gatestoneinstitute.org – “Hamas sees Western countries such as Germany as a refuge in which the organization can concentrate on collecting donations, recruiting new supporters, and spreading its propaganda.” — Germany’s domestic intelligence service, apnews.com, November 23, 2023. In February, Belgium’s justice minister confirmed that Hamas operates in Brussels… through a network of front companies raising funds for the terrorist organization… …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Yaghoub Amiri, a man on death row for drug-related charges, was executed in Ardabil Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Ardabil Central Prison on 2nd May. His identity has been established as 35-year-old Yaghoub Amiri who was sentenced to death for drug-related charges by the Revolutionary …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Ali Ashraf Khani, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed Kermanshah Central Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Kermanshah Central Prison on 1st May. His identity has been established as 45-year-old Ali Ashraf Khani who was sentenced to qisas for murder. An informed source told IHRNGO: “Ali Ashraf …

Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO) – Ahmad Heyrati, a man sentenced to qisas (retribution-in-kind) for murder, was executed Shiraz Central Prison. Two unidentified men have been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions and up to 20 people are at risk in Pirbanu Prison. According to information obtained by Iran Human Rights, a man was executed in Shiraz Central Prison (Adel …

iranintl – A Bushehr Teachers Union member, Reza Amanifar, was arrested as Iranian educators took to the streets on Thursday to address the country’s education crisis. The demonstration followed the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations’ call for a nationwide rally. Also yesterday, Esmaeil Abdi, a teacher, civil activist, and member of the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Union who has been …

iranintl – With an approaching run-off election to fill the final 32 parliamentary seats, and three weeks until the new Iranian parliament convenes, a fierce contest ensues among conservatives for the coveted Speaker’s position. Like most other developments in Tehran, the battle over the Speaker’s seat is seen as a crucial aspect of the broader preparation for the post-Khamenei era. …

iranintl – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei warned about ‘normalization with Israel’ Wednesday, as US and Saudi Arabia got closer to a bilateral deal that might help Washington’s parallel efforts to normalize ties between Riyadh and Tel Aviv. The Biden administration has been trying to push Saudi Arabia and Israel to sign a peace agreement for months. A deal was …

iranintl – Gazelle Sharmahd, daughter of a dual-nationality prisoner on death row in Iran, has urged a bipartisan hearing in Congress to ensure her father’s release while criticizing disgraced Iran Envoy Robert Malley. “Mr Malley and his colleagues negotiated the release of several Americans last summer and, without explanation, excluded my father. Our family asked why in hell would we …

iranintl – The UN called the recent BBC investigation into the death of Iranian teenager Nika Shakarami “very very troubling”. “The Secretary-General has repeatedly spoken about his concern of human rights violations in Iran. There is a special rapporteur on Iran and there are other human rights mechanisms. And I think whatever information the BBC has brought should be sent …

RFL/RE – Tehran has imposed a round of sanctions on a group of American and British companies and individuals, including British Defense Minister Grant Shapps, over their support for Israel in its war in the Gaza Strip. In a statement on May 2, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said British officials and entities were sanctioned because of the United Kingdom’s “deliberate support” for …