Category: News

Teachers’ Union Activist Masoud Farhikhteh Sentenced to Additional Prison Term in New Case

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Karaj, Masoud Farhikhteh, Ramin Safarnia, Teachers union activist, مسعود فرهیخته

HRANA – Masoud Farhikhteh, a teachers’ union activist who is serving his prison sentence at Karaj Central Penitentiary, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Karaj to one year in prison and additional punishments in connection with a new case opened against him during his incarceration.

According to HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Masoud Farhikhteh has been sentenced to prison and additional punishments.

According to the report, Ramin Safarnia, Mr. Farhikhteh’s attorney, stated that the teachers’ union activist was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” As additional punishments, he was also sentenced to a two-year ban on leaving the country, a two-year ban on membership in political and social parties, groups, and organizations, and dismissal from government and public service.

The report states that the ruling was based on a report by judicial officers at Karaj Central Penitentiary.

In this new case, which was opened against Mr. Farhikhteh during his incarceration, he was summoned to the Karaj Revolutionary Court after the completion of the interrogation stage.

In July of this year, Masoud Farhikhteh was transferred from Ward 16 of Karaj Central Penitentiary to solitary confinement. He was also deprived of telephone calls and visits with his family after publishing statements concerning prisoners’ demands.

Masoud Farhikhteh was arrested on September 16, 2025, and was subsequently transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary. He had previously been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court to six years in prison and additional punishments. In August 2025, Branch 12 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals reduced the sentence to four years, one month, and 17 days in prison.

Judicial Case Filed Against Screenwriter and Film Director Reza Dormishian

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, Reza Dormishian, رضا درمیشیان

HRANA – A judicial case has been filed against Reza Dormishian, a screenwriter and film director, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The case is being heard by Branch 7 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as the complainant in the case, has also requested the seizure of his assets.

According to HRANA, a judicial case has been filed against Reza Dormishian, a screenwriter and film director.

Amir Raisian, an attorney, announced in a post that his client, Reza Dormishian, has been charged with “propaganda against the regime” and that proceedings in the case are underway at Branch 7 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to the attorney, an arrest warrant was issued for Mr. Dormishian during the prosecutor’s office stage of the proceedings. The IRGC, as the complainant in the case, has also requested the seizure of the screenwriter and director’s assets.

Reza Dormishian, born in 1981 in Tehran, is a screenwriter and film director whose works include “I’m Not Angry!,” “Lantouri,” and “No Choice.” He has previously faced restrictions and judicial action in connection with his professional activities.

Nima Saffar Sentenced to Prison by Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bandar-Abbas, Gorgan, HRANA, Nima Saffar, نیما صفار

HRANA – Nima Saffar, a poet and writer residing in Gorgan, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court to four years and eight months in prison.

According to HRANA, Nima Saffar has been sentenced to prison.

Under the verdict issued by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court, Saffar was sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and four years in prison on the charge of “engaging in educational activities or deviant propaganda, or activities disruptive to the sacred principles of Islam.” The verdict was issued in absentia.

A source close to Saffar’s family told HRANA that part of his case concerned the management of an Instagram page and its connection to one of the political defendants in Bandar Abbas.

According to the source, some of his online activities, including following certain pages or liking their posts, were also cited in the case against him.

Nima Saffar, a poet and writer residing in Gorgan, has previously been arrested in connection with his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Hossein Rasouli Nasab Sentenced to Death

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Freedom of Expression, News, Religious Minorities
Hossein Rasouli Nasab, January 2026 Protests, Mashhad, moharebeh, Shandiz, Vakilabad prison, حسین رسولی نسب

HRANA  – Hossein Rasouli Nasab, arrested during the January 2026 protests in Shandiz, has been sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God). He is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Hossein Rasouli Nasab has been sentenced to death.

According to information received by HRANA, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Hossein Rasouli Nasab to death on charges including “moharebeh through participation in the destruction of public property and the setting fire to religious centers, as well as assembly and collusion against national security.”

An informed source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “During the protests on January 8 and 9, 2026, in Shandiz, a mosque and a Dar al-Quran (Quranic center) caught fire, and Hossein’s case was opened in connection with these incidents.”

Hossein Rasouli Nasab, who is married and the father of two children, was arrested along with several other citizens during the protests in Shandiz. After some time, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, where he remains in custody.

Three Baha’i Citizens Arrested in Shiraz

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News, Religious Minorities
Arshia Jaberi, Baha'i citizens, Barbad Sepehri, Sarina Zaeri

HRANA  – Yesterday, September 14, at least three Baha’i citizens, including one woman, were arrested by security forces in Shiraz and transferred to an undisclosed location. HRANA has confirmed the identities of the detainees as Sarina Zaeri, Barbad Sepehri, and Arshia Jaberi.

According to HRANA, three Baha’i citizens have been arrested in Shiraz.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of these individuals as Sarina Zaeri, 20, Barbad Sepehri, 21, and Arshia Jaberi, 19.

These citizens were arrested by security forces at their homes yesterday. Following their arrests, the Baha’i citizens were transferred to an undisclosed location.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests, their place of detention, or the charges brought against them.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority in the country. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, during the previous calendar year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

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Jasem Savaedi Arrested by Security Forces in Hamidiyeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
hamidiyeh, Hassan Abyat, HRANA, Jasem savaedi

HRANA – Jasem Savaedi (Saedi), a resident of Hamidiyeh, was arrested by forces from the Ahvaz Intelligence Department and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Jasem Savaedi (Saedi) has been arrested.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Savaedi was arrested today, Monday, September 14, 2026, by forces from the Ahvaz Intelligence Department.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his place of detention.

Jasem Savaedi was previously arrested in February 2012 along with several others. They were tried by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges including “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz). Mr. Savaedi was ultimately sentenced to 15 years in prison and, after serving approximately 11 years, was conditionally released from prison in January 2023.

Hassan Abyat, one of Mr. Savaedi’s co-defendants, was sentenced to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). His sentence was carried out at dawn on February 20, 2023, in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Jasem Savaedi (Saedi), aged approximately 42, is a resident of Hamidiyeh, Khuzestan province.

Eight Women Face Death Sentences in Iran in Political, Security-Related, and Protest Cases

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Executions, News, Prisoners, Publications, Women
akhshan Azizi, Arghavan Fallahi, Bita Hemmati, HRANA, Leila Abolhasani, Mahnaz Chardoli, Maryam Hodavand, Souda Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, Taraneh Rahimi, Varisheh Moradi, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari

HRANA – At least eight imprisoned women are facing death sentences in various prisons across Iran. The sentences were issued in cases involving charges including “armed rebellion” (baghi), “enmity against God” (moharebeh), and “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz).

According to HRANA, a review of the judicial cases of imprisoned women shows that at least eight women in different parts of the country are facing death sentences.

These women include Pakhshan Azizi, Arghavan Fallahi, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, Maryam Hodavand, Mahnaz Chardoli, Leila Abolhasani, Taraneh Rahimi, and Souda (Marzieh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi.

Four of these women, Maryam Hodavand, Mahnaz Chardoli, Leila Abolhasani, and Taraneh Rahimi, have been sentenced to death in cases related to the protests of the January 2026. Souda (Marzieh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi is also facing a death sentence in a case connected to security-related developments that occurred during the war. Pakhshan Azizi, Arghavan Fallahi, and Zahra Shahbaz Tabari have been sentenced to death in separate political and security-related cases.

These sentences were issued by various branches of the Revolutionary Courts in Tehran, Isfahan, Rasht, and Bandar Abbas. The judges who issued these sentences include Iman Afshari, Abolghasem Salavati, Vahid Hemmat-Nejad, Morteza Barati, Mohammadreza Tavakoli, Mohammad Ali Darvish-Goftar, and Judge Hajizadeh.

According to the latest available information, the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi and Arghavan Fallahi have been upheld by the Supreme Court. Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, whose initial death sentence was overturned, has once again been sentenced to death by a parallel branch of the court. The death sentences in the cases of the other five women remain at the trial or appellate review stages.

The latest status and judicial proceedings in each of these prisoners’ cases are detailed below:

1. Pakhshan Azizi, held in Evin Prison, is one of the women sentenced to death in political and security-related cases. She was arrested in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and in August 2024, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, sentenced her to death and four years in prison on the charge of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in groups opposed to the country.” Ms. Azizi’s death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court in January 2025, and her requests for retrial have also been denied.
2. Arghavan Fallahi, another woman sentenced to death, is being held in Evin Prison. She was arrested in Tehran in February 2025, and her case was heard by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Ms. Fallahi was sentenced to death on the charge of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in groups opposed to the government and armed action.” The sentence against her was upheld by the Supreme Court in August 2026.
3. Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, 68, who is held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, is another woman sentenced to death in a political and security-related case. She was arrested at her home in Rasht in April 2025. Ms. Shahbaz Tabari was initially sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar, but the Supreme Court overturned the sentence. Her case was subsequently referred for retrial to Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad Ali Darvish-Goftar. On April 14, 2026, the court again sentenced her to death on the charge of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership and activity in an opposition group.”
4. Maryam Hodavand, 45 and a mother of two, is being held in Evin Prison. She was arrested in connection with the events of January 8, 2026, in Pakdasht, in a joint case involving three other defendants. Their case was heard by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari. Ms. Hedavand has been sentenced to death on charges including “participation in the killing of two Basij members,” “deliberately setting fire to a religious site,” “destruction of public property,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.” According to the latest available information, the sentence against her remains at the trial-court stage.
5. Mahnaz Chardoli, held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, was prosecuted in a case related to the January 2026 protests in Tehran. She and Mehdi Nazer were tried in a joint case before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. The charges against her include “attacking a mosque with a Molotov cocktail,” “participating in gatherings,” and “assembly and collusion.” According to available information, Ms. Chardoli has received an initial death sentence, but the status of the sentence before the Supreme Court has not yet been determined.
6. Leila Abolhasani, approximately 43 years old and the mother of two teenage daughters, is being held in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was arrested on January 8, 2026, during protests in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan. Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Vahid Hemmat-Nejad, sentenced her to death on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh). Following an appeal by her attorney, the case was referred to the Supreme Court for appellate review. A source close to her family previously told HRANA that the charge against Ms. Abolhasani stems from her presence at and filming of the scene of a fire at a store, while judicial authorities have accused her of involvement in setting the fire.
7. Taraneh Rahimi, another woman sentenced to death in connection with the January 2026 protests, is imprisoned in Dowlatabad Prison in Isfahan. She was arrested along with a number of protesters in Isfahan, and her case was heard as part of a case known as the “Isfahan Shohada Square” case. Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, with Judges Morteza Barati and Mohammadreza Tavakoli presiding, sentenced Ms. Rahimi and nine other defendants to death and 11 years in prison each. The charges in the case include “enmity against God (moharebeh) through carrying a bladed weapon,” “destruction of public property,” “assembly and collusion,” and “propaganda activity against the regime.” Her sentence remains at the trial-court stage.
8. Souda (Marzieh) Ebrahimi Shamsabadi, 32, who is held in Bandar Abbas Prison, is the only woman on this list whose death sentence was issued in a case related to security developments during the war. She was arrested on March 29 by Ministry of Intelligence agents and was subsequently tried before the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hajizadeh. Ms. Ebrahimi Shamsabadi was sentenced to death on the charge of “corruption on earth” (efsad-e fel-arz), as well as charges including “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “media and propaganda activities contrary to 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 sentence against her remains at the initial trial stage.

Bita Hemmati and Varisheh Moradi: Death Sentences Overturned, Cases Remain Unresolved Pending Retrial

In addition to the eight women who, according to the latest available information, continue to face death sentences, the cases of Bita Hemmati and Varisheh Moradi are also noteworthy because both were previously sentenced to death and their judicial proceedings remain ongoing. The Supreme Court overturned both prisoners’ death sentences and referred their cases to parallel branches for retrial; however, the final outcomes of their cases remain undetermined.

Varisheh Moradi, who has been in detention since August 2023, was sentenced to death in late November 2024 by the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of “armed rebellion” (baghi). The Supreme Court overturned the sentence in late December 2025 and referred the case to a parallel branch for retrial. A retrial hearing in her case, which had been scheduled for July 2026 before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, was canceled because Ms. Moradi did not appear. As of the time of this report, the final outcome of the retrial remains unknown.
Bita Hemmati, one of those arrested during the December 2025–January 2026 protests, was previously sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari, to death on the charge of “conducting operations on behalf of the hostile government of the United States and hostile groups,” and to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.” In June 2026, the Supreme Court overturned her death sentence and referred the case to a parallel branch for retrial. Ms. Hemmati, who was arrested in Tehran on January 9, 2026, is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison. HRANA’s investigations into the outcome of her retrial and her latest judicial status are ongoing.

A Year of Pressure on Lawyers: At Least 135 Targeted by Judicial and Security Authorities

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Freedom of Expression, News, Publications
Abolfazl Ranjbari, Alireza Farzaneh Jajromi, Amir Bahadorifar, Amir Raisian, Astareh (Maryam) Ansari, Babak Eslami Farsani, Bahar Sahraian, Bahareh Aghaei, Dariush Ganjehpour Qashqai, Ebrahim Parsamehr, Elham Zeraatpisheh, Enayatollah Keramati, Fatemeh Rouhandeh, Golaleh Vatandoust, Hadi Sharifzadeh, Hamid Norouzi, Hassan Younesi, Hesam Pourahmadi, Hossein Shokri, Iman Soleimani, Ja'far Zarei, Jafar Keshavarz, Javad Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Mahmoud Taravat Rouy, Masoud Ahmadian, Masoud Shirmardi Shah-Ghasemi, Masoumeh Pourshahrani, Mehdi Ansari, Mehran Ansari, Milad Panahipour, Mohammad Hadi Jafarpour, Mohammad Najafi, Mohammad Tarighat Esfanjani, Mohammadreza Faghihi, Mohammadreza Tak, Mohsen Darginejad, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Nasser Rezaei Ahangarani, Nazanin Baradaran, Nazanin Salari, Omid Darabi, Reza Gharloghi, Reza Shafakhah, Reza Tayyebnia, Saeed Sheikh, Sepideh Taheri, Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, Seyed Mohammadreza Razavifard, Shadi Falahati, Shahab Soleimani, Shahrzad Sharbiani, Shima Ghosheh, Taher Naghavi, Tahereh Pour-Esmaeili, Teymour Salari, Yilmaz Mehrali Beiglou, Zahra Naghshineh, Zohreh Javani

HRANA – At least 135 attorneys across Iran were subjected to judicial and security measures between September 2025 and September 2026, including arrests, summonses, prison sentences, bans from practicing law, and travel restrictions. HRANA identified 60 of the lawyers across 14 provinces and documented at least 75 additional cases in which the individuals’ names were not made public. The findings point to a marked escalation in pressure on the legal profession, particularly since January 2026. This report details the arrests, prison sentences, cases of lawyers currently behind bars, collective actions, and other restrictions imposed during the period.

According to HRANA, a review of cases documented between September 2025 and September 2026 shows that actions against attorneys during this period ranged from summonses and the opening of judicial cases to arrests, prison sentences, bans from practicing law, travel bans, and other judicial restrictions.

Among the cases compiled, HRANA verified the identities of 60 lawyers across 14 provinces. In addition, information concerning at least 75 other lawyers whose names have not been made public was documented. A significant portion of these cases involved collective actions against lawyers in East Azerbaijan, Fars, and Gilan provinces.

According to the latest available information, at least five lawyers are currently serving prison sentences, at least 11 others have received prison sentences, and the arrests of at least 34 identified lawyers were documented during the period under review. A number of others have faced summonses, the opening of judicial cases, suspension or revocation of their licenses to practice law, travel bans, and other restrictions.

Report at a Glance

IndicatorNumber / Status
Total number of lawyers documented in the reportAt least 135
Lawyers whose identities have been confirmed60
Lawyers whose identities have not been made publicAt least 75
Geographic scope of identified lawyers14 provinces
Lawyers currently serving prison sentencesAt least 5
Lawyers who have received prison sentencesAt least 11
Identified lawyers whose arrests were documentedAt least 34

January 2026: Peak of the Arrests

A review of the chronological sequence of documented cases shows that following an increase in actions against lawyers in Gilan Province in September 2025, January 2026 marked one of the most significant periods during the year under review.

In January alone, at least 16 identified lawyers were arrested or subjected to judicial and security-related actions. A significant number of these arrests took place amid the nationwide protests in January.

Shima Ghosheh, Mohammad-Hadi Jafarpour, Jafar Zarei, Jafar Keshavarz, Nazanin Baradaran, Enayatollah Keramati, Omid Darabi, Hossein Shokri, Zohreh Javani, Sepideh Taheri, Teymour Salari, Alireza Farzaneh Jajromi, Fatemeh Rouhandeh, Mohsen Darginejad, Amir Bahadorifar, and Masoud Shirmardi Shah-Ghasemi were among the lawyers whose arrests were reported during January 2026.

Some of these individuals were released after a period of detention upon posting bail or other forms of security. However, actions against lawyers continued in the following months, with new cases of arrests, summonses, and the opening of judicial cases documented in February and March.

At Least Five Lawyers Are Currently Serving Prison Sentences

According to the latest available information, Mohammad Najafi, Javad Alikordi, Taher Naghavi, Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, and Golaleh Vatandoust are currently serving prison sentences.

Mohammad Najafi, an attorney imprisoned in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years in prison, a fine, and a two-year ban on leaving the country and membership in political and social groups in a case opened against him while he was incarcerated. This case is separate from the sentences he was already serving. In April 2025, the Supreme Disciplinary Court for Judges also permanently barred him from practicing law.

Javad Alikordi, an attorney in Mashhad, was arrested on December 12, 2025. Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a total of 18 years in prison, permanent disbarment from the legal profession, exile, and additional penalties. According to the latest published information, after approximately four months in solitary confinement, he was transferred to Ward 6.1 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Taher Naghavi has been imprisoned in Evin Prison since February 2024. His sentence of four years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and two years of deprivation of social rights was upheld on appeal. In October 2025, Branch 6 of the Disciplinary Court of the Center for Lawyers suspended his license to practice law. Another case was opened against him while he was imprisoned in March 2026.

Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi was taken to Evin Prison on January 4, 2026, to begin serving his one-year prison sentence. The sentence had previously been issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court and was upheld in full by Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

Golaleh Vatandoust, an attorney from Marivan, was arrested on May 2, 2026, to begin serving her sentence and was transferred to Sanandaj Prison. She had previously been sentenced to six years, seven months, and 20 days in prison.

Prison Sentences Issued to at Least 11 Other Lawyers

During the period under review, at least 11 attorneys, Nazanin Salari, Mahmoud Taravat-Rouy, Masoud Ahmadian, Elham Zeraatpisheh, Mehdi Ansari, Mehran Ansari, Babak Eslami Farsani, Mohammadreza Faghihi, Saeed Sheikh, Seyed Mohammadreza Razavifard, and Mohammad Tarighat Esfanjani, received prison sentences and, in some cases, additional penalties. Details of the sentences and the latest status of each lawyer are provided below.

In Fars Province, Nazanin Salari, Mahmoud Taravat-Rouy, and Masoud Ahmadian were each sentenced by Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to three years in prison and a two-year travel ban. The case against the three lawyers had been ongoing since 2020 and resulted in these sentences in June 2026.

Elham Zeraatpisheh was also arrested in May 2026. In July of the same year, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” She was also sentenced to a two-year travel ban and revocation of her passport for two years. In early August, she was released from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz after posting bail.

Mehdi Ansari was also sentenced to imprisonment and a travel ban as proceedings in his case continued. Mehran Ansari, another lawyer arrested during the January protests, was sentenced in late May 2026 by the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Babak Eslami Farsani was sentenced in August 2026 by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to nine months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Mohammadreza Faghihi had previously received a prison sentence and additional penalties. He was released from Evin Prison in June 2026 after his request for a retrial was granted.

Saeed Sheikh was sentenced in Tehran to one year and six months in prison, a fine, and a one-year ban from practicing law. In November 2025, he announced that 12 months of his prison sentence had been suspended.

Seyed Mohammadreza Razavifard was also sentenced in late June 2026 by Branch 1 of the Qom Revolutionary Court to 10 years in prison on the charge of “propaganda activity against the country’s national security.”

Mohammad Tarighat Esfanjani, a member of the East Azerbaijan Bar Association, was sentenced in June 2026 by the Osku Revolutionary Court to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and two years in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.”

Arrests of Lawyers Across Several Provinces

During the period under review, Zahra Naghshineh, Abolfazl Ranjbari, Yilmaz Mehrali Beiglou, Shahrzad Sharbiani, Shadi Falahati, Hesam Pourahmadi, Tahereh Pour Esmaeili, Mohammadreza Tak, Masoumeh Pourshahrani, Hamid Norouzi, Hadi Sharifzadeh, Dariush Ganjehpour Qashqai, Astareh (Maryam) Ansari, Bahar Sahraian, Ebrahim Parsamehr, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Shahab Soleimani, and Bahareh Aghaei were arrested in various provinces. Some of these lawyers were released after a period of detention upon posting bail or other forms of security, while in some cases legal proceedings against them remain ongoing. Details regarding the arrests and the latest status of each individual are provided below.

In East Azerbaijan Province, Zahra Naghshineh was arrested on September 9 after appearing before Branch 15 of the Investigation Office of the Tabriz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Her case was opened following a report by the Tabriz Intelligence Department concerning her activities and her legal and critical writings.

Abolfazl Ranjbari was arrested in May 2025 and, after approximately one year, was released from Tabriz Prison in May 2026 after posting bail of 50 billion tomans.

Yilmaz Mehrali Beiglou was arrested in Jolfa in July 2025. He was initially transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Tabriz and later to Jolfa Prison. He was released after a period of detention upon posting bail. In December of the same year, an interrogation session concerning the charge of “disturbing public opinion” was held at Branch 1 of the Investigation Office of the Jolfa Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

In Gilan Province, Shahrzad Sharbiani, Shadi Falahati, and Hesam Pourahmadi were arrested in September 2025. During the same month, Tahereh Pour-Esmaeili, Mohammadreza Tak, and Masoumeh Pourshahrani were also arrested in Rasht. The three lawyers were released after a period of detention upon posting bail or other forms of security.

In Fars Province, Hamid Norouzi was arrested in Shiraz on February 14, 2026. He was released from Adelabad Prison on February 24 after posting bail.

Hadi Sharifzadeh and Dariush Ganjehpour Qashqai were also arrested in Shiraz during the winter of 2025–2026 and were subsequently released.

Astareh (Maryam) Ansari and Bahar Sahraian were separately arrested in May 2026 and transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. The two lawyers were released from prison in late July of the same year after posting bail.

In Khuzestan Province, Ebrahim Parsamehr was arrested in June 2025 and transferred to Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. An indictment was subsequently issued in his case, which was referred to the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. HRANA continues to investigate his latest status.

Nasrin Sotoudeh was also arrested in Tehran in April 2026 and was later released from the Greater Tehran Prison on a surety bond.

In Kermanshah Province, Shahab Soleimani was arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces in Ravansar County on July 17. According to information received, he was released after a period of detention upon posting bail or other forms of security.

Bahareh Aghaei was also arrested by security forces in January 2026 and transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. According to the latest available information, she has remained in detention for more than seven months without resolution of her legal status.

Collective Actions Against Lawyers in East Azerbaijan, Fars, and Gilan

A significant portion of the 135 cases documented in this report relates to actions taken collectively against groups of lawyers, not all of whose identities have necessarily been made public.

The largest number of collective summonses during the period under review was recorded in East Azerbaijan Province. According to available reports, more than 40 lawyers who are members of the province’s Bar Association were summoned by the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Office, and cases were opened against some of them. Charges in some of these cases included “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading false information.”

In Fars Province, Mostafa Ansari, head of the Lawyers’ Support Commission of the Fars and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Regional Bar Association, stated that following the January 2026 protests, judicial cases were opened against approximately 20 lawyers, 12 of whom were arrested.

In Gilan Province, at least 10 lawyers were summoned by judicial and security authorities, without their names being made public.

An attorney who asked not to be named for security reasons told HRANA that around November 2025, IRGC Intelligence forces went to the offices or homes of a number of lawyers in Gilan Province, including the president and several officials of the province’s Bar Association, and confiscated their mobile phones and other belongings.

According to the source, cases were also opened against two other lawyers. However, no information is available regarding their identities or the details of their cases.

Because the exact number of individuals subjected to these actions during the visits by security forces in Gilan is unclear, these cases were not included in the final total of 135 lawyers.

Summonses, Judicial Cases, and Restrictions on Lawyers’ Professional Activities

In addition to arrests and prison sentences, a number of lawyers during this period faced summonses, the opening of judicial cases, judicial and disciplinary proceedings, and restrictions on their ability to continue practicing law. Reza Tayyebnia, Amir Raisian, Milad Panahipour, Reza Shafakhah, Reza Gharloghi, Iman Soleimani, Hassan Younesi, Khosrow Alikordi, Nasser Rezaei Ahangarani, and Behnam Nezadi were among them. Details of the documented cases involving each of these lawyers are provided below.

Reza Tayyebnia was summoned in August 2026 to Branch 6 of the Assistant Prosecutor’s Office of the Kohgiluyeh County Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

Amir Raisian and Milad Panahipour had judicial cases opened against them in May 2026 at Branch 3 of the Tehran Security Prosecutor’s Office. The charges brought against them were “spreading false information” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Reza Shafakhah received a summons in December 2025 ordering him to appear before District 16 of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office to defend himself against the charge of “spreading false information.”

Reza Gharloghi, an attorney residing in Karaj, faced disciplinary proceedings in October 2025 following comments he made online. The indictment in his case was referred to Branch 1 of the Disciplinary Court of the Bar Association.

Iman Soleimani, an attorney in Khuzestan, faced a request for the revocation of his license to practice law and renewed disciplinary proceedings in September 2025. He had previously faced charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader,” but the case had been declared closed. Nevertheless, the same evidence was once again referred to the Lawyers’ Disciplinary Court along with a request to revoke his license to practice law. The court acquitted him, but the disciplinary prosecutor appealed the ruling, and the case was referred to the Supreme Disciplinary Court for Judges.

Hassan Younesi was also interrogated at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office in August 2025 and, by judicial order, was prohibited from engaging in online activity for three months.

Khosrow Alikordi, an attorney in Razavi Khorasan Province, was barred from pursuing further education in September 2025. He died on December 5, 2025. Because the action against him occurred within the period covered by this report, his name has been included among the identified lawyers documented in the report.

Nasser Rezaei Ahangarani was assaulted by security forces on the evening of January 3, 2026, during protests in Khorramabad.

Behnam Nezadi also faced judicial proceedings in connection with his work as a lawyer, but was ultimately acquitted by Branch 31 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals.

Additionally, according to information received by HRANA, since January 2026 at least three other lawyers have received warnings in connection with content published on their personal social media accounts, and their pages were made inaccessible for at least two months. HRANA has not yet verified the identities of these individuals; therefore, these three cases were not included in the report’s final total.

Impact on Access to Legal Representation

The continuation of this trend, in addition to its direct impact on the lawyers involved in these cases, may also affect citizens’ ability to access legal counsel and receive an effective defense. Attorneys play an essential role in safeguarding defendants’ right to a defense in many judicial cases, particularly those involving civil rights and security-related charges.

Conclusion

The data compiled in this report indicate that over the past year, a number of lawyers have faced judicial and security-related actions not merely because of the circumstances of their clients, but also in connection with their own legal activities, public statements, and conduct in their professional capacity as attorneys. Continued monitoring of this trend is essential for assessing the extent to which citizens have independent and unrestricted access to legal services.

Mohammad Kaabi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, Mohammad Kaabi, Shush, محمد کعبی

HRANA – On Saturday, September 12, Mohammad Kaabi, a resident of Shush County, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence Organization forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Mohammad Kaabi was arrested by security forces.

Based on information received by HRANA, on the afternoon of Saturday, September 12, Mr. Kaabi was arrested by IRGC Intelligence Organization forces and subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Mr. Kaabi’s arrest, his place of detention, or the charges brought against him.

Mohammad Kaabi, also known as “Abu Idris,” is a poet and cultural activist from Shush County.

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.