Transfer of Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi and Payam Shakiba to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj

Political prisoners Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi and Payam Shakiba were transferred from Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj at the beginning of this week. On August 25, these individuals, along with Majid Asadi, were transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to the Ministry of Intelligence's detention center in Evin Prison for interrogation regarding a new case that was opened against them during their imprisonment. They were finally transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison in late September of this year, when their interrogation period ended.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, political prisoners Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi and Payam Shakiba were transferred from Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj at the beginning of this week.

Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi and Payam Shakiba, along with Majid Asadi, were serving their sentences in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. On August 25 of this year, they were transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence's detention center, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, for interrogation regarding a new case that was opened for them during their imprisonment. They were finally transferred to the general ward of Evin Prison in late September of this year after the interrogations ended.

The court hearing to hear the charges against these citizens in this case was held on October 19 of this year, in the presence of their defense lawyers, at Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi was arrested by security forces at his home on February 26, 2016. In December 2017, he was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Mashallah Ahmadzadeh, to 11 years of imprisonment and 2 years of exile to Nikshahr County in Sistan and Baluchestan Province on charges of “acting against national security through support for the People’s Mojahedin Organization, gathering and colluding, and propaganda against the regime.” This sentence was confirmed in full on appeal in July 2018. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, namely 5 years of imprisonment, is applicable to him.

Payam Shakiba was arrested by security forces on March 26, 2016, after leaving her home. In December 2017, she was sentenced to 11 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Ahmadzadeh, on charges including “acting against national security through gathering, collusion, and propaganda against the regime.” The sentence was ultimately confirmed by the Court of Appeal. By applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the 5-year sentence is enforceable.

These individuals had previously been deported from Evin Prison to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj in June 2017.

Source: HRANA