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Saba Talebi Held in Limbo for Over a Month at Vakilabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Saba Talebi, Vakilabad prison, صبا طالبی

HRANA – Saba Talebi, a blogger from Mashhad, was arrested by security forces on May 26, 2026, and remains in detention without clarification of her legal status at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA News Agency, the news outlet of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), Saba Talebi, a blogger from Mashhad, remains in custody.

A source close to Talebi’s family confirmed the information to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Talebi has been held for 34 days without clarification of her legal status in the Aramesh ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She is facing charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, insulting Islamic sanctities, and propaganda against the regime. Additionally, the investigating judge has so far refused to issue a bail order for her temporary release.”

Talebi was arrested by security forces at her home in Mashhad on May 26, 2026, and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison in the city.

Saba Talebi, 23, is a blogger and resident of Mashhad.

It is worth noting that HRANA previously published a report examining the conditions of women held in the Aramesh ward and the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. According to the report, at least 30 women arrested during the January protests, amid heightened security measures following the recent military conflict, are being held in these wards under difficult conditions, facing numerous challenges, including a lack of basic necessities and adequate facilities.

Parnian Hashempour Sentenced to Prison by the Court of Appeals

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fatemeh Hashempour, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Parnian Hashempour, پرنیان هاشم پور

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been reduced to two years on appeal. She is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Hashempour has been sentenced by the Court of Appeals to two years in prison on the charge of assembly and collusion. At the trial court stage, she had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the same charge by the judiciary.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of the current case, including the judicial authorities that issued the ruling, is ongoing.

Hashempour was arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of late December 2025 and January 2026. After spending several days in solitary confinement, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 31, 2025.

Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, who holds a master’s degree in archaeology, was also arrested in 2022 and was detained for a period in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was ultimately granted amnesty and released in that case.

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: Ribwar Marabi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Ribwar Marabi

HRANA – Ribwar Marabi, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been sentenced by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals to 10 years in prison, with four years of the sentence suspended. He had previously been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In a statement published yesterday, Mr. Marabi announced that Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals had upheld a 10-year prison sentence, while suspending four years of the punishment. In the initial proceedings, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Amouzad, had sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Marabi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 9, 2026, and subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary. He was released from the prison on March 15, 2026, after posting bail.

Ribwar Marabi, 26, is originally from the village of Marab in Kamyaran County and currently resides in Tehran. He has previously faced judicial prosecution and arrest.

Three Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested in Ardabil Province

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News, Religious Minorities
Ali Vaseghi, Ardabil, Asgar Akbarzadeh, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Meshgin Shahr, Siamak Mirzaie

HRANA – Siamak Mirzaie, Asgar Akbarzadeh, and Ali Vaseghi, Azerbaijani-Turk activists, were arrested by security forces this morning in the cities of Meshgin Shahr and Ardabil.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), three Azerbaijani-Turk activists have been arrested in Ardabil Province.

At around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, security forces arrested Siamak Mirzaie in Meshgin Shahr, while Asgar Akbarzadeh and Ali Vaseghi were arrested in the city of Ardabil. Their families have not been informed which agency carried out the arrests, nor have they received any information regarding the activists’ whereabouts or condition.

The reasons for their arrests and any charges brought against these three Azerbaijani-Turk activists remain unknown.

These individuals have previously been arrested and imprisoned due to their civil activism.

Nirvana Torbati Nejad Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad

HRANA – Nirvana Torbati Nejad, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested at her home by police forces on Saturday, June 27, and transferred to the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization (Sazman-e Ettela’at-e FARAJA).

Based on information received by HRANA, police officers raided Nirvana Torbati Nejad’s home on the morning of Saturday, June 27, arrested her, and transferred her to one of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization’s facilities in Gorgan. Officers also seized the mobile phones of Torbati Nejad and her mother, Sayeh (Roqiyeh) Amirkhani.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that Torbati Nejad is scheduled to stand trial on July 21 in connection with a case opened against her last year. The source added that a new case has recently been filed against her, and she has been summoned to appear before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court on July 20 regarding those new charges.

In March, Branch One of the Golestan Province Court of Appeals sentenced her to pay a fine of 30 million tomans. In the same case, Branch One of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced her to six months of discretionary imprisonment, a ruling that was later reduced to a monetary fine on appeal.

On February 22, 2026, Torbati Nejad was arrested by officers of the Golestan Province Public Security and Intelligence Police during the memorial ceremony marking the fortieth day after the death of Hossein Soleimani, one of those killed during the January 2026 protests, in Gorgan. She was released 16 days later on bail.

In a separate case, this political defendant had previously been tried on charges of “membership in groups opposed to the regime with the intent to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” She was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison and a fine of two million tomans, but was ultimately acquitted of all charges on appeal.

Torbati Nejad was also arrested by security forces at her workplace on September 10, 2023, and was released on October 5, 2023, on bail pending judicial proceedings.

A hearing in one of Torbati Nejad’s earlier cases is scheduled to be held on July 20 before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court. She is also due to stand trial in another case on July 21.

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Nabil Khaledi Arrested After Appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence

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News, Other
Asaluyeh, Nabil Khaledi, نبیل خالدی

HRANA – Nabil Khaledi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested on Monday, June 22, after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence in Asaluyeh County.

According to HRANA, Nabil Khaledi has been arrested. Mr. Khaledi, who had previously been summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in Asaluyeh County, was arrested on Monday, June 22, after reporting to the security agency.

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

Nabil Khaledi is 40 years old, married, and the father of one son. He is originally from Kut Abdollah, Ahvaz, and resides in Asaluyeh for work.

 

Execution of Two Prisoners in Ahvaz and Qom

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Executions, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Qom prison, Saman Rashidi, Vahid Salimi

HRANA – Two prisoners previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder were executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Qom Prison.

According to HRANA, citing the Iran Human Rights Organization, two prisoners were executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Qom Prison. The prisoners have been identified as Saman Rashidi, 32, from Izeh, and Vahid Salimi, 28, from Pakdasht, Tehran.

According to the report, Mr. Rashidi was arrested five years ago on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. His execution was carried out on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Mr. Salimi was executed on Monday, June 16, 2026, in Qom Prison. He had been arrested two years earlier on charges related to drug offenses and was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and the relevant institutions have not officially 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.

Baha’i Citizen Saeed Hassani Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Saeed Hassani

HRANA – On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Saeed Hassani, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and transferred to Adel Abad Prison in the city.

According to HRANA, Baha’i citizen Saeed Hassani has been arrested in Shiraz.

A source close to Mr. Hassani’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization went to Saeed Hassani’s workplace and arrested him. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.”

According to the same informed source, after the arrest, security agents also searched Mr. Hassani’s home and confiscated several personal belongings and electronic devices, including his mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain unknown.

Saeed Hassani, a 37-year-old Baha’i citizen, has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution due to his activities. He was arrested in July 2016 and released several months later after posting bail.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security-related arrests and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities have involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Faezeh Salehabadi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faezeh Salehabadi, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, فائزه صالح آبادی

HRANA – Faezeh Salehabadi, a prisoner currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to one year and three months in prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Faezeh Salehabadi to one year and three months in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

The court also acquitted Ms. Salehabadi of the charges of “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “propaganda against the regime.”

HRANA had previously reported that bail had been set at 4 billion tomans for Ms. Salehabadi’s release. However, her family has so far been unable to secure the required amount.

During the investigation phase, Ms. Salehabadi’s defense hearing was held on April 7, 2026. On May 25, 2026, an indictment was issued, and her case was referred to the Revolutionary Court. The case was opened in connection with an Instagram Story she had posted.

Ms. Salehabadi was arrested by security forces at her home on February 9, 2026. She was initially transferred to the Mosalla Women’s Police Station, then to the Revolutionary Court, and subsequently to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA had previously reported, in an article published on May 12, 2026, on the situation of 30 women arrested during the January 2026 protests and the concurrent security developments during the war, who were being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. That report also addressed the situation of Ms. Salehabadi.

Baha’i Citizens Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Nahid Falahati, Shiraz, Sima Septo, سیما سپتو, ناهید فلاحت

HRANA – Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati, Baha’i residents of Shiraz, were arrested at their homes by security forces on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati have been arrested. According to information received by HRANA, on Tuesday, June 23, security forces raided the homes of these two Baha’i citizens and arrested them. However, the agency responsible for their arrests has not yet been identified.

No information has so far been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or their place of detention.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72 percent of reports concerning religious minorities have been related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.