iranintl – The Mayor of Tehran’s persistence in constructing a mosque at one of the capital’s parks, despite public objections, may be linked to the Basij militia’s involvement in quelling anti-government protests. The Mayor, hardliner Alireza Zakani, along with other officials, say the construction of a mosque at Gheytarieh Park is in response to “popular demand” for providing places of …

Iranwire – Saeed Madani, a sociologist, university professor, and prominent researcher in social sciences, was transferred to Damavand Prison, IranWire reports.  Authorities acted at the request of the Ministry of Intelligence and with the prosecution’s approval to transfer him. In January 2022, Madani received a nine-year prison sentence from the Revolutionary Court. The charges against Madani included “forming and leading …

Iranwire – Iranian women and children rights activist Samaneh Asghari has begun serving a one-year prison sentence, her husband says.  Ismail Nazari, the activist’s spouse, said in an Instagram post on April 3 that Asghari went to the prosecutor’s office in Tehran and was transferred to Evin prison. In November 2022, the Islamic Republic’s judiciary sentenced Asghari, a student at …

Iranwire – A woman was arrested by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence for displaying an Israeli flag in the streets of Tehran, Fars news agency reported. The report did not disclose the woman’s identity or her current location.  It was also reported that she was apprehended while allegedly attempting to leave the country. This incident underlines the ongoing …

Iranwire – Iranian security forces have arrested Saeed Farokhipour, father of slain protester Amir Mehdi Farokhipour, while he was visiting his son’s grave. He went to visit his son’s grave at Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in Tehran on April 1, according to HRANA human rights news agency. Farokhipour’s current location and the detaining entity remain unknown. On September 27, 2022, 17-year-old …

Iranwire – Further diminishing Iran’s press freedom, the Islamic Republic has prosecuted at least 91 journalists, media activists, and media outlets in the first quarter of 2024. Defending Free Flow of Information, a non-profit advocating for freedom of expression, reports that at least 12 journalists and media activists were subjected to arbitrary arrests during this period. Three were imprisoned, while …

Iranwire – At least 18 prisoners were executed in Iranian prisons during March, according to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization.  This marks a significant increase of 80 percent compared to the previous month, which saw 10 executions. While the identities of 17 executed prisoners have been confirmed, details about a woman executed in Tabriz Central Prison remain unclear.  Among those …

RFL/RE – Iran’s strategy of deterrence against Israel has suffered greatly since the outbreak of the Gaza war — particularly after the brazen attack on its consulate in the Syrian capital on April 1. Eighteen members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), including key generals, have been killed in Syria in suspected Israeli strikes since early December. But Iran …

RFL/RE – Police in London say a March 29 stabbing of an Iranian journalist is being investigated by the Counter Terrorism Command, although investigators have not established a motive. A police statement on April 2 said the authorities believe three suspects were involved in the attack, in which self-exiled Persian-language journalist Pouria Zeraati suffered an injury to his leg. The three men …

alarabiya – Iran’s top diplomat said on Tuesday that an “important message” had been conveyed to the US following a deadly attack attributed to Israel on Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus. The attack on Monday killed seven members of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, including two senior commanders, the IRGC said. In a post on the social media platform X, …