Category: Freedom of Expression

Report on the Arrest of at Least 12 Citizens in Various Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Kermanshah, Semnan, Urmia, West Azerbaijan

HRANA – Domestic media outlets have reported the arrest of at least 12 citizens in Kermanshah, Urmia, and Semnan Province on charges such as “espionage” and alleged connections with foreign-based media. Images of the forced confessions of two of these citizens have also been published, although the conditions under which they were recorded remain unclear.

According to Hamshahri, three citizens were arrested in Kermanshah. These individuals were detained by intelligence agents of the IRGC’s “Nabi Akram” unit on charges of membership in an alleged “espionage” network.

Meanwhile, Tasnim reported that two citizens were arrested in Urmia by intelligence agents of the IRGC in West Azerbaijan Province. In this report, a video was released accusing the individuals of “espionage,” alleging that they had “connections with Israel and sent information and images of certain locations to foreign media outlets.” At the same time, footage of their forced confessions was also published, though the circumstances of the recordings remain unknown.

According to ILNA, IRGC Intelligence Organization in Semnan Province announced the identification and arrest of seven citizens in the province. The report claims that the detainees “had links with foreign intelligence services and engaged in identifying military and sensitive locations, arson, and writing slogans.”

These reports do not provide further details such as the identities of the detainees, the exact time and location of their arrests, or their place of detention.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks from Israel and the United States. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s report published last night on the 26th day since the beginning of these attacks.

It should also be noted that while combating espionage is not in itself considered a violation of human rights, given the Iranian government’s record of using such charges instrumentally against political opponents, such claims, especially in the absence of transparent details and due process, are consistently met with skepticism.

At Least 501 Citizens Arrested in Connection with the War

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamadan, Kerman, Lorestan, Selseleh

HRANA – The Police Information Center announced the arrest of 466 citizens. In addition, one individual was arrested in Selseleh, 30 others in the provinces of Hamadan, Lorestan, and Kerman, and three citizens in Shahrud. A video report has also been released showing the arrest of one individual, which includes forced confessions, although the conditions under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to Mehr News Agency, the police commander of Selseleh reported the arrest of a citizen in the county. According to Kamran Hasanvand, the individual was accused of “disturbing public opinion” and “propaganda against the state” and was transferred to prison after a judicial case was opened.

Meanwhile, according to Tasnim News Agency, the Police Information Center stated that 466 citizens had been arrested. In its statement, the institution claimed that these individuals were “disturbing public opinion, creating anxiety and insecurity in society, promoting propaganda in favor of the enemy, and disrupting national security on the Internet.”

According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, 30 citizens were arrested in the provinces of Hamadan, Lorestan, and Kerman. Ministry of Intelligence claimed that 24 of these individuals had sent the coordinates of military, law enforcement, and security locations, as well as the positions of security forces and military equipment in Hamadan Province, to “the enemy.” It was also alleged that four individuals in Lorestan were identified and arrested while “collecting information for enemy intelligence services.” In Kerman Province, two citizens were arrested by security forces for what was described as “attempting to move weapons.”

A video report by state media shows the arrest of a citizen who is accused of filming certain locations related to military attacks and sending them to sources outside the country. Footage of the individual’s forced confessions has been published, although the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

In another development, according to Young Journalists Club, three citizens accused of “spying on sensitive centers and communicating with foreign countries” were arrested in Shahrud. The police commander of Semnan Province claimed that “the accused confessed to the charges during initial interrogations, and their actions are under investigation within a judicial case.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been provided regarding the whereabouts of the detainees or the charges brought against them.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks from Israel and the United States. For more information, you can refer to HRANA’s report on the 24th day following the start of these attacks, published last night.

Report on the Arrest of Four Citizens in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Esmail Bavi in Khuzestan, Evin Prison, Mahdieh Mehrzad, Sima Chambari, Zahra Hojjat

HRANA – In recent weeks, Esmail Bavi in Khuzestan, Zahra Hojjat in Mashhad, and Sima Chambari in Neyshabur have been arrested by security forces. Meanwhile, Mahdieh Mehrzad was released from Evin Prison on March 18 after posting bail.

Based on information received by HRANA, Esmail Bavi, 20-year-old, was arrested approximately two weeks ago in early March 2026 by security forces at his family home along the Ahvaz–Abadan route. His family remains unaware of his place of detention, condition, or well-being, which has heightened their concerns.

Additionally, HRANA reports that Mahdieh (Khadijeh) Mehrzad was released from Evin Prison on March 18 after posting bail set at 6 billion tomans. A source close to her family confirmed that she had previously been sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion, and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” The harsher sentence of five years is enforceable. She had been detained in Evin Prison for the past three months.

In another development, the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations reported the arrest of Zahra Hojjat in Mashhad. Ms. Hojjat has been active in education and in supporting girls with disabilities, including serving as a manager at the Hamdam Institute in Mashhad.

Furthermore, a report from the United Students Channel indicates that Sima Chambari, an undergraduate chemistry student admitted in 2024 at the University of Rasht and a resident of Neyshabur, was arrested by security forces at her home on March 12, 2026.

The reports do not provide information regarding the detainees’ whereabouts, reasons for arrest, or charges brought against them.

According to the annual report of the Human Rights Activists in Iran for 2025, at least 180 arrests were carried out without judicial warrants, and 22,062 individuals were detained in connection with freedom of thought and expression. The report also documented 689 cases of enforced disappearance or lack of information regarding detainees’ status, which constitutes a violation of detainees’ rights.

Report on Arrests, Asset Seizures, and Judicial Actions Against Citizens and Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Golestan, HRANA, Markazi

HRANA – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has announced the arrest of 25 citizens in the provinces of Markazi and Golestan. Additionally, the cases of 15 citizens residing abroad have been referred to judicial authorities for the implementation of “asset seizure.” The Judiciary’s Media Center also reported that a number of media outlets, media figures, journalists, online activists, and public figures have faced “judicial and advisory actions,” including legal prosecution, asset confiscation, case formation, arrest, and bans on professional activity, for what was described as “supporting parties involved in the war.”

According to Mehr News Agency, the Ministry of Intelligence announced that 23 individuals were detained in Markazi Province on charges described as having connections with foreign media outlets and sending coordinates of military locations and security force positions.

Additionally, two citizens were arrested in Golestan Province by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. The report claims that they were in contact with foreign countries and had allegedly planned to disarm personnel at a facility and subsequently attack law enforcement centers.

The Ministry of Intelligence further stated that, “in line with the enforcement of the law on intensifying punishment for espionage and cooperation with hostile countries, documentation of the criminal activities of 15 individuals abroad has been submitted to the judiciary for asset seizure.”

According to another report by Mehr, the Judiciary’s Media Center announced that a number of media outlets, media figures, journalists, social media activists, celebrities, and well-known individuals have been subjected to “judicial and advisory measures” for what was described as “supporting the enemy.” These measures include legal proceedings for asset confiscation, the formation of judicial cases, arrests, bans on professional activities, and the temporary blocking of certain news websites and a news agency.

The reports do not provide information about the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or further details regarding the actions taken.

Since February 28, 2026, Iran has been subjected to military attacks by Israel and the United States. For further information, refer to HRANA’s report on the twenty-third day following the onset of these attacks, published last night.

Report on the Arrest of an Austrian-Iranian Dual National in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Danesh, Austria, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Tehran

HRANA – Abbas Danesh, an Iranian-Austrian dual national, was arrested in Tehran on March 10, 2026, by intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite the passage of time, no information has been obtained regarding his place of detention.

A family member, in an interview with HRANA, confirmed the arrest and stated that Mr. Danesh was detained in the Fereshteh area of Tehran without the presentation of a warrant or judicial order.

The source added that Mr. Danesh had returned to Iran in late February to attend to personal administrative and financial matters.

According to individuals close to Mr. Danesh, the family’s efforts to obtain information from security institutions about his health condition and whereabouts have so far been unsuccessful. This lack of information has heightened concerns among his relatives, particularly those in Austria.

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

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At Least 36 Citizens Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Nahavand

HRANA – The Law Enforcement Command of West Azerbaijan Province has reported the arrest of 25 citizens. Additionally, the police commander of Nahavand announced that 11 others have been arrested by order of the county’s prosecutor. These arrests were carried out on charges such as “acting against national security” and “filming destruction and sending it to foreign networks.”

According to Tasnim, the Law Enforcement Command of West Azerbaijan Province reported the arrest of 25 individuals. This police official stated that the reason for these arrests was “filming destruction and sending it to foreign networks.”

Mehr News Agency also reported, citing the police commander of Nahavand, that 11 individuals were arrested on charges of acting against national security, by order of the county prosecutor.

These reports do not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested, the time and location of the arrests, or their place of detention.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States; for more information, you can refer to HRANA’s report on the twentieth day following the start of these attacks, which was published last night.

Report on the Arrest of Four Individuals, Including a Minor

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, Ilam, Isfahan, Mahan Hemmati, Manouchehr Abdollahzadeh, Mansour Abdollahzadeh, Naqadeh, Nima Hemmati

HRANA – In recent days, Mansour Abdollahzadeh and Manouchehr Abdollahzadeh were arrested in Naqadeh, while Nima Hemmati and Mahan Hemmati, a 17-year-old minor, were arrested in Isfahan by security forces. Among these individuals, Manouchehr Abdollahzadeh has been released after the completion of interrogation procedures.

According to Kurdpa, two citizens were arrested in Naqadeh. The individuals have been identified as Mansour Abdollahzadeh, 41 years old, married and a father of two, and Manouchehr Abdollahzadeh, 27 years old, two brothers from the village of Khalifan, a district of Naqadeh.

Based on this report, the arrests took place on March 14 at their homes, carried out separately and with the use of violence. Manouchehr Abdollahzadeh was released on March 16 after the conclusion of interrogation procedures. It is worth noting that during the arrest, agents confiscated his digital devices, including his laptop and mobile phone.

In another report, Kurdpa announced the arrest of two individuals identified as Nima Hemmati, a student, and Mahan Hemmati, a 17-year-old, two brothers from Abdanan, Ilam Province, in Isfahan.

According to this report, the two brothers were arrested on March 18 on one of Isfahan’s highways without a judicial warrant and were subsequently transferred to Security Ward “A-T” of the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Isfahan Prison.

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

140 Individuals Arrested on Charges of Sending Images to Foreign Media and Espionage

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
irgc, Kerman, Khuzestan, Sistan and Baluchestan, Tehran, Zahedan

HRANA – Official domestic media have reported the arrest of at least 127 citizens in the cities of Tehran, Kazerun, and Zahedan, as well as in Alborz and Khuzestan provinces. These individuals were arrested on charges described as “sending images to foreign media and espionage.” At the same time, a video containing the forced confession of one of these individuals has been released, although the conditions under which it was recorded remain unclear. Additionally, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement the arrest of 13 citizens and the killing of another individual by agents of this institution in Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to Fars News Agency, one citizen was arrested in Tehran. In the video report, it is claimed that this individual filmed locations targeted in airstrikes and sent the images to foreign media outlets. The video also includes his forced confession, though the circumstances of its recording are unknown.

Meanwhile, Mehr News Agency reported the arrest of a citizen in Kazerun by law enforcement officers. The county’s police commander stated that the individual had been “communicating via text messages with foreign media to disclose the coordinates of military and security bases.” The official added that the individual was referred to the prosecutor’s office for legal proceedings.

According to Fars, the police commander of Alborz Province announced that 41 citizens were arrested in the province. He claimed that these individuals had sent images of U.S. and Israeli attacks to foreign media.

Tasnim News Agency reported that Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 97 citizens. In its statement, the ministry claimed that 69 of them had intended to create unrest during the final days of the year. It also alleged that some of these individuals had participated in the protests of the month of Dey (December–January).

The statement further claimed that 13 individuals affiliated with opposition groups and allegedly supported and directly guided by Israeli intelligence services were identified and arrested in a joint operation by the Quds Headquarters of the IRGC Ground Forces and Faraja (Law Enforcement Command) in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Their locations were reported to be the counties of Chabahar, Iranshahr, and Zahedan. It was also reported that one citizen, identified as “Nematollah Shahbakhsh, known as Jamuk,” was killed during the operation.

Moreover, another four-member team affiliated with the same group was identified in hard-to-access mountainous areas around Zahedan and arrested in a joint operation by intelligence agents from Sistan and Baluchestan and Kerman provinces.

In addition, at least 11 citizens in Khuzestan Province, described as “armed and in contact with the enemy,” were identified and arrested.

The reports do not mention the identities or places of detention of these individuals.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks carried out by Israel and the United States. For further details, see HRANA’s report on the twentieth day since the onset of these attacks, published last night.

Two Citizens Arrested in Shahin Shahr and Kermanshah

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Afrasiab, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Moslem Zarei, Shahin-Shahr

HRANA – Moslem Zarei, a resident of Kermanshah, was arrested yesterday by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. Hossein Afrasiab was also arrested on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Shahin Shahr and subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

The citizen’s sister announced in a post on her personal page that Mr. Afrasiab was arrested on Saturday, March 14, 2026, by security agents in Shahin Shahr, accompanied by physical violence, and was transferred to Ward “A-T” of Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.
The lack of information regarding his health condition, along with his deprivation of phone contact with his family or access to a lawyer, has increased concerns among his relatives.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges against this citizen, who was active in rap music.

Meanwhile, according to Kurdpa, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Moslem Zarei, a citizen from Kermanshah, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to the report, Mr. Zarei’s arrest was carried out without a judicial warrant, and no information is available regarding the charges against him.

This citizen had previously faced security-related encounters. His sister, Mahsa Zarei, had also been arrested in recent months and was later released on bail.

At Least 220 Citizens Arrested Across Various Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alborz, Hamedan, irgc, Tehran, West Azerbaijan

HRANA – Domestic media have reported the arrest of at least 220 citizens across several provinces in Iran, including Tehran, Alborz, Hamedan, and West Azerbaijan.

According to Fars News Agency, 75 citizens were arrested in Alborz Province. The IRGC in Alborz stated that these individuals were “key elements linked to anti-regime groups.” The report claims that they had sent images of projectile impacts on locations and arrests of individuals to foreign media outlets. It also alleges that some of them were involved in insulting the Supreme Leader, online activities, and connecting to satellite internet.

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency released a video report showing the arrest of several citizens. In the footage, eight individuals are seen being detained in Tehran. The forced confessions of two of them were also broadcast, although it is unclear under what circumstances these statements were obtained. The report claims that these individuals were in contact with opposition groups and intended to carry out related activities.

Additionally, according to Tasnim, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence arrested at least 111 citizens in operations across 26 provinces. These individuals have been accused of supporting opposition groups and maintaining connections with foreign countries.

Furthermore, four citizens in Hamedan and West Azerbaijan provinces were arrested on charges of “espionage and sending the locations of headquarters, equipment, and troop deployments to the enemy.” Another 21 individuals, accused of “sending information and images to foreign media,” were also identified and detained.

According to Jamaran, one citizen was arrested by security forces in Valiasr Square. The reason for his arrest was reported to be the alleged throwing of an explosive object.

These reports did not disclose the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

Since February 28, 2026, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States. For further details, you can refer to HRANA’s report published last night on the eighteenth day since the beginning of these attacks.