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Baha’i Citizen Keyhan Maghsoudi Held in Incommunicado Detention After Over Two Months

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News, Religious Minorities
Keyhan Maghsoudi, Keyhan Maqsoudi, Urmia, کیهان مقصودی

HRANA – Keyhan Maghsoudi, a Baha’i citizen from Urmia, was arrested by security forces in June 2025. After undergoing interrogation, he was transferred to Urmia Prison. In recent days, however, he has once again been moved to a security detention facility.

On Friday, June 20, 2025, amid the 12-day war between Iran and Israel, Maghsoudi was arrested by security forces at his workplace. He was initially taken to a security detention center in Urmia and, after a period of interrogation, transferred to Urmia Prison. Recently, he was returned from the prison to an undisclosed security facility, leaving his family with no information about his condition or whereabouts.

Speaking to HRANA, his sister, Mahsa Maghsoudi, confirmed the developments, stating: “We still have no information about the status of my brother’s case or the charges against him. Throughout this time, Keyhan has been held without access to an independent lawyer, which raises serious concerns about the possibility of forced confessions under pressure or torture. Such confessions have no legal or human validity.”

She added: “So far, no official information has been provided about the judicial process, and our concerns about the future of his case and the likelihood of a fair trial are growing day by day.”

Keyhan Maghsoudi, 49, is single and works as a photographer and videographer in Urmia.

Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, ahvaz, Hossein Ali Hatami, Ramhormoz

HRANA– Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, a resident of Ramhormoz, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. The sentence has been suspended for two years.

This ruling was issued by Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court and was recently communicated to Mr. Zangeneh-Nezhadi’s lawyer, Hossein Ali Hatami.

Based on the ruling, he was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of propaganda against the regime. The sentence has been suspended for two years. Additionally, Mr. Zangeneh-Nezhadi was acquitted of the charges of membership in an insurgent group and collaboration with hostile states.

The court session to review this citizen’s charges was held in May of this year at Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, a resident of Ramhormoz County, was arrested in March 2024 and released after about 50 days on bail.

Four Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Hossein Biabani, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA– At dawn today, Wednesday, August 27, the death sentences of four prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of the executed prisoners as Hossein Biabani and an individual identified only by the surname Yousefi, whose first name remains unknown.

Based on information received by HRANA, these prisoners had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts.

Further details, including the identities of the two other executed prisoners, are under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been announced by prison authorities or official bodies.

According to HRANA’s statistics, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the highest number of executions among all Iranian prisons, with 150 inmates hanged. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the previous year — a deeply alarming increase that underscores the escalating use of capital punishment in Iran.

Drug-Related Charges: Two Prisoners Executed in Birjand Prison

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News
Asef Rakhshani, Behzad Navabi, Birjand Prison, HRANA

HRANA– At dawn yesterday, Tuesday, August 26, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Birjand Prison.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of the prisoners as Behzad Navabi, a native of Kerman, who had been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Additionally, Haal Vsh, a human rights organization covering news in southeastern Iran, identified the second prisoner as Asef Rakhshani, 28 years old father of eight children.

According to the report, Mr. Rakhshani was arrested in 2023 on drug-related charges in Birjand County and was later sentenced to death by the county’s Revolutionary Court.

The report adds that yesterday, this prisoner was transferred to solitary confinement in Birjand Prison in preparation for his execution. His execution was carried out without a final visit with his family.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these two prisoners have not been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Women’s Rights Advocate Tina Deljoo Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Tina Deljoo

HRANA– Tina Deljoo, a women’s rights activist, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

This verdict was issued on Wednesday, August 20, by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court and was recently communicated to the women’s rights activist. Based on the ruling, Ms. Deljoo has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of propaganda against the regime.

No details are available regarding the specific acts cited in this case, which was opened against her in the winter of last year.

On January, 2025, Tina Deljoo was arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve a previously issued seven-month prison sentence in connection with an earlier case. She was released in mid-August of this year after completing that sentence.

Tina Deljoo, a civil activist and women’s rights defender, resides in Gilan. She has previously faced arrest and imprisonment for her activism.

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Yazd Blogger Hamidreza Naeimabadi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamidreza Naeimabadi, Yazd, حمیدرضا نعیم آبادی

HRANA– Hamidreza Naeimabadi, a satirical blogger from Yazd, has been arrested by the city’s security police. At the same time, a judicial order has been issued to suspend his Instagram page and restrict his use of social media.

Sources confirmed to HRANA that since his arrest, Mr. Naeimabadi has had no contact with his relatives.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Office of the Yazd Judiciary, without revealing his identity, announced the arrest of a “satirical blogger from Yazd,” accusing him of publishing content “contrary to legal and moral principles” and “insulting freight drivers” on social media.

According to the Judiciary’s statement, “the accused was detained by order of the case investigator through the security police and, after being transferred to the prosecutor’s office, was taken into custody under an appropriate judicial order.” Additionally, an order was issued to suspend his Instagram page and impose restrictions on his online activity.

Ghezel Hesar Prison: Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA– On the morning of Tuesday, August 26, three prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

Their transfer was carried out for the implementation of their death sentences. Based on information received by HRANA, two of the prisoners had been sentenced to death on murder charges by criminal courts, while the third had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on drug-related charges.

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

According to HRANA’s statistics, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the highest number of executions among all Iranian prisons, with 150 inmates hanged. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the previous year – a deeply alarming increase that underscores the escalating use of capital punishment in Iran.

Tehran Prosecutor Files Charges Against Comedian Zeinab Mousavi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Emperor Kuzco, HRANA, Qom, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi, زینب موسوی

HRANA– The Tehran prosecutor has filed charges against Iranian comedian Zeinab Mousavi over a video circulated on social media containing remarks about Ferdowsi, the renowned Iranian poet.

According to HRANA, quoting Mizan, the Tehran prosecutor initiated legal action against Mousavi following the release of part of a program online in which she made comments regarding Ferdowsi. The report alleges that Mousavi’s statements were “contrary to public morality.”

In October of last year, the Tehran prosecutor also filed charges against her, which later led to the issuance of an indictment.

Zeinab Mousavi, one of the first women stand-up comedians in Iran and the creator of the character “Empress Kuzco,” was arrested in October 2023 and released after several days. Her case, involving two charges, was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court.

She was also arrested in Qom in October 2022 and released on bail in late November of the same year pending trial. Mousavi has stated that during this detention she spent 25 days in solitary confinement and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Two Prisoners Executed on Drug Charges in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Javad Soheili, Mashhad, Nader Sepahdar, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn on Sunday, August 17, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners executed at dawn on Sunday, August 17, as Javad Soheili and Nader Sepahdar. According to information received by HRANA, the two had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Journalist Omid Faraghat Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Iman Afshari, Karaj, Omid Faraghat

HRANA – Omid Faraghat, a journalist, has been sentenced to three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In a separate ruling, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of other charges.

According to HRANA, Mr. Faraghat reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, convicted him on the charge of propaganda against the regime and sentenced him to three months in prison. The charge was based on allegations of interviews with Persian-language media outlets based abroad, a claim he has denied.

At the same time, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of additional charges of propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion. The trial concerning these accusations took place on Monday, August 18.

The conviction that resulted in his prison sentence was issued following a separate hearing held on Sunday, July 13, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Omid Faraghat, a journalist and political media activist residing in Karaj, has previously faced judicial proceedings in connection with his professional activities.