Category: Prisoners

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.”

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.

Urmia Prison: Updated Report on the Detention of Iraqi National Hemin Watman

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News, Prisoners
Himan Watman, HRANA, Urmia, Urmia prison, هیمن وتمان

HRANA – Hemin Watman, an Iraqi national, is currently serving a five-year prison sentence in Urmia Prison. His sentence was issued by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of membership in one of the Kurdish opposition parties.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Watman, a resident of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, is being held in the ward designated for political prisoners inside Urmia Prison.

In the spring of 2024, Watman legally entered Iran from Iraq through the city of Sardasht. Shortly after his arrival, he was arrested, and a judicial case was opened against him.

Death Sentence of Varisheh Moradi Overturned

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News, Prisoners
Baghi, Evin Prison, Mostafa Nili, Reza Rasaei, Sanandaj, Varisheh Moradi

HRANA – The death sentence of Varisheh (Verisheh) Moradi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been overturned by the Supreme Court, and her case has been sent to an equivalent branch for retrial.

Her lawyer, Mostafa Nili, announced moments ago that the Supreme Court has nullified his client’s death sentence after reviewing her appeal. According to him, the ruling was overturned due to procedural violations and the failure to properly inform the defendant of the charges used as the basis for issuing the death sentence during proceedings in Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

In November 2024, Ms. Moradi had been sentenced to death on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

In October 2024, in a separate joint case opened against her and four other prisoners inside the prison, Ms. Moradi was sentenced by Branch Two of the Qods Judicial Complex in Tehran to six months’ discretionary imprisonment. In that case, she faced charges of assaulting an officer and disobedience. The case stemmed from an incident on August 6, when Evin women’s ward prisoners protested after learning of the execution of Reza Rasaei, leading to confrontations with prison guards.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested in August 2023 by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj. She was eventually transferred on December 26 of that year from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, after the completion of interrogation, to the women’s ward of the same prison.

Iranian–American Dual National Afarin Mohajer Released from Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Afarin Mohajer, Evin Prison, آفرین مهاجر

HRANA – Afarin Mohajer, an Iranian-American dual national, has been released from Evin Prison after posting a judicial bail order.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Mohajer was released from Evin Prison on Saturday, December 6, 2025, after securing a judicial bail order.

Ms. Mohajer, who had traveled to Iran for a visit, was arrested on September 29, 2025, at Imam Khomeini International Airport. She was later transferred to Evin Prison. No information has yet been made available regarding the charges brought against her.

Afarin Mohajer is the mother of a political activist living outside Iran.

The arrest of dual nationals in Iran over the past four decades has been repeatedly criticized by human rights organizations and Western governments. Critics argue that the Islamic Republic uses such detentions as tools of political pressure or bargaining leverage in negotiations.

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Five Christian Converts Sentenced to Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Aida Najaflou, Evin Prison, Joseph Shahbazian, Lida Alek-Sani, Lida Aleksani, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh

HRANA – Five Christian converts, four of whom have been identified as Aida Najaflou, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, Joseph Shahbazian, and Lida Alek-Sani, have been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 55 years in prison.

According to Article 18, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shahbazian were each sentenced to 10 years in prison, while Lida Alek-Sani received eight years. Aida Najaflou was sentenced to a total of 17 years by the same court.

Article 18 did not provide further details regarding the identity of the fifth Christian convert but stated that this individual has also been sentenced to 10 years in prison in this case.

The first hearing for the charges against Aida Najaflou, Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh, and Joseph Shahbazian was held on September 6 at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Abolghasem Salavati. These Christian converts defended themselves against the charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “acting against national security.” The second hearing took place on October 21 at the same branch.

The indictment for this case was issued on June 10, 2025 by the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. In the prosecutor’s final decision, activities such as establishing, operating, and leading a house church, holding evangelical Christian gatherings, and performing religious rites such as water baptism and communion were cited as examples of the alleged offenses.

On May 13 of this year, Lida Alek-Sani was released from Evin Prison on bail. She had been arrested in April at her home by Ministry of Intelligence agents.

On April 13 of this year, Aida Najaflou was transferred from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the women’s ward of the same prison, where she remains in custody. Her arrest took place on February 6, 2025, by security forces.

Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shahbazian, who were arrested on the same date and transferred to Evin Prison, also remain detained there.

Both Nasser Navard Gol-Tapeh and Joseph Shahbazian, Christian converts residing in Tehran, have previously been arrested and imprisoned for their religious activities.

Based on about 180 reports compiled by HRANA over the past decade, 11% of all victims of religious minority rights violations by Iran’s security-judicial apparatus were Christians, particularly Christian converts. In 2024 alone, Christians made up over 9% of those targeted.

Attorney Mohammad Najafi Sentenced to 3 Years and Additional Penalties

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Mohammad Najafi, محمد نجفی

HRANA – Mohammad Najafi, an attorney imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years in prison and additional penalties in connection with a case opened against him during his imprisonment.

This verdict was communicated to Mr. Najafi’s lawyers on November 19, 2025, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Under the ruling, he has been sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” and two years in prison plus a 50-million-toman fine for “spreading falsehoods.” Additionally, as part of his supplementary punishment, this political prisoner has been barred from membership in political and social groups and prohibited from leaving the country for two years.

The ruling cites, among other examples, the publication of an audio file titled “Tasmim-e Kobra,” addressed to the Supreme Leader, as grounds for the charges brought against him.

The court session addressing Mr. Najafi’s charges was held on November 5, 2025, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court; he did not attend the hearing.

Earlier this year, Branch 1 of the High Disciplinary Court for Judges issued a ruling permanently disbarring Mr. Najafi from practicing law.

Mohammad Najafi was transferred from Arak Prison to Evin Prison in April 2023. In 2019, he was released from prison in connection with a previous case, but four days later he was arrested again over another conviction and returned to Arak Prison.

Multiple cases have been opened against this attorney over the years, and he is currently serving his sentences in Evin Prison.

The longest sentence issued against this imprisoned lawyer relates to the charge of “collaboration with a hostile government through interviews with foreign media.” He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, which was later reduced to four years and six months.

In several separate cases, Mr. Najafi has faced fourteen charges and has been sentenced to more than 24 years in prison, with no consolidation of sentences carried out to date. At least six cases have been opened against him during his imprisonment. The “publication of audio files from Arak Prison” was cited as the grounds for one of these cases. Another case, opened following a complaint by the head of Arak Prison, resulted in a four-month prison sentence for Mr. Najafi.

Throughout his imprisonment, despite suffering from various health conditions, this attorney has consistently been denied specialized medical treatment and transfer to a hospital.

Parisa Kamali Ardakani Reaches Seventh Day of Hunger Strike in Yazd Prison

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News, Prisoners
Dolatabad, HRANA, Parisa Kamali Ardakani, Yazd Prison

HRANA – Parisa Kamali Ardakani, a political prisoner held in Yazd Prison, is now on the seventh day of her hunger strike. She began the strike in protest against the authorities’ refusal to consolidate her sentences.

A source familiar with the Kamali family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Ms. Kamali submitted a request for the consolidation of her sentences a long time ago, but prison authorities did not process it. For this reason, on November 24 she began a hunger strike. In response to her protest, prison officials transferred her to a solitary cell and cut off her contact with her family. She remained in solitary confinement until November 29 and was then returned to the ward. Due to suffering from toxic thyroid disease, Ms. Kamali is currently in poor physical condition.”

Parisa Kamali was arrested on April 29, 2024, in Isfahan and transferred to Dolatabad Prison in the same city. She was later sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Tavakoli, to a total of seven years and nine months in prison, two years of exile on the charge of “destruction of public property,” and to imprisonment on charges of ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’ and ‘membership in anti-regime groups.’

She was transferred from Dolatabad Prison in Isfahan to Yazd Prison in 2025. Parisa Kamali Ardakani, aged approximately 39, is from Abadan, married, and a geography student.

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

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Birjand, Kerman, Shahram Fallah, شهرام فلاح

HRANA – Shahram Fallah, a Baha’i citizen imprisoned in Kerman Prison, has been sentenced by the Kerman Province Court of Appeals to nine years, six months, and one day in prison, as well as one year of exile to Birjand County.

This verdict was recently issued in absentia by the Kerman Province Court of Appeals on charges of “deviant educational and promotional activities contrary to Islamic law through unfounded and false claims in religious matters, with organizational connections abroad,” as well as forming a group aimed at disrupting national security.

According to the judge’s ruling, Mr. Fallah’s original sentence of thirteen years, six months, and two days in prison, issued by the trial court, was reduced to nine years, six months, and one day. However, the one-year exile to Birjand County, imposed as a supplementary punishment, was fully upheld.

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

Shahram Fallah, a 64-year-old Baha’i citizen residing in Kerman, has previously faced legal actions, arrest, and convictions.

Six Months in Detention: Court Shifts Charges Against Attorney Abolfazl Ranjbari

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Ranjbari, Tabriz, ابوالفضل رنجبری

HRANA – Abolfazl Ranjbari, an attorney-at-law, has been detained for more than six months and remains held in Tabriz Prison. On November 18, the second session of his trial was convened at Branch 3 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court.

Based on information received by HRANA, the second hearing in Mr. Ranjbari’s case took place on Tuesday, November 18, at Branch 3 of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court. In this session, the judge changed Mr. Ranjbari’s charge from “espionage” to “aiding and abetting in spreading corruption on earth (efsad fel-arz).” In the first court session, he had defended himself against the initial espionage charge.

A knowledgeable source close to the attorney confirmed this information to HRANA, stating: “The accusation against Mr. Ranjbari stems from his participation in an academic conference and the publication and translation of his articles in the Republic of Azerbaijan.”

Abolfazl Ranjbari, an attorney and writer, was arrested by security forces in Tabriz on May 4 of this year.