RFL/RE – Students and teachers’ rights activists across Iran joined forces to stage nationwide rallies on May 9 against what they call the deteriorating state of the educational system and the systematic suppression of students, teachers, and parents. The call for action, dubbed a “revolution of women, life, and freedom,” was joined by a number of organizations, including the Iranian Retirees Council, …

RFL/RE – An Iranian newspaper has reported that an increasing number of poverty-stricken Iranians are selling their organs to make ends meet. The daily Jahan-e Sanat said in a May 4 report that kidneys, bone marrow, parts of livers, and “anything else that can be transplanted is being bought and sold on the black market” in Iran. The newspaper said …

Iranwire – Iranian authorities hanged seven men on drugs and rape charges, a Norway-based human rights group said, after the UN human rights chief warned of a “frighteningly” high number of executions in the country. Three men were executed on drug-related charges in Qezelhesar prison in the city of Karaj, near Tehran, Iran Human Rights (IHR) NGO said on May 10, adding that …

Iranwire – The editor of the state-run Iran newspaper says has been fired from the publication for criticizing a government official on social media.  “I was fired from Iran newspaper for the [supposed] crime of asking a simple question in the comment section of Mr. Khalji’s Instagram post, who is the head of the Government’s Information Council,” Hamed Talebi said in a …

Iranwire – US human rights watchdog Freedom House has presented its 2023 Freedom Award to Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza and the “women of Iran” in recognition of their “unwavering commitment and activism to advance democracy and freedom.” The May 9 award ceremony in Washington was attended by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who pointed out that “hundreds of thousands of Iranian women, girls…have demanded their …

Iranwire – Prominent Iranian actresses Katayoun Riahi and Panthea Bahram have been fined $30 each for making public appearances without wearing the mandatory headscarf, according to the Etemad news website.  The actresses are among dozens of celebrities, artists and sportspeople who have faced economic sanctions, travel bans or detention over the past months for flouting mandatory hijab rules and for supporting protesters’ calls for more freedoms …

Iranwire – Iranian journalist Keyvan Samini was able to contact his family 20 days after his arrest and revealed that he was being held in Ward 209 of Tehran’s Evin prison, his lawyer has said.  The lawyer, Mustafa Nili, said in a tweet on May 9 that the 74-year-old dissident journalist faces charges over his planned participation in a virtual …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Three men were executed for drug-related charges in Qezel Hesar Prison. Bullets and tear gas were fired at families of death row prisoners gathered outside the prison to save their lives. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, three men were executed in Qezel Hesar Prison on 10 May. Their identities have been established …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Mehdi Teimouri, a man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Urmia Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Urmia Central prison on 5 May. His identity has been established as Mehdi Teimouri who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary Court. …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Mohammad Ahmadi, a Baluch man sentenced to death for drug-related charges, was executed in Isfahan Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a Baluch man was executed in Isfahan Central prison on 8 May. His identity has been reported as 45-year-old Mohammad Ahmadi who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by …