Category: Freedom of Expression

New Legal Case Filed Against Journalist Marzieh Mahmoudi Over Social Media Post

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Freedom of Expression, News
Marzieh Mahmoudi, مرضیه محمودی

HRANA – A legal case has been opened against journalist Marzieh Mahmoudi at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office.

Ms. Mahmoudi wrote about the development on social media, stating: “A new case has been opened for me at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office. I can guess which tweet it’s about, and it’s truly unfortunate.”

Marzieh Mahmoudi, a journalist and former editor-in-chief of Tejarat News, has previously faced judicial actions in connection with her professional activities.

Over the past five years (2020–2024), Iran’s Judiciary has issued prison sentences totaling about 8,290 years to over 2,500 individuals—punished solely for exercising their rights to freedom of speech and thought.

Civil Rights Activist Sajjad Haeri Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmadreza Haeri, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Sajjad Haeri, سجاد حائری

HRANA – Civil activist Sajjad Haeri, the brother of political prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri, has been sentenced by the Damavand Revolutionary Court to two years and six months in prison, along with supplementary punishments.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the court issued this ruling against Haeri on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading falsehoods with intent to disturb public opinion.”

A social media page attributed to Ahmadreza Haeri reported that, in addition to imprisonment, Sajjad Haeri was given a two-year ban on membership in political and social parties, groups, and associations. The ruling also includes the suspension of any media outlet or institution allegedly involved in the charges.

He was initially arrested on July 12 by security forces at his father’s residence in Damavand and was later released on bail pending trial.

Sajjad Haeri is the brother of political prisoner Ahmadreza Haeri, who is currently serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison; Serving Term in Greater Tehran Prison

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

HRANA – Political prisoner Shahin Zoghi-Tabar is serving his sentence in Greater Tehran Prison. He was recently sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Recently, this political prisoner was sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The sentence was issued on charges of membership in opposition groups, “spreading falsehoods,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.” His trial session was held on August 17 in the aforementioned court.

Zoghi-Tabar was arrested on July 24 at his residence in Tehran and subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Prison. During his arrest, security forces searched his home and confiscated several personal belongings, including the mobile phones of him and his family.

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

Reza Kooshki-Nejad Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Lorestan, Reza Kooshki Nejad, رضا کوشکی نژاد

HRANA – Reza Kooshki-Nejad has been arrested.

On Sunday, September 28, 2025, his brother, Hossein Kooshki-Nejad, announced in a public post that Reza had been arrested. This citizen had previously reported on social media that a legal case had been opened against him.

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

Reza Kooshki-Nejad, a resident of Lorestan, was previously arrested and convicted for his activities. He is also among those detained during the 2022 nationwide protests.

In 2024, a total of 2,783 Iranian citizens were arrested by security and judicial authorities due to their beliefs, opinions, or political and civil activities. Over the past decade, the number of such arrests has exceeded 56,000. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2022, during the nationwide protests, when HRANA documented 23,977 detentions.

Marivan: Mohammad Hooshmand Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC Intelligence, Marivan, Mohammad Hooshmand, Sanandaj, محمد هوشمند

HRANA – Mohammad Hooshmand, a resident of Marivan County, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the Revolutionary Court of this city.

According quoting Kurdpa, the ruling was handed down by the Marivan Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Houshmand on September 23, 2025. Based on the verdict, he was convicted on the charge of membership in anti-regime groups and sentenced to one year in prison.

On May 16, 2025, Mr. Hooshmand was arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces in Marivan without a judicial warrant and transferred to Shahramfar Detention Center in Sanandaj. He was eventually released on bail on June 18, 2025.

Mohammad Hooshmand is a resident of Daretfi village in Marivan County.

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Atash Shakarami Sentenced to 38 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atash Shakarami, HRANA, Nika Shakarami, آتش شاکرمی, نیکا شاکرمی

HRANA – Atash Shakarami has been sentenced by the Lorestan Province Court of Appeals to receive 38 lashes.

Ms. Shakarami announced in a public statement that her conviction was recently confirmed in full by the Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced by Branch 106 of the Khorramabad Criminal Court (Second Class) to 38 lashes on the charge of “spreading falsehoods.”

Without mentioning specifics of the charges, Ms. Shakarami stated that the case was opened following a private complaint.

Atash Shakarami, who has a prior record of arrest, is the aunt of Nika Shakarami, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation.

Naseh Lahijani Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kurdpa, Mahabad, Naseh Lahijani, Piranshahr, Sardasht, ناصح لاهیجانی

HRANA – Naseh Lahijani, a resident of Piranshahr, has been sentenced to 10 years and one day in prison by the Mahabad Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the sentence was recently issued by Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Lahijani. Based on the ruling, he was convicted on the charge of membership and collaboration with an opposition party and sentenced to 10 years and one day in prison.

About five months ago, after returning to Iran, Lahijani was arrested in the city of Sardasht by security forces. Following interrogation, he was transferred to Mahabad Prison.

During his detention, this citizen was denied access to a lawyer. He is now serving his sentence in Mahabad Prison.

Naseh Lahijani is from the village of “Hamzeh Abad” in Piranshahr County.

HRANA’s report shows that in 2024, Iranian regime courts—both primary and appeals courts—issued a total of 33,574 months of prison sentences (equivalent to 2,797 years) against Iranian citizens for their political and civil activities. This total represents more than a 1.5-fold increase compared to the previous five-year period.

Rostam Bagheri Held Over Three Months in Khorramabad Prison Without Bail

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Khorramabad, Kuhdasht, Rostam Bagheri

HRANA News Agency – Rostam Bagheri, a citizen from Kuhdasht, has been held in detention for over three months and remains in a state of legal uncertainty in Khorramabad Prison. Despite his family securing the bail set for his temporary release, the judicial authority has refused to register and accept it.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Bagheri has been held for 94 days. In a letter to the head of the Kuhdasht judiciary, he protested both his continued detention and the refusal to accept his bail.

In a second case, Bagheri faces the charge of “supporting Israel.” The court session related to this case was held on September 2.

Previously, in his first case, he was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to three years in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Rostam Bagheri, a 36-year-old citizen from Kuhdasht and father of one child, was arrested on June 21 by IRGC intelligence agents in the city without a judicial warrant and was later transferred to Khorramabad Prison.

Mahabad: Soroush Yousefzadeh Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mahabad, Soroush Yousefzadeh

HRANA – Soroush Yousefzadeh, a resident of Mahabad, has been sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of this city.

According to Kurdpa, the verdict was issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Siami, and officially communicated to Mr. Yousefzadeh on September 16. Based on the ruling, he was sentenced to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

On June 19 of this year, Yousefzadeh was arrested by security forces at his home. During the arrest, agents confiscated some of his personal belongings as well as the mobile phones of his father and brother.

He was ultimately released on July 13 after posting bail set at one billion tomans.

Mehrdad Moghiseh Arrested in Sabzevar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehrdad Moghiseh, Sabzevar, مهرداد مقیسه

HRANA – On Thursday, September 18, security forces in Sabzevar violently arrested Mehrdad Moghiseh, a former detainee of the 2022 nationwide protests, and transferred him to an undisclosed location. His family has since been left without information about his condition, raising serious concerns for his safety.

A source close to the family told HRANA: “Mr. Moghiseh was at the scene of the Sabzevar Cement Factory fire. In response to the poor conditions and lack of firefighting equipment, he voiced criticism and raised demands. Following this, security agents beat him and took him into custody.”

At the time of this report, neither his whereabouts nor the charges against him have been disclosed.

In May 2025, the Court of Appeals of Razavi Khorasan Province upheld in full a prison and exile sentence previously issued against him. In March 2024, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar sentenced Moghiseh to seven months and 15 days in prison and one year of exile in Darmian County on the charge of propaganda against the regime.

Moghiseh, who was arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Sabzevar, has previously faced arrest and convictions in connection with his activism.