Category: Freedom of Expression

Tayebeh Nazari Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tayebeh Nazari Maki Abadi

HRANA – Tayebeh Nazari Maki Abadi, arrested during the memorial gathering marking the seventh day after the death of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to a ruling issued on June 13, 2026, by Branch One of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam, and subsequently served on Ms. Nazari, she was sentenced to five years in prison. Four years of the sentence were imposed on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” while one year was imposed for “propaganda against the regime.”

The hearing on the charges against Ms. Nazari was held before the same branch on June 1, 2026.

A source familiar with the proceedings told HRANA: “During the court session, Ms. Nazari was not given an opportunity to present her defense. Additionally, her lawyer was allowed only a limited amount of time to defend his client.”

Tayebeh Nazari Maki Abadi, a retired teacher, was arrested during the memorial gathering marking the seventh day after the death of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad. She was released one month later after posting bail set at 100 million tomans.

This citizen has previously been arrested due to her activities.

Samaneh Ebrahimi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amol, HRANA, Samaneh Ebrahimi, سمانه ابراهیمی

HRANA – Samaneh Ebrahimi Navaei, a resident of Amol, was arrested by security forces on Saturday, June 13, 2026, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sari.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Ebrahimi Navaei was arrested by security forces in Amol on Saturday, June 13, 2026, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sari.

A source close to Ebrahimi Navaei’s family, confirming the news, told HRANA: “Samaneh was arrested in front of her home while she was preparing to leave for work. During this period, Ms. Navaei was able to contact her family once and inform them of her situation.”

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

Samaneh Ebrahimi Navaei is 46 years old and resides in Amol.

Three Citizens Arrested in Tehran on Blasphemy Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, HRANA, Tehran

HRANA – Tehran’s Intelligence Police announced the arrest of three citizens. According to the agency, the detainees are accused of publishing content on social media that allegedly insulted religious sanctities and individuals described as “defenders of the homeland.”

According to HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, Tehran’s Intelligence Police stated that three individuals were identified and arrested during the monitoring of online activities for allegedly publishing insulting content.

According to the report, the police claimed that the individuals had posted content on social media insulting religious sanctities and national and religious values, and had caused what authorities described as “disturbing public opinion.”

The police stated that the individuals were located at three different locations in Tehran, and were arrested in separate operations.

The report does not provide details regarding the content in question, the specific basis of the charges, or the statements attributed to the detainees. It also does not mention the exact date of their arrests, their identities, where they are being held, or whether they have access to legal representation.

Additionally, no information is currently available regarding the judicial proceedings in their cases.

Amirparsa Neshat Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirparsa Neshat, امیرپارسا نشاط

HRANA – Amirparsa Neshat, a blogger and one of those arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests, has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and three years of restrictions on social media use and the use of a smartphone.

According to HRANA, Mr. Neshat was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a three-year ban on activity on social media platforms and the use of a smartphone. According to the court’s ruling, only one-twentieth of the prison sentence is enforceable, while the remainder has been suspended for a period of three years.

Amirparsa Neshat, a social media blogger, was arrested by security forces in Tehran in January 2026. He was ultimately released from Greater Tehran Prison in February 2026 after posting bail.

HRANA is still investigating further details regarding the charges brought against Mr. Neshat.

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.

January 2026 Protests: Singer Mehdi Pakmehr Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and 80 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, HRANA, Mehdi Pakmehr, مهدی پاکمهر

HRANA – Mehdi Pakmehr, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced in two separate cases by the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court of Bojnord to a total of six years of discretionary imprisonment and 80 lashes.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing Kolbar News, Mehdi Pakmehr has received prison and flogging sentences in two separate judicial cases.

According to the report, part of his sentence was issued by the Criminal Court of Bojnord and includes a discretionary prison term and 80 lashes. Another part of the rulings was issued by the Revolutionary Court of the city, bringing his total sentence to six years of discretionary imprisonment.

The report states that judicial authorities have so far refused to provide Mr. Pakmehr with written copies of the verdicts. Details regarding the charges against him and the evidence presented in the cases have also not been disclosed.

During the January 2026 protests, Mehdi Pakmehr was wounded in the leg after being struck by pellet gun fire. On January 9, 2026, amid a wave of arrests targeting protesters, he was detained by security forces along with several employees of his café and transferred to Bojnurd Central Prison. He spent approximately two months in detention while continuing to suffer from the effects of his gunshot injuries.

Mehdi Pakmehr, a 41-year-old singer from Bojnurd, has previously been arrested and convicted in connection with his civil and cultural activities.

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.

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University Lecturer and Music Instructor Fereydoun Farahani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Fereydoun Farahani, HRANA, فریدون فراهانی

HRANA – Fereydoun Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, has been arrested by security forces.

Mr. Farahani, a music instructor and visiting lecturer in architecture at Pars University of Tehran, was detained by security forces.

The report states that in March 2026, Mr. Farahani published a statement expressing support for students and their role and participation in the protests.

At the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges brought against him, or his place of detention.

Writer Yousef Ansari Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Baktash Abtin, HRANA, Iranian Writers Association, Yousef Ansari

HRANA – Yousef Ansari, a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The Iranian Writers’ Association reported that Branch 21 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Ansari to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” Under the court’s ruling, four months of the sentence are enforceable as a discretionary prison term, while the remaining eight months have been suspended.

The court hearing for this member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association was held on February 24, 2026.

Yousef Ansari was arrested by security forces on January 8, 2026, during a memorial ceremony marking the anniversary of the death of Baktash Abtin. One day later, he was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

He was ultimately released from prison in March 2026 after posting bail of 700 million tomans.

Yousef Ansari is a writer and a member of the Board of Secretaries of the Iranian Writers’ Association.

January 2026 Protests: Mahsa Jamali Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mahsa Jamali, Qarchak Prison, Zahra Jamali

HRANA – Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali, arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months of discretionary imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Jamali was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months in prison. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Zahra (Mahsa) Jamali was arrested during the nationwide protests and, on January 9, 2026, was transferred from Qarchak Prison in Varamin to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

HRANA is still investigating further details regarding the charges brought against this prisoner.

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.

January 2026 Protests: Shayan Moradi Motlagh Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Khuzestan, Shayan Moradi Motlagh, شایان مرادی مطلق

HRANA – The prison sentence of Shayan Moradi Motlagh, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld in full by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced in the initial trial by Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court to two years imprisonment.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), the sentence issued against Shayan Moradi Motlagh was affirmed by the appellate court.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 2 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Moradi Motlagh was sentenced to two years and one day in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” pursuant to the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code.

He had previously received the same sentence in the initial trial before Branch 1 of the Izeh Revolutionary Court.

Shayan Moradi Motlagh was temporarily released on bail of 1 billion tomans on 9 February 2026. He had been arrested on 19 January 2026 during the nationwide protests.

Pedram Cheraghzadeh Sentenced to 2 Years in Prison on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Ali Hatami, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Khuzestan, Pedram Cheraghzadeh, پدرام چراغ زاده

HRANA – Branch 16 of the Appeals Court of Khuzestan Province has sentenced Pedram Cheraghzadeh, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, to two years in prison. He had previously been sentenced in the lower court to two years’ imprisonment along with supplementary punishments.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Appeals Court of Khuzestan Province and communicated to his defense attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami, Pedram Cheraghzadeh was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order.” The supplementary punishments imposed in the initial verdict have been removed from his sentence.

Previously, during the trial court proceedings, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” citing the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. The Revolutionary Court judge had also imposed supplementary punishments, including a two-year travel ban and one year of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The specific actions forming the basis of the charges against this citizen remain unknown.

Pedram Cheraghzadeh was arrested during the nationwide protests on January 8, 2026. He was ultimately released on April 9, 2026, after posting bail of 2 billion tomans.

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.