Dozens Detained Following Seventh-Day Memorial of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad; Some Released on Bail

HRANA – At least 27 citizens were detained in connection with the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, remain in custody. Meanwhile, Kamran Alikordi, Hassan Bagherinia, Pouria Najjarzadeh, Mohammad-Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad Ali Dehestani, and Jafar Karimi have been released on bail.

Based on information received by HRANA, among those arrested on Friday, December 12, coinciding with the memorial ceremony in Mashhad, at least 27 individuals remain detained. Most of them have been issued one-month temporary detention orders, while bail has been set for a small number. The charges brought against most detainees include propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and assembly and collusion against national security. In recent days, at least six of the detainees have been released on bail.

A knowledgeable source, confirming this news to HRANA, said: “More than 20 of the detained individuals have been transferred to Room 2 of Ward 6/1 at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Those transferred to this location are deprived of phone calls and family visits, which has resulted in families being left without information and has increased their concerns.”

Details regarding the situation of some of the detainees are as follows:

Javad Alikordi is being held under a one-month detention order at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad. Judicial authorities have only informed his family of his appearance before a judicial authority and the continuation of interrogations. A knowledgeable source, confirming this information to HRANA, stated: “Yesterday, Mr. Alikordi’s family, along with one of the lawyers, to the Mashhad Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and, after follow-up, learned that his case has been referred to Branch 902 of the investigating judge on charges of assembly and collusion and propaganda against the regime, and a one-month detention order has been issued for him.”

The family of Narges Mohammadi announced that on December 14, after nearly three days without any information, she informed her family of her poor physical condition during a brief phone call. According to her account, during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi on the outskirts of Mashhad, she was severely beaten with batons to the head and neck area in front of the mosque where the ceremony was held, and was then violently arrested. Narges Mohammadi also stated that due to the severity of the blows, she was transferred to emergency medical services twice, was confronted, without being informed of the detaining authority, with the charge of “cooperation with the State of Israel,” and was threatened. On Tuesday, her husband, Taghi Rahmani, expressed concern, stating that Narges Mohammadi is being held at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad, and that her family and trusted doctors have been denied the possibility of visitation or medical examination.

Ghazal Abdollahi, the daughter of Alieh Motalebzadeh, announced that her mother had a phone call with the family on Sunday evening, December 14, which was monitored by a security agent and broadcast over a loudspeaker. According to her, during this call Ms. Motalebzadeh reported being beaten at the time of her arrest and stated that the investigator of Branch 901 had issued a one-month temporary detention order against her on the charge of assembly and collusion. She also said that she was initially held by the IRGC Intelligence Organization and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Mashhad, and that due to the severity of the beatings she was subjected to a medical examination. According to her daughter, despite suffering from breast cancer, she had been denied access to medication and medical care up until the time of this call.

Yaser Dehestani, a lawyer, has been transferred to Vakilabad Prison after bail of 500 million tomans was set. Heydar Chah Chamandi is also facing a one-month detention order and is being held in Vakilabad Prison. For one of the detainees with the last name Moradzadeh, bail of one billion tomans has been set. Milad Fattah, for whom bail has also been determined, remains held in Vakilabad Prison; he has not contacted his family since Friday, which has heightened their concerns.

According to published information, Pouran Nazemi had a brief phone call with her family without any reference to her place of detention.

Ali Adinehzadeh has been barred from phone calls and family visits. Marzieh Adinehzadeh, his daughter, stated that the charges brought against her father are “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Fatemeh Ranjbar, the wife of Hamed Rasoulkhani, wrote in a post that bail of 500 million tomans has been set for her husband. She added that a one-month detention order has been issued for Mehdi Rasoulkhani. At present, both Hamed Rasoulkhani and Mehdi Rasoulkhani are deprived of phone calls and are being held in Vakilabad Prison.

According to a statement by Hasti Amiri’s brother on social media on Tuesday, her family is unaware of her place of detention. Meanwhile, the Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad announced that a one-month temporary detention order has been issued for Ms. Amiri. During the interrogation period, she has been denied the right to make phone calls and to have a lawyer.

In addition, a detention order has been issued for Sepideh Gholian on the charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” According to her brother, Mehdi Gholian, Sepideh has had a brief phone call with her family in recent days, but no details regarding her detention or condition are yet available.

Ali Vosoughinia, a former archaeology student at the University of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on Friday during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi. After being transferred to Soroush Detention Center and beaten on the pretext of clashing with officers and refusing to provide the password to his mobile phone, he was transferred on Saturday to Vakilabad Prison. Bail of 500 million tomans has also been set for his temporary release.

According to information received by HRANA, 13 other citizens, Abolfazl Abri, Tayebeh Nazari, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Hamed Hosseini, Mohammad Hassan Sadeghian, Mohammadreza Babaei, Javad Jalali, Mahmoud Khanali, Amir Khavari, Hamed Zare’, Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi, Mohammadreza Salehifar, and Zahra (Raha) Sharifi, are also among those detained in connection with this ceremony and remain in custody.

Some individuals who were arrested on Friday, December 12, at the same time as the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, have been released after posting bail. According to information obtained by HRANA, Hassan Bagherinia, who had been transferred to Vakilabad Prison, was released from the prison on Monday, December 15, after posting bail. Kamran Alikordi, a relative of Khosrow Alikordi, was released after posting bail of one billion tomans. Pouria Najjarzadeh, a lawyer, has also been released following the ceremony. Mohammad Hossein Hosseini was released in the early hours of Sunday. In addition, Mohammad Ali Dehestani was released on bail from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, although his mobile phone has been confiscated by security agencies. Jafar Karimi has also been released on bail.

Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, announced that she is closely following reports regarding the arrests of individuals at the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad. According to her, reports have been received indicating that some of the detainees are being held in undisclosed locations. The UN official emphasized that peaceful mourning and the expression of grief must be respected.

On Friday, December 12, the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi was held with a large turnout at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad. The ceremony was accompanied by protest slogans chanted by participants. Eventually, following the intervention of law enforcement forces, the event turned violent. During this incident, dozens of participants were arrested by security forces.

On Saturday, the Prosecutor General and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Mashhad announced the arrest of 39 individuals during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer, in the city. According to him, these individuals were arrested due to what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behaviors.” He also claimed that during the ceremony, two law enforcement officers were injured.

Other individuals were also arrested during the ceremony, and HRANA’s investigations regarding their identities and current status are ongoing.

Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar and a resident of Mashhad, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025. His funeral ceremony was held on Sunday, December 7, in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest slogans from attendees, including “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long Live Iran.” Following this, a large number of lawyers across the country issued a statement, a copy of which was received by HRANA, expressing condolences and sympathy with the family of Khosrow Alikordi and emphasizing the need for a precise, technical, and expert review of the circumstances surrounding his death. They called for all relevant documentation and information to be made available to his family as soon as possible.

Mohammad Zanganeh Arrested in Mashhad

HRANA – Yesterday, Mohammad Zanganeh, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Mr. Zanganeh’s family, confirming the news to HRANA, stated: “On Tuesday, December 16, Mohammad Zanganeh was arrested by security forces at his family home in Mashhad and taken to an undisclosed location.”

The source added: “Mr. Zanganeh had previously undergone knee surgery and, due to the presence of around 30 absorbable screws in that area, suffers from limited mobility and is unable to walk properly without assistive devices. Despite his physical condition, he was arrested violently and without the necessary medical precautions. Although his family has followed up with security institutions, no information has so far been obtained regarding his condition or place of detention, which has significantly increased the family’s concerns.”

According to information received by HRANA, the arrest of this citizen was carried out following the publication of posts and videos on social media.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against Mr. Zanganeh.

Mohammad Zanganeh is 23 years old, single, originally from Torbat-e Heydarieh, and a resident of Mashhad.

At Least 12 Executed Across Iranian Prisons on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

HRANA – On Wednesday, December 17, at least 12 individuals were executed in various prisons across Iran on charges of murder and drug-related offenses.

HRANA reported that on this day the death sentences of the following individuals were carried out on murder charges:

Faramarz Papi, executed at Shahrekord Prison
 Karamkhoda Yari, executed at Sabzevar Prison
Osman Ahmadi, executed at Mahabad Prison
Ebrahim Azizi, executed at Malayer Prison
Yarvali Azimi, executed at Kashmar Prison
Sajjad Farahmand, executed at Chabahar Prison
Mehrshad Asgari, executed at Damghan Prison
Mohammad Boghlani, executed at Bushehr Prison

In addition, the death sentence of Parviz Sha’bani, on charges related to drug-related crimes, was carried out at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Separately, the newspaper Hamshahri reported that, in addition to the execution of Raziyeh Abbasi, two other prisoners were hanged on murder charges yesterday at Ghezel Hesar Prison. Hamshahri did not disclose the identities of these individuals.

From the beginning of this year until the end of November, 2025, the Iranian regime has executed 1,594 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Citizen Arrested by Security Forces in Sabzevar

HRANA – Today, Wednesday, December 17, Hassan Pajoom, a citizen from Sabzevar, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of Hassan Pajoom took place at noon today at his home by security forces. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

Hassan Pajoom, 36, single, is a native and resident of Sabzevar and a close relative of Malek Ali Fadaei Nasab, a security–political prisoner who was executed at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Ahvaz

HRANA – On Tuesday, December 15, Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr, Sunni residents of Ahvaz, were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr were arrested on Tuesday, December 16, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at their private homes in Ahvaz. The agents also searched their residences and confiscated a number of their personal belongings.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding their place of detention, the reasons for their arrest, or the charges brought against them.

Aref Shamousi and Mohammad Badr are Sunni citizens and residents of Ahvaz.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

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Father of Protest Victim Remains in Detention After 40 Days in Bukan Prison

HRANA – Ali Mohammadi, the father of Shahriar Mohammadi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, remains in a state of legal uncertainty at Bukan Prison, despite 40 days having passed since his arrest.

Milad Mohammadi, his son, wrote in a post that his father was arrested for the second time this year on November 8, 2025, and has been held in Bukan Prison for the past 40 days. According to him, Mr. Mohammadi suffers from heart problems, and his continued detention, given his physical condition, has heightened the family’s concerns.

In July-August 2025, Branch One of the Deputy Prosecutor’s Office in Bukan issued an indictment in Mr. Mohammadi’s case. In the final decision of the prosecutor’s office, the charges listed include propaganda in favor of groups and organizations opposed to the regime and membership in opposition groups.

Ali Mohammadi, a resident of Bukan and the father of Shahriar Mohammadi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, had previously been arrested by security forces in Bukan on June 18, 2025, and was released from prison after a period of detention.

It should be noted that Shahriar Mohammadi, approximately 30 years old, was killed on November 18, 2022, after being shot during the nationwide protests in Bukan.

Three Citizens Arrested in Abdanan by Ministry of Intelligence Forces

HRANA – On Monday, December 15, three citizens identified as Soheil Pakarazan, Ilya Imani, and Hossein Hajian, residents of Abdanan, were arrested by forces of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Their identities have been reported by Kurdpa as Soheil Pakarzan, from the village of Haft Cheshmeh; Ilya Imani, from the village of Hezarani; and Hossein Hajian from Abdanan.

Based on this report, the arrests took place on Monday without the presentation of a judicial warrant and were carried out with the use of violence by Ministry of Intelligence forces.

As of now, no information is available regarding the whereabouts of these three citizens or the charges brought against them.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

At Least Seven Prisoners Executed on December 16 Across Iranian Prisons

HRANA – Various prisons continue to witness an unprecedented wave of executions on charges related to murder and drug offenses. This report provides details of some of these executions carried out in recent days.

Today, Wednesday, December 17, a female prisoner named Razieh Abbasi, approximately 40 years old, was hanged in Ghezel Hesar Prison. According to information received by HRANA, Ms. Abbasi had previously been arrested on charges of murdering her husband and was later sentenced to death by a criminal court.
This prisoner, who had been held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, was recently transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj for the implementation of her execution sentence.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, December 16, the death sentences of the following individuals were carried out:

• Mahmoud Din Mohammadi, on charges of murder, in Birjand Prison, South Khorasan province;
• Yazdan Mohammadzadeh, on charges of murder, in Bam Prison, Kerman province;
• Nejat Rajabi, on charges of murder, in Jiroft Prison, Kerman province;
• Keyhan Abbasi, on charges of murder, in Borazjan Prison, Bushehr province;
Ghobad (Qobad) Fathollahi, on charges of murder, in Ilam Prison;
• Ali Mohammad Roshanfekr, on charges of murder, in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz;
• Ata Shahsavari, on drug-related charges, in Khaf Prison, Razavi Khorasan province.

HRANA also reported that on Sunday, three prisoners were hanged on charges of murder in Yazd Prison. The identities of two of these prisoners, Jasem Seghaei and Khalegh Zolfaghari, have been confirmed by HRANA.

Additionally, a human rights organization reported the execution of a prisoner named Heydar Amiri, 32 years old, on charges of murder on Monday, December 15, in Sabzevar Prison. The organization also reported that on Sunday, Mohammad Rahimi, 50 years old, was executed on drug-related charges in Gorgan Prison.

From the beginning of this year until the end of November, 2025, the Iranian regime has executed 1,594 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Death Sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Upheld by the Supreme Court

HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner, has once again been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court after his request for retrial was rejected.

The informed source told HRANA: “On Monday, December 15, 2025, the rejection of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani’s request for retrial by the Supreme Court was formally communicated to him in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Following this notification, prison authorities informed the Vafaie family during a phone call that his case had been sent to the Mashhad Office for the Implementation of Sentences. In addition, his mother was unexpectedly granted an in-person visit. Taken together, final confirmation of the sentence, referral of the case for implementation, and the sudden family visit, these developments indicate that this political prisoner’s situation has entered a highly concerning stage.”

The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani had previously been overturned twice by the Supreme Court, but in recent months it was upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court. Following this decision, his defense attorney submitted another request for retrial, which was ultimately rejected. Most recently, in September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “corruption on earth.”

This 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In the initial stage of proceedings, he was also sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate destruction.” That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. In the second trial, a death sentence was again issued, which was likewise overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024.

Iranian–Swedish Dual National Arrested in Karaj on Espionage Charges

HRANA – The spokesperson of Iran’s Judiciary announced the arrest of an Iranian-Swedish dual national in Karaj, stating that the individual has been charged with espionage for Israel during the 12-day war with Iran, according to Mehr News Agency. According to him, the case is under review in Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, and a verdict will be issued soon.

Speaking at a press conference today, the Judiciary spokesperson said: “The defendant is a dual national who obtained Swedish citizenship in 2020 and had been residing in that country. In 2023, he was recruited by Israeli intelligence services and, after receiving training in six European countries, most recently traveled to Israel two weeks before entering Iran.”

Asghar Jahangir added: “He entered Iran one month before the start of the war and was staying in a villa on the outskirts of Karaj. He was carrying electronic espionage equipment, which was identified by security agents, and he was arrested during the 12-day war. After his arrest, the defendant confessed during interrogations to spying for Israel.”

He concluded by stating: “The defendant’s case is under review in Branch Two of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, and a verdict will be issued soon.”

Jahangir did not disclose the identity or place of detention of the arrested individual.

While combating espionage is not, in itself, considered a violation of human rights, given the Iranian government’s record of instrumentalizing such charges to target political opponents, claims of this nature, especially when details and judicial procedures remain unclear—are consistently met with skepticism.