in Iran since the beginning of 2024.
34 women executed in 2024
The Iranian regime is the world's top record holder of executions of women.
According to the data recorded by the NCRI Women's Committee, at least 263 women have been executed in Iran since 2007.
The number of women executed in Iran has sharply increased over the past year, with 33 executions of women recorded between October 2023 and October 2024. This marks a troubling rise from previous years, up from 19 women executed in 2022-2023 and 21 in 2021-2022. The current year's figure is particularly alarming, surpassing the average rate of 21 executions under Ebrahim Raisi by 12 and more than double the annual average of 15 under former president Hassan Rouhani. Given the clandestine nature of executions and the lack of public announcement by the judiciary, it is evident that the actual number is higher than reported. This surge underscores the Iranian regime's growing use of capital punishment, including against women-an escalation in human rights abuses now seen under the administration of Masoud Pezeshkian. The total number of executions in Iran in 2024 is at least 950, so far, with more than 650 prisoners including 23 women executed since Pezeshkian took office. It further proves that regardless of who holds the presidency, the rights of the Iranian people, especially women, continue to be trampled.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2024/12/22/effat-hamedi-sari-central-prison/


Massoumeh Asgari
NCRI - December 22, 2024 - in Women's News
<<Imprisoned Teacher Massoumeh Asgari Denied Medical Care, Faces Uncertain Future
Massoumeh Asgari, a teacher and political prisoner, has been subjected to prolonged detention under the Iranian regime, facing a combination of serious health issues and ongoing legal uncertainty. Despite her deteriorating health, she is being denied medical treatment by the authorities.
Ongoing Detention and Legal Uncertainty
Massoumeh Asgari, a teacher from Iran, was arrested in July 2024 by intelligence agents on charges of <propaganda against the regime> and alleged collaboration with opposition groups. Her case has been transferred to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, as of now, no clear date has been set for her trial. Asgari’s case is one of many where political dissenters face indefinite detention without a timely legal resolution, highlighting the Iranian regime's crackdown on critics. Asgari, who is the sole breadwinner for her family, has been enduring a series of health issues. She suffers from chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney and liver problems, and neurological disorders. These health concerns have been exacerbated by previous injuries, including multiple fractures in her legs, for which she required surgery. Despite the severity of her condition, she has been denied access to necessary medical treatment while imprisoned in Tehran's infamous Evin Prison, one of the most notorious facilities for political detainees.
Previous Arrests and Harsh Treatment
This is not the first time Massoumeh Asgari has faced persecution by the Iranian regime. In 2018, during protests by teachers across Iran, she was arrested by security forces and briefly detained in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, located southeast of Tehran. After spending a few days in custody, she was released. However, in December 2018, Asgari was arrested again, this time spending a month in solitary confinement in Evin Prison's Section 209, which is known for housing political prisoners and activists. On February 18, 2020, Massoumeh Asgari was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. She was convicted of <assembly and collusion against national security,> following her participation in peaceful protests and activism within teacher’s rights groups. The Iranian regime often uses these charges to silence critics and activists who challenge the government's policies.
Denial of Medical Care and Transfer to Prison in Karaj
The denial of medical care to Massoumeh Asgari has been a significant issue in her ongoing imprisonment. Despite her grave health conditions, she has been subjected to neglect and mistreatment. On December 18, 2024, it was reported that Asgari, who has been languishing in Evin Prison, continues to be denied access to essential medical treatment. This is a stark example of how the Iranian regime uses its prison system not only to punish political opponents but also to harm them further physically and psychologically. In a particularly troubling development, on December 21, 2021, Massoumeh Asgari was summoned by the prison authorities to meet with the head of Evin Prison's prosecutor's office. However, instead of being granted the meeting, she was unexpectedly transferred to a prison facility in Karaj, a city located west of Tehran, which is known for its harsh conditions and is often used to isolate political prisoners from their families and the media. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Iranian regime to further isolate political prisoners and make it more difficult for human rights organizations to monitor their treatment. The case of Massoumeh Asgari is a powerful example of the Iranian regime's ongoing repression of activists, teachers, and political dissidents. Her continued detention, the denial of medical treatment, and the uncertain legal proceedings against her underscore the broader pattern of human rights abuses under the clerical regime. International attention and pressure are crucial to ensure that such prisoners are not forgotten and that their rights are protected.>>
Source: https://wncri.org/2024/12/22/imprisoned-teacher-massoumeh-asgari/


Mohammad Karimi
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 22, 2024
<<Report on the current situation of Kurdish political prisoner Mohammad Karimi in Sanandaj Central Prison
Mohammad Karimi, a 34-year-old Kurdish political prisoner and father of two from Baneh, has spent the past 4 years, 7 months, and 24 days in Sanandaj Central Prison and the Sanandaj Intelligence Office detention center, serving a 25-year prison sentence. Despite the prolonged incarceration, he has been denied furlough and subjected to severe physical and psychological torture. His case has been marred by violations of his fundamental rights. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Karimi was charged with <assisting in rebellion> and has now spent over 1,700 days in detention, during which he has been systematically deprived of his most basic rights.
Mohammad Karimi, along with two other residents of Baneh, Mohammad Feizi and Baset Karimi, was violently arrested on Saturday, April 25, 2020, by government forces. Another individual, Yousef Ahmadi, was arrested the following day, on Sunday, April 26, 2020. After prolonged interrogations at the Sanandaj Intelligence Office, they were transferred to Sanandaj Central Prison. On September 3, 2023, the First Branch of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Saeedi, sentenced Mohammad Karimi to 25 years imprisonment for <assisting in rebellion,> Baset Karimi and Mohammad Feizi to 20 years imprisonment each for the same charge. Additionally Yousef Ahmadi received Death sentence for <rebellion> through <membership in the Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan.> The cases against these individuals were fabricated under intense physical and psychological torture. They were systematically denied access to legal counsel and basic defense rights throughout their detention and trial. The sentences were based solely on recommendations by security agencies, with no regard for due process or fair trial standards. Karimi was arrested on the night his child was born. During his detention and interrogation at the Sanandaj Intelligence Office, officials offered promises of release and visitation with his newborn if he confessed to charges dictated by interrogators. These confessions, extracted under duress, formed the basis for his conviction. Karimi remains incarcerated in Sanandaj Central Prison, with no access to furlough or other basic rights.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-5


Azam Ahoqalander
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 21, 2024
<<Karaj: Azam Ahoqalander sentenced to flogging and a fine
Azam Ahoqalander, a political detainee, has been sentenced by the judiciary to a fine and the inhumane punishment of 30 lashes, as an alternative to three months of imprisonment. She had previously been sentenced to six years and two months of imprisonment. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Ahoqalander was recently convicted by Branch 103 of the Ferdows Criminal Court, presided over by Judge Amir Hajipour Shushtari. She was sentenced to a fine of 1.5 million tomans in lieu of three months of imprisonment, as well as 30 lashes, on charges of <manufacturing tools for committing a crime.> Earlier, in early December 2024, she had been sentenced to six years and two months in prison by the Revolutionary Court for <forming a group with the intent of leading efforts to disrupt security.> She was also handed supplementary punishments, including a two-year ban on leaving the country and restrictions on social media activity. Azam Ahoqalander was arrested on Saturday, September 16, 2023, coinciding with the anniversary of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, and was later temporarily released on bail.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-4


Leila Hosseinzadeh
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 21, 2024
<<Leila Hosseinzadeh sentenced to imprisonment
Leila Hosseinzadeh, a former political prisoner and expelled student activist, has been sentenced to one year of imprisonment and fined by the Islamic Republic of Iran's judicial system. According to reports received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hosseinzadeh was recently convicted by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. She was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of <propaganda against the state> and fined 3,300,000 tomans for <public unveiling.> The court ruling stated that Hosseinzadeh did not appear at her trial in person, despite being offered the opportunity, and shared secretly recorded footage of the session on her social media accounts. On September 3, 2024, Hosseinzadeh was ordered to pay a 100 million toman fine after the Forensic Medicine Commission confirmed her permanent inability to endure incarceration due to her health condition. This ruling followed a five-year prison sentence issued for her participation in a memorial event for a fellow inmate. Hosseinzadeh, a 32-year-old former student of Tehran University, has long been an advocate for student rights and has previously served time in prison. She suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic and debilitating intestinal condition. In 2021, she was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of <assembly and collusion to act against national security.> Hosseinzadeh has publicly stated that the Forensic Medicine Commission has twice certified her inability to endure incarceration due to her chronic illness.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-10-article-3


Chia Nasrollahi
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 20, 2024
<<Chia Nasrollahi's arrest brings the number of recent Kurdish detainees in Mahabad to 15
The identification of another Kurdish individual arrested in Mahabad, named Chia Nasrollahi, brings the total number of people arrested in this city over the past week by the security agencies of the Islamic Republic of Iran to 15. According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Sunday, December 15, 2024, a 38-year-old resident of Mahabad, Chia Nasrollahi, was arrested at his workplace by intelligence officers without having a search warrant. A knowledgeable source reported that several vehicles carrying intelligence agents surrounded Chia Nasrollahi’s shop in the 'Beri Shilan' area of Mahabad and violently arrested him, subsequently transferring him to an undisclosed location. As of the time of reporting, no detailed information is available regarding the reasons for the arrest, the charges against him, his fate, or his place of detention. According to statistics documented by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, at least 15 Kurdish individuals have been detained in the city of Mahabad by Iran security agencies over the past week.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-09-article-121


Uncertainty surrounding fate of Kurdish men
Hengaw Organisation for Human Right - December 20, 2024
<<Uncertainty surrounding fate of Seven Kurdish men, including a child, following their arrest by security forces
At least seven Kurds from Sarpol-e Zahab, including a child, have been arrested by Iran's Intelligence Office, with their current whereabouts and conditions remaining unknown. The detainees have been identified as: Khalid Kamari (27 years old), Hêmin Palani (25 years old), Omid Salehi (17 years old), Ayman Safayi (21 years old), Erfan Moradi (25 years old), Payam Ranjbar (27 years old), Komar Salehi (23 years old). According to reports received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, these individuals were arrested in coordinated raids conducted by intelligence forces on Sunday, December 15, 2024, during which violent methods were reportedly used. Six days after the arrests, the families of the detainees have been unable to obtain any information regarding their status or charges. Despite repeated efforts, no updates about their condition or reasons for their detention have been provided by authorities. Hengaw has learned that the detainees were transferred to a security detention center in Kermanshah. However, no specific details about the charges against them or the circumstances of their detention have been disclosed.>>
Source: https://hengaw.net/en/news/1403-09-article-120


Aram Baleki
Iranwire - December 20, 2024
<<Kurdish Artist Arrested in Iran Amid Growing Crackdown
The Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence forces arrested a Kurdish artist on Thursday in western Marivan, according to local sources. Aram Baleki's current whereabouts remain unknown. No official statement has been released regarding the reasons for his arrest or those of others recently detained. The arrest is part of a broader crackdown that has seen multiple detentions across Kurdish cities. Human rights organizations report these arrests being carried out without judicial warrants. Family members and local activists have expressed growing concern over the increasing frequency of such arrests and the lack of information about the conditions of those detained. Currently, there is no information about Baleki's condition or the circumstances surrounding his detention.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/news/137348-kurdish-artist-arrested-in-iran-amid-growing-crackdown/

Iranwire - December 20, 2024
<<Care Facility Closed in Iran After Resident Dies in Abuse Incident
A resident at a disability care facility in Iran's Hamedan has died after being reportedly beaten by a staff member, prompting authorities to temporarily close the center and launch a criminal investigation. Hamedan Prosecutor General Abbas Najafi confirmed that preliminary forensic examinations showed signs of physical assault on the victim's body. However, he added that investigators have not yet definitively linked these injuries to the cause of death. "The final determination will depend on autopsy results and additional testing," Najafi said. Initially detained for one night, the suspects have since been released on bail under judicial supervision. They are now prohibited from working in healthcare-related professions while the investigation continues. As part of the broader investigation, the provincial welfare organization's oversight of facilities serving vulnerable populations, including those with disabilities, children, and the elderly, is being reviewed. Authorities are also examining potential negligence by the facility's management and supervisory staff. According to the IRNA news agency, the facility will remain closed by judicial order until the investigation concludes. The identities of the victim and the accused staff members have not been released by the prosecutor's office.>>
Source: https://iranwire.com/en/news/137349-care-facility-closed-in-iran-after-resident-dies-in-abuse-incident/

Zan Times - December 16, 2024 - By: Karima Muradi
<<Deportation and unemployment haunt former Afghan military women in Iran
Maryam fled to Iran in February 2022 due to security threats from the Taliban. Since then, the 30-year-old former employee of Afghanistan's security forces has endured numerous hardships as a refugee. Maryam says she has yet to find a job and faces severe financial difficulties. Her living conditions worsen by the day. Her brother works as a street vendor, and the family relies on his meager income to survive. "In Afghanistan, I was deprived of work and under threat. My brothers were in school there, but in Iran, they’ve been forced to work on the streets," she explains.
She left Afghanistan because of her fear of Taliban reprisals. Maryam recounts that in January 2022, while still in Afghanistan, Taliban intelligence repeatedly summoned her to their headquarters. She refused to surrender herself. Within a week of those phone calls, Taliban forces raided her home in a northern province. "It was evening when four armed men arrived in a vehicle. We were all home. They knocked on the door, and my brother opened it. Without permission, they entered the yard. They demanded that I go with them. They tried to take me by force and assaulted me," she recounts to Zan Times. That night, after much pleading, the Taliban agreed to take her brother instead. "My brother is still in prison, but I managed to escape," says Maryam. Now, the threat of forced deportation from Iran makes her life unbearable. Reports indicate that the Taliban have interrogated, imprisoned, or even killed former Afghan military personnel who returned to Afghanistan from Iran. Zan Times has previously reported on the dire conditions faced by female military personnel in Afghanistan. According to Human Rights Watch, the Taliban have threatened the lives of women who served as police officers in the previous government. A 26-page report, "Double betrayal: Abuse of Afghan women in police forces, past and present," highlights how Taliban threats have forced many of these women into hiding. The report also notes that many of these women fled to neighbouring countries, where their problems persist due to issues such as lack of legal residency, unemployment, and the fear of deportation.
Maryam and her brothers live in Iran without official residency documents and fear for their lives every day they leave home. She says that Iranian authorities have recently increased pressure on Afghan migrants, and she dreads the possibility of being sent back to Afghanistan. In addition to government actions, Maryam describes the hostile social environment in Iran: "They don't see us as migrants or grant us the rights of refugees. Our psychological and financial problems increase every day. I don't know how much longer we can live with all these difficulties."
Another former defence official who lives in fear in Iran is Zahra, a 25-year-old officer who worked for four years in Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence. Now, Zahra and her husband live in Iran where they both work in a jewellery box-making workshop. Their combined income barely covers their monthly expenses. "We are not in a good economic situation. Life in Iran gets harder every day. The future is uncertain, and rent is very expensive. To rent a house, we must pay a large deposit in advance. Without it, finding a home is impossible," she explains.
In the past year, 1.6 million Afghans have been deported from Iran. According to a BBC Persian report published on November 14, 2024, the Taliban's Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation stated that nearly 150,000 Afghans returned to Afghanistan last month alone. Most were either deported from Iran or voluntarily returned. Thousands of former security personnel and other vulnerable individuals at risk of Taliban persecution are believed to be among those expelled from Iran in the past year. Previously, the Committee for the Protection of Former Afghan Military Personnel reported that Iran's government has been registering former Afghan military members who sought refuge in the country. Given the improving relations between Iran and the Taliban, there is concern that some of these individuals may be deported and handed over to the Taliban. Even Afghans with residency permits have been deported in recent months, Zahra states, noting that the treatment of Afghans in Iran has worsened: "Iranians say, 'You've come to Iran, taken jobs from our youth, and driven up housing rents. Go back to your country.'"
Somaya, 39, a former employee of Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense, fled to Iran in the fall of 2023 due to Taliban threats. Having served for seven years in various roles at the Defence Ministry in Kabul, including as a service officer in Khost province, Somaya entered Iran legally by air with her parents and younger sister but lacks residency documents and is unemployed. Now married, she lives with her husband in Qom province. "Administrative jobs are not given to Afghan migrants here. My visa expired, and they won't renew it," Somaya explains. "We can't return to Afghanistan because of Taliban retaliation, and here we have no opportunities for work or living. Afghan refugees face a very hard life - no residency permits, no jobs, only harassment and deportation," she laments. Somaya finds some solace in the fact that her husband has legal residency and can work. Many Afghan families, including Maryam's, have no family members with legal documentation. However, Somaya says her husband's income as a plasterer is insufficient to meet their family’s needs. She dreams of obtaining a residency permit and the right to work herself. She says she sought refuge in Iran hoping for work and legal residency but has received no meaningful support from either the Iranian government or international organizations assisting migrants. "We have not been supported by anyone - not financially or in any other way," she says.
Names have been changed to protect the identity of the interviewees and writer. Karima Muradi is the pseudonym of a journalist from Afghanistan.>>
Source: https://zantimes.com/2024/12/16/deportation-and-unemployment-haunt-former-afghan-military-women-in-iran/

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