Historic Evangelical Church in Mashhad Demolished by Unknown Individuals

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News, Religious Minorities
Evangelical Church, HRANA, Mashhad

HRANA – The historic Evangelical Church of Mashhad, a site registered on Iran’s National Heritage List, was completely demolished yesterday.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing Jamaran, the historic Evangelical Church in Mashhad has been demolished.

According to the report, at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026, the church was completely razed by unknown individuals using a bulldozer, reportedly amid the negligence of cultural heritage authorities.

The demolition operation lasted for about two hours. On the morning of the same day, the area surrounding the church was cordoned off, and citizens and journalists were barred from entering the site to take photographs.

The report does not provide further details regarding the motive behind the demolition or the identity of the individuals or institution responsible.

The historic Evangelical Church dates back to the early Pahlavi era and is located on Jannat Street, Golestan Alley, in Mashhad. On August 16, 2005, it was registered as one of Iran’s national heritage sites under registration number 13375.

The destruction of churches, cemeteries, and buildings belonging to Christians, Baha’is, and other religious or ideological minorities has a long history in various cities across Iran. Such demolitions have often taken place with the tacit approval of authorities of the Islamic Republic.

Report on the Execution of Two Prisoners, Including a Young Woman, in Tabriz and Gorgan Prisons

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Executions, News
Afsaneh Zandabadi, Gorgan, HRANA, Saber Akrami, Tabriz

HRANA – Two prisoners, including a young woman, were executed in the prisons of Gorgan and Tabriz. One had been sentenced to death on a murder charge, while the other had been convicted on drug-related offenses.

According to the Iran Human Rights Organization, two prisoners, including a woman, were executed in Gorgan and Tabriz prisons. The prisoners have been identified as Saber Akrami, 54, a father of four from Gorgan, and Afsaneh Zandabadi, 22.

According to the report, in the early hours of Wednesday, June 3, 2026, Saber Akrami was hanged in Gorgan Prison. He had been arrested three years ago on a murder charge reportedly motivated by so-called “honor” reasons and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

Afsaneh Zandabadi was executed on May 18, 2026, in Tabriz Prison. She had been arrested three years earlier, at the age of 19, on drug-related charges and was later sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court.

At the time of writing, prison authorities and relevant institutions had not officially announced the executions.

Mohammad Asadi Sentenced to Two Years in Prison on Appeal

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News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mohammad Asadi, Sheiban Prison, محمد اسدی

HRANA – Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has sentenced political prisoner Mohammad Asadi, who is currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, to two years in prison. In the initial trial, he had been sentenced to two years of imprisonment along with supplementary punishments.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mohammad Asadi was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order.” The supplementary punishments imposed in the initial ruling were removed from his sentence.

Previously, during the initial stage of proceedings, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison on the same charge. 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 acts forming the basis of the charges against this political prisoner remain unknown.

Mohammad Asadi was arrested on January 14, 2026, and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Teenager Arrested by Security Forces in Mehrestan

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Mehrestan, Taha Dehani, طاها دهانی

HRANA – Taha Dehani, a 16-year-old resident of Mehrestan County, was arrested by security forces on Monday, June 1, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to Haal Vash, a teenager has been arrested in Mehrestan County, located in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The teenager has been identified as Taha Dehani, 16, a resident of Kohn Megar village in the Central District of Mehrestan County.

According to the report, on Monday, June 1, 2026, security forces raided the teenager’s home and arrested him without presenting a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

January 2026 Protests: Ali Kamali Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Ali Kamali, Malaysia, Tehran

HRANA – Ali Kamali, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026 and currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh (“enmity against God”). Mr. Kamali, who resides in Malaysia, was arrested after returning to Iran and has now been sentenced to death.

In mid-May of this year, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to death on the charge of moharebeh. The verdict is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Kamali was arrested on January 12, 2026, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He holds residency in Malaysia, and his arrest took place several days after he had traveled to Iran. He is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison.

At the time of publication, no further information was available regarding the details of his case or the judicial proceedings against him.

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Appeals Court Sentences Mohammad Hosseini Chamani to More Than 30 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mohammad Hosseini Chamani, Sheiban Prison, محمد حسین چمنی

HRANA – Branch 18 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has sentenced political prisoner Mohammad Hosseini Chamani, currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, to two years, six months, and two days in prison. In the initial trial, he had been sentenced to four years in prison along with supplementary punishments.

According to HRANA, Branch 18 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has reduced the initial sentence issued against Mohammad Hosseini Chamani.

Under the appellate ruling, Mr. Hosseini Chamani was sentenced to 15 months and one day in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order” and to an additional 15 months and one day in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The supplementary punishments imposed at the trial stage were also removed from his sentence.

No information is available regarding the specific acts that formed the basis of the charges against this political prisoner.

Previously, during the initial trial, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison for “disrupting public order” and two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” 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.

Mohammad Hosseini Chamani was arrested on January 8, 2026, and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

After Death Sentence Overturned by the Supreme Court, Yaghoub Derakhshan Sentenced to Death Again

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Executions, News
Baghi, Yaghoub Derakhshan, یعقوب درخشان

HRANA – Yaghoub Derakhshan, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by the Rasht Revolutionary Court after his previous death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court and his case was referred to a parallel court branch for retrial.

Based on information received by HRANA, following a new review of Mr. Derakhshan’s case, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court again sentenced him to death on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the regime). The ruling was issued last week and was recently communicated to him in prison.

Mr. Derakhshan’s previous death sentence had earlier been overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred to Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court for reconsideration.

The initial charge against Yaghoub Derakhshan during his first arrest, which took place in July 2024, was “propaganda against the regime.” After several weeks, he was released on bail. However, following his second arrest, he was charged with the more serious offense of “baghi” and was ultimately sentenced to death in the summer of last year by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar.

Sources previously told HRANA that during interrogations, Mr. Derakhshan was subjected to severe psychological and physical pressure and was compelled to make self-incriminating confessions. These confessions were later used as the primary evidence supporting the death sentence.

Due to the judiciary’s lack of transparency regarding the case, details concerning the specific allegations against Mr. Derakhshan remain unknown.

Yaghoub Derakhshan is 50 years old and a resident of Bandar Anzali.

Homeyra Sharifi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison; Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Homeira Sharifi, Homeyra Sharifi, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

HRANA – Homeyra Sharifi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison. The Afghan national is reportedly suffering from both physical and psychological health problems and has been denied adequate medical care.

The five-year prison sentence was recently communicated to Ms. Sharifi while she was being held in Evin Prison. According to information received by HRANA, she suffers from a skin disease and is experiencing serious psychological distress. Despite her condition, she has not received adequate medical or mental health care.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA:

“Homeyra Sharifi does not possess identity documents. Since her transfer to Evin Prison, she has attempted suicide twice, the most recent incident occurring last week. After fellow prisoners expressed concern, she was sent for a single counseling session, but no effective follow-up care was provided afterward.”

Homeyra Sharifi was arrested during the nationwide January protests and transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. On February 16, 2026, she was transferred from Qarchak Prison to Evin Prison, where she has remained ever since.

HRANA’s investigation into the charges brought against Ms. Sharifi and the authority that issued the sentence is ongoing.

January 2026 Protests: Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Iman Shahpari Nia, Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi

HRANA – The convictions of Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia, who were arrested during the January 2026 protests, have been fully upheld by the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. In a joint case, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced each of them to two years in prison along with supplementary punishments.

Based on a ruling recently issued by Branch 14 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Shahpari Talkh Abi and Mr. Shahpari Nia were each sentenced, on the charge of “disrupting public order,” to two years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The court cited the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code as the basis for the sentence.

The initial verdict in their case had been issued by Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on the same charge.

In this case, the charge of “disrupting public order” was brought under the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. Under Iran’s legal framework, Article 286 itself pertains to the offense of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). However, according to its accompanying note, if a defendant’s actions are deemed to have caused disorder or insecurity but are not considered sufficiently extensive to constitute efsad-e fel-arz, the death penalty is not applied, and the defendant may instead be sentenced to a Grade 5 or Grade 6 discretionary prison term (up to five years’ imprisonment).

The reliance on this note rather than Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code, which addresses ordinary public-order offenses and carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, indicates that the case was handled through a security-oriented approach, with the court relying on the more severe penalties provided under the note to Article 286.

Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia were arrested on January 9, 2026, during the nationwide protests and were subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

Teacher Zahra Arefi Mehr Arrested Following Court Hearing

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Sabzevar, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Zahra Arefi Mehr

HRANA – A court hearing on the charges against Zahra Arefi Mehr, a teacher and artist, was held on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. At the conclusion of the hearing, she was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

The hearing took place on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. Ms. Arefi Mehr personally defended herself against charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion,” without access to legal counsel.

An informed source told HRANA: “During the hearing, the publication of posts and images related to individuals who lost their lives in 2026 protests was cited as evidence supporting the charges brought against this teacher. Following the conclusion of the court session, Zahra was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.”

Zahra Arefi Mehr is an Iranian teacher, children’s literature writer, and artist. She is also active in the field of visual arts, and her paintings have been exhibited in international group exhibitions.