Category: News

Teacher Azadeh Saleki Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azadeh Saleki, HRANA, Razavi Khorasan Province

HRANA – Azadeh Saleki, a teacher employed in Khaf and one of those arrested during January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to five years in prison by the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province. She had previously been sentenced to 10 years in prison at the trial court.

According to a report by HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Azadeh Saleki has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on the report, the Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province reduced her sentence to five years in prison. She had initially been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment at the trial stage.

Saleki was arrested during January 2026 protests and was released temporarily after approximately one month upon posting bail of 30 billion rials.

In 2022, she was also suspended from her job for one month due to her statements and activities. She was subsequently transferred from Torbat-e Heydarieh to Khaf.

Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari Launch Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Behzad Dashti, Evin Prison, Yousef Kari

HRANA – Abbas Lesani (Lisani) and Yousef Kari, two Azerbaijani-Turk activists, remain in detention at Evin Prison. For two days, the two have been on a hunger strike in protest against prison authorities’ decision to transfer them to separate wards without observing the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their alleged offenses.

According to HRANA News Agency, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari remain in detention. Lesani and Kari informed their families and relatives that they began a hunger strike on Sunday, June 28, in protest against prison officials’ decision to transfer them to separate wards without complying with prison classification regulations and the principle of separating inmates according to the nature of their alleged offenses.

When prison authorities attempted to transfer them to separate wards in Ward 7, the two men stated that they would begin a hunger strike if prison regulations and the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their alleged offenses were not respected.

The trial of Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti, all Azerbaijani-Turk activists, was held on May 30 before Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court. The defendants refused to attend the hearing.

In January 2026, Abbas Lesani was formally charged in Branch 6 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by Vahid Naseri, with offenses including “forming an illegal group, assembly and collusion against national security, and disrupting public order.” Yousef Kari, along with two other individuals, was charged with “membership in an illegal group, assembly and collusion against national security, and disrupting public order.”

Despite more than seven months having passed since their arrests, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari continue to be held in the quarantine section of Ward 7 of Evin Prison.

The two activists were arrested on November 11, 2025, outside Evin Prison while expressing support for the sit-in protest by the families of political prisoners Taher Naghavi and Vadood Asadi, who are imprisoned there. On November 18, 2025, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, along with two other individuals, were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, both Azerbaijani-Turk activists, have previously been arrested and subjected to judicial prosecution due to their civil activism.

January 2026 Protests: Aria Norani Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aria Norani, Arya Norani, North Khorasan province, آریا نورانی

HRANA News Agency – Aria Norani, a teacher and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison by the judicial authorities of North Khorasan Province.

According to a report by HRANA  , citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Aria Norani has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to the report, the teacher was sentenced to 14 months in prison by the judicial authorities of North Khorasan Province. The report does not specify the charges brought against him.

Mr. Norani was arrested by security forces during the January 2026 protests and was released on bail after two weeks.

Aria Norani is a formally employed primary school teacher in Maneh County, North Khorasan Province.

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.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan-Beigi Returns to Evin Prison with Her Young Child

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Lalehzari, Mahfar Lalehzari, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi

HRANA – Today, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi, a civil rights activist, was transferred to Evin Prison along with her young child to continue serving her prison sentence.

Based on information received by HRANA, yesterday, June 29, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi was transferred to Evin Prison along with her young daughter, Mahfar Lalehzari, who is under two years old, to continue serving her prison sentence.

This political prisoner had been granted furlough from Evin Prison on September 18, 2024, to give birth.

In January 2024, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi and her husband, Behfar Lalehzari, were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion against domestic security and propaganda against the regime. The sentence was upheld in March 2024, but after their request for retrial was accepted and the case was reviewed by a parallel branch, it was reduced to 21 months in prison.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan-Beigi was arrested by security forces at her home on September 18, 2023, along with her husband, Behfar Lalehzari.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi and Behfar Lalehzari have previously faced arrest and imprisonment in connection with their activities.

Two Prisoners Executed at Yasuj Prison

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Executions, News
Mahmoud Ghaem, Mohammad Ali Haji-Hassani, moharebeh, Yasuj Prison

HRANA – At dawn on Monday, June 22, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death in separate cases on charges of murder and moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery were executed at Yasuj Prison.

According to a report by the Iran Human Rights Organization, the executions were carried out on June 22, 2026, at Yasuj Prison. The prisoners have been identified as Mohammad Ali Haji-Hassani, 25, from Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, and Mahmoud Ghaem, 28, from Yasuj.

According to the report, Mohammad Ali Haji-Hassani had been arrested less than two years ago on a murder charge following a physical altercation that resulted in the death of another individual. He was subsequently sentenced to death.

Mahmoud Ghaem was arrested approximately four years ago on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery and was sentenced to death. In the same case, two other defendants were each sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment, while Ghaem, identified as the principal defendant, received the death sentence.

As of the time of publication, prison authorities and the relevant institutions had not officially announced the executions.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

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Journalist Omid Faraghat Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Omid Faraghat, امید فراغت

HRANA – Omid Faraghat, a journalist based in Karaj, was arrested yesterday after being summoned by security authorities. He was transferred to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and was ultimately sent to prison following the issuance of a temporary detention order.

According to HRANA, Omid Faraghat has been arrested. The journalist was summoned by security authorities earlier this morning and taken to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Following the issuance of a temporary detention order, he was transferred to prison.

The charges brought against Omid Faraghat are “disturbing public opinion” and “acting against national security.”

Faraghat had announced the previous day that he had been summoned to the Security Police by phone.

In November 2025, Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals sentenced Faraghat to pay a fine of 20 million tomans in lieu of serving a three-month prison sentence. He had previously been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in the same case.

In August 2025, a hearing was held at the Karaj Revolutionary Court in another case against Faraghat on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.” He was acquitted of both charges in that case.

Omid Faraghat, a journalist and political media activist based in Karaj, has previously faced judicial prosecution due to his professional activities.

Saba Talebi Held in Limbo for Over a Month at Vakilabad Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Saba Talebi, Vakilabad prison, صبا طالبی

HRANA – Saba Talebi, a blogger from Mashhad, was arrested by security forces on May 26, 2026, and remains in detention without clarification of her legal status at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA News Agency, the news outlet of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), Saba Talebi, a blogger from Mashhad, remains in custody.

A source close to Talebi’s family confirmed the information to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Talebi has been held for 34 days without clarification of her legal status in the Aramesh ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She is facing charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, insulting Islamic sanctities, and propaganda against the regime. Additionally, the investigating judge has so far refused to issue a bail order for her temporary release.”

Talebi was arrested by security forces at her home in Mashhad on May 26, 2026, and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison in the city.

Saba Talebi, 23, is a blogger and resident of Mashhad.

It is worth noting that HRANA previously published a report examining the conditions of women held in the Aramesh ward and the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. According to the report, at least 30 women arrested during the January protests, amid heightened security measures following the recent military conflict, are being held in these wards under difficult conditions, facing numerous challenges, including a lack of basic necessities and adequate facilities.

Parnian Hashempour Sentenced to Prison by the Court of Appeals

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Fatemeh Hashempour, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Parnian Hashempour, پرنیان هاشم پور

HRANA – The five-year prison sentence of Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been reduced to two years on appeal. She is currently serving her sentence in Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Hashempour has been sentenced by the Court of Appeals to two years in prison on the charge of assembly and collusion. At the trial court stage, she had been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on the same charge by the judiciary.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of the current case, including the judicial authorities that issued the ruling, is ongoing.

Hashempour was arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of late December 2025 and January 2026. After spending several days in solitary confinement, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 31, 2025.

Parnian (Fatemeh) Hashempour, who holds a master’s degree in archaeology, was also arrested in 2022 and was detained for a period in Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was ultimately granted amnesty and released in that case.

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: Ribwar Marabi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Ribwar Marabi

HRANA – Ribwar Marabi, arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been sentenced by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals to 10 years in prison, with four years of the sentence suspended. He had previously been sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In a statement published yesterday, Mr. Marabi announced that Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals had upheld a 10-year prison sentence, while suspending four years of the punishment. In the initial proceedings, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammadreza Amouzad, had sentenced him to 10 years in prison.

Marabi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on January 9, 2026, and subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Penitentiary. He was released from the prison on March 15, 2026, after posting bail.

Ribwar Marabi, 26, is originally from the village of Marab in Kamyaran County and currently resides in Tehran. He has previously faced judicial prosecution and arrest.

Three Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Arrested in Ardabil Province

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News, Religious Minorities
Ali Vaseghi, Ardabil, Asgar Akbarzadeh, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Meshgin Shahr, Siamak Mirzaie

HRANA – Siamak Mirzaie, Asgar Akbarzadeh, and Ali Vaseghi, Azerbaijani-Turk activists, were arrested by security forces this morning in the cities of Meshgin Shahr and Ardabil.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA), three Azerbaijani-Turk activists have been arrested in Ardabil Province.

At around 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, June 28, 2026, security forces arrested Siamak Mirzaie in Meshgin Shahr, while Asgar Akbarzadeh and Ali Vaseghi were arrested in the city of Ardabil. Their families have not been informed which agency carried out the arrests, nor have they received any information regarding the activists’ whereabouts or condition.

The reasons for their arrests and any charges brought against these three Azerbaijani-Turk activists remain unknown.

These individuals have previously been arrested and imprisoned due to their civil activism.