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Supreme Court Rejects Second Retrial Request for Hatem Ozdemir

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News, Prisoners
Hatem Ozdemir, HRANA, Khoy, Urmia prison

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has rejected a second request for retrial filed on behalf of Hatem Ozdemir, a Turkish national and political prisoner sentenced to death and currently held in Urmia Prison.

This marks the second time Iran’s highest judicial authority has denied a retrial for Ozdemir. His initial request was rejected in March 2025. Earlier, in September 2024, the Supreme Court had upheld his death sentence.

Ozdemir was arrested by security forces in Maku in early summer 2019. After two months, he was transferred to the political ward of Urmia Prison. On September 18 of that year, he was moved to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia, and shortly thereafter returned to Urmia Central Prison.

In late winter 2022, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Khoy sentenced Ozdemir to death on charges of baghi (armed rebellion). The ruling was officially delivered to him on March 15, 2022. The Supreme Court later overturned this verdict and referred the case to an equivalent court for reconsideration.

Following a new trial, Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh, reissued a death sentence against Ozdemir in May 2024—this time on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God).

Maryam Karimi Sentenced to Prison Under Electronic Monitoring

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Esmaeil Rostami Tarsari, Maryam Karimi, ran-Aghideh, Rasht

HRANA News Agency – Maryam Karimi, a tour guide and resident of Rasht, has been sentenced by the Gilan Province Appeals Court to two years and seven months of imprisonment under electronic monitoring. She had previously received a one-year suspended prison sentence from the Rasht Revolutionary Court in another part of her case.

In a public post, Ms. Karimi stated that she had been sentenced to two years and seven months of monitored imprisonment within Rasht, under electronic ankle bracelet supervision. She was charged with “promoting immorality and indecency by encouraging others to remove their hijab in public” and “displaying indecent images in public view.” The verdict was issued by Judges Esmaeil Rostami Tarsari and Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe charge—two years of imprisonment under electronic monitoring—will be enforceable.

She was initially tried and convicted in this part of the case by Branch 12 of the Rasht Criminal Court.

In a separate part of her case, she had already been sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term by the Rasht Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The charges against Ms. Karimi are reportedly based on images she posted on social media.

Maryam Karimi, a tour designer and guide, was arrested in May 2023 and later released.

Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison

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Executions, News
Arak prison, HRANA, Jalil Azizi

HRANA News Agency – Today, Monday, May 12, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Arak Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been confirmed by HRANA as Jalil Azizi. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Azizi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time this report was prepared, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Appeals Court Upholds 15-Year Prison Sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Bukan, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, West Azerbaijan

HRANA News Agency – The 15-year prison sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Bukan, has been upheld in full by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court.

Zhino Beigzadeh Babamiri, daughter of the political prisoner, announced in a post that her father’s 15-year sentence was fully upheld by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court. She added that the ruling was recently delivered to Mr. Babamiri in prison by the Urmia Judiciary’s Sentence Enforcement Branch.

Previously, the Criminal Court Branch One of Urmia had sentenced Mr. Babamiri to 15 years in prison for alleged involvement in a murder during the 2022 nationwide protests.

In addition to this case, Mr. Babamiri is also facing other charges, including baghi (armed rebellion), in a separate case currently under review at the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a farmer residing in Bukan, was arrested in April 2023 in connection with the 2022 protests.

Between late 2019 and the end of 2024, the number of arrests made by Iran’s security forces for peaceful expression nearly doubled compared to the preceding five-year period (2015–2019), reflecting an intensifying pattern of repression following major protest movements.

Three Prisoners, Including a Woman, Executed in Gorgan Prison

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Executions, News
Golestan province, Gorgan Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn today, May 12, the death sentences of three prisoners, including one woman, who had previously been convicted of murder in separate cases, were carried out in Gorgan Prison.

Iran Human Rights has identified the identities of the executed prisoners as Mahboobeh Khosrow-Nejad (female); Firooz (Erfan) Aliyari, 28, from Gorgan; and Safa Qaradashi, 26, from Aq-Qala, located in Golestan Province.

According to the report, Mahboobeh Khosrow-Nejad was arrested five years ago on charges of murdering her cousin and was sentenced to death. Mr. Aliyari and Mr. Qaradashi were also arrested four years ago in separate murder cases and later sentenced to death by the criminal court.

As of the time this report was prepared, the executions have not been officially confirmed by prison officials or relevant authorities.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

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Two Prisoners Executed in Zahedan Prison

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Executions, News
Chabahar prison, HRANA, Zabol, Zahedan Prison

HRANA News Agency – On Sunday, May 11, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted of murder in separate cases were carried out in Zahedan Prison.

According to Haal Vsh, the identities of the executed prisoners have been confirmed as Fereydoun Mohammadi, approximately 36 years old, a resident of a village in Fanuj County, and Mohammad-Ali Miri (Mir-Baluchzahi), 48 years old, a resident of Zabol.

According to the report, Fereydoun Mohammadi was arrested around seven years ago on charges of murder and was later sentenced to death by the judiciary. He had previously been transferred from Chabahar Prison to Zahedan Prison for the execution of his sentence.

Mohammad-Ali Miri was arrested in 2019 (1398 in the Iranian calendar) on charges of murder during a group altercation in Zabol and was also sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time this report was prepared, the execution of these prisoners has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Political Prisoner Naser Daneshfar Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Naser Daneshfar, ناصر دانشفر

HRANA News Agency – Naser Daneshfar, a political activist, has been sentenced by the court to two years in prison and a two-year ban on online activity.

Mr. Daneshfar announced in a public statement that he has been sentenced to two years in prison and a two-year ban from online activity on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime” and “acting against national security.” He added that one-fortieth of the sentence is final, while the remainder has been suspended for five years.

His interrogation session was held on March 8, 2025, at Branch 7 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in District 33 of Tehran.

He was arrested for publishing a call to attend a protest gathering in front of the University of Tehran. He was later released on bail.

Naser Daneshfar is a political activist and a veteran of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war.

A Prisoner Executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht

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Executions, News
HRANA, Jafar Pour-Asadi, Lakan prison, Ramhormoz, Rasht

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, May 7, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Hircani News Outlet has identified the hanged prisoner as Jafar Pour-Asadi, 45 years old, a father of five, and a resident of Ramhormoz.

According to the report, Mr. Pour-Asadi had been arrested two years ago on drug-related charges and was sentenced to death by a judicial authority.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison officials or relevant institutions.

In 2024, Iranian prisons witnessed the execution of 930 inmates. According to HRANA’s data, the number of executions carried out by the Iranian regime’s judiciary has risen steadily over the past five years. The percentage of executions related to drug charges has also increased year after year.

Mahabad: Ali Daneshi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Daneshi, HRANA, Mahabad, مهاباد

HRANA News Agency – Today, Friday, May 10, Ali Daneshi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Ali Daneshi was arrested in Mahabad without a judicial warrant. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his whereabouts.

Ali Daneshi was previously arrested by security forces in Mahabad in July of last year and was later released on bail after a period of detention.

Report on the Condition of Teacher Union Activist Asghar Amirzadegan in Firouzabad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Asghar Amirzadegan, Fars Province, Firouzabad, HRANA

HRANA News Agency – Asghar Amirzadegan, a teacher and union activist for educators in Fars Province, is currently held in Firouzabad Prison. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Firouzabad. His request for retrial was also rejected, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations.

Mr. Amirzadegan was arrested on April 12, 2025. He is facing a judicial sentence, which was upheld in full after the court rejected his retrial request.

On February 11, 2025, Branch 1 of the Firouzabad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to two years in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader and insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic. He also received a one-year prison sentence for propaganda against the regime, amounting to a total of three years in prison.

However, the Iranian Teachers’ Union Council has stated that due to medical issues, he is not physically capable of enduring imprisonment. Despite a bail guarantee being provided, the prosecutor has opposed his release.

Asghar Amirzadegan, a teacher and union activist in Fars Province, has previously been arrested and convicted for his activism.