Category: News

Update on Arrests at Khosrow Alikordi’s Seventh-Day Memorial in Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Abri, Ahmad Alikordi, Ali Adinehzadeh, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Amin Vosoughi-Nia, Amir Khavari, Behrouz Alikordi, Davoud Alikordi, Hamed Hosseini, Hamed Rasoulkhani, Hamed Zareh, Hassan Bagherinia, Hasti Amiri, Heydar Chah Chamandi, HRANA, Iraj Alikordi, Javad Alikordi, Javad Jalali, Kamran Alikordi, Mahmoud Khanali, Mehdi Rasoulkhani, Milad Fattah, Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad-Hassan Sadeghian, Mohammadreza Babaei, Mojtaba Alikordi, Narges Mohammadi, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Pouran Nazemi, Pouria Najarzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Tayebeh Nazari, Yaser Dehestani

HRANA – On Friday, December 12, 2025, during the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer, held in Mashhad, a number of citizens were arrested. The identities of at least 22 additional detainees have been confirmed. Some of these individuals were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, while others were taken to Soroush Detention Center in Mashhad. A number of them have also been released on bail.

In addition to Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Pouran Nazemi, Hasti Amiri, Abolfazl Abri, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Ali Adinehzadeh, Hassan Bagherinia, Javad Alikordi, and Hamed Hosseini, the identities of at least 22 other citizens and civil activists have been established, these individuals were arrested on Friday, December 12, 2025:

Tayebeh Nazari, Heydar Chah Chamandi, Mohammad Hassan Sadeghian, Yaser Dehestani, Amin Vosoughi-Nia, Milad Fattah, Mohammadreza Babaei, Davoud Alikordi, Ahmad Alikordi, Iraj Alikordi, Kamran Alikordi, Mojtaba Alikordi, Behrouz Alikordi, Javad Jalali, Mahmoud Khanali, Hamed Rasoulkhani, Mehdi Rasoulkhani, Amir Khavari, Pouria Najarzadeh, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Hamed Zareh, and Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi.

According to informed sources who spoke with HRANA, some of those arrested were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, while others were taken to Soroush Detention Center, which operates under the supervision of the Public Security Police (FARAJA). Among the detainees, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Behrouz Alikordi, Iraj Alikordi, and Mojtaba Alikordi were released after posting bail. Additionally, the mobile phones of some individuals were confiscated by security agents.

Based on information received by HRANA, the judicial cases of some of these individuals have been referred to Branch 902 and Branch 901 of the Investigative Unit of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. They are facing charges including “propaganda against the state,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

According to reports published by the families of some of the detainees, including Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, several of those arrested have so far had no telephone contact with their families and have been denied access to legal counsel, a situation that has heightened concerns among their families and relatives.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi was held at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad with a large public turnout. The ceremony was accompanied by the chanting of protest slogans by participants. Eventually, following the intervention of law enforcement forces, the gathering turned violent. During these events, dozens of participants—including Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Pouran Nazemi, Hasti Amiri, Abolfazl Abri, Alieh Matalebzadeh, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Hagparast), Ali Adinehzadeh, Hassan Bagherinia, Javad Alikordi, and Hamed Hosseini—were arrested by security forces.

On Saturday, the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor announced the arrest of 39 individuals during the memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi in the city. According to him, these individuals were detained due to what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behavior.” He also claimed that two law enforcement officers were injured during the ceremony.

Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar and a resident of Mashhad, passed away on the evening of Friday, December 5, 2025. His funeral was held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest chants such as “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long Live Iran.” Following this, a large number of lawyers across the country issued a statement, a copy of which was obtained by HRANA, expressing condolences to Alikordi’s family and emphasizing the need for a precise, technical, and expert review of the circumstances surrounding his death, while calling for all relevant documentation and information to be made available to his family as soon as possible.

Regarding Soroush Detention Center, it should be noted that this facility, located in eastern Mashhad, operates under the management of the Public Security Police of FARAJA. Since the nationwide protests of 2017 and 2019, and especially after 2022, it has become one of the main centers for interrogating and holding political and security detainees. Initially used to detain suspects accused of ordinary crimes such as drug trafficking, arms trading, and alcohol-related offenses, the center has in recent years evolved into a dual-purpose facility due to the detention of protesters and political dissidents.

Dehdasht; Five Citizens Sentenced to a Total of 48 Years in Prison in a Joint Case

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirhossein Mohseni-Pour, Feyzollah Azarnoush, Hamid Dastvaneh, Mehdi Karami, Milad Karimi-Nasab

HRANA – Five citizens, identified as Feyzollah Azarnoush, Milad Karimi-Nasab, Amirhossein Mohseni-Pour, Hamid Dastvaneh, and Mehdi Karami, have been sentenced to a total of 48 years in prison in a joint case by Branch 102 of Criminal Court No. 2 of Kohgiluyeh County.

Based on the court ruling:

• Feyzollah Azarnoush was sentenced to 23 years in prison

• Milad Karimi-Nasab to 11 years in prison

• Amirhossein Mohseni-Pour to 8 years in prison

• Mehdi Karami to 5 years in prison

• Hamid Dastvaneh to 1 year of discretionary imprisonment

The charges brought against these individuals include forming a group and procuring weapons with the intent to confront the regime, insulting religious sanctities and the Supreme Leader, money laundering through crimes against the state, illegal possession of weapons, communication with hostile governments with the aim of acting against the regime, cooperation with opposition groups based abroad, encouraging citizens and military and security forces to rebel, and planning an armed attack on the capital with the support of foreign groups.

Mr. Azarnoush was arrested on June 18, 2025, in Yasuj and was released after a period of detention. He was also summoned by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Yasuj on November 9, 2025, where he was interrogated for several hours after appearing at the security body.

Milad Karimi-Nasab was arrested by security forces on June 11, 2025, and Mehdi Karami was arrested on June 18, 2025, in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

Amirhossein Mohseni was arrested by security forces on June 23, 2025, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Dehdasht. After completing interrogation procedures, he was transferred to Dehdasht Prison and was ultimately released on August 20, 2025.

Hamid Dastvaneh has also previously faced security-related actions due to his activities.

29 Prisoners Executed in Multiple Prisons Across Iran

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Executions, News
Aligudarz, Ardabil, Citizen executed, Dezful, Esfarayen, Execution, Gonabad, Hamedan, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Nahavand, Nowshahr, Qazvin, Qom, Quchan, Sanandaj, Tabriz, Yasuj

HRANA – In recent days, the death sentences of dozens of other prisoners have been carried out in various prisons across Iran on charges of murder and drug-related offenses. This report details these executions:

Monday, December 8:

• Esfandiar Razaqi, on a charge of murder, in Esfarayen Prison
• Sattar Zahedifar, on drug-related charges, in Gonabad Prison

The Iran Human Rights Organization also reported the execution of four prisoners on drug-related charges in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. In addition to the execution of Mohammadbaqer Souri, which HRANA had previously reported, three other prisoners—identified as Shahram Mirzadeh, Fardin Rezaei (37 years old), and Habib Faridi (approximately 30 years old)—were hanged in this prison.

Tuesday, December 9:

• Mojtaba Dabir, on a charge of murder, in Nowshahr Prison, Mazandaran Province
• Majid Nazaran, on a charge of murder, in Quchan Prison, Razavi Khorasan Province
• Diako Farouqi, on a charge of murder, in Sanandaj Prison, Kurdistan Province

Saturday, December 13:

• Gholam Saljouqi, on drug-related charges, in Hamedan Prison, Hamedan Province
• Farshid Sagvand, on a charge of murder, in Aligudarz Prison, Lorestan Province
• Kaka Morad Jafari, on a charge of murder, in Khorramabad Prison, Lorestan Province
• Two prisoners on charges of murder in Kermanshah Prison; HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of them as Aziz Ali Moradi
• Hassan Torki, on a charge of murder, in Yasuj Prison
• Golmohammadi (first name unknown), on a charge of murder, in Nahavand Prison
• Hamzeh Sarlak, on a charge of murder, in Dezful Prison, Khuzestan Province

Sunday, December 14:

• Sadegh Abdi, on a charge of murder, in Qazvin Prison
• Abolfazl Dana, on a charge of murder, in Ardabil Prison
• Ali Eitivand, Kiumars Bahrami, Ehsan Yari, and Mohammad Karimi, on drug-related charges, in the Central Prison of Karaj, Alborz Province
• Sultan Morad Aslanpour, on drug-related charges, in Tabriz Prison
• Yaser Saki Zadeh, on drug-related charges, in Qom Prison
• Mohammad Amin Bakhtiari, on drug-related charges, in Semnan Prison
• Mohammad Dinari, on drug-related charges, in Arak Prison, Markazi Province
• Farhad Abdouli, on a charge of murder, in Dezful Prison

Additionally, a prisoner with an unknown identity was executed on a charge of murder in Borujerd Prison

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison authorities or the relevant institutions.

Several Attendees Arrested During Seventh-Day Memorial for Khosrow Alikordi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Adinehzadeh, Hassan Bagherinia, HRANA, Khosrow Alikordi, Narges Mohammadi, Nora Haghi, Pouran Nazemi, Sepideh Gholian

HRANA – Today, the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi was held at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad amid a heavy presence of law enforcement forces, during which several citizens were arrested. So far, the identities of Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Pouran Nazemi, Nora Haghi, Ali Adinehzadeh, and Hassan Bagherinia have been confirmed among those detained. The identities of other detainees are still under review.

The ceremony was held today, Friday, at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad with the presence of a large number of law enforcement forces. Based on information received by HRANA, several attendees, including Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian (Qolian), Pouran Nazemi, Nora Haghi, Ali Adinehzadeh, and Hassan Bagherinia, were arrested. The identities of other possible detainees remain under investigation.

A knowledgeable source told HRANA: “The arrests of Ms. Mohammadi and Ms. Gholian were carried out violently. Officers also attempted to arrest Javad Alikordi, the brother of Khosrow Alikordi, but people attending the ceremony prevented his arrest. Streets surrounding Ghadir Mosque were blocked, and officers prevented individuals from entering the area.”

Participants chanted slogans such as “Long live Iran,” “We fight, we die, we will not accept humiliation,” and “Death to the dictator.” With the presence of security and law enforcement forces, the ceremony turned violent.

Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar and a resident of Mashhad, passed away on Friday evening, December 5, 2025. His funeral was held on Sunday, December 7, in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest chants including “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long live Iran.” Following the funeral, a large number of lawyers across the country issued a statement, a copy of which was received by HRANA, expressing condolences and solidarity with Khosrow Alikordi’s family, emphasizing the need for a thorough, technical, and expert review of the circumstances surrounding his death, and calling for all related documents and information to be made available to his family as soon as possible.

Teachers’ Union Activist Faces New Legal Case While Imprisoned

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Khoran, Arak prison, HRANA, ابوالفضل خوران

HRANA – Abolfazl Khoran, a teachers’ union activist currently imprisoned in Arak Prison, has recently faced the opening of a new judicial case.

A source close to the prisoner’s family, confirming the matter, told HRANA: “Mr. Khoran has recently been confronted with the opening of a new judicial case against him. He has received a summons to appear before Branch 102 of Criminal Court Two of Arak County. In this summons, he has been asked to appear on December 16 to defend himself against the charge of spreading false information through cyberspace.”

The source added: “In April-May of this year, following a confrontation and beating by prison officials, Abolfazl Khoran sustained an injury to his right ear. He was transferred to a hospital with symptoms such as dizziness, infection, and severe ear pain, but due to the absence of the treating physician, he was returned to prison without undergoing the necessary examinations and tests. Despite the prison doctor’s confirmation that he suffers from hearing loss (cholesteatoma) and requires surgery, prison authorities have so far taken no action to transfer him to medical centers outside the prison. The prison medical staff, due to a lack of expertise in treating his condition, have merely prescribed unrelated medications and painkillers.”

In Shahrivar of this year, Branch 9 of the Central Province Court of Appeals converted Mr. Khoran’s sentence of imprisonment and flogging into a fine of 400 million rials. He had previously been sentenced in Mordad of this year by Criminal Court Two of Arak County to one year in prison and 74 lashes in connection with this case, which was opened against him during his imprisonment.

Abolfazl Khoran was transferred to Arak Prison on January 21, 2025, to serve his sentence.

This teachers’ union activist had earlier been sentenced in August-September 2023 by Branch 105 of Criminal Court Two of Arak to six years in prison and 74 lashes, to be carried out in public, on charges of “insulting religious sanctities” and “disrupting public order and peace.”

Mr. Khoran, along with several other citizens, was arrested in August 2023 after attending a ceremony at the grave of Mehrshad Shahidi, one of those killed during the nationwide protests of 2022, in Arak. After some time, each of them was released on bail of 7 billion rials.

Previously, the newspaper Shargh, in a report on the judicial convictions of several teachers due to their union activities, quoted a person close to Abolfazl Khoran as saying: “After 18 years of service as a school deputy, he is now spending his days in Arak Prison. Abolfazl’s father’s grave was located near the grave of one of those killed in the 2022 protests. Abolfazl went to recite a prayer at that young man’s grave. At the same time, others were also present there to pay their respects, but they chose a different approach. In any case, the existing footage from that moment shows that Abolfazl had no association with that group and merely recited a prayer. However, after the videos were published, he was arrested and a case was opened against him. At present, of the nine individuals who were all charged with insulting religious sanctities, only Abolfazl remains imprisoned on this charge, while the others have been released. Abolfazl is currently suffering from an ear condition that requires surgery. Even the hospital doctor stated that he must be transferred outside the prison to undergo treatment, but once again, he was denied leave.”

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Cultural Activist Ehsan Rostami Charged With “Armed Rebellion”

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Baghi, Ehsan Rostami, Evin Prison, احسان رستمی

HRANA – Branch Five of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Ehsan Rostami with the offense of “baghi” (armed rebellion). He was subsequently transferred to the quarantine ward of Evin Prison. The charge of “baghi” can lead to severe sentences, including the death penalty.

Based on information received by HRANA, on December 10, Mr. Rostami was summoned to Branch Five of the Investigative Office of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by Investigator Mr. Jalayer. He was charged with “baghi” on suspicion of membership in groups opposed to the regime. Following the session, he was transferred to the quarantine ward of Evin Prison.

This political defendant was arrested on August 19 at his personal residence in Tehran by security forces and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Ehsan Rostami is a cultural activist working in the field of publishing and books.

It is worth noting that the charge of baghi may result in severe penalties including execution.

At Least Eight Prisoners Executed in Iran on December 11

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Executions, News
Behbahan, Bojnurd Prison, Bukan, Ferdows, HRANA, Lakan prison, Mahshahr, Rasht, Sari, Taybad

HRANA – Yesterday, Thursday, December 11, at least eight more prisoners were executed in Iran on charges of murder and drug-related offenses. In addition, the execution of two other prisoners was reported on Wednesday, December 10.

On this day, HRANA reported the execution of the following individuals:

• Ali Shamloo, on drug-related charges, in Bojnurd Prison;

• Kavian (first name only, last name unknown), on a murder charge, in Bukan Prison;

• Kabir Mahmoudvand, on a murder charge, in Mahshahr Prison;

• Yaser Jahantigh, on a murder charge, in Sari Prison;

• Mohammad Ghahramani, on a murder charge, in Ferdows Prison;

• Sasan Sheikhi, on a murder charge, in Behbahan Prison.

Additionally, two prisoners were executed in Taybad Prison on drug-related charges. HRANA has identified one of them as Manouchehr Navabi.

Furthermore, on Wednesday, December 10, the execution of two prisoners in Lakan Prison in Rasht was reported by the Iran Human Rights. The identities of these prisoners were reported as Mehrdad Rezaei, 31 years old, from the village of Chaperpard in Rasht County, and Saeed Khoshkalam, 27 years old, from Karaj. Mehrdad Rezaei was arrested four years ago and Saeed Khoshkalam three years ago in separate cases on drug-related charges and were subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

Ramin Zeleh, Political Prisoner, Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Mahabad, Naqadeh, Ramin Zeleh

HRANA – Ramin Zeleh, a political prisoner held in Naqadeh Prison, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion).

According Kurdpa, the political prisoner was sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Siyami, on the charge of “baghi.” The verdict was formally issued to him on December 6.

Mr. Zeleh was arrested on July 22, 2024, after security forces raided his family home without presenting a judicial warrant, and he was subsequently transferred to Naqadeh Prison.

Prison Sentence of Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Ata Karimi Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Ethnic Minorities, Freedom of Expression, News
Ata Karimi, Ghasem Mazinani, Urmia, عطا کریمی

HRANA – The prison sentence of Ata Karimi, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been fully upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Following the rejection of his request for appeal by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Ghasem Mazinani, Karimi’s two-year sentence was confirmed without modification. In August, 2024, Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court had sentenced this Azerbaijani-Turk activist to two years in prison.

Mr. Karimi was previously arrested by security forces in Urmia in June 2015 and was released about a week later.

Ata Karimi has also faced prior judicial actions due to his activism.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, 20 ethnic minority rights activists were sentenced to a total of 471 months (nearly 40 years) in prison. Over the past seven years, the total length of such prison sentences has reached 913 years.

Fourteen Executions in Iran Reported on December 10

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Executions, News
Bushehr, Chabahar, Damghan, HRANA, Kashmar, Mahabad, Malayer, Sabzevar, Shahr-e Kord

HRANA – Yesterday, Wednesday, December 10, HRANA reported the execution of thirteen prisoners on charges of murder and drug-related offenses. Heirkani also reported the execution of one prisoner in Lakan Prison in Rasht.

According to HRANA, on this day, the following individuals were executed:

• Sohail Hamidi, on a murder charge, in Mahabad Prison;

• Noormohammad Shabani, on a murder charge, in Sabzevar Prison;

• Mohammadkarim Siadi, on a murder charge, in Shahr-e Kord Prison;

• Nemat Behiraei, on a murder charge, in Bushehr Prison;

• Kourosh Sabzi, on drug-related charges, in Kashmar Prison;

• Reza Sabzi, on a murder charge, in Malayer Prison;

• Hassan Morad Haqi, on drug-related charges, in Damghan Prison;

• An Afghan national, identity unknown, on drug-related charges, in Chabahar Prison;

• Two prisoners, including a woman, in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on murder charges; HRANA has confirmed the identity of the woman as Elnaz Azizi.

• Three prisoners in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz on drug-related charges; HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of them as Khoda-Bakhsh Elyasi.

Additionally, according to Hyrcani News, a prisoner named Mehrdad Mirzaei, 38 years old, was executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht on drug-related charges.