Category: News

Nirvana Torbati Nejad Arrested in Gorgan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Nirvana Torbati-Nejad

HRANA – Nirvana Torbati Nejad, a resident of Gorgan, was arrested at her home by police forces on Saturday, June 27, and transferred to the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization (Sazman-e Ettela’at-e FARAJA).

Based on information received by HRANA, police officers raided Nirvana Torbati Nejad’s home on the morning of Saturday, June 27, arrested her, and transferred her to one of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization’s facilities in Gorgan. Officers also seized the mobile phones of Torbati Nejad and her mother, Sayeh (Roqiyeh) Amirkhani.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that Torbati Nejad is scheduled to stand trial on July 21 in connection with a case opened against her last year. The source added that a new case has recently been filed against her, and she has been summoned to appear before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court on July 20 regarding those new charges.

In March, Branch One of the Golestan Province Court of Appeals sentenced her to pay a fine of 30 million tomans. In the same case, Branch One of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced her to six months of discretionary imprisonment, a ruling that was later reduced to a monetary fine on appeal.

On February 22, 2026, Torbati Nejad was arrested by officers of the Golestan Province Public Security and Intelligence Police during the memorial ceremony marking the fortieth day after the death of Hossein Soleimani, one of those killed during the January 2026 protests, in Gorgan. She was released 16 days later on bail.

In a separate case, this political defendant had previously been tried on charges of “membership in groups opposed to the regime with the intent to disrupt national security” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.” She was initially sentenced to 10 months in prison and a fine of two million tomans, but was ultimately acquitted of all charges on appeal.

Torbati Nejad was also arrested by security forces at her workplace on September 10, 2023, and was released on October 5, 2023, on bail pending judicial proceedings.

A hearing in one of Torbati Nejad’s earlier cases is scheduled to be held on July 20 before a branch of the Gorgan Revolutionary Court. She is also due to stand trial in another case on July 21.

Nabil Khaledi Arrested After Appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence

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News, Other
Asaluyeh, Nabil Khaledi, نبیل خالدی

HRANA – Nabil Khaledi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested on Monday, June 22, after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence in Asaluyeh County.

According to HRANA, Nabil Khaledi has been arrested. Mr. Khaledi, who had previously been summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence in Asaluyeh County, was arrested on Monday, June 22, after reporting to the security agency.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against him.

Nabil Khaledi is 40 years old, married, and the father of one son. He is originally from Kut Abdollah, Ahvaz, and resides in Asaluyeh for work.

 

Execution of Two Prisoners in Ahvaz and Qom

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Executions, News
ahvaz, HRANA, Qom prison, Saman Rashidi, Vahid Salimi

HRANA – Two prisoners previously sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder were executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Qom Prison.

According to HRANA, citing the Iran Human Rights Organization, two prisoners were executed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz and Qom Prison. The prisoners have been identified as Saman Rashidi, 32, from Izeh, and Vahid Salimi, 28, from Pakdasht, Tehran.

According to the report, Mr. Rashidi was arrested five years ago on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary. His execution was carried out on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Mr. Salimi was executed on Monday, June 16, 2026, in Qom Prison. He had been arrested two years earlier on charges related to drug offenses and was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and the relevant institutions have 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.

Baha’i Citizen Saeed Hassani Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Saeed Hassani

HRANA – On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, Saeed Hassani, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and transferred to Adel Abad Prison in the city.

According to HRANA, Baha’i citizen Saeed Hassani has been arrested in Shiraz.

A source close to Mr. Hassani’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “At approximately 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 23, agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization went to Saeed Hassani’s workplace and arrested him. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.”

According to the same informed source, after the arrest, security agents also searched Mr. Hassani’s home and confiscated several personal belongings and electronic devices, including his mobile phone.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain unknown.

Saeed Hassani, a 37-year-old Baha’i citizen, has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution due to his activities. He was arrested in July 2016 and released several months later after posting bail.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security-related arrests and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. HRA’s annual reports indicate that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities have involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Faezeh Salehabadi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faezeh Salehabadi, HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison, فائزه صالح آبادی

HRANA – Faezeh Salehabadi, a prisoner currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to one year and three months in prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Faezeh Salehabadi to one year and three months in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

The court also acquitted Ms. Salehabadi of the charges of “insulting Islamic sanctities” and “propaganda against the regime.”

HRANA had previously reported that bail had been set at 4 billion tomans for Ms. Salehabadi’s release. However, her family has so far been unable to secure the required amount.

During the investigation phase, Ms. Salehabadi’s defense hearing was held on April 7, 2026. On May 25, 2026, an indictment was issued, and her case was referred to the Revolutionary Court. The case was opened in connection with an Instagram Story she had posted.

Ms. Salehabadi was arrested by security forces at her home on February 9, 2026. She was initially transferred to the Mosalla Women’s Police Station, then to the Revolutionary Court, and subsequently to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA had previously reported, in an article published on May 12, 2026, on the situation of 30 women arrested during the January 2026 protests and the concurrent security developments during the war, who were being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. That report also addressed the situation of Ms. Salehabadi.

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Baha’i Citizens Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, Nahid Falahati, Shiraz, Sima Septo, سیما سپتو, ناهید فلاحت

HRANA – Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati, Baha’i residents of Shiraz, were arrested at their homes by security forces on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Sima Septo and Nahid Falahati have been arrested. According to information received by HRANA, on Tuesday, June 23, security forces raided the homes of these two Baha’i citizens and arrested them. However, the agency responsible for their arrests has not yet been identified.

No information has so far been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or their place of detention.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72 percent of reports concerning religious minorities have been related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Nazem Barihi’s Life Sentence Reduced to 25 Years

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Arak prison, HRANA, Nazem Barihi, Sheiban Prison

HRANA – The life sentence of political prisoner Nazem Barihi, currently imprisoned in Arak Prison, has been reduced to 25 years in prison following the implementation of a special amnesty. The prisoner has spent more than two decades behind bars.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Barihi’s life sentence was commuted to 25 years of imprisonment as part of a special amnesty.

On January 27, 2026, Mr. Barihiwas transferred from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz to Arak Prison. Previously sentenced to life imprisonment, he has spent more than two decades incarcerated in Karoon Prison, Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, and Arak Prison.

Born in 1986, Nazem Barihi was arrested by security forces in October 2005. Shortly thereafter, Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced him to life imprisonment on charges of “acting against national security, moharebeh (enmity against God), and corruption on earth.”

It should be noted that HRANA previously examined the latest conditions of prisoners who have spent more than two decades behind bars in its series “More Than Two Decades in Prison.” This political prisoner is among those who, in addition to enduring various deprivations, have spent the last twenty years in prison.

Mojahed Savari Arrested in Ahvaz

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News, Other
ahvaz, HRANA, Mojahed Savari

HRANA – Mojahid Savari, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested by intelligence agents in the city on June 22, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Mr. Savari was arrested in the early hours of Monday, June 22, 2026, by intelligence agents at his home in Ahvaz. Four days after his arrest, no information has been obtained regarding his whereabouts.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges brought against him remain unknown.

Mojahed Savari, 37, is the father of four children. He resides in the Mandali neighborhood of Ahvaz. After being dismissed from Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, he began working as a taxi service driver and was earning a living through this job prior to his arrest.

Life Sentences of Three Political Prisoners Held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz Reduced to 25 Years

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News, Prisoners
Abdolemam Zaeri, Abdul-Zahra Halichi, ahvaz, Sheiban Prison, Yahya Naseri

HRANA – Following the implementation of a pardon granted on a special occasion, the life sentences of political prisoners Yahya Naseri (Navaseri), Zohair Halichi (Abdul-Zahra Halichi), and Abdolemam Zaeri, who are held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, have been reduced to 25 years’ imprisonment. These prisoners have been incarcerated for more than two decades.

According to HRANA, the sentences of three political prisoners have been reduced to 25 years in prison. Based on information received by HRANA, the life sentences of Messrs. Naseri, Halichi, and Zaeri were commuted to 25-year prison terms following the implementation of a special pardon.
These prisoners had previously been sentenced to life imprisonment and have spent more than two decades serving their sentences.

Yahya Naseri (Navaseri), Abdul-Zahra Halichi (Zohair Halichi), and Abdolemam Zaeri were arrested by security forces in October 2005. Shortly thereafter, Branch One of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to life imprisonment on charges of ‘acting against national security,’ moharebeh (enmity against God), and efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth).

HRANA had previously examined the latest situation of prisoners who have spent more than two decades behind bars in its series ‘More Than Two Decades in Prison.‘ These men are among the prisoners who, in addition to various deprivations, have spent the past twenty years in prison.

Death-row Inmate Dies by Suicide in Karaj’s Ghezel Hesar Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Mostafa Nezami

HRANA – On Monday, June 22, an inmate sentenced to death died by suicide in Ghezel Hesar Prison after ingesting pills and using methadone.

According to HRANA, an inmate in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj ended his life. HRANA has identified the inmate as Mostafa Nezami, a resident of Tehran, single, and approximately 33 years old.

According to information received by HRANA, on Monday, June 22, he died in prison after ingesting pills and consuming methadone. Mr. Nezami was being held in Unit 3 of Ghezel Hesar Prison. He had been arrested in 2022 on charges of murder and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.