Category: News

Ghezel Hesar Prison: Three Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA– On the morning of Tuesday, August 26, three prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for the execution of their sentences.

Their transfer was carried out for the implementation of their death sentences. Based on information received by HRANA, two of the prisoners had been sentenced to death on murder charges by criminal courts, while the third had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on drug-related charges.

Further details, including the identities of these prisoners, are still being investigated by HRANA.

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.

Tehran Prosecutor Files Charges Against Comedian Zeinab Mousavi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Emperor Kuzco, HRANA, Qom, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi, زینب موسوی

HRANA– The Tehran prosecutor has filed charges against Iranian comedian Zeinab Mousavi over a video circulated on social media containing remarks about Ferdowsi, the renowned Iranian poet.

According to HRANA, quoting Mizan, the Tehran prosecutor initiated legal action against Mousavi following the release of part of a program online in which she made comments regarding Ferdowsi. The report alleges that Mousavi’s statements were “contrary to public morality.”

In October of last year, the Tehran prosecutor also filed charges against her, which later led to the issuance of an indictment.

Zeinab Mousavi, one of the first women stand-up comedians in Iran and the creator of the character “Empress Kuzco,” was arrested in October 2023 and released after several days. Her case, involving two charges, was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court.

She was also arrested in Qom in October 2022 and released on bail in late November of the same year pending trial. Mousavi has stated that during this detention she spent 25 days in solitary confinement and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Two Prisoners Executed on Drug Charges in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Javad Soheili, Mashhad, Nader Sepahdar, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn on Sunday, August 17, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners executed at dawn on Sunday, August 17, as Javad Soheili and Nader Sepahdar. According to information received by HRANA, the two had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and official institutions have not announced these executions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Journalist Omid Faraghat Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Iman Afshari, Karaj, Omid Faraghat

HRANA – Omid Faraghat, a journalist, has been sentenced to three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In a separate ruling, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of other charges.

According to HRANA, Mr. Faraghat reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, convicted him on the charge of propaganda against the regime and sentenced him to three months in prison. The charge was based on allegations of interviews with Persian-language media outlets based abroad, a claim he has denied.

At the same time, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of additional charges of propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion. The trial concerning these accusations took place on Monday, August 18.

The conviction that resulted in his prison sentence was issued following a separate hearing held on Sunday, July 13, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Omid Faraghat, a journalist and political media activist residing in Karaj, has previously faced judicial proceedings in connection with his professional activities.

Student Activist Motahareh Goonehi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Motahareh Goonehi, Motahareh Gounei, Student activist

HRANA – Motahareh Goonehi (Gounei), a student activist, has been sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 21 months in prison.

In a statement published by this student activist, she wrote: “By order of the Revolutionary Court, I was sentenced to 15 months in prison for ‘propaganda against the Islamic Republic’ and to six months in prison for ‘insulting the Supreme Leader,’ as well as the confiscation of my mobile phone containing so-called ‘criminal content.’ This ruling was issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in less than one week.”

Ms. Goonehi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Saturday, June 14, and released more than a month later on bail. Following her release, she shared a disturbing account of her arrest, reporting that she was detained without a judicial warrant, that shots were fired inside her home during the arrest, and that she was blindfolded and taken barefoot into the street at night before being released.

Goonehi is a dental student and the former political secretary of the Islamic Association of Students at the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She has previously faced arrest and security-related pressures due to her activism. She was released from Evin Prison on March 16, 2025, after completing her prison sentence.

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Ghezel Hesar Prison: Six Prisoners Transferred to Solitary Confinement for Execution

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, قزل حصار

HRANA – On the morning of Monday, August 25, six prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, all previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges, were transferred to solitary confinement in preparation for their executions.

According to information received by HRANA, the six prisoners had been arrested on drug charges and later sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts. Their transfer marks the final step before the implementation of their sentences. Further details, including the prisoners’ identities, are still under investigation by HRANA.

HRANA’s statistics show that Ghezel Hesar Prison recorded the highest number of executions among all Iranian prisons, with 150 inmates hanged. This figure represents nearly double the executions carried out the previous year — a deeply alarming rise highlighting the escalating use of capital punishment in Iran.

Ramin Rostami Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

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

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

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

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

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

Iraj Pashapour Sentenced to Prison and Complementary Punishment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shahab Darabi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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

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

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

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

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

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

Appeals Court Increases Prison Sentence of Hamid Chapati

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

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

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

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

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

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