Category: News

Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court Acquits German National of Espionage Charge

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Hormozgan, Lennart Christian Jean-Pierre Monterlos, Mojtaba Ghahremani

HRANA – The head of the Hormozgan Province Judiciary announced that the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court has acquitted Lennart Christian Jean-Pierre Monterlos, a German national, of espionage charges. Monterlos, who also holds French nationality, was arrested during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran on suspicion of spying.

According to Mizan News Agency, Mojtaba Ghahremani, head of the Hormozgan Judiciary, stated that Monterlos had been detained on espionage charges during the conflict.

Ghahremani added: “Despite the indictment issued by the prosecutor’s office, the Revolutionary Court, adhering to legal principles and considering doubts regarding the alleged offense, issued a verdict of acquittal. However, under the law, the prosecutor has the right to appeal the ruling.”

The report did not specify the current status or location of the foreign national.

During the 12-day Iran–Israel conflict, a German-language news outlet covering France and international affairs reported that Jean-Pierre Monterlos, an 18-year-old French citizen, had traveled to Iran by bicycle and had been missing since June 16, 2025.

Shortly afterward, Abbas Araghchi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, confirmed his arrest in an interview with a French publication, claiming that the individual had been detained “for committing a crime.”

Appeals Court Upholds 90-Year Combined Prison Sentence for 10 Baha’i Women in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Arezu Sabhanian, Bahareh Lotfi, HRANA, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Neda Badakhsh, Negin Khademi, Parastoo Hakim, Shana Shoughifar, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh

HRANA – The convictions of Negin Khademi, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Arezoo Sobhanian, Parastoo Hakim, Bahareh Lotfi, and Neda Emadi, ten Baha’i women living in Isfahan, have been upheld in full by Branch 47 of the Isfahan Court of Appeals.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the women were initially sentenced by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to a combined 90 years in prison, along with fines and complementary punishments, which have now been confirmed on appeal.

The ruling, issued on September 28, 2025, was delivered to their defense attorney. According to the verdict, the women were convicted of “propaganda against the Islamic Republic” and “participation in deviant promotional and educational activities contrary to Islamic law.” These charges were based on activities such as organizing English, art, music, and yoga classes, and nature trips for children and teenagers, including both Iranian and Afghan participants.

Collectively, they were sentenced to 90 years in prison, 900 million tomans in fines, confiscation of property in favor of the state, and two-year bans on travel abroad and use of social media. Parts of the prison terms and fines were suspended.

A source close to the families told HRANA: “The appeals court session was held without prior notice and in the absence of the defendants. The verdict was issued in absentia and only communicated to their lawyer. The court labeled the case as ‘security-related and confidential.’”

In the initial trial held in October 2024, Yeganeh Agahi, Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, and Negin Khademi each received 10 years in prison and 100 million tomans in fines, with one-third of the sentences suspended. Neda Badakhsh, Mojgan Shahrezaei, Shana Shoughifar, Parastoo Hakim, and Arezoo Sobhanian received similar sentences, with half of the imprisonment and fines suspended.

Neda Emadi and Bahareh Lotfi were each sentenced to five years in prison and 50 million tomans in fines, with four years of the prison term and half of the fine suspended.

As complementary punishments, all ten women were sentenced to the confiscation of seized belongings—including phones, laptops, digital devices, foreign currency, gold, and jewelry – two-year travel bans, and two-year bans on using social media.

The ten Baha’i women were arrested on October 23, 2023, by security forces in Isfahan and released on bail within two months from Dolatabad Prison. During detention, they reportedly endured psychological torture and threats of physical torture.

Yeganeh Agahi had previously been arrested before this case. Yeganeh Roohbakhsh, who was 19 years old at the time of her arrest, is the daughter of Arezoo Sobhanian, another defendant in the case.

Death Sentence of Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani Upheld by Supreme Court

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Paknia, HRANA, Mohammad Javad Vafaei, Vakilabad prison, محمد جواد وفایی ثانی

HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, after having been overturned twice previously.

Attorney Babak Paknia announced the development on social media, writing: “The death sentence of Mr. Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani on the charge of corruption on earth (efsad fel-arz) through arson and destruction of public property has been upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, despite numerous flaws. Regarding these flaws and the interference of third parties in the judicial process, correspondence has been made with the head of the judiciary. I hope that before it’s too late, his special inspectors will intervene in the case.”

Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaei Sani, a 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach, was arrested in March 2020 in Mashhad and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. He was initially sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on earth through intentional destruction.” The Supreme Court overturned the verdict, sending the case back to a parallel branch for retrial.

In the second trial, he was again sentenced to death, but in June 2024, the Supreme Court overturned the ruling once more and remanded the case for a third review.

In September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court once again sentenced him to death on the charge of “corruption on earth.”

Judiciary Media Center Announces Execution of Six Prisoners in Khuzestan

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Executions, News
Adnan Ghobeishavi, Ali Mojaddam, Ali Salehi-Majd, Allah-Nazar Safari, Habib Deris, Khuzestan, Moein Khanfari, Mohammadreza Moghaddam, Mohammadreza Rafiei-Nasab, Salem Mousavi, Younes Bahr

HRANA News Agency – On Saturday, October 4, 2025, the Judiciary Media Center announced the execution of six prisoners in Khuzestan, describing them as “members of a separatist terrorist network affiliated with the Zionist regime.”

Mizan News Agency, the Judiciary Media Center stated: “The death sentences of six separatist terrorist elements who, in recent years, carried out a series of armed operations and bombings targeting the security of Khuzestan Province were carried out this morning after completing all legal procedures and approval by the Supreme Court.”

The report further alleged that these prisoners were involved in the deaths of four security and police officers identified as Allah-Nazar Safari, Mohammadreza Rafiei-Nasab, Ali Salehi-Majd, and Younes Bahr.

The Judiciary’s statement also attributed actions such as “collaboration with Israel, designing and carrying out sabotage operations including bomb-making and planting explosives, the explosion at the Khorramshahr gas station, armed attacks on banks, throwing grenades at a military center, and shooting at mosques” to the executed individuals.

Hours after the initial announcement, Mizan updated its report, releasing the names and photos of the six executed prisoners: Ali Mojaddam, Mohammadreza Moghaddam, Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghobeishavi, and Salem Mousavi.

The six men were arrested by security forces in Khuzestan in February 2019.

In March 2023, Ali Mojaddam and Mohammadreza Moghaddam were sentenced to death by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of leading and membership in the “military wing of the Arab Struggle Movement for the Liberation of Ahvaz (Harakat al-Nidal al-Arabi fi Ahvaz),” for “armed action against the Islamic Republic.” Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghobeishavi, and Salem Mousavi were also sentenced to death for membership in the same group and for “armed action against the Islamic Republic.”

Before the executions, Mojaddam, Moghaddam, Khanfari, and Ghobeishavi were held in Sepidar Prison of Ahvaz, and Deris and Mousavi were also detained in the same facility.

The report did not specify the exact location where the executions were carried out.

Younes Azadbar Sentenced to Prison by Rasht Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Younes Azadbar, یونس آزادبر

HRANA – Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht, has been sentenced to 22 months and 17 days in prison by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the verdict against Mr. Azadbar was recently issued by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad-Ali Darvish-Goftar.

Mr. Azadbar was sentenced to 7 months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 15 months and 1 day for “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

He had previously received a summons to appear before the same court. On August 19, 2025, he and two other citizens were also summoned to Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Rasht to respond to related charges.

Younes Azadbar was arrested on May 5, 2025, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and was released six days later after posting bail.

Mr. Azadbar, 62 years old and a resident of Rasht County, has previously been arrested and convicted for his activities.

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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.

Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh Executed

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Executions, News
Abolghasem Salavati, moharebeh, Saman Mohammadi, Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh, Sanandaj, سامان محمدی, سامان محمدی خیاره

HRANA – On Saturday morning, Mizan News Agency, announced the execution of Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh, a political prisoner from Sanandaj. Mr. Mohammadi Khiyareh had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The Judiciary’s Media Center stated that the sentence was carried out this morning, Saturday, October 4, 2025, after being upheld by the Supreme Court. In its report, the Judiciary accused Saman Mohammadi of “enmity against God (moharebeh) through membership in terrorist and Takfiri groups, carrying out armed operations, and planning and directing the assassination of Mamousta Sheikh al-Islam.”

The Judiciary further accused him of “armed robbery of a jewelry shop in Hamedan, stealing a private vehicle and killing its driver, shooting at civilians, and attacking a police station at the Sheikhan intersection in Sanandaj, which resulted in the death of a soldier.”

Saman Mohammadi Khiyareh, approximately 34 years old and a native of Sanandaj, was arrested in February 2010 on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God). A few months later, he was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. However, due to insufficient evidence, the Supreme Court’s Branch 41 overturned the verdict and sent the case to another branch for retrial. The new court sentenced him instead to 15 years in prison on charges of membership in anti-regime groups.

Nevertheless, in an opaque process and under pressure from security agencies – the complainants in the case – this ruling was overturned, and he was once again sentenced to death on the same charges.

A source close to the prisoner’s family previously told HRANA: “During detention, Saman Mohammadi was subjected to physical and psychological torture and forced to confess to charges including the killing of a military officer and another individual during the 2009 protests. However, he denied these confessions at every stage of interrogation and trial.”

According to HRANA’s statistics, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the highest number of executions among all Iranian prisons, with 150 inmates hanged. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the previous year – a deeply alarming increase that underscores the escalating use of capital punishment in Iran.

Two Decades Behind Bars, Prisoner Profiles – No. 10: Yahya Naseri

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Executions, News
moharebeh, Sheiban Prison, TwoDecadesBehindBars, Yahya Naseri, یحیی ناصری

HRANA – Numerous political and religious prisoners in Iran have spent more than two decades in detention. To ensure their stories are not lost amid the constant churn of daily news, HRANA publishes a series of reports dedicated to them. Each report reviews the prisoner’s case history, prison conditions, access to basic rights, and urgent needs.

In this installment, HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, reviews the latest situation of Yahya Naseri after two decades in prison.

Prisoner Profile

• Name: Yahya Naseri

• Year of Arrest: 2005

• Charges: “Acting against national security, moharebeh (enmity against God), and efsad fel-arz (spreading corruption on earth)”

• Initial Sentence: Life imprisonment

• Current Sentence: Life imprisonment

• Detention Locations: After sentencing, Mr. Naseri was held in Karun Prison, Ahvaz, before being transferred to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, where he remains detained without respect for the principle of separation of crimes.

• Leave/Access: In recent years, no furlough has been granted; his access to family and legal counsel has been reported as limited.

• Current Status: Still serving a long-term sentence, despite legal reforms that could provide opportunities for retrial or sentence reduction.

Case Background and Judicial Process

On October 2, 2005, Mr. Naseri was arrested by security forces in connection with the so-called “Salman Farsi Street bombing in Ahvaz.” Shortly afterward, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on charges of “acting against national security, moharebeh, and efsad fel-arz.”

This life sentence placed him among prisoners with indefinite incarceration, a situation that effectively extends for many years and severely limits access to mechanisms for sentence review.

Key Aspects of the Case:

• Severe Security Charges: The charge of moharebeh is among the most serious in Iran’s political-security cases, usually carrying broad judicial and executive consequences.

• Continued Imprisonment Despite Legal Changes: Although legal reforms have introduced options for retrial, sentence reduction, or parole in some cases, Mr. Naseri remains imprisoned.

Detention Conditions and Transfers

Throughout his imprisonment, Mr. Naseri has been held in Karun and Sheiban prisons in Ahvaz. After receiving his sentence, he was kept in Karun Prison, later transferred to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison, where he has remained to this day, again without separation of crimes.

Observations on Conditions:

• Frequent Transfers: Moves between wards and prisons can disrupt access to family, legal counsel, and healthcare.

• Exposure to Violence: Reports indicate verbal and physical abuse against him. In February 2019, Mr. Naseri went on hunger strike to protest the lack of separation of crimes and increased pressure from prison officials. Following this protest, he was denied family visits and phone calls. In April 2024, he was reportedly beaten by Sheiban Prison guards in Ward 5. Later that December, he was threatened with solitary confinement or exile to remote prisons after protesting poor conditions, denial of medical care, and the transfer of violent offenders into his ward.

• Denial of Medical Care: Over more than two decades, despite suffering from heart disease and hemorrhoids, prison authorities have repeatedly obstructed his transfer to hospitals and access to specialized treatment. Denial of medical care is a serious violation of the fundamental right to health and, in many cases, constitutes inhumane treatment used as a means of added pressure on prisoners.

Access to Family, Lawyer, and Furlough

In recent years, Mr. Naseri has not received furlough. Reports indicate his access to both family and legal counsel is restricted. These limitations not only have psychological and social impacts but also undermine his right to effective defense and to pursue retrial mechanisms.

Potential Legal Pathways (General Recommendations)

1. Retrial: Review of new evidence or substantial procedural/material errors in the verdict.

2. Sentence reduction or commutation, if legal grounds are available.

3. Conditional release or suspension of sentence: Assessment of criteria such as time served, good behavior, and health condition.

4. Addressing violations during imprisonment: denial of healthcare, exposure to violence, deprivation of visits, and lack of legal access.

5. Independent documentation and international advocacy, should domestic remedies remain blocked.

Timeline Summary

• 2005: Arrest; charges of “acting against national security, moharebeh, and efsad fel-arz.”

• Initial Sentence: Life imprisonment.

• Post-sentencing: Held in Karun Prison, Ahvaz.

• April 2024: Reported beating by Sheiban Prison guards (Ward 5).

• Recent years: No furlough, denial of proper medical care, restricted family and legal access.

• Current Status: Still imprisoned despite legal reforms that could allow for case review.

Conclusion and Importance of Review

Despite legislative changes enabling retrial, sentence reduction, or release for those convicted of moharebeh, Mr. Naseri remains in prison. His case exemplifies the plight of long-term political-security prisoners in Iran, underlining the urgent need for legal review and the application of both domestic and international mechanisms to reduce sentences or secure release.

Immediate Needs

• Regular, unrestricted access to lawyer and family.

• Independent medical evaluation in light of past beatings and long-term health conditions.

• Review of eligibility for retrial or other legal measures to reduce/terminate imprisonment.

• Enforcement of prison regulations regarding visitation, furlough, and communication.

• Access to adequate healthcare and treatment.

About This Series

This report is part of the “More than Two Decades Behind Bars” series, which aims to continuously document long-term imprisonment cases and remind the public of the collective responsibility to ensure they are seen and their conditions are pursued.

Family Left in the Dark Nine Days After Saro Yarahmadi’s Arrest by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Other
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kermanshah, Saro Yarahmadi

HRANA – Saro Yarahmadi (Yar-Ahmadi), a dentist residing in Kermanshah, has been held in detention by IRGC Intelligence agents in this city for the past nine days, with no information available about his whereabouts. The uncertainty surrounding his fate has heightened the concerns of his family and relatives.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Mr. Yarahmadi was arrested in Kermanshah by IRGC Intelligence agents and transferred to an undisclosed location. Despite the family’s efforts, none of the security or judicial institutions have provided clear answers regarding his situation.”

The lack of information about Mr. Yarahmadi’s condition has caused increasing concern among his family and close relatives.

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.

Juvenile Offender Executed in Iranshahr Prison

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Executions, News
Iranshahr, Mohammadreza Shehiki, Sistan and Baluchestan, محمدرضا شهیکی

HRANA – At dawn yesterday, the death sentence of a juvenile offender previously convicted of murder was carried out in Iranshahr Prison.

According to Haal Vsh, the prisoner has been identified as Mohammadreza Shehiki, 25, a resident of Masjed Abolfazl village in Iranshahr County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to the report, nine years ago, at the age of 16, Shehiki was arrested following a fatal altercation and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and responsible institutions have not announced this execution.

From the beginning of this year until the end of September, the Iranian regime has executed 1,028 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.