Category: Ethnic Minorities

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.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Peyman Ebrahimi Arrested

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Ethnic Minorities, News
HRANA, Peyman Ebrahimi, Tabriz, پیمان ابراهیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, September 20, Peyman Ebrahimi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested after appearing at Branch 15 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tabriz.

A source close to the family of this Azerbaijani-Turk activist confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Today, Mr. Ebrahimi’s interrogation session was held at Branch 15 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tabriz. He had been summoned there on charges of propaganda against the regime and, without any opportunity for defense, was arrested. He has now been transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz.”

According to information received by HRANA, this Azerbaijani-Turk activist had been summoned to the mentioned branch last week after receiving an official notice.

Peyman Ebrahimi was previously arrested by security forces in Tabriz on August 26, 2023, and released from prison in that city on October 25 of the same year after posting bail.

In December of the same year, Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Court of Tabriz, presided over by Judge Hamlbar, sentenced him to seven months and sixteen days in prison for the charge of propaganda against the Islamic Republic, and fifteen months and one day in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader. The verdict was later commuted to a monetary fine after the appeals court hearing.

Peyman Ebrahimi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, is a resident of Tabriz and an Azerbaijani dance instructor.

Iraj Pashapour Sentenced to Prison and Complementary Punishment

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ardabil Province, Eslamshahr, Germi, HRANA, Iraj Pashapour

HRANA News Agency – Iraj Pashapour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Germi Revolutionary Court in Ardabil Province to nine months in prison and a one-year ban on online activity.

According to the verdict, which was recently communicated to him, Pashapour was convicted on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to his prison term, the court imposed a one-year prohibition on his use of social media as a complementary punishment.

The ruling was based on reports from the Germi Public Security Police as well as Pashapour’s online activities. The court further stated that if he violates the ban, the punishment will be extended, and in the case of repeated violations, it may be converted to a fine or an additional prison term.

Notably, while the header of the judgment identifies the issuing body as the “Germi Public Civil Court,” the text refers to it as the “Germi Revolutionary Court.” Such discrepancies are common in smaller cities where no independent Revolutionary Court exists, and a branch of the General Court assumes its duties.

Pashapour was arrested on June 20, 2024, by security forces and transferred to Germi Prison. He was later charged with “membership in groups formed inside the country with the intent of disturbing national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” before being released on bail of 500 million tomans.

Iraj Pashapour is an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and a resident of Eslamshahr.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Kazem Safabakhsh and Saman Bidar Arrested in Qazvin

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activists, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kazem Safabakhsh, Saman Bidar, Tabriz Prison

HRANA News Agency –On Friday, May 2, Azerbaijani-Turk activists Kazem Safabakhsh and Saman Bidar were arrested in Qazvin and transferred to the city’s prison.

A source close to the families confirmed the arrests and told HRANA, “The two were detained by IRGC Intelligence agents in connection with their support for the Tractor football team during a recent match. Following their arrest, both Safabakhsh and Bidar were transferred to Qazvin Prison.”

Saman Bidar had previously been released on bail from Tabriz Prison on March 13, 2025, after being arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents on March 1 of the same year.

Both activists have a history of prior arrests and convictions related to their activism.

In 2024, HRANA reported the arrest of 262 ethnic activists. Although the specific charges and reasons for these arrests remain unclear in many cases, given the security agencies’ longstanding pattern of conduct, it is believed that most were detained due to their advocacy for ethnic rights. At least 109 of these arrests were carried out without a warrant.

Appeals Court Upholds Over 5-Year Sentence for Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Vadood Asadi

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Evin Prison, Rasht, Vadood Asadi

HRANA News Agency –The Gilan Province Appeals Court has upheld the five-year-and-six-month prison sentence of Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist currently detained in Evin Prison. The verdict was confirmed without any changes.

A source close to Asadi’s family told HRANA that the sentence, originally issued by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, was reaffirmed by Branch 11 of the Gilan Appeals Court. Asadi was convicted on charges of propaganda against the regime, membership in anti-regime groups, and insulting the Supreme Leader.

On March 3, 2025, Asadi was transferred to Evin Prison to begin serving his sentence following an official summons.

In a separate case, Asadi had earlier been sentenced to four years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, for “assembly and collusion to act against national security.” That sentence was later reduced to one year under a general pardon. After he accepted the verdict, a further reduction was applied, resulting in a final sentence of nine months.

Asadi was initially arrested by security forces in Rasht in February 2024. He was transferred to Evin Prison in March of that year and released on bail several days later.

The activist has a history of facing legal action related to his civil and political activities.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, 20 ethnic minority rights activists were sentenced to a total of 471 months (nearly 40 years) in prison. Over the past decade, the total length of such prison sentences has reached 913 years.

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Appeals Court; Alireza Farshi Sentenced to Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Alireza Farshi, Marand, علیرضا فرشی

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of Alireza Farshi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, confirming the eight-month prison sentence previously issued by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict, Mr. Farshi was convicted of “propaganda against the regime,” with his social media activity cited as evidence supporting the charge. The initial ruling was handed down in March 2025.

The appellate hearing took place on April 19, 2025. Notably, the court proceedings on March 1, 2025, were conducted in Mr. Farshi’s absence, though his legal counsel was present.

The legal proceedings against Mr. Farshi began earlier in the year. In February 2025, Branch 1 of the Prosecutor’s Office in Baharestan County issued an indictment against him. Subsequently, in April 2025, Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Marand County, acting on behalf of Baharestan authorities, conducted an interrogation session.

Alireza Farshi Yekanli, a resident of Marand County, has a history of arrests and judicial confrontations related to his activism on behalf of the Azerbaijani-Turk community.

Milad Mokhtari Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Milad Mokhtari, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – Today, Monday, March 24, 2025, Milad Mokhtari, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested by security forces in Urmia and taken to an undisclosed location.

His arrest took place today, Monday, March 24, 2025, in the city of Urmia. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges brought against him.

Milad Mokhtari has previously faced security-related actions due to his activism.

In 2024, HRA documented the arrests of 262 individuals from ethnic minority groups or those advocating for ethnic minority rights, including Azerbaijani-Turk activists.

Amir Ebrahimlou and Soheil Daeiri Arrested by Security Forces

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Amir Ebrahimlou, Azerbaijani Turk activist, Soheil Daeiri

HRANA News Agency – Today, Amir Ebrahimlou and Soheil Daeiri, two Azerbaijani-Turk activists, were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, their arrest took place today, Monday, March 24, 2025, by security forces. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrest, their whereabouts, or the charges brought against them.

Amir Ebrahimlou has previously faced security-related actions due to his activism.

In 2024, HRA documented the arrests of 262 individuals from ethnic minority groups or those advocating for ethnic minority rights, including Azerbaijani-Turk activists.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Alireza Farshi Sentenced to 8 Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Alireza Farshi, Marand, Mohammad Taghi Taghizadeh, علی رضا فرشی

HRANA News Agency – Azerbaijani-Turk activist Alireza Farshi has been sentenced to eight months in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced this Azerbaijani-Turk activist to eight months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” The verdict was issued on March 2, 2025, by Judge Mohammad-Taghi Taghizadeh and was officially communicated to Mr. Farshi today.

The charges against Mr. Farshi include publishing content on social media. The ruling is subject to appeal in the Tehran Court of Appeals within 20 days of its issuance.
The court session addressing Ali Reza Farshi’s charges was held on March 1, 2025, in his absence.

Ali Reza Farshi Yekanli, a resident of Marand, has a history of previous arrests and legal confrontations due to his activism.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Amin Taghizadeh Arrested

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Amin Taghizadeh, Amin Taqizadeh, Saman Bidar, امین تقی زاده

HRANA News Agency – On Saturday, March 1, Azerbaijani-Turk activist Amin Taghizadeh was arrested after appearing at Branch 10 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tabriz.

The reasons for his summons and arrest remain unknown, and there is no information about his current whereabouts or any charges against him.

Notably, on the same day, another Azerbaijani-Turk activist, Saman Bidar, was arrested in Ardabil by IRGC Intelligence agents.

Taghizadeh has previously faced judicial actions due to his activism.

In 2024, HRA documented the arrests of 262 individuals from ethnic minority groups or those advocating for ethnic minority rights, including Azerbaijani-Turk activists.