Category: Freedom of Expression

Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdollah Momeni, Mehdi Mahmoodian, Vida Rabbani

HRANA – Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani were arrested hours ago by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. Separately, a citizen was detained in Lahijan in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026.

On Saturday, 31 January, security forces arrested Mehdi Mahmoodian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani. The three, along with several others, had signed a statement recently published in response to the massacre of people during the protests. The statement identified the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic as the primary person responsible for the killings and called for the prosecution of those who ordered and carried out the actions of the repressive apparatus. No information has so far been released regarding their place of detention.

In related news, the Lahijan police commander announced the arrest of a citizen in connection with the nationwide protests, claiming that the individual was responsible for “setting fire to a traffic police kiosk” on 8 January in the city.

Day Thirty-Four of the Protests: New Sanctions and Forced Confessions

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, Keir Starmer, Netblocks, Roozbeh Sajjadi Hosseini, Skylar Thompson, Valerie Gabar

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data on the thirty-fourth day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,563. Of these, 6,170 were protesters, 124 were children under the age of 18, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 55 were non-protesting civilians. 17,091 cases remain under review.
The number of injured civilians stands at 11,021, total arrests at 49,070, student arrests at 80, reported cases of forced confessions at 289, and summonses by security institutions at 11,027. In addition, a total of 660 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 203 cities in 31 provinces.

Today was marked by two key developments: the continuation of international reactions and actions against the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and individuals linked to the apparatus of repression, including new U.S. sanctions packages and official responses to the European Union’s decision on the designation of the IRGC; and the persistence of the domestic crackdown, reflected in individual and mass arrests, judicial case-building, reports of forced confessions, and ongoing disruptions to internet access and communications.

Reactions to the designation of the IRGC and U.S. sanctions

Following the European Union’s decision to designate IRGC as a Terrorist organization, Iranian officials and some foreign governments voiced new reactions. Mostafa Pourmohammadi, an official of the Islamic Republic, described the move as “political” and said that the IRGC’s role in recent events had been exaggerated by foreign parties only “later.” At the same time, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi took a sharp stance in response to the decision, saying that the European Union is “in decline”, remarks made amid growing international pressure on the IRGC and cases related to human rights violations.

On the other side, some foreign officials welcomed the European Union’s decision. Anita Anand, a senior Canadian official, supported the move and described it as a step toward accountability regarding the IRGC’s role in developments in Iran. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of London’s cooperation with allies to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and condemned the crackdown on protesters in Iran.

Alongside these reactions, the U.S. Treasury Department announced a new package of sanctions. The published list includes Eskandar Momeni (Interior Minister), Majid Khademi (head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization), Babak Zanjani, and several IRGC commanders. The sanctions were announced as Donald Trump also spoke about increasing pressure on Tehran, including claims that he had set a “deadline” for Iran, known “only to themselves”, and that U.S. naval forces were moving toward Iran. In another part of his remarks, he alleged that a large number of executions had been planned and that, following his warning, a “retreat” had taken place.

Internet shutdowns and the continuation of disruptions to communications

While reports have emerged of limited internet restoration in some areas, data from internet monitoring organizations indicate that disruptions to communications remain widespread and persistent. According to assessments by NetBlocks, even during periods when full shutdowns have eased, users’ access to the internet has remained “severely limited,” with filtering and degraded connection quality continuing. This situation has resulted in messaging apps, social media platforms, and basic online services being intermittently available or accessible only with significant slowness.

Additionally, HRANA has received reports of efforts by the authorities to influence the flow of information. According to one report, the Iranian government has uploaded more than 10,000 images and videos to a public online platform in an attempt to steer the documentation of the protests, an allegation framed in the report as part of a narrative war and efforts to control accounts related to the protests.

Alongside these developments, another report from the academic sphere indicates that communication restrictions and the prevailing security atmosphere have also cast a shadow over civic actions. According to this report, students at more than 30 universities have issued a call to boycott nationwide examinations. Taken together, these data suggest that the internet disruption has not been merely a “temporary shutdown,” but has continued as a form of “sustained interference” in public communications, affecting both public access to news and information, and the ability to communicate, coordinate, and document events.

Arrests and Crackdowns

Amid the prevailing security atmosphere, numerous reports have emerged of mass arrests, judicial case-building, and repressive acts in various cities.

One report announced the arrest of 14 citizens in several cities, noting that some of those detained were later released. Another report documented the arrest of at least 140 individuals in multiple cities in a single day. That same report also referred to the release of a video containing the “forced confessions” of six people, an issue that human rights organizations have repeatedly criticized in recent years as an example of security pressure and opaque judicial processes.

New figures have also been obtained regarding judicial crackdowns in Kerman Province. According to one report, 106 indictments have been issued in the province, and 20 individuals remain in detention. These figures indicate that judicial proceedings in some areas have moved forward rapidly, while at the same time a number of defendants continue to be held in custody.

In the cultural and artistic sphere, one arrest attracted particular attention. According to published reports, Roozbeh Sajjadi Hosseini, an assistant director, was arrested and transferred to Fashafuyeh Prison. This case, alongside other reports of protest-related arrests, shows that the scope of the crackdown has extended to various sectors of society.

There have been conflicting reports regarding pressure and threats against medical staff and emergency responders. On the one hand, news emerged of the arrest of “a number of doctors” during the protests. On the other hand, the head of Iran’s Medical Council Organization claimed that “no physician has been arrested for treating protesters.” At the same time, reports have pointed to an increasingly unsafe environment for medical care: the World Health Organization has confirmed an attack on a hospital, reported damage to several medical centers, and noted injuries to rescue workers. In a video released from the protests, it is also alleged that government forces targeted ambulances and emergency responders.

Taken together, these accounts present a picture of the continued arrests and crackdowns, from pressure on families and scattered and mass arrests, to broader judicial case-building and serious challenges to emergency response efforts and the security of medical facilities.

University of Essex Meeting

Today, a meeting titled “Pursuing Accountability for Serious Human Rights Violations and International Crimes Implicating Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC),” was held at the University of Essex in Colchester, the United Kingdom. According to the published report, the event was attended by academic audiences and human rights activists and aimed to examine legal pathways and practical mechanisms for holding perpetrators of human rights violations accountable.

The panel was moderated by Matthew Gillett. During the session, Skylar Thompson from HRA introduced the Pasdaran Documentation Project and explained the function of its database and the role of data in legal accountability efforts. Valerie Gabar from the organization UpRights also spoke about available legal avenues, the possibility of using international mechanisms, and the practical challenges involved in cases related to the IRGC.

According to the report, discussions focused on how accurate and reliable documentation can serve as the foundation for legal case-building, from data collection and identifying patterns of human rights violations to transforming such information into actionable cases within international frameworks. The meeting was held amid a political and diplomatic climate in which debates over the IRGC’s role in developments in Iran, as well as international responses, including the European Union’s decision and new U.S. sanctions, have become increasingly prominent.

Updated (aggregated) statistics through the end of Day Thirty-Four since the start of the protests

• Total number of locations/incidents in cities: 660
• Number of cities (non-duplicated): 203
• Number of provinces (non-duplicated): 31

• Total arrests: 49,070
• Injured civilians: 11,021
• Student arrests: 80
• Forced confessions: 289
• Summonses: 11,027

• Total protesters killed: 6,170
  ▪️ Including children: 124
  ▪️ Military/government forces: 214
  ▪️ Non-civilian, non-protesters: 55
• Total deaths: 6,563
• Cases under review: 17,091

Summary

Day thirty-four concluded amid simultaneous international pressure on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and key figures linked to the crackdown, pursued along multiple tracks. On the one hand, official reactions to the European Union’s decision regarding the designation of the IRGC continued in political and diplomatic arenas. On the other, the U.S. Treasury Department announced new sanctions targeting specific officials, including the Interior Minister, the head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization, an economic figure, and several IRGC commanders. Within this context, statements by U.S. officials about intensifying pressure on Iran were also echoed, adding to external tensions surrounding Iran-related developments.

Nationwide Protests: 140 Protesters Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
nationwide protests, Tehran, Yazd, zanjan

HRANA – State media reported the arrest of additional protesters: 85 protesting citizens were detained in Zanjan Province, 12 in Tehran, and 43 in Yazd Province. At the same time, forced confessions by six of those detained in Tehran have been released, though it is unclear under what conditions they were recorded.

In a statement, the Zanjan Provincial Intelligence Department described these citizens as “leaders of the protests” and claimed that “firearms and incendiary materials” were discovered in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Young Journalists Club reported the arrest of 12 citizens in Tehran’s Sattarkhan district. This outlet has published a video containing confessions by six of these individuals, though it is not known under what circumstances the footage was obtained.

The Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of Yazd Province also announced that 43 individuals described as the “main agents behind announcing and disseminating widespread calls on social media” were arrested during the protests by the FATA Police and the Intelligence Organization of the Yazd Provincial Law Enforcement Command.

These reports do not mention the identities of those arrested or their places of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days expanded beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations of recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests.

Day 33 of the Protests: EU Designates IRGC as a Terrorist Organization as Repression Persists

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eskandar Momeni, EU, HRANA, Iman Afshari, irgc, Kaja Kallas, Mohammad Movahedi Azad

HRANA – According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,479. Of these, 6,092 were protesters, 118 were children under the age of 18, 214 were government-affiliated forces, and 55 were non-protester civilians. In addition, 17,091 cases remain under investigation. The number of injured civilians has been reported at 11,020, along with 281 cases of forced confessions and 11,027 summonses to security institutions. Furthermore, a total of 660 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 203 cities in 31 provinces.

Today, two parallel developments unfolded. On the one hand, external reactions and pressure, particularly in Europe, intensified, with a focus on designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization and imposing human rights sanctions. On the other hand, repression continued domestically following the street phase of the protests, taking the form of ongoing arrests, the presence of security institutions in schools, and increased pressure in detention centers and medical facilities.

Designating the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization and Sanctions Packages

In recent days, the European Union has pursued pressure on Iran’s repressive apparatus through two parallel tools: placing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on the list of terrorist organizations and expanding targeted human rights sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the crackdown. Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs, announced that EU foreign ministers had taken a “decisive” step by designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, stressing that the repression of protesters would not go unanswered.

Simultaneously, the European Union sanctioned 15 individuals and 6 Iranian entities for their “involvement in or responsibility for human rights violations and the repression of protesters.” According to HRANA, these sanctions include asset freezes, travel bans to the European Union, and prohibitions on providing any financial or economic resources to the listed individuals and entities.

Among the announced cases are the names of several key figures and institutions. These include Eskandar Momeni (Minister of Interior), Mohammad Movahedi Azad (Prosecutor General), and Iman Afshari (judge of Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court), whom the Council of Europe has linked to roles in the “violent suppression of protests” and “arbitrary arrests.”

In the supplementary sanctions packages tied to digital repression, the Organization for the Regulation of Audio and Visual Media (SATRA), the IRGC’s Center for the Examination of Organized Crimes (Seraj Center), and the Working Group for Determining Criminal Content have also been named as entities playing a direct role in the “control, censorship, and suppression of communications and cyberspace.”

Experts believe that at the political level these measures go beyond mere “sanctions.” The formal redefinition of the IRGC as a terrorist actor in Europe carries broader implications: increasing the risks of financial and legal engagement with affiliated structures, strengthening the legal basis for accountability efforts, and at the same time raising the political cost of normalizing relations with institutions responsible for repression.

Reactions indicate that this process in Europe has moved beyond a purely “symbolic” or media-driven stance. Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, voiced support for the EU’s move to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization, calling it “the right decision” and emphasizing the need to “stand firm.” Meanwhile, Hadja Lahbib (EU Commissioner) referred to the decision to impose new sanctions on individuals involved in the crackdown and spoke of the European Union’s support for investigations and fact-finding mechanisms into the killing of protesters.

Repression and Arrests: Security Agents’ Presence in Schools and Harsh Situation at Mashhad Detention Centers

Despite the subsiding of the street phase of the protests, field reports indicate that arrests and prosecution continue, and in some areas have been accompanied by new waves of mass arrests. According to HRANA, at least 706 citizens were arrested over the past 24 hours in the cities of Dezful, Yazd, Borujen, Borujerd, and Nur. In addition, the Public Security Police of FARAJA reported the arrest of 327 protesters nationwide since December 28, while the General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province announced the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests.

Individual arrests by security forces follow the street-level crackdown. HRANA has reported the detention and continued lack of information regarding several detained individuals: Maedeh Dowlatabadi (21) in Urmia, who is being held in a security detention facility; as well as Farhad Jangi-Zehi (Minab) and Ehsan Nedaei-Hour (Ramsar), who were arrested on different dates and remain in custody.

At the same time, arrests among students have also continued. HRANA has reported the detention of Amin Norouzi and Ilya Bakhshaie (two students in Yazd), as well as Yousef Yousefi, a student at Kharazmi University of Technology in Tehran, during the protests.

One indicator of the continuation of repression is the transfer of security pressure into schools. Reports indicate that security agents have been dispatched to schools and have spoken with students in an effort to impose the official narrative of the protests. An 18-year-old student from Bandar Abbas stated that in recent days, agents have been sent to schools and are attempting to promote the government’s official account.

Taken together, these data suggest that the policy of control has shifted from the “street” to universities, schools, and detention centers, aiming to prevent the re-emergence of protests through sustained pressure and the cultivation of lasting fear.

Crackdowns in Medical Facilities and Arrests in Hospitals

Reports related to the treatment of the injured most clearly reflect the intensity of pressure and repression, where seeking medical care can turn into a risk of arrest. According to an account from a source in Tehran, a large number of citizens with pellet-gun injuries to the eyes sought treatment at a specialized ophthalmology hospital in the city. After the protests ended, representatives from the medical sciences university and security institutions visited the hospital, extracted the names of all individuals hospitalized between January 8 and January 12, and took the information with them.

the Deputy for Nursing Affairs at Iran’s Ministry of Health said that if individuals seek treatment and provide a different name, “no one conducts an inspection,” and that identity verification is only required if insurance is used, a claim that effectively acknowledges the presence of fear and the issue of identity checks, even though it does not directly reference security forces entering hospitals. Abbas Abadi, the Ministry’s Deputy for Nursing Affairs, also warned about the consequences of delayed treatment, stating that postponement can lead to wound infections and the need for complex surgeries.

At the international level, the World Health Organization announced that amid the widespread crackdown on protesters, it has confirmed an attack on a hospital in Iran and emphasized the necessity of protecting healthcare facilities and ensuring unhindered access to medical services.

Taken together, these reports indicate that the “space of medical care” has also become part of the security arena, from extracting the names of the injured to heightened fear of seeking treatment, and multiple reports of the abduction or arrest of wounded individuals.

Teachers’ Statement and the Killing of Several Educators

The Coordination Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations of Iran stated in a communiqué that, alongside references to mounting security pressures, several teachers were killed during the protests: Kamran Akbari, Karamali A‘laei, and Reza Karimi-Far (Ansari-Far).

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day 33 of the Protests

• Total protest locations/incidents in cities: 660
• Number of cities (non-duplicative): 203
• Number of provinces (non-duplicative): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,020
• Arrested children, adolescents, and students: 326
• Arrested students: 70
• Forced confessions: 281
• Summonses: 11,027

• Total protesters killed: 6,092

▪️ Including children: 118
▪️ Military/government-affiliated forces: 214
▪️ Non-protester civilians: 55

• Total deaths: 6,479

• Cases under review: 17,091 cases

Summary

Day 33 of the protests was marked by the continuation of post-crackdown repression, including ongoing arrests, an expanded security presence in schools, and sustained pressure on detention centers and medical facilities. At the same time, international developments, most notably the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization and the imposition of targeted European sanctions, underscore that the repression file remains active and is entering a phase of intensified diplomatic and human rights pressure.

Nationwide Protests: At Least 1,098 Citizens Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Borujen, Borujerd, Dezful, Faraja, Hormozgan, mass arrest, Nur, Yazd

HRANA – During the nationwide protests, at least 706 citizens were arrested in the cities of Dezful, Yazd, Borujen, Borujerd, and Nur. In addition, the Public Security Police of FARAJA reported the arrest of 327 protesters nationwide since December 28. The General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province also announced the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests in the province.

According to IRNA, the Lorestan Police Information Center claimed that an individual accused of killing a Basij member named Seyed Mohammad Javad Monavvar and injuring his son, Seyed Mohammad Naeim Monavvar, in the city of Borujerd, had been identified and arrested. It was alleged that the accused confessed to the killing during interrogations.

In another report, IRNA announced the arrest of 13 protesting citizens in Nur County, claiming that a large number of bladed weapons were confiscated from them and that they were accused of damaging public property.

IRNA also reported the arrest of 452 protesting citizens in Dezful County. According to this report, 19 individuals were arrested under the charge of being “main leaders of the protests,” and 21 others for being “responsible for spreading protest calls.”

The Dezful police commander claimed that firearms, bladed weapons, and incendiary materials were discovered and confiscated from the accused.

Meanwhile, the state broadcaster reported that the Public Security Police of FARAJA had arrested 327 protesting citizens nationwide since December 22, 2025. The media outlet claimed that these individuals were members of 57 organized networks and were accused of damaging public property. Allegations of discovering weapons and incendiary materials were also raised in connection with these arrests.

Additionally, the broadcaster reported the arrest of 27 citizens in Yazd on charges described as “filming and sending content to hostile media outlets.”

Ahmad Negahban, the commander of Yazd Province’s law enforcement forces, claimed that these individuals had filmed and photographed damage to public property and sent the images to Persian-language media outlets based outside the country.

In another report, the state broadcaster announced the arrest of 213 protesting citizens in Borujen, stating that 30 of them were detained under the charge of being “main leaders of the protests.”

The General Directorate of Intelligence of Hormozgan Province also announced, in a statement, the arrest of 65 citizens in connection with the protests. These individuals were accused of “setting fire to mosques, public and service facilities, buses, and attacking military and law enforcement centers in the province.”

These reports do not mention the identities of the detained citizens or their places of detention.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-second day since the start of the protests.

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Nationwide Protests: Nine Citizens Arrested in Bandar Abbas

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Akbar Javidan, Bandar-Abbas, iran protests

HRANA – The Commander of Hormozgan Province’s Law Enforcement Forces announced the arrest of 9 protesting citizens, including two women, in Bandar Abbas.

According to  IRNA, the Hormozgan police commander stated that those arrested include seven men and two women who had taken part in the popular protests in Bandar Abbas. Ali-Akbar Javidan also claimed that incendiary materials were discovered at the residences of these citizens.

Chanting slogans, disobeying officers, and setting fire to and damaging public property were cited as among the reasons for the arrests.

Javidan added that after judicial cases were opened and preliminary investigations were completed, the detainees were transferred to prison by order of judicial authorities and following the issuance of legal detention orders.

This report does not mention the identities of the detained citizens or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-second day since the start of the protests.

Day 32 of Protests: Limited Internet Access, Ongoing Arrests, and Growing International Pressure

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Freedom of Expression, News
European Parliament, iran protests, irgc

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data on the 32nd day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed fatalities has reached 6,373. Of these, 5,993 were protesters, 113 were children under the age of 18, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 53 were non-protesters/civilians. The number of deaths currently under review has been reported as 17,091.
The total number of arrests has reached 42,486. The number of severely injured individuals stands at 11,018, the number of broadcast forced confessions has been reported as 270 cases, and 11,027 people have been summoned to security institutions. Additionally, a total of 658 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 202 cities in 31 provinces.

Current developments focus on the continuation of communication control policies, including the limited restoration of internet access, the ongoing wave of arrests, and post-crackdown pressures marked by the imposition of heavy bail requirements on detainees, alongside international reactions and emerging positions on designating the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

Continued Communication Restrictions; Limited Internet Restoration

On the 32nd day since the start of the protests, restrictions and security control over communications remain in place. After nearly three weeks of internet shutdown or severe disruption, data and field accounts now suggest that international internet access has been partially restored for some users. However, access patterns have not returned to “normal,” and many users continue to face heavy filtering, intermittent outages, and selective access. This situation has effectively led to the formation of a “tiered access” system, in which certain services are available only to specific groups or through limited pathways, while the majority of users experience persistent restrictions.

The economic and social consequences of these communication disruptions have also been reported. Online business operators have described a significant drop in sales and the paralysis of order processing, payment, and distribution cycles, particularly for businesses that rely primarily on social media platforms, online payment gateways, and direct customer communication. Alongside economic damage, communication shutdowns have also heightened security risks for the injured and their families. Restrictions on contact and access to information have made it more difficult to track the status of detainees, coordinate aid efforts, and even seek medical care, while further expanding an atmosphere of fear of surveillance and arrest.

International Reaction; France’s Support for Designating the IRGC as a Terrorist Organization and the Position of the European Parliament President

International reactions to the protests on this day focused on Europe’s political stance toward the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its role in the crackdown on the protests.

On one side, French officials have explicitly spoken of Paris’s support for placing the IRGC on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations, while simultaneously emphasizing the use of sanctions tools, including travel bans and asset freezes, against those responsible for the repression. This stance has been accompanied by demands such as a halt to executions, an end to digital restrictions, and the facilitation of international fact-finding mechanisms.

On the other side, the President of the European Parliament has also adopted a clear position, describing the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization as a “historic duty” for Europe, framing it within the context of international accountability for the repression and killing of protesters. At the same time, some reports have pointed to claims of a broad consensus among EU member states on this issue. Taken together, these positions indicate that the debate over accountability and international pressure mechanisms remains at the center of attention.

Continued Arrests and Repression: Lack of Information on Detainees and Heavy Bail Requirements

Despite the end of the street phase of the protests, data from Day 32 indicate that the cycle of arrests and case-building continues, often accompanied by lack of information about detainees’ whereabouts, transfers to security detention facilities, and pressure on families. Aggregated reports from multiple cities point to group arrests of citizens, ranging from multi-defendant cases in Tehran, Qaen, and Mashhad to larger lists of detainees in various other cities. Alongside these accounts, official and semi-official reports have also referred to the arrest of dozens of individuals in several provinces and cities in connection with the nationwide protests. The practical outcome of this trend is the maintenance of a repressive, police-state atmosphere: arrests continue to be used as a tool of social control and to prevent the resurgence of protests, even after public gatherings have subsided.

Some individuals are also targeted for repression due to the performance of their professional and occupational duties. As an exmaple, reports have emerged of the arrest of a physician in Isfahan on charges related to assisting injured protesters. At the same time, narratives have surfaced regarding the risks faced by injured individuals when seeking hospital care, a situation that can disrupt treatment processes and extend fear of prosecution into the healthcare sphere. There have also been reports of arrests and summonses within the cultural community (including filmmakers), as well as increased security pressure inside prisons, indicating efforts to silence prominent social figures and suppress voices expressing solidarity and alignment with the protests.

Alongside arrests, heavy bail requirements have become one of the main pressure points on detainees’ families. Reports indicate a sharp increase in bail amounts, in some cases reaching unusually high levels by nonstandard criteria. Families face not only severe financial strain but also bureaucratic obstacles and exhausting procedures to post bail. This policy effectively serves two simultaneous functions: on the one hand, it renders temporary release impossible for many detainees; on the other, it draws families into a cycle of economic and psychological distress. Under such conditions, even when bail is formally granted, the practical possibility of release is not necessarily ensured, as posting bail, converting deeds, or having guarantees accepted is often met with multiple layers of restriction and delay.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day 32 of the Protests

• Number of recorded gatherings/protests: 658

• Number of cities involved (no duplicates): 202

• Number of provinces involved (no duplicates): 31

• Total arrests: 42,486

• Arrests of individuals under 18: 326

• Arrested students: 70

• Broadcast forced confessions: 270 cases

• Summonses to security institutions: 11,027 cases

• Severely injured individuals: 11,018

• Confirmed fatalities: 6,373

▪️ Protesters: 5,993
▪️ Children (under 18): 113
▪️ Government-affiliated forces: 214
▪️ Non-protesters/civilians: 53

• Fatalities under review: 17,091

Summary

The 32nd day since the start of the protests concluded with widespread communication controls still in place, despite a limited restoration of internet access, and with their economic and social impacts continuing. At the same time, arrests and security pressures have entered a post-crackdown phase, while heavy bail requirements have become an effective tool for wearing down families and restricting the possibility of temporary release for detainees.On the international front, new positions adopted by Europe and France regarding the designation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization and the need for accountability indicate that the issue of repression and demands for international responsibility remain active, and increasingly intensified, at the diplomatic and media levels.

Report on the Arrest of Hossein Zarabian, a Specialist Physician in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Zarabian, Hossein Zarabian, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA  – Hossein (Babak) Zarabian, a specialist in infectious diseases, has been arrested by security forces at his private residence in Isfahan for more than two weeks, and no information has so far been obtained regarding his place of detention.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA that the arrest of this specialist physician took place on January 14 at his home in Isfahan and was due to his assistance to injured protesters. According to the source, there has been no information to date about Mr. Zarabian’s whereabouts. His relatives have visited security and judicial authorities to follow up on his case, but despite expressing readiness to post bail and requesting information about his place of detention, they have not received any clear response.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges brought against this citizen.

Hossein (Babak) Zarabian holds a doctorate in medicine and is a specialist in infectious and tropical diseases. Prior to his arrest, he was working at Milad Hospital in Isfahan.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and market traders began in Tehran on December 28 and after two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the most widespread movements in recent years. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 31st day of the protests, published last night.

Thirty-First Day Since the Start of the Protests; Continued Internet Blackout, First Court Hearing Held

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Fakher, Ameneh Soleimani, Arak, Babak Pouramin, HRANA, iran protests, Malard, Netblocks

HRANA – According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA as of the end of the thirty-first day since the start of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 6,221. Of these, 5,858 were protesters, 100 were children under the age of 18, 214 were forces affiliated with the government, and 49 were non-protester civilians. The number of deaths still under investigation has been reported as 17,091. The total number of arrests has reached 42,324. The number of severely injured individuals stands at 11,017, and 261 cases of forced confessions being broadcast have been recorded. Additionally, 11,026 people have been summoned to security institutions. The total number of recorded protest-related incidents is 656 across 201 cities in 31 provinces.

The main developments on the thirty-first day since the start of the protests included the continued policy of controlling communications and cracking down on alternative access tools, the continuation of both scattered and mass arrests, the holding of the first court hearing related to the protests in Malard, as well as pressure and threats against medical staff.

Continued Internet Disruptions and Shutdowns; Economic Losses and Security Crackdown on Starlink

Following the aftermath of the protests, the “digital blackout” and severe restrictions on internet access continue to be reported as one of the main axes of controlling and managing the public sphere. NetBlocks data indicate the continuation of a restricted, “whitelist-based” situation; such that even in cases where some networks have become “globally visible,” this does not mean a return to normal internet access, and public connectivity remains blocked or highly unstable. Within this framework, reports have emerged of entering the nineteenth day of a “complete internet shutdown,” alongside the formation of quota-based access mechanisms for certain groups. Among these, holders of commercial cards have reportedly been granted only limited and short-term access (approximately 20 minutes per day) at chambers of commerce and under supervision, a situation that effectively transforms the internet from a public service into a security-administrative privilege.

At the same time, the economic costs of this situation have been highlighted in official statements. According to remarks by the Minister of Communications, the internet shutdown has caused daily losses of hundreds of billions of tomans to the digital economy and several trillion tomans to the national economy. These figures, together with field reports of supply chain disruptions, stalled transactions, and reduced access to basic services, highlight the economic consequences of the communications shutdown policy.

In this regard, the Iranian Writers’ Association issued a statement referring to killings, widespread arrests, and overcrowded prisons, condemning the ongoing crackdown.

Security measures targeting alternative means of internet access have also intensified. Reports indicate the discovery and confiscation of dozens of Starlink devices, explicitly described as “anti-security goods,” demonstrating that information control is not limited to cutting off official networks and that alternative communication routes have also become targets of security policies.

Arrests and Crackdowns; First Court Hearing Related to the Protests in Malard

Aggregated reports from the days following the nationwide protests indicate that the wave of arrests and security crackdowns has continued across various cities, remaining scattered yet widespread. In some cases, the arrest of citizens has been reported in areas such as Zahedan, Torbat-e Jam, and Sabzevar, while in others, arrests have been documented in Gorgan, Dehgolan, Javanrud, Babol, and Lahijan. This geographic spread, alongside the large number of cases, points to the continuation of a pattern of “post-event cleansing” (arrests carried out after street protests subside) aimed at controlling social networks and local environments.

On a broader scale, reports have emerged of the arrest of 224 citizens, the majority of whom were detained in Qazvin. According to these reports, 219 individuals were arrested under the label of “leaders of the protests,” with additional cases reported in Qarchak and Shahroud. Alongside the arrests, there is also evidence of the detention of injured protesters, including reports indicating that some individuals were arrested while their medical treatment had not yet been completed, a pattern of conduct that violates the most fundamental human rights, including the right to medical care.

The holding of the “first court hearing related to the January protests” in Malard is regarded as the starting point of a broad series of trials. In this case, the subject of the court session was announced as the death of a FARJA (Law Enforcement Command) officer, and images from the hearing were also published. Mohammad Abbasi has been introduced as the primary defendant in the case. The conduct of the trial, including statements by the court-appointed lawyer made against the interests of the defendant, has prompted criticism from human rights organizations over the lack of fair trial standards. This case also involves another defendant.

Use of Schools as Suppression Bases; Expanded Security Presence in Public Spaces

Reports also shed light on the tools and spaces used for urban control. Among them is the publication of an image of a school in Arak (Imam Ali School), which is said to have been used as a base for suppressing protesters. The use of educational spaces for the deployment of forces and operational management, in addition to its direct impact on citizens’ safety, has secondary consequences such as fostering social fear, disrupting educational environments, and normalizing a security presence within public institutions.

Alongside these developments, field reports also point to restrictions on mourning practices and pressure on the families of those killed, including preventing the installation of banners and the holding of memorial ceremonies, as well as the removal or destruction of signs of mourning in public spaces. Taken together, these data indicate that the crackdown has not been limited to controlling the streets, but has extended to controlling narratives, collective memory, and even mourning rituals.

Crackdown on Medical Staff and the Arrest of Doctors; Securitizing Healthcare and Humanitarian Aid

Reports indicate that medical staff, particularly doctors and those who treated individuals injured during the protests, have been subjected to pressure and security crackdowns. In one case, Farhad Nadali, a physician at 5 Azar Hospital in Gorgan, was reportedly arrested by IRGC Intelligence for treating individuals injured in the protests and for opposing the deployment of armed forces inside the hospital. It has also been alleged that armed forces fired at protesters from the hospital rooftop, an allegation which, if confirmed, would point to the transformation of medical centers into components of the suppression apparatus.

In another case, the arrest of Babak Pouramin (an emergency medicine specialist) in Neyshabur was reported. He was reportedly arrested on January 19 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has had only limited contact with his family, and has been denied access to legal counsel. The same report also states that some doctors have been threatened with accusations such as “helping injured individuals escape from the hospital.”

Additionally, reports point to the arrest of Dr. Ameneh Soleimani in Ardabil and Ali Fakher, a retired nurse in Sirjan, for providing aid to injured protesters; the detention of members of Mr. Fakher’s family has also been mentioned. Taken together, these cases point to a troubling pattern: the securitization of healthcare, the criminalization of humanitarian assistance, and pressure on medical networks as a means of reducing support capacity for the injured and controlling the human consequences of the protests.

Official Statements; Protest-Related Damages in Gilan and the Government Spokesperson’s Position

Official authorities have attempted to focus attention on the damages caused by the protests. Among these, the estimated damages from the “recent incidents” in Gilan Province were announced to exceed 3 trillion tomans, with references to damage and fires affecting parts of Rasht’s bazaar. At the same time, the government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajerani, referred to “collective mourning” and the state’s responsibility toward those affected, while also stressing a distinction between “legitimate protesters” and “deviant currents.” Such formulaic statements have repeatedly been used by state institutions to justify their conduct in suppressing protesters.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics as of the End of the Thirty-First Day Since the Start of the Protests

• Number of recorded gatherings/protests: 656
• Number of cities involved (no duplication): 201
• Number of provinces involved (no duplication): 31
• Total arrests: 42,324
• Broadcasts of forced confessions: 261 cases
• Summonses to security institutions: 11,026 cases
• Severely injured individuals: 11,017
• Confirmed deaths: 6,221

▪️ Protesters: 5,858
▪️ Children (under 18): 100
▪️ Government-affiliated forces: 214
▪️ Non-protesters / civilians: 49

• Deaths under investigation: 17,091

Summary

The thirty-first day since the start of the protests passed amid the continued policy of controlling communications and cracking down on alternative access tools. At the same time, reports pointed to scattered yet widespread arrests, as well as pressure on the injured and their families. The first protest-related court hearing in Malard marks the consolidation of a judicial approach aimed at imposing severe penalties on protesters, drawing warnings from human rights groups regarding fair trial guarantees. Additionally, pressure on medical staff, the arrest of doctors and aid workers, and reports of public spaces such as schools being used as bases for suppression highlight new dimensions of the continued security crackdown in the aftermath of the protests.

Nationwide Protests: Arrest of 224 Citizens in Several Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Qarchak, Shahrud

HRANA – In recent days, three protesters in the city of Qarchak and two others in Shahrud were arrested by law enforcement forces in connection with the protests. At the same time, 219 protesting citizens in Qazvin were arrested under the label of “leaders of the protests.”

According to Tasnim News Agency, the police commander of Qarchak accused these citizens of “setting fire to an ambulance belonging to Shahid Sattari Hospital.” He also claimed that they “attacked the emergency medical staff of Qarchak while they were carrying out a medical mission and assaulted them.”

State broadcaster IRIB also reported the arrest of two individuals in Shahrud.

The police commander of Semnan Province described the detained citizens as being involved in the “destruction and arson of several banks in Shahrud.”

Simultaneously, the police commander of Qazvin Province announced the arrest of 219 citizens, referring to them as the “main leaders of the protests.”

These reports did not provide any information regarding the identities or places of detention of the arrested citizens.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days extended beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests turned into one of the most widespread demonstrations of recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the thirtieth day of the protests, which was published last night.