Category: Freedom of Expression

Hidi Shadikhah Sentenced to Nearly Two Years on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hidi Shadikhah, Oshnavieh, هیدی شادیخواه

HRANA News Agency – Hidi Shadikhah, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to one year and ten months in prison by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II in the city.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Hidi Shadikhah was convicted on charges of collaborating with an opposition group.

Shadikhah had previously been released from Oshnavieh prison on February 17, 2025, after posting bail. He was originally arrested by security forces on December 31, 2024.

The Oshnavieh resident has a prior history of arrest and legal prosecution in connection with his activism.

While, under Article 302 of Iran’s Criminal Procedure Code, charges such as “collaboration with opposition groups” fall under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court, in some cities these cases are reviewed by criminal courts due to the structural absence or limitations of Revolutionary Courts in smaller towns. Although this practice does not align with the law, it has become common in areas lacking specialized judicial institutions.

Report on the Latest Status of Detained Truckers Amid Ongoing Strikes

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Alireza Faghfoori, Ata Aziri, IRGC Quds forces, Kermanshah, Rezgar Moradi, Sanandaj, Sediq Mohammadi, Shahab Darabi, Truckers’ Strike, Zanko Rostami

HRANA News Agency – Since the start of nationwide truckers’ strikes in Iran on May 22, more than 40 truck drivers, supporters, and other citizens have been arrested in various cities. The strikes emerged in protest of rising costs, reduced freight rates, difficult living conditions, and the government’s neglect of truck drivers’ professional demands.

Since the strikes began, reports have confirmed the arrest of over 40 people in different cities. The identities of seven detainees have been confirmed as: Farzad Rezaei from Divandarreh, Zanko Rostami in Dehgolan, Rezgâr Moradi, Sediq Mohammadi, and Ata Aziri from Sanandaj, Alireza Faghfoori from Behbahan, and Shahab Darabi in Eslamabad-e Gharb. Among them, Shahab Darabi has recently been released.

Following the start of the strikes, the Union of Iranian Truckers and Drivers’ Associations reported the arrest of 11 drivers in Kermanshah and several others in Sanandaj.

Additionally, a citizen was arrested by IRGC Quds forces in Gilan province for supporting the nationwide truckers’ strikes in Rasht.

The Public Relations and Propaganda Division of the Khuzestan IRGC also announced the arrest of two citizens in Bandar Imam Khomeini for supporting the strikes. A video of the two individuals’ “forced confessions” was later published by state media.

In another case, the police chief of Bandar Lengeh stated that a citizen had been arrested for encouraging participation in the strike. According to him, the individual had produced and shared a video clip on social media encouraging heavy vehicle drivers to join the strike, which was later shared with foreign-based media outlets.

In addition, the prosecutor of Shiraz confirmed the arrest of several protesting drivers, accusing them of disrupting transportation. Without specifying the number of detainees, he claimed the individuals were “purposefully and systematically disrupting the transport system.”

In a related development, state media reported that nine citizens had been arrested and transferred to prison in Qazvin province for their involvement in the truckers’ strike.

Two citizens were also arrested in Bahar County, and five more in Khuzestan and Hamadan provinces, all in connection with activities related to the strike.

It’s worth noting that HRANA has recently published a detailed report covering the past week of truckers’ strikes. The report comprehensively addresses the causes of the protests, their expansion, the government’s response, and the status of the detainees.

Student Activist Hamid Bidar Begins Prison Sentence in Evin

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Evin Prison, Hamid Bidar, irgc, Mahmoud Momtazpour, حمید بیدار

HRANA News Agency – Hamid Bidar, a former student activist and graduate of Iran University of Science and Technology, has been transferred to Evin Prison to begin serving his prison sentence.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Bidar was recently arrested and taken to Evin Prison to serve an 11-year sentence. The Tehran Revolutionary Court also imposed supplementary punishments, including 74 lashes, a ban on online activity, confiscation of his mobile phone, and a monetary fine.

The sentence was issued on charges including blasphemy, insulting the Supreme Leader, and propaganda against the regime. The initial verdict was handed down by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and was recently upheld in full by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Houzan. According to judicial procedures, five years of the total prison sentence are enforceable.

A source close to Bidar’s family told HRANA that the complainant and arresting authority in the case was the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Tehran.

Hamid Bidar, a computer engineering graduate, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on September 1, 2024. According to the Amirkabir Newsletter, his arrest was linked to his public support for Mahmoud Momtazpour, a dismissed assistant professor at Amirkabir University of Technology.

Bidar has previously faced disciplinary action. In 2013, he was suspended from university for two semesters by the university’s disciplinary committee, with the suspension counting toward his academic record.

Oshnavieh: Majid Daryaei Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Majid Daryaei, Najm al-Din Daryaei, Oshnavieh

HRANA News Agency – Majid (Najm al-Din) Daryaei, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 101 of the Oshnavieh Criminal Court II.

According to Kurdpa, Daryaei was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime in favor of opposition groups.”

His interrogation session took place on Wednesday, April 9, at Branch 1 of the Oshnavieh Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. He was released on bail following the charges being formally announced.

Daryaei has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings over his activism.

Although Article 302 of Iran’s Code of Criminal Procedure designates Revolutionary Courts as the proper venue for charges like “propaganda against the regime,” in smaller cities such cases are often heard in criminal courts due to the absence or limited capacity of Revolutionary Courts. While this practice lacks legal conformity, it has become common in areas with limited judicial infrastructure.

Omid Fathi Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mashhad, Omid Fathi

HRANA News Agnecy– On Tuesday, June 3, Omid Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Fathi was detained yesterday by security agents. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or his current whereabouts.

Omid Fathi has previously faced security-related pressures and encounters due to his activism.

Between late 2019 and the end of 2024, the number of arrests made by Iran’s security forces for peaceful expression nearly doubled compared to the preceding five-year period (2015–2019), reflecting an intensifying pattern of repression following major protest movements.

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Truckers’ Strike: Farzad Rezaei Arrested in Divandarreh

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Divandarreh, Farzad Rezaei, HRANA, Truckers’ Strike

HRANA News Agency– Farzad Rezaei, a resident of Divandarreh, was arrested by security forces for expressing support and solidarity with the nationwide truckers’ strike.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Rezaei was detained recently in Divandarreh, Kurdistan province, amid the ongoing protests by truckers.

Sources told HRANA that his arrest was directly linked to his support for the strike. As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding his place of detention or the charges against him.

The truckers’ protests began in Iran on May 22. Since then, dozens of truckers and supporters have been arrested in various cities across the country.

Additionally, HRANA has published a comprehensive report on the past week’s strikes, detailing the causes behind the protests, their spread, the government’s response, and the status of those detained.

Mashhad: 19 Proponents of the “Yamani” Movement Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmed al-Hasan Yamani, Mahdism, Yamani

HRANA News Agency – Nineteen individuals affiliated with the “Yamani” movement were arrested by security forces in Mashhad.

According to news outlets linked to security agencies, the arrests took place during a religious gathering and were carried out under judicial orders. While the reports identified the detainees as supporters of the “Yamani” movement, no further details have been provided regarding the circumstances of their arrest.

The identities and current whereabouts of those detained remain unknown. As of this writing, no official statements have been issued by security or judicial authorities.

In Iran, individuals are regularly arrested for claiming spiritual or religious connections to the Hidden Imam of Shi’a Islam. The “Yamani” movement—led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani—advocates beliefs centered on Mahdism, a messianic doctrine in Shi’a Islam.

Iranian security institutions, particularly the Ministry of Intelligence, maintain specialized units tasked with monitoring and suppressing religious, mystical, and ideological groups that fall outside the state’s sanctioned framework.

Truckers’ Strike: Two Arrested in Kurdistan Province

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Dehgolan, HRANA, Rezgar Moradi, Sanandaj, Zanko Rostami

HRANA News Agency – Zanko Rostami in Dehgolan and Rezgar Moradi in Sanandaj were arrested by security forces for supporting and participating in the nationwide truckers’ strike.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Rezgar Moradi was arrested on May 27 in Sanandaj, and Zanko Rostami was detained on May 25 in Dehgolan by security forces.

Mr. Rostami was arrested during a protest gathering by truckers in Dehgolan, and his current status remains unknown. Moradi was detained on the Sanandaj–Marivan road and, following the issuance of a one-month detention order, was transferred to Sanandaj Prison.

The truckers’ protests began in Iran on May 22. Since then, dozens of truckers and supporters have been arrested in various cities across the country.

Additionally, HRANA has published a comprehensive report on the past week’s strikes, detailing the causes behind the protests, their spread, the government’s response, and the status of those detained.

Ata Aziri Arrested for Supporting Truckers’ Strike

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ata Aziri, HRANA, Sanandaj, Truckers’ Strike

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, May 28, truck driver Ata Aziri was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj for his support of the ongoing nationwide truck drivers’ strike. He is currently being held at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

According to a source close to his family, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence visited Aziri’s home around noon, presented a warrant, and arrested him before transferring him to the agency’s detention center.

Information obtained by HRANA indicates that his arrest is directly linked to his participation in and support for the strike.

The nationwide truck drivers’ protests began on May 21. Since then, over 20 truckers and citizens supporting the movement have been arrested in various cities across Iran.

HRANA has also published a detailed report on the truckers’ strike over the past week, outlining the causes of the protest, its spread, the government’s response, and the condition of those detained.

Dozens Arrested as Truckers’ Strikes Spread Across Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar Imam Khomeini, Bandar Lengeh, Gilan, HRANA, irgc, IRGC officials, Kermanshah, Rasht, Sanandaj, Shiraz

HRANA News Agency –At least 20 truckers and supporters have been arrested in connection with a wave of truckers’ strikes that began on May 22 in cities across Iran, including Sanandaj, Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah, Rasht, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Bandar Lengeh, and Shiraz.

The strikes, launched in protest of longstanding grievances over working conditions and economic pressures, have drawn a strong security response. Among those detained are Sediq Mohammadi and Shahab Darabi, arrested in Sanandaj and Eslamabad-e Gharb respectively. The whereabouts of Mohammadi remain unknown.

The National Union of Truckers and Drivers has released several statements confirming the arrest of at least 11 drivers in Kermanshah and several others in Sanandaj. The union also reported violent police tactics, including the use of pepper spray against striking drivers at the Sanandaj terminal.

In Rasht, the IRGC’s Gilan provincial office announced the arrest of a citizen for allegedly supporting the strike. The individual was accused of “disrupting the order and security of road transport” and “aiding opposition groups” through negative portrayals of the situation.

The IRGC in Khuzestan Province reported the arrest of two individuals in Bandar Imam Khomeini on similar charges. State media later aired what appeared to be their forced confessions.

Authorities in Bandar Lengeh also arrested a citizen for allegedly producing and distributing videos encouraging strike participation. Police claimed the videos were shared with foreign media outlets.

In Shiraz, the local prosecutor confirmed the detention of several drivers, accusing them of “deliberate and organized disruption” of the transportation system. No specific number of detainees was disclosed.

HRANA previously published a detailed report on the first week of the truckers’ strike, outlining its causes, scale, and the government’s response, including arrests and repression.