Category: Freedom of Expression

January 2026 Protests: Mehdi Karimi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Mehdi Karimi

HRANA – Mehdi Karimi, a resident of Malekshahi who had been under judicial prosecution after a photo of him during the 2026 nationwide protests was published, was arrested on Thursday, June 18, 2026, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the city of Mehran. Several days after his arrest, no information is available regarding his whereabouts or condition. A video of his forced confession has also been released by state media, although the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear.

According to HRANA, Mehdi Karimi was arrested in Mehran, Ilam province.

A source close to Mr. Karimi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “During the protests in Malekshahi, an image of Mr. Karimi sitting on a chair in front of the governor’s office building was published. Some time later, he came under judicial prosecution in connection with this issue and his participation in the protests. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, he was arrested in the city of Mehran by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and was beaten during the arrest. The efforts of his family and relatives to obtain information about his whereabouts and condition have so far been unsuccessful.”

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Karimi’s physical condition has reportedly deteriorated following his arrest. This has heightened concerns among his family and relatives regarding his well-being. He has also been denied access to legal counsel.

At the same time, a video of this citizen’s forced confession has been released, although it remains unclear under what conditions it was recorded.

Yesterday, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced in a statement the arrest of 17 citizens in connection with the January nationwide protests in Ilam Province. In the statement, Mr. Karimi was identified only as “Mehdi-K.”

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.

Attorney Javad Alikordi Sentenced to 18 Years in Prison, Exile, and Permanent Disbarment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Javad Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Javad Alikordi, the brother of deceased attorney Khosrow Alikordi, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to 18 years in prison, permanent disbarment, exile, and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, Javad Alikordi, an attorney currently imprisoned in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to imprisonment and supplementary penalties.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad, Mr. Alikordi was sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security,” and to 13 years in prison on charges of “propaganda activity contrary to national security” under Article 4 of the Law on Intensifying Punishments for Espionage. He was also sentenced to permanent disbarment from the legal profession, a two-year travel ban, and two years of internal exile in the city of Saravan, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

On June 10, 2026, a hearing on the charges against Mr. Alikordi was held in the same branch of the court.

Javad Alikordi was arrested by security forces at his workplace in Mashhad on December 12, 2025. He was initially transferred to a security detention facility and was later moved to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Mr. Alikordi had previously been convicted in a separate case on political and security-related charges, although the implementation of part of that sentence had been suspended. He is the brother of Khosrow Alikordi, an attorney and human rights defender who passed away in December 2025.

Seyed Mohammadreza Razavi-Fard, Attorney Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammadreza Razavi Fard, Qom, محمدرضا رضوی فرد

HRANA – Seyed Mohammadreza Razavi-Fard, an attorney, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Qom.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Qom recently sentenced this attorney to 10 years in prison on charges of “propaganda activity against the national security” under Article 4 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Crimes Against National Security.

Mr. Razavi-Fard has filed an appeal against the ruling, and his case will be reviewed by the Court of Appeals.

The hearing on the charges against him was held on May 26, 2026, in the aforementioned branch of the court.

The case was initiated under Article 4 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Crimes Against National Security, a provision that criminalizes certain political, cultural, media, and propaganda activities, including the production or dissemination of content that a court deems to be against national security. The article also considers the sending of videos, images, or information to foreign or opposition media outlets and social media pages punishable if it is determined to be contrary to national security.

Seyed Mohammadreza Razavi-Fard is a licensed attorney based in Qom Province. He is currently free on bail pending further proceedings.

Singer Parastoo Ahmadi and Members of the “Caravanserai Concert” Team Sentenced to Flogging and Ban on Artistic Work

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Cultural, Freedom of Expression, News
Ehsan Beiraqdar, HRANA, Nowshahr, Parastoo Ahmadi

HRANA – Parastoo Ahmadi, a singer, along with eight members of the production team and musicians involved in the “Caravanserai Concert,” has been sentenced by the Criminal Court of Qom Province to 74 lashes, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year prohibition on artistic activities.

According to HRANA, citing BBC Persian, Parastoo Ahmadi and eight members of the production team and musicians of the “Caravanserai Concert” have been sentenced to flogging and other penalties.

According to the report, Parastoo Ahmadi, together with eight members of the concert’s production team and musicians, was sentenced by the Criminal Court of Qom Province to 74 discretionary lashes, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and a two-year ban on engaging in artistic activities.

The charges against the defendants reportedly included “offending public decency through the production and publication of vulgar and immoral content on cyberspace platforms.”

In December 2024, Parastoo Ahmadi and several of her musicians held a symbolic concert without an audience at the Deir Gachin Caravanserai in Qom. The performance was livestreamed on Ahmadi’s YouTube channel. The publication of the video subsequently led to the opening of a judicial case against them.

Shortly afterward, Ms. Ahmadi, pianist Ehsan Beiraqdar, and electric guitarist Soheil Faqih-Nasiri were arrested. In a report published by Tasnim News Agency, quoting the head of the Information Center of the Mazandaran Province Police Command, authorities stated that “following the production and publication of a video by Ms. Parastoo Ahmadi that was deemed contrary to social norms and values, she was summoned to the Public Security Police and instructed to appear before the judicial authorities.”

On the evening of December 15, 2024, the two male musicians were released under judicial supervision orders. Parastoo Ahmadi was also released from detention at approximately 3:00 a.m. the following day under similar conditions.

On December 23, 2024, the defendants were formally charged at Branch 38 of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office for Moral Security Affairs. At the conclusion of the session, which was attended by their defense attorneys, all were released on bail.

Parastoo Ahmadi, born in 1997 in Nowshahr, is a singer and a graduate of film directing from Soore University. She previously gained prominence during the 2022 nationwide protests through her rendition of the patriotic song “Az Khoon-e Javanan-e Vatan” (“From the Blood of the Youth of the Homeland”) by Aref Qazvini. Her body of work also includes reinterpretations of Mazandarani folk songs and poems by Baba Taher and Mehdi Akhavan Sales.

January 2026 Protests: Amirhossein Samar Ansari Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirhossein Samar Ansari, January 2026 Protests, امیرحسین ثمر انصاری

HRANA – Amirhossein Samar Ansari, one of the individuals arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year in prison along with supplementary punishments.

Amirhossein Samar Ansari was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to one year of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda activity against the regime.” As a supplementary punishment, he was also banned from membership in political and social parties and groups for two years. He was acquitted by the same branch of the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.”

According to a portion of the court ruling published by this citizen, the court found that he had participated in what it described as “creating an atmosphere and promoting opposition propaganda against the Islamic Republic” through publishing and reposting content and images on social media. Citing reports from security officers, the contents of his mobile phone, his statements, and other evidence contained in the case file, the court concluded that the charge of “propaganda activity against the regime” had been established.

Amirhossein Samar Ansari, aged approximately 45, was arrested on January 5, 2026, during the nationwide protests. After approximately two months, he was released from prison upon posting bail. During his detention, he was held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison and in Unit 6 of Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

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Tayebeh Nazari Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tayebeh Nazari Maki Abadi

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

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

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

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

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

This citizen has previously been arrested due to her activities.

Samaneh Ebrahimi Arrested by Security Forces

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

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

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

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

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

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

Three Citizens Arrested in Tehran on Blasphemy Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, HRANA, Tehran

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amirparsa Neshat Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirparsa Neshat, امیرپارسا نشاط

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

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

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

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

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.