Category: Freedom of Expression

Leila Pashaei Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
International Women's Day, Leila Pashaei, Pashaei, Sanandaj, لیلا پاشایی

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, March 10, 2025, Leila Pashaei, a resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Pashaei was detained at her home by agents of the Intelligence Department on charges of “acting against national security.”

Her brother, who reported the arrest, stated that the reason for her detention was her public remarks on women’s issues during International Women’s Day.

As of now, no information is available regarding her whereabouts.

Pashaei has previously faced security-related arrests and encounters with authorities due to her activism.

Civil Rights Activist Soheila Mataei Arrested in Dehgolan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Dehgolan, Sanandaj, Soheila Mataei

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, March 10, 2025, Soheila Mataei, a resident of Dehgolan, Kurdistan province, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, Mataei was detained without a court order. Reports suggest that her arrest was linked to her role in organizing an International Women’s Day event in Sanandaj. As of now, no information is available about her whereabouts or the charges against her.

History of Arrests and Legal Proceedings

Mataei has a history of previous arrests related to her activism:

January 22, 2025: She was briefly detained in Dehgolan amid protests against death sentences issued for Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi.
October 1, 2022: Arrested during the nationwide protests and later released on bail.
November 12, 2022: Arrested again by security forces and transferred to the Sanandaj Juvenile Correctional Center after interrogation.
December 2022: Branch 2 of the Dehgolan Criminal Court sentenced her to three years and nine months in prison on charges of “disrupting public order, spreading false information to disturb public opinion, defying authorities, and propaganda against the regime through support for opposition groups.”

Mataei’s repeated arrests and prison sentences highlight the continued targeting of civil activists in Iran.

Christian Convert Narges Nasri Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Christian convert, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Narges Nasri

HRANA News Agency – Narges Nasri, a Christian convert, has been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 16 years in prison, 15 years of social rights deprivation, and a fine. She was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents on November 1nd, while in the first month of pregnancy, and was later released on bail from Evin Prison on December 1st.

According to the verdict issued by Judge Iman Afshari, Nasri has been sentenced to:

10 years in prison for “propaganda activity contrary to Islamic law” due to her alleged “influential connections abroad” and the broad impact of her activities, with an increased degree of severity.
5 years in prison for “membership in anti-regime groups.”
1 year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.”
15 years of social rights deprivation and a fine of 3.3 billion rials.

In addition to her prison sentence, Nasri, now in her fourth month of pregnancy, has been subjected to further restrictions, including a two-year ban on leaving the country, residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, and joining any social or political groups.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA that her one-year sentence for “propaganda against the regime” was issued due to her online activities, including posts critical of the country’s situation.

Nasri’s trial was held on February 13th at Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, while her initial interrogation sessions took place in January at Branch 3 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Nasri, a 37-year-old Christian convert and resident of Tehran, was arrested on November 1nd alongside two other Christian converts by Ministry of Intelligence agents for forming a house church in Tehran. She was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison, a detention facility under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence, where she was subjected to daily interrogations. She was eventually released on December 1st after posting bail set at 2.5 billion tomans.

Report on the Arrest of Three Citizens in Qasreqand County

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Alam Azizi, HRANA, Javid Kadkhodaei, Nikshahr, Qasreqand, Saeed Azizi, قصرقند

HRANA News Agency – On Saturday, March 8, security forces arrested three citizens, Alam Azizi, Saeed Azizi, and Javid Kadkhodaei, in Qasreqand County. Among them, Saeed Azizi and Javid Kadkhodaei were released after a few hours of interrogation.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, three citizens were arrested in Qasr-e Qand County.

HRANA has identified the individuals as:

  • Alam Azizi, approximately 36 years old, a resident of Azizabad village.
  • Saeed Azizi, approximately 40 years old, a resident of Gehjan village.
  • Javid Kadkhodaei, approximately 33 years old, a resident of Beg village.

All three individuals are from villages in Qasreqand County, Sistan and Baluchestan province.

According to information received by HRANA, the arrests took place at noon on Saturday, March 8, at the home of Alam Azizi, carried out by security forces.

A source close to the family of one of the detainees confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Saeed and Javid were transferred to Nikshahr County after their arrest. They were released after three hours of interrogation. Alam Azizi was transferred to Zahedan following his arrest, but there is no information available about his whereabouts.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for the arrests and the charges against these individuals remain unknown.

Alam Azizi has previously been arrested due to his activities.

Iran Reduces Prison Sentences for Political Prisoners Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Younesi, Amirhossein Moradi, Evin Prison, Mostafa Nili, امیرحسین مرادی, علی یونسی

HRANA News Agency – Attorney Mostafa Nili has announced a reduction in the prison sentences of Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi, two political prisoners. Following the Supreme Court’s approval of their retrial, a parallel judicial branch lowered their maximum sentences from 10 years to 6 years and 8 months. Previously, they had been sentenced to a combined total of 32 years in prison.

According to Nili, this reduction was first applied to Amirhossein Moradi and has now been extended to Ali Younesi as well.

On June 25, 2022, more than two years after their arrest, Younesi and Moradi were transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) to the prison’s general ward.

In May 2022, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld their original convictions. The two Sharif University of Technology students had been sentenced to 10 years in prison for destruction and arson of public property as their most serious charge. They also received 5 years for conspiracy against national security and 1 year for propaganda against the regime.

Arrest and Allegations

Ali Younesi, a computer engineering student, and Amirhossein Moradi, a physics student, were arrested on April 10, 2020, by Ministry of Intelligence agents. The arrest, conducted by plainclothes officers without a judicial warrant and involving physical violence, sparked widespread condemnation.

On May 5, 2020, Gholamhossein Esmaeili, spokesperson for Iran’s Judiciary, accused them of collaborating with an opposition group (MEK). Shortly after, Aida Younesi, Ali Younesi’s sister, publicly rejected these allegations, attributing them to their parents’ history as former political prisoners in the 1980s.

Academic Achievements

Amirhossein Moradi won the silver medal in Iran’s 2017 National Astronomy Olympiad, while Ali Younesi won the silver medal in 2016 and the gold medal in 2017. Younesi also won gold in the 12th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, held in China, securing first place in the competition.

Their arrests and heavy sentences have drawn international criticism, with human rights organizations calling for their immediate release.

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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.