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Legal Uncertainty for Four Political Detainees in Masjed Soleyman

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News, Prisoners
Ali Soltani, Dezful, Hajat Susani, HRANA, Karim Jalili, Masjed-Soleyman, Moslem Alipour

HRANA News Agency – Karim Jalili, Moslem Alipour, Ali Soltani, and Hajat (also referred to as Hojjat) Susani, political defendants involved in a shared case, have been held in legal limbo for over 50 days in Masjed Soleyman Prison.

HRANA has learned that Branch 2 of the Masjed Soleyman Prosecutor’s Office has formally charged the four individuals, who share a joint case file, with offenses including “propaganda against the regime” and “insulting officials.”

A source close to the family of one of the defendants confirmed the report and told HRANA: “Their case has been transferred to the Dezful County Judiciary, but the presiding court branch has yet to be determined. They’ve been told that the court branch and hearing date will be set this week or next. According to officials, the hearing will be held remotely due to their detention in Masjed Soleyman Prison.”

Moslem Alipour was arrested by security forces in Masjed Soleyman on March 10, 2025. Hajat Susani was detained the following day, and Karim Jalili and Ali Soltani were arrested separately on March 12, all in the same city. Following their arrests, all four were transferred to Masjed Soleyman Prison.

Karim Jalili is 40 years old, Ali Soltani is 23, and both Moslem Alipour and Hajjat Sousani are also residents of Masjed Soleyman.

Political Prisoner Manoochehr Mehman-Navaz Re-Arrested and Returned to Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Khurin Prison, Manouchehr Mehman Navaz, Mohammadreza Amouzad, Seyed Ali Mazloum, Varamin

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Mehman-Navaz, a political prisoner who had been serving his sentence in an open prison arrangement, was arrested 16 days ago and transferred to Khurin Prison in Varamin.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Mehman-Navaz, who had been serving his sentence outside of prison under an open prison system, was arrested at his private residence on Wednesday, April 16, and transferred to Khurin Prison in Varamin.

He had previously been released from Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj under the same open prison arrangement on November 19, 2023.

Mehman-Navaz was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum, on charges of “assembly and collusion against internal national security” and “disrupting public order and security through causing commotion and unrest.”

In 2022, he had been sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Amouzad. However, that sentence was overturned following testimony from eyewitnesses. After submitting a request for a retrial, his case was re-examined in Branch 29 of the court.

This political prisoner was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was tried in Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in November of that year.

The charges against him included arson of buildings with the intent to confront the Islamic government—an offense classified as moharebeh (waging war against God)—as well as “assembly and collusion against internal national security,” “disrupting public order and security through creating commotion and unrest,” and “participating in unlawful gatherings.”

Report on the Arrest of Reyhaneh and Rasoul Darat, Supporters of the “Yamani” Movement

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, Rasoul Darat, Reyhaneh Darat, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Yamani

HRANA News Agency – Reyhaneh Darat and her brother Rasoul Darat, two residents of Torbat-e Heydarieh and supporters of the “Yamani” movement, have been arrested by security forces. While Rasoul Darat is currently being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in the city, the whereabouts of Reyhaneh Darat remain unknown.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“On the evening of Monday, April 28, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided a ceremony being held in Torbat-e Heydarieh, Razavi Khorasan province, to mark the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad’s daughter. Around 20 women and girls, all supporters of the Yamani movement, were present. Among them, Reyhaneh Darat was arrested by security forces. Later that night, her family went to the Ministry of Intelligence office to follow up on her case. During this effort, her brother Rasoul Darat was also arrested by Intelligence agents.”

According to HRANA’s findings, Rasoul Darat is currently being held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Torbat-e Heydarieh. However, the location of Reyhaneh Darat, 20, remains unknown, and authorities have refused to provide her family with any information.

Rasoul Darat has previously been arrested and convicted for his religious activities.

In Iran, individuals are routinely detained for making claims of association with the Shi’a messianic figure, the Hidden Twelfth Imam. One such movement, known as the Yamani current and led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, advocates beliefs centered on Mahdism.

The Iranian security establishment—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—maintains dedicated units focused on monitoring and suppressing religious groups, mystical orders, and ideological movements that fall outside the state’s sanctioned ideological boundaries.

Two Prisoners Executed in Dezful Prison

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News
Dezful prison, HRANA, Karim Farokhvand, Mahmoud Ostad Mamzayi, moharebeh

HRANA News Agency – Today, May 1, 2025, the death sentences of two prisoners who had previously been convicted in a joint case on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery were carried out in Dezful Prison.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the executed individuals as Karim Farokhvand and Mahmoud Ostad Mamzayi, both residents of Dezful.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the two men were arrested around ten years ago in Dezful. They were later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in a joint case on charges of moharebeh through armed robbery.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, the families of the two prisoners, along with a number of Dezful residents, held protests in front of the governor’s office, city hall, and Fajr Prison in Dezful, calling for the executions to be halted.

Earlier this week, both men had been transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the implementation of their sentences.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially confirmed by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Mahmoud Sedighipour Arrested Following Summons by Security Police

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Gilan province, Mahmoud Sedighipour, محمود صدیقی پور

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, April 30, Mahmoud Sedighipour, a teachers’ union activist in Gilan Province, was summoned and subsequently arrested by the Security Police.

According to the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Mr. Sedighipour was summoned to the Security Police in Rasht this afternoon, where he was then arrested.

Earlier in the day, he had been interrogated and threatened by the same agency for refusing to refrain from participating in a teachers’ union gathering.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding his whereabouts or the specific charges against him.

Mahmoud Sedighipour (محمود صدیقی پور) has previously faced imprisonment and other legal penalties due to his union-related activities.

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Somayeh Rashidi Transferred to Evin Prison After Arrest and Beating by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Somayeh Rashidi, Tehran, سمیه رشیدی

HRANA News Agency – Somayeh Rashidi, a political detainee, has been held in custody for the past week following her arrest by security forces in Tehran. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Rashidi was transferred to Evin Prison on April 26, 2025, after spending two days in a police detention facility. She faces charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to Ms. Rashidi’s family told HRANA: “Somayeh was arrested while writing protest slogans in a Tehran neighborhood. During her arrest, officers beat her—slamming her head against a wall and pinning her down by sitting on her chest. They inflicted repeated blows to her face, legs, and abdomen. She has since filed a formal complaint against the officers for these acts of violence.”

Somayeh Rashidi, 42, is a resident of Tehran.

Two Prisoners Executed in Sepidar Prison of Ahvaz

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Executions, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mohammad-Nabi Zirkari, Sepidar Prison

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, April 30, two prisoners previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges were executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of the executed individuals as Mohammad-Nabi Zirkari. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Zirkari and another prisoner—whose identity remains unverified—had been arrested in separate cases on charges related to drug offenses and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of the executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Six Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

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Executions, News
Abdolghaffar Barahouei, Abdolsamad Gorgij, HRANA, Javid Galleh-Bacheh, Mashhad, Mehdi Azizi, Parviz Dastkaleh, Vakilabad

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Wednesday, April 30, six inmates were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of the executed individuals as Mehdi Azizi, a resident of Mashhad, and Javid Galleh-Bacheh.

The Baloch-focused outlet Hasl Vsh has identified three others as, Abdolghaffar Barahouei (Lajei), approximately 47 years old and father of nine, Parviz Dastkaleh (Nouraldin Lajei), around 40 years old and father of three, and Abdolsamad Gorgij (Rigi), 39 years old, father of five, and a resident of Zahedan.

All six prisoners had previously been sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts on drug-related charges.

Details about the sixth executed prisoner, including their identity, are still being investigated by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially confirmed by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to data compiled by HRANA, 52.69% of all executions in Iran in 2024 were related to drug-related charges. Notably, only 6% of the executions were officially announced, highlighting a significant lack of transparency. For a detailed analysis of these executions and the associated statistics, see HRANA’s full report.

Judicial Case Filed Against Journalist Mohammad Parsi

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohammad Parsi, Nika Shakarami, محمد پارسی

HRANA News Agency – A judicial case has been opened against journalist Mohammad Parsi and referred to Branch 9 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to HRANA that yesterday, April 29, 2025, Mr. Parsi received a summons notifying him that a case had been filed against him and referred to Branch 9 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office. The charges are reportedly linked to content he shared online, including posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, on April 22, security forces searched the journalist’s residence and confiscated electronic devices, including his mobile phone.

In November 2024, Parsi had previously been formally charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading falsehoods.” In another case, he had been fined for writing about the details surrounding the death of Nika Shakarami.

The journalist also faced legal proceedings in July 2024 over posts related to the presidential election.

Mohammad Parsi, editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Kandoo and director of two other media outlets, has a history of judicial confrontations related to his professional activities.

Number of Executions in Ghezel Hesar Prison Rises to Four

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Executions, News
Asghar Vatanparast, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Karaj, Mohsen Langarneshin

HRANA News Agency – Today, April 30, alongside the execution of Mohsen Langarneshin, a political prisoner, in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, three other inmates previously sentenced to death on drug-related and murder charges were also executed.

In addition to the execution of Mohsen Langarneshin—who had been convicted of espionage and collaboration with hostile governments—three other inmates were also put to death. HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of them as Asghar Vatanparast, sentenced to death for drug-related offenses. The two others were executed on murder charges, though their identities have not yet been confirmed.

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

Earlier, HRANA had reported the transfer of 11 inmates to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

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

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.