Ehsan Mazandarani

He is the former Managing Editor of Farhikhtegan newspaper. He is one of the journalists arrested in the "Infiltration" cases and given heavy prison sentences.

<coverage-outsourcing id='3501'> He was arrested by forces of the Intelligence Ministry and transferred to Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='3502'> He was released from prison on bail. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6191'> Ayatollah Khamenei warned of the implementation of the "Infiltration Project" following the JCPOA. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6572'> Afarin Chitsaz, Issa Saharkhiz, Saman Safarzai, Ehsan Mazandarani, and Davoud Asadi were arrested by agents of the IRGC's Intelligence Unit on a warrant by Branch 12 of Tehran Court and were transferred to Ward 2A of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6192'> The IRGC Intelligence Unit issued a statement announcing that during the last week "a few members of the Infiltration Network implemented by western enemy states, who were operating in the media and online" were arrested. On the same day Fars News and Mehr News agencies announced that those arrested were related to an "Infiltration Network". Ebrahim Raeisi called those arrested "American spies and pen-holding mercenaries". In addition to these individuals, other media outlets and officials across the country noted the arrest of this network as well. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6194'> Reporters Without Borders published a harshly-worded statement with regards to the arrests of the journalists : > It is not the first time that journalists in Iran get caught up in the animosities among different political forces in the Islamic Republic. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6193'> Hassan Rouhani spoke at a cabinet meeting on the anniversary of the occupation of the US embassy in Iran, seemingly in response to the IRGC's operation: > Let's not go and arrest a couple of people for no reason, build a case against them, and then say that we have stopped a line of infiltration . </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6195'> According to Jamaran Mostafa Pourmohammadi, Iran's Minister of Justice had expressed optimism in the cases being tried as soon as the case files were completed. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6196'> Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatai, the defendant's attorney, reported that the case's investigation was over and that the Investigator has issued an order for bail, allowing the defendant to be freed on that day. A few months after this news was released, all of the incarcerated journalists continue to remain in prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6398'> 90 journalists penned a letter requesting the immediate release of Issa Saharkhiz, Ehsan Mazandarani, Saman Safarzai, and Afarin Chitsaz, four imprisoned journalists. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6573'> Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatai, the defendant's attorney, announced his charges as "Assembly and collusion against national security" and "Propagating against the system". </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6197'> Seyyed Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatai, the attorney of three of the arrested individuals, reported to Tasnim News: > There was a conflict regarding the charges between the Prosecutor and Investigator which led to the case being transferred to Ward 15 of Tehran Revolutionary Court for arbitration. In that court, Judge Salavati agreed with the Prosecutor". According to Mr. Tabatai's remarks, the Investigator (Mr. Hassanzadeh), believed that the defendants should be charged with "Propagating against the system", whereas the Prosecutor believed that the defendants' actions warrant them being charged with "Attempts against national security through assembly and collusion and insulting officials in addition to that charge. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6198'> Seyyed Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatai, the attorney for Mazandarani, Saharkhiz, and Asadi, told Tasnim News: > My clients' case has been sent to Branch 28 of Tehran Revolutionary Court following the issuance of their indictments. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='5495'> It was reported that the defendant was transferred to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6199'> In an interview with ILNA, Alizadeh Tabatai stated that there has been no reference to "Infiltration" in the charges of indictments against his client. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9348'> A letter by Ehsan Mazandarani was published in mid-September 2016, in which he writes that in March 2016, he has informed the supreme leader of Iran about what he has endured through "an extensive classified report" delivered by Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjani. In the open letter, he writes: > in order to be discreet, I can only say that the fake project of arresting the infiltration network was devised to deceive one of the high-ranking authorities in the regime and to inflict a blow to Dr. Rouhani's innocent government, but fortunately my report to his excellency Ayatollah Khamenei thwarted the efforts of the Concerned project. However, if the media and agents in cahoots with the Concerned do not cease to conspire against me, I will have no choice but to publish that report </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6201'> The defendant was transferred from Ward 7 to Ward 8 in Evin Prison for a short time in 2016. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='5632'> It was reported that the defendant suffers from Asthma yet has no access to a specialist physician. He has also lost a lot of weight while incarcerated. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6200'> Mr. Alizadeh Tabatabai participated in an interview with Shargh Newspaper in which he stressed that nobody involved in the case has any news of Afarin Chitsaz's case. He also stated that all of the male defendants in this case are being held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9353'> In a letter to Minoo Khaleghi, congresswoman from Isfahan who was later disqualified, he asked her to "forgive Hamed's disgusting act for the sake and in support of the pen." According to this letter, Hamed Talebi is a reporter with close ties to the regime who had published personal and according to Mr. Mazandarani, "fake" photos of Minoo Khaleghi, and was arrested because of it </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='5771'> It was reported that the defendant was sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of "Propagating against the system" and "Assembly and collusion against national security". </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6202'> The Reporters Without Borders organization condemned the 22 year sentence that was given to three Iranian journalists. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6203'> 230 journalists penned a letter to Hassan Rouhani requesting his attention to the case of those arrested as part of the "Infiltration Network". </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6380'> According to Tasnim News the defendant was dismissed from his position of Managing Director of the Farhikhtegan university newspaper by the Director of Azad University. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6204'> On orders from Jafari Dolatabadi, the Tehran Prosecutor, the defendant was transferred from Ward 7 to Ward 8 in Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6205'> The defendant was transferred to Ward 2A on orders from Judge Moghiseh. He initially began a dry hunger strike, which lasted for three days, after which it continued as a wet hunger strike. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6206'> Maliheh Hosseini, the wife of Ehsan Mazandari, posted on her Instagram page that Ehsan Mazandarani had written and mailed his will to her prior to being transferred from Ward 8 of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6180'> The Reporters Without Borders organization expressed concern over the cases of Mohammad Sedigh Kaboudvand and Ehsan Mazandarani. This organization condemned the "malice and lack of transparency in the judicial system" of Iran in refusing to hospitalize Mohammad Sedigh Kaboudvand. This organization also quoted Maliheh Hosseini, the wife of Ehsan Mazandari, in expressing their concern over this incarcerated journalist's "disappearance" in Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6207'> The defendant was returned to Ward 8 of Evin Prison. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6627'> He began a dry hunger strike in protest of the "disrespect and insults" he was subjected to by one of the prison's authorities </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='6837'> It was reported that he continues to remain in a hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7957'> Zeitoon News quoted the defendant's Telegram account and reported that he suffered from a cardiac arrest on the 37th day of his hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7147'> He was released on furlough </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7232'> He returned to prison </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7365'> Maliheh Hosseini, the defendant's wife, stated in an interview with ILNA that the Tehran Prosecutor was personally following up on the defendant's furlough and had managed to coordinate it. She stated: > Due to the unsuitable conditions in prison he's suffering from injuries in his lungs and chest, problems with his eyesight, and he's developed a stutter. She also stated: > This case is from 2012 and we are asking the judge to investigate the original warrant issued from Branch 12. Now the case is set to be reviewed by another judge in Branch 36 of Appeals Court. </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7688'> The defendant appeared in Branch 36 of Appeals Court. According to the law, in addition to his attorney a representative of the Judiciary was present as well </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7956'> Zeitoon News reported that the defendant's sentence had been reduced to two years' imprisonment in Appeals Court </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='7687'> His attorney, Houshang Pourbabai, informed ISNA that according to what he's heard his sentence has been reduced from seven to two years' imprisonment in Appeals Court </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9122'> He penned a letter to the Prosecutor General in which he announced that he will begin a hunger strike if the following demands are not met: 1- The formation of an investigative committee from the Parliament regarding the arrests made in the "Infiltration case". 2- An opportunity for the defendant and others arrested in the case to appear on a special news program in order to defend themselves, such as the opportunity given to the arresting organization. 3- Prosecution of the elements who lied to the Supreme Leader and the public and used the code name "Infiltration" to settle political scores. 4- The unconditional release of the defendant, considering that he'd served nearly half of the illegal sentence he was given. Keep in mind that the Intelligence Ministry case entitled "Infiltration" was closed in 2012 and was reopened </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='8635'> The attorney for a number of the defendants in the case, Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatabai, stated to HRANA that the Appeals Court has maintained the two charges of "Propagating against the system" and "Insulting the Supreme Leader" against the defendants and has sentenced the defendants to two years' imprisonment based on the application of Clause 134 [of the Islamic Penal Code] </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9838'> In a public statement, a group of 120 political and civil activists, journalists, and university professors objected to the "unjust and shocking" sentence of Narges Mohammadi, "the unjust continued incarceration" of Ehsan Mazandarani and Isa Saharkhiz, and continued house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9843'> In a letter to the chief of judiciary, 132 journalists stated that the charges brought against the defendants of this case "are beneath the noble community of the press" and added "now that one year has passed since our colleagues were sentenced and they can apply for parole according to Article 58 of Islamic criminal law, they are told that you will stay in prison until the 2017 Elections and then a decision will be made about you." They emphasized the implementation "of the directive that you yourself issued and their parole requests to be "urgently" considered" </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9347'> In a letter addressed to the nation and in order to "clarify the aspects of his case" he revealed new details which "do not damage the credibility of the regime" and explained why he decided to go on hunger strike. In this letter, he writes that he has been trapped in "the cold and small solitary cells of ward 2-A" for 126 days of this "semi-kidnapping project", and that the Revolutionary Guard has once again opened the closed "Spider Project" case in order to "deceive a high-ranking authority of the regime and to inflict a blow to Dr. Rouhani's innocent government", this time under the title of "Infiltration Project" and has also included in the interrogations the names of Hassan Rouhani, Hassan Khomeini, Barjam, and .... along with Hashemi Rafsanjani and his family. The Revolutionary Guard has even attempted to "install surveillance equipment in personal spaces", his defense attorneys in the preliminary trial have conspired with his interrogators against him, the resulting preliminary verdict was issued without a defense statement, the case investigator was transferred to another branch for trying for nolle prosequi, and that after hearing "the defense and the cruelty" he has suffered, Judge Moghiseh has lowered his head and cried. Keyhan London published the full letter on September 21st </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9341'> He started his hunger strike </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9401'> According to Ensaf News, in an open letter to Mr. Shamkhani, secretary of the supreme council for national security, Ehsan Mazandarani has asked him for the abolition of the "recommendation from the disciplinarian" in cases of temporary leave, parole, or amnesty for prisoners </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9529'> According to "Khabarnegari Jorm Nist" (Reporting is not a crime), he was assaulted and battered by the supervising officer Houshang Afshar </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9580'> Harana published a letter from him in which he explained how Mr. Afshar, the supervising officer of ward 8 had assaulted him </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9601'> In a letter which was provided for ISNA by his wife, he mentioned that the former interrogator at branch 12 of the Culture and Media Court had told him that according to articles 190 and 191 of the Judicial Procedure guidelines, he does not have the right to an attorney, unless the chief of judiciary confirms the competency of that attorney. He also mentioned that he met his lawyer about three minutes before the trial </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='9650'> Maliheh Hosseini told ILNA that when she went to the courthouse to follow up on her husband's situation, she was informed that the prison doctors have called the court and raised concerns over Ehsan Mazandarani's conditions, and said there is nothing they can do for him. Therefore he was released for medical treatment and his family transferred him from Evin Prison to a hospital </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10988'> According to Kalame, he has gone on a food and medicine strike. Based on the report, the supervising officer has informed him that his transfer to the general public ward instead of quarantine is by the direct order of the chief of judiciary </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='10984'> His attorney, Houshang Pourbabayi, told ISNA that his client has returned to prison today by the request of the Verdict Enforcement office </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13004'> He was released </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13909'> Reports were published regarding his wife, Maliheh Hosseini’s firing from Farhikhtegan newspaper </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13930'> Reporters Without Borders condemned the arrests of Morad Saghafi, Ehsan Mazandarani, and Hengameh Shahidi, and expressed concerns about the conditions of the latter two </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13542'> He was arrested. Based on Ms. Maliheh Hosseini’s personal Instagram page, the IRGC agents assaulted and beat Ehsan Mazandarani, they also used electric cables on him. Mr. Mazandarani embarked on a hunger strike from the moment of his arrest </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13680'> Reporters Without Borders published a statement condemning the "oppression and persecution of journalists" in Iran and while providing a report on the conditions of Hengameh Shahidi, Ehsan Mazandarani, Issa Saharkhiz, and Tahereh Riahi, demanded the release of all journalists and citizen journalists from prison </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13629'> In the days following Ehsan Mazandarani’s arrest, Maliheh Hosseini, tweeted that her email has been hacked and her instagram page is no longer under her control </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13718'> According to ISNA the Tehran prosecutor said: “Ehsan Mazandarani was admitted to the prison to begin his sentence” </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13834'> Ali Mottahari told ISNA that the minister of Intelligence should be held accountable for the arrest of 12 head of Telegram Channels close to the government, also for the manner in which Ehsan Mazandarani was arrested “in an inappropriate condition” which had, in turn, created “doubts” about the presidential elections. He emphasised that, “I request the minister of Intelligence two explain both cases in a convincing manner and enlighten us as to which agency carried out these two acts.” Mottahari, said, in the end, “If the minister of intelligence doesn’t give convincing answers we will, in that case, question and if necessary, seek his impeachment </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='13923'> The International Federation of Journalists published a statement, condemned the arrest of Hengameh Shahidi, Morad Saghafi, Ehsan Mazandarani, and the Telegram channels activists and demanded their release expressing sadness over how the silencing of public forums has become an organizational routine for the regime in Iran </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='14670'> According to Zeitoon, Gholam Hossein Ejei denied any connection between the cases of Hengameh Shahidi, Tahereh Riahi and Ehsan Mazandarani and the arrested of the head’s of reformist Telegram channels, and confirmed that two of them were first arrested by Intelligence Ministry </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='17167'> Hossein Taj, his lawyer, told ISNA, that they have requested from the judiciary to count the period when his client had been mistakenly released when issuing his sentence. He also, said, that Ehsan Mazandarani had been taken to the hospital, until now, several times, but has not received treatment because he was not hospitalized he was never cured. Mr. Taj added that “ Ehsan Mazandarani is in a position to benefit from his vacation leave to add to his time served and be released, because he is serving the last days of his sentence.” Mr. Taj pointed out that his client, Mr. Mazandarani, was released and arrested again, because the prison warden believed that his release date was wrong, but “finally he was notified that the release date had been correct and that the prison is responsible for his release” </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='17414'> Kalameh reported that Ehsan Mazandarani, despite the prosecutor’s request, was met with the “obstructiveness” of Evin authorities, and was unable to go to court and file a complaint against the Tasnim news agency </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='18643'> Malihe Hosseini wrote on her twitter page that even though Ehsan Mazandarani is unable to digest anything but water, Evin’s doctor has told him that he will not be given medical attention until he falls in a coma </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='18672'> The member of Parliament (Majlis), Elyas Hazrati, in a letter to the head of the judiciary, requested attention be given the condition of Ehsan Mazandarani. In this letter it is writte “I wish there was an authority (Marja) to oversee these simple requests, so there wouldn’t be a need for representatives of the Majlis to tend to prisoners’ conditions, the lack of such an authority is seen as a negative point for an institution that is responsible for justice” </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='19144'> Journalists without Borders, naming, Soheil Arabi, Ehsan Mazandarani and Mehdi Khazali, expressed concern about the conditions of incarcerated journalists and citizen journalists </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='19311'> According to his lawyer Hossein Taj’s writings he began a hunger strike in the last months of his prison in protest to the mistakes of the verdicts of the prosecutor, and of the Evin prison, and the rejection of his request for a temporary leave. Mr. Taj has, also, written that in his last days of prison he wrote a letter announcing that if they accept his request for a conditional leave, he will agree to it </coverage-outsourcing>
<coverage-outsourcing id='19643'> He was released from prison </coverage-outsourcing>