Category: Freedom of Expression

Police Commander Announces Arrest of At Least 1,800 People

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ahmadreza Radan, HRANA

HRANA – The Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force has announced the arrest of at least 1,800 individuals as part of a crackdown on what he described as “hostile elements, espionage, and disruptive actors.”

Ahmadreza Radan stated that these individuals were detained in connection with activities such as alleged “criminal” actions in cyberspace, publishing images of sensitive locations, communication with opposition groups, and participation in protests. According to Ahmadreza Radan, more than 900 others have also been “identified or dealt with.”

According to Fars News Agency, Radan discussed a series of security and policing measures in recent months during a televised interview last night. Based on  his statements, more than 700 individuals identified as “monarchist elements and affiliated online networks” have been arrested. Additionally, over 400 people were detained on charges of “collecting and publishing images and information from strike locations and transferring operational data.”

In another part of the report, Radan stated that more than 200 individuals were arrested for using “technical and network tools for destructive activities.” Furthermore, over 400 people were detained in connection with protests, and at least 100 others were arrested for alleged links to what he described as “terrorist groups and services.”

He also reported that more than 900 individuals in the field of cyberspace have been “identified or dealt with,” claiming that they were involved in “disturbing public opinion or supporting disruptive actions.” No precise details have been provided regarding the nature of these actions or how many of these individuals were actually arrested.

The Commander-in-Chief further claimed the discovery of more than 3,000 firearms and the seizure of over 6,000 pieces of what he described as “espionage equipment,” presenting these as outcomes of law enforcement and security operations.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the geographic distribution of these arrests, the identities of those detained, their places of detention, the legal process of their cases, or their access to legal counsel. Additional details about the alleged activities and supporting evidence have also not been made available.

IRGC Intelligence Organization: At least 127 People Arrested in Three Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Religious Minorities
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Mazandaran

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization has announced the identification and arrest of at least 127 individuals in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. The organization claims that these individuals, including media activists, Baha’i citizens, people affiliated with opposition groups, and “spy teams”, were involved in activities linked to what it described as “networks affiliated with foreign governments.”

According to a report by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced in a statement the arrest of dozens of individuals. The organization stated that “cells affiliated with the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom” had been identified and “dismantled” in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. In the statement, those arrested were accused of actions such as “network-building, espionage, market disruption, and planning unrest.”

According to the claims made, seven individuals were arrested in East Azerbaijan province for alleged connections with “monarchist” groups. In Mazandaran province, authorities reported the arrest of 69 individuals who, according to the organization, face accusations including ties to anti-government movements and so-called “economic mercenary” activities.

The report further states that the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman province announced the identification and action taken against 51 individuals. It claimed that among them were three “spy teams” linked to foreign intelligence services, two groups of Baha’i citizens, a four-member “armed operational cell affiliated with monarchist groups,” and six media operatives connected to the “Iran International” network. According to the organization, these individuals were attempting to disrupt the market and organize unrest through contacts outside the country.

The statement also claimed that quantities of weapons and communication equipment were discovered at locations where these individuals were held.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or the legal process of their cases. Additionally, despite the scale of the reported figures and the accusations made, no specific details have been provided regarding the evidence for these charges, the manner of the arrests, or the exact nature of their alleged connections.

22 Citizens Arrested Over Alleged Connections with Foreign Media in Khuzestan

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khuzestan

HRANA – The Khuzestan Police Information Center announced that 22 citizens have been arrested in the province for alleged connections with foreign media outlets.

According to ISNA, 22 citizens were arrested in Khuzestan Province. The Khuzestan Police Information Center described the detained individuals as “deceived elements and mercenaries affiliated with hostile media networks.”

According to the report, these citizens were arrested in various cities across the province with “judicial coordination.”

The report does not provide any information regarding the identities or place of detention of the arrested citizens.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

Seven Citizens Arrested on Accusations of “Connections with Foreign Media and Disturbing Public Opinion”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan, HRANA

HRANA – Gilan police announced the arrest of seven citizens in the province on charges described as “connections with foreign media outlets and disturbing public opinion.”

According to IRNA, the Gilan Police Information Center claimed that these individuals were affiliated with foreign media outlets and had been disturbing public opinion by publishing content and images on social media.

The report states that they were arrested over the past 48 hours and, after cases were filed, were referred to judicial authorities for legal proceedings.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding their identities or place of detention.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

A Citizen Arrested in Marvdasht for Selling VPNs

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Marvdasht

HRANA – The police commander of Marvdasht County announced the arrest of a 24-year-old man for selling VPNs on social media.

According to Fars News Agency, a citizen was arrested in Marvdasht. Colonel Fariborz Mardani, the police commander of Marvdasht, stated that following cyber police intelligence monitoring on social networks, an unidentified Telegram channel engaged in extensive advertising for VPN sales was identified.

According to him, investigations showed that the admin of this channel had been selling VPNs online through various methods.

He added that after technical and specialized measures, and in coordination with judicial authorities, the identity of one of the main suspects in this case, a 24-year-old resident of Marvdasht, was identified, and he was arrested. The individual’s bank accounts have also been frozen.

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Two Citizens Arrested by Police Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tehran

HRANA – In a statement, the Tehran Police Information Center announced the arrest of two citizens over what it described as “sending information from sensitive military centers to foreign media outlets.”

According to Tasnim News Agency, the Information Center of the Greater Tehran Police Command reported that two citizens were arrested in Tehran. The statement claims that these individuals had recently “established contact with networks outside the country and used their mobile phones to send coordinates and sensitive information related to military centers.”

It further stated that the two citizens were arrested and that two of the locations they had allegedly transmitted were attacked during the war.

The report does not mention the identities of the individuals or their place of detention.

Qazvin: Woman Arrested on “Espionage” Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Espionage, HRANA, Qazvin

HRANA – A woman in Qazvin has been arrested on charges of “espionage through sending videos and sensitive information to foreign media outlets.” At the same time, a video containing this citizen’s forced confessions has also been published, although the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to Fars News Agency, a woman was detained over what has been described as “espionage through sending videos and sensitive information to foreign media outlets.”

Simultaneously, a video of this citizen’s forced confessions was released, though the conditions under which it was recorded are not known.

The report does not provide further details, including the identity of the accused or her place of detention.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

Woman Arrested in Shiraz on Espionage Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Shiraz, Yousef Malekzadeh

HRANA – The deputy commander of Fars Province’s police force announced the arrest of a female citizen in Shiraz. The official cited the reason for her arrest as “espionage through sending videos and images of missile launch and impact sites, cooperation with international hostile networks, and distributing anti-government leaflets.”

According to IRNA, the deputy police commander of Fars Province said that a woman had been arrested in Shiraz. Yousef Malekzadeh stated that the reason for her arrest was “espionage through sending footage and images from enemy missile launch and impact locations, cooperation with international hostile networks, and distributing anti-government leaflets.”

The police official further claimed that the woman had extensive contact with two media outlets based outside the country. He added that she had also intended to financially support one of these networks and served as the admin of two Instagram pages that widely published stories and messages.

Malekzadeh continued by claiming that “sending images of launchers, the moment of missile launches, and launch sites along with their geographic locations to foreign-based networks, chanting slogans against the regime at night from rooftops and across the city with several others, supporting one of the regime’s opposition groups, and participating in the protests of last January” were among her other alleged activities.

However, the deputy commander did not disclose the woman’s identity or place of detention.

At Least 45 Citizens Arrested by The Ministry of Intelligence Across 7 Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Gilan, Hamedan, Hormozgan, Isfahan, Kerman, Kermanshah, Khuzestan

HRANA – At least 45 citizens have been arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the provinces of Khuzestan, Gilan, Isfahan, Hormozgan, Hamedan, Kerman, and Kermanshah. Alleged links to Israeli and U.S. intelligence services, as well as media outlets based outside the country, were cited among the reasons for these arrests. A video containing the forced confession of one of these citizens has also been released, although the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the Ministry of Intelligence of Iran claimed that 11 citizens, including the main network leader allegedly linked to Israeli intelligence services, were identified and arrested in Isfahan Province.

The statement further alleged that these citizens are accused of killing a Basij member and one Ministry of Intelligence agent in Khuzestan, as well as injuring several other Basij members. It also claimed that over the past two months, 11 other members of this “terrorist group” had been arrested, while five others were killed during an armed clash with security forces.

Separately, a video of the forced confession of one of these citizens has been published, though the conditions under which it was recorded are unknown.

The Ministry of Intelligence also announced the arrest of four citizens in Khuzestan and Kermanshah Provinces. The agency alleged that these individuals intended to carry out “sabotage” operations and were identified and arrested in the cities of Andimeshk and Qasr-e Shirin. According to the Ministry, “a number of weapons were discovered and seized from these citizens.”

In the same statement, the Ministry of Intelligence reported the arrest of 30 more citizens in four provinces, describing them as “members of a terrorist group linked to Israeli intelligence services.”

According to the agency, four citizens were arrested in Gilan Province, eight in Kerman Province, six in Hamedan Province, and 12 in Hormozgan Province. It also claimed that quantities of homemade bombs and weapons were discovered and confiscated from them.

The report did not provide further details, including the identities of these citizens or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

Report on the Arrest of an Olympiad Gold Medal–Winning Literature Student in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Mashhad, Mohammad-Parsa Golchin

HRANA – Mohammad-Parsa Golchin, a University of Tehran student and winner of a gold medal in the National Literature Olympiad, was arrested on the evening of Saturday, April 11, during a gathering in Mashhad and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time as his arrest, the other individuals present were also detained and released later that same night, but he remains in custody.

According to United Students, a student was arrested in Tehran. The identity of this student has been reported as Mohammad-Parsa Golchin, a University of Tehran student. Mr. Golchin was arrested on the evening of Saturday, April 11, in Mashhad.

He had gathered with a group of his high school friends to meet one of their former teachers when, during the gathering, several security agents entered the location and arrested everyone present.

Most of those detained in this incident have since been released, but this student remains in custody. No information has been obtained regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against him.

Mohammad-Parsa Golchin is a 2024-entry undergraduate student in Persian Literature and the recipient of a gold medal in the National Literature Olympiad.