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Report on the Latest Status of Death-Row Prisoner Ehsan Afrashteh

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ehsan Afrashteh, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Isfahan, احسان افرشته

HRANA – Ehsan Afrashteh, a prisoner sentenced to death, is currently being held in Evin Prison. His second request for retrial has been filed with the Supreme Court and referred to Branch 29 for review.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 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.

Five Prisoners Executed in Yazd Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Kobra Rezaei, Yazd Prison, کبری رضایی

HRANA – At dawn today, five prisoners, including at least one woman, were executed in Yazd Prison. The individuals had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

The executions were carried out early Tuesday morning, November 4. Among those executed was Kobra Rezaei, whose identity has been confirmed by HRANA. Ms. Rezaei had previously been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on drug-related charges.

Based on information received by HRANA, two of the executed prisoners had been convicted of murder, while two others were sentenced to death for drug-related crimes by the Criminal and Revolutionary Courts.

Further details, including the identities of the other four prisoners, are currently under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant state 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.

Maryam Zubeidi Arrested and Transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Maryam Zubeidi, Sepidar Prison

HRANA – Maryam Zubeidi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested on Saturday, November 1, to serve her prison sentence and transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Ms. Zubeidi was taken into custody after appearing at the Enforcement of Judgments Branch of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. She had previously been summoned to this branch to begin serving her four-year prison sentence.

A source close to the case told HRANA that eight months of Ms. Zubeidi’s previous detention period were not credited toward her final sentence.

In October this year, the Court of Appeals upheld a four-year prison sentence against Ms. Zubeidi on charges including acting against national security. The Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had previously issued the same sentence in the initial trial.

Maryam Zubeidi, 58, who suffers from respiratory and digestive illnesses, has a history of prior arrest.

Execution of Six Prisoners in Various Prisons

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Executions, News
Ashkan Mirali, Dezful, Hamid Babaei, Sanandaj, Varamin, Yousef Khani

HRANA – This report covers the execution of six prisoners in recent days on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

On October 25, a prisoner named Jamal Zare, a resident of Khorramabad, was executed in Bam Prison. According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Zare had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

On October 27, a prisoner named Hamid Babaei was hanged in Sanandaj Prison. Based on HRANA’s information, Mr. Babaei had previously been arrested on a murder charge and sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

On Sunday, November 2, another prisoner named Ashkan Mirali was executed in Dezful Prison. Mr. Mirali had also been arrested on a murder charge and later sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

Yesterday, Monday, November 3, the death sentences of two prisoners convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of these prisoners as Mehran Hosseini.

Finally, HRANA has learned that yesterday, another prisoner named Yousef Khani, a resident of Varamin, who had also been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, was executed in Semnan Prison.

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

In October alone, a total of 258 people were executed in Iran, a figure unprecedented since the beginning of this year.

Two Sociologists Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Asadollahnejad, Shirin Karimi, شیرین کریمی, مهسا اسدالله نژاد

HRANA- Today, November 3, Mahsa Asadollahnejad, a sociologist and researcher, and Shirin Karimi, a sociologist and translator, were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Shargh Newspaper, Ms. Asadollahnejad was arrested this morning at her parents’ home, where security agents also confiscated her electronic devices.

Similarly, security agents raided Ms. Karimi’s residence, arresting her and searching the house. A number of her personal belongings, including books and electronic devices, were confiscated.

So far, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for their arrests, their whereabouts, or the charges brought against them.

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Drug-Related Crimes: Two Prisoners Executed in Arak Prison

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Executions, News
Arak prison, hsan Mehdipour

HRANA – At dawn on Sunday, November 2, 2025, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Arak Prison.

One of them has been identified by HRANA as Ehsan Mehdipour.

Based on information received by HRANA, the individuals had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Further details, including the identity of the second prisoner, are still under investigation by HRANA.

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

According to HRANA reports, in 2024, only 6% of executions were announced by official bodies or domestic media outlets. Over the past five years, 77% of executions have gone unreported, commonly referred to as secret executions. In some of these cases, the lack of transparency is so severe that the death-row prisoners are denied even the chance for a final visit with their families.

Forough Khosravi Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, Forough Khosravi, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Ruhollah Farzadnasab, فروغ خسروی

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher residing in Behbahan, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, one day after her trial was held at Branch 1 of the Behbahan Revolutionary Court.

Her trial took place yesterday at Branch 1 of the Behbahan Revolutionary Court, and today, Sunday, November 2, 2025, the same branch, presided over by Judge Moradian, issued and delivered the verdict to Ms. Khosravi.

Based on the verdict, she was sentenced as follows: one year for “propaganda against the regime”, two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader”, two years for “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic”, five years for “insulting the sacred”, and five years for “communication with media outlets affiliated with Israel, such as Iran International,” totaling 15 years in prison.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, five years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA: “The baseless charges are mostly based on Ms. Khosravi’s private text messages with a family member and a few protest-related Instagram stories she posted several years ago. During the hearing, instead of examining her defense or the material and moral elements of the charges, the judge told her, ‘You’re still too radical!’”

On September 22, 2025, Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Behbahan, led by investigator Ruhollah Farzadnasab, issued a bill of indictment against her.

A source close to the family told HRANA earlier: “In the issued indictment, Ms. Khosravi’s former husband, Hadi Hakim Shafa’i, was also named as a defendant, and it was stated that his case remains open. However, Mr. Hakim Shafa’i has not received any summons to date.”

Ms. Khosravi had earlier appeared for questioning at the same branch following a summons.

She was arrested on July 29, 2025, by IRGC Intelligence agents, and was released on August 9, 2025, after posting a 2-billion-toman bail from Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Earlier, on June 20, 2025, six IRGC Intelligence agents, including two women, entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without a judicial warrant, searched the house, and confiscated some of her personal belongings, including her phone. Her young daughter was at home during the raid and was reportedly deeply traumatized by the incident.

Later, Ms. Khosravi filed a complaint against the agents involved; however, investigator Ruhollah Farzadnasab from Branch 2 of the Behbahan Prosecutor’s Office dismissed the case, ruling in favor of the security agents and issuing a non-prosecution order.

Forough Khosravi is an elementary school teacher with a Ph.D. in Education, residing in Behbahan. Following the 2009 protests, she was expelled from Payame Noor University in Bandar Imam. Her former husband, Hadi Hakim Shafa’i, is a writer and researcher of religion and philosophy living in Bojnourd, who has previously faced arrest and conviction for his activities.

Report on the Latest Status of Death-Row Political Prisoner Pezhman Toubrehrizi

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News
Evin Prison, Kermanshah, Mohammad-Reza Amouzad, Pezhman Toubrehrizi

HRANA – Pezhman Toubrehrizi, a political prisoner from Kermanshah, is currently being held in Evin Prison. He was recently sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on earth (efsad-e fel-arz)”.

On September 1, 2025, Mr. Toubrehrizi was sentenced to death by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amouzad, on the charge of “corruption on earth through membership in anti-regime groups.”

Earlier, in late July of this year, his family home was searched by security forces.

Pezhman Toubrehrizi, aged 31, a native and resident of Kermanshah, was arrested in Tehran on January 28, 2025, by security forces. He was interrogated for over two months at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) before being transferred to the prison’s public ward.

Judicial Case Filed Against Attorney Babak Eslami Farsani

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Babak Eslami Farsani, Mehrshad Shahidi

HRANA – A judicial case has been opened against Babak Eslami Farsani, an attorney at law, in the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Arak County.

Mr. Eslami Farsani announced earlier on Saturday, November 1, that he had been summoned to Branch 2 of the Arak Prosecutor’s Office on July 17, 2025, to defend himself against the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” He stated that the summons was issued in connection with his role as the legal representative of the family of Mehrshad Shahidi, one of those killed during the nationwide protests of 2022.

Mr. Eslami Farsani has not provided further details regarding the case.

Babak Eslami Farsani serves as the attorney for the family of Mehrshad Shahidi, who was killed during the 2022 protests in Arak.

Execution of a Prisoner in Semnan Prison

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Executions, News
Hosseinali Montazeri, HRANA, Semnan

HRANA – At dawn on Monday, October 27, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Semnan Prison.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Hosseinali Montazeri, a resident of Pakdasht.
Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Montazeri had been arrested earlier on drug-related charges and was later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.