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Japanese Government Confirms Arrest of Its Citizen in Iran

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News, Prisoners
Japanese detainee, Masanao Ozaki, Shinnosuke Kawashima

HRANA – Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary announced that one of the country’s citizens was arrested in Iran on January 20, 2026. He called on Iranian authorities to release the individual immediately.

Masanao Ozaki, Japan’s Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, stated today, Wednesday, that the Japanese citizen was arrested on January 20, 2026 (30 Dey 1404). Without providing further details, he urged Iranian authorities to promptly release the individual.

Mr. Ozaki added that the government is in contact with the detained person and their family and is providing the necessary support. However, Japanese officials have not been granted permission for an in-person visit.

Fars News Agency, citing certain media outlets, also reported that the detained individual may be Shinnosuke Kawashima, head of the Tehran bureau of Japan’s public broadcaster. This claim has not yet been confirmed by official authorities.

Nationwide Protests: Report on the Arrest of 13 Citizens in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ahmad Tamouei, Ali Ansari, Ali Sharifzadeh, Elias Jahannoush, Farhad Salari, Farshad Salari, IRGC Intelligence, Lakan prison, Leila Bakhshandehfar, Mohammad Kalmishi, Mousa al-Reza Meshkani, Raham Rahimi, Saeed Gharagholi, Vakilabad

HRANA – In connection with the recent nationwide protests, security forces have arrested 13 individuals. Some of those detained have since been released, while information regarding the charges against these individuals remains unclear.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mousa al-Reza Meshkani was arrested on January 10 in Meshkan, a district of Sabzevar, and is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ali Sharifzadeh (Eizi), Saeed Gharagholi, and Mohammad Kalmishi were arrested in Sabzevar on January 8 (18 Dey), February 11, and January 9, respectively. Ali Sharifzadeh was transferred to Mashhad Prison, while Saeed Gharagholi and Mohammad Kalmishi are still being held in Sabzevar Prison. Reza Gerami was arrested on February 14 in Joghatai and is currently detained in the city’s prison.

Raham Rahimi, Elias Jahannoush, Ali Ansari, and Farshad and Farhad Salari, other residents of Sabzevar, were released on Tuesday, February 24, from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after posting bail.

Leila Bakhshandehfar, who had been arrested on January 3 by the Mashhad Intelligence Office, was also released yesterday from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She had previously been sentenced by a judicial authority to four years and six months of discretionary imprisonment. The sentence was initially converted to a fine of 140 million tomans in lieu of imprisonment. Ultimately, taking into account her detention period and submission to the verdict, the amount was reduced to 70 million tomans.

Additionally, the Kurdpa news outlet reported that in the early hours of Monday, February 23, Ahmad Tamouei, a former political prisoner from Salmas County, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location. Mr. Tamouei has previously served prison sentences due to his activities.

Hyrcani media also reported that Sohrab Kolthoumi, 32, a resident of Rasht, was arrested by security forces at his home in the city on January 25.

According to the report, following his arrest, he was held for 26 days at an IRGC Intelligence detention facility, where he was interrogated and beaten. He was then transferred for a short time to the triage ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht. He was subsequently removed from the prison and transferred back to the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Concerns have increased regarding continued pressure to extract a forced confession and about his physical condition.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against these individuals.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in recent years. Following the suppression of the protests by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For further information, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “The Crimson Winter: A 50 Day Record of Iran’s 2025–2026 Nationwide Protests.”

Nationwide Protests: Two Citizens Each Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Amir Mehdi Raki Salimi, Armin Hassani Moghaddam, HRANA, Izeh, Sheyban Prison

HRANA – Armin Hassani Moghaddam and Amir Mehdi Raki Salimi, detainees of recent nationwide protests currently held in Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz, have each been sentenced by Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Hossein Ali Hatami, the defense attorney of Mr. Hassani Moghaddam, told HRANA that previously the prosecutor’s office had issued an indictment against the two citizens on charges of “disrupting public order and peace through participation in protests.” However, Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, without regard to the issued indictment and citing the Law on Intensifying the Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with the State of Israel, sentenced each of them to 10 years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Izeh.

The verdict was issued on February 17. This attorney added that in the case of Armin Hosseini Moghaddam, upon formally declaring his representation, in addition to objecting to the detention order, he has also filed an appeal request.

Mr. Hassani Moghaddam and Mr. Raki Salimi were arrested on February 8 during the nationwide protests in the Koshtargah district of Izeh by security forces and were transferred to Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.

Hassani Moghaddam, is the father of one child. Both were employed in the field of manufacturing and installing wooden products (MDF) prior to their arrest.

Milad Bakhtiari Receives 20-Month Prison Term

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hourieh Farajzadeh Tarani, HRANA, Karaj, Milad Bakhtiari, Shahram Farajzadeh

HRANA – Milad Bakhtiari, a resident of Karaj, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of this city.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch Two of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a total of 20 months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion.”

An informed source close to Mr. Bakhtiari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and stated: “Milad Bakhtiari has objected to the verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court, and the case is currently under review for reconsideration. He is presently being held in Ward Two of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.”

Mr. Bakhtiari was arrested on Friday, January 9, on one of the streets of Karaj and was transferred to an undisclosed location. He was ultimately transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison on January 11.

Milad Bakhtiari, 29, is the son of Hourieh Farajzadeh Tarani and the nephew of Shahram Farajzadeh, who was killed during the violent events following the tenth presidential election on Ashura in 2009.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in 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 institutions. For more information about these protests, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report.

Report on the Arrest of Six Citizens by Security Forces in Sari

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hoda Fori, irgc, Maryam Mirzaei, Meysam Yazdani, Nika Mahmoudi, Omid Zabihi, Sanaz Jahantigh, Sari

HRANA – Hoda Fori, Maryam Mirzaei, Nika Mahmoudi, and Meysam Yazdani were arrested on Sunday, February 22, and Omid Zabihi was arrested on Saturday, February 21, by IRGC Intelligence agents in Sari and transferred to undisclosed locations. Meanwhile, Sanaz Jahantigh, another resident of Sari, has been in detention for more than a month, and no information has been obtained regarding her fate or place of detention.

Based on information received by HRANA, Sanaz Jahantigh has been detained in Sari for over a month, and no information has yet been obtained about her place of detention. Omid Zabihi was arrested on Saturday, February 21. In addition, Hoda Fori, Maryam Mirzaei, Nika Mahmoudi, and Meysam Yazdani were arrested yesterday. These individuals were detained by IRGC Intelligence agents in Sari. The reason for their arrest has been reported as their activities on social media and participation in ceremonies commemorating those killed during the January protests.

It should be noted that Meysam Yazdani is the maternal uncle of Mohammad Javad Zahedi, one of those killed during the 2022 protests.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against these six citizens or their place of detention.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in 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 institutions. For more information about these protests, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report.

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Nationwide Protests: Nima Hassankhani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Other Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Izeh, Nima Hassankhani, Sheiban Prison

HRANA – Nima Hassankhani, one of those arrested during recent nationwide protests, has been sentenced by Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to two years of imprisonment, a two-year travel ban, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, Mr. Hassankhani was sentenced to two years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and one year of mandatory presence at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disrupting public order and peace through participation in protests.”

Hossein-Ali Hatami, an attorney-at-law, told HRANA that in Nima Hassankhani’s case, upon formally declaring his representation, he has not only objected to the detention order but has also filed an appeal request.

Nima Hassankhani, a bodybuilding athlete and a shopkeeper in the city of Izeh, was arrested on February 7, 2026, during protests in the city and was subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in 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 institutions. For more information about these protests, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report.

At Least 10 Prisoners Executed On Drug-Related Charges and Murder

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Executions, News
Citizen executed, Dorud, Gorgan, Isfahan, Kashan, Kerman, Neyshabur, Qaemshahr, Quchan, Saveh, zanjan

HRANA – At dawn today, the death sentences of at least 10 prisoners were carried out in the prisons of Gorgan, Qaemshahr, Dorud, Isfahan, Neyshabur, Kerman, Kashan, Saveh, Quchan, and Zanjan. These prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ilya Saei was executed in Gorgan Prison; Navid Shahsavar in Qaemshahr Prison; Ali Safar Goodarzi in Dorud Prison; Saman Joozi in Isfahan Prison; Yaghoub Shafieizadeh in Neyshabur Prison; Heshmat Shokri in Kerman Prison; Sultan-Morad Shabani in Kashan Prison; and Keyvan Aminpour in Saveh Prison. These individuals had previously been arrested in separate cases on murder charges and sentenced to death by criminal courts.

Meanwhile, the executions of Siavash Amouzad in Quchan Prison and Roozbeh Zamani in Zanjan Prison were carried out on charges related to drug offenses.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not officially announced these executions.

According to HRA’s annual report, at least 2,063 individuals were executed in Iran during 2025. This represents a 119% increase in executions compared to 2024. In many of these cases, due to secrecy, prisoners were even deprived of the right to a final visit with their families.

Nationwide Protests: Mohammad Abbasi Sentenced to Death, His Daughter to 25 Years in Prison

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Executions, News
Fatemeh Abbasi, Malard, Mohammad Abbasi, Sharifzadeh Ardekani

HRANA – Mohammad Abbasi, one of those arrested during recent nationwide protests, has been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh (“enmity against God”). His daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, has also been sentenced by the same branch to 25 years in prison. Their case is currently under review at Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

Ali Sharifzadeh Ardekani, an attorney, confirmed the news in an interview with Emtedad, stating that the sentences were issued by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, in relation to the case concerning the killing of Lieutenant Colonel Shahin Dehghani Kakavandi during protests in Malard. The court sentenced Mr. Abbasi to death on the charge of moharebeh and his daughter to 25 years in prison. Following an appeal by the court-appointed lawyer, the case has been referred to Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

According to Sharifzadeh Ardekani, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has prevented him and another colleague from representing the defendants in this case, citing Note to Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code. He explained that this provision, which concerns lawyers approved by the Head of the Judiciary, applies only to national security cases during the preliminary investigation stage (prosecutor’s office).

The attorney further stated: “On Sunday, February 21, I personally went to Branch 39 to formally declare my representation, but after an hour they informed me that since the case was about to receive a ruling, it was not possible to accept my representation.”

The report adds that numerous ambiguities surround the case of these two defendants; however, independent lawyers have been unable to review the file due to lack of access.

Previously, the Judiciary’s Media Center had announced that a court session had been held to examine the charges against the defendants in this case.

Charge of “Enmity Against God” Brought Against 18-Year-Old Protester Danial Niazi in Shirvan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Danial Niazi, HRANA, Shirvan County

HRANA – The Criminal Court Two of Shirvan County has rejected the appeal filed by 18-year-old protester Danial Niazi against his temporary detention order and upheld his continued detention in a case that includes charges such as moharebeh (“enmity against God”), an accusation that, if proven, can carry severe punishments, including the death penalty.

The case was initially opened at Branch Two of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shirvan, North Khorasan province, where a temporary detention order was issued against him. According to available documents, the investigating judge has charged Mr. Niazi with offenses including “enmity against God” (moharebeh), “complicity in attempted intentional murder,” “complicity in intentional assault and battery,” “membership in a gathering of more than three persons against public order,” “disrupting public order,” and “propaganda against the regime.” These charges were brought based on a private complaint and a report by law enforcement authorities.

Following the defendant’s objection to his detention, the case was reviewed by Branch 103 of the Criminal Court Two of Shirvan. Citing Articles 241 and 242 of the Criminal Procedure Code, the court rejected the appeal and fully upheld the detention order.

In its ruling, the court referred to the “severity of the charges,” the “degree of punishment associated with the alleged crimes,” the “necessity of ensuring security and public order,” the “report of judicial officers,” the “severity of injuries inflicted on the complainants,” and the “risk of flight by the defendant,” and deemed the continued detention of the 18-year-old protester justified on these grounds.

However, at this stage, only serious charges have been brought against this protester, and the court has rejected his appeal against detention based on the gravity of these accusations and their potential penalties. A substantive hearing and final judgment on the charges have not yet taken place.

According to information received by HRANA, during his detention this citizen has been subjected to pressure in order to obtain forced confessions. HRANA’s findings indicate that these confessions were extracted under circumstances in which the young protester did not have free access to a lawyer of his choosing.

Danial Niazi, a resident of Shirvan, was arrested with the use of violence by security forces at his family home on January 12, 2026. As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding his current place of detention.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in 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 institutions. For more information about these protests, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report.

Report on the Arrest of Four Citizens in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Salehi, Ahmad Hezbavi, Behrouz Izanlou, Khan-Aziz Esmaili

HRANA – Abolfazl Salehi in Mashhad, Behrouz Izanlou in Bojnurd, Khan-Aziz Esmaili, a member of the Teachers’ Trade Association in Eslamabad-e Gharb, and Ahmad Hezbavi in Ahvaz have been arrested by security forces on different dates.

Based on information received by HRANA, Abolfazl Salehi, 20 years old, was arrested by security forces in January and transferred to an undisclosed location. At the same time, a video of his forced confessions was broadcast by official media outlets; however, it remains unclear under what circumstances the video was recorded. This has heightened concerns among his family and relatives.

Additionally, Ahmad Hezbavi was arrested on February 18 by security forces in Ahvaz while returning from a memorial ceremony marking the 40th day after the deaths of victims of the protests. No information is available regarding his place of detention.

Meanwhile, Kurdpa reported the continued detention of Behrouz Izanlou, a 39-year-old construction worker, father of two, and resident of Bojnord. According to the report, he was arrested on January 4 at his home without the presentation of a judicial warrant and was subjected to beating during the arrest. He was subsequently transferred to Bojnurd Prison and remains held there in a state of uncertainty. During his detention, Mr. Izanlou has been denied family visits and access to legal counsel.

Kurdpa also reported the arrest of Khan-Aziz Esmaili, a member of the Teachers’ trade Association of Eslamabad-e Gharb and a resident of the city. He was arrested on Sunday, February 22 at his home without a judicial warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, security agents confiscated his mobile phone as well as the phones of all his family members.

Among these individuals, Khan-Aziz Esmaili has previously faced judicial action due to his activities.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against these four citizens.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in 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 institutions. For more information, you may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the fiftieth day since the beginning of the protests.