Category: Freedom of Expression

Eight Teacher Union Activists Sentenced to Prison by Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Fatemeh Yazdani, Hossein Rashidi Zarandi, HRANA, Kerman, Leila Afshar, Majid Naderi, Mitra Nikpour, Mohammadreza Behzadpour, Shahnaz Rezaei Sharifabadi, Zahra Azizi

HRANA– Eight teacher union activists from Kerman Province have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Kerman to a total of 8 years and 6 months of discretionary imprisonment.

According to HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the verdicts were issued on August 3, 2025, by Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Aghaeipour, and have been formally communicated to the individuals.

Breakdown of the sentences is as follows:

   ● Majid Naderi was sentenced to:
       ◦ 1 year in prison for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”
       ◦ 4 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader”

   ● Hossein Rashidi Zarandi received:
       ◦ 1 year for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “insulting Khomeini and Khamenei”

   ● Mohammadreza Behzadpour was sentenced to:
       ◦ 1 year for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”

   ● Fatemeh Yazdani, Mitra Nikpour, Zahra Azizi, Leila Afshar, and Shahnaz Rezaei Sharifabadi were each sentenced to:
       ◦ 6 months for “membership in a group opposing the regime to disrupt national security”
       ◦ 4 months for “propaganda against the regime”

In June 2025, the indictment against these teacher union activists was issued and referred to Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court.

These individuals had previously been summoned to the Kerman Prosecutor’s Office on June 9, 2024.

Earlier, in October 2022, Zahra Azizi, Mohammadreza Behzadpour, and Hossein Rashidi were summoned by Kerman’s Security Police.

In May 2022, Mohammadreza Behzadpour, Majid Naderi, and Hossein Rashidi were arrested by security forces in Kerman and later released on bail after several days.

Three Citizens Arrested in Damavand County

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Damavand, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – The commander of the IRGC in Damavand County, Tehran province, announced the arrest of three citizens on charges of alleged collaboration with Israel and the “Monafeqin” — a term the Iranian government uses to refer to the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK). According to the commander, legal cases have been opened and the individuals have been referred to the judiciary.

The local IRGC commander claimed the detainees were “connected to Israeli intelligence services and the MEK” and were “planning acts of sabotage targeting sensitive locations.” According to Mehr News Agency, the arrests were carried out by IRGC Intelligence agents, and their cases are currently under judicial review.

The report does not specify the date of arrest, the identities of the detainees, or where they are being held.

While espionage itself is not considered a human rights issue, the Iranian government has a long history of using such accusations to target political dissidents. Claims of this nature—especially in the absence of transparency and due process—are often met with skepticism.

Teacher Forough Khosravi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher and resident of Behbahan, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA: “On Tuesday morning, Ms. Khosravi received a phone call from an unknown number, instructing her to appear at the courthouse by noon. She declined to comply, citing the absence of an official summons. A few hours later, around 2:30 PM, IRGC Intelligence agents arrived with an arrest warrant, detained her, and transferred her to an undisclosed location.”

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

This arrest follows a previous incident on June 19, when six IRGC Intelligence agents — including two women — entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant. During the raid, they created a climate of intimidation while conducting a search, and confiscated several personal belongings, including her cellphone. Ms. Khosravi’s daughter, who was home at the time, was reportedly deeply traumatized by the experience.

Subsequently, Ms. Khosravi filed a formal complaint against the agents. However, in what has been described as a one-sided decision in favor of the security apparatus, Judge Ruhollah Farzadnasab of Branch 2 in Behbahan dismissed the case, issuing an order not to pursue prosecution.

Forough Khosravi holds a doctorate in education and works as an elementary school teacher. She was previously expelled from Payam Noor University in Bandar Imam in the aftermath of the 2009 protests.

Arrest and Incommunicado Detention of Pouya Ahmadi in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Pouya Ahmadi, Tehran

HRANA– Pouya Ahmadi, a resident of Tehran, has been held in detention for six days following his arrest by security forces, with no information available regarding his fate or whereabouts.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that on July 22, 2025, security forces violently arrested Mr. Ahmadi at his home in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched the home and confiscated several personal belongings, including his phone, computer, printer, and identification documents.

The source added that Ahmadi’s family has received no information about his location or condition, which has caused them significant concern.

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

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Naser Hemmati Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, HRANA, Ilam, Naser Hemmati

HRANA – Naser Hemmati, a resident of Abdanan, has been sentenced in absentia to more than five years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ilam.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the verdict was recently delivered to Mr. Hemmati, sentencing him to five years, three months, and two days in prison. The charges leading to his conviction include “supporting and legitimizing Israel,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “communication with a Telegram channel.”

Mr. Hemmati only learned of the case details when summoned to receive a copy of the verdict.

He was previously arrested in December 2023 after being summoned by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Abdanan and was later released on bail of one billion tomans. The charges brought against him at that time included “sabb al-nabi (insulting the Prophet of Islam),” “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “spreading falsehoods online,” and “supporting and legitimizing the Zionist regime.”

Mr. Hemmati has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

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Researcher Navid Kalahrudi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohammad Ahmadi, Navid Kalahrudi, نوید کلهرودی

HRANA – On Friday, July 25, Navid Kalahrudi, a researcher, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Etemad Online, Kalahrudi was arrested on the evening of Friday, July 25, by security agents who also searched his home and confiscated several personal items, including his laptop. The report does not specify where he is being held.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges against him.

It is worth noting that a recent interview with Kalahrudi on the program Dialogue Iran, which focuses on political and social issues, has been widely viewed on social media. The program’s producer, Mohammad Ahmadi, is also currently in detention.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Shahin Zoghi Tabar, Tehran, شاهین ذوقی تبار

HRANA– This morning, Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, a Tehran resident, was arrested by security forces at his private residence and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to his family confirmed the arrest and told HRANA:
“Mr. Zoghi-Tabar was arrested this morning, Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his home in Tehran. At the same time, his home was searched by agents, who confiscated several personal items, including mobile phones belonging to him and his family members.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges he may be facing.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, a former political prisoner, had previously been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion” through alleged cooperation with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). He was released from Rajaei Shahr Prison in Karaj in 2017 after serving his sentence.

Documentary Filmmaker Mina Mashhadi Mahdi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hasan Naqqashi, HRANA, Mina Mashhadi Mahdi

HRANA– On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, documentary filmmaker Mina Mashhadi Mahdi was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Her husband, Hasan Naqqashi, announced that security forces arrested his wife on July 22 and, despite assurances that she would be released the same day, she remains in detention.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding the reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, or her place of detention.

Mina Mashhadi Mahdi is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and actress. Her works have been screened at various art festivals.

Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi Arrested in Borujerd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi, Borujerd, Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, Leila Saremi, Reza Moazami Goudarzi

HRANA – On Tuesday,  July 22, Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi, the parents of political prisoner Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, were arrested by security forces in the city of Borujerd and taken to an undisclosed location.

Mr. Moazami Goudarzi and Ms. Saremi were detained at their private residence in Borujerd by security agents without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding the reasons for their arrest, the charges against them, or their whereabouts.

Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi are Borujerd residents and the parents of Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, a political prisoner. They are also relatives of Reza Moazami Goudarzi, who was fatally shot during the nationwide protests on November 17, 2019, in Shahriar.

At Least 2,000 People Arrested During Iran–Israel War

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, HRANA

HRANA – Iran’s judiciary chief has announced that approximately 2,000 individuals were arrested during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel. HRANA had previously cited similar figures in earlier reports.

Quoting Hamshahri, HRANA reports that Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judiciary, stated: “During the 12-day war, at least 2,000 people were arrested. Many of them had no involvement in acts of sabotage and have since been released.”

For further details, see HRANA’s comprehensive report on the Iran–Israel conflict.

The war began in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, with a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian territory. According to HRANA’s field sources, alongside military sites, residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure were also hit, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians.