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Day 35 of the Protests: Pressure on Medical Staff and Lawyers, Continued Arrests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Enayatollah Karamati, Hassan Aghakhani, HRANA, Ja'far Kashavarz, Ja'far Zarei, Mehdi Ansari, Mehran Ansari, Nazanin Baradaran, Omid Darabi, Shima Ghoosheh, Zahra Minouei

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data on the thirty-fifth day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,713. Based on these figures, 6,305 of those killed have been reported as “protesters,” while 137 are under 18. Additionally, 214 members of government-affiliated forces and 57 “civilian, non-protesters” have been reported killed. 17,091 cases remain under investigation. The number of injured civilians stands at 11,021, with 84 student arrests, 295 cases of forced confessions, and 11,028 summonses reported. A total of 662 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 205 cities in 31 provinces.

On the thirty-fifth day, the government’s repression continued on two parallel tracks: intensified pressure on lawyers and medical staff amid a wave of arrests and legal harassment, and the persistence of sporadic, targeted arrests across various cities, alongside the continued use of repressive tactics such as broadcasting “forced confessions” and issuing security summonses.

Crackdown on Lawyers and Doctors

Recent reports indicate that security pressure has not been limited to the streets, but has increasingly targeted individuals who, by virtue of their professions, are responsible for assisting protesters, namely lawyers providing legal representation and defense for detained protesters, and doctors and medical staff treating those injured during the protests.

Arrests of Lawyers and Uncertainty Over Numbers and Charges

Saeed Bagheri, vice president of the Central Bar Association, has said that there is no precise information on the number of lawyers arrested during the recent protests, noting only that it has been “heard that a number of colleagues” have been detained. He also stressed that the exact reasons for the arrests and the nature of the charges have not been clarified to the Bar Association, adding that the case of Shima Ghoosheh is set to be reviewed by a working group.

In this context, Shargh newspaper reported that nine lawyers have been arrested since the start of the protests, writing that two lawyers were detained in Tehran, six in Shiraz, and one in Mashhad. The report also noted that a number of other lawyers have been summoned, without providing full details.

According to the published list, the seven detained lawyers are: Mehdi Ansari, Ja’far Zarei, Mehran Ansari, Ja’far Kashavarz, Nazanin Baradaran, Enayatollah Karamati, and Omid Darabi. HRANA had previously reported the arrest of two other lawyers, Shima Ghoosheh and Mohammad Hadi Jafarpoor.

Regarding Shima Ghoosheh’s case, it has been reported that she was arrested by security forces at her home in Tehran on January 16, and that her family remains in “complete lack of information” about her condition. These reports, together with repeated references to detainees being held in “undisclosed locations,” have intensified concerns over access to legal counsel and the transparency of judicial proceedings.

Heavy Bail, Restrictions on Legal Representation, and Prison Sentences

At the same time, three lawyers spoke to Etemad newspaper, providing details from detainees’ case files that offer a more concrete picture of judicial proceedings:

Zahra Minouei said she is currently handling around 17 cases related to recently detained individuals, most of whom were born in the 2000s. According to her, the charges in these cases are mainly “disrupting public order and tranquility” and “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal and external security.” She also reported the imposition of heavy bail and the continuation of detention even after bail has been granted, noting that in many cases the bail order is not lifted in practice. Minouei added that the sentences issued so far have largely been prison terms, with the shortest sentence reported at seven months and the longest at five years.

Maryam Kian-Arthi said that in many cases, interrogating judges have refused to accept privately chosen defense lawyers. Referring to Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code, she explained that during the preliminary investigation stage, only lawyers approved by the head of the judiciary are permitted to represent defendants. She also noted that the legal fees charged by some of these approved lawyers are extremely high and beyond the financial means of families, who in many cases are also unable to provide the required bail.

Hassan Aghakhani said he has so far taken on three cases, all involving the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” He stated that the detainees are from Eslamshahr, central Tehran, and Pardis, and that lawyer-client meetings have not yet been allowed. He also cited overcrowded prisons, the lack of transparent information, and difficulties in arranging powers of attorney as ongoing challenges.

Doctors and Medical Staff: Official Narratives Versus Field Reports

Regarding pressure on healthcare personnel, the gap between official narratives and published field reports remains significant. Following reports of doctors and medical staff being arrested after treating those injured during the Dey protests, Mohammad Raiszadeh, head of the Iranian Medical Council Organization, said that 17 doctors with judicial and security cases had “not been arrested due to medical treatment” and that no “final verdicts” have so far been issued against them. While confirming the existence of cases against these individuals, he stressed that no doctor has been detained solely for performing medical duties, adding that the Medical Council has followed up on the matter through security and judicial authorities.

At the same time, Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, Iran’s Minister of Health and Medical Education, said in a message that providing the best possible medical services to every patient in a “safe and hygienic environment” is the priority of the healthcare system, and that this principle underpins the professional conduct of medical staff and forms part of their oath. Similarly, Homayoun Sameh-Yah Najafabadi, a member of Parliament’s Health and Treatment Commission, said he had reviewed a list of detained doctors and found the number of names to be “not small.” However, when asked about the reasons for the arrests, he said he was unaware and claimed he doubted the detentions were related to treating the injured. He also sought to describe medical facilities as “safe,” despite field reports indicating that injured protesters fear going to hospitals.

In contrast to the official narrative, numerous reports have emerged of doctors being arrested after treating injured protesters. Among the names cited are Ameneh Soleimani (a physician and director of a dermatology and hair clinic in Ardabil), Babak Pouramin (an emergency medicine specialist in Neyshabur), and Alireza Golchini (a surgeon from Qazvin). According to accounts from relatives and colleagues, these individuals faced security forces after providing medical care.

In response to the arrests of medical staff, Ahmad Nejatian, head of the Iranian Nursing Organization, said the organization would issue a statement and clarify its position. Additionally, the group “Physicians and the Law” warned in a statement that the “criminalization of medical treatment” contradicts fundamental principles of criminal law, and that issuing heavy sentences against doctors who have merely carried out their professional duties could lead to “judicial intimidation” among medical staff, an outcome that, in times of crisis, both reduces the quality of emergency care and jeopardizes citizens’ right to access medical services.

Arrests and Other Repressive Measures

Alongside pressure on lawyers and healthcare personnel, reports indicate the continued use of street-level and security arrests in various cities, detentions that in some cases have involved transfers to undisclosed locations and, in others, the release of videos of “forced confessions.”

In Iranshahr, it has been reported that three citizens were arrested, including a 17-year-old teenager named Mohammad Ahourani and Amirhossein Kadkhodaei. The same report also mentions the arrest of a woman identified as Fasih Borhanzahi.

Regarding arrests related to teachers, reports state that Behzad Ghavami, a teachers’ union activist based in Sanandaj, has been detained for 21 days, with no information available about his place of detention. Additionally, Mohsen Khodaei, a teacher from Javersian, a village in Khondab County in Markazi Province, was arrested 24 days ago, and no precise information has been released about where he is being held.

In Rasht, the city’s police commander announced the arrest of a “blogger” in connection with the protests. In Lahijan, two protesting citizens were reportedly arrested, and a video of their “forced confessions” was released simultaneously—a video whose recording conditions remain unclear. In addition, the arrest of another citizen in Lahijan has also been reported.

On a broader scale, reports indicate that 430 citizens have been arrested in various cities during the protests. Within this context, the arrests of Amirhossein Heydari (a student at Gorgan University) and Nima Raziani (a resident of Kermanshah) have also been reported. Furthermore, the prosecutor of Eslamshahr announced the arrest of at least 300 citizens in the city, while the Intelligence Department of South Khorasan Province stated that it had detained 128 individuals described as “key elements affiliated with monarchist groups and the Baha’i faith.”

In another development, it has been reported that Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani were arrested and transferred to an undisclosed location. According to reports, the arresting authority has not been officially identified, and the three have been described as signatories of the “Statement of 17.”

Statement by the Teachers’ Trade Association

On the thirty-fifth day, the Iranian Teachers’ Trade Association (Tehran) issued a statement condemning the “killing and bloody suppression of protesters,” declaring in unequivocal language: “We stand, with full commitment, alongside the people’s justice-seeking and freedom-demanding aspirations,” and emphasizing teachers’ social responsibility in the face of the current situation.

The statement was released amid simultaneous reports of the arrest of teachers’ union activists and a lack of information about the whereabouts of some detainees, including reports of the arrest of Behzad Ghavami in Sanandaj and the detention of Mohsen Khodaei in Javersian, Markazi province. Taken together, these developments suggest that the professional sphere of education, like other areas of civil society, has come under increasing security pressure.

Beyond condemning the crackdown, the Teachers’ Trade Association’s statement also conveys a practical warning: the continuation of judicial and security measures against professional and civil activists could lead to public distrust and deepen social divides. The association’s emphasis on standing with “justice-seeking and freedom-demanding” demands, set against reports of arrests and case-building, indicates that segments of the professional community are seeking to preserve their own narrative and to warn of the consequences of ongoing repression.

Updated Aggregated Statistics Through the End of Day 35

Fatalities

• Protesters: 6,305

• Including children: 137

• Military/government forces: 214

• Non-civilian, non-protesters: 57

• Total deaths: 6,713

• Cases under review: 17,091

Other Figures

• Student arrests: 84

• Forced confessions: 295

• Summonses: 11,028

• Injured civilians: 11,021

• Total protest-related locations/incidents in cities: 662

• Provinces affected (without repetition): 31

• Cities affected (without repetition): 205

Conclusion

The events of the thirty-fifth day since the start of the protests indicate that pressure from security and repressive institutions has spread to broad segments of society: from the arrest and restriction of lawyers involved in legal defense, to the opening of security cases against doctors and conflicting accounts regarding the reasons for their detention. At the same time, sporadic arrests, summonses, and reports related to forced confessions continued. Professional bodies, including the Teachers’ Trade Association, issued statements warning of the consequences of sustained repression.

Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Momeni, Mehdi Mahmoodian, Vida Rabbani

HRANA – Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani were arrested hours ago by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. Separately, a citizen was detained in Lahijan in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026.

On Saturday, 31 January, security forces arrested Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani. The three, along with several others, had signed a statement recently published in response to the massacre of people during the protests. The statement identified the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic as the primary person responsible for the killings and called for the prosecution of those who ordered and carried out the actions of the repressive apparatus. No information has so far been released regarding their place of detention.

In related news, the Lahijan police commander announced the arrest of a citizen in connection with the nationwide protests, claiming that the individual was responsible for “setting fire to a traffic police kiosk” on 8 January in the city.

Day Thirty-Four of the Protests: New Sanctions and Forced Confessions

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Keir Starmer, Netblocks, Roozbeh Sajjadi Hosseini, Skylar Thompson, Valerie Gabar

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data on the thirty-fourth day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,563. Of these, 6,170 were protesters, 124 were children under the age of 18, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 55 were non-protesting civilians. 17,091 cases remain under review.
The number of injured civilians stands at 11,021, total arrests at 49,070, student arrests at 80, reported cases of forced confessions at 289, and summonses by security institutions at 11,027. In addition, a total of 660 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 203 cities in 31 provinces.

Today was marked by two key developments: the continuation of international reactions and actions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and individuals linked to the apparatus of repression, including new U.S. sanctions packages and official responses to the European Union’s decision on the designation of the IRGC; and the persistence of the domestic crackdown, reflected in individual and mass arrests, judicial case-building, reports of forced confessions, and ongoing disruptions to internet access and communications.

Reactions to the designation of the IRGC and U.S. sanctions

Following the European Union’s decision to designate IRGC as a Terrorist organization, Iranian officials and some foreign governments voiced new reactions. Mostafa Pourmohammadi, an official of the Islamic Republic, described the move as “political” and said that the IRGC’s role in recent events had been exaggerated by foreign parties only “later.” At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took a sharp stance in response to the decision, saying that the European Union is “in decline”, remarks made amid growing international pressure on the IRGC and cases related to human rights violations.

On the other side, some foreign officials welcomed the European Union’s decision. Anita Anand, a senior Canadian official, supported the move and described it as a step toward accountability regarding the IRGC’s role in developments in Iran. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of London’s cooperation with allies to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and condemned the crackdown on protesters in Iran.

Alongside these reactions, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new package of sanctions. The published list includes Eskandar Momeni (Interior Minister), Majid Khademi (head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization), Babak Zanjani, and several IRGC commanders. The sanctions were announced as Donald Trump also spoke about increasing pressure on Tehran, including claims that he had set a “deadline” for Iran, known “only to themselves”, and that U.S. naval forces were moving toward Iran. In another part of his remarks, he alleged that a large number of executions had been planned and that, following his warning, a “retreat” had taken place.

Internet shutdowns and the continuation of disruptions to communications

While reports have emerged of limited internet restoration in some areas, data from internet monitoring organizations indicate that disruptions to communications remain widespread and persistent. According to assessments by NetBlocks, even during periods when full shutdowns have eased, users’ access to the internet has remained “severely limited,” with filtering and degraded connection quality continuing. This situation has resulted in messaging apps, social media platforms, and basic online services being intermittently available or accessible only with significant slowness.

Additionally, HRANA has received reports of efforts by the authorities to influence the flow of information. According to one report, the Iranian government has uploaded more than 10,000 images and videos to a public online platform in an attempt to steer the documentation of the protests, an allegation framed in the report as part of a narrative war and efforts to control accounts related to the protests.

Alongside these developments, another report from the academic sphere indicates that communication restrictions and the prevailing security atmosphere have also cast a shadow over civic actions. According to this report, students at more than 30 universities have issued a call to boycott nationwide examinations. Taken together, these data suggest that the internet disruption has not been merely a “temporary shutdown,” but has continued as a form of “sustained interference” in public communications, affecting both public access to news and information, and the ability to communicate, coordinate, and document events.

Arrests and Crackdowns

Amid the prevailing security atmosphere, numerous reports have emerged of mass arrests, judicial case-building, and repressive acts in various cities.

One report announced the arrest of 14 citizens in several cities, noting that some of those detained were later released. Another report documented the arrest of at least 140 individuals in multiple cities in a single day. That same report also referred to the release of a video containing the “forced confessions” of six people, an issue that human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized in recent years as an example of security pressure and opaque judicial processes.

New figures have also been obtained regarding judicial crackdowns in Kerman Province. According to one report, 106 indictments have been issued in the province, and 20 individuals remain in detention. These figures indicate that judicial proceedings in some areas have moved forward rapidly, while at the same time a number of defendants continue to be held in custody.

In the cultural and artistic sphere, one arrest attracted particular attention. According to published reports, Roozbeh Sajjadi Hosseini, an assistant director, was arrested and transferred to Fashafuyeh Prison. This case, alongside other reports of protest-related arrests, shows that the scope of the crackdown has extended to various sectors of society.

There have been conflicting reports regarding pressure and threats against medical staff and emergency responders. On the one hand, news emerged of the arrest of “a number of doctors” during the protests. On the other hand, the head of Iran’s Medical Council Organization claimed that “no physician has been arrested for treating protesters.” At the same time, reports have pointed to an increasingly unsafe environment for medical care: the World Health Organization has confirmed an attack on a hospital, reported damage to several medical centers, and noted injuries to rescue workers. In a video released from the protests, it is also alleged that government forces targeted ambulances and emergency responders.

Taken together, these accounts present a picture of the continued arrests and crackdowns, from pressure on families and scattered and mass arrests, to broader judicial case-building and serious challenges to emergency response efforts and the security of medical facilities.

University of Essex Meeting

Today, a meeting titled “Pursuing Accountability for Serious Human Rights Violations and International Crimes Implicating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),” was held at the University of Essex in Colchester, the United Kingdom. According to the published report, the event was attended by academic audiences and human rights activists and aimed to examine legal pathways and practical mechanisms for holding perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.

The panel was moderated by Matthew Gillett. During the session, Skylar Thompson from HRA introduced the Pasdaran Documentation Project and explained the function of its database and the role of data in legal accountability efforts. Valerie Gabar from the organization UpRights also spoke about available legal avenues, the possibility of using international mechanisms, and the practical challenges involved in cases related to the IRGC.

According to the report, discussions focused on how accurate and reliable documentation can serve as the foundation for legal case-building, from data collection and identifying patterns of human rights violations to transforming such information into actionable cases within international frameworks. The meeting was held amid a political and diplomatic climate in which debates over the IRGC’s role in developments in Iran, as well as international responses, including the European Union’s decision and new U.S. sanctions, have become increasingly prominent.

Updated (aggregated) statistics through the end of Day Thirty-Four since the start of the protests

• Total number of locations/incidents in cities: 660
• Number of cities (non-duplicated): 203
• Number of provinces (non-duplicated): 31

• Total arrests: 49,070
• Injured civilians: 11,021
• Student arrests: 80
• Forced confessions: 289
• Summonses: 11,027

• Total protesters killed: 6,170
  ▪️ Including children: 124
  ▪️ Military/government forces: 214
  ▪️ Non-civilian, non-protesters: 55
• Total deaths: 6,563
• Cases under review: 17,091

Summary

Day thirty-four concluded amid simultaneous international pressure on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and key figures linked to the crackdown, pursued along multiple tracks. On the one hand, official reactions to the European Union’s decision regarding the designation of the IRGC continued in political and diplomatic arenas. On the other, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting specific officials, including the Interior Minister, the head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, an economic figure, and several IRGC commanders. Within this context, statements by U.S. officials about intensifying pressure on Iran were also echoed, adding to external tensions surrounding Iran-related developments.

Nationwide Protests: 140 Protesters Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
nationwide protests, Tehran, Yazd, zanjan

HRANA – State media reported the arrest of additional protesters: 85 protesting citizens were detained in Zanjan Province, 12 in Tehran, and 43 in Yazd Province. At the same time, forced confessions by six of those detained in Tehran have been released, though it is unclear under what conditions they were recorded.

In a statement, the Zanjan Provincial Intelligence Department described these citizens as “leaders of the protests” and claimed that “firearms and incendiary materials” were discovered in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Young Journalists Club reported the arrest of 12 citizens in Tehran’s Sattarkhan district. This outlet has published a video containing confessions by six of these individuals, though it is not known under what circumstances the footage was obtained.

The Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of Yazd Province also announced that 43 individuals described as the “main agents behind announcing and disseminating widespread calls on social media” were arrested during the protests by the FATA Police and the Intelligence Organization of the Yazd Provincial Law Enforcement Command.

These reports do not mention the identities of those arrested or their places of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days expanded beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations of recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests.

University of Essex Human Rights Centre Hosts Event on Pursuing Accountability for IRGC Violations

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News, Other
HRANA, irgc, Skylar Thompson

HRANA- In Colchester, UK, The University of Essex hosted a private lecture on Friday, January 30, 2026, examining pathways to accountability for serious human rights violations and alleged international crimes attributed to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and in light of ongoing events where it is clear the IRGC is the main perpetrator and where the Pasdaran Documentation Project (PDP) database has already established a preliminary assessment qualifying the IRGC as complicit in crimes against humanity. The lecture also drew on HRA’s and UpRights’ work on the Pasdaran Documentation Project and its Pathways to Accountability memo.

The event, titled “Pursuing Accountability for Serious Human Rights Violations and International Crimes Implicating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),” was held at the Colchester Campus and organized by HRA in collaboration with Essex Law School and the Human Rights Centre. It brought together legal experts, human rights practitioners, and members of the academic community to discuss documentation, legal strategies, and international mechanisms for justice.

The panel was chaired and moderated by Dr. Matthew Gillett, Senior Lecturer at the University of Essex Law School and United Nations Special Mandate Holder, serving as Vice-Chair and Rapporteur of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention. In his opening remarks, Dr. Gillett emphasized the central role of credible, structured documentation in pursuing accountability where domestic remedies are unavailable. He noted that international legal processes increasingly depend on high-quality evidence and rigorous methodological standards.

Skylar Thompson, Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), introduced the Pasdaran Documentation Project (PDP), a long-term initiative developed by HRA with legal support from the organization UpRights. Thompson explained that PDP maps the IRGC’s institutional structure, operational units, and chains of command, and links this architecture to documented incidents of human rights abuses in Iran and abroad.

According to Thompson, the project is already being used by national jurisdictions to better understand the IRGC in support of prosecutorial processes, and it is designed to support investigations, legal analysis, and informed policy responses. “Accountability requires a sustained focus on grassroots documentation at the early stage,” she said, adding that PDP seeks to transform fragmented information into an integrated framework of institutional responsibility.

Valérie Gabard, Co-Director of UpRights, addressed the legal and practical challenges of pursuing accountability in the Iranian context. She outlined how international legal avenues, such as universal jurisdiction, targeted sanctions regimes, and UN mechanisms, can be activated when supported by systematic documentation. Gabard stressed that while accountability within Iran remains unrealistic under current conditions, external legal processes offer meaningful opportunities to advance justice for victims, while also noting their inherent difficulties.

Participants raised questions about data verification and the ethical challenges of documenting abuses in highly repressive environments.

The event concluded with reflections on the long-term nature of accountability work and the need for sustained international engagement. Speakers underscored that structured documentation initiatives such as PDP can play a critical role in ensuring that allegations of abuse are preserved and made usable for future legal and policy processes.

The gathering demonstrated interest in practical, evidence-based approaches to addressing alleged international crimes linked to the IRGC and reinforced the role of universities as key spaces for advancing research, dialogue, and accountability initiatives.

Learn more about the project and read the memo at IranPDP.org

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Report on the Arrest of Three Family Members of Death Row Political Prisoner Babak Alipour

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News, Prisoners
Babak Alipour, Maryam Alipour, Omolbanin Dehghan, Roozbeh Alipour

HRANA – Roozbeh Alipour, Maryam Alipour, and Omolbanin Dehghan, members of the family of Babak Alipour, a prisoner sentenced to death, have been detained for five days, and there is still no information about their place of detention.

Based on information received by HRANA, on January 26, Roozbeh and Maryam Alipour, the brother and sister of Babak Alipour, along with Omolbanin Dehghan, his mother, were arrested while returning from a visit with him at Evin Prison. Despite the passage of five days since their arrest, no information has been obtained regarding their place of detention or the detaining authority. Roozbeh Alipour had previously faced judicial convictions due to his activities.

Babak Alipour, along with five others, was again sentenced to death in December of last year by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The death sentences of these individuals had been overturned by the Supreme Court in July of 2025, and their cases were referred to a parallel court branch.

Day 33 of the Protests: EU Designates IRGC as a Terrorist Organization as Repression Persists

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eskandar Momeni, EU, HRANA, Iman Afshari, irgc, Kaja Kallas, Mohammad Movahedi Azad

HRANA – According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,479. Of these, 6,092 were protesters, 118 were children under the age of 18, 214 were government-affiliated forces, and 55 were non-protester civilians. In addition, 17,091 cases remain under investigation. The number of injured civilians has been reported at 11,020, along with 281 cases of forced confessions and 11,027 summonses to security institutions. Furthermore, a total of 660 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 203 cities in 31 provinces.

Today, two parallel developments unfolded. On the one hand, external reactions and pressure, particularly in Europe, intensified, with a focus on designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and imposing human rights sanctions. On the other hand, repression continued domestically following the street phase of the protests, taking the form of ongoing arrests, the presence of security institutions in schools, and increased pressure in detention centers and medical facilities.

Designating the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization and Sanctions Packages

In recent days, the European Union has pursued pressure on Iran’s repressive apparatus through two parallel tools: placing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the list of terrorist organizations and expanding targeted human rights sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the crackdown. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, announced that EU foreign ministers had taken a “decisive” step by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, stressing that the repression of protesters would not go unanswered.

Simultaneously, the European Union sanctioned 15 individuals and 6 Iranian entities for their “involvement in or responsibility for human rights violations and the repression of protesters.” According to HRANA, these sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the European Union, and prohibitions on providing any financial or economic resources to the listed individuals and entities.

Among the announced cases are the names of several key figures and institutions. These include Eskandar Momeni (Minister of Interior), Mohammad Movahedi Azad (Prosecutor General), and Iman Afshari (judge of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court), whom the Council of Europe has linked to roles in the “violent suppression of protests” and “arbitrary arrests.”

In the supplementary sanctions packages tied to digital repression, the Organization for the Regulation of Audio and Visual Media (SATRA), the IRGC’s Center for the Examination of Organized Crimes (Seraj Center), and the Working Group for Determining Criminal Content have also been named as entities playing a direct role in the “control, censorship, and suppression of communications and cyberspace.”

Experts believe that at the political level these measures go beyond mere “sanctions.” The formal redefinition of the IRGC as a terrorist actor in Europe carries broader implications: increasing the risks of financial and legal engagement with affiliated structures, strengthening the legal basis for accountability efforts, and at the same time raising the political cost of normalizing relations with institutions responsible for repression.

Reactions indicate that this process in Europe has moved beyond a purely “symbolic” or media-driven stance. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, voiced support for the EU’s move to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, calling it “the right decision” and emphasizing the need to “stand firm.” Meanwhile, Hadja Lahbib (EU Commissioner) referred to the decision to impose new sanctions on individuals involved in the crackdown and spoke of the European Union’s support for investigations and fact-finding mechanisms into the killing of protesters.

Repression and Arrests: Security Agents’ Presence in Schools and Harsh Situation at Mashhad Detention Centers

Despite the subsiding of the street phase of the protests, field reports indicate that arrests and prosecution continue, and in some areas have been accompanied by new waves of mass arrests. According to HRANA, at least 706 citizens were arrested over the past 24 hours in the cities of Dezful, Yazd, Borujen, Borujerd, and Nur. In addition, the Public Security Police of FARAJA reported the arrest of 327 protesters nationwide since December 28, while the General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province announced the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests.

Individual arrests by security forces follow the street-level crackdown. HRANA has reported the detention and continued lack of information regarding several detained individuals: Maedeh Dowlatabadi (21) in Urmia, who is being held in a security detention facility; as well as Farhad Jangi-Zehi (Minab) and Ehsan Nedaei-Hour (Ramsar), who were arrested on different dates and remain in custody.

At the same time, arrests among students have also continued. HRANA has reported the detention of Amin Norouzi and Ilya Bakhshaie (two students in Yazd), as well as Yousef Yousefi, a student at Kharazmi University of Technology in Tehran, during the protests.

One indicator of the continuation of repression is the transfer of security pressure into schools. Reports indicate that security agents have been dispatched to schools and have spoken with students in an effort to impose the official narrative of the protests. An 18-year-old student from Bandar Abbas stated that in recent days, agents have been sent to schools and are attempting to promote the government’s official account.

Taken together, these data suggest that the policy of control has shifted from the “street” to universities, schools, and detention centers, aiming to prevent the re-emergence of protests through sustained pressure and the cultivation of lasting fear.

Crackdowns in Medical Facilities and Arrests in Hospitals

Reports related to the treatment of the injured most clearly reflect the intensity of pressure and repression, where seeking medical care can turn into a risk of arrest. According to an account from a source in Tehran, a large number of citizens with pellet-gun injuries to the eyes sought treatment at a specialized ophthalmology hospital in the city. After the protests ended, representatives from the medical sciences university and security institutions visited the hospital, extracted the names of all individuals hospitalized between January 8 and January 12, and took the information with them.

the Deputy for Nursing Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Health said that if individuals seek treatment and provide a different name, “no one conducts an inspection,” and that identity verification is only required if insurance is used, a claim that effectively acknowledges the presence of fear and the issue of identity checks, even though it does not directly reference security forces entering hospitals. Abbas Abadi, the Ministry’s Deputy for Nursing Affairs, also warned about the consequences of delayed treatment, stating that postponement can lead to wound infections and the need for complex surgeries.

At the international level, the World Health Organization announced that amid the widespread crackdown on protesters, it has confirmed an attack on a hospital in Iran and emphasized the necessity of protecting healthcare facilities and ensuring unhindered access to medical services.

Taken together, these reports indicate that the “space of medical care” has also become part of the security arena, from extracting the names of the injured to heightened fear of seeking treatment, and multiple reports of the abduction or arrest of wounded individuals.

Teachers’ Statement and the Killing of Several Educators

The Coordination Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations of Iran stated in a communiqué that, alongside references to mounting security pressures, several teachers were killed during the protests: Kamran Akbari, Karamali A‘laei, and Reza Karimi-Far (Ansari-Far).

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day 33 of the Protests

• Total protest locations/incidents in cities: 660
• Number of cities (non-duplicative): 203
• Number of provinces (non-duplicative): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,020
• Arrested children, adolescents, and students: 326
• Arrested students: 70
• Forced confessions: 281
• Summonses: 11,027

• Total protesters killed: 6,092

▪️ Including children: 118
▪️ Military/government-affiliated forces: 214
▪️ Non-protester civilians: 55

• Total deaths: 6,479

• Cases under review: 17,091 cases

Summary

Day 33 of the protests was marked by the continuation of post-crackdown repression, including ongoing arrests, an expanded security presence in schools, and sustained pressure on detention centers and medical facilities. At the same time, international developments, most notably the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization and the imposition of targeted European sanctions, underscore that the repression file remains active and is entering a phase of intensified diplomatic and human rights pressure.

Ahmad Alizadeh Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Ilam

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Labor and Guilds, News
Abdanan, Ahmad Alizadeh, Fanuj, HRANA, irgc

HRANA – Yesterday, January 28, Ahmad Alizadeh, a high school physical education teacher in Abdanan County, was arrested by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence in Ilam Province and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest, telling HRANA that Ahmad Alizadeh was detained on Wednesday evening, January 28, 2026, by IRGC intelligence agents without the presentation of a judicial warrant. Following his arrest, he was transferred to an unknown location and has had no contact with his family so far.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

In February 2025, Ahmad Alizadeh had been sent to the city of Fanuj in Sistan and Baluchestan Province to serve a two-year sentence of compulsory residence.

He was previously arrested on October 17, 2022, in connection with the nationwide protests in Abdanan, Ilam Province, by security forces, and was later released on bail.

Ahmad Alizadeh, aged approximately 53, is an employee of the Abdanan Department of Education and a high school physical education teacher with more than 29 years of work experience. He has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his activities.

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.

Nationwide Protests: At Least 1,098 Citizens Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Borujen, Borujerd, Dezful, Faraja, Hormozgan, mass arrest, Nur, Yazd

HRANA – During the nationwide protests, at least 706 citizens were arrested in the cities of Dezful, Yazd, Borujen, Borujerd, and Nur. In addition, the Public Security Police of FARAJA reported the arrest of 327 protesters nationwide since December 28. The General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province also announced the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests in the province.

According to IRNA, the Lorestan Police Information Center claimed that an individual accused of killing a Basij member named Seyed Mohammad Javad Monavvar and injuring his son, Seyed Mohammad Naeim Monavvar, in the city of Borujerd, had been identified and arrested. It was alleged that the accused confessed to the killing during interrogations.

In another report, IRNA announced the arrest of 13 protesting citizens in Nur County, claiming that a large number of bladed weapons were confiscated from them and that they were accused of damaging public property.

IRNA also reported the arrest of 452 protesting citizens in Dezful County. According to this report, 19 individuals were arrested under the charge of being “main leaders of the protests,” and 21 others for being “responsible for spreading protest calls.”

The Dezful police commander claimed that firearms, bladed weapons, and incendiary materials were discovered and confiscated from the accused.

Meanwhile, the state broadcaster reported that the Public Security Police of FARAJA had arrested 327 protesting citizens nationwide since December 22, 2025. The media outlet claimed that these individuals were members of 57 organized networks and were accused of damaging public property. Allegations of discovering weapons and incendiary materials were also raised in connection with these arrests.

Additionally, the broadcaster reported the arrest of 27 citizens in Yazd on charges described as “filming and sending content to hostile media outlets.”

Ahmad Negahban, the commander of Yazd Province’s law enforcement forces, claimed that these individuals had filmed and photographed damage to public property and sent the images to Persian-language media outlets based outside the country.

In another report, the state broadcaster announced the arrest of 213 protesting citizens in Borujen, stating that 30 of them were detained under the charge of being “main leaders of the protests.”

The General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province also announced, in a statement, the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests. These individuals were accused of “setting fire to mosques, public and service facilities, buses, and attacking military and law enforcement centers in the province.”

These reports do not mention the identities of the detained citizens or their places of detention.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-second day since the start of the protests.

Nationwide Protests: Nine Citizens Arrested in Bandar Abbas

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Akbar Javidan, Bandar-Abbas, iran protests

HRANA – The Commander of Hormozgan Province’s Law Enforcement Forces announced the arrest of 9 protesting citizens, including two women, in Bandar Abbas.

According to  IRNA, the Hormozgan police commander stated that those arrested include seven men and two women who had taken part in the popular protests in Bandar Abbas. Ali-Akbar Javidan also claimed that incendiary materials were discovered at the residences of these citizens.

Chanting slogans, disobeying officers, and setting fire to and damaging public property were cited as among the reasons for the arrests.

Javidan added that after judicial cases were opened and preliminary investigations were completed, the detainees were transferred to prison by order of judicial authorities and following the issuance of legal detention orders.

This report does not mention the identities of the detained citizens or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-second day since the start of the protests.