Category: Freedom of Expression

More Than 60 Security Cases Opened in East Azerbaijan; 10 Involve Espionage Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, moharebeh

HRANA – The prosecutor of East Azerbaijan Province’s central district announced that 60 judicial cases have been opened over security-related issues, adding that 10 of them involve alleged espionage charges.

According to HRANA, citing Tasnim, since the beginning of the recent war, more than 60 security cases have been opened in East Azerbaijan Province. The prosecutor of the central district of East Azerbaijan Province stated that 10 of these cases include espionage charges.

Hussein Mohammadzadeh Almalou added: “The punishments determined for some of the defendants in these cases are at the level of moharebeh (enmity against God), and indictments for some of them have already been issued.”

He noted that the relevant rulings will be carried out after confirmation by the Supreme Court. Mohammadzadeh Almalou also said that the judicial system has remained continuously active during this period, adding that the province’s prosecutor’s offices have continued operating without interruption.

No further information has been released in this report regarding the details of the cases, the identities of the defendants, or the progress of their legal proceedings.

It should be noted that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis.

Semnan: 7 Citizens Arrested on Accusations of Contact with Foreign Media and “Anti-Security Activities”

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Semnan, U.S. and Israeli attack

HRANA – The police commander of Semnan announced the arrest of seven citizens, citing what was described as “contact with media outlets outside the country and anti-security and norm-breaking activities.”

According to Fars News Agency, the Semnan police commander stated that the reasons for these arrests included “ongoing contact with foreign-based media outlets, carrying out anti-security and norm-breaking acts, sending the geographic coordinates of sensitive locations, and insulting and using abusive language.”

The report does not mention the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s latest detailed report covering the first forty days of the conflict.

Report on the Arrest of Ali Ardaneh in Behbahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Ardaneh, Behbahan, HRANA, irgc

HRANA – Ali Ardaneh, a resident of Behbahan, was arrested on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, by forces of IRGC Forces. There is still no information available regarding his place of detention. He had previously been wounded by birdshot pellets during the January 2026 protests and is still in the recovery period.

Based on information received by HRANA, this citizen was arrested by IRGC forces, and so far no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or his place of detention. Mr. Ardaneh had been severely injured by security forces’ pellet rounds during the January 2026 protests. He underwent surgery to remove some of the pellets and is still continuing his recovery.

Ali Ardaneh had also been arrested during the same protests and was released after some time.

According to an informed source, IRGC forces in Behbahan have recently been temporarily detaining suspects for several hours, then releasing them after subjecting them to violence and beatings. The source added that during these detentions, individuals’ mobile phones are confiscated and are not returned upon release.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and after two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, ordinary citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the broadest protest waves in recent years. Following the crackdown by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands more were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days after the start of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Hamedan Province: Confiscation of Assets Belonging to 25 Citizens, Including 19 Foreign Nationals and Residents

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, Hamedan, HRANA

HRANA – The judiciary in Hamedan has announced the confiscation of the assets of 25 citizens in the province, including 19 foreign nationals and residents of other countries, over what it described as “cooperation with Israel and propaganda, political, and media activities against national interests.”

According to Tasnim, the assets of a number of citizens in Hamedan Province have been confiscated. The confiscated assets belonged to two British nationals, two Swiss nationals, one Russian national, three German nationals, three Turkish nationals, eight Iraqi nationals, as well as six citizens residing inside the country. The order to seize these individuals’ assets was issued through the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

The Hamedan judiciary claimed that these individuals were accused of cooperating with Israel and had engaged in “propaganda, political, and media activities against the country’s national interests.” In line with the implementation of the “Law on Intensifying the Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel and Hostile Countries,” their assets were seized and confiscated in favor of the state.

The report did not mention the identities of these individuals or provide details regarding the confiscation of their assets.

Previously, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Hamedan had announced that criminal cases had been opened against 23 citizens in this county and that orders had been issued to seize their assets.

Following the start of the military attacks on Iran, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judiciary, announced that judicial orders had been issued to seize and confiscate assets linked to what he described as “elements cooperating with the enemy inside and outside the country.” He also threatened these individuals with execution, stating: “One of the prescribed punishments in this case is execution, and after the investigations, one of the legal punishments will be applied to the individuals concerned.”

It should be noted that the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording events related to these conflicts across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 40th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

Arrest of 23 Citizens on Accusations of Foreign Contacts and Anti-Government Activities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan, Hormozgan, HRANA, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Tonekabon

HRANA – Iranian domestic media have reported the arrest of 23 citizens in the provinces of Lorestan, Hormozgan, Mazandaran, and Gilan on accusations including “sending information to foreign countries and links to groups opposed to the government.”

According to IRIB, 19 citizens were arrested by forces of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. In a statement, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that seven individuals accused of “communicating with pages attributed to Israel on social media and sending information about sensitive, military, and infrastructure sites” were arrested in the provinces of Lorestan and Hormozgan.

Officers of this institution also arrested eight citizens in Mazandaran Province and four individuals in Gilan Province, who were alleged to have intended to “take action against law enforcement centers and security forces.”

Separately, according to Fars, four citizens were arrested in Tonekabon. The county’s law enforcement command claimed that these individuals were “affiliated with groups opposed to the government,” and that a number of unauthorized hunting weapons were also discovered in their possession.

These reports did not provide further details, including the identities or places of detention of these citizens.

It should be noted that the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording events related to these conflicts across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 40th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

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Arrest of 34 Citizens in Khuzestan and Qazvin by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Khuzestan, Qazvin

HRANA – At least 34 citizens were arrested by security forces in the provinces of Khuzestan and Qazvin over what has been described as “sending images to foreign media outlets.” A video of the forced confession of one of the citizens arrested in Ahvaz has also been published, though the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to Mehr, 12 citizens were arrested in connection with the war in Khuzestan Province. These individuals are accused of sending images to foreign media outlets. The arrests were carried out by law enforcement forces across Khuzestan Province.

Separately, Fars News Agency published a video showing the arrest and extraction of a forced confession from a citizen in Ahvaz, although the conditions under which the recording was made are not known. According to that report, the citizen was arrested for “preparing reports on the movements of the country’s military forces for foreign media outlets.”

According to Tasnim, the police commander of Qazvin announced that since the beginning of the war, 21 citizens have been arrested across the province by officers of the intelligence organization affiliated with that command. He stated that the reason for their arrest was collecting images, information, and coordinates of sensitive locations in the province and sending them to the media outlet Iran International.

The cited reports did not provide further details, including the identities or places of detention of these citizens.

It should be noted that the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording events related to these conflicts across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 40th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

At Least 9 Citizens Arrested in Various Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, North Khorasan, RGC Intelligence Organization, Semnan

HRANA – Domestic media have reported that nine citizens were arrested in the provinces of North Khorasan, Semnan, and Tehran on accusations of “sending videos and images to foreign media outlets” and “sending information to countries involved in the war.”

According to Mehr News Agency, six citizens were arrested in North Khorasan. In this regard, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Bojnord claimed that these citizens were arrested on charges of “acting against national security and interests” through “sending images and videos to foreign media outlets, especially Iran International and Manoto, in order to identify locations that could be subject to military attack.”

In another report by Mehr News Agency, the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced the arrest of two citizens in Semnan. This security body claimed that the reason for their arrest was “communication with the Israeli intelligence service and sending information about sensitive sites and centers to Israel” from the time of the 12-day war until now, under accusations of “espionage.”

Also, according to Tasnim News Agency, one citizen was arrested in Tehran. The report states that after returning to Iran and staying at a relative’s house, he was identified and arrested by security forces on accusations of “sending the location of security forces’ deployment sites to the intelligence services of countries involved in the war, including the United States and Israel.”

The report did not provide further details, including the identities of these citizens or where they are being held.

It should be noted that the military attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording developments related to these conflicts across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 39th day of the conflict, published last night.

Sardasht: Three Citizens Arrested by Law Enforcement Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Sardasht

HRANA – Three citizens have been arrested in Sardasht by law enforcement forces over what was described as “affiliation with groups opposed to the system.”

According to Mehr News Agency, three citizens were arrested in Sardasht, West Azerbaijan province. The report claims that the arrests were carried out by police officers due to the citizens’ alleged “affiliation with anti-government groups and efforts to make the country insecure.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of the detainees or where they are being held.

It should be noted that U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related developments across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 38th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

At Least 102 Citizens Arrested Across the Country in Connection with the War

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmadreza Radan, HRANA, ILNA

HRANA – Domestic media outlets have reported that at least 102 citizens, including two women, have been arrested by security forces in different parts of the country in connection with the war. At the same time, a video of the forced confession of one of these individuals has been released, although the conditions under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to ILNA, Ahmadreza Radan, the Commander-in-Chief of the country’s Law Enforcement Command, announced the arrest of 85 citizens in 25 provinces.

According to the report, these citizens were arrested over what was described as “sending the location of facilities, infrastructure, and the deployment sites of security forces to countries involved in the war with Iran.”

The police chief claimed that during these arrests, “a number of specialized and electronic devices, Starlink equipment, weapons, and ammunition” were discovered and confiscated. Based on the report, Radan also announced that in the coming days authorities would release “the confessions of the accused and details of how they cooperated with countries involved in the war”; confessions whose recording conditions remain unknown.

Separately, the IRGC Intelligence Organization released a video announcing that a female citizen had been arrested for “sending images and videos of projectile impact sites to foreign-based media outlets, particularly Iran International.” A video of her forced confession has also been published, with no information about the circumstances of its recording.

According to Student News Network, an 18-year-old man and a 42-year-old woman were arrested in Astara on charges including “contact with Iran International, disturbing public opinion, insulting religious sanctities, anti-security activities in cyberspace, and alignment with groups opposed to the system with the aim of overthrowing the Islamic Republic.”

Also, according to Tasnim News Agency, the West Azerbaijan Police Information Center announced the arrest of 14 citizens for “spreading rumors and sending images to foreign media related to the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran.”

It should be noted that U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related developments across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 38th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

Arrest of 17 Citizens in West Azerbaijan Province for War-Related Reasons

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Urmia, West Azerbaijan

HRANA – The West Azerbaijan Province Intelligence Department has announced the arrest of 17 citizens in various cities across the province for reasons related to the war. These individuals have been accused of offenses such as “contact with foreign-based media outlets and propaganda online activities.”

According to Fars News Agency, one citizen was arrested in Bukan. He has been accused of sending information related to certain military and defense facilities in the country, as well as the coordinates of the deployment locations of military and law enforcement forces in the city of Urmia, to foreign countries.

In addition, four citizens accused of being in contact with groups opposed to the government and allegedly preparing for actions were arrested by agents in Bukan.

The intelligence department also reported the arrest of three individuals in the cities of Urmia and Chaypareh for “filming sensitive military and infrastructure sites to send to foreign countries.”

Two other citizens were arrested in one of the province’s cities over what was described as “contact with a Persian-language network based outside the country for sending the coordinates of sensitive military and security centers in the province.”

The report further states that six citizens were arrested for “propaganda activities in cyberspace in support of the enemy and contact with groups opposed to the government.” Another citizen was also arrested after being accused of “transferring anti-government elements into the country.”

These reports do not provide further details regarding the identity of the detainees, the time and place of arrest, or where they are being held.

It should be noted that U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related developments across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 38th day of the conflict, which was published last night.