News Update - April 29, 2010

New deportation date set for Bita Ghaedi: May 5 2010

Petition: Save Mohammad Valian from Execution

News Links

11 year-old sister writes letter for imprisoned brother

Two Teachers’ Union Leaders Arrested

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 30, 2010

The Isolation of Ahmadinejad

Mothers of the American hikers plead with Ahmadinejad to bring their children with him to New York

Growing concerns for death row prisoners Farzad Kamangar and Masoomeh Yavari

Mousavi Blames Ahmadinejad for Poor Economy

Election Detainee Saeed Soudmelli Sentenced to 1 Year in Prison

House of Baha’i Citizen Behnam Arjmand Investigated

Mehrdad Aslani, Hossein Aazamai and Mehrdad Varshoei Returned to Prison

Detained Lawyer Faramarz Abdollahnejad Held in Limbo

Mehdi Tajik Summoned to Revolutionary Court

From Twitter

- Hassan Nasirvand could not take pressures of Gohardasht prison anymore & committed suicide.He was not a political prisoner.

- Lesser known prisoner: Saied Soodmeli has been sentenced to 1year for video taping the traffic on a Tehran street.

- Soodmeli was arrested Jan 31, his interrogators gave him multiple choice questions.

- Saied Soodmeli working in a pizza shop(holds a BA), noticed heavy traffic, with his cell videoed, arrested immediately.

News Update - April 28, 2010

New deportation date set for Bita Ghaedi: May 5 2010

Petition: Save Mohammad Valian from Execution

News Links

Trial Session Held for Azeribaijani Activist Samad Molla-Gholi

Joint resolution for International Workers’ Day: Labor organizations of Iran

Ahmadinejad granted US visa for nuclear meeting

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 28, 2010

Iran’s Reformist Karroubi: “Take to the streets, be brave”

Nobel Laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi in Vancouver Discusses Human Rights In Iran, Talks to Iran News Now

Post-Election Prisoner Tells Campaign: “My Entire Trial Took Only Three Minutes”

Shiva Nazar Ahari’s Mother: “My Daughter Has Denied the Charges Against Her”

Ali Motahari, Iranian Conservative MP: Iran’s Judiciary Lacks Independence

Poor Conditions of Dr. Ali Akbar Soroush in Prison: Sari Intelligence Office’s Unprecedented Pressure and Interrogation

Letter by Women’s Rights Activists to Members of the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council

Farid Taheri Sentenced to 3 Years in Prison

Main Post-Election Defendants to Receive Judicial Warrants

From Twitter

- Jahangir Abdolahi has been in prison for 3 months under harsh interrogations.

- Abdolahi threatened with execution many times by interrogators telling him they'll execute him just like Ehsan Falahian.

- Despite bail being set, Intel is preventing release of Kurdish political science student Jahangir Abdolahi.

- Somebody has been stealing statues from Tehran parks, squares & public places. 6 have been reported stolen.

- 1/2) CHRR member Saied Jalalifar was in court ystdy charged with propagandizing against the regime &...

- 2/2) participation in gatherings & collusion with intend to act against the national security.

- Trial of CHRR member Ali Kolaie started yesterday, he is facing charges of connection & cooperation with MKO.

- Ali Kolaie is also charged with publishing an article about problems between the Army & Sepah.

- CHRR member Saied Kalanaki 1st trial session was held yesterday in the Court located in Evin.

- Saied Kalanaki is facing charges of propagandizing against the system in favor of an enemy group & insulting the Leader.

- Political prisoners are being tried without lawyers having access to them or their files to prepare for proper defense.

- Another female protester maybe facing a death sentence. DA has asked for death for Mamoumeh Yavari.

Video

News Update - April 27, 2010

New deportation date set for Bita Ghaedi: May 5 2010

News Links

Teacher on Death Row Farzad Kamangar Writes New Letter: “Be Strong Comrades”

Foad Khanjani, a Baha’i citizen arrested

Judge Moghiseh Sentenced Mohsen Ghamin to 2 Years in Prison

Letter by Women’s Rights Activists to Members of the United Nation’s Economic and Social Council

No Iran military presence in Venezuela: U.S. general

Iran hardliners in control, but still nervous

Mousavi and Karoubi have both asked people to join 22 Khordad (June 12) protests (Farsi)

Detained Journalist Mohammad Nourizad Writes Letter to the Supreme Leader

Iran Opposition Leaders Call for Election Anniversary Rallies

Attempt to Cover Up Defeat in Attempt to Join UN Commission on Human Rights

Iranian MP Reveals: No Probe Into Tehran University Attack

Iranian Opposition Leader Defiant Despite Government Crackdown

Ahmadinejad calls for "dignified" treatment of offenders

No Prison Visits for Election Detainee Ayoub Ghanbarpourian in 10 Months

Update on Mostafa Tajzadeh

Memebers of Hamedan Civil Society Party Receive Prison Sentences

Teachers Union Secretary-General and Spokesman Summoned

From Twitter

- Mousavi: Unfortunately they think, with passing of the time people will forget what has happened, not so.

- Mousavi: What about Tehran university dorm case & the video that was published?

- Faoud Khanjani has been arrested. He is the grandson of Jamaledin Khanjani 1 of 7 Bahahi leaders in prison.

- Appeals court has sentenced Tehran Uni School of Literature graduate student Nasir Assadi to 7 months.

- Tehran DA has issued an indictment for Haghigat news for publishing lies about Speaker Larijani.

Video

News Update - April 26, 2010

New deportation date set for Bita Ghaedi: May 5 2010

News Links

Zahra Rahnavard Demands Release of Prisoners

Majid Tavakoli: Four Months in Detention Without Access to Lawyer or Visitation With Family

Shabnam Madadzadeh’s Critical Health Condition in Evin Prison

Another Step Toward Limiting Iran’s Civil Society: Iranian Police to “Organize” Activities of NGO’s

Iran's Ahmadinejad: U.N. veto power "satanic"

Iranian Diaspora Needs to Act

Mother of Kaveh Kermanshahi Writes to Ayatollah Larijani

As Iran’s bid to join rights body fails, U.S. claims victory

Family of Ayatollah Boroujerdi Writes to Ban Ki-Moon

Protest event: The Day of the Boob Quake

Iran's opposition leader assails ruling clerics

Mir-Hossein Mousavi: Regime Behavior Change, Path to End Crisis - Foreign Threats Knocking on the Door

Students Warn About Mehdi Karoubi’s Safety Conspiracy to Eliminate Reformist Leader

Mousavi condemns Islamic Republic's violent actions in name of Islam

Opposition Leader Mousavi removed from Iran's Open University board

From 'Boobquake' to 'Brainquake'

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's friends: not the sort of people the west likes to do business with

Appeals Court Reduced Payam Fanaian’s Sentence to 1 Year Imprisonment

Ali Akbar Soroush Had a short visit with his family

Thousands of Italians Mark the End of Fascism by Expressing Solidarity with Iran's Green Movement

From Twitter

- Tabnak site says movie director Jafar Panahi is in prison for making a movie about prison torture & rape.

- Participation Front rejected the cease activity order, saying they will continue until a judiciary order is received.

- Ayoub Ghanbarpourian a construction worker arrested Jun 12, no family visit for 10 months.

- Sama Nourani of Bahai faith arrested in Shiraz during mass HR activist arrests has been released from Evin.

- Prayers for her & her son, Kaveh Kermanshahi under heavy pressure to accept false charges.

- A Shiraz U student received 2 terms suspension for writing & reading a poem in class, criticizing the Plainclothes.

- Sharif U student Mehdi Kalari is back in Evin, he was out on bail.

- Karoubi: It is evident that they have started a new wave of psychological warfare.

- Journalist Hengameh Shahidi has been moved to ward 350, she is sharing a cell with student activist Bahareh Hedayat.

Video

News Update - April 25, 2010

Live-blog: Lecture with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, in Vancouver – April 23, 2010

Petition: Call to Action Petition to release seven Baha'i prisoners in Iran

Juvenile offenders at risk of execution in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

News Links

Mousavi: government is Afraid that opposition voice reach people (Farsi)

Opposition leader says Iran in crisis: website

Mousavi give a speech to group of war veterans (Farsi)

Student Prisoner Behrouz Javid Tehrani Urges Ban Ki-moon to Visit Rajai Shahr Prison

Ali Hassanpour Wife’s Request from Rooz: Tell Me What Ali Said In His Last Moments

Karrubi Calls Ahmadinejad 'A Calamity,' Says Opposition Will Protest On Election Anniversary

UN Human Rights High Commissioner to visit Iran

Gilani Journalist Afshar Sigarchi Released on Bail

3 Teacher Activists Arrested in Lead-up to National Teachers Day

Mohammad Reza Jalaeipour Summoned by Phone

Popular Google-Owned Blogger Service Filtered in Iran

Journalist Mohammad Reza Yazdan-panah Indicted

From Twitter

- Evin prisoners demands 1. Annulment of post-election sentences of political prisoners in show trials.

- Evin Prisoner Demands: 2. Release all detainees on bail until their trials are held.

- Evin Prisoner Demands: 3. Respect art168 of Iranian constitution re political & press offences.

- 3 members of the Teachers Trade Union were arrested in Hamedan by Intel after being summoned.

- ALERT: Javan news is saying there are plans to assassinate Green leaders by the Greens themselves.

- Javan news close to Sepah has a complete ludicrous account of Green Movement future plans.

- Regime lies:Wave of resignations from Islamic Mojahedin party(Not MKO) across country. IMP denies any resignation.

- Hengameh Shahidi is in poor physical & emotional health in Evin 209.

- Journalist Zaynab Kazemkhah arrested Feb 7, was fired by ISNA news after she was released from Evin.

- The Liberal Univ students & alumni Assoc issued a statement warning the regime "You Better Not Harm Karoubi".

- Appeals Court has reduced the sentence of Bahai Payam Fanaian from 6 to 1 yr in prison, he was arrested Jan 4

- While HRA Iran site was hacked many emails with rubbish content were sent out.

Video




According to Persian2English: "An 8 year old street child in Iran talks to cameraman. He says his father is old and doesn't work, so he and his 13 year old brother work. His quota for the day is $7.00, then he goes home. He doesn't go to school, because he doesn't own a birth certificate (therefore he can't register)."

News Update - April 24, 2010

Live-blog: Lecture with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, in Vancouver – April 23, 2010

Petition: Call to Action Petition to release seven Baha'i prisoners in Iran

Juvenile offenders at risk of execution in United Arab Emirates (UAE)

News Links

Eight University students suspended for participation in protests

Death Sentence Unofficially Changed to Prison Term for Amir Reza Arefi

Habibollah Golparipour Sentenced to Death on Charge of Moharebeh

Of Adultery and Earthquakes

Report on Prison Sentences for Kurdish Activists, Residents of Babol, and Post-Election

Mousavi in meeting with Religious-Nationalist Activists: Power is not our Concern, we are more worried about National Interests

Iranian teachers issue a nationawide rally to hunger protest

Hardline MP confirms travel ban for Iranian opposition leaders

Prisoners start hunger strike in Evin Prison

Milad Fadayi sentenced to a one-year conditional prison term

Iranian Workers Protest Unpaid Wages & Basij Forces Prepare for May Day

Iran's President Visits Security Council Member Uganda

Reformist leader Mehdi Karroubi calls for fresh demonstrations

Trial Session Held for Azeribaijani Activist Samad Molla-Gholi

8 Students at Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz Received Education Bans

Gilani Journalist Afshar Sigarchi Released on Bail

From Twitter

- Karoubi's wife lashes out at pro regime media & Gov officials spreading rumors about Karoubi's health.

- Fatemeh Karoubi confirms that her husband is in perfect heath & is not suffering from any incurable illness.

- Fatemeh Karoubi: The regime will be directly responsible for any harm that is inflicted on me, my husband & children.

- F. Karoubi:Explicit support by son of Ahmad for victims of recent atrocities will be a golden page in our family's.

- Karoubi: We have requested a permit for rally on the anniversary of the election.

- Advar Central Branch members visited with family of political prisoner Amir Khosro Dalirsani arrested Jan 6.

- HRA: Amir Reza Arefi attorney said he has unofficially been informed his client's death sentence has been overturned.

- Yesterday two ships in the straits of Hormoz with French & Italian flags were stopped & inspected by IRIG.

- Foreign Min: IR withdrew it's bid for a seat on UN HR Council for a seat on International Council of Women's Rights.

- 8 Ahvaz Chameran UNI students have received disciplinary action of 1-2 terms suspension for their activism.

- Science Min: We have plans to confront UNI's secular faculty, we are in the planning stage for implementing our plan.

Video

News Update - April 23, 2010

URGENT: Two Kurds at imminent risk of execution: Hossein Khezri and Zeynab Jalalian

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

Juvenile offenders at risk of execution, United Arab Emirates (UAE)

News Links

Iran Document: Mousavi on the Green Movement’s Strategy and Goals (22 April)

Live-blog: Lecture with Nobel Laureate, Dr. Shirin Ebadi, in Vancouver – April 23, 2010

Teachers’ Trade Association Issues Statement for Nationwide Hunger Strike Protest

Iran withdraws bid for seat on U.N. rights council

Ayatollah Boroujerdi Severely Beaten by Prison Agents

Letter of Shirin Ebadi to UN General Assembly Members

Letter of Iranian Activists to General Assembly Members Opposing Iran’s Human Rights Council Candidacy

Two Student Activists Start Their Prison Terms in Babol

Iran accuses world powers of trying to destroy its economy

U.S. fears for well-being of Americans held by Iran

Companies Feeling More Pressure to Cut Ties to Iran

Mehdi Hashemi: I Will Expose

Iranian Teachers To Go On Hunger Strike To Protest Sentences

Rumours of Karoubi's ill health firmly denied

PU student tests theory with cleavage

Nourizad Writes His Forth Letter To The Supreme Leader From Evin Prison

Court Hearings Held for Azarbaijani Activists in Tabriz and Ardabil

Head of Mousavi’s Youth Supporters in Fars Province Still Detained

Foad Shams Sentenced to 6 Months in Prison

Abdollah Yousefzadegan’s First Phone Call after Transfer to Tehran

From Twitter

- Due to no criminal background & having served more than half of his sentence, Court issued a pardon for Jahanshah.

- Jahanshah spent 47 days in solitary, was charged in lower court with Moharebeh, Appeals court gave him 1 year.

- Khashayar Jahanshah 21, arrested 8 months ago at home after participating in a protest has been released.

- Semnan Bahai resident Sholeh Taeef(F) has been sentenced to 1yr in prison & 2yrs ban from residency in Semnan

- Karoubi visited with family of Persianblog founder Mehdi Bootorabi arrested 40 days ago.

- Bootorabi has not contacted his family since his arrest 40 days ago, his status & whereabouts are still unknown.

- Baghi is now facing an additional charge of writing a book called "Realities & Justice" 21 years ago.

- Baghi initially arrested for conducting an interview with Ayatollah Montazeri which was broadcast on BBC Farsi.

- Journalist & author Emadedin Baghi has been in Evin ward 240 solitary under harsh conditions for 4 months.

- The three American hikers who have been detained in Iran for 9 months are going on a hunger strike.

News Update - April 22, 2010

URGENT: Two Kurds at imminent risk of execution: Hossein Khezri and Zeynab Jalalian

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

News Links

New ways of protesting are keeping Iran’s streets quiet

Appeals Court Sentences Mohammad Pourabdollah to Three Years in Prison

Corruption Without End

Student Activist for Mousavi Campaign Mysteriously Dies

Amirkabir University Student Suspended for Download of Regime Raid Video

Report Brief on Lesser Known Prisoners in Evin Prison’s Ward 350

French Foreign Minister: “We expect to see Jafar Panahi in Cannes!”

264 Days and Counting

Iran presses its crackdown on reformists

Ahmadinejad the veteran?

Journalists in Iran Receive Henri Nannen Award

Video: Khamenei to Iran – Fortunately, You’re not wealthy! (but I am)

IRGC starts military drills in Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz

Lawyer Mostafaei Writes Letter to Larijani on Illegal Court Processes

Released Journalist Writes Blog Entry: ‘Was that Me?’

Iran president on controversial visit to Zimbabwe

Student Activist Nader Ahsani to Serve One Year Imprisonment

Two Student Activists Start Their Prison Terms in Babol

Interview With Saba Vasefi: There Are No Legal Grounds for My Dismissal

2 Americans jailed in Iran reported in poor health

Responses to Calls to Dissolve Reformist Parties

Internet Cafes in Mashad Must Have CC Cameras & Keep Track of Customers

Ayatollah Boroujerdi Moved to Unknown Location

Ashura Detainees Arash & Abolfazl Ghasemi and Omid Yavari Handed Prison Terms

A Look at Fishermen’s Conditions in Iran

From Twitter

- Shirin Ebadi will be in Vancouver Friday, April 23, to talk about human right violations in Iran. IranNewsNow will be present.

- Hunger strike in ward 350 has started; Political prisoners in Evin ward 350 have started a hunger strike.

- Shiva Nazarahari denies all her charges & says on those protest days she was working in her office.

- Nazarahari was kept in a cage like cell in Evin for a while, where she could barely move around.

- Shiva Nazarahari has been under heavy pressure along with other CHRR members to give false confession.

- Nazarahari arrested last summer spent 220 days in Evin, 100 days in solitary, released on bail, rearrested Dec 20.

- Nazarahari's "acts against national security" = participating in protests on Nov 4 & Dec 7.

- Appeals Court has sentenced Arash Ghasemi - 2 years, Abolfazl Ghasemi - 3 years & Omid Yavari - 5 years all arrested Ashura.

- Kurdish resident Habibolah Golparipour has been sentenced to death charged with Moharebeh through working with a resistance group.

- Court of Appeals has upheld the 5 year sentence of Monireh Rabiei charged with Moharebeh through cooperation with MKO.

- Monireh Rabiei arrested last Sept, was released on bail March 17 & denies working with MKO.

- Rabiei does have an uncle who lives in Ashraf camp(MKO) & has had occasional phone conversation with her uncle.

- According to Rabiei's attorney she had severed any contact with her uncle long before she was summoned to court.

News Update - April 21, 2010

Haystack needs help!

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

News Links

The way they were: Ahmadinejad and Samareh Hashemi in the early 1980s

Student Activist Kaveh Rezaei Shirazi Called to Serve Prison Sentence

Eftekhar Barzegarian Released After 8 Months in Prison

Seven Members of Center of Human Rights Defenders Banned From Traveling Abroad

Mohammad Mostafaee: Judge Moghiseh Has Violated Many Suspects’ Rights

Farideh Gheirat: Even Baghi’s Lawyer Can’t Access His File

Massive Job Cuts in Tabriz Factories

‘Unknown’ Female Prisoner Kobra Zaghedoost Detained for Nine Months

Mahdieh Golroo’s Family Cannot Afford $500,000 Bail

Three Iran revolutionary guards killed: agency

Women’s rights activist Dorsa Sobhani released

Rafsanjani's son threatens to reveal secrets

The Plot that Led to Abdolreza Ghanbari’s Execution Sentence

Google Image has been blocked in Iran (Farsi)

Tehran Combats the Opposition

National Youth Org blames 'problem' of unwed youth on women's higher education (Farsi)

Basijis to Tehran U head: We can't study with all those badly-veiled girls on campus (Farsi)

Three death sentences in Kahrizak trial: Justice served?

More than 100 students stage protest in front of Science Ministry

Iranian clergy urged to probe "torture" in Evin Prison

Iran Revolutionary Guard Announces Military Maneuver in Persian Gulf

Ahmadinejad plans exodus to avert quake disaster

Iran Applies for a Seat at UN’s Rights Council

Active Basij Bases to Receive More Funding

Stockpiling Petroleum in Preparation for Sanctions - No Refineries, Self-Sufficiency is a Joke

Suspensions Of Two Factions Aim To Cripple Iran Reform Drive

Petition In Support Of Dismissed University Faculty Is Stolen!

Workers at the Mercy of Contracting Firms

Mehrdad Aslani on Prison Leave

A Fire Festival Detainee Still Held Incommunicado

Eftekhar Barzegarian Released

Protesting Davood Soleimani’s Verdict

From Twitter

- Balouchestan HR says to conceal number of Blouchis being executed they are performing executions in other provinces.

- Two Balouchis from Zahedan named Fayzolah & Nazraz of Brahoui clan were executed in Kerman on Saturday.

- Reports are that Intel & Sepah are pressuring many of the un-known prisoners to get on camera confession.

- Many prisoners have been enduring pressure & torture to give false confession of working with MKO.

- Rayhaneh Hajebrahim(F) - Death, Hadi Ghaemi - Death & Abdolreza Ghanbari - death sentence.

- Motahareh Bahrami(F) - Death, her husband & son Mohsen & Ahmad Daneshpour Moghadam - Death sentence.

- Zia Nabavi -15 yrs, Ozra Ghazi-Mirsaied(F) - 3 yrs, Mahdiyeh Golro - 28 months.

- Court of Appeals has reduced the sentence of student activist Mohamad Pourabdolah from 6 yrs to 3 yrs in prison.

- Journalist Davoud Khodakarami who was arrested in Zanjan on Saturday has been released.

- Earlier this week news of Bahrami's husband & son death sentence came out.

- Ghazi Mirsaied with no political activitism prior to her arrest was convicted on made charge of MKO connection.

- Ozrasadat Ghazi Mirsaied spent 2 months in Sepah solitary under harsh interrogations to give false confession.

- There were earlier reports of Ghazi Mirsaied's release from prison, family says she is in Evin women's ward.

- Court of Appeals has upheld the 3 yrs sentence of Ozrasadat Ghazi Mirsaied arrested during June 20 peaceful protest.

- After 8 months in Mashhad Vakilabad prison student activist Eftekhar Barzegar has been released.

- 1) MP Tabesh says prior to Khatami's trip phone call was received from a security entity saying he is barred from travel

- 2) and asked for former president Khatami to cancel his trip to Japan to avoid any embarrassment at the airport.

- 3) MP Tabesh: Investigations have shown neither Justice Dept nor Intel Ministry have issued a ban order for Khatami.

- Intel Minister said former pres Khatami is not barred from leaving the country & his diplomatic passport still valid.

News Update - April 20, 2010

Haystack needs help!

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

Protest being scheduled in support of Bita Ghaedi

News Links

Family Unfairly Sentenced to Death

Iran arrests members of a "terrorist group": report

Keyvan Samimi Returns to Prison

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 20, 2010

Majid Tavakoli Transferred Out of Solitary Confinement

International Campaign: Purge of Independent-Minded Professors Underway

Iran threatens freed journalist Bahari

Tehran University Students Protest Famed Filmmakers' Imprisonment

Majid Tavakoli’s Brother Talks to Voice of America

Allies of Administration Issue Warning: Don’t be Caught by Surprise! Overthrow of Regime Has Changed to Overthrow of Leader

The New Charge: Meeting With Mousavi and Karoubi

Oppression Has Not Thwarted Green Movement’s Growth - Mousavi: Servant Does Not Kill His Master

From Twitter

- Behrooz Javid-Tehrani asks Ban Ki-Moon to visit Gohardash prison saying he'll be glad to be his tour guide.

- Javid-Tehrani: I know of 10+ cases of removal of prisoners organs for sale without their knowledge.

- Javid-Tehrani: All medications to one of the prisoners in Hall 2 suffering from Aids have been stopped.

- Javid-Tehrani: Hall 2 prisoners are barred from visits, phone calls, books, fresh air & sometimes even using bathroom.

- Javid-Tehrani: The prisoners in Hall No.2 are sometimes only allowed to shower once a month.

- Javid-Tehrani: prisoners are put in solitary shackled & handcuffed until they agree to use obscenities against themselves & family.

- Javid-Tehrani: Last year in Gohardasht a young prisoner died as a result of being beaten hard.

- Javid-Tehrani: In Ward , prisoners are beaten so hard with rope, batons, bats, cable & electric batons that prisoners soil themselves.

- Political prisoner Behrooz Javid-Tehrani asks UN Sec Gen Ban Ki-Moon to visit Gohardasht prison while in Iran.

- Majid Tavakoli out of solitary, moved to general ward in Evin.

- A Tehrani says people in Iran are applying for credit cards in Dubai and Azerbaijan, anticipating a credit crunch under new US-led sanctions.

- Kiarash Kamrani arrested on Ashura has been sentenced to 4 years, he is currently in Evin ward 350.

- Journalist Kayvan Samimi was back at Evin today to start serving his 6 yrs sentence. He was out on bail.

- HRA reports the suspicious death of Iranshahr U student Kayvan Goudarzi whose body was found today.

- Goudarzi originally from Kermanshah was a math major & a Mousavi campaign activist.

- Body of Goudarzi was found behind the kitchen by communication tower with visible facial injuries.

- Pro regime sites Javan & Raja news are spreading rumors re Karoubi's health.

Video

News Update - April 19, 2010

Haystack needs help!

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

Protest being scheduled in support of Bita Ghaedi

News Links

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 19, 2010

Former University of Tehran Chancellor Talks of Iran’s Forgotten Prisoners

Death Sentence for Members of a Family

Iran Mutes a Chorus of Voices for Reform

Women to blame for earthquakes, says Iran cleric

Ahmadinejad preparing for the apocalypse

Student Activist Shabnam Madadzadeh Ill in Evin Prison

Badrolsadat Mofidi Suffers in Prison Due to Interrogation Pressures

Rights Lawyer Urges Judiciary to Investigate Judge Moghiseh

Rights Lawyer Vahid Ahmad Fakhreddin Released

Abdollah Yousefzadegan Transferred to Detention Center in Tehran

Detained Writer Reza Khandan in Severe Physical Condition

Mitra Aali Released

From Twitter

- Ahmadinejad: Unemployment rate will fall to 5% within 3 years.

- Student activist Nader Ahsani was arrested today & taken to Evin to start serving his 1 year prison sentence.

- Bahar newspaper has been shut down.

- Islamic Iran Participation Front and the Organization of the Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution banned.

- 5 men were hanged in Kerman convicted of drug trafficking & rape.

- Participation Front member Davoud Solaymani has been sentenced to 6 years & 10 years ban from any political/journalism activities.

- Families of political prisoners, Badrolsadat Mofidi, Shiva Nazarahari & Masoud Bastani visited with Ayatollah Bayat-Zanjani.

- Student leader Majid Tavakoli has been in solitary confinement for 4 months.

- 1) NAJA Chief: To pursue & arrest anyone internationally it can only be done through Interpol.

- 2) NAJA Chief: We have not received any official judiciary order to pursue Mehdi Hashemi (Rafi son) internationally.

- Student & women rights activist Kaveh Rezaie has been summoned by court to start serving his 1 1/2 year sentence.

- The Participation Front & Islamic Mohahedin(not MKO) have been barred from all activities & may lose their license.

Video

News Update - April 18, 2010

Haystack needs help!

Petition: Save Mrs Bita Ghaedi from being returned to Iran!

News Links

Letter to Ban Ki-moon on Behalf of Political Prisoners in Ward 350

Shabnam Madadzadeh Writes Letter from Evin Prison:

Radio Zamaaneh: Iranian opposition leader urges supporters to counter State’s media restrictions

Iran threatens to arrest Rafsanjani's son on return

Reactions to Ahmadinejad’s Call for More Rapid Population Growth Solve Problems, then Care about 100 Million Population

110 University of Zabol Staff Expelled

University of Kurdistan Students Received Disciplinary Verdicts

Ehsan Mehrabi Still in Solitary Confinement

Continued Detention of AUT Student Nima Latif-Tojjar

From Twitter

- Mousavi: For every blog that is closed, 10's more should start in defense of people's rights.

- Azad UNI student & HR activist Milad Fadaie has been sentenced to 1 year in prison.

- Mitra Aali has been released from prison.

- Justice Dept Public Relations has officially denied reported meeting between Rafsanjani & Larijani to discuss Rafsi's son.

- 1. Khabar news, close to Majlis Speaker (and Ahmadinejad rival) Ali Larijani: gov policies will hike prices.

- 2. Khabar news: Lavash bread will go from 30 toumans to 48 toumans. Rice from 700/kg to 1,300/kg.

- 3. Khabar news: Sugar will go from 450 toumans/kg to 1,000, gasoline from 100/liter to at least 210.

- 4. Economists predict costs for family of 4 will increase on average by 129,000 toumans per month.

- Mousavi: For every newspaper that is closed many more should find legal ways to open.

- Mousavi: For every opening that is closed a new window must be opened.

- Mousavi: Charity is not the solution for the current economical problems in the county.

- Mousavi: Justice & Freedom are inseparable.

- Mousavi: "Freedom" & "Justice" are the two most important key words in the Green Movement.

- Mousavi: Those who confront us, are but a small segment of our society.

- Mousavi: Reason these mass arrests have not stopped the Green Movement is because "We are countless".

- Mousavi: Their methods have not stopped the progress of Green Movement in universities, they have deepened its influence.

- The son & husband of the first female protester sentenced to death along with 2 friends have been sentenced to death.

- Masoumi's parents say he has lost a lot of weight and doing well. Masoumi was arrested by Sephah anti-cyber crime.

- Managing Dir of Shargh newspapers site Maysam Masoumi arrested 45 days ago still sits in prison in limbo status.

- Last few days number of the activists who visited Karroubi have been called & threatened with ending up in Evin.

- Students & activists groups who visited with Reformist Leaders are being threatened with arrest by Intel agents.

- Grand Ayatollah Dastgheib's office in Shiraz attacked and vandalized by plainclothes goons.

Video

News Update - April 17, 2010

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160 Journalists, Bloggers, and Civil Activists Demand Kaveh Kermanshahi’s Release

Rights activists Jalalifar and Haeri summoned to Evin

Heavy Disciplinary Punishments for Polytechnic Students

Students protest ongoing imprisonment of artists

Yasuj Rights Activists Tortured During Detention

Imprisoned Iranian Baha’is Refuse To Participate in Closed Trial

Khamenei orders halt to investigations of Rahimi's corruption (Farsi)

US seeks Iran sanctions on energy, shipping, arms and Revolutionary Guard

Human Rights Group Demands Closure of Evin Prison Court

Shiva Nazar-Ahari's file sent to the 26th branch of the revolutionary court (Farsi)

Ahmadinejad extolls Iran's military might

Why Was Khatami 'Recommended' Not To Leave Iran?

Lower Court to Issue Verdict for Davood Soleimani

Bahareh Hedayat’s Lawyers Reviewed her Case

Kurdish Student Amjad Kordnejad Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison

Mohammad Ghavami Sentenced to 2-Year, 4-Month Prison

Abdollah Momeni’s First Visit after his Return to Prison

Mitra Aali Banned from Prison Visit with Family

From Twitter

- After 1 month since arrest, status & whereabouts of Mehdi Botorabi founder of Persianblog are still unknown.

- 1/2) Tehran UNI student activist Hajir (Amjad) Kourdnejad has been sentenced to 2 years by lower court.

- 2/2) Kourdnejad currently out on bail, arrested on Dec 3. He was convicted of participating in protests & gatherings.

- Student/HR activists & musicians Amir Ehsan Tehrani-Sekhavat & Nima Golzari were arrested Mar 8 & Mar 7.

- After over a month of pursuing by families of 2 student/HR activists/musician Justice Dept admitted they are in Evin.

- CHRR members Saied Haeri & Saied Jalalifar have been summoned to court located inside Evin prison.

- 1) Journalist Mohamad Nourizad has been sentenced to 3 1/2 years in prison & 50 lashes.

- 2) Nourizad sentence: 1 year for propagandizing against IR, 2 yeasr for insulting the Leader, 91 days for insulting president.

- 3) Nourizad sentence(cont.): 91 days for insulting judiciary chief, 50 lashes for insulting Mashhad FP Imam

Photos

Mostafa Tajzadeh in hospital

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GRAPHIC

News Update - April 16, 2010

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Shiva Nazar Ahari to Be Tried by Judge Pir-Abassi

50 Days of Arbitrary Detention for Abdolreza Ahmadi

Details on Recent Family Visit with Majid Tavakoli

We Are People Too: A Letter by Farzad Kamangar, Imprisoned Teacher Sentenced to Execution

Freedom prize for Iranian blogger

Political prisoners will go on hunger strike (Farsi)

Iranian political detainees suffering ill health

Why Was Khatami 'Recommended' Not To Leave Iran?

Former President’s Travel Ban Part of Systematic Effort to Contain Criticism

Ahmadinejad: Iran is Obama's only way to stay in power

50% pay hike to civil servants who leave Tehran (Farsi)

Fighting Censorship: US Senate Testimony on Internet Freedom

The Administration Strives to Act as the Mother of Expenditures

Three Political Detainees in Ardebil Break Hunger Strike

From Twitter

- Tehran DA: So far 500 indictments for after election & Ashura protesters have been sent to court.

- Tehran DA: We are still working on & investigating the remainder of the cases (does not say how many).

- Where it's not to their benefit, police, Intel & Sepah Intel just continue to investigate hoping people will forget.

- After months of investigations all they came up with was; motorcycle used in Dr.Ali-Mohamadi assassination: stolen.

- Sister of HR activist Kayvan Rafiei has was arrested in March & is still detained.

- Pressure continues on families of HR activist: Father of Kayvan Rafiei has been fired from his university job.

- Temp detention order for HR activist Raziyeh Alami has been extended for 1 month. In detention since Mar 4.

- 1. Educ Minister: Number of Tehran university students will be reduced because of risk of earthquake.

- 2. Ahmadinejad's new lunacy: Must reduce population of Tehran, so fewer victims if there is an earthquake.

- 3. Ed Minister Daneshjou told meeting of university heads that more students should go to provinces.

- 4. end of piece on Education Minister Daneshjou's policy of reducing number of students in Tehran.

Photos

Green on Iranian flag replaced with black. Again.

News Update - April 15, 2010

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Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 15, 2010

Execution sentence for a female Ashura protester

Court Hearing for Maryam Zia Scheduled

Iran: 'University Is Alive'

Iran Opposition Leader Slams Ahmadinejad's Obama Remarks

Full Report: Mahdieh Goloroo’s Husband Calls MKO Charge Ridiculous

Iranian Women and the Struggle for Democracy I

Iran bars ex-president Khatami from travel: website

The Politics of UN Human Rights Council and Iran's Candidacy

Mohammad Ghaznavian Released

Daughter of Rights Activist Expelled from Junior High School

Sunni Cleric Molavi Alireza Rasouli Released

Behzad Mehrani Released

Second Prison Visit for Dorsa Sobhani & Navid Khanjani

Student Activist Mohammad Reza Lotfi Released

Luta Continua!

Birjand Students Ali Sepandar & Behzad Parvin Releaed

Minister of Culture: Jafar Panahi’s Case a Security Issue

US Export Ban on Haystack is Lifted

From Twitter

- Wife of Abdolah Momeni visited him in Evin today. He was rearrested before his leave on $800,000 bail was over.

- Site for Khamenei rep in Sepah(Basirat) has started their threats of arrests for any protest plans re the D coup anniversary.

- Appeals Courts has given journalist Masour Lavasani 6 years in prison & 10 years ban from his profession.

- HR & women rights activist Mahboubeh Karimi arrested Mar 2 is in ward 2-A suffering from flu & not being treated.

- 45 days after arrest of Christian couple Hamid shafiei & Rayhaneh Aghajeri in Esfahan they are still in limbo status.

- Hate slogan were written on home of the father of imprisoned journalist Abolfazl Abedini.

- Apparently the Justice Dept sees writing about & informing people of HR violations as espionage.

- 160 journalists/bloggers have written to AG Larijani asking for release of Journalis/blogger Kaveh Kermanshahi.

- Kaveh Kermanshahi arrested on Feb 3, is kept in solitary under heavy pressure to accept espionage charges.

- The journalists letter to Larijani details Kaveh's activities as a human & civil rights activist in Kurdestan.

- Kermanshahi went even as far as sending a letter to Intel detailing all of his HR work each time.

- Kermanshahi sent a copy of all articles he wrote to Intel, whether critical of government or not.

- Soma Bahmani is sentenced to 1 year in prison for being a human rights activist.

- Soma Bahmani was previously sentenced to 3 years suspended term for HR activities in Kurdestan.

News Update - April 14, 2010

News Links

Shirin Ebadi Tells Rooz: Panahi’s Crime: Supporting Peace

Selected Headlines from the Tehran Bureau - April 14, 2010

Students Protest Conditions at Birjand University

Human Rights Group Demands Closure of Evin Prison Court

Illegal Arrest, Prison Abuse, And Unfair Trial– Latest News on Heshmatollah Tabarzadi From His Lawyer

Blame your own actions for tarnishing your image, not us: Journalists' open letter to Islamic regime's judiciary

Three More Faculty Members Dismissed For Their Political Orientation

Mashad Student Activist Mohammad Reza Lotfi Yazdi Released

As the Anniversary of Public Protests Approaches Government in Fear; Attacks Mousavi

Abdollah Momeni did not Cooperate, is Returned to Prison; Alarming Report about Influence of Interrogators in Evin

Iranian Bloggers Publicize Cases Of Lesser-Known Prisoners

Two IUST Professors Expelled

Nahid Ghaderi Allowed First Prison Visit

From Twitter

- Mostafa Tajzadeh former prime minster of iran is now in I.C.U.

- After 45 days in Evin ward 2-A (Sepah) HR & student activist Mohamad Reza Yazdi has been released.

- Arjomand is wearing torn clothing, prisoners in other cells in the section are complaining of smell coming from his cell.

- Arjomand's body is covered with sores, medical help is denied. Small amount of food is provided to sustain him.

- Darious Arjomand is in a small cell with no widows or lamp. Has to use the cell for bathroom.

- HR activist Marjan Safari, arrested 3/2, been moved out of ward 2-A solitary.She has had 1 family visit & is denied a lawyer.

- Court of Appeals has reduced the sentence of Advar member Abdolah Momeni from 6 yrs to 2 years in prison.

- 1/2) Ahmadi's administration has officially requested Justice Dept to order Participation Front & ...

- 2/2) ....Islamic Mojahedin Organization (not MKO) to dissolve & cease all activities.

- 3 men were hanged in public Wed morning in the city of Babol(N.IR) convicted of rape.

- The accomplice of the person executed in Mahshahr yesterday was mutilated by cutting off his hand & leg.

- Former president Khatami has denied reports of his meeting with Rafsanjani to discuss Mousavi & Karroubi.

- Motahareh Bahrami was arrested along with husband, son & friends on Ashura. Her case is in the Appeals Court.

- First death sentence for a female protester. Motahareh Bahrami arrested on Ashura is charged with Moharebeh.

- IR regime has been executing people at an alarming exhilarated rate since end of Norooz holidays. Many hanged in public.

- 1) Children & women rights activist Mohamad Ghaznavian has been released on bail

- 2) Ghaznavian was out on bail, went to court on 4/5,was faced with additional charges & bail which he could not afford

- 3) Ghaznavian was rearrested on 4/5. He did post the additional bail & was released today.

- Today, a 35 y/o man scheduled for execution; last-minute daughters of the victim forgave him & execution was stopped.

- Adnan Abo-Ali was executed in public in Mahshahr on Tuesday convicted of Moharebeh for armed robbery.

- 1) Dr.Ali Akbar Soroush is under heavy pressure in solitary in Babol prison to give false confession

- 2) Dr. Soroush was a Mousavi campaign activist. He was arrested 25 dys ago. Family says he is not doing well.

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