Amir Nasr Azadani Transferred from Dastgerd Prison to Hospital

HRANA– Amir Nasr Azadani, former professional football player and political prisoner held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been transferred to a hospital.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Nasr Azadani was moved from Dastgerd Prison to a hospital in Isfahan, as reported by a social media page attributed to him quoting one of his cellmates.

No further details have been released regarding the timing of the transfer or his current health condition.

Amir Nasr Azadani, formerly a player for Tractor and Sepahan football clubs, is one of the defendants in the so-called “House of Isfahan” case. Following judicial proceedings, he was ultimately sentenced by the Supreme Court in February 2024 to 16 years in prison.

Andimeshk Resident Ruhollah Korki Arrested by Security Forces

HRANA – On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Ruhollah Korki, a resident of Andimeshk, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest, telling HRANA: “Mr. Korki was detained by plainclothes agents while walking with his young daughter on a street in Andimeshk. His daughter returned home in tears. The arresting agents were reportedly affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

It remains unclear whether Korki is being held in Andimeshk or has been transferred to Ahvaz. While the family was informed that the arresting forces had come from Ahvaz, some evidence suggests he may still be held locally.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for Korki’s arrest and any charges brought against him have not been disclosed.

Ruhollah Korki is the brother of Amin Korki, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of December 2017. Amin Korki died under suspicious circumstances in April 2018 following a second arrest.

Death Sentence for Babak Shahbazi Upheld by Supreme Court

HRANA – The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld the death sentence of Babak Shahbazi, a political prisoner currently held in Tehran’s Greater Prison. Shahbazi was previously arrested on charges of espionage and sentenced to death.

According to HRANA, citing BBC Persian, Shahbazi was accused of spying for Israel. The Supreme Court has now confirmed the verdict. Authorities have issued an order for his transfer to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

BBC Persian, quoting informed sources, reports that Shahbazi denied all charges throughout the judicial process. One of the accusations reportedly used to support the espionage charge was that he had sent a message to the President of Ukraine.

Shahbazi was arrested in January 2024 and initially detained in Evin Prison. He was later transferred to Tehran’s Greater Prison along with other political prisoners after an Israeli airstrike targeted Evin.

Journalist Meysam Rashidi Arrested in Ardabil

HRANA – Meysam Rashidi, a journalist based in Ardabil, was arrested by local police following a complaint from the city’s mayor and the issuance of a temporary detention order.

According to HRANA, the arrest was carried out after Rashidi published critical content on social media about the municipality’s performance, prompting the mayor to file a legal complaint. The charges against him and his current place of detention remain unknown.

Earlier this year in March, Rashidi was reportedly assaulted by Ardabil municipality’s security personnel after he criticized the poor condition of the city’s municipal football team—an allegation the mayor later denied.

Rashidi has previously collaborated with the news outlet Qaartaal.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules

Eight Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to Prison by Revolutionary Court

HRANA– Eight teacher union activists from Kerman Province have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Kerman to a total of 8 years and 6 months of discretionary imprisonment.

According to HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the verdicts were issued on August 3, 2025, by Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Aghaeipour, and have been formally communicated to the individuals.

Breakdown of the sentences is as follows:

   ● Majid Naderi was sentenced to:
       ◦ 1 year in prison for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”
       ◦ 4 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader”

   ● Hossein Rashidi Zarandi received:
       ◦ 1 year for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “insulting Khomeini and Khamenei”

   ● Mohammadreza Behzadpour was sentenced to:
       ◦ 1 year for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”

   ● Fatemeh Yazdani, Mitra Nikpour, Zahra Azizi, Leila Afshar, and Shahnaz Rezaei Sharifabadi were each sentenced to:
       ◦ 6 months for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”

In June 2025, the indictment against these teacher union activists was issued and referred to Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court.

These individuals had previously been summoned to the Kerman Prosecutor’s Office on June 9, 2024.

Earlier, in October 2022, Zahra Azizi, Mohammadreza Behzadpour, and Hossein Rashidi were summoned by Kerman’s Security Police.

In May 2022, Mohammadreza Behzadpour, Majid Naderi, and Hossein Rashidi were arrested by security forces in Kerman and later released on bail after several days.

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Three Citizens Arrested in Damavand County

HRANA – The commander of the IRGC in Damavand County, Tehran province, announced the arrest of three citizens on charges of alleged collaboration with Israel and the “Monafeqin” — a term the Iranian government uses to refer to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK). According to the commander, legal cases have been opened and the individuals have been referred to the judiciary.

The local IRGC commander claimed the detainees were “connected to Israeli intelligence services and the MEK” and were “planning acts of sabotage targeting sensitive locations.” According to Mehr News Agency, the arrests were carried out by IRGC Intelligence agents, and their cases are currently under judicial review.

The report does not specify the date of arrest, the identities of the detainees, or where they are being held.

While espionage itself is not considered a human rights issue, the Iranian government has a long history of using such accusations to target political dissidents. Claims of this nature—especially in the absence of transparency and due process—are often met with skepticism.

Teacher Forough Khosravi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher and resident of Behbahan, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA: “On Tuesday morning, Ms. Khosravi received a phone call from an unknown number, instructing her to appear at the courthouse by noon. She declined to comply, citing the absence of an official summons. A few hours later, around 2:30 PM, IRGC Intelligence agents arrived with an arrest warrant, detained her, and transferred her to an undisclosed location.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges brought against her remain unclear.

This arrest follows a previous incident on June 19, when six IRGC Intelligence agents — including two women — entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant. During the raid, they created a climate of intimidation while conducting a search, and confiscated several personal belongings, including her cellphone. Ms. Khosravi’s daughter, who was home at the time, was reportedly deeply traumatized by the experience.

Subsequently, Ms. Khosravi filed a formal complaint against the agents. However, in what has been described as a one-sided decision in favor of the security apparatus, Judge Ruhollah Farzadnasab of Branch 2 in Behbahan dismissed the case, issuing an order not to pursue prosecution.

Forough Khosravi holds a doctorate in education and works as an elementary school teacher. She was previously expelled from Payam Noor University in Bandar Imam in the aftermath of the 2009 protests.

Arrest and Incommunicado Detention of Pouya Ahmadi in Tehran

HRANA– Pouya Ahmadi, a resident of Tehran, has been held in detention for six days following his arrest by security forces, with no information available regarding his fate or whereabouts.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that on July 22, 2025, security forces violently arrested Mr. Ahmadi at his home in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched the home and confiscated several personal belongings, including his phone, computer, printer, and identification documents.

The source added that Ahmadi’s family has received no information about his location or condition, which has caused them significant concern.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Naser Hemmati Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison

HRANA – Naser Hemmati, a resident of Abdanan, has been sentenced in absentia to more than five years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ilam.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the verdict was recently delivered to Mr. Hemmati, sentencing him to five years, three months, and two days in prison. The charges leading to his conviction include “supporting and legitimizing Israel,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “communication with a Telegram channel.”

Mr. Hemmati only learned of the case details when summoned to receive a copy of the verdict.

He was previously arrested in December 2023 after being summoned by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Abdanan and was later released on bail of one billion tomans. The charges brought against him at that time included “sabb al-nabi (insulting the Prophet of Islam),” “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “spreading falsehoods online,” and “supporting and legitimizing the Zionist regime.”

Mr. Hemmati has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Researcher Navid Kalahrudi Arrested

HRANA – On Friday, July 25, Navid Kalahrudi, a researcher, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Etemad Online, Kalahrudi was arrested on the evening of Friday, July 25, by security agents who also searched his home and confiscated several personal items, including his laptop. The report does not specify where he is being held.

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

It is worth noting that a recent interview with Kalahrudi on the program Dialogue Iran, which focuses on political and social issues, has been widely viewed on social media. The program’s producer, Mohammad Ahmadi, is also currently in detention.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.