Week 02 - 2012

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Abolfazl Abedini transferred to Evin 350 after 10 days in 209.
• Hamideh Farajzadeh, a well-known Azeri feminist activist transferred to Tabriz prison.
• Mohammad Amin Hadavi transferred to Evin 350.
• Imprisoned Kurdish Human Rights activist Mohammad Sedigh Kaboudband was transfered to hospital on 1/9.
• Political prisoner, Sarkoot Khatami is moved from Marivan prison to an undisclosed location.
• Sharif Saeedpanah transferred from Sanandaj prison to Ministry of Intelligence detention centre.
• Mozafar Salehnia transferred from Sanandaj prison to Ministry of Intelligence detention centre.
• Shahin Zainali transferred to Evin 350 after 10 days in 209.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Amin Ahmadian, husband of Bahareh Hedayat, arrested.
• Mahmoud Dardkeshan arrested in Qom and freed one day later.
• Ehsan Houshmand journalist and national-religious activist arrested.
• Mehdi Khazali violently arrested.
• Fatemeh Kheradmand, journalist and wife of Masoud Lavasani, arrested, sent to Evin 290 and banned from visits.
• Nasrollah Laleh, dervish Gonabadi arrested in Tehran and sent to Evin 290.
• Saeed Madani, Religious-National activist arrested.
• Farahnaz Naeemi, Baha’i, wife of Bakhtiar Rasekhi, arrested in Kerman.
• Meisam Nejati Aref, student and workers’ rights activist arrested.
• Simin Nematollahi, Gonabadi dervish, arrested and sent to Evin 290.
• Kasri Noori, Gonabadi dervish, arrested in Shiraz.
• Bakhtiar and Farin Rasekhi (father and daughter), Baha’is, arrested in Kerman together with wife Farahnaz Naeemi.
• Sharif Saed Panah, member of Managing board of Free Union of Workers in Iran arrested at home.
• 250 PPL were arrested Sunday morning in Tehran in what police called arresting of thugs & hoodlums. 

. C-Libérations

• Feyzollah Arabasorkhi on medical leave for 2 days.
• Saman Aryaman released on bail from Ahvaz prison.
• Alieh Eghdamdoust freed from Evin.
• Behrouz Faridi political prisoner freed from Tabriz prison.
• Participation Front member Amir Hossein Hajebian has been released on bail after 28 days in prison.
• Baha'i Vahid Mahmoudi who was arrested in connection with Baha'i Online University and received suspended sanctions was released from Rejaei Shahr prison.
• Behrouz, Leila and Siavash Mohammadi, political prisoners freed from Tabriz prison.
• Azari student activist Younes Soleymani was arrested 2 weeks ago.

D-Other News 

• Jamal Ameli banned from visits and leaves.
• Imprisoned regime critic cleric Mohammad Sadegh Honarvar is on hunger strike.
• After Karroubi's statement re the election was published his wife is now banned from visiting him.
• Regime critic Dr. Mehdi Khazali on 5th day of hunger strike in solitary confinement.
• Mehdi Sadat Sharifi unable to attend his father’s funeral.
• Due to lack of proper medical care, Ghasem Sholeh-Saadi, on the verge of paralysis.
• Imprisoned student activist Majid Tavakoli was taken to court once again.

News of injustice in Iran

• Souresh and Vali Afshari, Kurdish activists both sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• Haydar Ali Alirezaei, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Mohsen Armin sentenced to 6 years in prison and 5 years ban on political activities.
• Cyber activist, Vahid Asghari, sentenced to death by judge Salavati.
• Jamshid Askarian teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Behzad Bagheri, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Mansour Darianoosh, kurdish activist, sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• Mousavi's campaign activist Asal Esmaeilzadeh has been sentenced to 4 months in prison+8 months suspended.
• Ali Hashempour, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Ahmad Reza Hashempour sentence to death confirmed by Supreme Court.
• Behrad Khodayari sentenced to 91 days in prison; he is a supporter of Tractor Tabriz football team.
• Sajedeh Kianoushrad is given 1 year jail sentence with 4 years suspended.
• Javad Lari sentenced to death anew.
• Saleh Kohandel cleared of new charges.
• Farzad Madadzadeh cleared of new charges.
• Reza Malek sentenced to one year in prison and 50 lashes.
• Mohammad Ali Mansouri cleared of new charges.
• Yousef Mehrpouya teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Amir  Mirzaei Hekmati sentenced to death for spying.
• Hasan Mehdi Mohtamadi Mehr’s sentence to 5 years in prison confirmed; he is a member of the Freedom Movement of Iran.
• Fakhrolsadat Mohtashamipour wife of imprisoned Reformist Mostafa Tajzadeh has been sentenced to 4 years suspended sentence.  
• Gholamreza Rahmani, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Alireza Rezaei, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Alireza Riyahi, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Hossein Sarpoghi, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Mojtaba Sharifi, teacher and labour activist, arrested last year and released on heavy bail after more than 1 month in solitary, sentenced in Isfahan to 4 years and 5 months in prison + fine.
• Court of Appeals has upheld the 2 years sentence of Mousavi campaign activist Mohamad Ali Velayati.
• 9 teachers in Yazd are given a total of 42 months in prison suspended for 5 years.
• 9 people hanged in Shiraz.
• One public execution in Gachsaran.
• 2 executions in Evin.

University  - Culture

• Struggle at management level of Azad University.
• Gorgan university student Dorsa Allahverdi has been expelled for being of Baha'i faith.
• Bojnourd University student Shervin Falah has been expelled for being of Baha'i faith.
• Shokoofeh Mavadi,  Baha’i student expelled from Zahedan University.   
• Islamic Awakening Congregation in Qom cancelled after only 10 people showed up!
• Babol University bans facebook accounts for its students.
• Research Center of Parliament protest against 'National Internet'; Setback for the government project.
• Guidance ministry is preparing model for proper Hijab in child-care centers.
• Since summer mixing of pre-elementary schools' boys and girls has been banned.
• Bahman Farman Ara has returned the prizes he received from previous Fajr Film Festivals . 
• Concerns about effects of acid rain on Pasargad, archaeological site.
• In fifth development plan, Iran to reduce by 10%, the number of humanities students.
• National Internet seems to be run by Russia.
• 2 to 6 years in prison is passed Majlis for having a satellite dish.
• Ahmadinejad ally Farhad Daneshjoo to head Azad University.
• Iranian movie A Separation won the 2012 American Critics' Choice award best foreign language film.

Economy in Iran

• Oil refiners sever links with Iran. 
• Gold price & 20% inflation may force central bank deposit interest rate increase from 12.5%.
• Dollar reaches 1800 tomans : barter is back and counterfeit dollars appear.
• Inflation during the past month was 40%.
• Starting next week, Iran will raise interest rates on bank deposits to over 20%.
• Iran to crack down on illegal currency dealers starting Sunday.
• The price of bread has gone up significantly in some areas of Tehran. 

Protests

• Malayer Steel Workers held 24-hour strike over 6 months' unpaid wages.
• Textile workers in Mazandaran held a protest in front of the provincial administration office; they have received no salary since 16 months.
• Fars Railroad company staff protests in front of Majlis.

Iran  abroad

• Ahmadinejad visits Nicaragua, Venezuela and Cuba.
• India to buy Iran oil despite U.S. sanctions.
• Europe will have a six month waiting period to implement sanctions on Iran.
• U.S. boycotts three companies for dealings with Iran.
• French ambassador returns to Iran.
• Saudi officials: Persian Gulf oil producers are ready to step in and offset any loss of Iranian oil in the market.
• Goal of Iran sanctions is regime collapse, US official says 
• Paris-based Iran ex-pat group to create Council ahead of March IRI elections. 
• Four Iranian trucks carrying military equipment for Syria stopped at Turkey/Syria border.
• Mosad agents pretend to work for CIA to recruit members of Jundollah to fight against Iran.
• Commander of Iran Qods Force, Ghasem Soleimani, was in Syria a few days ago and was received warmly by Bashar Assad.
• Hamas Leaders Khaled Mashaal and Ismail Haniyeh to visit Iran in January.
• Iran supplying weapons to Syria crackdown.

Politics in Iran

• Ahmadinejad: Mojtaba Khamenei (Khamenei's son) has embezzled 1.6 billion euros from Iran national reserves.
• Minister of Interior disqualifies all of Parvin Ahmadinejad competitors (for Majlis elections) in her district.
• 4 are arrested for "plans for inciting disruption of parliamentary elections.
• Massive Raid by Intelligence Agents on Homes of Baha’i in Sanandaj .
• Deputy Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade, arrested.
• Many MPs banned from running for re-election among them : Ali Motahari, Hamidreza Katouzian, Alireza Mahjoub, Ali Abbaspour Tehrani, Fatemeh Ajorloo, Abbasali Noura, Peyman Forouzesh, Ghodratollah Alikhani and Daryoosh Ghanbari .
• 30% of candidates for 9th parliament in Tehran State are rejected.
• Mehdi Rabbani becomes deputy of Operations of IRGC, previously Tehran IRGC Sarallah Base deputy.
• Travellers who are flying to Turkey and Malaysia can get $1000 amount only at airport after passport check.
• Currently released political prisoners were called to support next Parliament election by Ministry of Information.
• Ahmadinejad accuses Mojtaba Khamenei of 1.6 billion euros  embezzlement.

Miscellaneous 

• 5 female inmates mysteriously killed in Gharchak prison in Varamin over the past two days.
• Last week, a doctor at Alzahra hospital of Isfahan announced that a number of patients with sudden, painful blisters were admitted to the hospital and treated. According to the Iran Khabar news agency, this doctor announced that these injuries are a result of radioactive contact and as all patients are from a small area, it is probably a result of a radioactive leak from a military or lab nuclear test.
• Senior Natanz executive slain in Tehran 48 hours after Iran began uranium enrichment at Fordo.
• Assassinated nuclear procurement guy, Ahmadi-Roshan, had disagreements with regime on its nuclear policies.
• High level of air pollution in Assalouyeh . Tests detect toxins in residents' blood.
• About 200 thousand people in Iran are infected with hepatitis C.
• Pirates seize Iranian ship in Gulf of Aden.
• U.S. forces rescue another six Iranian mariners.

Week 01 - 2012

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian was removed from his cell block on Sunday. His whereabouts is still unknown.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Mostafa Ebrahim Tabbar begins serving his 6 months sentence in Mati-Kala prison in Babol.
• Erfan Ehsani, Baha'i citizen in Semnan arrested.
• Edalat Firouzian,  Baha'i citizen in Semnan arrested.
• Faramarz Firouzian, Baha'i citizen in Semnan arrested.
• Mohammad Reza Karbalaei Agha Maleki begins serving his 6 months sentence in Mati-Kala prison in Babol.
• Mother of imprisoned journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian has been arrested a few hours for giving interviews about his son.
• Mohammad Reza Masoumian begins serving his 6 months sentence in Mati-Kala prison in Babol.
• Gonabadi Dervishes member Reza Pishkar was arrested in a raid of his home on Sunday and taken to Shiraz prison.
• Labor activist Mozafar Salehnia was arrested in a raid of his business.
• Poet and cultural activist Ali Soltani was arrested in Miyandoab on Sunday January 1.
• Jahanbakhsh Vakili, brother of martyr Farhad Vakili, arrested.
• At least 60 Kurdish citizens are arrested in Urmiah when protesting in front of Turkish consulate.

D-Other News 

• Journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian severely beaten by interrogators in IRGC's ward in Evin.
• 17 Ghezelhesar prison inmates transferred to solitary in preparation for hanging on drug charges.
• A political prisoner dies in Khoy prison due lack of medical attention.

News of injustice in Iran

• Idris Ak, Kurdish activist sentenced to 1 year in prison.
• Mohammad Reza Golizadeh Akhlaghi sentenced to one million rials fine for insulting president.
• Daughter of former President Rafsanjani, Faezeh Hashemi, sentenced to 6 months prison, also banned from political, cultural & media activities for 5 years.
• Court of Appeals in Tabriz has upheld 91 days in prison + 20 lashes sentence for activist Rogiyeh Hassanzadeh.
• Mousa Hosseinzadeh, Kurdish activist, sentenced to 1 year in prison.
• Mohammad Reza Joshan gets an additional 16 month sentence while in prison.
• Jalal Naseri Kurdish activist, sentenced to 5 years in prison.
• Ghasem Rahimi Azar, Kurdish activist, sentenced to 8 years in Iran.
• Sohrab Razzaghi, previous professor at Allameh Tabatabaee, sentenced to 20 years in prison.
• Appeals confirm Fereshteh Shirazi sentence.
• 1 man executed in Zanjan on Monday.
• 2 executions in Arak on Tuesday.
• 22 Ghezelhesar prison inmates executed en masse and in secret in Evin prison on Tuesday.
• 3 public executions in Kermanshah.
• 5 people executed in Bam-Kerman prison.
• 1 execution in Varamin prison.

University  - Culture

• Internet police (FATA) closed down 6 Internet cafes in South Khorasan province because they were using web proxies.
• Ministry of Culture ordered the dissolution of the House of Cinema.
• Incredible repressive new laws for internet cafes.
• A "minimum of 85%" of Iranians do not have access to internet; Out of 74.8 million Iranians, 11 million (14.7%) have access, 27.3% of urban population & 4.9% of rural population.
• Iran's national intranet to be ready February 2011.

Economy in Iran

• More than 40 percent of textile factories in Isfahan have closed.
• 350 out of 400 workers of Arg Diesel Company lost their jobs.
• The value of US dollar increased: 1 US Dollar=1800 Tomans. 
• Housing costs rise 20% with rise of USD.
• Top 4 countries importing commodities from Iran: China (25.6%), UAE (18.7%), Singapore (11.6%), India (11.4%).
• Top export commodities of Iran: Petroleum gas (56%), Organic chemicals (25.6%), Uric fertilizer (7.2%), plastics (4.4).
• Workers at Gold Tablet Company in Malayer have not received wages for 5 months.
• Iranian delegation signed two trade agreements with China.
• LG and Samsung agents in Iran will shut down for a minimum of 3 weeks due to foreign exchange fluctuations.
• Iran discovers two New Oil Fields. 

Protests

• A number of agricultural fertilizer producers gathered in front of parliament and demanded the support of the government and parliament in preventing the closure of their industrial units.
• On Thursday December 22nd, workers of Safa profiles in Saveh gathered in the factory to protest not getting paid for four months. 
• A group of workers from Dural Company gathered in front of the company to protest their sudden dismissal. 
• About 30 workers of Khavar Textile Company of Rasht gathered in front of the provincial governor’s office of Gilan on December 20th and asked for an inquiry about their delayed payments.
•  500 workers of the steel factory in Ardabil demonstrated in front of the factory to request payment of 6 months wages.
• Strike at the Gilana ceramics factory to ask for 7 months salary.

Iran  abroad

• 3 Iranian border guards detained in Pakistan; suspected of killing a Pakistani national.
• Two Iranian pilgrims, arrested on drug charge, dead in Saudi prisons of the bad weather.
• EU governments agree in principle on Iranian oil ban.
• Iraqi minister in Tehran seeking Iran’s mediation in internal Iraqi dispute.
• Greece says it will support Iran oil sanctions.Turkish foreign minister visits Iran.

Politics in Iran

• Based on warning from the judiciary, advocating for boycotting elections will be considered a crime.
• Appointment of Ahmadinejad's son in law as head of Standards Organization annulled.
• Foreign Minister Salehi met with 70 Libyan tribes.
• Ahmadinejad appointed former Mashaee's advisor as head of Iran Cultural Heritage Organization.
• Interior Minister: 5,395 registered for next parliament elections; 428 are women.
• Ahmadinejad summoned to parliamentary committee.

Miscellaneous 

• In the first nine months of 1390, Tehran has had only two days with clean air.
• Tehran’s water sources are polluted.
• Haj Bakhshi, Iran-Iraq war veteran and leading member of hard-line Ansar Hezbollah, dies.
• 241 electrical cable thieves arrested during the past 8 months in Ahvaz.
• 2000 people have committed suicide in Ilam in 2010.
• Twelve fitness clubs transgressing moral codes closed down in Qom.

Week 52 - 2011

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Mehdi Kouhkan was taken to hospital.
• Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was taken to hospital on Saturday. Doctors say he needs another operation, furlough is still denied.
• Isa Saharkhiz, journalist, taken to the hospital handcuffed and shackled.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Hiva Bairami arrested in Mahabad.
• Osman Ghadernejad arrested in Mahabad.
• Abdolrahman Ghaderzadeh (Zaniar) arrested in Mahabad.
• Morad Hassanzadeh arrested in Mahabad.
• Esmail Honarpour arrested in Mahabad.
• Laleh Park Mothers supporter Zhila Karamzadeh arrested to serve her 2 years sentence.
• Mousavi campaign activist Dr. Ahmad Miri reported to Babol prison to start serving his 1 year sentence.
• Hamid Moazzemi, journalist, arrested anew.
• Ali Molanejad arrested in Mahabad.
• Chia Mollanejad arrested in Mahabad.
• Osman Mollazadeh arrested in Kurdistan.
• Samakou Osmani arrested in Mahabad.
• Alireza Shahiri begins serving his 9 months sentence in Babol prison.
• Ali Akbar Soroush, University Professor arrested to begin serving his sentence.
• Naser Tarighi arrested in Mahabad.
• Khosrow Zareh arrested in Mahabad.
• Christians arrested in Ahwaz while attending church.

C- Liberations

• Yashar Amini freed after serving his 1 year sentence.
• Behrooz Javid Tehrani was released today after 7 yrs of imprisonment.
• Shahla Rahmati, Christian, freed after 287 days in prison.

D-Other News 

• Rumours that Sakineh Ashtiani may be hanged instead of stoned.
• Loghman Moradi banned from visit for a year.
• Kurdish death row prisoner Mostafa Salimi has been on a hunger strike in Saghez prison since Dec 19.

News of injustice in Iran

• Mohammad Ahmadi sentenced to 1 year in prison and 70 lashes.
• Hamed Andaz sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Adel Danapour sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Saeed Ebrahimzadeh sentenced to 1 year in prison and 70 lashes.
• Bahram Faravani sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Behnam Fatehi sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Reformist Abolfazl Ghadiani has been sentenced to additional 3 years on charges of insulting the Leader.
• Vahid Gholampour Golzari sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Allahverdi Ghorbani sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Kiomarz Ghorbani Niknam sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Mohsen Golestani sentenced to 1 year in prison and 70 lashes.
• Faezeh Hashemi daughter of former president Rafsanjani was put on trial on charges of anti regime propaganda.
• Masoud Jalilzadeh sentenced to 1 year in prison and 70 lashes.
• Shahriar Kabiri Eskandari sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Najaf Khandani sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Bahram Khodayari sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Siamak Kondoori sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Zhila Mahdavian, supporter of the Mourning Mothers, was summoned to the Islamic Revolution Court on 25 December 2011 and was notified that she has been sentenced to five years.
• Vahid Mahmoudi, Baha'i, sentenced by Appeals to 5 years suspended; he should be freed very soon.
• Amir Mirzaee Hekmati tried on spying charges.
• Ali Mohammadi Aghbolagh sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Mehdi Mohammadpour sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Taghi Molaei sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Alireza Naghshi sentenced to 3 months in prison and 30 lashes.
• Maryam Najafi, daughter of Zhila Mahdavian and supporter of the Mourning Mothers, was summoned to the Islamic Revolution Court on 25 December 2011 and was notified that se has been sentenced to 6 months in prison, + 18-month suspended.
• Kaveh Rostampour sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Parviz Saeedian sentenced to 1 year in prison and 70 lashes.
• Ali Shahed sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• Court of Appeals has upheld the 3 years sentence of women's rights activist Fereshteh Shirazi.
• Chair of The Freedom Movement of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Yazdi has been sentenced to 8 years.
• Arooman Zahideh Tabrizi sentenced to 6 months year in prison and 40 lashes.
• A man was flogged in public in Masjed Soleyman.
• 2 executions in Lakan prison in Rasht.
• Seven people hanged in Urmiah central prison on December 24, 2011; one of them is a woman.
• Man was hanged in Shahroud prison on December 21.
• 2 public executions in Ghazvin on Thursday.

University  - Culture

• UN Correspondents Association awarded a Ranan Lurie Citation 4 Excellence to Iranian cartoonist Mana Neyestani.
• Historical Bath of Mirza Yousef Maleki, heritage of Safavid period, demolished by Municipality of Babol city.
• Khatami’s magazine banned.
• 100 book stores have been closed in Tehran in the past year.
• Iranian Filmmakers resist Culture Ministry plan to shut down the House of Cinema.
• Fourteenth printing of a Persian translation of "Blindness" by José Saramago banned.
• Ministry of Culture sues two publishers.
• Vali-ye Asr Avenue, the longest street in Tehran, inscribed on the National Heritage List.
• Iranian authorities block access to former President Rafsanjani’s website.
• 450 journalists emigrated from Iran since last elections.

Economy in Iran

• Iran invites Sri Lankan banks to open branches in Tehran.
• $571m investment in Armenia energy projects from Iran regime.
• UAE, China, and South Korea top exporters to Iran.
• Iran and Afghanistan sign new oil agreement.

Protests

• 70 Census workers who have not been paid for months protest in front of Tehran Governorship. 

Iran  abroad

• Israeli company sold surveillance equipment to Iran .
• Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian will travel to Moscow on December 26.
• 2 more Iranian technicians disappeared in Syria.
• Rocket Attack Reported on PMOI Camp Ashraf in Iraq.
• UN General Assembly Condemns Iranian Regime's Abuses.
• Federal Judge rules: Iran Behind 9/11 Attacks.
• Danish company helped Iran with surveillance program that identified journalist who was arrested and tortured.
• Chinese senior diplomat Zhai Jun visits Iran amid tensions.

Politics in Iran

• Reformist party Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organisation announced they are boycotting next Parliamentary election.
• Mehdi Khazali registers to run in upcoming Majlis elections.
• Mehdi Karroubi denounces coming elections in advance.
• In a joint statement the PDKI and Komeleh urge the Kurdish people to boycott the Majlis election.
• Fist fight occurs in Iran's parliament.
• Boroujerdi, one of the accused in $3 billion embezzlement case, becomes a candidate for parliamentary elections.
• Appointment of Ahmadinejad's son-in-law as head of standards organization drew protests from MPs.
• 1 in 5 of the 1,400 potential candidates who've registered so far for upcoming parliamentary elections is a woman.
• 20 Mps protest against the 'special report' of sedition of 2009.

Miscellaneous 

• Death of a female student in Mashhad.
• Fist fight occurs in Iran's parliament.
• 4 PJAK members, 1 Bassiji killed in a clash near a kurdish village of Baneh.
• Fire at Shazand Arak refinery contained.
• According to official statistics, 850 thousand Iranian children between the ages of 10 and 18, married.
• 8 members of police force in Qazvin arrested for raping female students.
• 2,600 residents of Tehran submitted request for gender change.

Week 51 - 2011

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Omid Behrouzi transferred to Evin 350.
• Mostafa Daneshjou transferred to Evin 350.
• Reza Entesari transferred to Evin 350.
• Amir Eslami transferred to Evin 350.
• Afshin Karampour transferred to Evin 350.
• Hamid Moradi transferred to Evin 350.
• Kamran Rahimian transferred to Rejaei Shahr prison as his trial begins.
• Farshid Yadollahi transferred to Evin 350.
• Student activist Mazyar Yazdani has been moved to solitary confinement in Babol prison.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Former Shiraz University student activist Rouhollah Ghasemi arrested Sunday  12/18 after being summoned by Intelligence.
• Participation Front member/journalist Amir Hossein Hajebian has been arrested.
• Gonabadi Dervishes member Nasrollah Laleh has been arrested, his home and work place raided, items confiscated.
• Tehran Azad Uni student activist Mohammad Hossein Mahboubian was arrested 12/17 as he was leaving the University.
• Esmaeel Rahimi, Kurdish civic activist, arrested at home in Sarv Dasht.
• Bastam Sarabi Kurdish civic activist, arrested at home in Sarv Dasht.
• Man who threw shoes at Ahmadinejad arrested.

C- Liberations

• Mohammad Alimoradi, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Ahmad Alizadeh, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Civil activist Rahim Bajvar has been released on bail from Marivan's Intelligence detention center.
• Ali Imani Gharamaleki, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Farzad Mahdavi, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Mohammad Mahmoudi, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Jalil Milani, arrested in August during Ramadan dinner, freed from Tabriz prison.
• Mehdi Mohajer, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Ghader Noroozi, arrested in August during Ramadan dinner, freed from Tabriz prison.
• War veteran Mohammad Reza Rajabi has been released after completing his sentence. He was arrested June 2009.
• Yaghoob Ramezani, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Student activist Arash Sadeghi has been released.
• Yousef Salahshour, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Yaser Salmani Rezaei, arrested in Tabriz on 24 August, freed after serving his sentence.
• Fakhreddin Samimi, bahai living in Ghaemshahr freed.
• Ali Sirnak, arrested in August during Ramadan dinner, freed from Tabriz prison.

D-Other News 

• Journalists call for the release of Hassan Fathi, arrested after giving interview to BBC Persian. 
• Hossein Ronaghi Maleki has ended his hunger strike.
• Labor activist Reza Shahabi ended his hunger strike after 30 days on December 22nd  in hospital's CCU .
• Students meet with the Family of Majid Tavakoli.
• Political prisoners in Ahvaz Karoon prison have threatened to start a hunger strike protesting their move to ward with dangerous criminals.

News of injustice in Iran

• Farzad Eslami sentenced to 1 additional year.
• Mazyar Goudarzvand has been sentenced to 3 years suspended+fines.
• Parvin Mokhareh, mother of Kouhyar Goudarzi, sentenced to 23 months in prison.
• Esmail Salmanpour sentenced to 1 year suspended.
• 3 prisoners executed in Arak prison for drug smuggling.
• 1 execution in Ilam on Sunday.
• Public flogging of people carried out in Shiraz city.
• 1 execution in Saveh on Tuesday.

University  - Culture

• Setareh Elyasi, Womens Rights and student activist expelled for “Disobedience”. 
• Society for Iranian Archaeology warns of "destruction and looting" of ancient monuments and sites in Sistan and Baluchestan.
• Tiles of the dome of historical Charbagh school in Isfahan  collapsed.
• Tehran's Beethoven Music Center, celebrates 58th years of existence. 
• A crack seen in bottom of the mountain called Hossein, Naghsh-e-Rostam site, necropolis of 4 Achaemenian kings.
• International Conference on Persian Poet Rumi kicks off in Tehran.
• In two days; 5 old and historical houses demolished in Ahvaz city.
• Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation nominated for 5 London Critics Circle Film Awards.
• Iran blocks British Embassy website.
• Security agents raid Yalda celebrations in Gorgan.

Economy in Iran

• Iranian currency is falling down day by day.
• CEO of Ahvaz Steel factory arrested in connection of big embezzlement.
• Russia oil company Tatneft said he hasn't signed agreement or contract related to work in Iran oil and gas sector.
• Iran company Sunir awarded $72 million contract to expand plant in north Iraq.
• US dollar trading up to 1630 tomans on the open market.
• $9 million; Energy Ministry's debt to the Tehran subway.
• $50 million; deficits of public hospitals after implementation of targeted subsidy plan.
• Iran has outlawed use of letters of credit for goods imported from UAE as well as transactions carried out in dirhams.

Iran  abroad

• Iran and Russia set to ink $700m oil deal.
• Bochum City gives Human Rights award to Mrs. Khadijeh Hajidini Moghaddam.
• Iran has released two Kuwaitis held for a month, clearing them of spying.
• Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Mohammad Hosseini traveled Saturday to Algeria to attend the 7th Islamic Conference of Culture Ministers of Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states.
• Tatarstan President visits Iran.
• Iran wants to open a consulate in Vancouver to serve city's Iranian-Canadian population; Canada refuses.
• UN General Assembly has approved a resolution denouncing serious Human Rights violations in Iran.
• Iran prohibits all business relationship between Iran and UAE until further notice.
• Iraq’s prime minister grants six-month extension on deadline to close MEK's camp Ashraf.
• 5 Iranian technicians had been kidnapped in the Syrian city of Homs.
• Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Supreme Leader met with Indian Vice-President.
• Iran and Mauritania sign Memorandum of Understanding on expansion of mutual cooperation in the fields of health, oil, oil exploitation, agriculture, fisheries, industries, electricity, commerce and trade.
• Switzerland freezes assets of 180 Iranian people and enterprises.

Politics in Iran

• Iran says it has arrested a suspected American spy trying to infiltrate Iranian intelligence.
• Green Movement Council says participation in next parliamentary elections, 'contrary to the national interest'.
• Regime Sells Out Parts of Iran to China! 
• In a statement; 39 Political prisoners warn over the "security" atmosphere ahead of Parliamentary elections .

Miscellaneous 

• Yazd Steel Factory blast death toll reaches 18.
• Yemen releases 5 sailors from Iran who were illegally detained 2 years ago.
• Schools closed in Isfahan after critical air pollution.
• Factories around Tehran closed until Saturday after critical air pollution.
• Explosion in Isfahan refinery.
• Tabriz closed because of pollution.
• Pollution alert in Arak.

Week 50 - 2011

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Saman Aryaman transferred to Karoon prison in Ahvaz.
• Jahangir Badozadeh transferred from Urmia prison to an unknown location.
• Habibollah Golparipour transferred from Urmia prison to an unknown location.
• Mostafa Kake Mami (Yousef) transferred from Urmia prison to an unknown location.
• Jailed union activist, Reza Shahabi on hunger strike since November 25, transfered to hospital.
• Ali Ahmad Soleimani transferred from Urmia prison to an unknown location.
• Ahmad Tamouei transferred from Urmia prison to an unknown location.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Mohammad Farajpour begins serving his 9 months sentence.
• Dissident cleric Hasanali Mostafaei detained.
• Mousavi's campaign 88 activist Hassan Nikkhah is back in Evin.
• Labor activist Alireza Saghfi has been summoned for his 3 years sentence implementation.
• Hojatoleslam Abdollah Shahani arrested in Golestan province.
• Maziar Yazdan Nia goes to prison to serve his 6 months sentence.

C- Liberations

• Ali Ahmadi, Baha'i citizen of Ghaem Shahr, freed.
• Parisa Babaei, Baha'i citizen of Ghaem Shahr, freed.
• Peyman Aref has been released on bail.
• Simin Gorji, Baha'i citizen of Ghaem Shahr, freed.
• Documentary film maker Mojtaba Mirtahmasb has been released on bail.
• Rozhin Mohammadi blogger and human rights activist released.

D-Other News 

• Hossein Ronaghi Maleki started a hunger strike on Saturday 10 protesting denial of needed medical furlough.
• Discovery of a new torture place in the 81 Ramadan detention center belonging to the IRGC inside Almahdi garrison, 20km from the road of Darya Shahr of Orumieh. 
• 36 political prisoners who signed a statement boycotting the next election have been banned from face-to-face visits .

News of injustice in Iran

• Babol Appeals courts upholds  6 months sentence for Arya Aramnejad.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  6 months sentence for Mostafa Ebrahimtabar.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  6 months sentence for Alireza Falahati.
• Zeinab Jalalian sentenced to life term by Supreme Court.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  6 months sentence for Mohammad Reza Maleki.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  6 months sentence for Mohammad Reza Massoumian.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  12 months sentence for Ahmad Miri.
• Zahra Nika’ein, Baha'i child activist, sentenced to 7 years.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  9 months sentence for Alireza Shahiri.
• Babol Appeals courts upholds  4 months sentence for Ali Akbar Soroush.
• Leg amputation was performed on a man convicted of armed robbery in Shiraz Adelabad prison.
• Hand amputation was performed in Shiraz prison on a man.
• One public execution in Shahr-e-Kord.
• 5 people executed in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad.
• 2 public executions in Rostam, Fars province on Tuesday.
• 1 execution in Rasht on Tuesday.
• 1 execution in Isfahan on Wednesday.

University  - Culture

• Bas relief of Bahram II in Nishabour (Sasanid), destroyed.
• Science Minister declares that University entrance exams will be eliminated in 3 years.
• Negar Salahi, Baha'i student in Mazandaran University, expelled.
• Hadi Binesh expelled from University due to his political activity. 

Economy in Iran

• 260 industrial units out of 700 are not active in Kurdistan.
• 40 workers of the clay section at Javeh dam in Kurdistan province were fired.
• Iran finds huge gas field in Caspian Sea.
• Government's debt to the health sector $10 Billion.
• Ahmadinejad agreed to allocate $4 billion from National Development Fund for new petrochemical projects.
• Cigarette imports increased by 75%.
• 70% of the blue collar workers in Iran live below poverty level.
• Unprocessed milk more expensive in Iran than in EU.

Protests

• Assad's photo burned in Sahand stadium 9 Dec 2011 Azeris of Tabriz, support Syria revolution.
• An unemployed worker throws Shoes at Ahmadinejad during a speech in Sari city.
• Contracting worker attempts suicide in new Tehran's Governor's building over 8 months unpaid wages.
• Retired Steel Workers Protest at the Parliament’s Gate.

Iran  abroad

• New Japanese sanctions on Iran.
• Foreign Affairs Minister goes in Baghdad.
• Iranian regime seeks North Korea's help to activate ballistic missiles.
• Iraq and Iran exchange remains of 93 soldiers killed in 1980s war.
• Iran to help build oil refinery in Namibia.
• Iran Air refuelling deal at Kent International Airport (Manston) comes to an end.
• Clandestine (?) Trade of art masterpieces between Iran and the US.
• Hillary Clinton demands immediate and unconditional release of pastor Yousef Nadarkhani.
• Director of IRIB in Baku expelled from Azerbaijan.
• Saudi Crown Prince (also Interior Minister) meets Iran intelligence minister.
• Iranian Road Minister travels to Damascus.
• US sanctions 2 Iran military figures: General Firouzabadi and IRGC Commandant Araqi for the roles they played in IranElection crackdown.
• Ministry of Culture and of Islamic guidance leaves to Qatar for the International Book Fair.
• Direct involvement of high-level Hezbollah officials in the South American cocaine trade.
• Ex-Iran Guard commander visits White House with Iraq leader.
• Head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Discernment Council attacks Turkey for supporting Syrian opposition.
• Russia seizes radioactive material in luggage bound for Tehran.
• South Korea sanctions 99 persons and entities in Iran.

Politics in Iran

• Embezzlement Case - Indictment issued against Broujerdi, head of Committee for Foreign Policy: Mashhad MP.
• parliament passed a bill for a free trade agreement with Syria.
• Former President Rafsanjani calls 4 removal of limits on political parties.
• MP Ali Motahari criticized post iranelection crackdown on students and Parliament's inaction; he also labels detention of Mousavi and Karroubi as illegal.
• The Iranian government delay in submitting the annual budget to Parliament.
• Ali Larijani, speaker of parliament criticized the attack on UK embassy.
• IRGC and the Administration Disagree on Threatening Turkey.

Miscellaneous 

• Dust storms hit Iran's Khuzestan provinces - Again; schools closed in Ahvaz due to high pollution level.
• Blast in Yazd steel factory: 16 dead.
• Increase in deaths related to air pollution in Tehran.
• Fire contained at Iranian Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex.

Week 49 - 2011

News of the Prisoners

A-Transfers

• Saeed Agha Barari student and human rights activist, transferred to Evin .
• Kobra Amirkhizi transferred to hospital outside Evin.
• Peyman Aref transferred to Evin 209.
• Vahdat Dana transferred from Shiraz central prison to Pirbanoo in Shiraz suburbs.
• Mohammad Karimi, previous student activist arrested on Student Day.
• Farham Masoumi transferred from Shiraz central prison to Pirbanoo in Shiraz suburbs.
• Dr. Ali Rashidi transferred to Evin 209.
• Hossein Ronaghi Maleki transferred to hospital outside Evin.

B- Arrests/Incarcerations

• Ali Abbasi, student activist in Mazandaran University, arrested.
• University student/blogger Bahar Alinya has been missing since last week. Family can't find any info.
• Journalist Farshad Ghorbanpour has been arrested and is in Evin prison.
• Mohammad Karimi, student activist, arrested in Lahijan on student day.
• Baha'i Nader Kasanei was arrested in Semnan for his 3 years prison sentence implementation.
• Salar Lotfollahpour released from Sanandaj prison on heavy bail.
• Ebrahim Madadi is back to prison at the end of furlough.
• Rahman Yaghoubi, Student activist in Mazandaran University, arrested.
• Hasan Yousefi released from Sanandaj prison on heavy bail.

C- Liberations

• Aslan Doodkanlou, Kurd, freed from Karoon prison in Ahvaz after finishing his 5 years term.
• Azarbayjan branch Freedom Movement member Dr. Ghafar Farzadi has been released on bail.
• Leftist student activist Shahin Fazli was released from Tabriz prison after finishing 6 months sentence.
• Journalist Davoud Khodakarami has been released on bail from Zanjan prison Sunday.
• Jebrail Khosravi on hunger strike in Sanandaj prison.
• Labor activist Ali Nejati was released for a 5 day furlough for needed medical treatment.
• Student activist Ahmad Shahrezaei has been released after finishing his 18 months prison term.

D-Other News 

• Davoud Bahmanabadi arrested 11 days ago contacted family. He is in Evin 209 under harsh interrogations.
• Naser Jafari, Kurdish political prisoner, on hunger strike in Urmia prison.
• Despite finishing his prison term, Judiciary prevents release of Behrooz Javid Tehrani.
• Ebrahim Kachlanli, Kurdish political prisoner, on hunger strike in Urmia prison.
• Mehdi Karroubi, under house arrest, met family.
• Abbas Palizar on medical furlough was attacked anf& injured in the hospital's CCU room.
• Former president Khatami met with families of political prisoners Issa Saharkhiz, Syamak Ghaderi, Bahman Amouei and Ahmad Zeidabadi.
• 40 days after release, student activist Ashkan Zahabian suffers from Hepatitis A and stuttering he acquired in prison. 

News of injustice in Iran

• Ali Abbasi, student activist in Mazandaran University, informed that sentence of 6 months suspended was changed into firm sentence.
• Temporary detention order of Kurdish environmentalist/student activist Rahim Bajvar has been extended 1 more month. 
• Christian Maryam Jalili currently in Evin has been sentenced to 2 1/2 yrs in prison.
• Lotfollah Maisami, executive director of banned Cheshm Andaz has been banned from journalism for 5 years.
• Tabriz Court of Appeals has upheld the 6 months sentence of poet/journalist Saeed Moghanli.
• Salah Mostafapour sentenced in Saqqez to 20 years in prison in exile in Minab.
• Manizheh Sadeghi, Kurdish citizen, sentenced by Appels to 3 months in prison; she is arrested during trial.
• Mohammad Ali Taheri sentenced to 7 years in prison + 74 lashes.
• Rahman Yaghoubi, student activist in Mazandaran University, informed that sentence of 6 months suspended changed into firm sentence.
• Mousavi campaign 88 activist Hossein Zarini, currently in Evin, has been sentenced to 4 years.
• 5 people executed in Vakil Abad prison in Mashhad.
• Two inmates hanged in public in Kermanshah; six others hanged in central prison.

University  - Culture

• The weekly "Sokhane Tazeh"  published in Sirjan city, has been banned by Judiciary order.
• Tahkim Vahdat (student union) publishes a statement on 16 Azar.
• A week after attack on UK embassy, some International schools in Tehran 'have shut' their doors.
• Iran to relocate CCTVs from public areas of elementary/middle schools to actual classrooms.
• Publishing licence for Cheshm Andaz publications has been revoked. 
• Six students in the past 2 weeks have lost their lives in university dormitories due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Shima Ranjbar, Baha'i student, expelled from Gorgan University.

Economy in Iran

• International Electronics, Computing and Trade Fair to open in Iran this week with participation of foreign companies from China, Taiwan, Italy, India, UK, Germany, Russia, Switzerland, Norway, France, Japan, Canada and Singapore. 
• Iran Khodro Tabriz closes with 5000 job losses.
• Half of the of tea annually consumed in the country comes through smuggling.
• German delegation visits construction projects in Karaj. 
• Official inflation rate in Iran for 12 months ending in November 2011 reaches 24.8% 
• Laleh Hotel group privatized.
• Eur 19 billions trade between Europe and Iran for 2011 first three quarters…. Sanctions?
• 90 foreign companies from 21 different countries to take part in Printing and Packaging Exhibition in Iran to open on December 19; among these countries Germany, Italy, Japan, Austria, Poland, the UK, the US, the Netherlands, South Korea, China, Turkey, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, France, Sweden and Taiwan.

Iran  abroad

• Russia opposes further UN sanctions against Iran. 
• France is temporarily reducing their staff at the French Embassy in Tehran for “security reasons” following the attack on the British Embassy.
• Tehran to build 50,000 housing units for low-income people... in Syria.
• Iranian Foreign Minister to attend Bonn conference on Afghanistan.
• Tehran threatens Hamas  to cut ties if they leave Damascus.
• Britain to seek compensation from Iran for embassy damage - estimated to run more than £1 million.
• Syrian opposition leader warns Iran, Hezbollah.
• Australia adopts new measures against Iran.
• USA open online Embassy for Iran; the site is filtered by government the following day.
• Deputy Interior Minister for Security and Law Enforcement Affairs in Switzerland to attend International Organization for Migration Conference.
• Iran to apply for International Energy Forum membership.
• Police Looking for 3 Iranians After Jakarta Jail Break.

Politics in Iran

• Returning diplomats from United Kingdom whisked away at airport before crowd, and bassidj committee can greet them.
• Grand Ayatollah Nasser Makarem-Shirazi criticises embassy attack.
• Basij units which attacked British embassy in Tehran issue warning to Iranian police over arrest of attackers.
• Clerics will be stationed in Mashhad's hospitals

Miscellaneous 

• Hiring female secretaries banned in governmentt offices in Bushehr.
• Iran pretends to have shot an American drone on Sunday and threatens to retaliate; drone shot down over Iran 'lost over Afghanistan last week'.
• 3 people escape from MEK Ashraf camp in Iran.
• Two basijis killed near Iran's Eastern border.
• 109 Iranian fishermen held hostage by Somali pirates.