/ IHRights#Iran: Hossein Amaninejad and Hamed Yavari were executed in Hamedan Central Prison on 11 June. Hossein was arrested… https://t.co/3lnMTwFH6z13 Jun

Iran: Intensifying Civil Society Crackdown- Another Civil Activist Arrested

5 Sep 18
Iran: Intensifying Civil Society Crackdown- Another Civil Activist Arrested

Iran Human Rights (Sep 5, 2018): Reza Khandan, a civil activist, was arrested yesterday, September 4, in Tehran. Several lawyers and civil activists have been arrested over the past two months indicating Iranian authorities' intensification of the civil society crackdown.

Iran Human Rights (IHR) condemns the authorities' intensifying repression and calls for an immediate action of the international community.

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson for IHR, said, “The international community, especially the European Union, should immediately demand the release of all Iranian lawyers and civil activists who are in jail or detention. The release of these lawyers and activists should be a prerequisite for any further dialogue between the EU and the Islamic Republic.”

According to a close source, on the morning of Tuesday, September 4, Reza Khandan, a civil activist from Tehran, was arrested. He is the husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh, the lawyer and civil activist who is currently held at Evin Prison.

A close source who wanted to remain anonymous told IHR, “The agents of the Ministry of Intelligence went to his house today and told him that they had a subpoena, but as soon as the door opened, they arrested him.”

There is no precise information regarding the whereabouts of Reza Khandan or the reason why he was arrested. However, he posted on his Facebook last night, “Someone from the Ministry of Intelligence called me on my cell phone today. He said that I had to be there tomorrow. Because no person or institution other than judicial authorities is allowed to pursue people, which should be done in writing while stating the reasons and accusations, I reminded him of my legal rights. Unfortunately, he said, ‘You will be arrested then’”.

Nasrin Sotoudeh, Reza Khandan’s wife, was arrested on June 13, and following a verdict that was issued for her in absentia, she was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “espionage”. Besides, she was ordered a provisional arrest for “being a member of LEGAM”. LEGAM (Ending Executions in Iran Step by Step) is a civil group which aims to stop the death penalty in Iran and Nasrin Sotoudeh was one of its members. In another case based on a complaint by a prosecutor in Kashan, she was issued bail set at 650 million Tomans. The case is related to the time when Nasrin Sotoudeh traveled to Kashan (Central Iran) to defend one of her clients.

Meanwhile, Ghasem Sho’le Sa’di and Arash Keykhosravi, the lawyers who were arrested by security forces in front of the Iranian Parliament on August 18, are currently held at Fashafuye Prison. Furthermore, Payam Derafshan and Farrokh Foruzan, lawyers, were arrested on Friday, August 31 in Karaj.

Hoda Amid, attorney at law and women’s rights activist, was arrested at her home on September 1. There is no information regarding the reasons for her arrest and her current condition.

Mohammad Najafi, attorney at law, was another lawyer who was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes on the charge of “disturbing public order” and to two years on the charge of “publishing lies in order to disturb public opinion”. Ten more civil activists were also sentenced to one to three years in prison and 74 lashes. On January 15, Mohammad Najafi was arrested by security forces after revealing information about the suspicious death of Vahid Heidari. Vahid Heidari, a vendor from Tekyeh Valley in Shazand, Arak, was arrested by the police during the recent protests in Arak on December 31. Later, his body was delivered to his family. 

Farhad Meisami, Civil Activist and publisher, was also arrested on July 31. He was directly transferred to the ward 209 of Evin Prison and after the first interrogation on August 1, he went on a hunger strike.