Category: Freedom of Expression

Jafar Sadeghi Sentenced to 10 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Jafar Sadeghi, Mahabad, Oshnavieh, جعفر صادقی

HRANA– Jafar Sadeghi, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to 10 months of discretionary imprisonment by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court in Oshnavieh.

According to Kurdpa, Jafar Sadeghi has been sentenced to 10 months in prison by Branch 101 of the Oshnavieh Criminal Court on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

It is worth noting that the charge of “propaganda against the regime” falls under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court. However, due to the absence of a Revolutionary Court in Oshnavieh, security-related cases are typically referred to the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad. After review and the issuance of a ruling there, the case is sent back to the Criminal Court in Oshnavieh for execution.

Jafar Sadeghi was previously arrested by security forces and later released on bail.

He is a mountaineering and rock climbing instructor and a member of the Baran Mountaineering Group in Oshnavieh.

Five Protesters from the 2022 Nationwide Protests Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, HRANA, Kaveh Salehi, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Teyfour Salimi Babamiri

HRANA– Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Pejman Soltani, Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, Kaveh Salehi, and Teyfour Salimi Babamiri — all detained during the 2022 nationwide protests — have been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, these individuals were jointly tried and sentenced to death in the same case. The charges against them include baghi (armed rebellion), moharebeh (enmity against God), and leading and forming a rebellious criminal group. Four of them were sentenced to death more than once. The verdicts were officially communicated to their lawyers today, Monday, July 7.

Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, Pejman Soltani, and Kaveh Salehi have each been sentenced to death three times on charges of baghi, moharebeh, and leading and forming a rebellious criminal group. Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri received two death sentences on charges of baghi and leadership in a rebellious group. Teyfour Salimi Babamiri has also been sentenced to death for allegedly leading and forming such a group.

Additionally, eight other defendants in the same case have received prison sentences and monetary fines.

Currently, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, and Ali (Soran) Ghasemi are being held in Ward 2 of Urmia Prison. Previously, they were sentenced to death, 15 years, and 10 years in prison, respectively, for allegedly killing a security officer.

Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, and Kaveh Salehi were arrested in April 2023. Teyfour Salimi Babamiri was arrested by security forces in March 2023 and released after approximately 18 months in detention.

Arrest of 24 Citizens in Ardabil for Alleged Disturbing Public Opinion on Social Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardabil, HRANA

HRANA– The police commander of Ardabil has announced the arrest of 24 citizens for what he described as “disturbing public opinion on social media.” According to him, judicial cases have been opened for these individuals.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the Ardabil police commander referred to them as “agents of disturbing public opinion on social media,” claiming they had spread “rumors and false news” with the intention of “creating psychological insecurity in society.”

Without disclosing their identities, he added that judicial cases have been filed against all of them.

The report did not provide further details regarding the detainees’ current status or place of detention.

Since the twelve-day war between Israel and Iran, the Iranian regime has arrested hundreds of individuals for expressing opinions and sharing content related to the war and the country’s situation.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Political Activist Hossein Yazdi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dastgerd Prison, Hossein Yazdi, Iran Times, Isfahan, Mobin 24

HRANA– The Isfahan Court of Appeals has upheld the conviction of political activist Hossein Yazdi. He had previously been sentenced to one year in prison, along with two-year bans on international travel, online activity, and access to social rights.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Yazdi was convicted of “propaganda against the regime.” The initial verdict had been issued by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

Yazdi was released from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan on July 12, 2023, after posting bail. His arrest took place earlier that month following a summons to the Isfahan Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Hossein Mohammadi Yazdi is a political activist and former editor-in-chief of the Mobin 24 website and the Iran Times news channel. He has previously faced arrest and legal action for his activism.

Seyed Javad Hosseini-Nejad Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariman Dam, Javad Hosseini Nejad, Mashhad, جواد حسینی نژاد

HRANA – Seyed Javad Hosseini-Nejad, a resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced to three months and one day in prison by the city’s Criminal Court.

On June 30, Branch 133 of the Second Criminal Court of Mashhad County convicted Hosseini-Nejad on the charge of “spreading falsehoods.” The verdict was based on a video he recently produced in response to the drying of the Fariman Dam.

Hosseini-Nejad, approximately 37 years old, is a father of one and resides in Mashhad. He has a history of arrest and conviction related to his activism.

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Writer Pedram Mohammadzadeh Held 19 Days in Rudsar Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Pedram Mohammadzadeh, Rahimabad, Rudsar, پدرام محمدزاده

HRANA- On Saturday, June 14, Ministry of Intelligence agents arrested Pedram Mohammadzadeh, a poet, writer, and researcher from Rahimabad, Rudsar County, who remains in detention without clear legal status in Rudsar Prison.

A source close to his family confirmed to HRANA: “Mr. Mohammadzadeh was arrested at his home in Rahimabad, Rudsar, on Saturday, June 14, by Ministry of Intelligence agents without a judicial warrant. The arrest followed a social media post about Israel’s attack on Iran. He faces charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “insulting religious sanctities.” Nineteen days later, he remains in limbo in Rudsar Prison. The principle of separating prisoners by the type of offense has not been respected in his case. Despite the family’s efforts, authorities have not agreed to release him on bail.”

HRANA has also learned that Mohammadzadeh suffers from a cervical disc condition and has been denied access to his medications. Additionally, due to a flea infestation in the prison ward where he is held, he has developed skin wounds.

Pedram Mohammadzadeh, aged around 32, is a poet, writer, and researcher from and residing in Rahimabad, Rudsar County.

Three Members of the Film “Bidad” Sentenced to Prison and Fines

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bidad, Leili Rashidi, Sarvin Zabetian, Soheil Beiraghi

HRANA News Agency – Soheil Beiraghi, director of the film Bidad, and Leili Rashidi, one of its cast members, have been sentenced to fines in lieu of imprisonment. Sarvin Zabetian, another actress in the film and a co-defendant in the case, received a suspended prison sentence and a monetary fine.

According to the court’s verdict, Beiraghi was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for “encouraging corruption,” and an additional eight months for “producing obscene content.” The court also ordered the confiscation of his equipment. However, the entire sentence was converted to a fine of 165 million tomans.

Rashidi was sentenced to 91 days in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was also converted to a fine, totaling 30 million tomans.

Zabetian received a 91-day prison sentence and a 10 million toman fine for “encouraging immoral acts.” Her prison sentence has been suspended for five years, during which she is barred from using a smartphone.

Three other members of the film’s production—Amir Jadidi, Ali Malagholipour, and Ali Shadmanfar—were acquitted of all charges.

Bidad, directed by Soheil Beiraghi and starring Leili Rashidi, Amir Jadidi, and Sarvin Zabetian, was produced in 2024. The film, which features scenes without mandatory hijab, follows a young female singer who protests Iran’s ban on women performing by singing in public spaces. Due to its critical content, Bidad was denied official production permits, and its director was interrogated during filming.

Ali Mohammadi, Father of Slain Protester, Detained in Bukan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Mohammadi, Bukan, HRANA, Shahriar Mohammadi, Shahriyar Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Ali Mohammadi, father of Shahriar Mohammadi—killed during the 2022 nationwide protests—was arrested by security forces in Bukan on June 18. Over two weeks later, his whereabouts and the reasons for his detention remain unknown.

According to his son, Milad Mohammadi, Ali was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Bukan. Due to deteriorating health, he was briefly transferred to a hospital and then re-arrested upon discharge. Security agents also raided his home, seizing personal belongings including his computer and documents.

A few days later, Ali Mohammadi was briefly moved to Ward 2 of Bukan Prison for one night. Since then, there has been no contact or information about his location. Despite his need for daily medication and medical care, the family has received no updates from authorities.

Ali Mohammadi is a resident of Bukan. His son, Shahriar Mohammadi, was approximately 30 years old when he was fatally shot during the November 18, 2022 protests in Bukan.

Arrest of Nine Citizens by Security Forces in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Abdollah Bakhah, Abdul Rasouli, Ahsan Othmani, Askar Najafi, Divandarreh, Hamzeh Othmani, Hassan Falaeian, Kamyar Oghabi, Marivan, Omid Bakhah, Oshnavieh, Piranshahr, Qasr-e Shirin, Ramyar Rezaei

HRANA News Agency – Over the past several days, nine citizens—Kamyar (Kamal) Oghabi, Ahsan Othmani, Hamzeh Othmani, Ramyar Rezaei, Omid Bakhah, Abdollah Bakhah, Askar Najafi, Hassan Falaeian, and Abdul Rasouli—have been arrested by security forces in the cities of Oshnavieh, Marivan, Qasr-e Shirin, Divandarreh, and Piranshahr, and transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to a report by Kordpa, on Sunday, June 29, Kamyar Oghabi was arrested at his home in the village of Balagir, a district of Oshnavieh, without a judicial warrant. Security agents reportedly used violence during the arrest and took him to an unknown location. Oghabi, 33, is a married environmental activist with a prior record of arrest and conviction.

Kordpa also reported that in recent days, Askar Najafi, a resident of Sarpol-e Zahab, was detained by security forces at his workplace in the Qasr-e Shirin market and taken to an undisclosed location. No warrant was presented at the time of his arrest.

Additionally, according to KolbarNews, five residents of the village of Dareh-Nakhi, a district of Marivan, were arrested by security forces on Sunday and taken to unknown locations. The individuals were identified as Ahsan Othmani (22), Hamzeh Othmani (24), Ramyar Rezaei (25), Omid Bakhah (30), and Abdollah Bakhah (35). The arrests were reportedly carried out without judicial warrants, and the individuals’ homes were searched.

Separately, KolbarNews reported that Hassan Falaeian—also known as “Hawar Rojhelatî”—a poet and cultural activist from Piranshahr, was arrested on Sunday, June 21, and transferred to an undisclosed location. He remains in custody.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, June 18, security forces arrested a citizen in Divandarreh. KolbarNews identified the individual as Abdul Rasouli, 37, from the village of Tazabad Doleh Rash, a district of Divandarreh.

At the time of this report, the reasons for the arrests, the charges, and the whereabouts of the detainees remain unknown.

Widespread Arrests: 13 Citizens Detained Across Four Cities in Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
and Rudsar, Astara, Bakhtiar Azizi, irgc, Jalaleddin Javanmardi, Mahabad, Rudsar, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – In recent days, security and law enforcement forces have arrested 13 citizens in the cities of Astara, Urmia, Mahabad, and Rudsar, with some transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to Mehr News Agency, Jalaleddin Javanmardi, the police chief of Rudsar, announced today the arrest of five individuals in the city. He stated that the arrests were made over allegations of “collaborating with Israel on social media,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “disturbing public opinion.”

Javanmardi, detailing the case, said that the police acted in response to online posts insulting religious sanctities and deceased IRGC commanders, sharing pro-Israel clips, and publishing offensive content against Iranian officials.

He added that the detainees include a 52-year-old woman and four men aged 31, 39, 40, and 41, who were arrested in Rahimabad, Kelachay, and the central district of Rudsar County. All were transferred to a police station and referred to the judiciary after case files were opened.

ILNA also reported the arrest of four citizens in Astara, quoting the city’s police chief, Morteza Ahadi. Ahadi said the arrests took place on Friday, June 27, on charges such as “espionage” and “propaganda against the regime.”

He added that the detainees, two men and two women from western provinces, were arrested along with digital evidence. Their phones allegedly contained photos and videos from Astara and other cities, which were reportedly sent to opposition networks. They had also applied for asylum in European countries.

On June 25, 2025, security forces arrested a citizen in Urmia. Kurdpa identified the individual as Alireza Khaledi, 22, a resident of Hasanabad village in the Sumay Baradost region. Security agents reportedly detained Mr. Khaledi without presenting a judicial warrant and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

Reports also indicate that on June 24, another citizen was arrested in Urmia by security forces. Kolbar News identified him as Bakhtiar Azizi, a resident of the Dizaj area. According to the report, security agents also arrested him without a court order. On the same day, two more individuals—Afshin Azizi and Kako Azizi—were also detained in Urmia.

Kolbar News further reported the arrests of two additional citizens about ten days ago. Authorities transferred both to an undisclosed location. They were identified as Hazhar Asadpour, 27, an employee of the Red Crescent, and Keyvan Ashtab, 29, an emergency medical technician at Mahabad Hospital.

As of now, there is no information regarding the whereabouts or charges against these individuals.