Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani was previously arrested in February 2019 due to his political activities, including charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization.” In that case, he was sentenced to three and a half years of imprisonment and served time in Evin Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, and Rasht Prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday, June 19, 2025 – On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani, a political prisoner and civil activist, was violently transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison by security forces. According to informed sources, during the transfer, he protested the action by shouting anti-regime slogans, including “Death to Khamenei.” Reports indicate that security forces used physical violence to forcibly transfer him.
Arrest Due to Street Protest
Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani, born in 1982 and a former Iranian futsal referee, was arrested on April 27, 2025, for carrying a protest placard on Tehran’s Enghelab Street. He was present in one of Tehran’s busiest areas to express civil dissent against the regime’s policies when he was detained by security forces and taken to a security facility.
Charges and Court Proceedings
On April 29, 2025, Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani was formally charged in Branch 3 of the Tehran District 33 Prosecutor’s Office with two specific accusations:
Propaganda against the regime
Insulting Khamenei
These charges were based on Articles 500 and 514 of the Islamic Penal Code. These laws have long been used as judicial tools to restrict freedom of expression and suppress political critics, drawing repeated condemnation from human rights organizations.
Court Hearing Under Pressure
On Wednesday, June 12, 2025, Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani’s trial was held in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Informed sources reported that he had repeatedly refused to attend the court, but was ultimately forcibly brought to the hearing. The trial proceeded without the presence of his chosen lawyer and was conducted under pressure from security forces.
History of Political Activities and Prior Arrests
This is not the first time Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani has faced security crackdowns. In February 2019, he was arrested for political activities, including charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “membership in the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization.” He was sentenced to three and a half years of imprisonment and served time in Evin Prison, Greater Tehran Prison, and Rasht Prison.
Violent Transfer to Ward 209
Ward 209 of Evin Prison, managed by the Ministry of Intelligence, is notorious for being a center of psychological and physical torture. The forced transfer of Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani to this security ward has raised serious concerns about increased pressure, deprivation of contact with his family, and the potential for torture.
According to one prisoner present during the transfer:
“Hamid resisted with all his might during the transfer and shouted ‘Death to Khamenei,’ showing that even in these conditions, he would not surrender. The officers dragged him to Ward 209 with extreme violence.”
Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani’s family has reported that since his transfer to Ward 209, they have had no contact or information about his condition, and prison authorities have refused to provide any answers. Human rights activists and civil organizations have expressed concern for his physical well-being and legal status, calling for his immediate release.
Examination of Human Rights Violations in Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani’s Case
Based on available reports and legal analysis, multiple human rights violations are evident in Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani’s case:
Violation of Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Deprivation of freedom of expression due to carrying a protest placard.
Violation of Article 14 of the ICCPR: Lack of access to a chosen lawyer and an unfair trial.
Violation of Article 7 of the ICCPR: Violent treatment and forced transfer, which may constitute torture.
Violation of Fair Trial Principles: Forced court attendance and transfer without respecting the defendant’s rights.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly emphasized that the use of vague and broad laws to suppress political activists and restrict freedom of expression constitutes a clear violation of Iran’s international obligations.
Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani’s case is a stark example of the ongoing suppression of civil liberties in Iran and the misuse of judicial mechanisms to target political opponents. Security pressures, physical and psychological torture, and disregard for human rights principles in this case serve as a serious warning about the situation of civil activists and political prisoners in Iran.
While the international community continues to call for respect for human rights in Iran, cases like the violent transfer of Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani and his deprivation of basic rights demonstrate that the ruling dictatorship continues to systematically violate citizens’ rights.
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