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January 2026 Protests: Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia Sentenced to Prison

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by . .

ahvaz, Iman Shahpari Nia, Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi

HRANA – The convictions of Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia, who were arrested during the January 2026 protests, have been fully upheld by the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. In a joint case, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced each of them to two years in prison along with supplementary punishments.

Based on a ruling recently issued by Branch 14 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Shahpari Talkh Abi and Mr. Shahpari Nia were each sentenced, on the charge of “disrupting public order,” to two years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The court cited the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code as the basis for the sentence.

The initial verdict in their case had been issued by Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on the same charge.

In this case, the charge of “disrupting public order” was brought under the note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. Under Iran’s legal framework, Article 286 itself pertains to the offense of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). However, according to its accompanying note, if a defendant’s actions are deemed to have caused disorder or insecurity but are not considered sufficiently extensive to constitute efsad-e fel-arz, the death penalty is not applied, and the defendant may instead be sentenced to a Grade 5 or Grade 6 discretionary prison term (up to five years’ imprisonment).

The reliance on this note rather than Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code, which addresses ordinary public-order offenses and carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison, indicates that the case was handled through a security-oriented approach, with the court relying on the more severe penalties provided under the note to Article 286.

Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia were arrested on January 9, 2026, during the nationwide protests and were subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

Teacher Zahra Arefi Mehr Arrested Following Court Hearing

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News

HRANA, Sabzevar, Torbat-e Heydarieh, Zahra Arefi Mehr

HRANA – A court hearing on the charges against Zahra Arefi Mehr, a teacher and artist, was held on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. At the conclusion of the hearing, she was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

The hearing took place on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. Ms. Arefi Mehr personally defended herself against charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion,” without access to legal counsel.

An informed source told HRANA: “During the hearing, the publication of posts and images related to individuals who lost their lives in 2026 protests was cited as evidence supporting the charges brought against this teacher. Following the conclusion of the court session, Zahra was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.”

Zahra Arefi Mehr is an Iranian teacher, children’s literature writer, and artist. She is also active in the field of visual arts, and her paintings have been exhibited in international group exhibitions.

Ariana Kouchaki, Sharif University Student, Arrested

Posted on June 4, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Students

Ariana Kouchaki, HRANA, Sharif University of Technology

HRANA – Ariana Kouchaki, a student at Sharif University of Technology, was arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday and taken to an undisclosed location.

The Student Council of Sharif University of Technology announced that the student was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Monday, June 1, 2026.

So far, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or his place of detention.

Ariana Kouchaki is an undergraduate Industrial Engineering student who entered Sharif University of Technology in 2021.

Mahmoud Talkh Abi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Appeal

Posted on June 4, 2026June 4, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News

ahvaz, HRANA, Mahmoud Talkh Abi, Sheiban Prison, محمود تلخ آبی

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Mahmoud Talkh Abi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2026 and currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been upheld in full by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Talkh Abi was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order,” pursuant to the Note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Previously, at the trial stage, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to five years in prison, a two-year ban on leaving the country, and two years of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in connection with this charge. The supplementary punishments were overturned during the appeals process.

Mahmoud Talkh Abi was arrested on December 30, 2025, in connection with the nationwide protests and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

In this case, the charge of “disrupting public order” was brought under the Note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. Under Iran’s legal framework, Article 286 itself pertains to the offense of “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). However, according to its Note, if a defendant’s actions are deemed to have caused disorder or insecurity but are not considered sufficiently extensive to meet the threshold of “corruption on earth,” the death penalty is not applied, and the court may instead impose a Grade Five or Grade Six discretionary prison sentence (up to five years’ imprisonment). The court’s reliance on this Note rather than Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code—which addresses ordinary public-order offenses and carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison—indicates that the case was handled through a security-oriented approach, with the harsher penalties provided under the Note to Article 286 serving as the basis for the sentence.

Rouya Ostovar Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

Posted on June 3, 2026 by . .

News, Religious Minorities

Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Rouya Ostovar, رویا استوار

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, on Tuesday, May 19, the sentence issued against Rouya Ostovar was upheld in its entirety by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals.

According to the court ruling, Ms. Ostovar was sentenced to five years in prison, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights for 15 years on charges of “conducting educational and promotional activities deemed contrary to Islamic law through the creation and administration of a WhatsApp group related to the Baha’i faith.” She was also sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime through publishing content online.”

The international Baha’i community has issued a statement expressing concern regarding the sentence imposed on this Baha’i citizen.

In response to the ruling, Ms. Ostovar stated that the WhatsApp group in question had only nine members, three of whom were Baha’is. According to her, the evidence presented against her mainly consisted of congratulatory messages for various occasions and an image in which a symbol of the Baha’i faith appeared in part of the picture.

The lower court’s verdict was formally communicated to her in April of this year.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of all reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Who is Responsible for the Sharp Rise in Political and Security-Related Executions Following the January 2026 Protests in Iran?

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by . .

Executions, News, Publications

Behrouz Zamani Nezhad, Bita Hemmati, Ehsan Hosseinipour Hessarlou, Erfan Amiri, Kourosh Zamani Nezhad, Maryam Hodavand, Matin Mohammadi, Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl

HRANA – Since March 2026, Iran has witnessed a sharp escalation in executions on political and security-related charges, as 40 people were executed between March 18 and June 3.

In response to this surge, Spreading Justice examined the officials and institutions responsible for facilitating these executions. While such executions continue beyond the reporting period, this report focuses on the two months between March 18 and May 18, 2026, during which at least 32 individuals were executed following grossly unfair trials. The youngest among them, Amirhossein Hatami, was only 18 years old. Although limited in its temporal scope, the findings reflect a broader and ongoing pattern, with executions on political and security-related charges continuing at an alarming pace.

A significant number of those executed were accused of involvement in the January 2026 protests, known as the Dey Protests, which began on December 28, 2025, and rapidly spread across the country amid widespread public anger over economic collapse, corruption, and state repression. Demonstrations continued for weeks despite a violent regime crackdown involving mass arrests and the widespread use of lethal force, resulting in the deaths of at least 7,00 7 individuals in conduct likely amounting to crimes against humanity. The same period also saw the highest recorded number of forced confessions in recent years, surpassing 350 documented cases.

Others executed during this period were accused of involvement in the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests or alleged activity connected to the 12-day war with Israel in June 2025.

Comparatively, according to HRA documentation, between March 18 and May 18, 2025, a total of 198 individuals were executed in Iran, compared to 65 executions during the same period in 2026. However, only 8 individuals were executed on political and security-related charges in 2025, underscoring the sharp escalation in the use of executions as a tool of political repression in 2026.

Spreading Justice has identified the judicial authorities responsible for issuing these arbitrary death sentences. These individuals have long-standing records of involvement in violations of the right to life and the systematic denial of fair trial guarantees Among them, Judge Iman Afshari has played a particularly central role. During this same period, Afshari sentenced at least eight individuals to death on political and security-related charges, including:

• Ehsan Hosseinipour Hessarlou ( Sentence upheld)
• Matin Mohammadi ( Sentence upheld)
• Erfan Amiri ( Sentence upheld)
• Maryam Hodavand ( Sentence upheld)
• Mohammadreza Majidi-Asl ( Sentence overturned)
• Bita Hemmati ( Sentence overturned)
• Behrouz Zamaninejad
• Kourosh Zamaninejad

Afshari is also implicated in at least six additional cases outlined below that resulted in arbitrary executions.

The following list includes 14 individuals who were executed between March 18 and May 18, 2026, in connection with their participation in the January 2026 Dey Protests.

	Victim	Individuals Involved in Violations of the Right to Life
	Mehdi Ghasemi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: March 19, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Saleh Mohammadi Age: 19 Date of Execution: March 19, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Saeed Davoudi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: March 19, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon in unlawful gatherings leading to the killing of law enforcement agents; operational action for Israel and the United States; inciting people to war and murder	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Amirhossein Hatami Age: 18 Date of Execution: April 2, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Abolghasem Salavati Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mohammad-Amin Biglari Age: 19 Date of Execution: April 5, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Abolghasem Salavati Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Shahin Vahedparast Age: 30 Date of Execution: April 5, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Abolghasem Salavati Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Ali Fahim Age: 23 Date of Execution: April 6, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through participation in operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Abolghasem Salavati Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Amirali Mirjafari Age: 24 Date of Execution: April 21, 2026 Charge: Operational action for the Israeli regime and hostile governments; collaboration with Mossad-linked networks; arson and destruction of public property	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Erfan Kiani Age: Not specified Date of Execution: April 25, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh through use of a bladed weapon to intimidate the public and participate in destruction of public property	Revolutionary Court of Isfahan Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Sasan Azadvar Junaqani Age: 21 Date of Execution: April 30, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh (enmity against God)	Seyed-Mahmoud Kazem Zadeh Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mehdi Rasouli Age: 25 Date of Execution: May 3, 2026 Charge: Operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam Ghasem Mazinani Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Ebrahim Dolatabadi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: May 3, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh and leading the protests	Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam Ghasem Mazinani Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mohammadreza Miri Age: 21 Date of Execution: May 3, 2026 Charge: Operational activities against national security for Israel, the United States, and opposition groups	Gholamreza Akbari Moghadam Ghasem Mazinani Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mohammad Abbasi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: May 13, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh (enmity against God)	Abolghasem Salavati Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad

During this period, 18 individuals were also executed on political and security-related charges. However, these charges were not connected to the January protests. Instead, these individuals were executed for their alleged involvement in the 2022 Women, Life, Freedom protests and alleged activity during the 12-day war with Israel.

	Victim	Individuals Involved in Violations of the Right to Life
	Kourosh Keyvani Age: Not specified Date of Execution: March 18, 2026 Charge: Espionage for Israel	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Akbar Daneshvar-Kar Age: 59 Date of Execution: March 30, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Seyed Mohammad Taghavi-Sangdehi Age: 60 Date of Execution: March 30, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Babak Alipour Age: Not specified Date of Execution: March 31, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Pouya Ghobadi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: March 31, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Abolhassan Montazer Age: 68 Date of Execution: April 4, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Vahid Baniamerian Age: 34 Date of Execution: April 4, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups	Iman Afshari Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mohammad Masoum Shahi Age: Not specified Date of Execution: April 20, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh, cooperation with a hostile state, assembly and collusion against national security, and membership in a group with intent to disrupt national security	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Hamed Validi Age: 45 Date of Execution: April 20, 2026 Charge: Moharebeh, cooperation with a hostile state, assembly and collusion against national security, and membership in a group with intent to disrupt national security	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mehdi Farid Age: 55 Date of Execution: April 22, 2026 Charge: Efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth) through cooperation with Israel	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Soltanali Shirzadi Fakhr Age: Not specified Date of Execution: April 23, 2026 Charge: Cooperation with Israel and moharebeh	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Amer Ramesh Age: 22 Date of Execution: April 26, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) and membership in an armed opposition group	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Mehrab Abdollahzadeh Age: 28 Date of Execution: May 2, 2026 Charge: Corruption on Earth	Ghorban Shahini Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad Ghasem Mazinani Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Yaghoub Karimpour Age: Not specified Date of Execution: May 2, 2026 Charge: Distributing information and images of military sites. Manufacturing sounds bombs, and field cooperation with Mossad Officers	Sajjad Doosti Ghasem Mazinani Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Naser Bekrzadeh Age: 26 Date of Execution: May 2, 2026 Charge: Espionage for Israel	Ghorban Shahini Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Erfan Shakourzadeh Age: Not specified Date of Execution: May 11, 2026 Charge: Spying for CIA and The Mossad	Abolghasem Salavati Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Abdoljalil Shahbakhsh Age: 24 Date of Execution: May 12, 2026 Charge: Baghi (armed rebellion) through armed attacks on law enforcement facilities and membership in the insurgent group Ansar al-Furqan	Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad
	Ehsan Afrashteh Age: Not specified Date of Execution: May 13, 2026 Charge: Spying for Israel	Abolghasem Salavati Seyyed Kazem Sadati Firuzabad Ghasem Mazinani Sheykh Abbasali Alizade Baygi Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Eje’i Mohammad-Jafar Montazeri Mohammad Movahediazad

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January 2026 Protests: Morteza Kiani Sentenced to Prison

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News

Hossein Ali Hatami, HRANA, Izeh, Morteza Kiani

HRANA – Morteza Kiani, one of those arrested during the 2025 nationwide protests in Izeh, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Izeh to six months and one day in prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, the verdict was recently issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Izeh and communicated to his attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami. Mr. Kiani was sentenced to six months and one day in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

A source familiar with the case and close to Mr. Kiani’s family told HRANA: “The court applied mitigating provisions, including notes related to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code, and, having found no evidence of more serious national security offenses, imposed a reduced sentence below the statutory minimum for the charge of assembly and collusion. As a result, Mr. Kiani was sentenced to six months and one day in prison.”

Previously, an indictment had been issued against the detained protester on charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, propaganda against the regime, and assembly and collusion against national security. He was acquitted of the first two charges during the initial trial proceedings.

Morteza Kiani was released from detention on January 27, 2026, after posting bail set at 500 million tomans. He had been arrested by security forces on January 1, 2026, during nationwide protests in the city of Izeh.

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: Fathollah Avari Executed

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by . .

Executions, News

Fathollah Avari, Mahmoud Javad Bakhshian, moharebeh

HRANA – Iran’s Judiciary Media Center has announced the execution of Fathollah Avari, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) and murder.

According to Mizan News Agency, Fathollah Avari, who had been arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been executed. The Judiciary Media Center stated that his death sentence was carried out after being upheld by the Supreme Court.

He was arrested in January-February of 2026 in one of the cities of Alborz Province in connection with the protest events that took place in Hamedan on January 8, 2026.

Subsequently, an indictment was issued against him on charges of moharebeh and the murder of Major Mahmoud Javad Bakhshian, and the case was referred to the judicial authorities for review.

Regarding the proceedings, the judiciary stated that the trial was held in the presence of the defendant and his lawyer. It added that, based on the evidence contained in the case file, the defendant’s confessions, the forensic medical report, CCTV footage, and the complaint filed by the victim’s family, the charge of intentional murder was established, and Fathollah Avari was sentenced to death.

The report did not provide details regarding Avari’s access to an independent lawyer, the quality of the court proceedings, or whether fair trial standards were observed. It also did not specify the location or date of the execution.

According to data collected by HRANA, since the outbreak of military conflict, the number of death sentences issued and carried out in political and security-related cases has risen significantly, with 40 prisoners executed in connection with such cases during this period.

January 2026 Protests: Esmail Sheikhinia and Saeed Maghsoudi Sentenced to Prison

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News

Esmail Sheikhinia, Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Saeed Maghsoudi

HRANA – The prison sentences of Esmail Sheikhinia and Saeed Maghsoudi, both arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests, have been upheld in full by the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals. In a joint case, the two men had previously been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court to two years in prison each, along with supplementary punishments.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 14 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals and served on their attorney, Hossein Ali Hatami, Mr. Sheikhinia and Mr. Maghsoudi were each convicted of disrupting public order under Note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. They were sentenced to two years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and one year of mandatory attendance at the Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice in Izeh County.

The original verdict had been issued by Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on the same charge.

In this case, the charge of “disrupting public order” was brought under the Note to Article 286 of the Islamic Penal Code. Under Iranian law, Article 286 pertains to the offense of “spreading corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). However, the accompanying note provides that when a defendant’s actions result in disorder or insecurity but are not deemed extensive enough to constitute efsad-e fel-arz, the death penalty does not apply, and the court may instead impose a Grade Five or Grade Six discretionary prison sentence of up to five years.

The use of this provision, rather than Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code, which addresses ordinary public-order offenses punishable by a maximum of one year in prison, suggests that the case was handled through a security-oriented approach, with the court relying on the more severe penalties available under the Note to Article 286.

Esmail Sheikhinia and Saeed Maghsoudi were arrested on December 29, 2025, during nationwide protests in Izeh and were subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

Baha’i Citizen Barsa Maleki Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

Posted on June 3, 2026June 3, 2026 by . .

News, Religious Minorities

Barsa Maleki, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Barsa Maleki, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to two years of imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and served on this Baha’i citizen, Mr. Maleki was convicted under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code for the charge of engaging in educational or propagandistic activities deemed deviant, contrary to, or disruptive of the sacred laws of Islam. He was sentenced to two years and one day in prison, an 80 million toman fine, and deprivation of social rights for a period of six years.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “The verdict was issued some time ago and was formally communicated to this Baha’i citizen last week.”

Barsa Maleki was arrested on January 22 of 2026, along with eleven other individuals, during a birthday gathering in Mashhad.

After 24 days in detention, he was released from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on bail.

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January 2026 Protests: Rostam Shahpari Talkh Abi and Iman Shahpari Nia Sentenced to Prison

Teacher Zahra Arefi Mehr Arrested Following Court Hearing

HRANA – A court hearing on the charges against Zahra Arefi Mehr, a teacher and artist, was held on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. At the conclusion of the hearing, she was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

Ariana Kouchaki, Sharif University Student, Arrested

HRANA – Ariana Kouchaki, a student at Sharif University of Technology, was arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday and taken to an undisclosed location.

Mahmoud Talkh Abi Sentenced to 5 Years in Prison on Appeal

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Mahmoud Talkh Abi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2026 and currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been upheld in full by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals.

Rouya Ostovar Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison and Additional Punishments

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

Who is Responsible for the Sharp Rise in Political and Security-Related Executions Following the January 2026 Protests in Iran?

January 2026 Protests: Morteza Kiani Sentenced to Prison

HRANA – Morteza Kiani, one of those arrested during the 2025 nationwide protests in Izeh, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Izeh to six months and one day in prison.

January 2026 Protests: Fathollah Avari Executed

HRANA – Iran’s Judiciary Media Center has announced the execution of Fathollah Avari, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) and murder.

January 2026 Protests: Esmail Sheikhinia and Saeed Maghsoudi Sentenced to Prison

Baha’i Citizen Barsa Maleki Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

HRANA – Barsa Maleki, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to two years of imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.

HRANA – A court hearing on the charges against Zahra Arefi Mehr, a teacher and artist, was held on May 31, 2026, at the Revolutionary Court of Sabzevar. At the conclusion of the hearing, she was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

HRANA – Ariana Kouchaki, a student at Sharif University of Technology, was arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday and taken to an undisclosed location.

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Mahmoud Talkh Abi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2026 and currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been upheld in full by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals.

HRANA – The conviction of Rouya Ostovar, a Baha’i citizen from Isfahan, has been fully upheld by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Province Court of Appeals. She had previously been sentenced to six years in prison along with additional penalties.

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HRANA – Morteza Kiani, one of those arrested during the 2025 nationwide protests in Izeh, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Izeh to six months and one day in prison.

HRANA – Iran’s Judiciary Media Center has announced the execution of Fathollah Avari, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) and murder.

HRANA – Barsa Maleki, a Baha’i resident of Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to two years of imprisonment, a monetary fine, and deprivation of social rights.