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Three Citizens Arrested in Tehran on Blasphemy Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, HRANA, Tehran

HRANA – Tehran’s Intelligence Police announced the arrest of three citizens. According to the agency, the detainees are accused of publishing content on social media that allegedly insulted religious sanctities and individuals described as “defenders of the homeland.”

According to HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, Tehran’s Intelligence Police stated that three individuals were identified and arrested during the monitoring of online activities for allegedly publishing insulting content.

According to the report, the police claimed that the individuals had posted content on social media insulting religious sanctities and national and religious values, and had caused what authorities described as “disturbing public opinion.”

The police stated that the individuals were located at three different locations in Tehran, and were arrested in separate operations.

The report does not provide details regarding the content in question, the specific basis of the charges, or the statements attributed to the detainees. It also does not mention the exact date of their arrests, their identities, where they are being held, or whether they have access to legal representation.

Additionally, no information is currently available regarding the judicial proceedings in their cases.

Three Prisoners Executed in Isfahan Prison

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Dastgerd Prison, Fariborz Jafari, Hamidreza Afsharipour, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA – On June 15, authorities at Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan executed three prisoners on charges of murder and drug-related offenses.

HRANA has identified one of the prisoners as Mohammadreza Gashoul. According to information received by HRANA, he had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was sentenced to death by a criminal court.

The Iran Human Rights Organization has identified the other two prisoners as Fariborz Jafari, 27, from Khomeyni Shahr, and Hamidreza Afsharipour, 51, from Fuman and the father of three children.

According to the report, Fariborz Jafari had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was sentenced to death by the judicial authorities. He was being held in Ward 4 of Dastgerd Prison and had previously been incarcerated in Najafabad Prison. Hamidreza Afsharipour had been arrested approximately two years ago on drug-related charges and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and the relevant authorities had not publicly announced the executions.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Amirparsa Neshat Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirparsa Neshat, امیرپارسا نشاط

HRANA – Amirparsa Neshat, a blogger and one of those arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests, has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and three years of restrictions on social media use and the use of a smartphone.

According to HRANA, Mr. Neshat was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a three-year ban on activity on social media platforms and the use of a smartphone. According to the court’s ruling, only one-twentieth of the prison sentence is enforceable, while the remainder has been suspended for a period of three years.

Amirparsa Neshat, a social media blogger, was arrested by security forces in Tehran in January 2026. He was ultimately released from Greater Tehran Prison in February 2026 after posting bail.

HRANA is still investigating further details regarding the charges brought against Mr. Neshat.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Baha’i Citizen Ahmad Naeimi Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Yazd, احمد نعیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ahmad Naeimi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, was arrested after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Naeimi was detained on June 13, after appearing before Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Yazd Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Naeimi is facing a new legal case. In this case, he and his wife, Flora Samadani, are co-defendants. The Prosecutor’s Office also opposed his release on bail.”

Mr. Naeimi had previously been summoned to the Prosecutor’s Office to provide certain explanations. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention.

Ahmad Naeimi has previously faced arrest and judicial harassment due to his religious beliefs and faith. His wife, Flora Samadani, was arrested by security forces in Yazd on May 3, 2026, and transferred to Yazd Prison.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. An examination of the annual reports published by HRA indicates that during the past calendar year, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Eight Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Amirabbas Dekavand, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Seyed Akbar Banihashem

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of eight prisoners. HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of those executed, both of whom had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

On Saturday, June 13, authorities at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the executions of eight prisoners. HRANA has identified two of them as Seyed Akbar Banihashem and Amirabbas Dekavand. Both prisoners had been sentenced to death on charges of murder. HRANA is continuing to investigate and verify the identities of the other six prisoners.

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

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

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January 2026 Protests: Singer Mehdi Pakmehr Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and 80 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, HRANA, Mehdi Pakmehr, مهدی پاکمهر

HRANA – Mehdi Pakmehr, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced in two separate cases by the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court of Bojnord to a total of six years of discretionary imprisonment and 80 lashes.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing Kolbar News, Mehdi Pakmehr has received prison and flogging sentences in two separate judicial cases.

According to the report, part of his sentence was issued by the Criminal Court of Bojnord and includes a discretionary prison term and 80 lashes. Another part of the rulings was issued by the Revolutionary Court of the city, bringing his total sentence to six years of discretionary imprisonment.

The report states that judicial authorities have so far refused to provide Mr. Pakmehr with written copies of the verdicts. Details regarding the charges against him and the evidence presented in the cases have also not been disclosed.

During the January 2026 protests, Mehdi Pakmehr was wounded in the leg after being struck by pellet gun fire. On January 9, 2026, amid a wave of arrests targeting protesters, he was detained by security forces along with several employees of his café and transferred to Bojnurd Central Prison. He spent approximately two months in detention while continuing to suffer from the effects of his gunshot injuries.

Mehdi Pakmehr, a 41-year-old singer from Bojnurd, has previously been arrested and convicted in connection with his civil and cultural activities.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

University Lecturer and Music Instructor Fereydoun Farahani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Fereydoun Farahani, HRANA, فریدون فراهانی

HRANA – Fereydoun Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces.

Mr. Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, was detained by security forces.

The report states that in March 2026, Mr. Farahani published a statement expressing support for students and their role and participation in the protests.

At the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges brought against him, or his place of detention.

Writer Yousef Ansari Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baktash Abtin, HRANA, Iranian Writers Association, Yousef Ansari

HRANA – Yousef Ansari, a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The Iranian Writers’ Association reported that Branch 21 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Ansari to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Under the court’s ruling, four months of the sentence are enforceable as a discretionary prison term, while the remaining eight months have been suspended.

The court hearing for this member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association was held on February 24, 2026.

Yousef Ansari was arrested by security forces on January 8, 2026, during a memorial ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Baktash Abtin. One day later, he was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

He was ultimately released from prison in March 2026 after posting bail of 700 million tomans.

Yousef Ansari is a writer and a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association.

January 2026 Protests: Mahsa Jamali Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Jamali, Qarchak Prison, Zahra Jamali

HRANA – Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali, arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months of discretionary imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Jamali was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months in prison. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali was arrested during the nationwide protests and, on January 9, 2026, was transferred from Qarchak Prison in Varamin to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

HRANA is still investigating further details regarding the charges brought against this prisoner.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

January 2026 Protests: Shayan Moradi Motlagh Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Khuzestan, Shayan Moradi Motlagh, شایان مرادی مطلق

HRANA – The prison sentence of Shayan Moradi Motlagh, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld in full by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced in the initial trial by Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), the sentence issued against Shayan Moradi Motlagh was affirmed by the appellate court.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Moradi Motlagh was sentenced to two years and one day in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” pursuant to the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code.

He had previously received the same sentence in the initial trial before Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court.

Shayan Moradi Motlagh was temporarily released on bail of 1 billion tomans on 9 February 2026. He had been arrested on 19 January 2026 during the nationwide protests.