Category: Cultural

On the First Day of Iranian New Year, Several Citizens Arrested at Historical Sites

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Cultural, News, Other
Faraja, Nowruz

HRANA News Agency – The head of the Public Security Police of FARAJA announced that several citizens were arrested at various historical sites across the country on the first day of the Iranian New Year (1404). He claimed that these individuals were attempting to disrupt public order through “norm-breaking” behavior.

According to HRANA, quoting Mehr News Agency, a number of citizens were detained at cultural and historical locations across Iran on the first day of the new year.

The police official referred to the detainees as “leaders” and “main instigators,” accusing them of engaging in acts of “norm violation.” Seyed Majid Feyz Jafari, without providing any specific examples of the alleged misconduct, asserted that the detainees intended to disturb public security.

The report does not mention the identities or the number of those arrested. There is also no information available regarding their legal status or current conditions of detention.

In recent years, during the Nowruz holidays, as public presence in cultural and historical sites increases, numerous incidents have been reported involving authorities confronting citizens over issues such as dress code, dancing, or public celebration. In some cases, detainees were later released on bail but faced charges such as “propaganda against the regime” or “encouraging corruption and prostitution.”

Crew Members of My Favorite Cake Tried in Revolutionary Court

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, Esmail Mehrabi, Iman Afshari, Lili Farhadpour, My Favorite Cake, producer Gholamreza Mousavi

HRANA – On Saturday, March 1, 2025, a court session was held to review charges against six crew members of the film My Favorite Cake, including directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, producer Gholamreza Mousavi, actors Lili Farhadpour and Esmail Mehrabi, and a cinematographer. The trial took place in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, these individuals stood trial on various charges.

Charges Against the Filmmakers
In February 2025, an indictment was issued against the film’s creators, accusing them of:

. Propaganda against the regime
. Producing, distributing, and reproducing a film with “immoral” content
. Offending public decency and morality
. Screening the film without official approval

During the trial, the defendants, accompanied by their lawyers, defended themselves against these allegations.

Film’s International Recognition and Government Backlash

Despite winning international awards, including the Silver Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival, directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam were banned from leaving the country and could not attend the ceremonies.
My Favorite Cake was produced without government censorship and without enforcing mandatory hijab on female actors. The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance strongly opposed its production.
The film, a 2024 drama, gained widespread attention after being released online, where it was well received by the public.

Singer Parastoo Ahmadi and Musicians Charged Over Virtual Concert

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Ahmadi, Ehsan Beyraghdar, Parastoo Ahmadi, Soheil Faghih-Nasiri

Parastoo Ahmadi, a singer, along with musicians previously arrested for holding an virtual concert, were summoned to Tehran’s District 38 Morality Court today to face charges. They were released on bail after the hearing.

Ahmadi’s bail was set at 3 billion tomans, while each musician’s bail was set at 2 billion tomans. The specific charges against them have not been disclosed.

Background on the Case

Ahmadi, pianist Ehsan Beyraghdar, and electric guitarist Soheil Faghih-Nasiri recently staged an audience-free concert streamed live on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel. The concert, which took place in an old caravanserai, sparked judicial action against them.

Shortly after the concert, Ahmadi and the two musicians were arrested. Tasnim News Agency reported that the head of the Information Center for Mazandaran’s Police Command accused Ahmadi of “producing and disseminating videos that violate societal norms and values,” leading to her summons by Public Security Police and subsequent referral to the judiciary.

On December 14, the two musicians were released on bail, followed by Ahmadi at 3 a.m. the following day.

About Parastoo Ahmadi

Parastoo Ahmadi, 27, is a singer and graduate of directing from Soore University. She gained recognition during the 2022 protests with her rendition of “Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan” by Aref Qazvini. Ahmadi’s repertoire includes a variety of musical works, such as renditions of Mazandaran folk songs and pieces by Baba Taher and Akhavan Sales.

Symbolic Concert in Caravanserai Leads to Legal Action Against Parastoo Ahmadi and Crew

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Parastoo Ahmadi, پرستو احمدی

On December 11, Parastoo Ahmadi, a female singer, performed a symbolic concert with a group of musicians in an old caravanserai. The concert, held without an audience, was broadcast live on her YouTube channel. The event drew significant attention and praise on social media but also provoked a response from the Judiciary, which announced legal action against Ahmadi and the concert’s production team.

The Judiciary alleged that the performance violated “legal and religious standards” due to the participation of a female singer and cited the absence of proper authorization.

In a statement, the Judiciary Media Center said: “A video titled ‘Symbolic Concert’ was published online, showing a music performance led by a female singer without observing the country’s legal and religious standards. The clip, which lacked official authorization and failed to comply with cultural and legal regulations, has prompted judicial intervention. Legal cases have been filed against the singer and the production team for appropriate action.”

Parastoo Ahmadi, a dissenting singer based in Tehran, is known for her critical and protest-oriented works, including addressing issues such as the suppression of free speech and the killing of demonstrators. She has faced previous legal actions for her activities.

Brief Detention and Legal Case Filed Against Khosrow Azarbeyg for Street Music Performance

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Azarbeyg, Khosrow Azerbeig, Mellat Park, خسرو آذربیگ

Khosrow Azarbeyg, a musician and world-traveling cyclist, was briefly detained by security forces while performing street music in Tehran’s Mellat Park. Although he was released after a few hours, he now faces legal charges.

On Friday, September 20, Azarbeyg was arrested by plainclothes security officers and municipal agents while performing in Mellat Park, with his equipment confiscated. He was released shortly after but now faces ongoing legal proceedings.

In a video statement, Azarbeyg recounted that on Wednesday, September 25, he visited the police station at Mellat Park, where he was subjected to insults and threats. The senior officer demanded he sign a repentance letter. After Azarbeyg refused, the officer threatened to fabricate a separate case with false details to create further problems for him.

Azarbeyg had previously been arrested on January 10, 2024, for playing the daf (a Middle Eastern frame drum) at a Tehran metro station.

A dedicated cyclist, musician, traveler, documentary filmmaker, and child rights activist, Azarbeyg has journeyed through more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa. His activism includes extensive support for underprivileged families in Sistan and Baluchestan, autistic children, and the families of child laborers.

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Seven Women Arrested in Bushehr Province for Social Media Modeling

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Bushehr, compulsory hijab

Authorities in Bushehr Province have arrested seven women for sharing social media content related to modeling, according to Rokna. Their Instagram posts were removed, and electronic devices were confiscated.

The arrests occurred as part of a police initiative called “Nour,” according to the police commander of Bushehr province. The seven women were reportedly involved in operating businesses: one woman worked as a model, four others were involved in creating media content, and two others served as photographers.

The police official stated that, following orders from judicial authorities, the eight social media pages associated with these women were taken down. The report did not specify the identities of the detainees or their current location.

Since April 13, 2024, Iran’s police have increased enforcement of hijab regulations as part of the national action plan “Nour.” Reports suggest instances of arrests and use of force against women deemed to be improperly dressed.

Dozen Detained for Alleged Ramadan Violations in Garmsar

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Cultural, News
Garmsar, Ramadan rules, Semnan Province

According to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Garmsar, Semnan Province, twelve individuals were apprehended on April 1 for purportedly violating Ramadan regulations, as per Basij News Agency. Additionally, several others were reportedly arrested for public alcohol consumption.

“In an effort to address breaches of Ramadan regulations, twelve individuals were apprehended during inspections of parks and recreational areas, and legal proceedings have been initiated against them,” stated prosecutor Vahid Mohammadi.

“Furthermore, several individuals were detained for consuming alcohol in public, and multiple motorcycles and vehicles were seized,” he added.

The identities of the detainees and the location of their detention were not disclosed in the report.

It’s worth noting that while eating and drinking during Ramadan isn’t explicitly criminalized in Iranian laws, Article 638 of the Islamic Penal Code allows penalties for actions deemed Haram (forbidden) in Islamic jurisprudence, ranging from ten days to two months imprisonment or up to 74 lashes.

Faraj Arsan Arrested by Security Forces

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Faraj Arsan, Ilam province, Malekshahi

Faraj Arsan, a resident of Malekshahi in Ilam Province, was reportedly arrested by security forces in Ilam on April 3, 2024.

According to Kurdpa, Arsan was taken into custody without a warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Sources cited in the report indicate that Arsan was apprehended at his residence, with his participation in a Nowruz celebration gathering noted. As of now, the location of his detention and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mohammad Abbaszadeh Arrested by Security Forces in Ilam

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Ilam, Mahsa Amini Protests, Mohammad Abbaszadeh, Nowruz, محمد عباس زاده

On March 27, 2024, security forces detained Mohammad Abbaszadeh (Abbas-Zadeh) in Ilam following his participation in a Nowruz celebration gathering, as reported by Kurdpa. Abbaszadeh was then taken to an undisclosed location.

It’s worth noting that the agents conducted the arrest without presenting any formal warrant. Interestingly, just last month, Abbaszadeh had been summoned and subsequently released after signing a letter of commitment. This summons was reportedly linked to his vocal opposition to the parliamentary election.

In May 2023, the Criminal Court of Ilam sentenced Abbaszadeh to six months in prison and imposed a fine. Additionally, he was required to pen a short essay on the “divine punishment of blasphemy.”

Abbaszadeh’s activism has previously led to his arrest during the 2022 nationwide protests, commonly referred to as the Mahsa Amini protests. In that legal proceeding, he was fined and sentenced to 74 lashes, along with one year of suspended imprisonment.

Rapper Emad Ghavidel Arrested

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Emad Ghavidel, Gilan province, rap singer

On October 26, security forces arrested social rap singer Emad Ghavidel in Rasht, Gilan Province.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, on October 26, rapper Emad Ghavidel was arrested at his workplace in Rasht.

The reason for his arrest and whereabouts are still unknown.

According to the latest available data gathered by HRANA, about 14000 people have been arrested during the nationwide protests. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.