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Execution of Three Prisoners Carried Out in Borujerd and Semnan Prisons

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Executions, News
Borujerd Prison, Hatam Shahpasandi, Mohammadreza Basiri, Morteza Kazemzadeh, Semnan prison

HRANA News Agency – In recent days, the death sentences of three prisoners previously convicted of drug-related offenses and murder were carried out in Borujerd and Semnan prisons.

Iran Human Rights has reported the identities of the executed prisoners as Hatam Shahpasandi, 44, from Dorud in Lorestan Province; Morteza Kazemzadeh, 30, from Semnan; and Mohammadreza Basiri, 27, from Shahrud.

According to the report, Kazemzadeh was arrested about three years ago and Basiri about four years ago on drug-related charges. Both were sentenced to death and executed by hanging on Thursday morning, March 13, in Semnan Prison.

Hatam Shahpasandi, who was arrested five years ago on charges of murdering a friend and later sentenced to death, was executed on Monday, March 17, in Borujerd Prison.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced 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.

A Citizen Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Forces in Meshgin Shahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardabil Province, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Meshgin Shahr

HRANA News Agency – The prosecutor of Meshgin Shahr, Ardabil province, announced the arrest of a citizen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces in this city. He claimed the individual had caused public anxiety through online content creation.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the prosecutor alleged that the individual was “one of the separatist elements who had been in contact with separatist groups and circles abroad through cyberspace.” Without naming the detainee, he further claimed that the individual was “causing public anxiety by producing separatist content, insulting Islamic sanctities and values, and promoting groups and organizations opposing the regime.”

Babak Nonahal added that the arrest was carried out by the IRGC Intelligence Organization of Ardabil Province. The individual was transferred to prison following the arrest.

Report on the Execution of Three Afghan Nationals in Bandar Abbas Prison

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Executions, News
Abdulbari Jahani, Bandar Abbas prison, Ezzatollah Arab, Moein Arab

HRANA News Agency – Three prisoners, all Afghan nationals previously sentenced to death in separate drug-related cases, were executed on February 25 and 26 in Bandar Abbas Prison.

Haal Vsh has identified these hanged prisoners as Ezzatollah Arab, Moein Arab, and Abdulbari Jahani—all citizens of Afghanistan.

Ezzatollah Arab and Moein Arab were arrested in 2021 at a checkpoint on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death in a joint case by the Revolutionary Court. Their executions were carried out on Wednesday, February 26.

According to the report, Abdulbari Jahani, who had also been sentenced to death on similar charges, was executed a day earlier, on Tuesday, February 25.

All three prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement on Monday, February 24, in preparation for the executions.

As of this report, prison authorities and official bodies have not publicly 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.

Prisoner Executed on Drug Charges in Lakan Prison, Rasht

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Executions, News
aramarz Keyfari, Kangavar, Lakan prison

HRANA News Agency – The death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out on Tuesday, February 25, at Lakan Prison in Rasht.

The identity of the executed prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Faramarz Keyfari, a resident of Kermanshah Province’s Kangavar city. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Keyfari had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of this report, prison authorities and official bodies have not publicly announced the execution.

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.

Sima Alipour Arrested After Summons to IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Sima Alipour, Tabriz, سیما علیپور

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, March 17, Sima Alipour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested after appearing at the IRGC Intelligence office in Tabriz and was transferred to the agency’s detention facility.

A source close to Alipour’s family confirmed the arrest in a conversation with HRANA, stating: “After being summoned, Ms. Alipour appeared at the IRGC Intelligence office in Tabriz on the morning of Monday, March 17. Hours later, the family was informed through their contacts that she had been arrested by the agency. They were advised to follow up on the case through the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office.”

As of this report, no information has been released regarding the reasons for the arrest or the charges against her.

Last week, IRGC Intelligence agents searched Alipour’s home and confiscated several personal belongings, including her mobile phone.

Previously, in April 2023, a court hearing was held for Ms. Alipour and her husband, Davoud Shiri (Derakhshan), regarding their charges.

On May 28, 2022, both were arrested by Tabriz’s Ministry of Intelligence agents and released several days later on bail from the agency’s detention facility.

Sima Alipour has a prior record of arrests and encounters with security forces.

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Hamideh Zeraei Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison and 178 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asif Al-Hosseini, Hamideh Zeraei, Kachooei Prison, Karaj, Lakan prison, Rasht, حمیده زراعی

HRANA News Agency – Hamideh Zeraei, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison and 178 lashes by Branch 104 of the Rasht Criminal Court, according to the Hyrcani news outlet.

The court, presided over by Judge Majid Shadpour, issued the verdict against Zeraei for refusing to comply with compulsory hijab regulations during a court appearance. She was sentenced to nine months in prison and 74 lashes on charges of “disturbing public order” and an additional nine months in prison for “defying law enforcement officers.” Furthermore, she received 74 lashes for “insulting an officer on duty” and 30 lashes for “causing minor physical harm.”

Zeraei was arrested in connection with this case on February 4, 2025, and released approximately one month later on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht.

In a previous case, on November 16, 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Karaj—presided over by Judge Mousa Asif Al-Hosseini—had sentenced Zeraei to one year in prison, two years of exile to Rasht, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on social media use. After accepting the verdict, her prison sentence was later reduced to nine months.

Zeraei was first arrested by security forces on May 29, 2023, at her home and transferred to Kachooei Prison in Karaj. She was released on February 22, 2024, after serving her sentence.

Previously, Hamideh (Shimin) Zeraei had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests. She was released on February 7, 2023, from Kachooei Prison in Karaj following a general “pardon” directive.

Five Poets and Journalists Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abadan, Arash Ghaleh-Golab, Farzaneh Yahya Abadi, Kourosh Karam-Pour, Mandana Sadeghi

HRANA News Agency – Arash Ghaleh-Golab, Kourosh Karam-Pour, Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi, Mandana Sadeghi and his husband, Reza Mohammadi, have been sentenced to a total of more than 10 years and 9 months in prison by Branch One of the Abadan Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, five poets and journalists have been sentenced to prison terms.

Based on the verdict issued by Branch One of the Abadan Revolutionary Court, Mandana Sadeghi and Arash Ghaleh-Golab have each been sentenced to 4 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison. Kourosh Karam-Pour has been sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Reza Mohammadi and Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi have each been sentenced to 3 months and 1 day in prison.

Breakdown of Charges and Sentences

Mandana Sadeghi and Arash Ghaleh-Golab were convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced to 7 months and 16 days in prison. They were also convicted of “assembly and collusion against national security” and sentenced to 3 years, 6 months, and 1 day in prison.
Kourosh Karam-Pour, a poet and journalist from Abadan, was sentenced to 2 years in prison on similar charges.
Reza Mohammadi, poet and literary critic, and Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi, journalist, were each sentenced to 3 months and 1 day in prison for “propaganda against the regime”. The sentence against Yahya-Abadi was issued in absentia.

Court Proceedings and Previous Arrests

These three journalists, along with Reza Mohammadi, Ms. Sadeghi’s husband, had previously been summoned to the Abadan Revolutionary Court for their defense.

Mandana Sadeghi and Reza Mohammadi were arrested at their home in Abadan on October 19, 2022, by security forces and transferred to Ahvaz. They were later released on bail. They had previously faced legal action for their activities.
Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi was also arrested on October 19, 2022, in Abadan and later released on bail.
Arash Ghaleh-Golab was arrested on May 26, 2022, in front of the Metropol Building while mourning the victims of the Metropol collapse. Security forces detained him violently, and he was later released after 11 days on bail.

Supreme Court Rejects Retrial Request for Death Row Political Prisoner Hatem Ozdemir

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Executions, News
Hatem Ozdemir, HRANA, Khoy, Najafzadeh, حاتم اوزدمیر

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court of Iran has rejected the retrial request of Hatem Ozdemir, a political prisoner on death row who is currently held in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, on Thursday, March 13, the Supreme Court informed Ozdemir’s defense attorney that his request for a retrial had been denied.

Ozdemir’s death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in September 2024.

In late winter 2021, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Khoy initially sentenced Ozdemir, a Turkish citizen, to death on charges of “armed rebellion” (Baghi). This verdict was delivered to him on March 15 of that year. However, the Supreme Court later overturned the ruling, sending the case back for a retrial in a parallel court.

Following a re-examination of the case and a new hearing, the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh, reaffirmed the death sentence in late May, again on charges of “enmity against God.”

Ozdemir was first arrested by security forces in Maku in the early summer of 2019. After two months, he was transferred to the political ward of Urmia Prison. On September 18 of the same year, he was moved to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia and, shortly afterward, returned to Urmia Central Prison.

Four Prisoners, Including Two Women, Executed in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Arshad Farzadband, Hamed Faraji, HRANA, Kosar Baghernejad, Mojgan Azarpisheh, Urmia prison

HRANA News Agency – On March 16, the death sentences of four prisoners, including two women, were carried out in Urmia Prison. These individuals had previously been convicted of murder in separate cases.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoners have been identified as Arshad Farzadband, Hamed Faraji, his wife Mojgan Azarpisheh, and Kosar Baghernejad.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Kosar Baghernejad was arrested in 2021 on charges of killing her husband, who was also her cousin. She was later sentenced to death by a criminal court. Arshad Farzadband and Hamed Faraji were also convicted of murder and received death sentences.

Mojgan Azarpisheh and her husband, Hamed Faraji, were arrested in December 2019 for allegedly killing an Iraqi citizen and were subsequently sentenced to execution.

The four prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement the day before their executions.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly confirmed these executions.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Masjed Soleyman

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News, Other
Hajjat Susani, HRANA, Karim Jalili Gandaeli, Masjed-Soleyman

HRANA News Agency – Hajat Susani and Karim Jalili Gandaeli, residents of Masjed Soleyman, Khuzestan province, were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identities of the detained individuals have been verified as Hajat Susani and Karim Jalili Gandeli. Based on information received by HRANA, these two citizens were arrested in recent days and transferred to an unknown location.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrest, their whereabouts, or the charges against them.