Category: Prisoners

British Couple Held in Harsh Conditions in Iran

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News, Prisoners
Craig Foreman, HRANA, Lindsay Foreman

HRANA – Craig and Lindsay Foreman, two British nationals, have been detained in Iran since December of last year and remain in a state of limbo. According to their family, the couple continue to endure harsh and inhumane prison conditions. Their son has expressed deep concern for their health and well-being, calling on the UK government to take urgent action to secure their release.

According to HRANA, citing BBC World, Joe Bent, the son of Lindsay and Craig Foreman, stated that his parents remain in poor conditions in Iranian prisons.

The couple, from East Sussex, were on a global motorcycle trip when they were arrested by security forces in Iran in December 2024 and charged with espionage—an accusation their family rejects.

In a statement issued by the family, it was reported that Mr. Foreman is being held in a small room with 57 other prisoners. Their sleeping arrangements consist of triple bunks without mattresses, inadequate ventilation, poor food, and little access to fresh air. He is also suffering from pain caused by untreated dental problems. According to the report, the UK Foreign Office has managed to deposit money into his account so that he can purchase essential supplies. Meanwhile, Mrs. Foreman is being held in a 140-square-meter space with about 70 other women. Her family reports that she has to endure extreme heat, frequent power cuts, insufficient food, and sleep on a metal bed that has caused chronic back pain.

During a meeting with the British ambassador in Tehran, Mrs. Foreman requested a transfer to another prison to be closer to her husband. She has also been allowed to maintain regular phone contact with him and meet with him once a week.

Their son, Joe Bent, said: “My parents’ resilience is admirable, but that does not make their situation acceptable. Their dignity is currently being violated, and we call on the government to take urgent steps to improve their conditions and maintain family contact.”

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office also reacted to this report, stating: “We are deeply concerned about the espionage charges against two British citizens and have raised this matter directly with Iranian officials. We continue to provide consular assistance to them and remain in close contact with their family.”

The two British nationals, who had entered Iran during their global motorcycle journey, were arrested in December last year by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman. Judicial officials charged them with “espionage,” alleging that the couple, under the guise of tourism and research activities, had collected information across several provinces.

The then-British ambassador to Iran also met with the couple in Kerman’s prosecutor’s office in February of the same year.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have arrested several foreign nationals on charges such as espionage or collaboration with hostile governments. Some detainees have been released after a period of imprisonment following political negotiations. Human rights organizations and some Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as a tool of political pressure, but Iranian officials have consistently denied these allegations.

Omid Fathi on Hunger Strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Omid Fathi, Vakilabad prison, امید فتحی

HRANA – Political prisoner Omid Fathi has gone on hunger strike in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, in protest against his poor detention conditions and the authorities’ failure to uphold the principle of separation of crimes.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, explaining: “Mr. Fathi was recently transferred to Ward 103 of Vakilabad Prison by order of the prison’s internal management and security. He has been denied separation of crimes, and his detention conditions are harsh, particularly as he suffers from health problems, including a herniated disc. In protest against this situation, he began his hunger strike on Thursday, September 4.”

In June, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad sentenced Fathi to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. Unable to pay the fine, he was subsequently arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously been targeted by security authorities in connection with his activities.

HRANA’s data from the past decade shows that during this ten-year period, over 2,050 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran prisons have been forced to go on hunger strike in protest of various abuses—including prolonged detention, being held in legal limbo, unfair trials, poor prison conditions, and being held in solitary confinement or alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes.

Attorney Hesam Pourahmadi Held in Solitary Confinement

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News, Prisoners
Hesam Pourahmadi, HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, حسام پورمحمدی

HRANA – Attorney Hesam Pourahmadi has been held by security forces for a week and remains in solitary confinement at Lakan Prison in Rasht without due process.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Pourahmadi was arrested by security forces a week ago and is currently held in solitary confinement in the “Misagh” ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht.

A source close to this attorney confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “After Hesam Pourahmadi was arrested, his Instagram account was inspected by agents. The agents then claimed that in private messages to several people, he had expressed critical views against the regime, and they considered this the reason for his arrest.”

Hesam Pourahmadi is a member of the Gilan Bar Association.

Uncertainty and Hunger Strike of Taher Sarli in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison

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News, Prisoners
Gonbad-e Kavus Prison, HRANA, Taher Sarli, طاهر سارلی

HRANA – Twenty-three days after his arrest, Taher Sarli remains in a state of uncertainty in Gonbad-e Kavus Prison. In protest against this situation, he has been on hunger strike for the past nine days.

According to information received by HRANA, Sarli was arrested on August 5 for posting critical statements on social media and subsequently transferred to Gonbad-e Kavus Prison. Since then, he has been held without clear legal status, prompting him to begin a hunger strike.

Sarli suffers from diabetes and requires daily insulin injections. He also has a history of heart attack and is currently battling prostate cancer. Despite these serious health conditions, reports indicate that he has been denied access to adequate medical treatment.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges against him.

Taher Sarli, approximately 50 years old, holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Azad University of Shahroud and a master’s degree in history from Azad University of Abhar. He has previously been arrested for his activities.

Neda Fotoohi and Zohreh Sarv Face Fresh Charges in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Iman Afshari, Mahsa Amini, Neda Fotoohi, Qarchak Prison, Zohreh Sarv, زهره سرو, ندا فتوحی

HRANA – Political prisoners Zohreh Sarv and Neda Fotoohi, held in Qarchak Varamin Prison, are now facing a new case filed against them at the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office.

According to information received by HRANA, a recent power outage in Qarchak Prison led some inmates to chant protest slogans. In the aftermath, Branch 39 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office opened a new case against Sarv and Fotoohi, accusing them of “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

In July of this year, Sarv’s six-year prison sentence was upheld in full after the Supreme Court approved her retrial request and the case was re-examined by another branch of the Revolutionary Court. Earlier, Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to a total of seven years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion” and “propaganda against the regime.” Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, six years of that sentence remain enforceable.

In October last year, Sarv’s request for conditional release was once again denied, despite the fact that, including her pre-trial detention, she had already served more than one-third of her sentence.

Zohreh Sarv, 39, and active on social media under the name “Mah Far”, was arrested by security forces in August 2022. She has previously faced arrest and conviction.

Neda Fotoohi was also tried by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari. She was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in prison on charges including “propaganda against the regime,” “membership in the Erfan-e Halgheh group,” and “assembly and collusion against national security” through attending and encouraging others to attend protests related to Mahsa Amini and her anniversary. This political prisoner, a resident of Tehran, was arrested by security forces in October 2023.

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Singer Danial Moghaddam Sentenced to Prison and Additional Penalties

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News, Prisoners
Danial Moghaddam, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mohammad Hadi Jafarpoor, دانیال مقدم

HRANA – Danial Moghaddam, a dissident singer held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to eight months in prison along with additional penalties.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Judge Iman Afshari of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court issued the verdict against Moghaddam.

Based on information received by HRANA, the ruling was issued on August 9 and was recently delivered to Moghaddam. He has been sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and banned for two years from residing in Tehran Province and neighboring provinces, as well as from leaving the country.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA that Moghaddam’s charges stemmed from publishing posts on social media and sending photos to Persian-language media outlets abroad.

Earlier in late June, his lawyer, Mohammad Hadi Jafarpoor, announced that Moghaddam had been arrested after failing to post bail, following a detention order issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Shortly afterward, Moghaddam published a video on his personal page referring to the dire conditions in Evin Prison during Israel’s airstrikes. In the video, he stated that due to the shockwaves and emergency situation, he unintentionally left the prison while in a state of confusion and lack of full awareness, and did not return. Moghaddam also cited reasons for his arrest, including support for the families of those killed in protests, calls for the release of political prisoners, and his presence outside Evin Prison to oppose executions.

On Tuesday, July 29, he was rearrested by security forces in Shiraz, transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison, and later returned to Evin.

Danial Moghaddam has previously been arrested and convicted due to his activism.

Sunni Prisoner Hamzeh Darvish Continues Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Hamzeh Darvish, Lakan prison, Mehdi Fallah Miri, Rasht, Talesh, حمزه درویش

HRANA – Hamzeh Darvish, a Sunni prisoner held in Lakan Prison, Rasht, remains on hunger strike. He began his strike on August 2 in protest against authorities’ neglect of his demands.

Three days ago, a source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Mr. Darvish is currently on the fourteenth day of his hunger strike.”

This Sunni prisoner went on strike on Saturday, August 2, in protest against what he describes as his continued unjust imprisonment, psychological and physical torture, the violation of the principle of separation of crimes, and the authorities’ disregard of his previous requests. He has demanded transfer to the political prisoners’ ward in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

In December 2024, Darvish wrote a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, urging attention to his case. Following this action, he was held in solitary confinement with handcuffs and shackles for one month by order of Gilan’s Prosecutor, Mehdi Fallah Miri.

Hamzeh Darvish, a prisoner from Talesh, was previously sentenced to 14 years in prison, later reduced to 10 years and 6 months in August 2024 after he submitted to the court’s ruling. He had already served another long-term prison sentence before this case.

Additionally, following a prison altercation on October 9, 2022, and a complaint filed by the Prisons Organization, a new legal case was opened against him. On May 11, 2020, this Sunni prisoner was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Darvish’s journey through adversity began in 2014 when he was deceived by ISIS forces into traveling to Turkey and later to Syria, as he claims. Following a period of confinement in an ISIS jail, he managed to escape and returned to Iran, where he surrendered himself to security forces.

Abolfazl Khoran Sentenced to One Year in Prison and 74 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Khoran, Arak prison, Keramat Parsafar, Mehrshad Shahidi, ابوالفضل خوران

HRANA – Abolfazl Khoran, a teachers’ union activist currently held in Arak Prison, has been sentenced by Branch 105 of the Criminal Court Two of Arak County to one year in prison and 74 lashes in connection with a new case opened against him during his incarceration.

According to HRANA, the verdict was issued on the charge of “disturbing the order and public peace of the prison.” Presiding Judge Keramat Parsafar cited slogans written inside the prison in protest against death penalty verdicts as the basis for the conviction.

The ruling may be appealed within 20 days of its notification.

Khoran was first arrested in August 2023, along with several other citizens, after attending a ceremony at the grave of Mehrshad Shahidi, one of the victims of the 2022 nationwide protests in Arak. All were later released on bail of 7 billion rials each.

In September 2023, the same court sentenced him to six years in prison and 74 lashes to be carried out in public, on charges of “insulting sacred beliefs” and “disturbing the order and public peace.” He began serving this sentence on January 21, 2025, when he was transferred to Arak Prison, where he remains in custody.

Political Prisoner Mahmoud Mehrabi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Penalties

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News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, Mahan Mehrabi, Mahmood Mehrabi, Mahmoud Mehrabi, محمود مهرابی

HRANA – Mahmoud Mehrabi, a political prisoner held in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has been sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison along with complementary punishments.

According to his sister, Mahan Mehrabi, the sentence includes five years for “inciting and provoking people to war and killing,” three years for “ineffective incitement of regime forces to disobey orders,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and one year for “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.”

Additional penalties include two years’ exile from his birthplace, a two-year ban on social media activity, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year prohibition on obtaining a passport.

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

In November 2024, Mehrabi was acquitted by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court of the charge of “corruption on earth,” which had previously led to a death sentence. This death sentence had been overturned in October 2024 by the Supreme Court, which accepted his request for retrial and referred the case to another branch for reconsideration.

In October 2023, Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mobarakeh County issued an indictment against Mehrabi on charges including “corruption on earth through spreading falsehoods,” “propaganda against the regime on social media,” “ineffective incitement of military and law enforcement forces to refuse duties and surrender via social media,” “inciting people to war and killing to disrupt security,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader and Ruhollah Khomeini on social media.”

Mehrabi, about 36 years old, single, and a resident of Isfahan, worked in the electricity sector before his arrest.

Ali Younesi and Amirhossein Moradi Sentenced to Over 7 Years in Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ali Younesi, Amirhossein Moradi, Gholamhossein Esmaili, Mostafa Nili, امیر حسین مرادی, علی یونسی

HRANA– Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ali Younesi to a total of six years and three months in prison, along with social deprivations and exile. Amirhossein Moradi was also sentenced by the same branch to 15 months in prison.

Their lawyer, Mostafa Nili, announced that these award-winning Sharif University students were sentenced by Branch 29 to 15 months in prison each for “propaganda against the regime.” Younesi was additionally sentenced to five years in Kerman Prison on the charge of “endorsing and supporting the Zionist regime.”

According to Nili, as a complementary punishment, during his imprisonment, Younesi will be banned from access to the Internet and from making phone calls to outside the prison, except in necessary cases and under the supervision of the prison director.

The trial session for Younesi was held on July 28, and for Moradi on July 20, 2025.

Ali Younesi, a computer engineering student, and Amirhossein Moradi, a physics student at Sharif University of Technology, were arrested on April 10, 2020, by Ministry of Intelligence agents and transferred to the Ministry’s detention facility known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Their arrest was carried out by plainclothes agents without a judicial warrant and accompanied by beatings.

On May 5, 2020, Judiciary spokesperson Gholamhossein Esmaili accused the students of cooperating with an opposition group (the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran). Shortly afterward, Aida Younesi, Ali’s sister, released a video denying the accusations and stating that they were based on their parents’ history of imprisonment in the 1980s.

On June 25, 2022, more than two years after their arrest, Moradi and Younesi were transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) to the prison’s public ward.

In their initial trial, the two award-winning Sharif University students were sentenced to 10 years in prison for “destruction and arson of public property” as the most severe charge, five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” On June 2022, Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld the lower court’s verdict in full.

In March 2024, their lawyer announced that after the Supreme Court accepted their request for retrial, a parallel branch reduced Younesi’s maximum prison sentence from 10 years to six years and eight months. Nili added that the same process had previously been applied to Moradi, reducing his enforceable sentence to six years and eight months as well.

Amirhossein Moradi won the silver medal in Iran’s 2017 National Astronomy Olympiad, while Ali Younesi won the silver medal in 2016 and the gold medal in 2017. Younesi also won gold in the 12th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics, held in China, securing first place in the competition.