Shabtabnews In this dark night, I have lost my way – Arise from a corner, oh you the star of guidance.

Amnesty – The trial of Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national and permanent US resident held in detention in Tehran’s Evin Prison since September 2015, has concluded after two brief sessions before Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. His health is deteriorating but the authorities are denying him access to medical care. View report in English https://www.amnesty.org/download/Documents/MDE1348472016ENGLISH.pdf

PayvandNews – The Iranian archer, who competed at last month’s Olympic Games, won the women’s individual recurve open title. Iran won their second archery gold at Rio 2016 on Thursday (15 September), after Zahra Nemati claimed the women’s individual recurve open title. The 31-year-old, who competed at last month’s Olympic Games, subsequently defeated South Korea’s Jang Moon Jo, Italy’s Elisabetta Mijno, South …

PayvandNews – Iran’s heavyweight powerlifting champion Siamand Rahman has smashed three world records and won the gold medal at the Rio Paralympics. World’s Strongest Paralympian Siamand Rahman In his first attempt in the +107kg category, Siamand Rahman lifted 270 kilograms and broke the Paralympics record at Rio’s Riocentro Pavilion 2 on Wednesday. Iran’s Siamand Rahman (R) celebrates with his coach …

PayvandNews – In a Friday statement, the Iranian Judiciary’s Human Rights Council said the September 13 statement by Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, is “surprising” and “regrettable” as he is already aware of Tehran’s cooperative measures over the past few years At the 33rd session of the Human Rights Council on September 13, Ra’ad Hussein …

washingtonpost – Morteza Mehrzadselakjani is instantly recognizable and not just when he’s standing. The 8-foot-1 Iranian also sits head and shoulders above his competition at the Rio Paralympics’ sitting volleyball events. His incredible reach and dominance in the sport has made him a star in his home country and, more importantly, given the 28-year-old a reason to get up each morning. “I was alone, I was …