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Baha’i Citizen Venus Maghsoudi Arrested in Urmia

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Urmia, Venus Maghsoudi, ونوس مقصودی

HRANA – Yesterday, November 11, Venus Maghsoudi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Urmia, was arrested by security forces at her home and taken to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, the agents searched the residence and confiscated some of her personal belongings as well as the mobile phones of her guests.

According to a source close to Maghsoudi’s family confirmed the arrest, stating: “This morning, several officers from the Urmia Intelligence Department entered Ms. Maghsoudi’s home and arrested her using violence.”

HRANA has learned that, in addition to searching her residence, the officers also searched the home of Ms. Maghsoudi’s mother, who lives downstairs and is currently ill and under medical treatment.

There is still no information about the charges against Ms. Maghsoudi or her current whereabouts.

Venus Maghsoudi, a Baha’i citizen living in Urmia, is the mother of two children, aged three and eleven.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary, more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Afshin Heyratian, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Tehran

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News
Afshin Heyratian, Baha'i citizen, افشین حیرتیان

HRANA – On Tuesday, Afshin Heyratian, November 11, a Baha’i citizen residing in Tehran, was arrested by security forces at his mother’s home and taken to an unknown location. During the arrest, agents searched the residence and confiscated several personal belongings belonging to him and his family.

According to HRANA, several security officers entered his mother’s home this morning and arrested Mr. Heyratian with the use of force. They also searched the property and seized personal items belonging to Mr. Heyratian and his mother.

A source close to the family told HRANA: “During the raid, Mr. Heyratian’s elderly mother was pushed and fell to the ground as officers forced the door open. Despite the family’s efforts to learn about his situation, there has been no information on his whereabouts. The family’s concern for his safety is growing.”

As of the time of this report, the charges against Mr. Heyratian and his place of detention remain unknown.

Afshin Heyratian, approximately 45 years old and single, is a Baha’i citizen from Tehran and a member of the Society for the Protection of Working and Street Children. He has previously been arrested and prosecuted due to his religious beliefs and social activities.

Several Individuals Arrested by IRGC Intelligence on Espionage Charges

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News, Other
irgc, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence has announced the arrest of several individuals in various provinces of Iran on charges of spying for the United States and Israel.

According to Sepah News, the IRGC Intelligence accused the detainees of espionage activities on behalf of Israel and the United States. The IRGC claimed that these operations were carried out “in coordination with Israeli policies following its recent military failures” and took place simultaneously across several provinces.

The statement further alleged that the detainees had acted with the “intent to disrupt national security in the second half of autumn 2025.”

The organization has not disclosed the number of those arrested, their identities, or the exact locations of the arrests.

While combating espionage is not considered a human rights violation, given the Iranian government’s record of using espionage allegations as a pretext to suppress political dissent, such claims, particularly in the absence of clear details or transparent judicial procedures, are viewed with skepticism.

Mahnoush Abdollahi Sentenced to Prison by Appeals Court

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Mahnoush Abdollahi, مهنوش عبداللهی

HRANA – Mahnoush Abdollahi, a resident of Shiraz, has been sentenced to nine years in prison by the Fars Province Court of Appeals, with six years of the sentence suspended.

According to HRANA, Ms. Abdollahi received a total prison sentence of nine years from the appeals court. Based on the verdict, she was sentenced to two years of imprisonment and four years suspended imprisonment on the charge of cultural, media, and promotional activities in support of the Israeli regime; one year in prison for propaganda against the regime; and two years of suspended imprisonment for insulting the sacred.

In the initial trial, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to five years in prison for cultural, media, and promotional activities in support of the Israeli regime, and one year in prison for propaganda against the regime.

In a separate part of her case, the Criminal Court sentenced her to two years of suspended imprisonment for insulting the sacred.

Ms. Abdollahi was arrested on July 2, 2025, and later released on July 14, 2025, from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz after posting bail of 2.5 billion tomans.

Mahnoush Abdollahi is 42 years old and resides in Shiraz.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary, more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Three Prisoners Executed in Yazd Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Shah Hossein Farhadi, Yazd Prison

HRANA – At dawn today, November 11, three prisoners were executed in Yazd Prison. They had previously been sentenced to death on murder and drug-related charges.

According to HRANA, the execution sentences of these individuals were carried out early Tuesday morning. HRANA has identified one of them, Shah Hossein Farhadi, who had been convicted of murder.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, the other two executed prisoners had been sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts on drug-related charges.

Further details, including the identities of the second and third executed prisoners, are still under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison or judicial 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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Four Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested by Security Forces

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Behzad Dashti, Evin Prison, HRANA, Taher Naghavi, Vadood Asadi, Yousef Kari

HRANA – On Tuesday, November 11, Azerbaijani-Turk activists Abbas Lesani (Lisani), Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti were arrested in front of Evin Prison and taken to an unknown location. They had traveled to Tehran to support the sit-in held by families of several political prisoners detained in this prison.

According to HRANA, the arrests were carried out today by security forces outside Evin Prison. These Azerbaijani-Turk activists had gone to Tehran in solidarity with the families of Taher Naghavi and Vadood Asadi, political prisoners currently held in Evin Prison.

So far, there is no information on the detainees’ whereabouts or the charges brought against them. Recently, Vadood Asadi and Taher Naqavi were transferred to solitary confinement in Evin Prison as a punitive measure following their hunger strike.

Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti have previously faced arrests and judicial proceedings due to their activism.

Report on the Execution of Ten Prisoners in Various Prisons

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Executions, News
Bam prison, Birjand Prison, Borujerd Prison, Dastgerd, Farid Emami, Javad Naeimi, Khaf Prison, Mohammad Goudarzi, Moradbeig Turki, Neyshabur Prison, Nourkhoda

HRANA- In continuation of the unprecedented surge in executions across Iran, over the past two days HRANA has documented the execution of ten more prisoners in different prisons throughout the country.

On Sunday, two prisoners were hanged in Khaf Prison, Razavi Khorasan province. HRANA has identified one of them as Farid Emami. Both individuals had previously been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by the criminal court. Further details, including the identity of the other executed prisoner, are still under investigation by HRANA.

That same day, another prisoner named Mohammad Goudarzi was executed in Borujerd Prison on a murder charge.

HRANA also reported the execution of Moradbeig Turki in Kashan Prison. Mr. Turki had likewise been arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by the criminal court.

Additionally, Nima Omidi Khas was hanged the same day in Bam Prison. Mr. Omidi Khas had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

On Monday, November 10, Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan witnessed the execution of two prisoners convicted on drug-related charges. HRANA has identified one of them as Saeed Shateri.

Also on Monday, an unidentified prisoner was executed in Neyshabur Prison on murder charges.
That same day, Javad Naeimi was executed in Semnan Prison; he had been convicted of murder.
Finally, on Monday, Nourkhoda Ahmadi was executed in Birjand Prison on drug-related charges.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not yet been announced by prison officials or judicial authorities.

Execution of Five Prisoners in Birjand and Maragheh Prisons

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Executions, News
Abdolkarim Sasouli, Arzhang Nabavi, Birjand, Maragheh

HRANA – Over the past three days, the death sentences of at least five prisoners were carried out in the prisons of Maragheh and Birjand. These prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on charges including murder and drug-related offenses.

According to Iran Human Rights, at dawn on Sunday, November 9, 2025, the death sentence of one prisoner was carried out in Maragheh Prison. The prisoner has been identified as Arzhang Nabavi, 49 years old, a native of Zanjan and resident of Maragheh.

According to the report, “Mr. Nabavi was involved in a dispute during a property transaction four years ago and was accused of fatally stabbing the other party during the altercation.”

According to Haal Vsh, on Monday, November 10, 2025, at least four prisoners were executed in Birjand Prison.

One of the executed prisoners has been identified as Abdolkarim Sasouli, approximately 60 years old, father of seven, and a resident of Zabol. Mr. Sasouli was arrested about three years ago in Birjand County on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Birjand Revolutionary Court.

According to the report, Mr. Sasouli was executed without prior notice to his family and without a final visit.

Haal Vsh did not provide the names or details of the other three prisoners executed in Birjand.

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.

Tension in Ward 7 of Evin Prison; Death Row Prisoner Ehsan Afrashteh Transferred to an Undisclosed Location

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News, Prisoners
Ehsan Afrashteh, Evin Prison, Salavati, احسان افراشته

HRANA – Yesterday, Evin Prison guard forces entered Ward 7 to transfer Ehsan Afrashteh, a death row prisoner. The move triggered protests among inmates, leading to heightened tensions in the ward. Prison authorities removed prisoners from Hall 2 to the yard and, using violence, transferred Afrashteh to an unknown location.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, on the morning of Monday, November 10, Evin Prison guards entered Ward 7 to transfer Afrashteh. The action sparked widespread protest and chanting from prisoners in the ward. In response, prison officials moved the inmates to the yard and locked the exit doors. While in the yard, officers violently transferred Afrashteh to an unknown location, closing off the rest of the halls.

Following Afrashteh’s transfer, tensions escalated in Hall 2, resulting in clashes between prisoners and prison officials. During the confrontation, one prisoner suffered a seizure and was violently taken to the prison infirmary.

A source close to a prisoner’s family told HRANA: “Previously, inmates in this ward had gathered to prevent Ehsan Afrashteh’s transfer for execution.”

Mr. Afrashteh was sentenced to death in June 2025 by Judge Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on the charge of “espionage.” The sentence was upheld first by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court during the appeals stage and again by Branch 9 during the first retrial. His case is now under review in the second retrial phase, referred to Branch 29 of the Supreme Court.

Ehsan Afrashteh was arrested in 2024 after returning to Iran from Turkey. Following several months in solitary confinement, he was transferred to the public ward of Evin Prison in October 2024, and he is currently held in Ward 7.

A source close to Afrashteh’s family confirmed to HRANA:
“Recently, prison officials intended to transfer him to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, but several inmates tried to prevent it. In response, authorities summoned some of these prisoners to the ward’s administrative office and deprived them of family visits.”

The source added: “Ehsan Afrashteh has been accused of espionage for Israel and sentenced to death. Forced confessions were obtained from him, though the content remains undisclosed. According to the source, these confessions were fabricated, and Afrashteh has denied all charges. Additionally, some of his and his family’s assets have been seized, and his family remains under pressure and threats from security agencies.”

Ehsan Afrashteh, aged approximately 32, is a civil engineering graduate (MSc), an IT and network specialist, and a native of Isfahan who previously resided in Tehran.

Seventeen Prisoners Executed in Various Prisons

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Executions, News
Arak, Arak prison, Dorud, Gorgan Prison, Kermanshah, Kermanshah prison, Kiumars Gholami, Nahavand, Taybad

HRANA – In the continuing surge of executions across Iran, dozens of prisoners have been executed in various prisons in recent days.

According to HRANA, on Wednesday, November 5, a prisoner named Kiumars Gholami was executed in Gorgan Prison. Mr. Gholami had previously been arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by a criminal court.

On Saturday, November 8, eight prisoners were executed in several prisons across the country:

• In Khorramabad Prison, Yazdan Chegini was executed on murder charges.

• Two prisoners were hanged in Kermanshah Prison on murder charges; HRANA has identified one of them as Yaroli Hajizadeh.

• In Yasuj Prison, Peyman Ghasemi was executed for murder.

• Tabriz Prison saw the execution of three prisoners, Omid Feyzi, Zahra Mirghafari (female), and Ehsan Amini, on drug-related charges.

• In Nahavand Prison, Vali Karam-Dastar was executed for murder.

On Sunday, November 9, the wave of executions continued with more prisoners executed in different prisons across Iran:

• Hamid Naderi in Andimeshk Prison for murder;

• Mehran Hosseinpanah and Ahmad Sajjadi in Arak Prison on drug-related charges;

• Abdollah Tajik and an Afghan national in Taybad Prison, both on drug-related charges;

• Habib Namazi in Karaj Central Penitentiary for murder;

• Two prisoners in Qom Prison on drug-related charges, one of whom HRANA identified only by the surname Beiranvand.

And lastly, today, November 10, Abbas Souri in Dorud Prison was executed on murder charges.

As of the time of this report, none of these executions have been announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.