Category: News

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Five Protest Detainees from the 2022 Nationwide Protests

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Kaveh Salehi, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Salimi Babamiri, Teyfour Salimi Babamiri

HRANA – The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Pejman Soltani, Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, Kaveh Salehi, and Teyfour Salimi Babamiri, five individuals arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, whose execution verdicts had previously been issued by the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Following the ruling, the cases of these individuals have been referred to the Mahabad Revolutionary Court for retrial. It is worth noting that Salimi Babamiri, after being temporarily released, has since left Iran.

These five individuals were tried in a joint case by Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court and sentenced to death and imprisonment. The charges against them included “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” and “leadership and formation of an armed insurgent group.” According to the original verdicts, four of them had been sentenced to death more than once. The verdicts were delivered to their defense attorneys on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Specifically, Ghasemi, Soltani, and Salehi were each sentenced to death three times on the charges of baghi, moharebeh, and forming and leading an insurgent group; Rezgar Bigzadeh Babamiri was sentenced to death twice; and Tifour Salimi Babamiri received one death sentence for forming and leading an insurgent group. In addition, eight other defendants in the same case were sentenced to prison terms and fines.

Currently, Soltani, Rezgar Babamiri, Salehi, and Ghasemi are being held in Urmia Prison. These individuals had previously been sentenced respectively to death, 15 years in prison, and 10 years in prison on the charge of “killing a security agent.”

They were arrested in April 2023, while Tifour Salimi Babamiri was detained in March 2023. Salimi Babamiri was released approximately 18 months after his arrest.

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, Political Prisoner from Rasht, Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Ahmad Darvish, Lakan prison, Rasht, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, زهرا شهناز طبری

HRANA – Zahra Shahbaz Tabari, a 67-year-old political prisoner from Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the city’s Revolutionary Court on the charge of “collaboration with anti-regime groups,” based on highly limited and unreliable evidence.

Her trial was held last week via video conference, during which Judge Ahmad Darvish issued the death verdict. According to her family, the entire judicial process was “symbolic and unlawful.”

Her child told HRANA: “The hearing lasted less than ten minutes. My mother had no meaningful access to an independent lawyer. The court-appointed attorney confirmed and signed the verdict without any defense. The whole trial was a show.” They added, “My mother has never had any connection with political or opposition groups; the charges against her are entirely fabricated.”

According to the family, Zahra Shahbaz Tabari was arrested on April 17, 2025, at her home by security agents and later transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht. During the arrest, the agents searched her home and confiscated her and a family member’s mobile phones and laptop.

The family reports that the alleged evidence in the case is extremely limited and unreliable, including “a piece of fabric bearing the slogan ‘Woman, Resistance, Freedom’” and “an unpublished voice message,” with no proof of organizational or military links. Her child noted that authorities even attempted to accuse her of possessing weapons, claims the family described as “ridiculous and baseless,” particularly given her age and background.

Zahra Shahbaz Tabari is an electrical engineer, a member of the Iranian Engineering Organization, and a graduate of Isfahan University of Technology. She holds a master’s degree in Sustainable Energy from Borås University in Sweden. Her family stated that she was previously arrested for posting peaceful content on social media and was released after three months under electronic monitoring.

In a letter sent by her child to HRANA, they wrote: “She has been detained for about six months or more. The trial was virtual, and the judge announced the death sentence with a smile in a ten-minute session. The appointed lawyer also smiled upon hearing the verdict.” The letter describes severe due process violations and a lack of real evidence, calling the verdict “another example of human rights violations in the Islamic Republic.”

The family added that judicial authorities have accused Ms. Shahbaz Tabari of collaborating with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (MEK), and they have been given seven days to appeal the verdict. Her son’s letter concludes: “We will do everything we can,” calling on human rights organizations, media, and the public for urgent attention and action.

A Prisoner Executed in Semnan Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Safar Ali Rezaei, Semnan prison, صفر علی رضایی

HRANA – On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Semnan Prison.

HRANA has identified this prisoner as Safar Ali Rezaei.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Rezaei had been arrested earlier on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of this prisoner has not been announced by prison officials or judicial authorities.

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.

Baha’i Citizen Anisa Fanaeian Re-Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison After Retrial

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News, Religious Minorities
Anisa Fanaeian, Ataollah Rezvani, Baha'i citizen, انیسا فنائیان

HRANA – The prison sentence of Anisa Fanaeian, a Baha’i citizen, remained unchanged after the Supreme Court accepted her request for a retrial and referred the case to a parallel appellate branch. Branch 10 of the Semnan Province Court of Appeals has again sentenced her to eight years in prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, despite the Supreme Court’s acceptance of her retrial request, the parallel branch of the Semnan Court of Appeals has reissued the previous eight-year prison sentence against Ms. Fanaeian.

Anisa Fanaeian, who had previously served a prison term, was arrested in late August 2023 by security forces and released on bail some time later.

Earlier, in March 2024, the Semnan Revolutionary Court had sentenced her at the first instance to 10 years in prison for “forming a group with the intention of disrupting national security,” five years for “educational or promotional activities deemed deviant and contrary to Islam within the framework of a sect, group, or association,” a fine of 50 million tomans, and 15 years of deprivation of social rights (grade five). She was also sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” Additionally, $4,350 -personal family property confiscated from her daughter’s room – was seized by the government.

In December 2024, Branch 7 of the Semnan Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Javad Raisi and counselor Ali Momeni, sentenced her to seven years in prison on the charge of “forming a group with the intention of disrupting national security,” and to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” Applying Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the longest sentence, seven years, was enforceable.

On March 11, 2025, Ms. Fanaeian was arrested by security forces on a street in Semnan to serve her prison sentence and was transferred to Semnan Prison.

On October 2, 2025, following the Supreme Court’s acceptance of her retrial request, Anisa Fanaeian was released from Semnan Prison after posting bail.

It should be noted that Anisa Fanaeian is the niece of Ataollah Rezvani. As previously reported by HRANA, eleven years after the killing of Ataollah Rezvani, a Baha’i citizen, Branch One of the Juvenile Criminal Court of Hormozgan Province confirmed the occurrence of intentional homicide but rejected the family’s request for diyah (blood money) from the public fund (Beyt al-Mal) on the grounds of the victim’s Baha’i faith.

Shahram Fallah, Baha’i Citizen, Sentenced to Imprisonment and Exile

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News, Religious Minorities
Kerman, Kerman prison, Shahram Fallah, شهرام فلاح

HRANA – Shahram Fallah, a 64-year-old Baha’i citizen currently held in Kerman Prison, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Kerman Revolutionary Court to 13 years, 6 months, and 2 days in prison, along with one year of exile in Birjand County.

According to the verdict, Mr. Fallah received 7 years, 6 months, and 1 day in prison for allegedly conducting educational and proselytizing activities deemed “deviant and contrary to Islamic law” through “false religious claims” and “organizational ties with foreign entities.” He was also sentenced to 6 years and 1 day in prison for forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security.

Mr. Fallah was arrested on August 18, 2025, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his home and subsequently transferred to Kerman Prison. During the arrest, security agents confiscated mobile phones belonging to his family members and guests, as well as several of his religious books and images.

A long-time target of state repression, Shahram Fallah has previously faced arrest, prosecution, and imprisonment due to his Baha’i faith.

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By Order of the Military Court: Ghodratollah Jooyar Sentenced to Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ghodratollah Jooyar, HRANA, Ilam, قدرت الله جویار

HRANA – Ghodratollah Jooyar, a 33-year-old resident of Tehran and an employee of the Parchin military zone, has been sentenced by the Military Court of Tehran Province to 12 years in prison. He has been held in custody since June 20 on several charges, including insulting the Supreme Leader and attempting espionage.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Jooyar, an employee of the Parchin military zone, was tried in October 2025 by Branch 3 of the Tehran Military Court on charges including insulting the Supreme Leader, attempting espionage, and offenses related to drugs and alcohol. According to the court’s verdict, he received a total of seven years in prison for his political and security-related charges, and five years for the other offenses.”

The same source added: “Ghodratollah Jooyar is currently being held in a military detention facility in Tehran. He was arrested on June 20, 2025, at his home by agents of the Intelligence Protection Unit of the Parchin military zone, without a judicial warrant. Since his arrest, he has been denied contact with his family and lawyer.”

Ghodratollah Jooyar, 33 years old, is a native of Ilam and a resident of Tehran.

Execution of Three Prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison of Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Sobhan Zamani

HRANA – On October 22, three prisoners were executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison of Karaj. These individuals had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

HRANA has identified one of the executed prisoners as Sobhan Zamani, who was hanged at dawn on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.

According to information obtained by HRANA, all three prisoners had previously been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by the Criminal Courts.

The state-run Hamshahri newspaper identified another of the executed prisoners as “Shahab” and reported that “this prisoner killed his friend on July 30, 2023, allegedly over an honor-related motive. He was arrested a few days later in one of the cities of Khorasan Razavi Province. During the trial, the defendant stated that the victim, his longtime friend and drug supplier, had entered his home a few days before the incident and attempted to assault his sister. The defendant later encountered him in the street, leading to a fight in which he killed him.”

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.

Khomein: Nurse Seyed Behzad Saeedi Arrested and Sent to Prison

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News
Behzad Saeedi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khomein, بهزاد سعیدی

HRANA – Seyed Behzad Saeedi, a resident of Khomein, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, October 22. He was charged the following day at the Khomein Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to the city’s prison under a two-month detention order.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Saeedi was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence on Wednesday, October 22, at his father’s home and taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. After one day, he was brought before the Khomein Prosecutor’s Office, where he was charged with ‘assembly and collusion to act against internal security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’ Following this, the prosecutor issued a two-month detention order, and he was transferred to Khomein Prison.”

According to this informed source, “sending photos of sensitive locations in the city to foreign media” has been cited as an example of the charges brought against Mr. Saeedi.

Seyed Behzad Saeedi, born in 1990, is a nurse and a native and resident of Khomein.

Hadi Jamalipour Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for “Insulting the Supreme Leader” and “Supporting Israel”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Birjand, Hadi Jamalipour, HRANA, هادی جمالی پور

HRANA – Hadi Jamalipour, a resident of Birjand, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of this city to eight years in prison and one year of dismissal from public and governmental service.

This verdict was issued and communicated to Mr. Jamalipour on October 21 by Branch 1 of the Birjand Revolutionary Court. Based on the ruling, he was sentenced to two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and five years for “promoting and supporting Israel,” amounting to a total of eight years in prison. Additionally, he was sentenced to one year of dismissal from public and governmental service as a supplementary punishment.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, five years in prison, will be enforceable for Mr. Jamalipour.

Jamalipour was arrested on June 19 of this year by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his private residence. During the arrest, officers searched his home and confiscated several electronic devices. He was then transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Birjand and, two days later, moved to Birjand Prison.

Jamalipour was ultimately released from Birjand Prison after eight days in custody, upon posting a bail of 750 million tomans.

Hadi Jamalipour, 42 years old, is an employee of Payam Noor University and a resident of Birjand.

Execution of Four Prisoners in Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, Saman Talebi

HRANA – On Wednesday, October 22, four prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

HRANA has identified one of those executed as Saman Talebi.

According to information received by HRANA, three prisoners convicted of drug-related charges, including Saman Talebi, as well as another prisoner sentenced to death for murder by the Criminal Court, were executed in this prison.

Further details, including the identities of the three other executed prisoners, are still being investigated by HRANA.

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

According to HRANA’s statistics, in 2024, 61 inmates were hanged in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, a 74% increase compared to the previous year. This sharp rise reflects a disturbing escalation in executions at this facility.