Category: News

Ramin Rostami Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Harsin, Ramin Rostami, Tehran, رامین رستمی

HRANA– On Wednesday, August 20, Ramin Rostami, a resident of Harsin currently living in Tehran, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, his arrest took place on Wednesday, August 20, at his residence in Tehran by security forces who did not present a judicial warrant. A source close to the citizen confirmed the arrest and told HRANA: “Ramin Rostami was detained at the same time as Ehsan Rostami.”

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

Ramin Rostami, originally from Harsin, has previously been active in the field of publishing and books.

Iraj Pashapour Sentenced to Prison and Complementary Punishment

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ardabil Province, Eslamshahr, Germi, HRANA, Iraj Pashapour

HRANA News Agency – Iraj Pashapour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Germi Revolutionary Court in Ardabil Province to nine months in prison and a one-year ban on online activity.

According to the verdict, which was recently communicated to him, Pashapour was convicted on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to his prison term, the court imposed a one-year prohibition on his use of social media as a complementary punishment.

The ruling was based on reports from the Germi Public Security Police as well as Pashapour’s online activities. The court further stated that if he violates the ban, the punishment will be extended, and in the case of repeated violations, it may be converted to a fine or an additional prison term.

Notably, while the header of the judgment identifies the issuing body as the “Germi Public Civil Court,” the text refers to it as the “Germi Revolutionary Court.” Such discrepancies are common in smaller cities where no independent Revolutionary Court exists, and a branch of the General Court assumes its duties.

Pashapour was arrested on June 20, 2024, by security forces and transferred to Germi Prison. He was later charged with “membership in groups formed inside the country with the intent of disturbing national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” before being released on bail of 500 million tomans.

Iraj Pashapour is an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and a resident of Eslamshahr.

Shahab Darabi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
HRANA, Iranian truck driver, Shahab Darabi, شهاب دارابی

HRANA – Shahab Darabi, a truck driver from Eslamabad-e Gharb who was arrested by security forces for supporting the truck drivers’ strikes, has been sentenced to three years and one day in prison.

According to a verdict recently issued by a branch of the Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Darabi, he was sentenced in connection with his participation in the truck drivers’ strikes and for posting supportive content on social media. Further details, including the specific charges brought against him, are under review by HRANA.

Darabi was arrested on May 27 by Ministry of Intelligence agents. His arrest was carried out violently, with officers subjecting him to beatings.

After his detention, a video of Darabi was circulated on social media in which – under unclear circumstances – he expressed regret over his past actions. The footage sparked widespread reactions online, with many users describing it as a “forced confession.” He was eventually released on bail on June 1.

HRANA has also published a detailed report on the truck drivers’ strikes in June, outlining the causes, the strike’s expansion, the government’s response, and the subsequent arrests.

Appeals Court Increases Prison Sentence of Hamid Chapati

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid Chapati, Urmia, West Azerbaijan, حمید چپاتی

HRANA – The prison sentence of Hamid Chapati, a resident of Urmia, has been increased to six months by Branch 23 of the West Azerbaijan Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced to three months in prison by a lower court.

According to Kurdpa, the ruling was issued by Branch 23 of the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals and formally communicated to Mr. Chapati on Tuesday, August 19. Under this verdict, he has been sentenced to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

The increased sentence came after an appeal filed by Behzad Sarikhanlou, the deputy prosecutor of Urmia, against the lower court’s decision, which resulted in the case being referred to the Court of Appeals.

In February 2025, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court had sentenced Mr. Chapati to three months in prison on the same charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Chapati was initially arrested on October 16, 2024, after being summoned by phone to the Urmia Security Police. He was later released on bail following the formal presentation of charges.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Naghi Shahi, Tabriz Prison, Yashar Lejehi.

HRANA– At dawn on Wednesday, August 20, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges were executed in Tabriz Prison.

HRANA has identified the individuals hanged at dawn on Wednesday, August 21, 2025, as Naghi Shahi and Yashar Lejehi. Based on information received by HRANA, Messrs. Shahi and Lejehi had been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by criminal courts.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these two prisoners have not been announced by prison officials or other relevant authorities.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

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Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari Arrested in Sabzevar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Sabzevar, Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari, کلاته سیفری

HRANA – Yesterday, Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari, a resident of Sabzevar, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A knowledgeable source confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Kalateh Seyfari was arrested on Wednesday, August 20, by security forces in Sabzevar. The reason cited for her arrest was her participation in the July 22 protest in front of the county governor’s office, where residents gathered to protest repeated electricity and water outages.”

Based on information received by HRANA, since her arrest this citizen has not been in contact with her family. Despite her family’s inquiries with judicial and security authorities, no information has been made available regarding her whereabouts or the charges against her.

It should be noted that on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, a group of Sabzevar residents held a protest in front of the county governor’s office in response to frequent power and water cuts.

Public Execution: Prisoner Hanged in Kordkuy

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Executions, News
Golestan, HRANA, Kordkuy, Public execution

HRANA – At dawn on August 21, a prisoner in Kordkuy County, previously sentenced to death for the murder of three people, was executed in public.

According to Mizan News Agency, the head of Golestan Province’s Judiciary reported that the man had been arrested in December last year for murdering three individuals—a married couple and a young woman – using a hunting rifle in Kordkuy.

Heydar Asiabi added that Branch Two of the Criminal Court One of Golestan Province sentenced him to public execution, a verdict later upheld by the Supreme Court. The execution was carried out on Thursday morning.

No further details, including the prisoner’s identity, were provided in the report.

Since the start of 2025, Iranian authorities have carried out eight public executions—a significant rise compared to previous years.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Defrocking of Shiite Cleric Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad, Qom prison

HRANA – The Appeals Court of the Special Clerical Court has upheld the prison sentence and defrocking order against Shiite cleric Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad. In the initial ruling, he had been sentenced to 23 months and six days in prison, along with three years of defrocking from the clergy.

A page attributed to this cleric reported that the Appeals Court of the Special Clerical Court confirmed in full both his prison sentence and defrocking order. In the lower court, he had been sentenced to eight months and one day in prison on the charge of “acting against the regim,” and to 15 months and five days in prison for “insulting the leaders of the Islamic Revolution.” Additionally, he was sentenced to three years of defrocking on the charge of “dishonoring the clergy.”

Mr. Akbarnejad was released from Qom Prison in March 2024 after posting bail. His arrest had taken place on February 17, 2024, by agents of the IRGC Intelligence.

In an earlier audio message sent to HRANA, Akbarnejad described being pressured to make forced confessions.

Mr. Akbarnejad, a Shiite cleric and former professor at the Qom Seminary, has previously faced judicial action due to his activities.

Ehsan Rostami Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

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News, Other
Ehsan Rostami, Tehran, احسان رستمی

HRANA – On Wednesday, August 19, Ehsan Rostami, a Tehran resident, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Rostami was arrested at his private residence in Tehran on Wednesday, August 20, by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. So far, no information has been obtained regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges against him.

Ehsan Rostami is a cultural activist in the field of publishing and books.

Mojtaba Moghiseh Arrested in Sabzevar

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mojtaba Moghiseh, Sabzevar, مجتبی مقیسه

HRANA – On Wednesday, August 20, Mojtaba Moghiseh, a resident of Sabzevar, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Moghiseh was arrested on Wednesday, August 20, by security forces in Sabzevar. Since his detention, he has not contacted his family, and his whereabouts remain unknown.” At the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest.

In late 2024, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar sentenced him to seven months and 15 days in prison and one year of exile. In late-April 2025, Moghiseh’s conviction was upheld in full by the Court of Appeals of Razavi Khorasan Province.

Another part of his case, on the charge of insulting sacred beliefs, is still under review at Branch 103 of the Criminal Court of Sabzevar.

Mojtaba Moghiseh is one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Sabzevar and has previously faced arrest and conviction over his activities.