Category: Freedom of Expression

Revolutionary Court in Kerman Sentences Three Baha’i Citizens to Eight Years in Prison Each

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adib Shahbazpour, HRANA, Kerman, Shakila Ghasemi, Venus Hosseini-Nejad

HRANA – Venus Hosseini-Nejad, Shakila Ghasemi, and Adib Shahbazpour, three Baha’i citizens residing in Kerman, have each been sentenced to eight years in prison by Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Kerman.

According to HRANA, citing IranWire, Venus Hosseini-Nejad, Shakila Ghasemi, and Adib Shahbazpour have been sentenced to a combined 24 years in prison.

According to the report, on October 31, 2026, Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Kerman issued verdicts against these Baha’i citizens on charges including “membership in a group,” “assembly and collusion,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Under the rulings, Venus Hosseini-Nejad, Shakila Ghasemi, and Adib Shahbazpour were each sentenced to eight years in prison.

In connection with the same case, two other Baha’i citizens, and , have also been sentenced to a combined total of more than 24 years in prison.

was released from Kerman Prison on bail on August 15, 2026. She had previously been by security forces at her residence in Kerman on February 2, 2026.

was arrested by security forces on January 18, 2026, in connection with nationwide protests, while was arrested on January 15 of the same year. Both were subsequently released on bail.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. An examination of HRA’s annual reports indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reported religious minority rights violations involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

25 Citizens Arrested in Bam Over Social Media Posts

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bam, HRANA

HRANA – The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Bam County has announced the arrest of 25 citizens for allegedly “disturbing public opinion” through content published on social media.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing ISNA, 25 citizens have been arrested in Bam County.

On Tuesday, November 3, 2026, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Bam County announced the arrests, claiming that the individuals had been detained on charges of “disturbing public opinion” by publishing what he described as “false information, fabricated news, and rumors” on social media.

Hamid Hassaninia further stated that the individuals had been identified and arrested following continuous monitoring and surveillance of online activities by officers of the Cyber Police (FATA) in Bam County.

According to the judicial official, legal cases have been opened against all 25 arrested citizens.

The report provides no information regarding the identities of those arrested, their places of detention, or the specific content of the posts that led to their arrests.

Three Citizens Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Agents in Asadabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asadabad, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Javad Kouhi, Keyumars Heydari, جواد کوهی, کیومرث حیدری

HRANA – Javad Kouhi, Keyumars Heydari, and a citizen identified by the surname Rostami (first name unknown), residents of Asadabad and administrators of a Telegram channel, were arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in the city on Sunday and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, three citizens have been arrested in Asadabad. HRANA has verified the identities of the detainees as Javad Kouhi, Keyumars Heydari, and a citizen identified by the surname Rostami (first name unknown), all residents of Asadabad, located in Hamadan Province.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the three citizens were arrested at their residences by IRGC Intelligence agents on the evening of Sunday, November 1, 2026.

A source familiar with the case and close to the detainees’ families confirmed the arrests to HRANA, stating that the individuals face charges of “spreading false information” in connection with managing a Telegram channel and publishing content on it.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the detainees’ whereabouts.

January 2026 Protests: Alireza Dowlati and Mohammad Khalizadeh Sentenced to a Combined 35 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Dowlati, Greater Tehran Prison, Mohammad Khalizadeh, Omran Amani, علیرضا دولتی, محمد خالی زاده

HRANA – Mohammad Khalizadeh and Alireza Dowlati, two individuals arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests who are currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, have been sentenced to 30 years and five years in prison, respectively.

According to HRANA, Alireza Dowlati and Mohammad Khalizadeh have been sentenced to prison. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Mohammad Khalizadeh to 30 years in prison on charges of “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and Alireza Dowlati to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

A source familiar with the case and close to the families of the two men confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that Dowlati and Khalizadeh are co-defendants in the same case as Omran Amani, a prisoner who has been sentenced to death.

The three men, who had been living together in the same house, were arrested in Tehran on February 11, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests. All three are currently held in Greater Tehran Prison.

Background on January 2026 Protests:

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 Women Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison Each in Connection with January Protests

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Amirreza Rezaei, HRANA, Mehdi Jalali, Qarchak Prison, Vahid Ghahremani

HRANA – Two women arrested during the January 2026 protests have each been sentenced to 22 years in prison by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. The two women, who are currently held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, are co-defendants in a case involving Mehdi Jalali, a cleric sentenced to death, as well as Amirreza Rezaei and Vahid Ghahremani, two other defendants in the case who have also received death sentences.

According to HRANA, two women have been sentenced to prison on charges of “espionage” in a case related to the nationwide protests of January 2026.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced each woman to 22 years in prison. HRANA has not yet been able to verify the identities of the two prisoners, and efforts to establish their identities are ongoing. Both women are currently serving their sentences in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA: “The two women initially faced the death penalty, but the judge ultimately granted leniency and sentenced each of them to 22 years in prison.”

The two women are co-defendants in the same case as three other individuals: Amirreza Rezaei, Vahid Ghahremani, and Mehdi Jalali, a cleric and former member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). All three men have been sentenced to death by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

HRANA previously reported on the death sentences issued against these three individuals. In the earlier report, the third defendant was identified only by his first name, “Mehdi.” HRANA has now verified his full identity as Mehdi Jalali.

Amirreza Rezaei and Vahid Ghahremani are among the defendants in this case who were arrested separately by security forces during the nationwide protests of January 2026. Both were sentenced to death by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges including “conducting operations for Israel.”

Mehdi Jalali, another defendant in the case, is a cleric and former member of the IRGC. He was also arrested by security forces during the January 2026 protests and sentenced to death in the joint case involving the four other defendants, on charges including “conducting operations for Israel.”

In addition, Mehdi Jalali has been sentenced to death on charges of “apostasy” by the Special Clerical Court in a separate case. As a result, two death sentences have been issued against the cleric in two separate cases.

The death sentences against Amirreza Rezaei, Vahid Ghahremani, and Mehdi Jalali were formally communicated to them in prison on Monday, October 26, 2026. On Wednesday, October 28, the three prisoners were transferred from the Greater Tehran Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Currently, the two women sentenced to imprisonment are being held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, while the three defendants sentenced to death, Amirreza Rezaei, Vahid Ghahremani, and Mehdi Jalali, are held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Background on January 2026 Protests:

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.

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January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Arman Marefati

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Arman Marefati, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, آرمان معرفتی

HRANA – The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Arman Marefati, who was arrested during the January 2026 protests and is currently held at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced him to death.

According to HRANA, the death sentence of Arman Marefati, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been upheld.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the Supreme Court upheld the death sentence of Arman Marefati, who is currently held in Ward 3, Hall 37 of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. He had previously been sentenced to death by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on charges including participation in operational activities against national security, entering religious premises with the intent to cause destruction, and involvement in setting fire to a mosque and a religious seminary.

It is worth noting that the death sentences of two other prisoners, Mehrdad Mohammadinia and Ashkan Maleki, who were co-defendants in the same case as Arman Marefati, were carried out in June 2026. The two prisoners had been sentenced to death on charges of “collaboration with the Zionist regime and hostile governments,” “creating insecurity and public fear,” “destruction and arson of public property,” and “participation in operational activities against national security.”

In February 2026, the Judiciary’s Media Center reported that a court hearing had been held in the case involving the three defendants. During the hearing, the prosecutor’s representative stated that Mr. Marefati, the third defendant in the case, was charged with “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against the country’s internal security” through his participation in protests. However, later in the proceedings, the judge invoked Article 280 of the Criminal Procedure Code to change the charges against him to participation in operational activities against national security, entering religious premises with the intent to cause destruction, involvement in setting fire to a mosque and a religious seminary, and participation in causing approximately 50 billion tomans in damages.

Arman Marefati, approximately 38 years old, is originally from Saqqez County and resides in Tehran, where he worked at a fruit and vegetable market. He was arrested in Tehran during the nationwide protests. In June 2026, he was transferred from the Greater Tehran Penitentiary to Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Mahshahr Writer Elias Ghanavati Lari Remains in Detention, Whereabouts Unknown

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elias Ghanavati Lari, HRANA, Mahshahr

HRANA – Elias Ghanavati Lari, a writer from Mahshahr, was arrested by security forces 12 days ago, on October 21, 2026, and remains in detention.

According to HRANA, citing the Iranian Writers’ Association, Elias Ghanavati Lari, a writer and poet from Mahshahr, remains in detention.

According to the report, Mr. Ghanavati Lari was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

Twelve days after his arrest, no information has been obtained regarding his condition or whereabouts.

His published works include the book Two Absurd Plays to Gather Dust and the article Proudhon and Marx at the Scene of the Theft.

Peyvand and Borna Naeimi, Two Baha’i Citizens, Sentenced to a Combined Prison Term of More Than 20 Years

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Borna Naeimi, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Peyvand Naeimi, برنا نعیمی, پیوند نعیمی

HRANA – Peyvand and Borna Naeimi, two Baha’i citizens held in Kerman Prison, have been sentenced to prison by Branch 5 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court. According to the verdicts, Peyvand Naeimi was sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison, while Borna Naeimi received an eight-year prison sentence.

According to HRANA, citing IranWire, Peyvand Naeimi and Borna Naeimi have been sentenced to a combined prison term of more than 20 years.

The report states that Branch 5 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court issued the sentences against the two Baha’i citizens, who are cousins. Under the verdicts, Peyvand Naeimi was sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison, while Borna Naeimi was sentenced to eight years.

No precise information is currently available regarding the charges that led to the prison sentences against these two citizens.

Previously, a source familiar with the situation of the two Baha’i citizens told HRANA that Peyvand Naeimi’s court hearing had been scheduled for September 18, 2026. Borna Naeimi was also tried via video conference by the Kerman Revolutionary Court on May 25, 2026, on charges including “acting against national security and forming a group with the intention of overthrowing the government.”

Peyvand Naeimi was arrested by security forces at his workplace on January 8, 2026, and transferred to Kerman Prison. He was held in solitary confinement at the prison and subjected to mock execution and torture in an effort to extract forced confessions. In response, the Baha’i International Community issued a statement expressing concern over his fate.

On February 1, 2026, a video showing Peyvand Naeimi’s forced confessions was broadcast on state television. The circumstances under which the video was recorded remain unclear. On February 26, he was also transferred to an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) detention facility before being returned to Kerman Prison.

Borna Naeimi, a 29-year-old Baha’i citizen, father of a three-year-old child, and resident of Kerman, is Peyvand Naeimi’s cousin. He was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on March 1, 2026.

Similarly, the Baha’i International Community expressed concern over his fate in a statement, reporting that Borna Naeimi had been subjected to mock executions on two occasions in an effort to extract forced confessions.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial crackdowns more than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities documented violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Danial Dabiri Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Danial Dabiri, HRANA, دانیال دبیری

HRANA – Danial Dabiri, arrested during the January 2026 protests who is currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, Danial Dabiri, who was arrested during the protests in January of this year, has been sentenced to prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Dabiri to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Danial Dabiri, a 23-year-old citizen, was arrested in Tehran on January 4, 2026, during nationwide protests. He was subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

Background on January 2026 Protests:

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.

January 2026 Protests: Milad Ebrahimi Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Kamyaran, Milad Ebrahimi, Sanandaj

HRANA – Milad Ebrahimi, a resident of Kamyaran who was injured during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Kamyaran to one year in prison and a fine of 400 million tomans.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Milad Ebrahimi has been sentenced to imprisonment and a fine.

The report states that Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Kamyaran issued a verdict against Ebrahimi, which was communicated to him on Sunday, October 25, 2026. Under the ruling, he was sentenced to one year of discretionary imprisonment and a fine of 400 million tomans on the charge of “disrupting public order.”

The court hearing concerning the charges against Ebrahimi was held in October of this year before the same judicial branch.

On February 1, 2026, Milad Ebrahimi was arrested alongside his brother, Hamed Ebrahimi, by security forces in Kamyaran and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sanandaj. His arrest took place while he was recovering at home from injuries sustained during the protests in Kamyaran on the evening of January 8, 2026. During those protests, he had been struck in the lower back by live ammunition and subsequently underwent surgery at a hospital in Sanandaj.

During his detention, Ebrahimi was denied access to legal counsel and adequate medical care. He was released on bail on February 27, 2026. His brother, Hamed Ebrahimi, had also been released six days after his arrest upon posting bail set at six billion tomans.

Milad Ebrahimi is 31 years old and a resident of Kamyaran.