Category: News

January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Benjamin Naghdi

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Benjamin Naghdi, HRANA

HRANA – The death sentence of Benjamin Naghdi (Naqdi), who was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests, has been upheld by Branch 41 of Iran’s Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz).

According to HRANA, citing Emtedad, the Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence issued against Benjamin Naghdi, one of those arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests.

Mustafa Nili, Mr. Naghdi’s attorney, announced that “Branch 41 of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal and upheld the death sentence issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz on the charge of ‘spreading corruption on earth.'”

According to the attorney, “The ruling was formally served on the defense lawyers yesterday, and we will soon file a request for a retrial.”

Mr. Nili further stated that the trial judges considered all of the charges brought against his client to constitute “spreading corruption on earth,” and on that basis imposed the death penalty.

In June 2026, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz had sentenced Benjamin Naghdi to death on the charge of “spreading corruption on earth.”

According to his defense lawyer, Mr. Naghdi was arrested in Shiraz on January 3, 2026, for allegedly igniting a fire extinguisher and directing it toward law enforcement officers during the protests.

Before his arrest, Benjamin Naghdi was active in kickboxing and Muay Thai, and had won championship titles in both sports.

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.

January 2026 Protests: 17-Year-Old Yasin Sarfaraz Sentenced to Prison

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Yasin Sarfaraz

HRANA – Yasin Sarfaraz, a 17-year-old resident of Bojnurd who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by a judicial authority to three years and three months in prison.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Yasin Sarfaraz has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to the report, Mr. Sarfaraz was sentenced to three years and three months in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” The verdict was formally served on him in July 2026.

The report further states that throughout his detention and the judicial proceedings, Yasin Sarfaraz was denied access to a lawyer of his choice. His trial was also held without the presence of defense counsel.

Yasin Sarfaraz, 17, is a resident of Bojnurd, North Khorasan province. He was arrested by security forces on January 11, 2026 in connection with the nationwide protests.

Afshin Heyratian Sentenced to 31 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Afshin Heyratian, Evin Prison, HRANA, افشین حیرتیان

HRANA – Afshin Heyratian, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to a total of 31 years in prison and financial penalties. Under Iran’s sentencing rules for multiple offenses, 12 years of his prison sentence, as the most severe punishment, will be enforceable.

According to HRANA, children’s rights activist Afshin Heyratian has been sentenced to prison.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Mr. Heyratian was sentenced to:

• 12 years in prison for forming an illegal group;

• 11 years in prison for propaganda activities contrary to the sacred law of Islam;

• 6 years in prison and a fine of 330 million tomans for assembly and collusion against national security.

Under the legal provisions governing multiple convictions, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, only the most severe sentence, 12 years in prison, will be enforceable.

He was also sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine equal to twice the amount received (US$2,000) on the charge of obtaining illicit property, in connection with receiving US$1,000.

Mr. Heyratian’s trial was held on July 18, 2026, before Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. At the time of the hearing, he had spent more than 250 days in detention without a final legal determination of his case.

Afshin Heyratian was arrested by security forces at his mother’s home in Tehran on November 11, 2025. During the arrest, agents searched the residence and confiscated a number of his personal belongings as well as items belonging to his family members. He was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

Afshin Heyratian, an approximately 46-year-old single Baha’i resident of Tehran, is a member of the Society for Protecting the Rights of Child Laborers and Street Children. He has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution because of his activities and religious beliefs.

According to HRA’s annual reports, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities in Iran have involved Baha’i citizens.

January 2026 Protests: Saeed Mohammadyari Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison and Exile

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Saeed Mohammadyari, سعید محمدیاری

HRANA – Saeed Mohammadyari, a resident of Kuhdasht and one of those arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Khorramabad to eight years in prison and two years of internal exile.

According to HRANA, Saeed Mohammadyari has been sentenced to imprisonment and internal exile.

According to the ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Khorramabad, he was sentenced to a total of eight years in prison and two years of internal exile to the city of Khoy on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

A source familiar with the case confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The verdict was formally served on Mr. Mohammadyari today.”

Saeed Mohammadyari, 36, was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests and was later released on bail. He works as a farmer in Kuhdasht.

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.

January 2026 Protests: Seyed Alireza Seyedi Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Alireza Seyedi, Ashkhaneh, Bojnurd

HRANA – Seyed Alireza Seyedi, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Bojnurd to three years in prison and flogging.

According to a report by HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Seyed Alireza Seyedi has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

Based on the report, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Bojnurd convicted him on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security,” sentencing him to three years of discretionary imprisonment and flogging.

Mr. Seyedi was tried before the same branch on July 13, 2026.

On January 10, 2026, he was arrested by security forces in connection with the nationwide protests. After spending 10 days in custody, he was released on bail.

Seyed Alireza Seyedi, 26, is a resident of Ashkhaneh in North Khorasan Province.

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Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou Sentenced to More Than Three Years and Seven Months in Prison

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Ethnic Minorities, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou, یوروش مهرعلی بیگلو

HRANA – Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist imprisoned in Tabriz Prison, has been sentenced in a new case by Branch 1 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court to three years, seven months, and 17 days of discretionary imprisonment.

According to HRANA, Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou has been sentenced to prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 1 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court recently sentenced Mehrali Beiglou in a new case to three years, seven months, and 17 days of discretionary imprisonment. The verdict was formally served on him in prison two days ago. Under the ruling, he was sentenced to seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime,” and three years and one day on the charge of “inciting or provoking people to war and killing.”

According to an informed source, this case stems from Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou’s arrest on January 4, 2026.

In May 2025, the East Azerbaijan Provincial Court of Appeals, in a separate branch of his case, sentenced Mehrali Beiglou to six years and two months in prison on the charge of forming an illegal group, and three years and seven months for assembly and collusion against national security. That case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

In January 2026, Branch 2 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court had convicted him on the aforementioned charges. Hearings in the case against the Azerbaijani-Turk activist had been held in May 2024.

Yoroush Mehrali Beiglou was transferred to Tabriz Prison in February 2024 and was released on bail a short time later. He had previously been arrested in Jolfa County in November 2023 and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz. He has previously been arrested and convicted on multiple occasions due to his activism.

Juvenile Offender Executed in Urmia Prison

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Executions, News
Farzad Sobhani, HRANA, Naqadeh, Urmia prison

HRANA – At dawn today, a juvenile offender who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge was executed in Urmia Prison.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, a juvenile offender has been executed in Urmia Prison.

The individual has been identified as Farzad Sobhani, from the village of Gerdeh Qeyt, a village in Naqadeh County, West Azerbaijan province.

According to the report, Sobhani was arrested three years ago at the age of 16 on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

At the time of writing, prison authorities and the relevant official bodies had not publicly announced the execution.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Ghezel Hesar Prisoners End Strike Following Officials’ Promise to Halt Executions

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA – Yesterday, Tuesday, July 28, prisoners in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj ended their strike after prison officials and judicial authorities pledged to suspend the execution of death sentences for prisoners convicted in drug-related cases while their requests are under review. The strike had begun on July 13 in protest against the transfer of six death row prisoners in such cases to solitary confinement.

According to HRANA, prisoners held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj have ended their strike.

Information received by HRANA indicates that prisoners in Unit 2 ended their strike today after meeting with prison officials and judicial authorities. During the meeting, officials promised that executions in drug-related cases at the prison would be suspended until the prisoners’ requests are reviewed. The protesting prisoners stated that their decision to maintain the suspension of the strike depends on whether the authorities fulfill these commitments and honor their promises.

The strike began on Monday, July 13, after six prisoners sentenced to death in drug-related cases were transferred to solitary confinement. Since then, the protesters had refused prison food rations and staged a sit-in, demanding an end to executions. Several prisoners also sewed their lips shut as an act of protest.

The strike continued as, on July 22, Hossein Zolfaghari met with the head of Iran’s judiciary to discuss amendments to the Anti-Narcotics Law and existing legal shortcomings. According to reports from the meeting, discussions focused on the government’s proposed bill to amend the law and the need to review regulations concerning drug-related offenses. A significant number of the protesting prisoners in Unit 2 are on death row in drug-related cases, and one of their principal demands has been to halt executions until the law is revised.

The prisoners had resumed their strike despite similar assurances made in October 2025. At that time, following a seven-day collective hunger strike by prisoners in Unit 2, representatives of the head of the judiciary, the head of the Prisons Organization, and the director of Ghezel Hesar Prison met with the prisoners and promised that executions would be suspended for at least six months, that their cases would be reviewed, and that efforts would be made to amend the Anti-Narcotics Law. Based on those assurances, the prisoners ended their strike but emphasized that the agreement depended on the authorities implementing their commitments. The protesting prisoners now say that the resumption of executions and the current situation amount to a breach of those earlier promises.

Seven Sunni Citizens Arrested in Abadan and Mahshahr

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News, Religious Minorities
Abadan, Mahshahr

HRANA News Agency – Seven Sunni citizens were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the cities of Abadan and Mahshahr and taken to undisclosed locations.

According to HRANA, seven Sunni citizens have been arrested in Abadan and Mahshahr.

The identities of the detainees have been confirmed as:

• Hassan Batrani, 32;

• Mehdi Batrani, 41;

• Mehdi Asakereh, 20;

• Hossein Khanfari, 33;

• Amin Khanfari, 22, all residents of Abadan; and

• Abdolhamid Simari, also known as Abu Abdolsalam, 50; and

• Hatem Mansouri, 46, both residents of Mahshahr.

However, local sources have reported that the number of those arrested is higher than currently confirmed, a matter that HRANA is still investigating.

The arrests took place on Friday, July 24, 2026, when agents of the Ministry of Intelligence detained the individuals in Abadan and Mahshahr. They were subsequently transferred to undisclosed locations, and no information has been made available regarding their current condition or whereabouts.

At the time of this report, no information has emerged regarding the charges brought against these individuals.

Mehdi Rostami Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ashkhaneh, HRANA, مهدی رستمی

HRANA – Mehdi Rostami, a resident of Ashkhaneh who had previously been arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Bojnurd.

According to a report by HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Mehdi Rostami, a 25-year-old resident of Ashkhaneh in North Khorasan Province, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in July 2026 by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Bojnurd.

According to the report, the charges brought against him were “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Mehdi Rostami was arrested by security forces in  January 2026 without the presentation of a judicial warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location. After several days, he was released temporarily upon posting bail.