Category: Freedom of Expression

Babak Moradifar Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Moradifar, Evin Prison, HRANA, بابک مرادی فر

HRANA – Babak Moradifar, a political activist, was sentenced by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 30 months in prison.

According to HRANA, political activist Babak Moradifar announced that he had been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

In a video, Babak Moradifar stated that Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Amouzad, sentenced him at the initial stage of proceedings to 30 months in prison.

According to the indictment issued by Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, he was charged with “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security through propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic.” His attendance at a ceremony marking the seventh day after Khosrow Alikordi’s death in Mashhad and his support for the January 2026 protests were cited among the grounds for the charge.

On the morning of January 9, 2026, Moradifar was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Tehran. According to a previous HRANA report, following his arrest, his family had no information about his condition or whereabouts for ten days, until he informed them in a brief phone call that he was being held in Evin Prison.

After approximately 40 days of detention in Evin Prison, he was transferred to the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently to the Greater Tehran Prison. HRANA previously reported that during this period, Moradifar was denied access to an attorney and the opportunity to mount an effective defense. A source close to his family also told HRANA that during interrogations at Evin Prison, a tendon in his right foot was injured and that, despite doctors’ recommendations, he was not provided with necessary medical treatment, including a splint or cast.

After approximately two months of detention in Evin Prison and the Greater Tehran Prison, Moradifar was released on bail due to his need for medical treatment.

Babak Moradifar has previously faced arrest and conviction.

Shaker Bouri Sentenced to Prison and Fine

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abadan, HRANA, Shaker Bouri

HRANA – Shaker Bouri, a satirist residing in Abadan, has been sentenced by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Abadan to 13 months and 20 days in prison and a monetary fine.

According to HRANA, Shaker Bouri has been sentenced to imprisonment and a fine.

According to a verdict issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Abadan and formally communicated to him, Bouri was sentenced to 13 months and 20 days in prison on the charge of “disseminating false information with the intent to cause harm to others.” On a separate charge of “insulting a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly,” he was ordered to pay a fine of 45 million rials.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, in this case, the prison sentence, will be enforceable.

The case was opened in connection with the publication of video content following a complaint filed against Shaker Bouri by Mousa Ghazanfarabadi, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Shaker Bouri, a satirist residing in Abadan, has previously been arrested in connection with his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi Each Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Rostami, Erfan Moradi Dangi, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence Organization, Qasr-e Shirin, ابوالفضل رستمی, عرفان مرادی دنگی, قصر شیرین

HRANA – Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi, two residents of Qasr-e Shirin who were arrested during the January 2026 protests, have each been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Qasr-e Shirin.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi have been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Qasr-e Shirin recently sentenced each of these citizens to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” The sentences have been formally communicated to them.

The two citizens were arrested in Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah Province, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, by forces of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in connection with the January 2026 protests. After several weeks in detention and under interrogation, they were released temporarily on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

The report states that Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi were subjected to pressure as well as physical and psychological torture during their detention.

Writer Roozbeh Gilasian Sentenced to Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Roozbeh Gilasian

HRANA – Roozbeh Gilasian, a writer from Gorgan, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court to four years and eight months in prison.

According to HRANA, Roozbeh Gilasian has been sentenced to prison.

Under a ruling issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court, Mr. Gilasian was sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and four years in prison on the charge of “engaging in educational activities and/or deviant propaganda and/or activities disruptive to the sacred principles of Islam.”

According to information received by HRANA, managing a channel with approximately 100 members and sharing several books that he had previously written and published were among the acts cited as grounds for the charges against Mr. Gilasian.

An informed source close to the writer’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “A number of citizens in Bandar Abbas were arrested following the 12-day war. During the proceedings in their cases, Mr. Gilasian’s name and writings came to the attention of security agencies. He was subsequently arrested as well and faced charges related to the activities of this channel and his works.”

Mr. Gilasian was arrested by security forces in Gorgan in August 2025 and was subsequently released on bail.

Roozbeh Gilasian is a writer from and resident of Gorgan who has previously faced judicial action over his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Saman Ghaderi Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Iman Afshari, January 2026 Protests, Saman Ghaderi, Urmia

HRANA – Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Saman Ghaderi, a resident of Urmia and one of those arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, to a total of 14 years in prison. He is currently being held in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, Saman Ghaderi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and served on Mr. Ghaderi on Tuesday, August 25, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security” and three years on the charge of “insulting the sacred.”

An informed source close to the family of the political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Following the notification of the ruling, Mr. Ghaderi challenged the verdict and filed an appeal.”

Saman Ghaderi was arrested in Tehran in March 2026 by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization in connection with the January 2026 protests. After completing the initial stages of interrogation, he was transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Saman Ghaderi is 37 years old and from Urmia.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

January 2026 Protests: Sadegh Saedinia Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison and Property Confiscation

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Langroud Prison, Qom Revolutionary Court, Sadegh Saedinia

HRANA – The conviction of Sadegh Saedinia, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison, confiscation of all movable and immovable property, and a two-year ban from working in the café business.

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, the sentences issued against Sadegh Saedinia have been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Saedinia had previously been sentenced by a court to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison and the confiscation of all his movable and immovable property in favor of the state on the charge of “media and propaganda activities against national security in favor of opposition groups.” As an additional punishment, he was also sentenced to a two-year ban from working in the café business following the completion of his prison term.

According to the indictment issued in this case, the charges brought against this citizen include “propaganda or media activities against national security, taking operational measures to disrupt security through the publication of content on social media, participating in gatherings, closing cafés and shops owned by him, encouraging employees to participate in gatherings, and engaging in propaganda against the regime.”

Earlier, during the judicial proceedings in this case, all branches of cafés owned by Sadegh Saedinia were sealed by judicial order.

In May 2026, the Judiciary Media Center announced that a court session had been held at the Qom Revolutionary Court to hear the charges against Sadegh Saedinia.

Sadegh Saedinia, son of Mohammad Ali, aged approximately 49, was arrested in January 2026 for supporting the nationwide protests and was transferred to Langroud Prison in Qom.

Qorveh: Hazhir Yaghoubi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Hazhir Yaghoubi, HRANA, Qorveh, هژِیر یعقوبی

HRANA – Hazhir Yaghoubi, a resident of Qorveh and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was sentenced by a criminal court to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Hazhir Yaghoubi has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

According to the report, under a ruling issued by the criminal court and communicated to Mr. Yaghoubi, he was sentenced to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

Hazhir Yaghoubi was arrested by security forces during the January 2026 protests in connection with a strike by shopkeepers in Qorveh. After spending some time in detention, he was temporarily released on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

Hazhir Yaghoubi is a resident of Qorveh and a local shopkeeper.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, HRANA, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, Pouya Bakhtiari

HRANA – Manouchehr Bakhtiari, the father of Pouya Bakhtiari, who was killed during the November 2019 protests, and a prisoner currently held in Bandar Abbas Prison, has been sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, who is currently held in Bandar Abbas Prison, has been sentenced to prison.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Bakhtiari was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda activity against the regime through media alignment with opponents of the regime,” four years in prison on the charge of “inciting people to war and killing with the intent of disrupting national security and creating social unrest,” and five years in prison for “sending videos to foreign-based online networks in a manner contrary to national security.”

The sentence was verbally communicated to Bakhtiari today, Tuesday, September 1, at Bandar Abbas Prison.

Previously, hearings in Bakhtiari’s case were held on June 3 and June 15 of this year at Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court. During the hearings, he presented his defense against the charges brought against him. The case was initiated following a complaint filed against him by the Bandar Abbas prosecutor.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari was arrested on January 19, 2026, while serving his sentence of exile in Bandar Abbas and was subsequently transferred to the city’s prison.

Bakhtiari had previously been arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran on April 29, 2021, and was ultimately sentenced to three years and six months in prison, two years and six months of exile, and a two-year travel ban. After serving more than four years in prison, he was released from Choobindar Prison in Qazvin in October 2025 and transferred to Bandar Abbas to serve his exile sentence.

During his imprisonment, additional cases were also opened against Bakhtiari. In one case, he was sentenced to six months in prison. In another, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 74 lashes. The latter sentence was overturned on appeal, and the case was sent back to the Revolutionary Court for retrial.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari, the father of Pouya Bakhtiari, has stated that his 27-year-old son was shot and killed in Phase 4 of Mehrshahr, Karaj, during the November 2019 protests. According to Bakhtiari, Pouya, along with his mother and sister, joined protesters on the second day of demonstrations against the increase in gasoline prices. He was shot in the head and died before reaching the hospital.

Pouya Bakhtiari (born September 10, 1992; died November 16, 2019, in Mehrshahr, Karaj) was among those killed during Iran’s nationwide protests of 2019.

2022 Nationwide Protests: Four Citizens Sentenced to Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Ahmadali Koohkan, Hamidreza Koohkan, HRANA, Khaled Kashani, Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi, Zahedan’s Bloody Friday

HRANA – Hamidreza Koohkan, Ahmadali Koohkan, Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout), and Khaled Kashani, residents of Zahedan who were arrested in connection with the 2022 nationwide protests, were sentenced to prison by Branch 103 of the Zahedan Criminal Court II.

According to HRANA, citing the Balochistan Human Rights Documentation Network, the four citizens were sentenced to a total of 17 years in prison.

The individuals have been identified as Hamidreza Koohkan, son of Shirjan, aged 49, a married driver; Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout), aged approximately 19; Ahmadali Koohkan, aged 27; and Khaled Kashani, aged approximately 33. All are residents of Zahedan.

According to the report, Hamidreza Koohkan, Ahmadali Koohkan, and Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout) were each sentenced by Branch 103 of the Zahedan Criminal Court II to five years in prison, with time served in detention credited toward their sentences, on the charge of “participation in the intentional destruction of public and government property.” Khaled Kashani was also sentenced by the same judicial authority to two years and one day in prison on charges of “participation in the intentional destruction of public and government property” and “aiding and abetting the intentional destruction of a banner bearing the image of the Supreme Leader and the setting fire to public and government premises.”

The report states that Khaled Kashani’s sentence has been suspended for three years.

On February 6, 2024, Hamidreza Koohkan and Mohammad Kharout Din-Mohammadi (Hares Kharout) were arrested in Zahedan. Koohkan was subsequently transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Zahedan, where he remained until April 4, 2024, when he was transferred to Zahedan Prison following the completion of his interrogation.

Din-Mohammadi, who was 16 years old at the time of his arrest, was transferred to the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center in Zahedan. He was released on May 30, 2024, after posting bail of 1.5 billion tomans.

Ahmadali Koohkan was arrested on April 6, 2024, after being summoned to and appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Zahedan. He was released from Zahedan Prison on bail on May 14, 2024. During the 2022 nationwide protests, on September 30, 2022, he was wounded at Zahedan’s Makki Mosalla after being struck by live ammunition in the pelvis and lower back, near his spinal cord.

Khaled Kashani was also arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in connection with a case known as “Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.”

It should be noted that, against the backdrop of the 2022 nationwide protests, the city of Zahedan witnessed the killing of approximately 100 Baloch citizens, including at least 15 children, by law enforcement and security forces. The incident has since become known as “Zahedan’s Bloody Friday.”

January 2026 Protests: 13 Citizens Sentenced to Prison, Flogging, and Exile

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abuzar Moradhaseli, Amir Khaledian, Anvar Alipanah, Davoud Rezaei, Fereydoun Almasi, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Mohammad Mohammadi, Mostafa Gholami, Qorveh, Rasoul Ghorbanpour, Reza Dehghani, Saman Ganji, Shahrokh Mostafaei, Vahed Khaledian, Zahed Khaledian

HRANA – Mohammad Mohammadi, Mostafa Gholami, Zahed Khaledian, Vahed Khaledian, Shahrokh Mostafaei, Fereydoun Almasi, Rasoul Ghorbanpour, Saman Ganji, Davoud Rezaei, Reza Dehghani, Abuzar Moradhaseli, Anvar Alipanah, and Amir Khaledian, residents of Qorveh County, have been sentenced by Branch 102 of the Qorveh Criminal Court to a combined 24 years, three months, and one day in prison. In addition, Reza Dehghani, Abuzar Moradhaseli, Anvar Alipanah, and Amir Khaledian were sentenced to a combined 196 lashes. Amir Khaledian was also sentenced to two years of exile in Minab.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, 13 citizens in Qorveh County have been sentenced to a combined 24 years, three months, and one day in prison, 196 lashes, and exile.

According to the report, the sentences were issued by Branch 102 of the Qorveh Criminal Court on charges including “disrupting public order” and “assembly and collusion.” Under the ruling, Mohammad Mohammadi was sentenced to four years, nine months, and one day in prison; Mostafa Gholami, Zahed Khaledian, and Vahed Khaledian were each sentenced to three years in prison; and Shahrokh Mostafaei and Fereydoun Almasi were each sentenced to one year and nine months in prison.

The ruling also sentenced Rasoul Ghorbanpour, Saman Ganji, and Davoud Rezaei to one year of discretionary imprisonment each.

Under the ruling issued by the same judicial branch, Reza Dehghani was sentenced to one year in prison and 41 lashes; Abuzar Moradhaseli to one year in prison and 31 lashes; Anvar Alipanah to one year in prison and 50 lashes; and Amir Khaledian to one year in prison and 74 lashes. Khaledian was also sentenced to two years of exile in the city of Minab, Hormozgan Province.

The report did not provide further details about the case or specify the charges brought against each of the individuals.

The individuals were arrested during the nationwide January protests and were eventually released after a period of detention.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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.