Exiled and Ailing: Protester Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi Denied Access to Medical Care in Ardakan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ardakan, HRANA, Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi, Savojbolagh

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi, a protester from the 2022 nationwide demonstrations, has been serving a two-year sentence of exile in Ardakan, Yazd Province, since February 2025. He suffers from Hemophilia A and Hepatitis C, and the lack of access to specialized healthcare in the area has severely impacted his physical and mental health.

According to information received by HRANA, Ardakan lacks facilities equipped to treat hemophilia. Although specialized care is available in the provincial capital, Yazd, Mr. Jafari is barred from traveling there due to the restrictions imposed by his sentence. This medical deprivation, combined with the psychological strain of forced exile and separation from his family, has worsened his health and triggered a recurrence of depression symptoms.

Mr. Jafari Ahmadabadi, 35, is a resident of Savojbolagh County in Alborz Province. He has faced persistent judicial and security harassment since his participation in the 2022 protests and related online activism. His first encounter with security threats occurred in November 2022 while he was volunteering at the Red Crescent in Ardakan. Over time, he was subjected to repeated summonses, threats, attempted arrests, and eventual prosecution.

In February 2023, he was forced to end his cooperation with the Red Crescent due to mounting security pressure. That same month, authorities made two unsuccessful attempts to arrest him without formal notice. He was also pressured to sign a written confession of repentance, which he refused.

Legal proceedings against Mr. Jafari began in May 2023. He was initially released on bail, and his first hearing took place in September 2023 at the Karaj Revolutionary Court. In August 2024, a lower court sentenced him to three years in prison and two years in exile. The appeals court later reduced the sentence in October 2024 to five months of imprisonment and two years of exile.

Mr. Jafari turned himself in to begin serving his sentence in November 2024 and spent 77 days in Karaj Central Prison (Ward 15, designated for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience). In February 2025, he was released with an electronic ankle monitor and transferred to Ardakan to begin his exile. Since then, he has been required to report daily to the police station in Ahmadabad.

Appeals Court: Mojtaba Moghiseh Sentenced to Prison and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khorasan Razavi, Khour, Mojtaba Moghiseh, Sabzevar

HRANA News Agency – The Appeals Court of Khorasan Razavi Province has upheld the conviction of Mojtaba Moghiseh without any changes. He had previously been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court to seven months and 15 days in prison and one year of exile.

Based on the verdict issued by the Appeals Court and delivered to him yesterday, he was sentenced to seven months and 15 days in prison and one year of exile to Khour County on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In March, 2025, Branch 1 of the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced him to prison and exile.

Another part of his case, on the charge of “insulting sanctities,” is still under review at Branch 103 of the Sabzevar Criminal Court.

Mr. Moghiseh was arrested on December 31, 2024, after being summoned to Branch 7 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Sabzevar and was then transferred to Sabzevar Prison.

On March 6, 2025, Moghiseh was released from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after posting a bail of 2 billion tomans. He had previously been transferred from Sabzevar Prison to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on February 20, 2025.

Mojtaba Moghiseh is one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Sabzevar and had previously been arrested and convicted for his activism.

Ghezel Hesar Prison: 11 Prisoners Await Execution in Solitary Confinement

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, April 28, four prisoners at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement for the implementation of their sentences. With the addition of these individuals, the number of prisoners transferred to solitary confinement for execution in this prison over the past four days has risen to 11.

According to information received by HRANA, one of these prisoners had been sentenced to death for murder, while three others were sentenced for drug-related offenses. In total, four of the eleven prisoners, including two Afghan nationals, had been sentenced to death for murder, while the remaining seven had received death sentences for drug-related charges.

Further details, including the identities of these prisoners, are currently being investigated by HRANA.

According to data gathered by the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the highest number of executions in 2024. For a comprehensive examination of the details and statistics surrounding the executions in Iran, refer to HRANA’s report.

Four Protesters Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Barmarz Pournak, Alireza Kafaei, Amir-Mohammad Khosh Eghbal, Hossein Nemati, Iman Afshari, kbatan Complex, Masoud Vazifeh, Milad Armoun, Mojtaba Ebrahimi, Navid Najaran, Sina Maleki, Sohrab Hassan-Khani, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Masoud Vazifeh, Sohrab Hassan-Khani, Sina Maleki, and Mojtaba Ebrahimi — political defendants — were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 9 years in prison, 184 lashes, and paying a fine. These individuals had previously staged a sit-in to protest death sentences issued against defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Complex” case. They were later released after being arrested.

Based on the ruling issued by Iman Afshari, the presiding judge of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court:

  1. Masoud Vazifeh was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods.” He did not attend the court sessions, and the verdict was issued in absentia.

  2. Sohrab Hassan-Khani was sentenced to eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison along with a 50-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods.”

  3. Sina Maleki was sentenced to six months in prison and 30 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace.” His sentence has been suspended for three years. During the suspension period, he is also banned from using a smartphone.

  4. Mojtaba Ebrahimi was sentenced to 14 months in prison and a 30-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods,” and eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace” (with time served counted toward the sentence). His sentence has also been suspended for three years, and he is banned from using a smartphone during the suspension period.

Masoud Vazifeh was released from Evin Prison on bail on February 5, Mojtaba Ebrahimi on January 4, Sohrab Hassan-Khani on December 30, 2024, and Sina Maleki during the winter.

These individuals had been arrested by security forces in December 2024 after staging a sit-in to protest the death sentences in the “Ekbatan Complex” case. Following their arrest, they were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Masoud Vazifeh has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his activism.

It is worth noting that in November 2024, attorney Babak Paknia reported that death sentences had been issued for Milad Armoun, Alireza Kafaei, Amir Mohammad Khosh-Eghbal, Navid Najaran, Hossein Nemati, and Alireza Barmarz Pournak— all defendants in the “Ekbatan Complex” case. These sentences were issued by Branch 13 of the Tehran Criminal Court.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work: HRANA’s Annual Report on Workplace Safety and Accidents in Iran

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News, Publications
Bandar-Abbas, HRA, ILO, Shahid Rajaee Port, workplace accident

HRANA News Agency – On the occasion of the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA) has published a report examining workplace accidents linked to unsafe environments and hazardous working conditions in Iran between May 2, 2024, and April 27, 2025.

According to data compiled by HRA’s Department of Statistics and Publications, during this period at least 2,079 workers lost their lives and at least 16,273 others were injured due to workplace accidents resulting from inadequate safety measures.

The World Day for Safety and Health at Work, established by the International Labour Organization (ILO) in 2003, aims to raise global awareness of workplace safety and health, promoting accident and disease prevention in occupational settings. Since 1996, labor unions worldwide have also observed April 28 as International Workers’ Memorial Day, honoring workers who have lost their lives on the job.

HRA’s report highlights that the reported deaths and injuries were collected from media outlets and organizations monitoring labor rights across Iran. Among the most devastating incidents was the explosion at Shahid Rajaee Port in Bandar Abbas, where 46 workers, including three women, had been killed as of the time of this writing. Official reports recorded over 1,242 injuries, although it remains unclear how many of those injured were workers. According to the head of the Bandar Abbas Workers’ Retirees Association, the majority of the victims were indeed laborers.

This tragedy, occurring just before the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, underscores the importance of stricter implementation of laws and continuous monitoring of compliance with safety principles in work environments.

The report also provides a breakdown of the causes of workplace accidents:

Falls from heights accounted for 22.63% of incidents,
Traffic accidents 14.23%,
Fires 10.57%,
Being struck by hard objects 10.37%,
Poisoning 8.85%,
Mining accidents 7.62%,
Gas suffocation 6.42%,
Factory incidents 6.39%,
Electrocution 6.19%,
Construction accidents 2.46%,
Well-related accidents 2.30%,
Explosions 0.81%,
Petrochemical and refinery incidents 0.49%,
Unspecified causes 0.23%,
Smoke inhalation 0.19%,
Agricultural accidents 0.13%,
Drownings 0.13%.

Workplace Accident Categorization Chart

Iran ranks 102nd in the world regarding the observance of workplace safety standards, which is considered a very low ranking. HRA’s findings reflect the urgent need for improved occupational safety standards and continuous oversight to protect workers’ lives across Iran.

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Four Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan

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Executions, News
Abdolrashid Barahouei, Dastgerd Prison, Marjan Sabzi, Mohammad Totazahi, Ruhollah Palangi

HRANA News Agency – At dawn today, Monday, April 28, the death sentences of four prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

The identities of three of the executed prisoners have been confirmed by Haal Vsh as Mohammad Totazahi (Hanif), 26, from the suburbs of Zahedan; Abdolrashid Barahouei (Anshini), 41, a resident of Zahedan; and Ruhollah Palangi, 36, a resident of Rigan.
HRANA has confirmed the identity of the fourth executed individual, who was a woman, as Marjan Sabzi. Ms. Sabzi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and was later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on the same charges.

According to this report, Mr. Palangi had been arrested five years ago in Isfahan on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. Mr. Totazahi and Mr. Barahouei were arrested in October 2019 (Mehr 1398) in Ardestan County on drug-related charges in a joint case and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report’s publication, the executions have not yet been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Enghelab street, Hamid Haj-Jafar Kashani, Tehran, حمید حاج جعفر کاشانی

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, Sunday, April 27, Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani, a civil rights activist, was arrested by police forces after chanting protest slogans on Enghelab Street in Tehran. Authorities transferred him to an unknown location.

Police officers arrested Mr. Kashani after he chanted slogans critical of the government on Enghelab Street.
As of the time of this report, his whereabouts remain unknown.

Hamid Haj Jafar Kashani has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his activism.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Seyed Jafar Foshtanqi to 12 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Sabzevar, Seyed Jafar Foshtanqi, فشتنقی

HRANA News Agency – Branch 1 of the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court has sentenced Seyed Jafar Foshtanqi, a Sabzevar resident, to 12 years in prison.

According to the verdict, Foshtanqi received:

. Five years in prison for “membership in anti-regime groups with the intent to disrupt national security,”
. Two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic,” and
. Five additional years for “collaborating with hostile states.”

The court held his trial in absentia on April 10, 2025.

In a separate case, authorities tried Foshtanqi on April 22, 2025, at Branch 102 of the Sabzevar Criminal Court on charges of “spreading false information.” He was recently acquitted of these charges.

Security forces previously arrested Foshtanqi on February 19, 2025, after he appeared at Branch 2 of the Sabzevar Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Authorities released him on bail one day later after formally charging him, setting bail at one billion tomans.

Earlier, on January 15, 2025, security agents raided Foshtanqi’s home, seizing personal belongings from him and his family and summoning him for further questioning at the Sabzevar Prosecutor’s Office.

Seyed Jafar Foshtanqi, approximately 34 years old, is married and the father of seven children.

Appeals Court; 3 Christian Converts Sentenced to Over 41 Years in Prison and Other Punishments

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News, Religious Minorities
Abbas Soori, Christian converts, Mehran Shamlooei, Narges Nasri, Tehran, عباس سوری, مهران شاملویی, نرگس نصری

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld the convictions of Mehran Shamlooei, Abbas Soori, and Narges Nasri, Christian converts residing in Tehran.

On April 22, 2025, Branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court upheld the lower court’s ruling. In the first instance, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had sentenced the three to a total of 41 years and 8 months of imprisonment, 41 years of deprivation of social rights, and a total fine of 910 million tomans.

Details of individual sentences:

  • Abbas Soori received 10 years in prison for “propaganda against Islamic law,” a 15-year ban from social rights, a 330-million-toman fine, and 5 years in prison for “membership in anti-regime groups.” As additional punishment, the court banned him from leaving the country, living in Tehran Province or neighboring provinces, and joining political or social groups for two years.

  • Mehran Shamlooei received 8 years in prison for “propaganda against Islamic law,” a 250-million-toman fine, an 11-year ban from social rights, and 2 years and 8 months in prison for “membership in anti-government groups.”

  • Narges Nasri was sentenced to 10 years in prison for “propaganda against Islamic law due to extensive and impactful contact with foreign entities” (with one degree of sentence enhancement), a 15-year ban from social rights, a 330-million-toman fine, 5 years in prison for “membership in anti-government groups,” and 1 year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, the court banned her for two years from leaving the country, residing in Tehran Province or neighboring provinces, and joining political or social groups.

The trial for their case took place on February 13, 2025, at the mentioned court branch.

Security forces arrested Mehran Shamlooei, Abbas Soori, and Narges Nasri on November 1, 2024, for establishing a house church in Tehran. They transferred them to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Authorities later released them from Evin on December 1, 2024, after posting bail.

Narges Nasri, aged about 38, along with Mehran Shamlooei, aged 43, and Abbas Soori, are all residents of Tehran.

Appeals Court; Physician Bayan Salehian Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bayan Salehian, HRANA, Urmia, بیان صالحیان

HRANA News Agency – Branch 9 of the West Azerbaijan Province Court of Appeals has upheld the prison and monetary fine sentence against Bayan Salehian, a physician residing in Urmia.

A source close to her family told HRANA, “According to the verdict issued by Branch 9 of the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court and delivered to Ms. Salehian in April, she has been sentenced to five months in prison and a paying a fine for ‘spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion on social media.”

Earlier, in January 2025, the Shahid Beheshti Complex’s Second Criminal Court in Urmia had issued the initial verdict sentencing Ms. Salehian to prison and a fine.

In a separate part of this case, the Urmia Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced her to pay a fine for “propaganda against the regime.”

Security forces from the Intelligence Protection Unit of Urmia’s Law Enforcement Command arrested Ms. Salehian in October 2024. They released her after several hours of interrogation and confiscated her mobile phone.

Bayan Salehian, a physician based in Urmia, has a prior record of arrest and conviction.