Category: Freedom of Expression

Marzieh Ghafari-Zadeh Remains in Legal Limbo Over a Month After Arrest

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Marzieh Ghafari-Zadeh, مرضیه غفاری زاده

HRANA News Agency – More than a month after her arrest, Marzieh Ghafari-Zadeh, a Tehran resident, remains in Evin Prison with no clarity on her legal status.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Ms. Ghafari-Zadeh was arrested by security forces on February 1 and transferred to Ward 1A, the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility. After completing her interrogation, she was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on February 18.”

The source added: “Bail was set for her release, but the case officer opposed it. She has been battling cancer for the past couple of years and is undergoing treatment. Given her condition, prolonged detention could seriously impact her health.”

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

Marzieh Ghafari-Zadeh, a former political prisoner from the 1980s, has spent over 25 years doing volunteer work in southern Tehran. She is an active member of the 13 Aban Cultural Association and has been dedicated to supporting pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children.

74 Lashes Sentence for Singer Mehdi Yarrahi Carried Out in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, flogging, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Yarahi, Mehdi Yarrahi, Tehran, مهدی یراحی

HRANA News Agency – Today, March 5, 2025, the sentence of 74 lashes for singer and composer Mehdi Yarrahi was carried out at Tehran’s Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office.

His lawyer, Zahra Minooie, stated:
“Today, on March 5, 2025, the final part of the rulings issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, consisting of 74 lashes, was fully executed at Branch 4 of the Sentence Enforcement Office of the Morality Security Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. As a result, Mr. Mehdi Yarrahi’s case has been closed.”

In December 2024, Yarrahi’s one-year prison sentence, which had been converted to electronic ankle monitoring, ended, leading to his release. However, the return of his 15 billion toman bail was contingent on the execution of his flogging sentence.

On September 26, 2023, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced Yarrahi to two years and eight months in prison and 74 lashes on charges of:

. Propaganda against the regime
. Encouraging corruption and depravity
. Producing and distributing immoral content
. Inciting and encouraging acts against public morality through online platforms

The Tehran Court of Appeals later upheld the verdict. Eventually, on February 20, 2024, his sentence was carried out under movement restrictions via electronic ankle monitoring.

Mehdi Yarrahi was initially arrested on August 28, 2023, following the release of his song “Roo Sarito” (Your Headscarf) by order of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office. He was later released on bail from Evin Prison in October of that year.

Notably, due to his support for the 2022 nationwide protests, the Tehran Public Prosecutor’s Office had previously declared him “prohibited from financial transactions.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation. However, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases where flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. Additionally, at least 131 individuals were sentenced to a combined 9,957 lashes by the Iranian judiciary.

Furthermore, four individuals had their hand amputation sentences executed, while four others were sentenced to amputation.
For detailed statistics and further insights, read HRANA’s 2024 Annual Report

Iman Khedri Arrested in Masjed Soleyman

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khuzestan, Masjed-Soleyman

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, March 4, Iman Khedri, a resident of Masjed Soleyman, Khuzestan province, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents at his home and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by HRANA, IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Khedri at his residence in Masjed Soleyman. The arrest was carried out with violence, including beatings and the use of an electric shocker.

As of the time of this report, there is no information on his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Khedri has previously been arrested and faced security-related pressures due to his activities.

Hassan Bagherinia Sentenced to Over 10 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam, Hakim Sabzevari University, Hassan Bagherinia, حسن باقری نیا

HRANA News Agency – Hassan Bagherinia, a former faculty member at Hakim Sabzevari University, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court to 10 years and 9 months in prison, along with a two-year ban on teaching in universities and other educational institutions, and a two-year travel ban.

Five years of his sentence have been suspended for a period of five years. Another part of his case is currently under review in Branch 1 of the Mashhad Criminal Court.

Crew Members of My Favorite Cake Tried in Revolutionary Court

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, Esmail Mehrabi, Iman Afshari, Lili Farhadpour, My Favorite Cake, producer Gholamreza Mousavi

HRANA – On Saturday, March 1, 2025, a court session was held to review charges against six crew members of the film My Favorite Cake, including directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam, producer Gholamreza Mousavi, actors Lili Farhadpour and Esmail Mehrabi, and a cinematographer. The trial took place in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, these individuals stood trial on various charges.

Charges Against the Filmmakers
In February 2025, an indictment was issued against the film’s creators, accusing them of:

. Propaganda against the regime
. Producing, distributing, and reproducing a film with “immoral” content
. Offending public decency and morality
. Screening the film without official approval

During the trial, the defendants, accompanied by their lawyers, defended themselves against these allegations.

Film’s International Recognition and Government Backlash

Despite winning international awards, including the Silver Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival, directors Behtash Sanaeeha and Maryam Moghaddam were banned from leaving the country and could not attend the ceremonies.
My Favorite Cake was produced without government censorship and without enforcing mandatory hijab on female actors. The Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance strongly opposed its production.
The film, a 2024 drama, gained widespread attention after being released online, where it was well received by the public.

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Lawyer Javad Alikordi Arrested by Mashhad’s Ministry of Intelligence Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Today, Saturday, March 1, 2025, Javad Alikordi, a defense attorney, was arrested by Mashhad’s Ministry of Intelligence forces and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in the city. Previously, the appeals court revoked the suspension of his prison sentence, ordering its enforcement.

Khosrow Alikordi, also a defense attorney, announced that his brother was detained in Mashhad on March 1, following a decision by Branch 37 of the Khorasan Razavi Appeals Court on February 26 to lift the suspension of his prison sentence.

Alikordi had previously been sentenced in March 2022 to two years in prison for “forming and leading a group with the intent to overthrow the government and disrupt national security,” eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” and one year and five months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Additionally, he was banned from teaching, joining political and social groups, and leaving the country for two years as supplementary punishment. After serving part of his sentence and receiving conditional release, his sentence had been suspended for three years.

However, on December 11, 2024, he was sentenced again to a fine for “propaganda against the regime” and was banned from traveling abroad and engaging in online activities as additional punishment. This new conviction led to the revocation of his prior sentence suspension, converting his suspended punishment into an enforceable prison term.

Javad Alikordi, a lawyer and university professor, was initially sentenced in early 2021 by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court to eight years and seven months in prison, along with a two-year ban on employment and teaching in educational institutions, a travel ban, and a prohibition from joining political and social groups. His sentence was later reduced to four years and one month on appeal, with two years of imprisonment being enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code. He was ultimately transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on July 15, 2021, to serve his sentence.

Traditional Singer Hiwa Seyfizadeh Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hiwa Seyfizadeh, هیوا یوسفی زاده

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Thursday, February 27, Hiwa Seyfizadeh, an Iranian traditional music singer, was arrested by security forces while performing at a concert in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Seyfizadeh, a singer and traditional music instructor, was detained during her performance at “Roo Be Roo” Hall in Tehran.

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

Hiwa Seyfizadeh, aged approximately 27 years old, is a traditional singer, music instructor, and tombak (an Iranian goblet drum) player, residing in Tehran.

Mother of Killed Protester Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bukan, Mina Soltani Zare, Shahriar Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Mina Soltani Zare, the mother of Shahriar Mohammadi, who was killed during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been sentenced by a Bukan court to eight months in prison and paying a fine.

Her son, Milad Mohammadi, announced in a statement that the verdict was verbally communicated to Soltani, sentencing her to eight months in prison and a paying a fine.

According to Kurdpa, the Bukan Criminal Court Branch 101 issued the sentence on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “appearing in public without mandatory hijab.”

Mina Soltani was arrested on August 27, 2024, by security forces in Bukan and was released on bail the following month.

Mina Soltani Zare is the mother of Shahriar Mohammadi, who was killed on November 18, 2022, during nationwide protests in Bukan after being shot.

Masoumeh Asgari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Masoumeh Asgari, Masoumeh Askari

HRANA News Agency – Masoumeh Asgari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was issued by Judge Iman Afshari and formally communicated to Asgari. She was convicted on charges of “propaganda through collaboration with anti-state groups” and “membership in opposition groups.”

A source close to Asgari’s family previously confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“She is experiencing poor mental health conditions in prison, and her family has submitted her medical records to the court.”

Asgari was arrested by security forces in Tehran in August 2024.

Following two months of interrogation in a solitary confinement cell at Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by the Ministry of Intelligence, she was transferred to the women’s ward on September 25, 2024.

A source familiar with her case told HRANA:
“Her medical records, which have been provided to judicial authorities and the prison’s medical center, confirm that she suffers from bipolar disorder and severe mental instability.”

Masoumeh (Askari) Asgari, 55 years old, is a retired teacher and the sole guardian of her 20-year-old son. She has previously been arrested and sentenced for her activism.

Former Student Activist Ali Abdi Summoned to Serve Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Abdi, HRANA, Isfahan, Student activist, علی عبدی

HRANA News Agency – Ali Abdi, a former student activist, has been summoned to begin serving his prison sentence.

In a post on his Telegram channel, Abdi announced that he has been ordered to appear at the Sentence Enforcement Branch of Evin Prosecutor’s Office and will report there on Monday, February 24.

According to Abdi, he was sentenced to six years in prison for articles he wrote a decade ago about gender and sexual minorities, five years in prison for protesting the announced results of the 2009 presidential election, and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” His sentence was later upheld by the Court of Appeals.

Abdi was previously arrested in June 2023 in Isfahan and spent 140 days in detention before being released on bail.