Category: News

Avat Karami Arrested by Security Forces in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Avat Karami, Sanandaj, آوات کرمی

HRANA – On Sunday, August 9, Avat Karami, an environmental activist and resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces at his private residence and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by HRANA, on the evening of Sunday, August 9, security forces raided Avat Karami’s home in Negel village, Sanandaj County, and arrested him.

An informed source close to Karami’s family told HRANA that the arrest took place in the presence of his elderly mother and several village residents. According to the source, after arresting Karami, the agents removed him from his home with his hands and feet bound and took him away.

According to information received by HRANA, Karami has been involved in efforts to protect the environment and the Zagros oak forests in recent years. At his own expense, he has also purchased medicine, equipment, and first-aid supplies to assist animals and wildlife in the region.

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

Avat Karami has previously faced judicial action and been convicted in connection with his activities.

Attorney Bahareh Aghaei Remains in Custody, Legal Limbo at Qarchak Prison

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News, Prisoners
Bahareh Aghaei, Bahareh Aghaie, Qarchak Prison, Varamin, بهاره آقایی

HRANA – Bahareh Aghaei, an attorney currently held at Qarchak Prison in Varamin, remains in legal limbo despite more than seven months having passed since her arrest.

According to HRANA, Bahareh Aghaei remains in detention.

A source close to her family confirmed the matter to HRANA, stating: “Bahareh Aghaei, who was arrested following the protests in the January 2026 protests, remains in legal limbo despite more than seven months having passed since her arrest. She was transferred to Qarchak Prison in Varamin some time ago. During her detention, she has spent at least 15 days in solitary confinement at Qarchak Prison and has also gone on hunger strike once in protest against her situation.”

According to information obtained by HRANA, despite repeated efforts by her family, she has not been granted temporary release on bail.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Ms. Aghaei’s arrest or the charges brought against her. HRANA’s efforts to obtain further information in this regard are ongoing.

Bahareh Aghaei is a licensed attorney and a student of international law at the University of Tehran.

Life Sentences of Three Political Prisoners Reduced to 25 Years

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, Hadi Rashedi, Hashem Shaabani Amouri, HRANA, Jaber Al-Boushoukeh, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Mokhtar Al-Boushoukeh, Sheiban Prison

HRANA – The life sentences of three political prisoners, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Mokhtar Al-Boushoukeh, and Jaber Al-Boushoukeh, have been reduced to 25 years and one day in prison. The three prisoners have been incarcerated for more than 15 years.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the life sentences of Mohammad Ali Amouri, Mokhtar Al-Boushoukeh, and Jaber Al-Boushoukeh, three political prisoners from Ramshir, have been reduced to 25 years in prison. The new sentences were communicated to the prisoners while in prison.

HRANA is investigating further details, including the authority that issued the new ruling.

Of the three prisoners, Mohammad Ali Amouri and Jaber Al-Boushoukeh are currently serving their sentences in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Mokhtar Al-Boushoukeh was transferred from Sheiban Prison to Arak Prison in February of last year and remains incarcerated there.

Mohammad Ali Amouri, Seyed Mokhtar Al-Boushoukeh, and Jaber Al-Boushoukeh are co-defendants in the same case and members of the Al-Hiwar Cultural Institute, which carried out cultural activities in the city of Ramshir, approximately 90 kilometers southeast of Ahvaz. The three were arrested in 2011 and sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court during proceedings in their case. Their death sentences were subsequently commuted to life imprisonment.

Hashem Shaabani Amouri and Hadi Rashedi, two other members of the Al-Hiwar Institute and defendants in the same case, were also sentenced to death. Hashem Shaabani Amouri, a poet, Arabic literature teacher, and master’s student in political science, and Hadi Rashedi, a chemical engineer and high school teacher, were executed in January 2014.

Two Prisoners, Including Child Marriage Victim, Executed

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Executions, News
Choobindar Prison, HRANA, Marzieh Nayeri, Qazvin, Yousef Bagheri, zanjan, Zanjan Prison, مرضیه نیری

HRANA – On Saturday, August 8, two prisoners, including a woman who was a victim of child marriage, were executed in Choobindar Prison in Qazvin and Zanjan Prison. Both prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

According to HRANA, citing the Iran Human Rights Organization, on Saturday, August 8, 2026, a female prisoner who was a victim of child marriage was executed in Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

She was identified as Marzieh Nayeri, 24, from a village located between Qazvin and Karaj.

According to the report, six years ago, when Nayeri was 17, her family forced her to marry a man named Davoud. In early October five years ago, when Ms. Nayeri was 18, her husband returned home with one of his associates, a man named Alireza. According to the account presented in the case, Alireza approached her in the presence of her husband and attempted to sexually assault her. In self-defense, Nayeri struck Alireza with a kitchen knife, injuring him. She then killed her husband with the same knife. Following the incident, she went to her brother’s home, and four days later, he turned her over to the police.

The report further states that during the judicial proceedings, Nayeri said that she had previously been subjected to repeated attempted sexual assaults by her husband’s friends and that she used the knife on the day of the incident to defend herself. However, Alireza, who survived the stab wound, denied her account in court and claimed that Ms. Nayeri had been involved with another person and had intended to kill her husband. The court rejected her claim of self-defense and ultimately sentenced Marzieh Nayeri to death. The victim’s next of kin also declined to grant forgiveness.

Prisoner Executed in Zanjan

According to another report by the Iran Human Rights Organization, a prisoner was executed in Zanjan Prison.

The prisoner, who was hanged at dawn on Saturday, August 8, was identified as Yousef Bagheri, 30, from Zanjan.

According to the report, Mr. Bagheri was arrested approximately three years ago after committing murder during an altercation. He was subsequently sentenced to death by judicial authorities.

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

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.

Photojournalist Yalda Moayeri Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Tehran Revolutionary Court, Yalda Moayeri, یلدا معیری

HRANA – Yalda Moayeri, a photojournalist, has been sentenced in absentia by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison, the confiscation and seizure of electronic devices, including her cameras, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service.

According to HRANA, photojournalist Yalda Moayeri has been sentenced to imprisonment.

In a post, Ms. Moayeri announced that she had been sentenced to 15 years in prison. Her court hearing was held in her absence in July of this year before Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to Ms. Moayeri, the sentence was issued in connection with the charge of “activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime and the United States.” She was also sentenced to the confiscation and seizure of her cameras, photography equipment, and mobile phone, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service.

“I have been sentenced to 15 years in prison, the confiscation and seizure of my cameras, photography equipment, and mobile phone, a ban on cultural and artistic activities, and dismissal from any form of government service, for the crime of engaging in activities in furtherance of the interests of the Zionist regime and the United States!”

The photojournalist did not provide further details, including other charges brought against her or the alleged conduct cited as the basis for these charges.

In January-February of 2026, her home was searched by security forces, who also confiscated a number of her electronic devices.

Yalda Moayeri, a photojournalist and member of the Association of Photojournalists, was previously sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court in January 2023 to imprisonment and additional penalties, including performing unpaid public service as a street cleaner.

Moayeri has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings in connection with her activities.

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January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence Against Rasoul Rezaei

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Executions, News
HRANA, Marzieh Mohebi, moharebeh, Rasoul Rezaei, رسول رضایی

HRANA – The death sentence against Rasoul Rezaei, a resident of Fariman and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. This political prisoner, currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, had previously been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God).

According to HRANA, the death sentence against Rasoul Rezaei, one of the detainees from the January 2026 protests, has been upheld.

According to information received by HRANA, the death sentence against Rasoul Rezaei, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to death by a branch of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God).

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the specific conduct underlying the charge of “moharebeh” on which Mr. Rezaei’s death sentence was based. HRANA’s inquiries to obtain further information in this regard are ongoing.

Marzieh Mohebi, a legal expert familiar with the case, confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Mr. Rezaei was arrested by security forces in Fariman on January 9, 2026. Since his arrest, he has been denied access to a lawyer of his choosing, as well as phone calls and visits with his family.”

Rasoul Rezaei, 28, is a resident of Fariman and the father of two children, ages two and five. Prior to his arrest, he worked as a street vendor to support his family.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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.

Two Prisoners Executed in Ardabil and Dezful Prisons

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Executions, News
Ali Panahinejad, Ardabil, Dezful, Touhid Abdollahi

HRANA  – Two prisoners previously sentenced to death in separate murder cases have been executed in Ardabil and Dezful prisons.

According to HRANA, citing the Iran Human Rights Organization, the executions were carried out in Ardabil and Dezful prisons.

The prisoners have been identified as Touhid Abdollahi, a father of two daughters from Ardabil, and Ali Panahinejad, a 37-year-old man from Dezful.

According to the report, Mr. Abdollahi was arrested 11 years ago after fatally stabbing a man during a fight. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a judicial authority. His execution was carried out on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at Ardabil Prison.

Ali Panahinejad’s execution was carried out on Wednesday, August 5, at Dezful Prison. He had been arrested four years ago on murder charges and was later sentenced to death by a judicial authority.

As of the time of publication, prison authorities and the relevant official bodies had not publicly 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.

January 2026 Protests: Azadeh Yaghoubi Sentenced to Over Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Aramesh ward, Azadeh Yaghoubi, January 2026 Protests, Masoumeh Yaghoubi, Vakilabad prison, آزاده یعقوبی

HRANA – Azadeh (Masoumeh) Yaghoubi, arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests and currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Azadeh (Masoumeh) Yaghoubi has been sentenced to prison.

According to a ruling issued by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad and recently served on Ms. Yaghoubi, she was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment on the charge of assembly and collusion to act against national security.

Yaghoubi suffers from Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. Due to inadequate access to medication, poor detention conditions, and the low quality of prison food, her physical health has deteriorated. She also requires specialized medical care, including a colonoscopy.

Masoumeh Yaghoubi, who is also known by the name Azadeh, was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on January 24, 2026.

She spent a period in solitary confinement at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility before being transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA previously reported on the conditions of women held in the Aramesh and Quarantine wards of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. These wards suffer from severe shortages of basic facilities, including adequate ventilation, standard toilets and bathing facilities, beds, and appropriate access to medical care.

Ardabil Prison: Identities of 54 Citizens Arrested During the January 2026 Protests Confirmed

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Kowsari, Ahmad Seifi, Ahoura Jafarzadeh, Ali Ahmadi, Alireza Hosseini, Amir Mohammad Zadehkhak, Amir Reza Sharifi, Amirhossein Baghermaleki, Amirhossein Habibi, ardabil prison, Behzad Majedi, Farid Hamzehzadeh, Farshad Soltani, Hossein Nemati, HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Masoud Norouzi, Mehdi Shirani, Mehram Azarm, Mehran Abbasi, Milad Ashkani, Milad Sabri, Peyman Dorvalizadeh, Sina Farzaneh-Vash, Teymour Ghaznavi, Yavar Farahmand, زندان اردبیل

HRANA – At least 54 individuals arrested during the nationwide January 2026 protests are currently being held in the security ward of Ardabil Prison. HRANA has confirmed the identities of all 54 detainees. Of them, 25 have collectively been sentenced to 49 years and three months in prison, while the remaining 29 continue to be held in judicial limbo. The following report examines their identities and the latest developments in their cases.

According to HRANA News Agency, HRANA has confirmed the identities of 54 individuals arrested during the January 2026 nationwide protests in Ardabil Province.

HRANA’s findings show that, of the 54 identified detainees, 25 have been tried by judicial authorities in Ardabil and collectively sentenced to 49 years and three months’ imprisonment.

Below are the names of these 25 individuals, along with the latest available information on the status of their legal cases:

1. Ahmad Seifi
He was arrested by security forces during the nationwide protests. He was subsequently sentenced by a judicial authority to five years and three months’ imprisonment on political charges.

2. Peyman Dorvalizadeh
He was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment.

3. Peyman Dorvalizadeh
Following his arrest and the opening of a judicial case against him, Reza Nabidoost was sentenced by a judicial authority in Ardabil to one year and six months’ imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence in Ardabil Prison.

4. Yashar Soufi
Yashar Soufi was arrested by security forces during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

5. Teymour Ghaznavi
Teymour Ghaznavi was arrested in connection with the nationwide protests in January 2026. A judicial authority in Ardabil sentenced him to three years’ imprisonment, and he is currently incarcerated in Ardabil Prison.

6. Ali Ahmadi
Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, Ali Ahmadi was sentenced to three years and six months’ imprisonment. He is currently being held in Ardabil Prison.

7. Mehdi Shirani
Mehdi Shirani was arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026. After being tried in Ardabil, he was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.

8. Amir Mohammad Zadehkhak
Amir Mohammad Zadehkhak was arrested by security forces in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests. A judicial authority in Ardabil sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment.

9. Alireza Hosseini
Alireza Hosseini was among those arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

10. Amir Reza Sharifi
Amir Reza Sharifi was also arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests, after which a judicial case was opened against him. He was ultimately sentenced by a judicial authority in Ardabil to one year and six months’ imprisonment.

11. Yavar Farahmand
Yavar Farahmand was arrested by security forces during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following the issuance of a verdict by a judicial authority in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and is currently incarcerated in Ardabil Prison.

12. Abbas Kowsari
Abbas Kowsari was also arrested in connection with last year’s nationwide protests. A judicial authority in Ardabil sentenced him to three years and six months’ imprisonment.

13. Mehram Azarm
Mehram Azarm was among those arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment and is currently serving his sentence in Ardabil Prison.

14. Masoud Norouzi
Masoud Norouzi was arrested by security forces in connection with the January 2026 protests. Following a ruling by a judicial authority in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

15. Sina Farzaneh-Vash
Like the other individuals on this list, Sina Farzaneh-Vash was arrested during the nationwide protests and, following trial proceedings in Ardabil, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

16. Amirhossein Baghermaleki
Amirhossein Baghermaleki was among those arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests. A judicial authority in Ardabil sentenced him to one year and six months’ imprisonment, and he is currently being held in Ardabil Prison.

17. Milad Ashkani
Milad Ashkani was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

18. Amirhossein Habibi
Following his arrest, Amirhossein Habibi was sentenced by a judicial authority in Ardabil to two years’ imprisonment. He is currently serving his sentence in Ardabil Prison.

19. Farshad Soltani
Farshad Soltani was among those arrested during the January 2026 nationwide protests. Following the opening of a judicial case and subsequent proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

20. Hossein Nemati
Hossein Nemati was sentenced by a judicial authority in Ardabil to six months’ imprisonment and is currently serving his sentence in Ardabil Prison.

21. Ahoura Jafarzadeh
Ahoura Jafarzadeh was arrested during the 2026 nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment.

22. Farid Hamzehzadeh
Farid Hamzehzadeh was among those arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests. A judicial authority in Ardabil sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment.

23. Milad Sabri
Milad Sabri was arrested in connection with the 2026 nationwide protests. Following a ruling by a judicial authority in Ardabil, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and remains incarcerated in Ardabil Prison.

24. Behzad Majedi
Behzad Majedi was arrested by security forces during last year’s nationwide protests. Following judicial proceedings in Ardabil, he was sentenced to six months’ imprisonment and is currently incarcerated in Ardabil Prison.

25. Mehran Abbasi
Mehran Abbasi was arrested in connection with the January 2026 nationwide protests and was sentenced by a judicial authority in Ardabil to six months’ imprisonment.

Meanwhile, 29 other individuals arrested in connection with the protests remain in detention without having appeared before a court to face the charges against them.

According to HRANA, the identities of these detainees have been confirmed as:

Farhad Jafari, Reza Javid, Mohammad Reza Asari, Armin Nadiri, Arian Hamidi, Sina Hassanzadeh, Ali Besharati, Mohammad Jalilolghadr, Faramarz Neshat, Keyvan Baram, Faramarz Taghizadeh, Heshmat Rasouli, Avaz Rastgouyan, Mohammad Reza Agah, Reza Mirzazadeh, Mehrdad Zoodfekr, Mahyar Pour Ebrahim, Ali Abdollahvand, Mohammad Gholizadeh, Mir Mohammad Mohammadi, Mohammad Rahbari, Mohsen Najafi, Ali Nobakht, Meysam Abdollahi, Bahman Zohri, Omid Ganjeh, Alireza Karimi, Ahmad Khodaei, and Meysam Alizadeh.

All of them remain in judicial limbo, having been held without any court hearing on the charges against them. In addition, a number of these detainees have been denied the right to telephone calls and family visits. Their families have also faced numerous uncertainties and significant restrictions imposed by the relevant authorities while attempting to obtain information about their cases or seek their temporary release.

According to information received by HRANA, approximately 800 citizens were arrested across Ardabil Province during the January 2026 protests. Of these, around 500 were released within the first ten days after their arrest, while nearly 250 others were later released on bail. As a result, at least 54 individuals arrested during the protests remain detained in the security ward of Ardabil Prison.

A source familiar with the proceedings, who spoke to HRANA on condition of anonymity for security reasons, stated: “Jalal Afaghi, the Prosecutor of Ardabil, has objected to the sentences handed down to 10 of those convicted, considering the punishments too lenient, and has asked the Supreme Court to impose harsher sentences.”

HRANA had previously reported on the arrest of a number of citizens in Ardabil in connection with the January 2026 protests, as well as the publication of videos described as “confessions” by some of the detainees. It remains unclear under what circumstances those videos were recorded.

HRANA’s efforts to obtain additional information regarding this case, including the specific charges brought against the detainees, the judicial proceedings, and the authorities responsible for issuing the sentences, are ongoing.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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.

Najmeh Amini Remains in Legal Limbo More Than Six Months After Arrest

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News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Najmeh Amini, Vakilabad prison, نجمه امینی

HRANA – Najmeh Amini, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, has remained in legal limbo at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for more than six months since her arrest. Her trial on the charges against her was recently held at the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad.

According to HRANA News Agency, Najmeh Amini continues to be held without a final judicial decision in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

Based on information received by HRANA, Najmeh Amini has been detained in Vakilabad Prison for more than six months. A source close to her family, who confirmed the information to HRANA, said that she was recently tried at the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “insulting religious sanctities and the Imams.” However, the court branch has not yet issued a verdict in her case.

On January 31, 2026, during the January protests, Najmeh Amini was arrested by security forces at Ferdowsi Shopping Center in Mashhad after being beaten. She was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Najmeh Amini, 22, is an accounting student and a resident of Mashhad.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

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.