Category: Freedom of Expression

Two Khuzestan Residents Arrested, Two Musicians Summoned Over Song

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aref Naseri, Hossein Ahvazi, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mehdi Naseri, Mehdi Zaeri

HRANA – Mehdi Naseri and Aref Naseri, two residents of Khuzestan Province, were arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces. Hossein Ahvazi and Mehdi Zaeri, two musicians, were also summoned by the same security agency in connection with the production of a song. No information is currently available regarding the charges against the detained individuals or their whereabouts.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, Mehdi Naseri was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in Ahvaz.

According to information received by HRANA, Naseri’s arrest was related to his cultural activities and the production and release of a song titled “From Karun to Olive” (“Az Karun ta Zeytun”).

A source familiar with the matter told HRANA that the work had previously received official authorization; however, its video was removed from online platforms after being released.

Subsequently, on Saturday, September 12, Aref Naseri, Mehdi Naseri’s cousin, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in the Saadi district of Shadegan. Security forces also searched his home during the arrest.

Aref Naseri, also known as “Abu Nayef,” is a poet and host of a cultural program published online.

At the same time, Hossein Ahvazi and Mehdi Zaeri, two musicians who collaborated on the production of “From Karun to Olive,” were summoned by IRGC Intelligence. According to information received by HRANA, the summonses were also related to the production and release of the same work.

As of the time of this report, no precise information has been obtained regarding the specific reasons for the arrests, the charges brought against Mehdi Naseri and Aref Naseri, their legal status, or their place of detention. Further details regarding the summonses and the status of Hossein Ahvazi and Mehdi Zaeri are also unavailable.

January 2026 Protests: Erfan Haj Bonyan Dehaghani Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan Haj Bonyan Dehaghani, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan

HRANA – Erfan Haj Bonyan Dehaghani, one of those arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests in Isfahan, was sentenced by the city’s Revolutionary Court to one year in prison. In the same case, he was also sentenced to 10 years in prison on non-political charges.

According to HRANA, Erfan Haj Bonyan Dehaghani has been sentenced to prison.

According to a ruling issued on August 11 by Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Vahid Hemmat-Nejad as an advisory judge, Haj Bonyan Dehaghani was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda activity against the regime through participation in the January 8 gatherings, wearing distinctive clothing bearing writings against national interests, and activity on social media.”

He was also sentenced to 10 years in prison on non-political charges brought against him in the same case. These charges were brought following a search of his home and were based on claims by IRGC Intelligence agents that he possessed prohibited items (six grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms).

During his arrest and the search of his home, security forces confiscated many of his personal and valuable belongings, including digital devices, clothing, cash, and cryptocurrency-related assets.

He was arrested on March 6, 2026, and was released on bail on April 7, 2026.

Erfan Haj Bonyan Dehaghani, aged approximately 26, works in cryptocurrency trading, and resides in Isfahan.

Zahra Naghshineh, Attorney Arrested in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tabriz, Zahra Naghshineh, زهرا نقشینه

HRANA – Zahra Naghshineh, an attorney and member of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association, was arrested on Wednesday, September 9, after appearing before Branch 15 of the Tabriz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

According to HRANA, Zahra Naghshineh, an attorney and member of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association, has been arrested.

According to information received by HRANA, on Wednesday, September 9, Naghshineh appeared before Branch 15 of the Tabriz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office after receiving a summons. She was arrested after appearing before the judicial authority.

The summons issued to the attorney listed the charge against her as “lacking a criminal characterization.” A source close to Naghshineh confirmed the news to HRANA and said that her case was opened following a report by the Tabriz Ministry of Intelligence in connection with her activities and her legal and critical writings on various issues.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding Naghshineh’s place of detention or the possible charge or charges formally communicated to her after she appeared at the prosecutor’s office.

In addition to practicing law, Zahra Naghshineh has a history of professional association activities within the East Azerbaijan Bar Association. She previously served on the association’s Women’s Commission and was also active in the Secretariat for the Prevention of Violence Against Women.

Political Prisoner Souda Ebrahimi Shamsabadi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Marzieh Ebrahimi, Souda Ebrahimi, سودا ابراهیمی شمس آبادی

HRANA – Souda (Marzieh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, a 32-year-old prisoner held in Bandar Abbas Prison who was arrested amid security developments related to the war, has been sentenced to death by the city’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on earth.”

According to HRANA, Souda (Marzieh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, a political prisoner held in Bandar Abbas Prison who has multiple sclerosis (MS), has been sentenced to death.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court sentenced her to death on the charge of “corruption on earth,” in a case involving allegations including “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “media and propaganda activities against national security,” “intelligence and security activities on behalf of hostile governments,” and “photographing a military site and sending the images to Persian-language media outlets based outside Iran.” The court also ordered the confiscation of all her assets and barred her from government and public service.

Ms. Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, 32, was born in Arak, raised in Tehran, and resides in Bandar Abbas. She was arrested by security forces in April of this year amid security developments related to the war.

According to available information, authorities cited as evidence in her case that she had taken a photograph from a distance of the site where a missile had struck and sent the image to a Persian-language media outlet based outside Iran.

Marzieh Ebrahimi Shamsabadi also has several medical conditions. According to information obtained by HRANA, she has had MS for approximately six years and also suffers from psoriasis, narcolepsy, and gastric colic.

A source familiar with the prisoner’s situation told HRANA that Ms. Ebrahimi Shamsabadi is in poor physical condition and that her multiple concurrent illnesses have raised concerns about her health in prison.

Photojournalist Majid Saeedi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khoy Prison, Majid Saeedi, مجید سعیدی

HRANA – Security forces arrested photojournalist Majid Saeedi at his home in Tehran on Wednesday, September 9, and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, security forces arrested Majid Saeedi in Tehran on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Mehdi Saeedi, Majid Saeedi’s brother, announced in a post that his brother had been arrested at his home and that the family has no information about the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

Majid Saeedi was previously arrested by security forces on August 25, 2021, while reporting on the situation of Afghan refugees in the border areas of Khoy County. At the time, he was accused of “photographing a border outpost.” He was ultimately released from Khoy Prison on September 12 of that year.

Mr. Saeedi began his professional career in photojournalism in 1990 and has previously worked with Shargh newspaper. He also received the Lucas Dolega Award for his photo series “Life in War,” which documented the lives of people in Afghanistan.

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January 2026 Protests: Narges Heydari, a Resident of Izeh, Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Narges Heydari, Sepidar Prison, ایذه, نرگس حیدری

HRANA – The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced Narges Heydari, a resident of Izeh who was arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests and is currently held in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, to five years in prison and additional punishment.

According to HRANA, Narges Heydari has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Under a ruling issued by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court and communicated to Heydari, she was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security.” As an additional punishment, the court also ordered her to perform “enjoining good” for one year.

On January 19, 2026, Narges Heydari was arrested in Izeh by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization in connection with nationwide protests.

Heydari, 38, is currently held in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Hossein Afrasiab Sentenced to More Than Three Years and Nine Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, Hossein Afrasiab, HRANA, Isfahan, حسین افراسیاب

HRANA – The judiciary sentenced Hossein Afrasiab, a detained citizen currently held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, to three years, nine months, and twenty days in prison.

According to HRANA, Hossein Afrasiab has been sentenced to imprisonment.

A social media page attributed to the prisoner wrote: “Hossein Afrasiab was initially sentenced by the judiciary to five years and one month in prison. In the final ruling, his sentence was reduced to three years, nine months, and twenty days.”

Without providing further details, including the charges against the prisoner or the judicial authority that issued the sentence, the page stated that possession of satellite internet equipment (Starlink) was among the alleged grounds for the charges brought against Mr. Afrasiab.

On March 14, 2026, Hossein Afrasiab was arrested by security forces in Shahin Shahr and subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

HRANA’s inquiries regarding the judicial authority that issued the sentence and the details of this prisoner’s case remain ongoing.

Babak Moradifar Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

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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

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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

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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.