Prisoner Executed in Maku Prison

HRANA  – At dawn yesterday, the death sentence of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge was carried out in Maku Prison.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, on August 23, 2026, a prisoner was executed in Maku Prison, West Azerbaijan province.

His identity has been reported as Ardalan Sabzi Balkhkanlou, 38, who was married and the father of a young child.

According to the report, Ardalan Sabzi was arrested approximately four years ago on a charge of murder and subsequently sentenced to death.

As of the time of this report, the prisoner’s execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant institutions.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Majid Adineh Executed

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center announced that Majid Adineh, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests in Karaj, was executed at dawn today. He had previously been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to death and confiscation of his property on the charge of “taking operational action on behalf of hostile countries against national security and interests.”

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, Majid Adineh, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, was executed.

According to a report by the Judiciary’s Media Center, Mr. Adineh was arrested on the evening of January 9, 2026, in the Mohammadshahr area of Karaj by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Alborz Province. The outlet claimed that a firearm and several other pieces of equipment were discovered and seized from him at the time of his arrest.

According to the report, during the judicial proceedings, Majid Adineh faced charges including “taking operational action on behalf of hostile countries against national security and interests,” “moharebeh (enmity against God) through deliberate arson,” “assembly and collusion with the intent to commit a crime against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and unauthorized possession of a firearm, a stun gun, and tear-gas spray.

The Karaj Revolutionary Court subsequently sentenced him to death and the confiscation of all his property on the charge of “taking operational action on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups and countries, pursuant to Article 1 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel and Hostile Countries Against National Security and Interests.” According to Mizan, following an appeal, the sentence was upheld in full by the Supreme Court and carried out this morning.

The report provided no details regarding how the court sessions were conducted, the defendant’s access to legal counsel, or whether he was afforded the right to a fair trial.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

The protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Against Arghavan Fallahi

HRANA – The death sentence against Arghavan Fallahi, a 24-year-old political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence issued against Arghavan Fallahi.

According to information received by HRANA, Fallahi was sentenced to death in July of this year on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Following Israel’s attack on Evin Prison in June 2025, Fallahi was initially transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison and subsequently to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was later transferred back to Evin Prison.

Previously, an informed source told HRANA regarding the political prisoner’s situation: “Following her arrest, Ms. Fallahi spent some time in Wards 209 and 241 of Evin Prison, under the supervision of the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Organization. During this period, she was subjected to severe psychological torture, and attempts were made to extract forced confessions from her in connection with the assassinations of two judges, Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini.”

Arghavan Fallahi was arrested by security forces in late January 2025 and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Fallahi had previously been arrested alongside her father by security forces in November 2022 and was later transferred to Evin Prison. She was subsequently sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to two years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion” and “propaganda against the regime.”

She was released from Evin Prison after completing her sentence.

Execution of Three Prisoners in Isfahan and Two in Ilam

HRANA – On August 19, the death sentences of two prisoners, including a woman, who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges in separate cases, were carried out in Ilam Prison.

According to HRANA, citing Iran Human Rights Organization, on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, three prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

According to the report, the three prisoners were identified as Abdolbaset Barahouei, 30, from Zahedan; Omidreza Ghanbarian, 40, from Tabriz and the father of one child; and Amir Farhadi, from Isfahan.

Abdolbaset Barahouei was arrested in Isfahan in 2018 on charges related to drug offenses and was subsequently sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court.

Mr. Ghanbarian was arrested five years ago, while Mr. Farhadi was arrested three years ago, both on charges related to drug offenses. They were subsequently sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts.

Execution of Two Prisoners in Ilam Prison

According to Kurdpa, on the same day, two prisoners, including a woman, were executed in Ilam Prison.

The two prisoners were identified as Donya Mohammadi (female) and Khodadad Mohammadi, residents of Eyvan-e Gharb County.

According to the report, the two prisoners were arrested approximately two years ago in separate cases on murder charges and were subsequently sentenced to death by criminal courts.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison authorities or other relevant institutions.


According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Pouria Hosseini-Mofard Sentenced to Death

HRANA – Pouria Hosseini-Mofard, 23, who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to death by Branch 5 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. He has been in detention since January 14, 2026, and is currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Pouria Hosseini-Mofard, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to death.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Hosseini-Mofard was sentenced to death by Branch 5 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hossein Yazdankhah, with Seyed Reza Javad Mousavi serving as an advisory judge. The sentence was issued approximately one month ago.

The charges brought against Hosseini-Mofard include “acting against national security,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “operational acts disrupting the security of the country.” His case also alleges that the actions attributed to him were carried out in support of an opposition group.

An informed source told HRANA: “The alleged acts cited as the basis for the charges against this 23-year-old include breaking the glass of a bus stop and setting boxwood shrubs on fire after taking part in a protest organized in response to a public call.”

Pouria Hosseini-Mofard was arrested in Mashhad on January 14, 2026. After undergoing interrogation and judicial proceedings, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, where he remains detained.

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January 2026 Protests: Ghaem Hosseini Executed

HRANA – Today, August 20, Ghaem (Arian) Hosseini, arrested during the January 2026 protests in Isfahan, was executed. He had been tried in a case known as the “Isfahan Alikhani Square” case and sentenced to death.

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, the death sentence of Ghaem Hosseini, a foreign national and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests in Isfahan, was carried out.

The Judiciary’s Media Center has claimed that four law enforcement officers were killed during the January 8, 2026 protests in Isfahan’s Alikhani Square. The institution further alleges that a number of protesters attacked law enforcement officers and damaged public property and facilities. The Judiciary has also alleged that, after attacking law enforcement personnel, the defendants in the case committed acts of violence, including setting fire to the bodies of those killed.

According to Mizan, Ghaem Hosseini was sentenced to death on charges including “moharebeh (enmity against God) through drawing a weapon and creating fear, terror, and insecurity; corruption on earth through actions against national security; disrupting public order and creating insecurity; destruction of public property; and collusion to act against national security,” as well as other related charges. The Judiciary further claims that after the sentence was issued, the case was reviewed by the Supreme Court and the ruling was upheld following Hosseini’s appeal. Ultimately, after the legal procedures were completed, Mr. Hosseini’s death sentence was carried out.

In describing the alleged conduct underlying the charges against Mr. Hosseini, Mizan claimed that he was present at the location where the law enforcement officers were killed and that he struck the body of one of them. The outlet also cited his alleged participation in setting fire to property belonging to a charitable center. According to the same report, Mr. Hosseini acknowledged being present at the protests in Alikhani Square. However, no independent information has been made public regarding the manner or circumstances in which these statements were obtained, whether he had access to a lawyer during interrogation, or whether the claims made by judicial authorities could be independently verified.

Ghaem Hosseini, known as “Arian,” was a foreign national. The report did not specify the exact location where his execution was carried out.

HRANA has so far been unable to independently verify the claims made by the Judiciary’s media outlet. Moreover, according to information received by HRANA, the proceedings in this case were subject to restrictions and irregularities, including the defense lawyer’s lack of effective access to the case file, court hearings conducted via videoconference, families being kept uninformed about the details of the sentences, and the court’s failure to consider defense evidence. Given the documented history of the Islamic Republic’s security and judicial institutions using coerced confessions, torture, and other forms of ill-treatment in security-related cases, there are serious concerns regarding compliance with fair-trial standards and the defendants’ rights in this case.

It should be noted that HRANA previously reported that the proceedings in the cases of Alireza and Abolfazl Sepahi were subject to restrictions including the defense lawyer’s lack of effective access to the case file, the inability to obtain a copy of the court ruling, hearings conducted via videoconference, and the court’s failure to consider defense evidence. According to a source close to the family, they also remain unaware of the details of the charges, the evidence relied upon by the court, and the full contents of the rulings issued.

On July 28, Abolfazl Sepahi and Amirhossein Safari, two other individuals sentenced to death in the case known as the “Isfahan Alikhani Square” case, were publicly executed. The death sentences of Erfan Esfandiari and Gol-Mohammad Mohammadi, two other defendants in the case, were carried out in Isfahan on July 19.

At the trial court level, 15 defendants in the case were sentenced to death. According to information provided by a lawyer, the sentence of one defendant was overturned by a higher judicial authority, while the death sentences of the other 14 defendants were upheld.

The identities of 12 of these individuals had been established as Alireza Sepahi, Abolfazl Sepahi, Erfan Esfandiari, Gol-Mohammad Mohammadi, Amirhossein Safari, Ghaem Hosseini, Shervin Bagherian, Amirhossein Maleki, Ali Dashti, Abolfazl Ebrahimi, Alireza Raisi, and Amirhossein Ebrahimi Analoucheh.

Prisoner Executed in Sanandaj Prison

HRANA – At dawn today, Sanandaj Prison authorities carried out the execution of Kaveh Rafoosheh, who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge.

According to HRANA, Kaveh Rafoosheh was executed in Sanandaj Prison today, Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Mr. Rafoosheh, a 35-year-old unmarried resident of Sanandaj, had been transferred from the general ward of Sanandaj Prison to solitary confinement earlier this week in preparation for the execution of his sentence.

According to information received by HRANA, approximately three years ago, Kaveh Rafoosheh committed a murder during a street altercation in Sanandaj and turned himself in to the police following the incident. After his arrest, the Sanandaj Criminal Court sentenced him to death.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not publicly announced his execution.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Three Detainees

HRANA – The death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar, detainees from the January 2026 protests who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, have been overturned by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of three detainees from the January 2026 protests.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court overturned the death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar and referred their cases to a branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for retrial. In February 2026, the prisoners had been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, in connection with a case involving the burning of a Basij base in eastern Tehran.

During the nationwide protests of 2026, these individuals, along with four other prisoners, Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim, were prosecuted and arrested in a joint case related to the burning of the “185 Martyr Mahmoud Kaveh” Basij base in eastern Tehran on the evening of January 8, 2026. The trial was subsequently held on February 7, 2026, before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Their death sentences were issued the following day, February 8.

In April 2026, the death sentences of Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim were carried out.

Iranian state media had previously published videos showing forced confessions by these individuals. The circumstances under which the videos were recorded remain unclear.

An informed source, confirming the report, told HRANA about the judicial proceedings in Shahab Zahdi’s case: “Mr. Zahdi’s trial was held without his lawyer present.” The charges brought against him were “assembly and collusion against national security” and “moharebeh (enmity against God) and corruption on earth through setting fire to public property and facilities.” His interrogation session was held on January 10, 2026, at Branch 33 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office (Shahid Moghaddas Security Prosecutor’s Office). Zahdi had been arrested by security forces on January 8 of that year.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani was arrested by security forces on January 9, 2026, while Yaser Rajaeifar was arrested on January 8, 2026.

The three are currently being held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani is 52 years old, married, and the father of an 18-year-old child. Before his arrest, he worked as a motorcycle courier. Yaser Rajaeifar is 31 years old, and Shahab Zahdi is the father of a 15-year-old daughter.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

The protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Two Prisoners Executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz

HRANA – The death sentences of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on charges of murder and non-political offenses were carried out yesterday, August 16, 2026, at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, two prisoners were executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners, who were hanged at dawn today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, as Mohammad Ali Pazireh and Hassan Kordi.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammad Ali Pazireh had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court. Mr. Kordi had also previously been arrested on charges related to non-political offenses, and his death sentence was issued by a judicial authority.

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

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Shahram Sadeghi Executed

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center announced that Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests in Karaj, was executed at dawn today. He had previously been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to death and confiscation of his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile countries against national security and interests.”

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was executed today, Sunday, August 16.

According to the report, Mr. Sadeghi was arrested and prosecuted in connection with the events of January 8, 2026, near Golzar Intersection in Karaj. The Judiciary-affiliated media outlet claimed that on that day, he drove his vehicle toward a number of law enforcement officers, injuring seven of them. According to the same report, one of the injured officers was in a coma for a period of time.

Mizan News Agency reported that following the incident, Shahram Sadeghi set his vehicle on fire and fled the scene. He was arrested some time later by law enforcement forces in Alborz Province while, according to the outlet’s claim, he was hiding under a false identity at a drug rehabilitation center.

According to the Judiciary, following the completion of the investigation, an indictment was issued against Shahram Sadeghi, and his case was heard by the Karaj Revolutionary Court in the presence of an attorney. The court sentenced him to death and the confiscation of all his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups and countries, pursuant to Article 1 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel and Hostile Countries Against National Security and Interests.”

After Mr. Sadeghi and his attorney appealed the ruling, the case was referred to the Supreme Court for review. According to the Judiciary, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, which was carried out early this morning.

The report did not provide details regarding how the court proceedings were conducted or whether Mr. Sadeghi had access to a fair trial.