World-Traveling Cyclist Khosrow Azarbeyg Arrested in Tehran

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 17, 2025, security forces in Tehran arrested Khosrow Azarbeyg, a musician and world-traveling cyclist.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, attorney Amir Raeesian stated that Mr. Azarbeyg was detained by security forces on Monday evening while walking on a street in Tehran. His family has been informed that he is facing charges of “insulting Bashar al-Assad.” His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Mr. Azarbeyg had previously been arrested on September 20, 2024, while performing street music in Tehran’s Mellat Park. Security forces confiscated his belongings, and although he was released hours later, a judicial case was opened against him.

He was also briefly detained on January 10, 2024, for playing the daf drum at a metro station in Tehran.

Khosrow Azarbeyg is a cyclist, musician, traveler, documentary filmmaker, and children’s rights activist. He has traveled to more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa and has been involved in various initiatives supporting impoverished families in Sistan and Baluchestan, children with autism, and the families of child laborers.

A Prisoner Executed in Dastgerd Prison on Drug-Related Charges

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Monday, February 17, 2025, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identity of the prisoner has been confirmed as Ezzat Hosseini Duraki.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Hosseini Duraki had been arrested on drug-related charges and subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. He had spent more than ten years in prison before his execution.

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

In 2024, HRA reported 53 executions in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, making it the fourth-highest among prisons in terms of execution numbers.
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.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Ebrahim Asemani Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

HRANA News Agency – Azerbaijani-Turk activist Ebrahim Asemani has been sentenced to three months in prison and 30 lashes by Branch 118 of the Tabriz Criminal Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Asemani was convicted on charges of “disrupting public order through unconventional attire and creating commotion during the funeral of Zohreh Sa’adati Vafaie.” The verdict, issued on February 15, 2025, sentenced him to three months and one day of imprisonment and 30 lashes.

This verdict was issued in absentia and can be appealed within 20 days of notification, with an additional 20-day window for appeal in the Court of Appeals.

Asemani was arrested on September 23, 2024, during the funeral of Sa’adati Vafaie at a Cemetery in Tabriz for wearing traditional clothing featuring specific inscriptions. He was released on bail after eight days.

Asmani, aged approximately 60, is a married Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Tabriz. He has previously faced summonses, arrests, and judicial sentences due to his activism.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation. However, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases where flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. Additionally, at least 131 individuals were sentenced to a combined 9,957 lashes by the Iranian judiciary.

Furthermore, four individuals had their hand amputation sentences executed, while four others were sentenced to amputation.
For detailed statistics and further insights, read HRANA’s 2024 Annual Report.

Report on the Arrest of Christian Convert Somayeh Rajabi in Babol

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Thursday, February 6, 2025, security forces raided a gathering of dozens of Christian converts in Gatab, a town in Babol County, and arrested Somayeh Rajabi, a Christian convert, transferring her to prison.

According to HRANA, citing Mohabat News, agents from the IRGC Intelligence in Babol stormed the gathering, where around 80 Christian converts were present.

Rajabi was arrested during the raid and, one day later, informed her family in a brief phone call that she had been transferred to a prison in Sari.

Reports indicate that security forces treated the attendees harshly and confiscated all religious books, musical instruments, and digital devices.

No information is currently available regarding the charges against Rajabi.

Notably, while Christianity is officially recognized as a minority religion in Iran, security agencies view the conversion of Muslims to Christianity as a highly sensitive matter and respond with severe crackdowns on those involved in religious activism.

The persecution of Christian converts in Iran persists despite Article 18 of both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change their faith and to practice it openly or privately, alone or in community with others.

Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 16, 2025, a prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was executed in Arak Prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the executed prisoner has been identified as Hadi Farahani. He was arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial authorities have not publicly announced the execution.

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.

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Wave of Arrests Following Protests in Dehdasht, Iran

HRANA News Agency – Following a protest on Tuesday, February 11, in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, a large number of demonstrators have been arrested.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of several detainees, including Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, Reza Yeganeh, Hossein Parisayi, Alireza Parisayi, Hamid Parisayi, and Ahmad Noormohammadi. Earlier, the arrests of Atefeh Tahernia, 17-year-old Amirhossein Jafari, 16-year-old Kamran Buzari, Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati had also been reported.

Ahmad Noormohammadi, accused of leading the protests, is being held in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Meanwhile, Hossein, Alireza, and Hamid Parisayi (three brothers), Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati are detained in Dehdasht Prison, while Atefeh Tahernia is held in Yasuj Prison. Amirhossein Jafari, the 17-year-old detainee, has been transferred to the Yasuj Juvenile Correctional Center.

A source close to the detainees confirmed this to HRANA, stating: “Atefeh Tahernia was supposed to be released from Yasuj Prison on bail, but the judicial officer opposed her release.”

Yesterday, Fars News Agency reported the arrests of several protesters in Dehdasht, accusing them of “disrupting public order and attempting sabotage.” At the same time, security-affiliated media channels identified one of the detainees as “Ahmad Lolo” (referring to Ahmad Noormohammadi) and claimed—without evidence—that he is an Afghan national and one of the organizers of the protest.

According to HRANA’s sources, during the arrests of Shahram Nooranian and Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, IRGC intelligence forces opened fire on their vehicle in the Tang-e Pirza area of Kohgiluyeh County.

A source close to one of the detainees’ families confirmed this account to HRANA, stating:
“Shahram and Shahriar were violently beaten and arrested. Since their detention, their families have received no information about their whereabouts and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”

On the night of Tuesday, February 11, a group of Dehdasht residents gathered in protest, chanting slogans against the government. These demonstrations were driven by growing public frustration over economic and social issues.

In the days following the protest, amid widespread arrests, Dehdasht has remained under heavy security, with a significant presence of security forces throughout the city.

Prisoner Executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 16, 2025, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on non-political charges was executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identity of the executed prisoner has been confirmed as Saeed Jokar. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Jokar had been sentenced to death by judicial authorities on non-political charges.

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial officials have not publicly announced the execution.

Saeed Jokar’s Death notice

According to HRANA’s data, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz carried out 85 executions in 2024, marking a 73% increase compared to the previous year. This places it as the second most active prison for executions in Iran. For a detailed analysis and full statistics on executions across the country, refer to HRANA’s report.

Teacher and Union Activist Asghar Amirzadegan Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Asghar Amirzadegan, a teacher and member of the teachers’ union in Fars province, has been sentenced in absentia to three years in prison by the Criminal Court of Firouzabad County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Branch 101 of the Firouzabad Criminal Court issued the verdict on February 11, 2025. Amirzadegan was sentenced to two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic” and an additional one year for “propaganda against the regime,” bringing his total prison term to three years.

This is not the first time Amirzadegan has faced imprisonment. In June 2023, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” This sentence was later upheld by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

He began serving his five-year sentence in November 2023 at Firouzabad Prison but was released in January 2024 after his appeal was accepted and his sentence was suspended.

However, in March 2024, he was convicted in a separate case and sentenced by the Firouzabad Revolutionary Court to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” following a complaint by the Firouzabad prosecutor.

Earlier this month, Amirzadegan was arrested again and transferred to Firouzabad Prison to serve his latest sentence.

A long-time advocate for teachers’ rights, Amirzadegan has been repeatedly arrested and sentenced due to his activism.

British Couple Arrested in Kerman Identified as Craig and Lindsay Foreman

HRANA News Agency – The identities of a British couple previously arrested in Kerman have been confirmed for the first time. The two individuals, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, are currently in detention on security-related charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the couple’s family released a statement yesterday confirming their identities and expressing concern for their well-being. They also stated that they are cooperating with the UK government to ensure their safety and secure their return home.

Last Thursday, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Kerman province announced in a statement that Hugo Shorter, the UK ambassador to Iran, had met with these security-related detainees at the prosecutor’s office in Kerman.

The couple, both in their early 50s, had entered Iran as part of a worldwide motorcycle trip and had planned to travel to Pakistan after a short stay.

No details regarding the charges against the two British citizens have been disclosed so far.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have arrested multiple foreign nationals on charges such as espionage or collaboration with hostile governments. Some of these detainees have been released following political negotiations. Human rights organizations and several Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as leverage in diplomatic disputes—an allegation Iranian authorities have consistently denied.

Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar Arrested during Protest in Front of Tehran University

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar, an injured veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was arrested during Thursday’s protest in Tehran against the continued house arrest of three political figures. His whereabouts remain unknown.

His daughter, Hanieh Bakhtiar, stated that while most detainees have been released, her father remains in custody, and the family has no information on his location.

She highlighted her father’s 70 months of service on the frontlines during the Iran-Iraq war and his war-related health issues, including lung damage from mustard gas exposure, neurological conditions caused by blast waves, and diabetes. She emphasized that he requires regular medication and continuous medical care, but since his arrest, he has been denied access to his medication, putting his physical and mental health at serious risk.

Despite a heavy security presence, a protest was held yesterday in front of Tehran University to oppose the continued house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. Several demonstrators were arrested during the gathering.

It is worth noting that Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest since February 2011.