Category: Freedom of Expression

Parnian Hashempour Sentenced to Prison by the Court of Appeals

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fatemeh Hashempour, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Parnian Hashempour, پرنیان هاشم پور

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been reduced to two years on appeal. She is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Hashempour has been sentenced by the Court of Appeals to two years in prison on the charge of assembly and collusion. At the trial court stage, she had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the same charge by the judiciary.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of the current case, including the judicial authorities that issued the ruling, is ongoing.

Hashempour was arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of late December 2025 and January 2026. After spending several days in solitary confinement, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 31, 2025.

Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, who holds a master’s degree in archaeology, was also arrested in 2022 and was detained for a period in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was ultimately granted amnesty and released in that case.

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: Ribwar Marabi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Ribwar Marabi

HRANA – Ribwar Marabi, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been sentenced by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals to 10 years in prison, with four years of the sentence suspended. He had previously been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In a statement published yesterday, Mr. Marabi announced that Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals had upheld a 10-year prison sentence, while suspending four years of the punishment. In the initial proceedings, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Amouzad, had sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Marabi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 9, 2026, and subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary. He was released from the prison on March 15, 2026, after posting bail.

Ribwar Marabi, 26, is originally from the village of Marab in Kamyaran County and currently resides in Tehran. He has previously faced judicial prosecution and arrest.

Nirvana Torbati Nejad Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad

HRANA – Nirvana Torbati Nejad, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested at her home by police forces on Saturday, June 27, and transferred to the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization (Sazman-e Ettela’at-e FARAJA).

Based on information received by HRANA, police officers raided Nirvana Torbati Nejad’s home on the morning of Saturday, June 27, arrested her, and transferred her to one of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization’s facilities in Gorgan. Officers also seized the mobile phones of Torbati Nejad and her mother, Sayeh (Roqiyeh) Amirkhani.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that Torbati Nejad is scheduled to stand trial on July 21 in connection with a case opened against her last year. The source added that a new case has recently been filed against her, and she has been summoned to appear before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court on July 20 regarding those new charges.

In March, Branch One of the Golestan Province Court of Appeals sentenced her to pay a fine of 30 million tomans. In the same case, Branch One of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced her to six months of discretionary imprisonment, a ruling that was later reduced to a monetary fine on appeal.

On February 22, 2026, Torbati Nejad was arrested by officers of the Golestan Province Public Security and Intelligence Police during the memorial ceremony marking the fortieth day after the death of Hossein Soleimani, one of those killed during the January 2026 protests, in Gorgan. She was released 16 days later on bail.

In a separate case, this political defendant had previously been tried on charges of “membership in groups opposed to the regime with the intent to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” She was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison and a fine of two million tomans, but was ultimately acquitted of all charges on appeal.

Torbati Nejad was also arrested by security forces at her workplace on September 10, 2023, and was released on October 5, 2023, on bail pending judicial proceedings.

A hearing in one of Torbati Nejad’s earlier cases is scheduled to be held on July 20 before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court. She is also due to stand trial in another case on July 21.

Faezeh Salehabadi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faezeh Salehabadi, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, فائزه صالح آبادی

HRANA – Faezeh Salehabadi, a prisoner currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to one year and three months in prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Faezeh Salehabadi to one year and three months in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

The court also acquitted Ms. Salehabadi of the charges of “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “propaganda against the regime.”

HRANA had previously reported that bail had been set at 4 billion tomans for Ms. Salehabadi’s release. However, her family has so far been unable to secure the required amount.

During the investigation phase, Ms. Salehabadi’s defense hearing was held on April 7, 2026. On May 25, 2026, an indictment was issued, and her case was referred to the Revolutionary Court. The case was opened in connection with an Instagram Story she had posted.

Ms. Salehabadi was arrested by security forces at her home on February 9, 2026. She was initially transferred to the Mosalla Women’s Police Station, then to the Revolutionary Court, and subsequently to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA had previously reported, in an article published on May 12, 2026, on the situation of 30 women arrested during the January 2026 protests and the concurrent security developments during the war, who were being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. That report also addressed the situation of Ms. Salehabadi.

Ilya Bakhshaei Remains Imprisoned in Evin as Five-Year Sentence Stands

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Ilya Bakhshaei, Yazd, ایلیا بخشایی

HRANA – Ilya Bakhshaei, a student at the University of Yazd and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, is currently serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison. He was sentenced to five years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court at the trial stage, and the verdict was upheld in full on appeal.

A source close to the family, confirming the matter to HRANA, said: “Mr. Bakhshaei, who is being held in Evin Prison, recently submitted a request for judicial review of his case to the Supreme Court.”

According to information received by HRANA, the University of Yazd student was sentenced at the trial stage by the Revolutionary Court to five years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion to act against national security. The verdict was later upheld in its entirety by Branch 21 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

Ilya Bakhshaei, a sports sciences student at the University of Yazd, was arrested in January 2026 in connection with the nationwide protests.

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Following Sentence Consolidation, Vadood Asadi Sentenced to Eight Years and One Month in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ayaz Seifkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activist, HRANA, Karam Mardaneh, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Vadood Asadi

HRANA – Following the acceptance of a request to consolidate sentences, the Gilan Province Court of Appeals revoked the previous convictions of Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, and sentenced him in a new ruling to eight years and one month in prison. He had previously been sentenced to a total of six years and three months of imprisonment in two separate cases.

According to HRANA, after accepting the request for sentence consolidation, Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals, presided over by Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh and Esmaeil Rostami Taromsari, annulled Mr. Asadi’s previous sentences and issued a new verdict.

Under this ruling, Mr. Asadi was sentenced to:

• Six years and one month in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security”;
• Eight months in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime and opposition groups”;
• Sixteen months in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader”.

Additionally, a hearing concerning charges brought against Mr. Asadi in a case opened against him during his imprisonment was held on April 25, 2026. Mr. Asadi, along with Morteza Parvin, Taher Naghavi, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, and three other defendants in the case, refused to attend the court session.

In March 2026, an interrogation session for Taher Naghavi, a lawyer, and imprisoned Azerbaijani-Turk activists Morteza Parvin-Joda, Vadood Asadi, Ayaz Seifkhah, Karam Mardaneh, and Araz Aman was held via videoconference. During the session, investigator Nasser Jalayi formally charged the prisoners with propaganda against the regime. Their hunger strike, publication of protest statements, and support for the nationwide protests of December 2025 were cited as the reasons for opening the case.

In May 2025, Vadood Asadi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was sentenced by Branch 11 of the Gilan Province Court of Appeals to a total of five years and six months in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime, membership in anti-regime groups, and insulting the Supreme Leader.

Earlier, in late October 2024, in a separate case, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, sentenced Mr. Asadi to four years of discretionary imprisonment on charges of assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security. This prison sentence was later covered by an amnesty and reduced to one year of imprisonment. After he accepted the verdict, one-fourth of his remaining sentence was further reduced, and he was ultimately sentenced to nine months in prison.

Teacher Hadi Jalali Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Hadi Jalali, HRANA, Kerman

HRANA – The conviction of Hadi Jalali, a teacher residing in Kerman, has been upheld in full by Branch 7 of the Kerman Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced to two years and seven months in prison by the Revolutionary Court.

According to a report by HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Hadi Jalali has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to a ruling issued by Branch Seven of the Kerman Province Court of Appeals on June 9, 2026, Mr. Jalali was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison on the charge of disrupting the country’s security.

The report states that the appellate court’s decision was issued only eight days after the case was referred to the court, without holding a defense hearing and without giving him an opportunity to present explanations.

The hearing on the charges against Hadi Jalali was held on February 11, 2025, in Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Kerman. In the initial proceedings, the court sentenced him to the same term of imprisonment.

“Exchanging information with individuals linked to Israel and engaging in media and propaganda activities” were cited as examples of the charges brought against this teacher.

In September 2024, Mr. Jalali was formally charged by Branch Five of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Kerman, and the indictment in his case was issued in November of the same year.

Hadi Jalali, a teacher residing in Kerman, was arrested by security forces in August 2024 and was released after approximately one month upon posting bail of one billion tomans.

He had also been briefly detained on two separate occasions in April and May 2024.

Kokab Badaghi Pegah Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Izeh, Kokab Badaghi Pegah, کوکب بداغی پگاه

HRANA – Kokab Badaghi Pegah, a teacher residing in Izeh, Khuzestan province, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Ahvaz.

According to a report by HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Kokab Badaghi Pegah has been sentenced to imprisonment. Based on the report, Ms. Badaghi Pegah was sentenced by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Ahvaz to one year of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

In January 2026, Badaghi Pegah was summoned to the Intelligence Department of Izeh after receiving an official notice. At the same time, security forces searched her home and confiscated some of her personal belongings.

In December 2025, Branch 20 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals acquitted Ms. Badaghi Pegah of the charges in a separate case. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court in the initial stage of those proceedings.

In September 2025, Ms. Badaghi Pegah was also sentenced to a three-month suspension from public service by the Appeals Board for Administrative Violations of the Khuzestan Province Department of Education.

Kokab Badaghi Pegah, a labor rights activist among teachers in Khuzestan Province, has previously faced judicial actions due to her activities.

Sari Prosecutor: 700 Cases Opened in Connection with January 2026 protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
January 2026 Protests, Sari

HRANA – The Prosecutor of Sari announced that 700 judicial cases have been opened in connection with January 2026 protests. Of these, around 450 cases have been referred to the Revolutionary Court following the issuance of indictments. He also reported the identification of 139 cases of what he described as “activities against the regime.”

According to HRANA, citing Mehr News Agency, 700 cases have been opened in Sari in relation to January 2026 protests.

Announcing the figures, the Prosecutor of Sari stated that nearly 450 of these cases had been referred to the Revolutionary Court after indictments were issued.

He further added: “So far, 139 cases of affiliation with and activities against the Islamic Republic of Iran have been identified and documented. Some of these individuals reside outside the country and engage in anti-state activities through propaganda, media activities, and organizing actions against the regime.”

According to him, these 139 cases were identified by “security institutions, including the IRGC, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Law Enforcement Command.”

The report does not provide the identities of the individuals concerned or any details regarding their cases.

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.

Zahedan: Sentences Issued for 111 Detainees from January 2026 Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Prosecutor of Zahedan, Zahedan

HRANA – The Prosecutor of Zahedan announced that judicial verdicts have been issued for 111 individuals detained during the January 2026 protests following the issuance of indictments and the completion of legal proceedings. Some of these sentences have already been carried out. He also reported that rulings have been issued in a number of cases related to the recent war.

According to HRANA, citing IRIB, the Prosecutor of Zahedan announced the convictions of 111 detainees arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests.

Mehdi Shamsabadi stated that indictments had been issued for 111 individuals detained during the 2026 nationwide protests and that judicial rulings were subsequently issued after legal proceedings were completed. According to him, some of these sentences have already been enforced, while the remainder will be implemented once the verdicts become final.

Regarding those arrested in connection with the recent war, he said: “Indictments have also been issued for the defendants in these cases, and judicial proceedings are currently underway. Some of the cases have resulted in verdicts, while in certain instances the implementation of sentences depends on the arrest of defendants who remain at large.”

The report does not specify the number of defendants in the cases related to the war, nor does it provide details regarding the other convicted individuals or the nature of their cases.