Baha’i Citizen Ahmad Naeimi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Yazd, احمد نعیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ahmad Naeimi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, was arrested after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Naeimi was detained on June 13, after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Naeimi is facing a new legal case. In this case, he and his wife, Flora Samadani, are co-defendants. The Prosecutor’s Office also opposed his release on bail.”

Mr. Naeimi had previously been summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office to provide certain explanations. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention.

Ahmad Naeimi has previously faced arrest and judicial harassment due to his religious beliefs and faith. His wife, Flora Samadani, was arrested by security forces in Yazd on May 3, 2026, and transferred to Yazd Prison.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. An examination of the annual reports published by HRA indicates that during the past calendar year, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Eight Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Amirabbas Dekavand, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Seyed Akbar Banihashem

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of eight prisoners. HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of those executed, both of whom had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

On Saturday, June 13, authorities at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the executions of eight prisoners. HRANA has identified two of them as Seyed Akbar Banihashem and Amirabbas Dekavand. Both prisoners had been sentenced to death on charges of murder. HRANA is continuing to investigate and verify the identities of the other six prisoners.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and the relevant institutions have not publicly announced the executions of these prisoners.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Singer Mehdi Pakmehr Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and 80 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, HRANA, Mehdi Pakmehr, مهدی پاکمهر

HRANA – Mehdi Pakmehr, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced in two separate cases by the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court of Bojnord to a total of six years of discretionary imprisonment and 80 lashes.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing Kolbar News, Mehdi Pakmehr has received prison and flogging sentences in two separate judicial cases.

According to the report, part of his sentence was issued by the Criminal Court of Bojnord and includes a discretionary prison term and 80 lashes. Another part of the rulings was issued by the Revolutionary Court of the city, bringing his total sentence to six years of discretionary imprisonment.

The report states that judicial authorities have so far refused to provide Mr. Pakmehr with written copies of the verdicts. Details regarding the charges against him and the evidence presented in the cases have also not been disclosed.

During the January 2026 protests, Mehdi Pakmehr was wounded in the leg after being struck by pellet gun fire. On January 9, 2026, amid a wave of arrests targeting protesters, he was detained by security forces along with several employees of his café and transferred to Bojnurd Central Prison. He spent approximately two months in detention while continuing to suffer from the effects of his gunshot injuries.

Mehdi Pakmehr, a 41-year-old singer from Bojnurd, has previously been arrested and convicted in connection with his civil and cultural activities.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

University Lecturer and Music Instructor Fereydoun Farahani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Fereydoun Farahani, HRANA, فریدون فراهانی

HRANA – Fereydoun Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces.

Mr. Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, was detained by security forces.

The report states that in March 2026, Mr. Farahani published a statement expressing support for students and their role and participation in the protests.

At the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges brought against him, or his place of detention.

Writer Yousef Ansari Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baktash Abtin, HRANA, Iranian Writers Association, Yousef Ansari

HRANA – Yousef Ansari, a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The Iranian Writers’ Association reported that Branch 21 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Ansari to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Under the court’s ruling, four months of the sentence are enforceable as a discretionary prison term, while the remaining eight months have been suspended.

The court hearing for this member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association was held on February 24, 2026.

Yousef Ansari was arrested by security forces on January 8, 2026, during a memorial ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Baktash Abtin. One day later, he was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

He was ultimately released from prison in March 2026 after posting bail of 700 million tomans.

Yousef Ansari is a writer and a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association.

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January 2026 Protests: Mahsa Jamali Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Jamali, Qarchak Prison, Zahra Jamali

HRANA – Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali, arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months of discretionary imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Jamali was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months in prison. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali was arrested during the nationwide protests and, on January 9, 2026, was transferred from Qarchak Prison in Varamin to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

HRANA is still investigating further details regarding the charges brought against this prisoner.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

January 2026 Protests: Shayan Moradi Motlagh Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Khuzestan, Shayan Moradi Motlagh, شایان مرادی مطلق

HRANA – The prison sentence of Shayan Moradi Motlagh, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld in full by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced in the initial trial by Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), the sentence issued against Shayan Moradi Motlagh was affirmed by the appellate court.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Moradi Motlagh was sentenced to two years and one day in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” pursuant to the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code.

He had previously received the same sentence in the initial trial before Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court.

Shayan Moradi Motlagh was temporarily released on bail of 1 billion tomans on 9 February 2026. He had been arrested on 19 January 2026 during the nationwide protests.

Pedram Cheraghzadeh Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Ali Hatami, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Khuzestan, Pedram Cheraghzadeh, پدرام چراغ زاده

HRANA – Branch 16 of the Appeals Court of Khuzestan Province has sentenced Pedram Cheraghzadeh, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, to two years in prison. He had previously been sentenced in the lower court to two years’ imprisonment along with supplementary punishments.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Appeals Court of Khuzestan Province and communicated to his defense attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami, Pedram Cheraghzadeh was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order.” The supplementary punishments imposed in the initial verdict have been removed from his sentence.

Previously, during the trial court proceedings, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” citing the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. The Revolutionary Court judge had also imposed supplementary punishments, including a two-year travel ban and one year of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The specific actions forming the basis of the charges against this citizen remain unknown.

Pedram Cheraghzadeh was arrested during the nationwide protests on January 8, 2026. He was ultimately released on April 9, 2026, after posting bail of 2 billion tomans.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Poet Farnaz Jafarzadegan Sentenced to Electronic Monitoring and Travel Ban

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, Farnaz Jafarzadegan, HRANA, Shiraz

HRANA – Farnaz Jafarzadegan, a poet based in Shiraz, has been sentenced by a judicial authority to imprisonment under electronic monitoring (electronic ankle bracelet) and a two-year ban on leaving the country.

Based on the issued verdict, Ms. Jafarzadegan was sentenced to imprisonment under an electronic monitoring system and a two-year travel ban due to activities including participation in a campaign opposing violence against women, appearing without the mandatory hijab, opposing compulsory hijab, and opposing the death penalty. The ruling also characterizes portions of her poetry, writings, and literary criticism as instances of “spreading falsehoods” and “disturbing public opinion,” including works that had previously been published with official authorization from the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance.

Further details, including the length of her sentence under electronic monitoring, are currently being investigated by HRANA.

According to information received by HRANA, Farnaz Jafarzadegan was arrested at her home in Shiraz by security forces in the early hours of January 15, 2026. After being held in solitary confinement at an undisclosed location for five days, she was transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. She was ultimately released from the prison after approximately fifteen days upon posting bail.

This citizen has previously faced security and judicial actions due to her activities.

Six Prisoners Executed in Multiple Iranian Prisons

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Executions, News
Ahmadreza Torabi, Dastgerd Prison, Farhad Minaei, Hossein Salehpour, HRANA, Isfahan, Khorramabad Prison, Shirvan Prison

HRANA – The death sentences of four prisoners were carried out in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz, Khorramabad Prison, and Shirvan Prison. In addition, following the identification of two other prisoners, the number of people executed on Tuesday in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan and Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah has risen to four. These prisoners had previously been sentenced to death in separate cases on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

According to a report by the Iran Human Rights Organization, two prisoners were executed at dawn on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

They were identified as Farhad Minaei, 40, from Borujerd, and Hossein Salehpour, from Shiraz.

According to the report, Mr. Salehpour had been arrested approximately four years ago, and Mr. Minaei about two years ago, in separate cases involving drug-related charges. They were subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

The report also states that the death sentence of another prisoner was carried out on June 1, 2026, in Shirvan Prison.

The prisoner was identified as Keramat Mansouri, 53, a father of four from Baghan village in Shirvan County.

According to the report, he had been arrested about five years ago on murder charges and was later sentenced to death by a judicial authority.

Number of Executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Rises to Two

According to Iran Human Rights, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, a prisoner identified as Reza Ghanbarlou, 45, from Rasht and the father of two children, was executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

The report states that Mr. Ghanbarlou had been arrested approximately five years ago on drug-related charges and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

HRANA had previously reported the execution of another prisoner, Rashid Ghanbarzehi, in the same prison on the same date.

Number of Executions in Dizelabad Prison, Kermanshah, Reaches Two

According to another report from Iran Human Rights, Dariush Ghobadi was executed at dawn on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah.

Ghobadi had been accused of murdering four members of his family and one of his friends on October 17, 2023. He was subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

The execution of Abbas Zarei in the same prison on the same date had previously been reported.

Execution of a Prisoner in Khorramabad

According to Iran Human Rights, a prisoner was executed in Khorramabad Prison on May 14, 2026.

The prisoner was identified as Ahmadreza Torabi, 32, from Khorramabad.

According to the report, Mr. Torabi had been arrested approximately five years ago on a murder charge stemming from a street altercation and was later sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

At the time of writing this report, the executions of these prisoners had not been officially announced by prison authorities or the relevant responsible institutions.

According to HRA’s annual report, in 2025, there were reports of delayed or unpaid wages amounting to at least 638 months across 182 industrial and service units, 2,458 cases of dismissals or layoffs and 3,761 workers left in uncertain employment conditions.