Category: News

Mohammad Asadi Sentenced to Two Years in Prison on Appeal

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News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mohammad Asadi, Sheiban Prison, محمد اسدی

HRANA – Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has sentenced political prisoner Mohammad Asadi, who is currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, to two years in prison. In the initial trial, he had been sentenced to two years of imprisonment along with supplementary punishments.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 16 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals, Mohammad Asadi was sentenced to two years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order.” The supplementary punishments imposed in the initial ruling were removed from his sentence.

Previously, during the initial stage of proceedings, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison on the same charge. The Revolutionary Court judge had also imposed supplementary punishments, including a two-year travel ban and one year of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice. The specific acts forming the basis of the charges against this political prisoner remain unknown.

Mohammad Asadi was arrested on January 14, 2026, and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Teenager Arrested by Security Forces in Mehrestan

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Children, Freedom of Expression, News
Mehrestan, Taha Dehani, طاها دهانی

HRANA – Taha Dehani, a 16-year-old resident of Mehrestan County, was arrested by security forces on Monday, June 1, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to Haal Vash, a teenager has been arrested in Mehrestan County, located in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The teenager has been identified as Taha Dehani, 16, a resident of Kohn Megar village in the Central District of Mehrestan County.

According to the report, on Monday, June 1, 2026, security forces raided the teenager’s home and arrested him without presenting a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

January 2026 Protests: Ali Kamali Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Ali Kamali, Malaysia, Tehran

HRANA – Ali Kamali, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026 and currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh (“enmity against God”). Mr. Kamali, who resides in Malaysia, was arrested after returning to Iran and has now been sentenced to death.

In mid-May of this year, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to death on the charge of moharebeh. The verdict is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Kamali was arrested on January 12, 2026, during the nationwide protests in Tehran. He holds residency in Malaysia, and his arrest took place several days after he had traveled to Iran. He is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison.

At the time of publication, no further information was available regarding the details of his case or the judicial proceedings against him.

Appeals Court Sentences Mohammad Hosseini Chamani to More Than 30 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Mohammad Hosseini Chamani, Sheiban Prison, محمد حسین چمنی

HRANA – Branch 18 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has sentenced political prisoner Mohammad Hosseini Chamani, currently held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, to two years, six months, and two days in prison. In the initial trial, he had been sentenced to four years in prison along with supplementary punishments.

According to HRANA, Branch 18 of the Khuzestan Province Court of Appeals has reduced the initial sentence issued against Mohammad Hosseini Chamani.

Under the appellate ruling, Mr. Hosseini Chamani was sentenced to 15 months and one day in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order” and to an additional 15 months and one day in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The supplementary punishments imposed at the trial stage were also removed from his sentence.

No information is available regarding the specific acts that formed the basis of the charges against this political prisoner.

Previously, during the initial trial, Branch 1 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court had sentenced him to two years in prison for “disrupting public order” and two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The Revolutionary Court judge had also imposed supplementary punishments, including a two-year travel ban and one year of mandatory attendance at the Office for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice.

Mohammad Hosseini Chamani was arrested on January 8, 2026, and is currently being held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

After Death Sentence Overturned by the Supreme Court, Yaghoub Derakhshan Sentenced to Death Again

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Executions, News
Baghi, Yaghoub Derakhshan, یعقوب درخشان

HRANA – Yaghoub Derakhshan, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by the Rasht Revolutionary Court after his previous death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court and his case was referred to a parallel court branch for retrial.

Based on information received by HRANA, following a new review of Mr. Derakhshan’s case, Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court again sentenced him to death on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the regime). The ruling was issued last week and was recently communicated to him in prison.

Mr. Derakhshan’s previous death sentence had earlier been overturned by the Supreme Court, and his case was referred to Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court for reconsideration.

The initial charge against Yaghoub Derakhshan during his first arrest, which took place in July 2024, was “propaganda against the regime.” After several weeks, he was released on bail. However, following his second arrest, he was charged with the more serious offense of “baghi” and was ultimately sentenced to death in the summer of last year by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmad Darvish-Goftar.

Sources previously told HRANA that during interrogations, Mr. Derakhshan was subjected to severe psychological and physical pressure and was compelled to make self-incriminating confessions. These confessions were later used as the primary evidence supporting the death sentence.

Due to the judiciary’s lack of transparency regarding the case, details concerning the specific allegations against Mr. Derakhshan remain unknown.

Yaghoub Derakhshan is 50 years old and a resident of Bandar Anzali.

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Homeyra Sharifi Sentenced to Five Years in Prison; Denied Medical Care in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Homeira Sharifi, Homeyra Sharifi, HRANA, Qarchak Prison, Varamin

HRANA – Homeyra Sharifi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years in prison. The Afghan national is reportedly suffering from both physical and psychological health problems and has been denied adequate medical care.

The five-year prison sentence was recently communicated to Ms. Sharifi while she was being held in Evin Prison. According to information received by HRANA, she suffers from a skin disease and is experiencing serious psychological distress. Despite her condition, she has not received adequate medical or mental health care.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA:

“Homeyra Sharifi does not possess identity documents. Since her transfer to Evin Prison, she has attempted suicide twice, the most recent incident occurring last week. After fellow prisoners expressed concern, she was sent for a single counseling session, but no effective follow-up care was provided afterward.”

Homeyra Sharifi was arrested during the nationwide January protests and transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. On February 16, 2026, she was transferred from Qarchak Prison to Evin Prison, where she has remained ever since.

HRANA’s investigation into the charges brought against Ms. Sharifi and the authority that issued the sentence is ongoing.

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

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
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

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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

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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

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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.