January 2026 Protests: Ali Kamali Sentenced to Death

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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Teacher Zahra Arefi Mehr Arrested Following Court Hearing

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.

Ariana Kouchaki, Sharif University Student, Arrested

HRANA – Ariana Kouchaki, a student at Sharif University of Technology, was arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday and taken to an undisclosed location.

The Student Council of Sharif University of Technology announced that the student was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Monday, June 1, 2026.

So far, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or his place of detention.

Ariana Kouchaki is an undergraduate Industrial Engineering student who entered Sharif University of Technology in 2021.

Mahmoud Talkh Abi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Appeal

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Mahmoud Talkh Abi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2026 and currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been upheld in full by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Talkh Abi was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” pursuant to the Note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Previously, at the trial stage, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to five years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and two years of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in connection with this charge. The supplementary punishments were overturned during the appeals process.

Mahmoud Talkh Abi was arrested on December 30, 2025, in connection with the nationwide protests and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

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 “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). However, according to its Note, if a defendant’s actions are deemed to have caused disorder or insecurity but are not considered sufficiently extensive to meet the threshold of “corruption on earth,” the death penalty is not applied, and the court may instead impose a Grade Five or Grade Six discretionary prison sentence (up to five years’ imprisonment). The court’s 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 harsher penalties provided under the Note to Article 286 serving as the basis for the sentence.

Rouya Ostovar Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, May 19, the sentence issued against Rouya Ostovar was upheld in its entirety by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals.

According to the court ruling, Ms. Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights for 15 years on charges of “conducting educational and promotional activities deemed contrary to Islamic law through the creation and administration of a WhatsApp group related to the Baha’i faith.” She was also sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime through publishing content online.”

The international Baha’i community has issued a statement expressing concern regarding the sentence imposed on this Baha’i citizen.

In response to the ruling, Ms. Ostovar stated that the WhatsApp group in question had only nine members, three of whom were Baha’is. According to her, the evidence presented against her mainly consisted of congratulatory messages for various occasions and an image in which a symbol of the Baha’i faith appeared in part of the picture.

The lower court’s verdict was formally communicated to her in April of this year.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Who is Responsible for the Sharp Rise in Political and Security-Related Executions Following the January 2026 Protests in Iran?

HRANA – Since March 2026, Iran has witnessed a sharp escalation in executions on political and security-related charges, as 40 people were executed between March 18 and June 3.

In response to this surge, Spreading Justice examined the officials and institutions responsible for facilitating these executions. While such executions continue beyond the reporting period, this report focuses on the two months between March 18 and May 18, 2026, during which at least 32 individuals were executed following grossly unfair trials. The youngest among them, Amirhossein Hatami, was only 18 years old. Although limited in its temporal scope, the findings reflect a broader and ongoing pattern, with executions on political and security-related charges continuing at an alarming pace.

A significant number of those executed were accused of involvement in the January 2026 protests, known as the Dey Protests, which began on December 28, 2025, and rapidly spread across the country amid widespread public anger over economic collapse, corruption, and state repression. Demonstrations continued for weeks despite a violent regime crackdown involving mass arrests and the widespread use of lethal force, resulting in the deaths of at least 7,007 individuals in conduct likely amounting to crimes against humanity. The same period also saw the highest recorded number of forced confessions in recent years, surpassing 350 documented cases.

Others executed during this period were accused of involvement in the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests or alleged activity connected to the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025.

Comparatively, according to HRA documentation, between March 18 and May 18, 2025, a total of 198 individuals were executed in Iran, compared to 65 executions during the same period in 2026. However, only 8 individuals were executed on political and security-related charges in 2025, underscoring the sharp escalation in the use of executions as a tool of political repression in 2026.

Spreading Justice has identified the judicial authorities responsible for issuing these arbitrary death sentences. These individuals have long-standing records of involvement in violations of the right to life and the systematic denial of fair trial guarantees Among them, Judge Iman Afshari has played a particularly central role. During this same period, Afshari sentenced at least eight individuals to death on political and security-related charges, including:

Ehsan Hosseinipour Hessarlou ( Sentence upheld)
Matin Mohammadi ( Sentence upheld)
Erfan Amiri ( Sentence upheld)
Maryam Hodavand ( Sentence upheld)
Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl ( Sentence overturned)
Bita Hemmati ( Sentence overturned)
Behrouz Zamaninejad
Kourosh Zamaninejad

Afshari is also implicated in at least six additional cases outlined below that resulted in arbitrary executions.

The following list includes 14 individuals who were executed between March 18 and May 18, 2026, in connection with their participation in the January 2026 Dey Protests.

VictimIndividuals Involved in Violations of the Right to Life
Mehdi Ghasemi

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: March 19, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Saleh Mohammadi
Age: 19
Date of Execution: March 19, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Saeed Davoudi

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: March 19, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Amirhossein Hatami

Age: 18
Date of Execution: April 2, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Abolghasem Salavati
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mohammad-Amin Biglari

Age: 19
Date of Execution: April 5, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Abolghasem Salavati
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Shahin Vahedparast

Age: 30
Date of Execution: April 5, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Abolghasem Salavati
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Ali Fahim

Age: 23
Date of Execution: April 6, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Abolghasem Salavati
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Amirali Mirjafari

Age: 24
Date of Execution: April 21, 2026
Charge: Operational action for the Israeli regime and hostile governments; collaboration with Mossad-linked networks; arson and destruction of public property

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Erfan Kiani

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: April 25, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon to intimidate the public and participate in destruction of public property

Revolutionary Court of Isfahan
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Sasan Azadvar Junaqani

Age: 21
Date of Execution: April 30, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh (enmity against God)

Seyed-Mahmoud Kazem Zadeh
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mehdi Rasouli

Age: 25
Date of Execution: May 3, 2026
Charge: Operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam
Ghasem Mazinani
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Ebrahim Dolatabadi
Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: May 3, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh and leading the protests
Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam
Ghasem Mazinani
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mohammadreza Miri

Age: 21
Date of Execution: May 3, 2026
Charge: Operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups

Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam
Ghasem Mazinani
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mohammad Abbasi

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: May 13, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh (enmity against God)

Abolghasem Salavati
Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad

 

During this period, 18 individuals were also executed on political and security-related charges. However, these charges were not connected to the January protests. Instead, these individuals were executed for their alleged involvement in the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests and alleged activity during the 12-day war with Israel.

VictimIndividuals Involved in Violations of the Right to Life
Kourosh Keyvani

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: March 18, 2026
Charge: Espionage for Israel

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Akbar Daneshvar-Kar
Age: 59
Date of Execution: March 30, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups
Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Seyed Mohammad Taghavi-Sangdehi

Age: 60
Date of Execution: March 30, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups

Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Babak Alipour

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: March 31, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups

Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Pouya Ghobadi

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: March 31, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups

Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Abolhassan Montazer

Age: 68
Date of Execution: April 4, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups

Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Vahid Baniamerian

Age: 34
Date of Execution: April 4, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups

Iman Afshari
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mohammad Masoum Shahi

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: April 20, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh, cooperation with a hostile state, assembly and collusion against national security, and membership in a group with intent to disrupt national security

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Hamed Validi

Age: 45
Date of Execution: April 20, 2026
Charge: Moharebeh, cooperation with a hostile state, assembly and collusion against national security, and membership in a group with intent to disrupt national security

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mehdi Farid

Age: 55
Date of Execution: April 22, 2026
Charge: Efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth) through cooperation with Israel

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: April 23, 2026
Charge: Cooperation with Israel and moharebeh

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Amer Ramesh

Age: 22
Date of Execution: April 26, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) and membership in an armed opposition group

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Mehrab Abdollahzadeh

Age: 28
Date of Execution: May 2, 2026
Charge: Corruption on Earth

Ghorban Shahini
Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad
Ghasem Mazinani
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Yaghoub Karimpour

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: May 2, 2026
Charge: Distributing information and images of military sites. Manufacturing sounds bombs, and field cooperation with Mossad Officers

Sajjad Doosti
Ghasem Mazinani
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Naser Bekrzadeh

Age: 26
Date of Execution: May 2, 2026
Charge: Espionage for Israel

Ghorban Shahini
Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Erfan Shakourzadeh

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: May 11, 2026
Charge: Spying for CIA and The Mossad

Abolghasem Salavati
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh

Age: 24
Date of Execution: May 12, 2026
Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through armed attacks on law enforcement facilities and membership in the insurgent group Ansar al-Furqan

Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad
Ehsan Afrashteh

Age: Not specified
Date of Execution: May 13, 2026
Charge: Spying for Israel

Abolghasem Salavati
Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad
Ghasem Mazinani
Sheykh Abbasali Alizade Baygi
Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i
Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri
Mohammad Movahediazad

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