Iranian authorities are holding at least 40 journalists in prison as the June presidential election approaches, the second-highest total in the world and a figure that reflects the government’s continuing determination to silence independent coverage of public affairs, a new analysis by the Committee to Protect Journalists has found in May 2013.
The real figures for the Islamic Republic are however much higher as the following list proves. I posted it first in February 2010, based on the data by CPJ from February 2010 and The Guardian’s Spreadsheet of the victims of Iran’s crackdown from January 2010, regularly updated since. While some of the listed journalists may have been released or even have fled the country in the meantime, most cases are fairly well documented by reports from Iranian human rights websites as RAHANA (Human Rights House of Iran), HRANA or the Green Voice of Freedom. Even if one ignores the names lacking recent data, still more than 90 journalists, bloggers and human rights reporters are behind bars, while more than 90 journalists have been released on bail, awaiting their sentences or facing imprisonment. Recent additions with gratitude to the list of political prisoners, compiled by Lissnup.
In its report from early 2012 the Committee to Protect Journalists names Iran one of the world’s 10 online oppressors, while authorities block millions of sites. In 2011 „Tehran continued to use the mass imprisonment of journalists to silence dissent and quash critical news coverage. Imprisoned journalists suffered greatly amid the crowded and unsanitary conditions of notorious prisons such as Rajaee Shahr and Evin. The health of many detainees severely deteriorated, while numerous others suffered abuse at the hands of prison guards. The detainees also faced a battery of punitive measures, from the denial of family visits to placement in solitary confinement. Authorities continued a practice of freeing some prisoners on furloughs while making new arrests.“
Witness Statement of journalist and former political prisoner Saeed Pourheydar (5 March 2013)
Iran Renews Media Crackdown Ahead Of June Vote: 14 journalists have been arrested in Tehran during January 26 to 28, 2013, mostly after raids on their offices at reformist publications Bahar, Shargh, Arman, Etemad, and Aseman Weekly. Reza Moini (RSF) reports that 8 more reporters have been summoned by security forces.
The current list will be updated on a regular base. Any additional data from our readers are most welcome.
107 imprisoned journalists, bloggers and human rights reporters (updated 9 October 2013)
1. Adnan Hassanpour, Aso, managing director of Marivan Literary Association from 2001-2004,received appreciation awards in 2004 and 2005 by Ershad Ministry, arrested on January 25, 2007, deprived of his legal right to furlough since 2007, according to his sister
Adnan Hassanpour
2. Hossein Derakhshan, freelance, blogger, arrested November 2008, sentenced to 19.5 years in prison September 30, 2010, returns to Evin after prison furlough April 3, 2011
3. Saeed Malekpour, web-designer and blogger, arrested on October 4, 2008, tortured physically and mentally in prison, sentenced to death on December 6, 2010, moved to solitary confinement on December 7, 2010, Supreme Court overturns execution ruling on June 24, 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and execution, execution sentence confirmed by Supreme Court on January 16, 2012
4. Kayvan Samimi, Nameh, arrested on June 14, 2009, released on bail March 16, 2010, return to prison March 20, 2010
5. Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, freelance, arrested on June 19, 2009, sentence of 5 years in prison confirmed, transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj as part of prison crackdown on June 11, 2012
7. Saeed Matinpour, Yar Pag and Mouj Bidari, arrested July 12, 2009, sentenced to 8 years in prison, reported in critical health condition on 10 March 2011
8. Mohammad Davari, Saham News, arrested September 9, 2009, sentenced to 5 years prison on 16 May 2010, upheld on appeal 4 August 2010, sentenced to an additional year in prison on 25 July 2011 all while suffering for months with severe depression in Evin Prison
11. Naghi Ahmadi Azar, 5 years in prison for „espionage against Armenia and in favour of Azarbaijan Republic“
12. Abolfazl Abedini Nasr, weekly Bahar Ahvaz, arrested March 3, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison, sentence increased to 12 years in prison by appeals court in October 2011
Houtan Abolfathi
13. Houtan Abolfathi, freelance, arrested February 15, 2010 21. Ali Pirhasanlou, journalist and blogger „Alpar“, arrested September 18, 2009
14. Alireza Rajai, arrested after 2009 elections, later released, rearrested during raid on his home and sent to Evin prison on 24 April 2011, allowed first visit on 3 June 2011
15. Maryam Zolfeghar, IRNA reporter, arrested June 22, 2009, current status unknown
18. Sousan Mohammadkhani Ghiasvand, Kurd blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 11, 2010, released three weeks later, rearrested in Karaj on February 14, 2011
19. Khalil Mir-Ashrafi, journalist, TV-Producer, arrested June 14, 2009, no further news
30. Mohammad Reza Mogheiseh, Bist-saleh-ha, arrested October 24, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2010
31. Mehdi Hosseinzadeh, arrested December 1, 2009, sentence of 1 year in prison, released on bail January 28, 2010, returned to prison January 31, 2010
32. Mehran Rajabi, journalist, ISNA, ILNA, Kargaran, Etemade Melli and Hamshahri, arrested February 7, 2011, held incommunicado
33. Hamed Ataei, editor in chief of Aina News, sentenced to 4 months in prison on January 5, 2011, begins serving sentence on 13 August 2013
34. Omid Mohades, journalist, Shahid Beheshti website, arrested February 9, 2011, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012
35. Nozhat Amirabadian, journalist, Fararu, Aftab, and Hammihan News, arrested February 11, 2011
36. Abdollah Naseri, former head of the Islamic Republic New Agency IRNA, spokesman to reformists, arrested February 14, 2011
37. Parsa Bahmani, journalist, Shiraz, Afsaneh daily, fined to 1 million Toman after first arrest in June 2009, rearrested on March 1, 2011, no data on his status
Parsa Bahmani
38. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested at home after raid of security forces in mid March 2011, whereabouts unknown
39. Mina Shahrvand, blogger, arrested at her home after raid of security forces on February 3, 2011, transferred to an unknown location
40. Houman Mousavi, blogger and political activist, arrested on April 1, 2009, spent 211 days in solitary confinement in Evin ward 240, transferred to ward 209, both controlled by intelligence ministry, no formal accusation since arrest
41. Artin Ghazanfari, Baha’i photojournalist, arrested after Ashura events in December 2009, released on bail on April 3, 2010, started 1 year sentence in Evin on April, 16, 2011
Artin Ghazanfari
42. Ali Ebrahimi, blogger and civil activist, arrested in Tehran after raid on his home on February 20, 2011, transferred to Evin, ward 240, no formal accusation since arrest
43. Manuchehr Tamari, reporter to IRNA, arrested by security forces in Sanandaj on April 17, 2011
44. Hassan Zohouri, journalist for Cultural Heritage Organisation, arrested on February 8, 2010, released on bail, sentenced to 6 months in prison, returned to Evin prison, ward 350, on April 20, 2011
45. Alireza Firouzi, Zanjan University student, journalist, human rights activist, arrested several times, last on January 2, 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison after appeal, started sentence on May 27, 2011
46. Dr. Rahman Ghahremanpour, editor of Diplomatic Hamshahri monthly and professor of International Relations, arrested on June 3, 2011, held in Evin prison, sentenced to 3.3 years of suspended imprisonment, denied medical vacation or parole on 23 April 2013
47. Saeed Moghanli, Azeri journalist, poet and civic activist, arrested after raid against father’s home on June 8, 2011
48. Zahra Yazdani, journalist for Asr-e Eghtesad, arrested at home on June 21, 2011, no further news
Zahra Yazdani
49. Kamal Sharifi, Kurd political activist and journalist, arrested in 2008, sentenced to 30 years in prison, exiled to Hormozgan Province, transferred to hospital in Minab Prison after a four weeks hunger strike on June 28, 2011
50. Alireza Beheshti Shirazi, Kalameh Sabz, arrested December 23, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2010, summoned to Evin prison on 12 July 2011 to serve 5 years sentence
51. Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, head of Iranian Journalists Association, sentenced to 16 months in prison: December 10, 2010, released on bail, summoned to Evin prison on July 19, 2011 to serve sentence
52. Ali Kalaei, blogger and political and civil rights activist, summoned to Evin prison to serve his 7 years sentence on 25 July 2011
53. Saeed Jalalifar, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 2, 2009, released on bail March 2010, rearrested on July 31, 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on 29 August 2011
54. Reza Entesari, photojournalist for Majzooban Noor website linked to Gonabadi dervishes, arrested on 5 September 2011, held in Evin prison ward 209, still held in Evin being unable to pay the bail on 14 November 2011, sentenced to 8.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
55. Hamid-Reza Moradi-Sarvestani, employee of Majzooban Noor website, linked to Gonabadi dervishes, suffering from heart problems, arrested on 5 September 2011, transferred to Taleghani hospital on 13 June 2012, apparently severely beaten in Evin prison end of January 2013, sentenced to 10.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
Hamid-Reza Moradi Sarvestani
56. Hadi Ahmadi, reporter to official news agency ISNA, arrested on September 22, 2011
57. Mehrdad Sarjouyi, reporter English-language dailies published in Iran, arrested at his home more than two months ago as reported on September 25, 2011
58. Ali Dini Torkamani, writer and economist who contributes to the online magazine Alborznet, arrested between 1 August and 27 September without any official reason being given
Ali Dini Torkamani
59. Ali Nazamolmolki, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
60. Farzad Sadri, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
61. Saeid Nazari, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
62. Hakhamanesh Younesi, ISNA reporter in Shiraz aged under 18, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
63. Hamed Yari, reporter to Markaz-e Khabar, arrested in September or October 2011, allegedly kept in solitary in ward 209 of Evin prison without charges, no further details available
64. Bahar Alinia, blogger, student and political activist, abducted after leaving home in the week before December 3, 2011, no data on whereabouts available
65. Hamid Moazeni, journalist and author from Bushehr, Mehdi Karroubi’s campaigner, recent articles published on Rooz Online, arrested on September 27, 2011, released on bail on October 10, 2011, rearrested on December 24, 2011
66. Mohammad Solimaninya, head of u24, a social networking website for Iranian professionals, summoned before a revolutionary tribunal in Karaj on January 10, 2012, arrested on January 20, 2012
67. Mohammad Reza Pourshajari (Siamak Mehr), blogger who has been held since September 12, 2010, tried by a revolutionary court in Karaj on December 21, 2011 on a charge of insulting the Prophet in articles posted on his blog and in letters sent to government officials while he was in prison, sentenced to an additional year in prison, i.e. a total of 4 years, on May 7, 2012
68. Peyman Pakmehr, journalist to Tabriz News, arrested in Tabriz on January 17, 2012, held in Evin ward 209, first contact with family on January 18, 2012
69. Mehdi Konjareh, blogger and freelance journalist, arrested in Tehran on February 2, 2012, current whereabouts unknown
70. Mohammad Hossein Zakeri, political editor of 9th Dey weekly headed by Ahmadinejad supporter and MP Hamid Rasaei, arrested in Tehran on February 21, 2012
71. Tahmineh Monzavi, freelance photo-journalist, arrested on unknown charges in Tehran on February 18, 2012
Tahmineh Monzavi
72. Narges Mohammadi, journalist, speaker of Defenders of Human Rights Center, arrested June 10, 2010, released to hospital on July 1, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison on September 27, 2011, awarded the Swedish Per Anger prize on October 25, 2011, sentence reduced to 6 years in prison on February 14, 2012, summoned to Evin prison to serve sentence on April 21, 2012, transferred to Evin clinic after nervous paralysis, transferred to Zanjan prison on May 17, 2012, temporarily released for medical care on 30 July 2012
Narges Mohammadi
73. Sam Mahmoudi Sarabi, photojournalist to Shargh newspaper, arrested at the end of 2009, released on bail 10 February 2010, rearrested February 14, 2011, transferred to Evin Ward 350 after 1 month in solitary confinement on March 28, 2011, released on a bail of 300,000 dollars on August 13, 2011, rearrested on 28 May 2012 over bail problem, appeal court confirmed sentence of 8 years in prison and 10 years occupational ban on October 7, 2012
74. Nasour Naghipour, journalist, arrested in 2009 for designing HRANA website, rearrested March 2, 2010, released before court on June 21, 2010, sentenced to 7 years in prison on January 8, 2011, rearrested in Qazvin to serve 7 years sentence in Evin prison on 10 July, 2012
Nasour Naghipour
75. Amir Hassan Sagha, owner of „Hamzeh“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 16, 2012
76. Navid Khanjani, human rights reporter, arrested 2 March 2010, released on bail 3 May 2011, sentenced to 12 years prison 31 January 2011, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has launched a hunger strike
77. Seyed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki (Babak Khorramdin), freelance, arrested on December 13, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, released on $500.000 bail on July 2, 2012, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has started hunger strike, released on medical furlough, returns to Evin prison on 20 May 2013
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki
78. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested in Ahwaz on August 30, 2012, transferred to Isfahan prison
79. Kaveh Taheri, blogger and journalist, arrested by Revolutionary Guards at his office in Shiraz on September 2, 2012, held in IRGC detention center 100 and transferred to Adelabad prison after 53 days, no complaint lodged against him, no access to lawyer on January 31, 2013
80. Ali Ranjbar, blogger and translator, arrested on September 16, 2012 without reason, no news since
81. Hamid-Reza Abdollahi, blogger and translator, arrested on September 18, 2012 without reason, no news since
82. Abdolnaser Mahimani, journalist, head of the Gorgan House of Press, arrested February 12, 2011, released on bail February 19, 2011, rearrested on September 25, 2012 during a raid on the house of his son in Tehran
83. Shiva Nazar Ahari, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 20, 2009, released on bail September 12, 2010, summoned to Evin prison to serve out sentence of 4 years on August 20, 2012, released on bail, rearrested on September 12, 2012
84. Saeid Haeri, political and civil rights activist, Committee for Human Rights Reporters, released on bail, sentenced to 2 years in prison, on furlough January 20, 2011, sent to Evin to serve his sentence on 12 December 2012
85. Rahim Sarkar, chief editor of Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested on December 25, 2012
بر اساس آخرین گزارش ها، هم اکنون ساسان آقایی، نسرین تخیری، جواد دلیری و امیلی امرایی، همکاران روزنامهاعتماد، مطهره شفیعی، نرگس جودکی و صبا آذرپیک از روزنامه آرمان، پوریا عالمی و پژمان موسوی از روزنامه شرق و اکبر منتجبی از هفتهنامه آسمان، میلاد فدایی اصل روزنامهنگار خبرگزاری ایلنا و سلیمان محمدی روزنامهنگار روزنامهی بهار در محل کار و منزل خود بازداشت شده اند.
86. Hossein Yaghchi, member of Aseman Weekly’s editorial board, arrested on January 28, 2013
87. Mehdi Abdollahi Tajik, journalist, first arrest in 2006, sentenced to 2.5 years prison and 30 years ban on journalism, sentence reduced by appeals to 6 months + fine, second arrest on December 27, 2009 (Ashura), released on bail on March 2010, summoned to serve his sentence while still awaiting appeal on December 15, 2010; on appeal, sentence reduced to 2 years and 15 year ban on journalism, went to Evin to serve his sentence on February 12, 2013
Khosrow Kordpour and Ghasem Ahmadi
88. Khosrow Kordpour, head of Kurdish Moukerian News Agency, arrested in Mahabad for spreading news on human rights issues on 7 March 2013, has gone on hunger strike on 19 April 2013, transferred to central Mahabad prison on 1 July 2013
89. Ghasem Ahmadi, editor in chief of Kurdish Roje monthly, arrested in Mahabad on 7 March 2013
90. Masoud Kordpour, Kurdish journalist, arrested while inquiring the situation of his arrested brother Khosrow Kordpour at the Intelligence Office of Mahabad on 9 March 2013, transferred to central Mahabad prison on 1 July 2013
91. Badri Safiari, student, owner of the Sufi blog, arrested at Shiraz University, her computer and other documents were seized in a raid on her father’s home on 6 March 2013
92. Mojtaba Daneshtalab, blogger supporting Khamenei, starts 6 months prison term in Evin for „insulting“ the Supreme Leader on 10 April 2013
Blogger Pouria Farazmand
93. Pouria Farazmand, blogger, student, and writer for the blog Azadi Baraye Hamegan (freedom for all) from Kermanshah, violently arrested while leaving university on 7 April 2013
94. Yaghoub Khezri, Kurdish journalist, teacher and blogger, arrested on 13 June 2012, released on bail, starts 1 year prison term in Mahabad prison on 27 April 2013
95. Fatemeh Mahdiani, chief editor of ILNA labor news agency, summoned by Evin prison authorities in May 2013 ahead of presidential elections
96. Omid Abdolwahabi, reporter to Reform News website, Mardomsalari daily, arrested on 4 June 2013
97. Hesamedin Eslamlou, cultural editor to Pasargad magazine, arrested in Sirjan on 10 June 2013, transferred to Kerman, no further details
98. Mostafa Daneshjoo, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
99. Farshid Yadollahi Farsi, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
100. Amir Eslami, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
101. Omid Behrouzi, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
102. Afshin Karampour, lawyer and webmaster of Gonabadi dervishes news website Majzooban-e-Noor, arrested in 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison on 13 July 2013
103. Peyman Samadi, student and blogger, first arrested in 2009, released on bail, sentenced to 4 years in prison, 3 years of which suspended, summoned to serve sentence in Evin prison in February 2013
104. Majid Mohammadi Moein, reporter to Bayan weekly, Salam daily, arrested on 9 April 2012, sentenced to 4 years in prison, denied furlough to visit ill mother on 13 September 2013
105. Ahmadreza Najdad, dissident writer and blogger, arrested while leaving Iran on 19 September 2013
106. Mehrdad Farmani, blogger and student activist, arrested in dormitory of Shiraz University on 29 September 2013
107. Ehsan Moulavifar, blogger and student activist, arrested in dormitory of Shiraz University on 29 September 2013
Released on bail or sentenced to prison
1. Mehraneh Atashi, freelance photojournalist, artist, arrested January 11, 2010, released on bail
2. Behzad Mehrani, journalist, blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 3, 2010, released on bail April 16, 2010
8. Hadi Heydari, cartoonist, arts editor of Etemad-e Melli, first arrested 23 October 2009, rearrested December 19, 2010, released on bail December 27, 2010
15. Farshad Azizi, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 7, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010
16. Mehdi Gilani, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 6, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010
17. Kaveh Ghassemi Kermanshahi, arrested February 3, 2010, released on bail May 23, 2010, sentence reduced to 4 years in prison on March 16, 2011
18. Kambiz Nouruzi, head of Association of Iranian Journalists, arrested June 28, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison
19. Mahboubeh Khansari, journalist, Kaleme Sabz, Hammihan and Shargh, arrested May 31, 2010, released on bail June 28, 2010
20. Mirhamid Hassanzadeh, editor of Ghalam News website, arrested August 4, 2009, released on bail August 16, 2009
21. Mehrdad Rahimi, freelance and blogger, arrested January 1, 2010, released on bail March 8, 2010
22. Ramin Jabbari, blogger and journalist, Bayram, Nedaye Moghan, Yashil Moghan, arrested May 17, 2010, released on bail May 28, 2010
23. Mostafa Jamshidi, journalist, editorial staff of Yashil Moghan and Nedaye Moghan, arrested May 18, 2010, released on bail May 19, 2010
24. Mostafa Kazzazi, journalist, editor of Seda-ye Edalat, sentenced to 11 months in prison July 28, 2010, assumed to be free pending appeal
25. Majid Saeedi, photojournalist, Tehran, arrested June 30, 2009, released on bail, eventually in 2009, sentenced to 3 years in prison
26. Rahim Gholami, Ardebil, freelance, arrested April 11, 2008, reduced sentence of 1 year in prison October 28, 2009, released on bail December 29, 2010
27. Badrossadat Mofidi, Iranian Journalists Association, arrested December 29, 2009, released on bail June 6, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 5 years occupational ban August 3, 2010
Badrossadat Mofidi
28. Behzad Basho, journalist and cartoonist, arrested June 2009, released on bail June 26, 2009
29. Heydar Karimi, journalist, Khoy, arrested June 9, 2010, released on bail October 21, 2010
30. Khalil Darmanki, Asr Azadegan, Shargh, Etemad-e Melli, arrested December 27, 2009, released on bail May 17, 2010
31. Mahmoud Mahmoudi, journalist, workers rights activist, Sanandaj, arrested December 26, 2010, released on bail January 6, 2011
32. Mohammad Atrianfar, journalist, leading member of Kargozaran Sazandegi party, arrested June 16, 2009, released on bail November 24, 2009
33. Mohammad Ghaznavian, journalist, arrested January 9, 2010, released on bail April 14, 2010, 5 year sentence reduced to 6 months on appeal January 7, 2011
34. Mohammad Ghouchani, journalist and editor in charge of Etemad-e Melli, Rasht, arrested June 18, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2009
35. Mehdi Zaboli, photographer with newspaper Hamshahri, arrested on 20 June 2009, released on bail 5 July 2009
36. Reza Nourbakhsh, Farhikhtegan, arrested August 4, 2009 , sentenced to 6 years in prison on 3 November 2009, sentence reduced to 3 years on appeal, released on bail 2 March 2010
38. Pourya Mousavi, journalist, public relations director to Aeen journal, student activist, arrested 17 January 2011, released on bail 31 January 2011
39. Saeed Laylaz, editor of Sarmayeh, arrested June 17, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, reduced to 6 years on appeal November 2009, released on leave April 2010
41. Navid Mohebbi, freelance, arrested September 18, 2010, sentenced to 3 years in prison, suspended for 5 years, released on bail on December 25, 2010
42. Maziar Khosravi, former editor of Aftab News, now journalist to Shargh, arrested February 11, 2011, released on bail February 24, 2011
43. Mohammad Hossein Mahimani, law student and photojournalist, Gorgan, arrested February 11, 2011, on hunger strike, released February 27, 2011
44. Peyman Roshanzamir, blogger, Ahvaz, editor of Haft-e Tir website, arrested January 3, 2011, released on bail from Karoon prison March 1, 2011, refuses to defend himself in court in protest of unjust proceedings, May 14, 2011
45. Farhad Baghbani, journalist, member of Pan-Iranist party, arrested for several days on February 26, 2010; summoned to Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on June 29, 2010; charged with party propaganda in court of Ahvaz on April 4, 2011
47. Younes Soleimani, Bu Ali Sina student (Hamadan), journalist, arrested on 17 June 2010, suffered heart problems after being tortured by electric shocks in the detention center of the Intelligence Ministry in Tabriz on 31 Aug 2010, expelled from university in February 2011, released on bail in November 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison on 21 May 2011
48. Yaser Masoumi, technical expert for reformist newspapers Shargh, Sarmayeh and Bahar, arrested a few months after June 2009, released on bail after 70 days in Evin prison, appeals court approved sentence of 5 years in prison on 21 May 2011
49. Shiva Kamalipour Azad, journalist, member of Confederation of Iranian Students (CIS), arrested on 26 April 2011, released on bail on 25 May 2011
50. Farid Salavati, journalist, social and political activist who first reported on a gang rape in Khomeinishahr, arrested after raid on his home in Isfahan on June 11, 2011, temporarily released on June 20, 2011
51. Maryam Majd, photojournalist for Zanan and Tamasha magazines, apparently arrested at her father’s home in Tehran on June 16, 2011, released on bail on July 16, 2011
53. Faranak Farid, writer and translator who contributes to the Feminist School website, arrested on 3 September 2011 in the northwestern city of Tabriz
54. Mohammad Heydari, journalist and member of the National Religious party, contributed to reformist newspapers Khordad, Yas Nou, Shargh, and Nowrooz, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
55. Mehdi Afshar-Nik, journalist for reformist Etemad-e Melli daily, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
56. Ali Akrami, editor of the Sheydagooyi blog, member of the National Religious party, arrested in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
57. Saeed Saedi, Kurd journalist from Sanandaj, arrested 26 December 2010, reported as still detained by Amnesty on 6 January 2011, released on bail in March 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on November 10, 2011
Saeed Saedi
58. Davood Khodakarami, journalist and human rights activist, arrested by Intelligence forces in Zanjan on November 18, 2011, temporarily released on bail on December 4, 2011
59. Rojin Mohammadi, blogger, medical student, arrested after returning to Iran, transferred to Evin prison on November 23, 2011, heavily tortured in prison, released on $200,000 bail on 6 December 2011
60. Amir Ali Allamehzadeh, journalist working for the official Iranian news agency ILNA, arrested on September 24, 2011 without official charges, no news about whereabouts after 3 weeks, allegedly held in ward 2 A of Evin prison run by the intelligence service, released on bail on December 21, 2011
61. Hassan Fathi, journalist, arrested for „cooperating with BBC Persian“ on November 12, 2011, released on bail on January 30, 2012
62. Fatemeh Kheradmand, journpalist and wife of sentenced journalist Masoud Lavasani, arrested during a raid on her home in Tehran, transferred to Evin prison on January 7, 2012, released on bail on February 1, 2012, sentenced to 1 year in prison on 3 July 2013
63. Simin Nematollahi, contributer to the pro-Sufi website Majzooban Noor (www.majzooban.org), arrested at her Tehran home by intelligence ministry officials on 11 January 2012 on a charge of anti-government propaganda, released on bail on February 5, 2012
64. Saeed Razavi Faghieh, journalist, former member of Tahkim Vahdat students‘ organisation, worked for Sobhe Emrooz, Bahar, Yas, and Vaghayeh Ettefaghieh dailies, arrested at Tehran airport when leaving the country, transferred to Evin prison on January 18, 2012, released on February 9, 2012
65. Parastou Dokouhaki, journalist, researcher and translator, cooperated with Shariati Foundation, in need of medical care, arrested at home in Tehran on January 16, 2012, first meeting with her family on February 8, 2012, released on bail on February 26, 2012
66. Marzieh Rasooli, journalist specialised on literature and music, Shargh, Etemaad, arrested at her home in Tehran on January 17, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012
68. Sahamedin Bourghani, photographer and journalist, Shargh, Etemad, arrested in Tehran on January 18, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012
69. Ali Mousavi Khalkhali, journalist and translator, Iran Diplomacy, arrested in Tehran on February 24, 2012, released on bail on March 20, 2012
70. Davood Bahman-Abadi, blogger, released on bail on April 10, 2012, after spending 140 days in Evin prison ward 2 A
71. Ehsan Houshmand, Kurdish sociologist and journalist, supporter of National Religious Movement, arrested during raid on his home in Tehran, transferred to unknown location on January 7, 2012, released on bail on April 25, 2012, suffers ear and jaw problems because of torture
72. Meysam Mohammadi, journalist, manager of Shahid Beheshti website, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012
73. Reza Jelodarzadeh, editor-in-chief of banned Sobh-e Azadi magazine, arrested in Tehran on February 4, 2012, released, sentenced to 1 year in prison on May 22, 2012
74. Ahmad Shariat, owner of „Nedaie qalb“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 21, 2012, imprisoned on July 22, 2012 because unable to pay bail of 100 million Toman, bail furnished since but still waiting for final ruling as of July 30, 2012, released on bail on August 8, 2012
75. Ali Moslehi, journalist, runs the website Kashan News, contributor to the Jaras site, arrested in the street on July 4, 2012. The reason for his detention and his whereabouts are not known, released on bail on August 30, 2012
76. Mehdi Rahmanian, managing director of Shargh daily, arrested in Tehran after confiscation of daily, sent to Evin prison on September 26, 2012, released on bail on September 30, 2012
77. Sima Didar, Azeri journalist and civil activist, sentenced to 6 months in prison, arrested in Tabriz, when fetching her identity cards in Saeb prison on April 16, 2011, transferred to Tabriz prison on April 18, 2011, assumed released at end of sentence
78. Arash Azrahimi, photojournalist in Babolsar district, arrested on Ashura 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison for „propaganda against regime“ on August 7, 2011, released on bail
79. Mohammad Kimyaei, journalist to Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested after raid on his home in Qazvin on January 1, 2013, released on bail on January 17, 2013
80. Farshad Aswad, journalist of banned Khordad daily, human rights activist arrested at Tehran airport before leaving Iran around 20 May 2012, released on bail in June 2012
81. Motahareh Shafiee, journalist to Arman daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on January 28, 2013
82. Ali Dehghan, journalist, worked for reformist newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Bahar, also for the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). arrested on January 30, 2013, released according to Kaleme, no further details given
83. Fatemeh Sagharchi, editor at the Jamaran website, former head of the Strategic Research Library, arrested on January 26, 2013 at her home, held incommunicado in section 209 of Evin Prison, released on bail of 120 million Toman on February 16, 2013
84. Javad Daliri, editor-in-chief of Etemaad daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail of 100 million Toman on February 18, 2013
90. Milad Fadai-Asl, journalist to ILNA news agency, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on January 26, 2013, released on bail on February 27, 2013
91. Pourya Alemi, reporter to Shargh daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on February 27, 2013
92. Soleiman Mohammadi, reporter to Bahar, Shargh, Etemad, Hamshari, Donya ye Eghtesad, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on 26 January 2013, released on bail on 2 March 2013
93. Pejman Mousavi, reporter to Shargh daily, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 2 March 2013
94. Sassan Aghaei, journalist to Eteemad daily, arrested November 22, 2009, released on bail March 28, 2010, arrested during a raid on his office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013
95. Nasrin Takhayori, reporter to Eteemad daily, arrested during a raid on her office on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013
96. Saba Azarpeik, reporter to Arman daily, arrested during a raid on her home on January 27, 2013, released on bail on 5 March 2013
97. Mehdi Emami Naseri, editor in chief of banned reformist daily Maghreb, arrested on September 30, 2012, transferred to Evin prison along with 3 other staff members, all of them still imprisoned on October 9, 2012, released on January 28, 2013, because of health condition, rearrested at his office on 6 March 2013, released after 24 hours on 7 March 2013
98. Alireza Aghaee-Rad, political editor of reformist daily Maghreb, arrested at his office on 6 March 2013, released after 24 hours on 7 March 2013
100. Abbas Darvish Tavangar, deputy editor of hard-line Tasnim News, arrested after complaint by government on 11 March 2013, released after few hours as reported by Mehr News
101. Mohammad Javad-Rouh, editor of Mehrnameh, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on 3 March 2013, released on bail on 16 March 2013
102. Reza Akvanian, blogger and poet, arrested during a raid on his home on 24 March 2013, first visit after arrest on 6 April 2013, his relatives report on bruises, apparently from physical mistreatment, released on bail on 10 April 2013
103. Mehdi Khazali, editor of Hayan, arrested June 29, 2009, released on bail, rearrested for the second time on July 18, 2011 and transferred to Evin, started hunger strike, first call since arrest from ward 209 on August 3, 2011, released on August 27, 2011, violently beaten and rearrested, transferred to Evin prison on January 9, 2012, on hunger strike, transferred to Evin clinic on February 2, 2012 due to stomach bleeding caused by his hunger strike, transferred to Taleghani hospital because of a heart attack, abducted and transferred to Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital affiliated with the Intelligence Ministry on February 18, 2012, released on bail on March 19, 2012 after 70 days on hunger strike, rearrested, transferred to Evin prison, on 64th day of hunger strike on 3 March 2013, ends hunger strike on 19 May 2013 according to his son, released on bail on 4 June 2013, sentenced to 6 years in prison for security charges on 8 October 2013
104. Fariba Pajouh, reformist journalist, arrested after presidential elections in 2009, spent 124 days in jail, sentenced to 1 year in prison, sentence halted for 5 years, rearrested at her home in Tehran, transferred to Evin prison on 10 July 2013, released on bail on 27 July 2013
105. Ahmad Asgari, journalist and student activist, arrested in Tehran on 20 June 2013, released on bail on 8 October 2013
106. Mostafa Faghihi, manager of pro-Rouhani website Entekhab, arrested on 7 October 2013, released on bail on 8 October 2013
Sentenced journalists who have left Iran, asylum seekers in Turkey (incomplete)
1. Ali Moazzami, Shargh, arrested March 8, 2010, released March 19, 2010, has fled Iran
2. Taghi Rahmani, freelance journalist and Mehdi Karroubi’s advisor, arrested February 9, 2011, left Iran in April 2012, exile in France
4. Saeed Massoud Lavasani, journalist and blogger, arrested September 26, 2009, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 10 years occupational ban, released on bail on July 16, 2011, left Iran after release in 2011
5. Hamid Mafi, reporter to Farhang-e Ashti, Etemad-e Melli, Kargozaran, arrested February 9, 2010, released on bail February 22, 2010, sentenced to 5 years in prison September 16, 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
6. Ehsan Mehrabi, parliamentary journalist, Hambasteghi, Tose’, Etemad Melli and Farhikhtegan Ghalam, arrested in early 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
7. Hadi Nili, journalist, has spent the past two years in Turkey as an asylum seeker, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
8. Behrooz Samadbeygi, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
9. Mahdi Tajik Ghashghaei, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
10. Saeed Heydarpour, journalist, blogger, arrested 10 October 2010, sentenced to 5 years prison suspended for 5 years on 5 December 2010, now in exile
12. Mansoureh Shojai, freelance, feminist websites, arrested December 29, 2009, released on bail January 29, 2010, has left Iran, now lives in Germany
13. Kouhyar Goudarzi, veteran journalist for the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested and sent to Evin December 20, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison on June, 2, 2010, released after serving 1 year sentence on December 15, 2010, rearrested in Tehran, his mother Parvin Mokhtare arrested in Kerman on August 6, 2011, transferred to Evin prison ward 209 after 3 months in solitary confinement, released on bail, has left Iran for a safe place as reported on 18 March 2013
On December 1, 2011 the Committee to Protect Journalists has published a worldwide prison census for journalists, declaring the Islamic Republic of Iran „as the world’s worst jailer, with 42 journalists behind bars, as authorities kept up a campaign of anti-press intimidation that began after the country’s disputed presidential election more than two years ago.“
Back in December 2010 Tehran Bureau had already posted a most useful report on 34 imprisoned Iranian journalists, providing their full names and data.
The real figures for the Islamic Republic are however much higher as the following list proves. I posted it first in February 2010, based on the data by CPJ from February 2010 and The Guardian’s Spreadsheet of the victims of Iran’s crackdown from January 2010, regularly updated since. While some of the listed journalists may have been released or even have fled the country in the meantime, most cases are fairly well documented by reports from Iranian human rights websites as RAHANA (Human Rights House of Iran), HRANA or the Green Voice of Freedom. Even if one ignores the names lacking recent informations, still more than 90 journalists, bloggers and human rights reporters are behind bars, while more than 80 journalists have been released on bail, awaiting their sentences or facing imprisonment. Recent additions with gratitude to the list of political prisoners, compiled by Lissnup.
In its latest report the Committee to Protect Journalists names Iran one of the world’s 10 online oppressors, while authorities block millions of sites. In 2011 „Tehran continued to use the mass imprisonment of journalists to silence dissent and quash critical news coverage. Imprisoned journalists suffered greatly amid the crowded and unsanitary conditions of notorious prisons such as Rajaee Shahr and Evin. The health of many detainees severely deteriorated, while numerous others suffered abuse at the hands of prison guards. The detainees also faced a battery of punitive measures, from the denial of family visits to placement in solitary confinement. Authorities continued a practice of freeing some prisoners on furloughs while making new arrests.“
2. Hossein Derakhshan, freelance, blogger, arrested November 2008, sentenced to 19.5 years in prison September 30, 2010, returns to Evin after prison furlough April 3, 2011
3. Saeed Malekpour, web-designer and blogger, arrested on October 4, 2008, tortured physically and mentally in prison, sentenced to death on December 6, 2010, moved to solitary confinement on December 7, 2010, Supreme Court overturns execution ruling on June 24, 2011, sentenced to 7.5 years in prison and execution, execution sentence confirmed by Supreme Court on January 16, 2012
4. Ahmad Zaid-Abadi, freelance, arrested June 2009
5. Kayvan Samimi, Nameh, arrested on June 14, 2009, released on bail March 16, 2010, return to prison March 20, 2010
6. Bahman Ahmadi Amouee, freelance, arrested on June 19, 2009, sentence of 5 years in prison confirmed, transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj as part of prison crackdown on June 11, 2012
7. Issa Saharkhiz, freelance, arrested on July 3, 2009, sentenced to 3 years in prison, 6 years occupational ban on September 27, 2010, sentenced to 2 additional years in prison for „media activity“ on August 3, 2011
9. Saeed Matinpour, Yar Pag and Mouj Bidari, arrested July 12, 2009, sentenced to 8 years in prison, reported in critical health condition 10 March 2011
10. Mohammad Davari, Saham News, arrested September 9, 2009, sentenced to 5 years prison on 16 May 2010, upheld on appeal 4 August 2010, sentenced to an additional year in prison on 25 July 2011 all while suffering for months with severe depression in Evin Prison
11. Mehdi Mahmoudian, journalist, member of reformist Participation Front, arrested on September 16, 2009, reported to have suffered heart attack in prison on January 28, 2011, reported to be in critical health condition on August 19, 2011
14. Naghi Ahmadi Azar, 5 years in prison for „espionage against Armenia and in favour of Azarbaijan Republic“
15. Abolfazl Abedini Nasr, weekly Bahar Ahvaz, arrested March 3, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison, sentence increased to 12 years in prison by appeals court in October 2011
Houtan Abolfathi
16. Houtan Abolfathi, freelance, arrested February 15, 2010 21. Ali Pirhasanlou, journalist and blogger „Alpar“, arrested September 18, 2009
17. Alireza Rajai, arrested after 2009 elections, later released, rearrested during raid on his home and sent to Evin prison on 24 April 2011, allowed first visit on 3 June 2011
18. Maryam Zolfeghar, IRNA reporter, arrested June 22, 2009, current status unknown
21. Sousan Mohammadkhani Ghiasvand, Kurd blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 11, 2010, released three weeks later, rearrested in Karaj on February 14, 2011
22. Khalil Mir-Ashrafi, journalist, TV-Producer, arrested June 14, 2009, no further news
32. Mohammad Reza Mogheiseh, Bist-saleh-ha, arrested October 24, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison in 2010
33. Mehdi Hosseinzadeh, arrested December 1, 2009, sentence of 1 year in prison, released on bail January 28, 2010, returned to prison January 31, 2010
34. Mehran Rajabi, journalist, ISNA, ILNA, Kargaran, Etemade Melli and Hamshahri, arrested February 7, 2011, held incommunicado
35. Hamed Ataei, editor in chief of Aina News, sentenced to 4 months in prison on January 5, 2011
36. Omid Mohades, journalist, Shahid Beheshti website, arrested February 9, 2011, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012
37. Nozhat Amirabadian, journalist, Fararu, Aftab, and Hammihan News, arrested February 11, 2011
38. Abdollah Naseri, former head of the Islamic Republic New Agency IRNA, spokesman to reformists, arrested February 14, 2011
39. Parsa Bahmani, journalist, Shiraz, Afsaneh daily, fined to 1 million Toman after first arrest in June 2009, rearrested on March 1, 2011, no data on his status
Parsa Bahmani
40. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested at home after raid of security forces in mid March 2011, whereabouts unknown
41. Mina Shahrvand, blogger, arrested at her home after raid of security forces on February 3, 2011, transferred to an unknown location
42. Houman Mousavi, blogger and political activist, arrested on April 1, 2009, spent 211 days in solitary confinement in Evin ward 240, transferred to ward 209, both controlled by intelligence ministry, no formal accusation since arrest
43. Artin Ghazanfari, Baha’i photojournalist, arrested after Ashura events in December 2009, released on bail on April 3, 2010, started 1 year sentence in Evin on April, 16, 2011
Artin Ghazanfari
44. Ali Ebrahimi, blogger and civil activist, arrested in Tehran after raid on his home on February 20, 2011, transferred to Evin, ward 240, no formal accusation since arrest
45. Manuchehr Tamari, reporter to IRNA, arrested by security forces in Sanandaj on April 17, 2011
46. Hassan Zohouri, journalist for Cultural Heritage Organisation, arrested on February 8, 2010, released on bail, sentenced to 6 months in prison, returned to Evin prison, ward 350, on April 20, 2011
47. Alireza Firouzi, Zanjan University student, journalist, human rights activist, arrested several times, last on January 2, 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison after appeal, started sentence on May 27, 2011
48. Rahman Gh. Bonapour, reporter to Diplomatic Hamshahri, Tehran Emrooz dailies, arrested on June 3, 2011, held in Evin prison, no recent information available
49. Saeed Moghanli, Azeri journalist, poet and civic activist, arrested after raid against father’s home on June 8, 2011
50. Zahra Yazdani, journalist for Asr-e Eghtesad, arrested at home on June 21, 2011, no further news
Zahra Yazdani
51. Kamal Sharifi, Kurd political activist and journalist, arrested in 2008, sentenced to 30 years in prison, exiled to Hormozgan Province, transferred to hospital in Minab Prison after a four weeks hunger strike on June 28, 2011
52. Alireza Beheshti Shirazi, Kalameh Sabz, arrested December 23, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2010, summoned to Evin prison on 12 July 2011 to serve 5 years sentence
53. Mashallah Shamsolvaezin, head of Iranian Journalists Association, sentenced to 16 months in prison: December 10, 2010, released on bail, summoned to Evin prison on July 19, 2011 to serve sentence
54. Ali Kalaei, blogger and political and civil rights activist, summoned to Evin prison to serve his 7 years sentence on 25 July 2011
55. Saeed Jalalifar, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 2, 2009, released on bail March 2010, rearrested on July 31, 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on 29 August 2011
56. Reza Entesari, photojournalist for Majzooban Noor website linked to Gonabadi dervishes, arrested on 5 September 2011, held in Evin prison ward 209, still held in Evin being unable to pay the bail on 14 November 2011
57. Hamid-Reza Moradi-Sarvestani, employee of Majzooban Noor website, linked to Gonabadi dervishes, suffering from heart problems, arrested on 5 September 2011, transferred to Taleghani hospital on 13 June 2012
Hamid-Reza Moradi Sarvestani
58. Hadi Ahmadi, reporter to official news agency ISNA, arrested on September 22, 2011
59. Mehrdad Sarjouyi, reporter English-language dailies published in Iran, arrested at his home more than two months ago as reported on September 25, 2011
60. Ali Dini Torkamani, writer and economist who contributes to the online magazine Alborznet, arrested between 1 August and 27 September without any official reason being given
Ali Dini Torkamani
61. Ali Nazamolmolki, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
62. Farzad Sadri, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
63. Saeid Nazari, ISNA reporter in Shiraz, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011 7
64. Hakhamanesh Younesi, ISNA reporter in Shiraz aged under 18, arrested by Intelligence Ministry and transferred to the No. 100 Detention Center on October 3, 2011
65. Hamed Yari, reporter to Markaz-e Khabar, arrested in September or October 2011, allegedly kept in solitary in ward 209 of Evin prison without charges, no further details available
66. Rojin Mohammadi, blogger, medical student, arrested after returning to Iran, transferred to Evin prison on November 23, 2011
67. Bahar Alinia, blogger, student and political activist, abducted after leaving home in the week before December 3, 2011, no data on whereabouts available
69. Hamid Moazeni, journalist and author from Bushehr, Mehdi Karroubi’s campaigner, recent articles published on Rooz Online, arrested on September 27, 2011, released on bail on October 10, 2011, rearrested on December 24, 2011
70. Mohammad Solimaninya, head of u24, a social networking website for Iranian professionals, summoned before a revolutionary tribunal in Karaj on January 10, 2012, arrested on January 20, 2012
71. Mohammad Reza Pourshajari (Siamak Mehr), blogger who has been held since September 12, 2010, tried by a revolutionary court in Karaj on December 21, 2011 on a charge of insulting the Prophet in articles posted on his blog and in letters sent to government officials while he was in prison, sentenced to an additional year in prison, i.e. a total of 4 years, on May 7, 2012
72. Peyman Pakmehr, journalist to Tabriz News, arrested in Tabriz on January 17, 2012, held in Evin ward 209, first contact with family on January 18, 2012
73. Mehdi Konjareh, blogger and freelance journalist, arrested in Tehran on February 2, 2012, current whereabouts unknown
74. Mohammad Hossein Zakeri, political editor of 9th Dey weekly headed by Ahmadinejad supporter and MP Hamid Rasaei, arrested in Tehran on February 21, 2012
75. Tahmineh Monzavi, freelance photo-journalist, arrested on unknown charges in Tehran on February 18, 2012
Photo-journalist Tahmineh Monzavi
76. Narges Mohammadi, journalist, speaker of Defenders of Human Rights Center, arrested June 10, 2010, released to hospital on July 1, 2010, sentenced to 11 years in prison on September 27, 2011, awarded the Swedish Per Anger prize on October 25, 2011, sentence reduced to 6 years in prison on February 14, 2012, summoned to Evin prison to serve sentence on April 21, 2012, transferred to Evin clinic after nervous paralysis, transferred to Zanjan prison on May 17, 2012, temporarily released for medical care on 30 July 2012
Narges Mohammadi
77. Mahsa Amrabadi, journalist, Tehran, released on bail, sentenced to 1 year in prison, rearrested for participating in protest rally March 1, 2011, released March 16, 2011, sentenced to further 5 years in prison for “assembly and collusion against national security”, 1 year of it to be served immediately, on February 20, 2012, summoned to Evin prison to serve out sentence on May 8, 2012, sentenced to one additional year in prison on August 14, 2012
78. Farshad Aswad, journalist of banned Khordad daily, human rights activist arrested at Tehran airport before leaving Iran around 20 May 2012
79. Sam Mahmoudi Sarabi, photojournalist to Shargh newspaper, arrested at the end of 2009, released on bail 10 February 2010, rearrested February 14, 2011, transferred to Evin Ward 350 after 1 month in solitary confinement on March 28, 2011, released on a bail of 300,000 dollars on August 13, 2011, rearrested on 28 May 2012 over bail problem, appeal court confirmed sentence of 8 years in prison and 10 years occupational ban on October 7, 2012
80. Ali Moslehi, journalist, runs the website Kashan News, contributor to the Jaras site, arrested in the street on July 4, 2012. The reason for his detention and his whereabouts are not known.
81. Nasour Naghipour, journalist, arrested in 2009 for designing HRANA website, rearrested in Qazvin to serve 7 years sentence in Evin prison on 10 July, 2012
Journalist Nasour Naghipour
82. Amir Hassan Sagha, owner of „Hamseh“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 16, 2012
83. Jila (Zhila) Bani Yaghoub, journalist, editor in charge of the Iranian Women’s Center website, arrested June 20, 2009; released on bail August 19, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison and a 30-years ban from any journalistic activity, summoned to Evin prison to serve out sentence on August 20, 2012
84. Navid Khanjani, human rights reporter, arrested 2 March 2010, released on bail 3 May 2011, sentenced to 12 years prison 31 January 2011, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has launched a hunger strike
85. Seyed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki (Babak Khorramdin), freelance, arrested on December 13, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, released on $500.000 bail on July 2, 2012, rearrested when helping earthquake victims in Eastern Azerbaijan province on August 22, 2012, transferred to Tabriz prison ward 1, has started hunger strike
Hossein Ronaghi Maleki
86. Ahmad Nourmohammadi Abadchi, blogger, arrested in Ahwaz on August 30, 2012, transferred to Isfahan prison
87. Ali Ranjbar, blogger and translator, arrested on September 16, 2012 without reason, no news since
88. Hamid-Reza Abdollahi, blogger and translator, arrested on September 18, 2012 without reason, no news since
89. Abdolnaser Mahimani, journalist, head of the Gorgan House of Press, arrested February 12, 2011, released on bail February 19, 2011, rearrested on September 25, 2012 during a raid on the house of his son in Tehran
90. Ali Akbar Javanfekr, Ahmadinejad deputy and chief editor of Iran daily, CEO of IRNA, sentenced to 1 year in prison on November 19, 2011, arrested during a press conference and freed after some hours on November 21, 2011, sentenced to 1 year in prison and 5 years deprivation of membership in political parties, groups, associations and media activities for „insulting the Supreme Leader“ on January 15, 2012, started a 6 months prison term on September 26, 2012
91. Mehdi Emami Naseri, editor in chief of banned reformist daily Maghreb, arrested on September 30, 2012, transferred to Evin prison along with 3 other staff members, all of them still imprisoned on October 9, 2012
92. Shiva Nazar Ahari, Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested December 20, 2009, released on bail September 12, 2010, summoned to Evin prison to serve out sentence of 4 years on August 20, 2012, released on bail, rearrested on September 12, 2012
93. Mehdi Khazali, editor of Hayan, arrested June 29, 2009, released on bail, rearrested for the second time on July 18, 2011 and transferred to Evin, started hunger strike, first call since arrest from ward 209 on August 3, 2011, released on August 27, 2011, violently beaten and rearrested, transferred to Evin prison on January 9, 2012, on hunger strike, transferred to Evin clinic on February 2, 2012 due to stomach bleeding caused by his hunger strike, transferred to Taleghani hospital because of a heart attack, abducted and transferred to Ghamar Bani Hashem hospital affiliated with the Intelligence Ministry on February 18, 2012, released on bail on March 19, 2012 after 70 days on hunger strike, rearrested
94. Saeid Haeri, political and civil rights activist, Committee for Human Rights Reporters, released on bail, sentenced to 2 years in prison, on furlough January 20, 2011, sent to Evin to serve his sentence on 12 December 2012
95. Rahim Sarkar, chief editor of Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested on December 25, 2012
96. Mohammad Kimyaei, journalist to Hadith-e Qazvin weekly (banned for 5th time), arrested after raid on his home in Qazvin on January 1, 2013
97. Milad Fadai Asl, journalist to ILNA news agency, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on January 26, 2013
98. Mohammad Soleymani, journalist to Bahar daily, arrested after raid on his home in Tehran on January 27, 2013
Released on bail or sentenced to prison
1. Sassan Aghaee, freelance, arrested November 22, 2009, released on bail March 28, 2010
2. Mehraneh Atashi, freelance photojournalist, artist, arrested January 11, 2010, released on bail
3. Behzad Mehrani, journalist, blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 3, 2010, released on bail April 16, 2010
10. Hadi Heydari, cartoonist, arts editor of Etemad-e Melli, first arrested 23 October 2009, rearrested December 19, 2010, released on bail December 27, 2010
22. Farshad Azizi, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 7, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010
23. Mehdi Gilani, Atrak, Mashhad, arrested January 6, 2010, released on bail January 14, 2010
24. Kaveh Ghassemi Kermanshahi, arrested February 3, 2010, released on bail May 23, 2010, sentence reduced to 4 years in prison on March 16, 2011
25. Kambiz Nouruzi, head of Association of Iranian Journalists, arrested June 28, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison
26. Mahboubeh Khansari, journalist, Kaleme Sabz, Hammihan and Shargh, arrested May 31, 2010, released on bail June 28, 2010
27. Mirhamid Hassanzadeh, editor of Ghalam News website, arrested August 4, 2009, released on bail August 16, 2009
28. Mehrdad Rahimi, freelance and blogger, arrested January 1, 2010, released on bail March 8, 201029. Ramin Jabbari, blogger and journalist, Bayram, Nedaye Moghan, Yashil Moghan, arrested May 17, 2010, released on bail May 28, 2010
30. Mostafa Jamshidi, journalist, editorial staff of Yashil Moghan and Nedaye Moghan, arrested May 18, 2010, released on bail May 19, 2010
31. Mostafa Kazzazi, journalist, editor of Seda-ye Edalat, sentenced to 11 months in prison July 28, 2010, assumed to be free pending appeal
32. Majid Saeedi, photojournalist, Tehran, arrested June 30, 2009, released on bail, eventually in 2009, sentenced to 3 years in prison
33. Rahim Gholami, Ardebil, freelance, arrested April 11, 2008, reduced sentence of 1 year in prison October 28, 2009, released on bail December 29, 2010
34. Badrossadat Mofidi, Iranian journalists Association, arrested December 29, 2009, released on bail June 6, 2010, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 5 years occupational ban August 3, 2010
Badrossadat Mofidi
35. Behzad Basho, journalist and cartoonist, arrested June 2009, released on bail June 26, 2009
36. Heydar Karimi, journalist, Khoy, arrested June 9, 2010, released on bail October 21, 2010
37. Khalil Darmanki, Asr Azadegan, Shargh, Etemad-e Melli, arrested December 27, 2009, released on bail May 17, 2010
38. Mahmoud Mahmoudi, journalist, workers rights activist, Sanandaj, arrested December 26, 2010, released on bail January 6, 2011
39. Mohammad Atrianfar, journalist, leading member of Kargozaran Sazandegi party, arrested June 16, 2009, released on bail November 24, 2009
40. Mohammad Ghaznavian, journalist, arrested January 9, 2010, released on bail April 14, 2010, 5 year sentence reduced to 6 months on appeal January 7, 2011
41. Mohammad Ghouchani, journalist and editor in charge of Etemad-e Melli, Rasht, arrested June 18, 2009, released on bail October 30, 2009
42. Mehdi Zaboli, photographer with newspaper Hamshahri, arrested on 20 June 2009, released on bail 5 July 2009
43. Reza Nourbakhsh, Farhikhtegan, arrested August 4, 2009 , sentenced to 6 years in prison on 3 November 2009, sentence reduced to 3 years on appeal, released on bail 2 March 2010
45. Pourya Mousavi, journalist, public relations director to Aeen journal, student activist, arrested 17 January 2011, released on bail 31 January 2011
46. Saeed Heydarpour, journalist, blogger, arrested 10 October 2010, sentenced to 5 years prison suspended for 5 years on 5 December 2010
47. Saeed Laylaz, editor of Sarmayeh, arrested June 17, 2009, sentenced to 15 years in prison, reduced to 6 years on appeal November 2009, released on leave April 2010
49. Navid Mohebbi, freelance, arrested September 18, 2010, sentenced to 3 years in prison, suspended for 5 years, released on bail on December 25, 2010
50. Maziar Khosravi, former editor of Aftab News, now journalist to Shargh, arrested February 11, 2011, released on bail February 24, 2011
51. Mohammad Hossein Mahimani, law student and photojournalist, Gorgan, arrested February 11, 2011, on hunger strike, released February 27, 2011
52. Peyman Roshanzamir, blogger, Ahvaz, editor of Haft-e Tir website, arrested January 3, 2011, released on bail from Karoon prison March 1, 2011, refuses to defend himself in court in protest of unjust proceedings, May 14, 2011
53. Farhad Baghbani, journalist, member of Pan-Iranist party, arrested for several days on February 26, 2010; summoned to Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on June 29, 2010; charged with party propaganda in court of Ahvaz on April 4, 2011
55. Younes Soleimani, Bu Ali Sina student (Hamadan), journalist, arrested on 17 June 2010, suffered heart problems after being tortured by electric shocks in the detention center of the Intelligence Ministry in Tabriz on 31 Aug 2010, expelled from university in February 2011, released on bail in November 2010, sentenced to 6 months in prison on 21 May 2011
56. Yaser Masoumi, technical expert for reformist newspapers Shargh, Sarmayeh and Bahar, arrested a few months after June 2009, released on bail after 70 days in Evin prison, appeals court approved sentence of 5 years in prison on 21 May 2011
57. Shiva Kamalipour Azad, journalist, member of Confederation of Iranian Students (CIS), arrested on 26 April 2011, released on bail on 25 May 2011
58. Farid Salavati, journalist, social and political activist who first reported on a gang rape in Khomeinishahr, arrested after raid on his home in Isfahan on June 11, 2011, temporarily released on June 20, 2011
59. Maryam Majd, photojournalist for Zanan and Tamasha magazines, apparently arrested at her father’s home in Tehran on June 16, 2011, released on bail on July 16, 2011
62. Saeed Massoud Lavasani, journalist and blogger, arrested September 26, 2009, sentenced to 6 years in prison, 10 years occupational ban, released on bail on July 16, 2011
63. Faranak Farid, writer and translator who contributes to the Feminist School website, arrested on 3 September 2011 in the northwestern city of Tabriz
64. Mohammad Heydari, journalist and member of the National Religious party, contributed to reformist newspapers Khordad, Yas Nou, Shargh, and Nowrooz, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
65. Mehdi Afshar-Nik, journalist for reformist Etemad-e Melli daily, arrested at his home in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
66. Ali Akrami, editor of the Sheydagooyi blog, member of the National Religious party, arrested in Tehran on October 5, 2011, released on bail on October 29, 2011
67. Saeed Saedi, Kurd journalist from Sanandaj, arrested 26 December 2010, reported as still detained by Amnesty on 6 January 2011, released on bail in March 2011, sentenced to 3 years in prison on November 10, 2011
Saeed Saedi
68. Davood Khodakarami, journalist and human rights activist, arrested by Intelligence forces in Zanjan on November 18, 2011, temporarily released on bail on December 4, 2011
69. Amir Ali Allamehzadeh, journalist working for the official Iranian news agency ILNA, arrested on September 24, 2011 without official charges, no news about whereabouts after 3 weeks, allegedly held in ward 2 A of Evin prison run by the intelligence service, released on bail on December 21, 2011
70. Hassan Fathi, journalist, arrested for „cooperating with BBC Persian“ on November 12, 2011, released on bail on January 30, 2012
71. Fatemeh Kheradmand, journpalist and wife of sentenced journalist Masoud Lavasani, arrested during a raid on her home in Tehran, transferred to Evin prison on January 7, 2012, released on bail on February 1, 2012
72. Simin Nematollahi, contributer to the pro-Sufi website Majzooban Noor (www.majzooban.org), arrested at her Tehran home by intelligence ministry officials on 11 January 2012 on a charge of anti-government propaganda, released on bail on February 5, 2012
73. Saeed Razavi Faghieh, journalist, former member of Tahkim Vahdat students‘ organisation, worked for Sobhe Emrooz, Bahar, Yas, and Vaghayeh Ettefaghieh dailies, arrested at Tehran airport when leaving the country, transferred to Evin prison on January 18, 2012, released on February 9, 2012
74. Parastou Dokouhaki, journalist, researcher and translator, cooperated with Shariati Foundation, in need of medical care, arrested at home in Tehran on January 16, 2012, first meeting with her family on February 8, 2012, released on bail on February 26, 2012
75. Marzieh Rasooli, journalist specialised on literature and music, Shargh, Etemaad, arrested at her home in Tehran on January 17, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012
77. Sahamedin Bourghani, photographer and journalist, Shargh, Etemad, arrested in Tehran on January 18, 2012, released on bail on February 27, 2012
78. Ali Mousavi Khalkhali, journalist and translator, Iran Diplomacy, arrested in Tehran on February 24, 2012, released on bail on March 20, 2012
79. Davood Bahman-Abadi, blogger, released on bail on April 10, 2012, after spending 140 days in Evin prison ward 2 A
80. Ehsan Houshmand, Kurdish sociologist and journalist, supporter of National Religious Movement, arrested during raid on his home in Tehran, transferred to unknown location on January 7, 2012, released on bail on April 25, 2012, suffers ear and jaw problems because of torture
81. Kouhyar Goudarzi, veteran journalist for the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, arrested and sent to Evin December 20, 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison on June, 2, 2010, released after serving 1 year sentence on December 15, 2010, rearrested in Tehran, his mother Parvin Mokhtare arrested in Kerman on August 6, 2011, transferred to Evin prison ward 209 after 3 months in solitary confinement
82. Meysam Mohammadi, journalist, manager of Shahid Beheshti website, sentenced to 4 years in prison and a 5-year ban from print or online journalism on May 6, 2012
83. Reza Jelodarzadeh, editor-in-chief of banned Sobh-e Azadi magazine, arrested in Tehran on February 4, 2012, released, sentenced to 1 year in prison on May 22, 2012
84. Ahmad Shariat, owner of „Nedaie qalb“ blog, arrested for criticising the Larijani brothers on July 21, 2012, imprisoned on July 22, 2012 because unable to pay bail of 100 million Toman, bail furnished since but still waiting for final ruling as of July 30, 2012, released on bail on August 8, 2012
85. Mehdi Rahmanian, managing director of Shargh daily, arrested in Tehran after confiscation of daily, sent to Evin prison on September 26, 2012, released on bail on September 30, 2012
86. Sima Didar, Azeri journalist and civil activist, sentenced to 6 months in prison, arrested in Tabriz, when fetching her identity cards in Saeb prison on April 16, 2011, transferred to Tabriz prison on April 18, 2011, assumed released at end of sentence
87. Arash Azrahimi, photojournalist in Babolsar district, arrested on Ashura 2009, sentenced to 1 year in prison for „propaganda against regime“ on August 7, 2011, released on bail
Sentenced journalists who have left Iran, asylum seekers in Turkey (incomplete)
1. Ali Moazzami, Shargh, arrested March 8, 2010, released March 19, 2010, has fled Iran
2. Taghi Rahmani, freelance journalist and Mehdi Karroubi’s advisor, arrested February 9, 2011, left Iran in April 2012, exile in France
4. Hamid Mafi, reporter to Farhang-e Ashti, Etemad-e Melli, Kargozaran, arrested February 9, 2010, released on bail February 22, 2010, sentenced to 5 years in prison September 16, 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
5. Ehsan Mehrabi, parliamentary journalist, Hambasteghi, Tose’, Etemad Melli and Farhikhtegan Ghalam, arrested in early 2010, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
6. Hadi Nili, journalist, has spent the past two years in Turkey as an asylum seeker, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
7. Behrooz Samadbeygi, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
8. Mahdi Tajik Ghashghaei, journalist, asylum seeker in Turkey, awaiting a response from the UNHCR in June 2012
Iranian women are exposed to a variety of discriminations with charges ranging from gender-related and ethnic issues over religious and political beliefs to the defense of underprivileged groups within the Islamic Republic of Iran. In addition female creative artists get targeted for their cultural activities.
On the occasion of the 100th International Women’s Day we publish a list of imprisoned Iranian women to expose the extent of this discrimination. As to the prisoners of conscience the two most vulnerable groups are the religious minorities of Baha’i and Christians, both persecuted relentlessly as they pose a serious challenge to the autocratic Islamist system. With regards to ethnic discriminations members of the Kurd and Baluchi minorities are most endangered.
On the other hand the Islamist establishment targets journalists, lawyers, human rights activists and students, all representing key groups of a modern civil society, but inconsistent with the misogynous concept of a backward religious guardianship, which defies controversy and insists on the absolute control of all aspects of its citizens lives.
The misogynous concept of the Islamic Republic is also the main cause for flagrant legal violations as exemplified by the case of Sakineh Ashtiani, initially sentenced to death by stoning. The long list of female prisoners on death row attests to the disastrous effects of a purely male dominated judiciary system.
We call upon all international human rights organisations to urge the Islamic Republic of Iran to observe the International Charter of Human Rights. We also demand your support for fair trials, against death penalty and for the unconditional release of all female Iranian political prisoners and prisoners of conscience.
This list will be updated on a regular base. Last update: October 7, 2011
Political Prisoners
1. Zahra Rahnavard, artist and writer, political activist, professor, wife of Iranian opposition political leader Mir Hossein Mousavi, put under house arrest on February 14, 2011, abducted with her husband on or around February 24, 2011
2. Fatemeh Karroubi, politician and activist, wife of Iranian opposition political leader Mehdi Karroubi, put under house arrest on February 14, 2011, abducted with her husband on or around February 24, 2011, temporarily released for medical care on April 23, 2011
3. Fakhrossadat Mohtashamipour, member of the Islamic Iran Participation Front (IIPF) and wife of imprisoned senior reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh, arrested on March 1, 2011, on furlough for 3 days from April 14, 2011, transferred to the Intelligence Ministry’s ward 209 at Evin on May 16, 2011
4. Fatemeh Khoramjoo, 53, political activist, arrested January 7, 2010 during raid on her home, charged with “insulting the president, insulting the Supreme Leader“, transferred to Evin Methadone Ward on 12 January 2011
5. Leyla Tavassoli, arrested 28 December 2009 as witness of a woman being ran over by a police car on Ashura, niece of Ebrahim Yazdi, released on 23 February 2010, sentenced to 2 years imprisonment, returned to Evin prison on 5 December 2010, on temporary leave since 15 July 2011
6. Mina Farrokh-Rezaei, presidential election protester, arrested on February 2010, released on bail, sentenced to 1 year suspended imprisonment, sentence reduced to 105 days on appeal, summoned to prison in January 2011
7. Motahareh Bahrami Haghighi, 61, arrested on 27 December 2009 (Ashura), sentenced to death, sentence commuted to 10 years in prison and exile to Rajai Shahr prison in June 2010, transferred from Evin to Rajai Shahr on 10 November 2010
8. Reyhaneh Haj Ebrahim Dabagh, arrested on 27 December 2009 (Ashura), sentenced to death, sentence commuted to 15 years in prison and exile to Rajai Shahr prison, transferred from Evin to Rajai Shahr on November 10, 2010
9. Nazila Dashti, political activist, first arrested in April 2007, charged with „supporting the Mujahedin“ in October 2008, sentenced to 3 years in prison on May 24, 2009, transferred to Methadone Ward in Evin on November 7, 2010
10. Zahra Jabbari, arrested on September 18, 2009 (Qods Day), has a brother and sister who reside at the Ashraf base in Iraq, sentenced to 4 years in prison on May 19, 2010 for “acting against the national security of the country”, critical health condition, requested medical leave of absence from prison denied on June 7, 2010, transferred to the Methadone ward at Evin along with all other female political prisoners on November 7, 2010, transferred to a hospital outside Evin prison on March 15, 2011, transferred to the Amin-Abad Mental Hospital on June 19, 2011
11. Zahra Hatami, teacher, arrested in November 2010, transferred to solitary confinement at Evin prison, currently in solitary confinement at Evin’s ward 209 and under severe interrogation pressure, last time contacted her family on January 7, 2011
Journalists and Bloggers
1. Jamileh Darolshafaie, journalist to Etemad daily, arrested February 5, 2010
5. Sousan Mohammadkhani Ghiasvand, Kurd blogger, human rights activist, arrested March 11, 2010, released three weeks later, rearrested in Karaj on February 14, 2011
6. Haniyeh Farshi-Shotorban, not politically active, apparently arrested for Facebook membership and activities in July 2010 in Tabriz, transferred to Evin prison, Ward 209, in Tehran, transferred to Methadone ward of Evin prison on 1 March 2011
7. Parvin Javadzadeh, blogger, citizen journalist, arrested on December 27, 2009 (Ashura), sentenced to 8 years in prison for „moharebeh“, sentence reduced to 26 months on appeal in August 2010, critical health condition, leave on furlough on October 9, 2010, transferred to Methadone ward of Evin prison
8. Nahid Malek-Mohammadi, arrested along with her husband Ali Asghar Mahmoudian at her home in December 2009, sentenced to 5.5 years in prison
Creative artists
1. Maryam Majd, sports photojournalist and women’s rights activist, scheduled to arrive in Düsseldorf, Germany on 17 June 2011 to photograph the FIFA Women’s World Cup, arrested at her home on 16 June 2011
2. Mahnaz Mohammadi, documentary filmmaker and women’s rights activist, arrested on 26 June 2011 by „unidentified security forces“
3. Simin Chaichi, Kurdish poet, arrested in Sanandaj during raids following protest at planned execution of Habibollah Latifi on 26 December 2010, assumed to be in Sanandaj prison or local detention center (photo below)
4. Pegah Ahangarani, actress and outspoken supporter of the Green movement, was scheduled to travel to Germany from July 4-12 to observe the events at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in order to write an editorial for Deutsche Welle, arrested on 10 July 2011, in custody of Revolutionary Guards Intelligence Agency
5. Marzieh Vafamehr, actress, arrested two weeks prior to 18 July 2011, assumed to be held in Evin prison
Lawyers, Women’s Rights, Students‘ Rights and Human Rights Activists
1. Nasrin Sotoudeh, children and human rights lawyer, arrested 2 September 2010, starts dry hunger strike on 5 December 2010, sentenced to 11 years prison and a 20 year ban on practising law and 20 year ban on leaving the country on 9 January 2011, trial for absence of hijab postponed, refused to attend in protest 2 February 2011, denied visits and phone calls since 20 February 2011, sentence reduced to 11 years prison and a 10 year ban on practising law on 14 September 2011
2. Alieh Eghdam Doost, over 60 years old, women’s rights activist, first arrest in 2005, rearrested 29 January 2009, transferred to Evin prison to serve her 3 year sentence, furlough denied, solitary confinement for one week, starting on 10 November 2010
3. Bahareh Hedayat, students rights activist, arrested 31 December 2009, sentenced to 9.5 years in prison, on hunger strike from 19 to 28 December 2010, moved to general ward 19 January 2011, on temporary leave since 16 July 2011
4. Ronak Safarzadeh, Kurdish women’s rights activist, member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, arrested October 2007, sentenced to 5 years in prison for membership of the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK) in April 2009, charges denied
5. Mahdieh Golroo, students rights activist, arrested 2 December 2010, sentenced to 3 years in prison, on hunger strike in December 2010, moved to Evin general ward on 19 January 2011, on temporary leave since 16 July 2011
6. Hakimeh Shokri, human rights activist, arrested at Beheshte Zahra at Tajmir memorial on 7 December 2010, visitors report on clear marks of physical abuse on her face, released on bail on2 March 2011 (news from 10 March 2011)
Supporters of Hakimeh Shokri with her photo
7. Neda Mostaghimi, Mourning Mother, human rights activist, arrested at Beheshte Zahra at Tajmir memorial on 7 December 2010
8. Fatemeh Masjedi, women’s rights activist, transferred to Qom Prison 6 February 2011
9. Zeynab Bayazidi, Kurdish activist and member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, arrested on July 9, 2008, sentenced to 4 years in prison and exile to Central Prison in the city of Zanjan on bogus charges, appeal court upheld sentence, transferred to Zanjan prison on November 15, 2008, went on hunger strike for a few days in July 2010
10. Maedeh Ghaderi, Kurdish lawyer, arrested on 3 March 2011 in Mashhad
11. Sara Haj Bahrami, children’s rights activist, arrested in Kerman for „cooperation with Baha’is“ in the third week of March 2011
12. Laleh Hassanpour, human rights activist and blogger, sentenced to 5 years in prison by appeals court, summoned to prison on April 9, 2011, transferred to Evin for serving sentence of 1 year in prison on April 23, 2011
13. Maryam Bahreman, member of the One Million Signatures Campaign, and founding member and General Secretary of Anjomane Zanane Pars (Pars Women’s Association), arrested on 11 May 2011, held incommunicado
14. Mahboubeh Karami, prominent women’s rights activist and signatory of the One Million Signatures Campaign, arrested on 15 May 2011, began serving her 3 year prison sentence on 16 May 2011
15. Jila Karamzadeh, supporter of the Laleh Park Mothers of Mourning, sentenced to four years in prison on 9 April 2011
16. Laila Saifollahi, supporter of the Laleh Park Mothers of Mourning, sentenced to four years in prison on 9 April 2011
17. Mansooreh Behkish, human rights activist, supporter of „Mourning Mothers“, arrested on 12 June 2011, released on bail on 9 June 2011
Mansooreh Behkish
Students and Student Activists
1. Marjan Alizadeh, student, arrested after a staged hunger strike in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences on 5 December 2010, accused of burning the Quran, whereabouts still unknown, no data since arrest, 6 January 2011
2. Maryam Baziah, student, arrested after a staged hunger strike in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences on 5 December 2010, accused of burning the Quran, whereabouts still unknown on 6 January 2011
3. Pegah Zeidavani, student, arrested after a staged hunger strike in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences on 5 December 2010, accused of burning the Quran, whereabouts still unknown on 6 January 2011
4. Sarah Rahimi, student, arrested after a staged hunger strike in Yasuj University of Medical Sciences on 5 December 2010, accused of burning the Quran, whereabouts still unknown, on 6 January 2011
5. Marjan Fayazi, student at Mazandaran University, arrested on June 22, 2009, no recent data available
6. Farzaneh Najjarnejad, social science student, civic activist, Ferdowsi University (Mashhad), suspended from university for 2 semesters, arrested 14 February 2011
7. Shaghayegh Heirani, student at Sharif Technological University in Tehran, arrested 14 February 2011
8. Farzaneh Karami, student at Sharif Technological University in Tehran, arrested 14 February 2011
9. Shima Vozarai, student at Sharif Technological University in Tehran, arrested 14 February 2011
10. Delaram Ghahreman, student, Tehran Arts Academy, arrested during Sanee Jaleh funerals 16 February 2011
11. Fataneh Rahghi, student, Tehran Arts Academy, arrested during Sanee Jaleh funerals 16 February 2011
12. Sarah Bagheri, student activist, Noshirvani University in Babol, arrested 22 February 2011
13. Fatemeh Karamad, student activist, Free University in Kerman, arrested 5 May 2011
Prisoners of Conscience
1. Anisa Matahar, Baha’i, Isfahan, arrested by security officers following raids on her home 14 February 2011, transferred to Dastgerd prison 16 February 2011
2. Arezou Teimuri, Christian, arrested in Hamedan on 19 September 2010, charged as “Zionist Christian”, no news on whereabouts 10 December 2010
3. Fariba Kamalabadi, Baha’i, developmental psychologist, arrested in Tehran on 14 May 2008, sentenced to 20 years in prison on 14 June 2010, sentence reduced to 10 years on appeal, concern for state of health, moved to common ward 200 among criminals on 13 February 2011, sentence of 20 years prison finalised by court of appeal 18 March 2011
4. Mahvash Sabet, Baha’i, director of the Baha’i Institute for Higher Education, which provides alternative higher education for Baha’i, arrested in Mashhad on 5 March 2008, sentenced to 20 years on 14 June 2010, sentence reduced to 10 years on appeal, concern for state of health, moved to general ward with dangerous criminals 12 February 2011, sentence of 20 years prison finalised by court of appeal 18 March 2011
Fariba Kamalabadi, Mahvash Sabet (r.)
5. Fataneh Nouri, wife of Omid Ghanbari, Baha’i, arrested in Sari 23 December 2010
6. Romina Ahrari, Baha’i, arrested in Isfahan on 4 March 2011
7. Homeyra Parvizi, Baha’i, arrested in Urumiyeh on 28 December 2010
8. Mahin Taj Rouhani, Baha’i, arrested in Sari on 1 January 2011
9. Manijeh Manzavian (Nasralahi), Baha’i, arrested 17 June 2009 during raid on her house, taken to Semnan prison, released on bail 30 June 2009, sentenced to 3.5 in prison, returned 27 February 2010 to Semnan prison, transfered to Evin 11 March 2010
11. Mona Hoveydaei Misaghi, Baha’i, whereabouts unknown, arrested 3 January 2010, released on bail 4 January 2010, rearrested 10 February 2010
12. Nahid Ghadiri, Baha’i resident of Mashhad, arrested on March 15, 2010, sentenced to 5 years in prison, transferred to Vakil Abad prison on June 28, 2010
13. Naghmeh Ghanouni, Baha’i, whereabouts unknown, arrested in Tehran on 11 February 2010
14. Romina Zabihian, Baha’i, no further data available, arrested 10 February 2010
15. Roya Ghanbari, Baha’i, sister of Omid Ghanbari, arrested in Sari 20 December 2010
16. Rozita Vaseghi, Baha’i, arrested 2005, held for one month, sentenced to 5 years prison, banned from leaving Iran for 10 years in January 2010, detained in Mashhad Intel center after raid on her home on 15 March 2010, moved to Mashhad central prison on 13 April 2010, tried on new additional charges 3 October 2010, tried on new charges 29 January 2011
17. Sahar Beyram-Abadi, Baha’i, children’s rights activist, arrested in Kerman for „propaganda for Baha’ism on pretext of human rights activities“ in February 2011, transferred to Bam province
18. Sahba Khademi, Baha’i, first arrested on April 4, 2009, transferred to Hamedan prison and released on bail a few days later, sentenced to 1 year in prison for “promoting the Baha’i faith” in January 2010, rearrested on May 23, 2010 and serving her sentence in Hamedan prison since May 24, 2010
19. Sahba Rezvani, Baha’i, arrested on December 15, 2009, first incarcerated at Semnan prison but later transferred to Evin, sentenced to 3 years and 8 months in prison on February 14, 2010 for „propaganda against the regime, forming an illegal group and membership in an illegal group “, transferred to the infirmary at Evin prison due to deteriorating physical condition in early June 2010
20. Sima Eshraghi, Baha’i resident of Mashhad, arrested in 2008, spent three months in solitary confinement, temporarily released, sentenced to 5 years in prison on October 30, 2009 for “propaganda against the regime, acting against the national security of the country and blasphemy”, began serving her sentence one year prior to October 24, 2010 in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad
21. Sima Rajabian, Baha’i, arrested on July 15, 2010 and sentenced to 2 years in prison on July 23, 2010, reports of increased pressure and further restrictions at Mashhad prison on September 29, 2010, further reports of pressure and illegal punishments against her on October 27, 2010
22. Soroor Soroorian, Baha’i residing in Hamedan, arrested at her residence on April 11, 2009 and taken to Hamedan prison for interrogations, released on bail a few days later. sentenced to 1 year in prison for “promoting the Baha’i faith” in January 2010, rearrested on May 23, 2010 to serve her sentence in Hamedan prison, transferred from Hamedan prison to Nahavand prison on August 31, 2010
23. Sousan Tabyanian, Baha’i resident of Semnan, arrested at her home on April 27, 2009, released on bail on May 1, 2009, sentenced to 1.5 years for “propaganda against the regime and membership in Baha’i groups”, rearrested on June 7, 2010 in order to begin serving her sentence, transferred to the Methadone ward at Evin on November 7, 2010
24. Toreh Taghizadeh, Baha’i, arrested 15 February 2009 during a raid on her home in Sari, temporarily released on bail on 28 February 2009, sentenced to 22 months imprisonment, started serving sentence on 8 January 2011
25. Leila Akhavan, Christian, no further data available, arrested 10 February 2011
26. Parya Razavi Derakhshi, 61, Christian, arrested 27 December 2010, concern for state of health, held in Vakilabad prison, Mashhad
Hassan and Parya Razavi Derakhshi
27. Sonia (Keshish) Avanessian, Armenian-Iranian Christian, arrested in Hamedan 19 September 2010, no news since arrest 3 months ago (10 December 2010)
28. Yasmin Ghaderi, Sufi, arrested in Baneh 3 December 2010, no news and whereabouts still unknown, 6 January 2011
30. Zohreh Tabyanian, Baha’i, arrested in Semnan after raid on home on 12 March 2011
31. Taraneh Ehsani, Baha’i, arrested in Semnan after raid on home on 12 March 2011
32. Zhinous Sobhani, Baha’i, arrested in Semnan on 15 March 2011
33. Mahzar Najafi, Christian citizen from Karaj, arrested with her husband Saleh Jahangir Zadehon the road from Salmas on 23 March 2011
34. Sarah Mahboubi, Baha’i student from Sari, banned from university, sentenced to 10 months in prison for „membership in the anti-revolutionary Facebook site“, rearrested on 9 April 2011
35. Anisa Dehghani, Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, arrested on a trip to Mashhad, transferred to Mashhad Intelligence prison on 2 June 2011
36. Mona Rezaie, Baha’i student from Mashhad, dismissed from the University due to her faith, arrested after raid of security forces on her home on 26 June 2011
37. Nora Nabilzadeh, Baha’i citizen from Mashhad, sentenced to 5 years in prison on October 1, 2011
Imprisoned Members of Ethnic Minorities
1. Elahe Latifi, Kurd, arrested in Sanandaj at protest to prevent her brother Habibollah execution 26 December 2010
2. Simin Chaichi, Kurdish poet, arrested in Sanandaj during raids following protest at planned execution of Habibollah Latifi on 26 December 2010, assumed to be in Sanandaj prison or local detention center
Kurdish poet Simin Chaichi
Facing Execution for Gender Related or Political Charges
1. Sakineh Ashtiani, imprisoned and under a death sentence in Tabriz since 2006, accused of inciting her cousin’s husband to murdering him, stoning sentence suspended on September 8, 2010, commuted to 10 years‘ imprisonment, remains in danger of capital punishment by hanging
2. Mohabat Mahmoudi, detained in Urumiyeh Central prison since 2001, accused of murdering the man who attempted her rape, death sentence confirmed 11 July 2010
3. Zeynab Jalalian, arrested in Kermanshah July 2007, tranfered to Sanandaj prison, charged with alleged membership in the outlawed Free Life Party of Kurdistan, or PJAK which she denies, sentenced to death without presence of a lawyer, maintained by appeals, suffering from eyes illness because of torture. Medical treatment denied since she is on death row, sentence maintained by Supreme Court 27 November 2009, transfered to Evin on 18 March 2010, back to Kermanshah prison (date unknown), verbally informed of reduction in her sentence from execution to imprisonment, situation unclear at this time
Names of 31 Female Death Row Prisoners
According to reports, there are a large number of female prisoners in the Female Cellblock in Evin Prison who are awaiting their execution. Most of these death row prisoners are from poor backgrounds; prisoners who were subjected to domestic or social violence without any kind of defense which led them to take revenge in a country ruled by misogynous laws. Women who did whatever they could because of poverty and hunger to keep from going hungry.
A number of death row female prisoners who can be executed at any moment are:
1. Soraya Zakaria Nejad, homemaker, has been in prison for 4 years, charged with possessing narcotics, is in cellblock 3 in Evin Prison
2. Ashraf Amrayi, 38, homemaker, has been in prison for two years, possessing narcotics, husband executed before, cellblock 3
3. Soheila Pour-Hosseini, 19, homemaker, has been jailed for one year, murder, cellblock 3
4. Ashraf Kalhour, 45, homemaker, sentenced to death by stoning on charges of murder and adultery and has been detained for 9 years, cellblock 2
5. Kobra Rahmanpour, 29, homemaker, detained for nine years, murder, cellblock 2, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
6. Sougand Jahani, 28, homemaker, murder, has been in prison for 2.5 years, cellblock 2, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
7. Reihaneh Jabari, 25, murder, has been in prison for 3.5 years, cellblock 1, Judge Tordast
9. Sahar Pari Khani, 23, homemaker, murder, has been in prison for 3 years, cellblock 2
10. Fatemeh Hadad, 34, homemaker, murder, has been in prison for 1.5 years, cellblock 2
11. Akram Ali Mohammadi, 29, murder, has been in prison for five years, cellblock 2
12. Fereshteh Bigvand 45, homemaker, narcotics, has been in prison for five years, cellblock 1
13. Leila Khajeh Vandi, 32, narcotics, 2.5 years in prison, cellblock 1
14. Noqreh Khazayi, 47, homemaker, murder and narcotics, has been in prison for 4 years, cellblock 2
15. Leila Tavakoli Mahalati, 28, murder, has been in prison for five years, Judge Kouh Kamareyi, cellblock 2
16. Fatemeh Moti, 40, has been in prison for 1.5 years, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
17. Mahboubeh Sheikh Lar, 18, murder, has been in prison for one year, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
18. Mina Cheraghi, 25, narcotics, has been in prison for 2 years
19. Sherafat Bigvand, narcotics, 5 years in prison
20. Azita Molla-Hashemi, six year in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
21. Farahnaz Nik-Khah, murder, seven years in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
22. Razieh Julideh, 35 and Marzieh Tavakoli, 20 are mother and daughter, murder
23. Zarin Taj Gharib, four years in prison, Judge Hemat Yar
24. Zahra Adi Gozari Moqadam, murder, 7 years in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
25. Massoumeh Aqayi, murder, two years in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
26. Saiedeh Khodayi Del, complicity in murder, 8.5 years in prison, Judge Tabatabayi
27. Soheila Pour Hosseini, murder, 10 months in prison
28. Marzieh Rahmani, complicity in murder, five years in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi and Judge Tordast
29. Zahra Rahimi, murder, one year in prison
30. Nasrin Najafi, murder, one year in prison
31. Azam Ahmad-Vand, 27, six years in prison, Judge Aziz Mohammadi
To the memory of Shirin Alam Houli, Shahla Jahed and Zahra Bahrami, executed in 2010 and 2011, and Haleh Sahabi, killed at the funeral of her father Ezatollah Sahabi on June 1, 2011
Grund für diesen zweifelhaften Erfolg: die Islamische Republik erfüllt die 10 wichtigsten Kriterien vorbildlich.
1. Blockieren und Filtern unerwünschter Websites: Social Media wie Twitter und Facebook sind seit den Protesten der Grünen Bewegung gegen den Wahlbetrug von 2009 blockiert, hinzu kommen die meisten persischsprachigen News-Websites im Ausland wie DW Persian, Radio Farda, BBC Persian oder Radio France International, um nur die wichtigsten zu nennen. Bei kritischen Artikeln, Karikaturen oder Daten zu Devisenkursen trifft es auch iranische Online-Medien wie zuletzt Shargh (Reformer), Tabnak (Hardliner) und Mesghal.
Karikatur zu Protesten der Grünen Bewegung von 2009
2. Cyberattacken gegen Regimekritiker: In den vergangenen vier Jahren haben sich die Netzattacken verschärft. Oppositionelle Websites wie Jaras, Saham News, Shahrzad News (Frauenrechte), Daneshjou News (Studenten), aber auch die privaten Blogs von Mohsen Sazegara (USA) oder Mohammad Nourizad in Iran wurden zig Mal von der Cyberarmee der Revolutionswächter lahmgelegt.
4. Bezahlte Regime-Kommentatoren: Dieser Punkt entfällt, d.h. er wird weitestgehend durch radikale News-Websites der Revolutionsgarden wie Fars News oder Press TV erfüllt, die ihre Propaganda und Hetze gegen Regimekritiker weltweit und ungehindert verbreiten dürfen. Besonders dreist sind gefakte Websites, mit denen beispielsweise gegen Exil-Journalisten des BBC gehetzt wird.
7. Abschalten und Löschen von Websites: Verlässliche Daten über gelöschte Websites in Iran liegen nicht vor – zu groß die Zahl von abgeschalteten Nachrichten-Magazinen, Blogs oder sonstigen Websites. Nach 2009 wurden massenweise Blogs des iranischen Providers Persian Blog gelöscht, und das Abschalten kritischer Websites hält an.
8. Blockade von Social Media und Kommunikation-Apps: Facebook und Twitter sind in Iran sowieso gesperrt. Im Zuge der Einführung des nationalen Intranets blockierte das iranische Regime im März 2013 auch noch die relativ sicheren VPN-Verbindungen.
9. Strafverfolgung von Providern, Software-Designern etc.: Gegen den iranisch-kanadischen Webentwickler Saeed Malekpour wurde die Todesstrafe verhängt, angeblich wegen Verbreitung von „Porno-Websites“. Obwohl das Todesurteil inzwischen aufgehoben wurde, bleibt er wie mehrere andere Manager oder Finanziers von Online-Content in Haft.
10. Drosseln und Abschalten: Im Juni bestätigte der iranische Minister für Kommunikation die gedrosselte Internetgeschwindigkeit während der Präsidentschaftswahlen – aus Sicherheitsgründen. Aber auch sonst bewegen sich iranische User im Schneckentempo durchs Netz, wie diese Karikatur zeigt. DSL und dergleichen sind Behörden vorbehalten, Normalverbraucher erreichen nicht einmal vorsintflutliche Geschwindigkeiten von 156 KB.
Internet in Iran
Das 11. Kriterium, das in diesem Bericht gar nicht erwähnt wird, ist die Einführung eines nationalen Internets, sprich Intranets, mit dessen Hilfe Iran vom World Wide Web abgeschottet werden soll. Es bleibt abzuwarten, ob Rouhani nicht nur diesen absurden Plan aufgibt, sondern wie kürzlich versprochen, der iranischen Bevölkerung problemlosen Zugang zu „allen Informationen weltweit“ verschaffen wird.
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