Category: Freedom of Expression

Revolutionary Court Sentences 16 Citizens in Mahabad to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdullah Ghoveh, Abdullah Houshmand, Abdulrahman Ghoveh, Ali Maroufi, Aram Mabzooleh, Ayoub Rasouli, Ghader Khoramanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Kamal Masoudi, Mahabad, Nazanin Elyasi, Othman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Rebwar Rasouli, Salar Shams Borhan, Yousef Tal, Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi

HRANA – Sixteen residents of Mahabad County have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad to a combined 77 years and seven months in prison.

According to HRANA, citing IranWire, 16 citizens in Mahabad have been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Ahad Siami, issued sentences against the 16 residents on charges including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “membership in opposition parties,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “supporting parties opposed to the government.”

Under the court ruling, Abdullah Houshmand and Abdulrahman Ghoveh were each sentenced to seven years and one month in prison. Abdullah Ghoveh, Ghader Khoramanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Ali Maroufi, Aram Mabzooleh, Yousef Tal, Rebwar Rasouli, Ayoub Rasouli, Othman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Salar Shams-Borhan, and Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi were each sentenced to five years and one month in prison. Nazanin (Golaleh) Elyasi was sentenced to two years in prison, while Kamal Masoudi received a five-month prison sentence.

The report further states that these citizens, who were arrested by security forces in October–December 2024, were subjected to torture while in detention. They were also denied access to legal counsel and deprived of phone calls and visits with their families.

Nazanin Elyasi was released from Urmia Prison on bail on April 10, 2025. She had been arrested on December 16, 2024, after reporting to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Mahabad.

Salar Shams-Borhan and Abdullah Ghoveh were arrested on December 17, 2024. Othman (Shwaneh) Jahanifar, Ayoub Rasouli, Rebwar Rasouli, Rahman Dana, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, Ghader Khoramanfar, Yousef Tal, Aram Mabzoleh, and Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi were also arrested by security forces in Mahabad on December 15, 2024. Among them, Qader Khoramanfar and Jalal Sadafi were transferred to Mahabad Prison in January–February 2025. The two were released from the prison on bail in November–December 2025.

Ali Maroufi, Abdullah Houshmand, and Abdulrahman (Hawri) Ghoveh were also arrested by security forces on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Dariush Rahimi Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dariush Rahimi, HRANA, Sanandaj, داریوش رحیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, August 15, Dariush Rahimi, a resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces at his home. His whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Dariush Rahimi was arrested in Sanandaj.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Saturday, August 15, security forces entered Rahimi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant and arrested him using violence and physical force. During the arrest, agents also confiscated mobile phones belonging to Mr. Rahimi and his wife.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Dariush Rahimi’s arrest, the charges against him, the agency responsible for his arrest, or his place of detention.

Mr. Rahimi has previously faced judicial action. With no information available about his current condition, his family and relatives have expressed concern for his well-being.

Younes Azadbar Arrested in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Rasht, Younes Azadbar, یونس آزادبر

HRANA– Yesterday, Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht, was arrested and transferred to one of the detention facilities in the city.

According to HRANA, Younes Azadbar has been arrested.

Mr. Azadbar was arrested this morning, Sunday, August 16, following a protest gathering by retirees in Rasht. The arrest was carried out by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Detention Facility No. 2 in the city.

Mehrad Azadbar, Younes Azadbar’s son, stated that the case investigator has set bail at 1.5 billion tomans for his father’s release. He also said that Mr. Azadbar, who suffers from epilepsy and heart problems, has been denied access to his medications while in detention.

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

Younes Azadbar, 62, is a resident of Sangar, a city in Rasht County. He has previously faced arrest and judicial convictions in connection with his activities.

Writer Amin Masouri Arrested to Serve One-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Masouri, HRANA, Khorramabad Prison, امین ماسوری

HRANA – Amin Masouri, a writer and researcher, was arrested on Sunday, August 9, to begin serving his prison sentence and was transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

According to HRANA, Amin Masouri’s prison sentence has been enforced.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Sunday, August 9, Amin Masouri was arrested to begin serving his prison sentence and transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

In February, 2026, Branch 1 of the Khorramabad Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Masouri to one year in prison and two years of exile in Sarakhs County.

Masouri was arrested in Khorramabad by Ministry of Intelligence agents in August of last year and, after some time, was transferred to Parsilon Prison in the city. He was ultimately released from Parsilon Prison on September 14, 2025, after posting bail of 500 million tomans.

Amin Masouri has previously faced arrest and judicial action in connection with his activities.

Shahoo Zirak Arrested by Security Forces in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ebrahim Zirak, Mashhad, Shahoo Zirak, شاهو زیرک

HRANA – On Wednesday, August 12, 2026, Shahoo (Ebrahim) Zirak, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested by security forces. His whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Shahoo (Ebrahim) Zirak was arrested in Mashhad.

Based on information received by HRANA, Zirak was arrested by security forces in Mashhad around noon on Wednesday, August 12. His family has so far been unable to obtain any information regarding his place of detention.

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

Shahoo (Ebrahim) Zirak is married, has two children, and resides in Mashhad.

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Leila Moallemi Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Leila Moallemi, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, لیلا معلمی

HRANA – Leila Moallemi, a resident of Mashhad who is currently incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Leila Moallemi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Moallemi to 10 years in prison. A source close to her family, confirming the news to HRANA, said: “The sentence was communicated to Leila in prison some time ago. The sentence was issued in connection with her sending a voice message and providing information to a media outlet based outside Iran during the war.”

Ms. Moallemi was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on May 28, 2026, and subsequently transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA’s investigation into further details of the case, including the charges brought against her and the judicial authority that issued the sentence, remains ongoing.

Leila Moallemi is originally from Bandar Abbas and resides in Mashhad.

Mehdi Mahmoudian Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Judge Taghizadeh, Mehdi Mahmoudian, مهدی محمودیان

HRANA – Mehdi Mahmoudian, a civil rights activist, has been sentenced to eight months in prison by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Mehdi Mahmoudian has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Under a ruling issued by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Taghizadeh, and communicated to Mahmoudian, he was sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The ruling was issued in absentia.

The acts cited as the basis for the charge include writings he authored while in prison and their subsequent publication.

In a separate case, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has scheduled a hearing for September 27, 2026.

Mahmoudian was arrested on January 31, 2026, for signing a statement. He was subsequently released from Bushehr Prison on February 17, 2026, after posting bail of 6.5 billion tomans.

In 2024, Mahmoudian was tried by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. He was subsequently sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” as well as a two-year ban on membership in political parties and groups, a two-year ban on using a smartphone, and a two-year travel ban. After completing his prison sentence, he was released from Evin Prison on September 15, 2025.

Mehdi Mahmoudian has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings in connection with his activities.

Citizen Arrested in Baharestan Over Instagram Comments, Forced Confession Aired

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baharestan, Forced confession, HRANA

HRANA – A citizen in Baharestan was arrested by the county’s Security Police over what authorities described as posting comments on Instagram containing propaganda against the regime. At the same time, a video of the citizen’s forced confession was released, though the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, a citizen has been arrested in Baharestan County.

The report alleges that the citizen was a supporter of one of the groups opposed to the regime and, along with members of their family, posted comments and engaged in propaganda activities on Instagram.

The citizen was identified and arrested by officers from the Public Security Police of the Baharestan County Police Command and was subsequently referred to judicial authorities.

A video showing the citizen’s forced confession has also been released. It is unclear under what circumstances the video was recorded.

The report did not provide further details, including the identity of the arrested individual, the date of the arrest, or their current place of detention.

January 2026 Protests: Tara Farhangian Sentenced to Prison, Flogging, and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Qorveh, Tara Farhangian, تارا فرهنگیان, قروه

HRANA – Tara Farhangian, a student from Qorveh and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by judicial authorities in the county to one year in prison, 31 lashes, a fine of 120 million tomans, and two years of exile in Zabol.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Tara Farhangian has been sentenced to imprisonment, flogging, and exile.

According to the report, Branch 102 of the Qorveh Criminal Court sentenced Ms. Farhangian to one year of imprisonment and 31 lashes on charges of “disrupting public peace and order” and “resisting officers in the performance of their duties.” As an additional punishment, she was also sentenced to two years of exile in Zabol.

In another part of her case, the Qorveh Revolutionary Court sentenced her to pay a fine of 120 million tomans on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”

Tara Farhangian, 21, is from Qorveh and studies physical education at Hamedan University. She was arrested during the January 2026 protests and was released after some time upon posting bail.

Homa Teymouri and Yaser Azadeh Sentenced to a Total of 10 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Homa Teymouri, HRANA, Yaser Azadeh, هما تیموری, یاسر آزاده

HRANA – Homa Teymouri and her husband, Yaser Azadeh, both master’s graduates of Tarbiat Modares University and Shahid Beheshti University who were arrested during the January 2026 protests, have each been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison.

According to HRANA, citing United Students, Homa Teymouri and her husband, Yaser Azadeh, have been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, sentenced Ms. Teymouri to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” She was also sentenced to a two-year travel ban and prohibited from engaging in social media activity. Her mobile phone was also confiscated.

The report states that Mr. Azadeh was likewise sentenced to five years in prison, without specifying the court branch that issued the verdict or the charges brought against him.

Yaser Azadeh and his wife, Homa Teymouri, were arrested by security forces at their private residence during the January 2026 protests in January.

The published report provides no information regarding the current status of the two individuals.

Homa Teymouri holds a master’s degree in Political Thought from Tarbiat Modares University, while Yaser Azadeh holds a master’s degree in Western Philosophy from Shahid Beheshti University.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

It should be noted that 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.