Category: Freedom of Expression

Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad

HRANA – Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad, a political prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Under a ruling issued by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad-Mehdi Shahmirzadi, and subsequently communicated to Ghanbari-Rad, he was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Ghanbari-Rad was arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran in May 2026 and transferred to Evin Prison. After being held there for approximately one month, he was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

During part of his detention, he was denied access to legal counsel. In a phone call from prison, he rejected the case brought against him and reported that he had been subjected to pressure to accept the charges.

Mahmoud Ghanbari-Rad, 40, is married and had been working as a network security specialist at a company in Tehran.

Shahriar Shams Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Shahriar Shams, شهریار شمس

HRANA – Shahriar Shams, a student expelled from Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, was arrested by security forces at his family home yesterday and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Shahriar Shams has been arrested.

Based on information received by HRANA, on the morning of Monday, August 10, 2026, security forces went to Mr. Shams’ family home and arrested him. The agents also confiscated several of his personal belongings, including his mobile phone and laptop.

His arrest was reportedly carried out by officers from the Security Police.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his place of detention.

In 2023, while pursuing a bachelor’s degree in management at Islamic Azad University, North Tehran Branch, Mr. Shams was expelled and barred from continuing his education following a decision by the university’s disciplinary committee.

During the nationwide protests of 2022, he was arrested by security forces on September 27 and released on bail on October 16. Mr. Shams was arrested again on November 5 of the same year and was released from Evin Prison after 10 days.

Shahriar Shams, aged approximately 27, has previously faced arrest and judicial action in connection with his activities.

Avat Karami Arrested by Security Forces in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Avat Karami, Sanandaj, آوات کرمی

HRANA – On Sunday, August 9, Avat Karami, an environmental activist and resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces at his private residence and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by HRANA, on the evening of Sunday, August 9, security forces raided Avat Karami’s home in Negel village, Sanandaj County, and arrested him.

An informed source close to Karami’s family told HRANA that the arrest took place in the presence of his elderly mother and several village residents. According to the source, after arresting Karami, the agents removed him from his home with his hands and feet bound and took him away.

According to information received by HRANA, Karami has been involved in efforts to protect the environment and the Zagros oak forests in recent years. At his own expense, he has also purchased medicine, equipment, and first-aid supplies to assist animals and wildlife in the region.

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

Avat Karami has previously faced judicial action and been convicted in connection with his activities.

Photojournalist Yalda Moayeri Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tehran Revolutionary Court, Yalda Moayeri, یلدا معیری

HRANA – Yalda Moayeri, a photojournalist, has been sentenced in absentia by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison, the confiscation and seizure of electronic devices, including her cameras, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service.

According to HRANA, photojournalist Yalda Moayeri has been sentenced to imprisonment.

In a post, Ms. Moayeri announced that she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Her court hearing was held in her absence in July of this year before Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to Ms. Moayeri, the sentence was issued in connection with the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime and the United States.” She was also sentenced to the confiscation and seizure of her cameras, photography equipment, and mobile phone, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service.

“I have been sentenced to 15 years in prison, the confiscation and seizure of my cameras, photography equipment, and mobile phone, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service, for the crime of engaging in activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime and the United States!”

The photojournalist did not provide further details, including other charges brought against her or the alleged conduct cited as the basis for these charges.

In January-February of 2026, her home was searched by security forces, who also confiscated a number of her electronic devices.

Yalda Moayeri, a photojournalist and member of the Association of Photojournalists, was previously sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court in January 2023 to imprisonment and additional penalties, including performing unpaid public service as a street cleaner.

Moayeri has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings in connection with her activities.

January 2026 Protests: Azadeh Yaghoubi Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aramesh ward, Azadeh Yaghoubi, January 2026 Protests, Masoumeh Yaghoubi, Vakilabad prison, آزاده یعقوبی

HRANA – Azadeh (Masoumeh) Yaghoubi, arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests and currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Azadeh (Masoumeh) Yaghoubi has been sentenced to prison.

According to a ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and recently served on Ms. Yaghoubi, she was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment on the charge of assembly and collusion to act against national security.

Yaghoubi suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Due to inadequate access to medication, poor detention conditions, and the low quality of prison food, her physical health has deteriorated. She also requires specialized medical care, including a colonoscopy.

Masoumeh Yaghoubi, who is also known by the name Azadeh, was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on January 24, 2026.

She spent a period in solitary confinement at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility before being transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA previously reported on the conditions of women held in the Aramesh and Quarantine wards of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. These wards suffer from severe shortages of basic facilities, including adequate ventilation, standard toilets and bathing facilities, beds, and appropriate access to medical care.

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Six Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Marivan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arya Maroufi, Havari Parvazeh, HRANA, Marivan, Pashtivan Tatar, Saman Khosravi, Saro Roshani, Zanyar Asvar, مریوان

HRANA – Today, August 6, six residents of the village of Ney in Marivan County, were arrested by security forces in the village and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, six citizens were arrested in the village of Ney, located in Marivan County.

The identities of the detainees have been reported as Zanyar Asvar, Arya Maroufi, Pashtivan Tatar, Saman Khosravi, Havari Parvazeh, and Saro Roshani. All are residents of the village of Ney in Marivan County.

According to the report, the arrests were carried out in a coordinated operation by security forces in the village early this morning.

As of the time of publication, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrests, their whereabouts, or the charges brought against them.

January 2026 Protests: Naeim Lashkari’s Five-Year Prison Sentence Upheld

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Naeim Lashkari, نعیم لشکری

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence issued against Naeim Lashkari, who was arrested during the January 2026 protests and is currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, has become final after he accepted the verdict. Lashkari, who had previously received a five-year suspended prison sentence in 2023 in a separate case involving similar political charges, is now also subject to the enforcement of that suspended sentence following his re-arrest. As a result, he is required to serve a total of 10 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the five-year prison sentence issued against Naeim Lashkari, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has become final.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Lashkari was previously sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” After the verdict was issued, he waived his right to appeal in exchange for a reduction in sentence, making the conviction final.

A source familiar with the case confirmed to HRANA that Mr. Lashkari had previously been arrested in 2023 on similar political charges and received a five-year suspended prison sentence. Following his re-arrest, that suspended sentence has now been activated.

Accordingly, with the new five-year prison sentence and the enforcement of the previous suspended sentence, Mr. Lashkari is now required to serve a total of 10 years in prison.

Naeim Lashkari, a 25-year-old native of Bijar, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 3, 2026, during the nationwide protests. He has remained in Greater Tehran Prison ever since.

Twenty-Six Individuals Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests

HRANA – Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence has announced the arrest of 21 individuals in Kerman Province on charges of collaborating with Israel’s intelligence service. The ministry also reported that five other citizens were arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests and referred to the judicial authorities.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, at least 26 individuals have been arrested by security agents.

The Ministry of Intelligence stated that 21 individuals were identified and arrested during operations carried out by the ministry in Kerman Province.

According to the ministry’s claims, the detainees had collected information concerning sensitive and classified military and air defense facilities and transmitted it to Israel’s intelligence service.

The identities of those arrested, as well as the exact time and location of their arrests and their current legal status, have not been disclosed.

The Ministry of Intelligence also announced the arrest of five citizens in connection with the January 2026 protests, claiming that four firearms were seized from them. According to the ministry, the individuals were referred to the judicial authorities following their arrests.

The report does not provide further details regarding the identities of the detainees or where they are being held. No information is available concerning the status of their cases, their access to legal counsel, or the judicial proceedings against them.

While efforts to counter espionage are not, in themselves, considered human rights violations, such allegations are frequently met with skepticism given the Iranian government’s record of using espionage-related accusations as a tool to target political opponents, particularly when details of the allegations and the judicial process remain undisclosed.

Six Citizens Arrested in Behshahr County Over Social Media Activity

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behshahr, HRANA

HRANA – The commander of the Behshahr Police Force announced the arrest of six citizens for publishing content on social media. They have been charged with, among other offenses, “disturbing public opinion” and “propaganda against the regime,” and were referred to the judicial authorities after criminal cases were opened against them.

According to a report by HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, six citizens were arrested in Behshahr County, Mazandaran province, due to their activities on social media.

The commander of the Behshahr Police Force stated that the individuals were identified and arrested following the monitoring of online activity by officers of the Public Security Police.

Hassan Ghanbari said that the charges brought against these citizens include “disturbing public opinion” and “propaganda against the regime.”

According to the report, after preliminary investigations and the opening of criminal cases, the individuals were transferred to the judicial authorities for further legal proceedings.

The report does not provide any information regarding the identities of the arrested individuals or where they are being held.

January 2026 Protests: Five-Year Prison Sentence of Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi Upheld

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, امیرمحمد احمدی

HRANA – The conviction of Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi, a 19-year-old political prisoner and one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, who is currently imprisoned in Greater Tehran Penitentiary, has been upheld by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced by Judge Iman Afshari to five years in prison, along with supplementary punishments.

According to HRANA, Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been sentenced to imprisonment and supplementary punishments.

Based on information received by HRANA, the Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi’s conviction in its entirety. The 19-year-old had previously been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to five years in prison. In addition, he was sentenced to two years of travel ban and two years of deprivation of social services as supplementary punishments.

Amir-Mohammad Ahmadi, 19, was arrested by security forces on January 2, 2026, during the nationwide protests. He is currently being held in Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of the current case, including the charges brought against this prisoner, is ongoing.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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