Lawyer Javad Alikordi Arrested by Mashhad’s Ministry of Intelligence Forces

HRANA – Today, Saturday, March 1, 2025, Javad Alikordi, a defense attorney, was arrested by Mashhad’s Ministry of Intelligence forces and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in the city. Previously, the appeals court revoked the suspension of his prison sentence, ordering its enforcement.

Khosrow Alikordi, also a defense attorney, announced that his brother was detained in Mashhad on March 1, following a decision by Branch 37 of the Khorasan Razavi Appeals Court on February 26 to lift the suspension of his prison sentence.

Alikordi had previously been sentenced in March 2022 to two years in prison for “forming and leading a group with the intent to overthrow the government and disrupt national security,” eight months for “propaganda against the regime,” and one year and five months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Additionally, he was banned from teaching, joining political and social groups, and leaving the country for two years as supplementary punishment. After serving part of his sentence and receiving conditional release, his sentence had been suspended for three years.

However, on December 11, 2024, he was sentenced again to a fine for “propaganda against the regime” and was banned from traveling abroad and engaging in online activities as additional punishment. This new conviction led to the revocation of his prior sentence suspension, converting his suspended punishment into an enforceable prison term.

Javad Alikordi, a lawyer and university professor, was initially sentenced in early 2021 by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court to eight years and seven months in prison, along with a two-year ban on employment and teaching in educational institutions, a travel ban, and a prohibition from joining political and social groups. His sentence was later reduced to four years and one month on appeal, with two years of imprisonment being enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code. He was ultimately transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on July 15, 2021, to serve his sentence.

Traditional Singer Hiwa Seyfizadeh Arrested

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Thursday, February 27, Hiwa Seyfizadeh, an Iranian traditional music singer, was arrested by security forces while performing at a concert in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Seyfizadeh, a singer and traditional music instructor, was detained during her performance at “Roo Be Roo” Hall in Tehran.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and any charges against her remain unknown.

Hiwa Seyfizadeh, aged approximately 27 years old, is a traditional singer, music instructor, and tombak (an Iranian goblet drum) player, residing in Tehran.

Mother of Killed Protester Sentenced to Eight Months in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Mina Soltani Zare, the mother of Shahriar Mohammadi, who was killed during the nationwide protests of 2022, has been sentenced by a Bukan court to eight months in prison and paying a fine.

Her son, Milad Mohammadi, announced in a statement that the verdict was verbally communicated to Soltani, sentencing her to eight months in prison and a paying a fine.

According to Kurdpa, the Bukan Criminal Court Branch 101 issued the sentence on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “appearing in public without mandatory hijab.”

Mina Soltani was arrested on August 27, 2024, by security forces in Bukan and was released on bail the following month.

Mina Soltani Zare is the mother of Shahriar Mohammadi, who was killed on November 18, 2022, during nationwide protests in Bukan after being shot.

Masoumeh Asgari Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Masoumeh Asgari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to three years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the verdict was issued by Judge Iman Afshari and formally communicated to Asgari. She was convicted on charges of “propaganda through collaboration with anti-state groups” and “membership in opposition groups.”

A source close to Asgari’s family previously confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“She is experiencing poor mental health conditions in prison, and her family has submitted her medical records to the court.”

Asgari was arrested by security forces in Tehran in August 2024.

Following two months of interrogation in a solitary confinement cell at Ward 209 of Evin Prison, which is operated by the Ministry of Intelligence, she was transferred to the women’s ward on September 25, 2024.

A source familiar with her case told HRANA:
“Her medical records, which have been provided to judicial authorities and the prison’s medical center, confirm that she suffers from bipolar disorder and severe mental instability.”

Masoumeh (Askari) Asgari, 55 years old, is a retired teacher and the sole guardian of her 20-year-old son. She has previously been arrested and sentenced for her activism.

Former Student Activist Ali Abdi Summoned to Serve Prison Sentence

HRANA News Agency – Ali Abdi, a former student activist, has been summoned to begin serving his prison sentence.

In a post on his Telegram channel, Abdi announced that he has been ordered to appear at the Sentence Enforcement Branch of Evin Prosecutor’s Office and will report there on Monday, February 24.

According to Abdi, he was sentenced to six years in prison for articles he wrote a decade ago about gender and sexual minorities, five years in prison for protesting the announced results of the 2009 presidential election, and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” His sentence was later upheld by the Court of Appeals.

Abdi was previously arrested in June 2023 in Isfahan and spent 140 days in detention before being released on bail.

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Mohammad Sultani Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Arak

HRANA News Agency – On Friday, February 21, Mohammad Sultani (Soltani), a resident of Arak, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in the city. He is currently being held in one of the agency’s detention centers.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Sultani was detained by IRGC Intelligence agents on a street in Arak. A day after his arrest, he contacted his family by phone and informed them of his transfer to the agency’s detention facility.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges against him remain unknown.

Sultani had previously been arrested on August 5, 2023, after attending a memorial ceremony at the gravesite of Mehrshad Shahidi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. Following his arrest by security forces in Arak, he was transferred to the city’s prison.

In September 2023, he and seven others were tried in a joint case by Branch 2 of the Arak Criminal Court. He was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes.

On October 1, 2023, Sultani was released from Arak Prison on bail.

Rap Artist EYCIN Arrested in Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Arash Sayadi (Sayyadi), a rap artist known by his stage name EYCIN, was arrested today during an underground concert in Tehran.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sayadi was taken into custody by security police and transferred to a detention facility operated by the same agency.

Arash Sayadi, 26 years old, is a rapper and a resident of Tehran.

Gelareh Abbasi Arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence and Transferred to Evin Prison

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 19, Gelareh Abbasi, a political defendant, was arrested in Tehran by Ministry of Intelligence forces and transferred to Evin Prison.

A source close to Abbasi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On the morning of February 19, Ms. Abbasi was arrested at her private residence in western Tehran by Ministry of Intelligence agents. During the arrest, the agents searched her home and confiscated her electronic devices and mobile phone. Ms. Abbasi suffers from a heart condition.”

Abbasi had previously been sentenced to two years and six months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

After serving several months in prison, she was released from Evin Prison in February 2023.

Gelareh Abbasi, 48, is a former political prisoner, a mother to a young daughter, and the sole breadwinner of her household.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Arrested in Urmia

HRANA News Agency – Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested yesterday, February 18, in Urmia by the Ministry of Intelligence.

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Around noon on Tuesday, intelligence agents arrived at Mr. Taherafshar’s workplace with two vehicles and arrested him. A few hours later, he informed his family by phone that he is set to be transferred from the Intelligence Detention Facility in Urmia to Tabriz in the coming days.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Taher Afshar had previously been sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals in January 2025 on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

He was first arrested on February 6, 2024, in Urmia and later transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was released on February 28, 2024, on bail.

Citizen Arrested by Intelligence Forces in Ardabil