Category: Prisoners

January 2026 Protests: Mahboubeh Shabani Remains Detained Without Charge Resolution in Mashhad Prison

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News, Prisoners
Mahboubeh Shabani, Vakilabad prison, محبوبه شعبانی

HRANA – Mahboubeh Shabani, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has remained in legal limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for more than five months since her arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, despite the passage of 160 days since her arrest, Mahboubeh Shabani continues to be held without charge resolution in the Aramesh Ward of Vakilabad Prison.

She is facing charges of operational action in support of Israel, the United States, and individuals affiliated with opposition groups. Her case is currently under review by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

Mahboubeh Shabani was arrested by security forces on February 2, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests in Mashhad.

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.

Leila Afarin Denied Specialized Medical Care Despite Brain Tumor Diagnosis

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Evin Prison, HRANA, Leila Afarin, لیلا آفرین

HRANA – Leila Afarin, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, continues to be denied specialized medical care despite suffering from a brain tumor and joint disorders. Authorities have also rejected her requests for conditional release or furlough leading to release.

According to HRANA News Agency, Leila Afarin remains deprived of specialized medical treatment.

A source close to the political prisoner confirmed the information to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Afarin has a malignant brain tumor and suffers from joint disorders. Her physical condition has deteriorated significantly. She is currently experiencing symptoms including loss of balance, tremors in her hands and feet, and impaired vision. Despite her urgent need for specialized medical care, she continues to be denied access to adequate treatment.”

The source further noted that although Afarin has become eligible for conditional release and has only about nine months remaining on her sentence, authorities have yet to approve either her request for conditional release or furlough connected to her release.

It is worth noting that the political prisoner was transferred to a hospital for treatment some time ago but was returned to prison shortly afterward without receiving adequate medical care.

Leila Afarin, aged approximately 33, was arrested by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison on December 10, 2025. She was subsequently sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to one year in prison.

Political Prisoner Saeed Shah-Ghaleh Marks 26th Year Behind Bars

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Evin Prison, Qom prison, Saeed Shah Ghaleh, سعید شاه قلعه

HRANA – Saeed Shah-Ghaleh, a political prisoner, is currently serving the twenty-sixth year of his life sentence in Ward 4 of Qom Prison. Despite his repeated requests over the years, the relevant authorities have so far refused to grant him temporary leave or release through a special pardon.

According to HRANA, Saeed Shah-Ghaleh, one of Iran’s longest-held political prisoners, continues to serve his life sentence in Qom Prison.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed the information to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Shah-Ghaleh is serving the twenty-sixth year of his life sentence in Ward 4 of Qom Prison. Despite his repeated requests over the years for temporary leave or release through a special pardon, none of the relevant authorities have responded to his appeals, and there has been no change in his situation.”

Shah-Ghaleh, who has spent more than two decades behind bars, was transferred from Bushehr Prison to Ward 4 of Qom Prison in 2022. He had previously been held in Evin Prison and Mahshahr Prison.

Shah-Ghaleh was arrested in 2000 and was initially sentenced to death by a criminal court on the charge of “enmity against God (moharebeh) through collaboration with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK).” His sentence was later reduced by one degree to life imprisonment.

There have also been reports that Shah-Ghaleh was subjected to physical assault while in prison in 2008. Additionally, in 2022, he was reportedly coerced into making a forced confession renouncing his affiliation with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization, which was obtained under psychological pressure.

Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari Launch Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Behzad Dashti, Evin Prison, Yousef Kari

HRANA – Abbas Lesani (Lisani) and Yousef Kari, two Azerbaijani-Turk activists, remain in detention at Evin Prison. For two days, the two have been on a hunger strike in protest against prison authorities’ decision to transfer them to separate wards without observing the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their alleged offenses.

According to HRANA News Agency, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari remain in detention. Lesani and Kari informed their families and relatives that they began a hunger strike on Sunday, June 28, in protest against prison officials’ decision to transfer them to separate wards without complying with prison classification regulations and the principle of separating inmates according to the nature of their alleged offenses.

When prison authorities attempted to transfer them to separate wards in Ward 7, the two men stated that they would begin a hunger strike if prison regulations and the principle of separating prisoners based on the nature of their alleged offenses were not respected.

The trial of Abbas Lesani, Ali Kheirjoo, Yousef Kari, and Behzad Dashti, all Azerbaijani-Turk activists, was held on May 30 before Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court. The defendants refused to attend the hearing.

In January 2026, Abbas Lesani was formally charged in Branch 6 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by Vahid Naseri, with offenses including “forming an illegal group, assembly and collusion against national security, and disrupting public order.” Yousef Kari, along with two other individuals, was charged with “membership in an illegal group, assembly and collusion against national security, and disrupting public order.”

Despite more than seven months having passed since their arrests, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari continue to be held in the quarantine section of Ward 7 of Evin Prison.

The two activists were arrested on November 11, 2025, outside Evin Prison while expressing support for the sit-in protest by the families of political prisoners Taher Naghavi and Vadood Asadi, who are imprisoned there. On November 18, 2025, Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, along with two other individuals, were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Abbas Lesani and Yousef Kari, both Azerbaijani-Turk activists, have previously been arrested and subjected to judicial prosecution due to their civil activism.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan-Beigi Returns to Evin Prison with Her Young Child

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Behfar Lalehzari, Mahfar Lalehzari, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi

HRANA – Today, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi, a civil rights activist, was transferred to Evin Prison along with her young child to continue serving her prison sentence.

Based on information received by HRANA, yesterday, June 29, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi was transferred to Evin Prison along with her young daughter, Mahfar Lalehzari, who is under two years old, to continue serving her prison sentence.

This political prisoner had been granted furlough from Evin Prison on September 18, 2024, to give birth.

In January 2024, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi and her husband, Behfar Lalehzari, were sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of assembly and collusion against domestic security and propaganda against the regime. The sentence was upheld in March 2024, but after their request for retrial was accepted and the case was reviewed by a parallel branch, it was reduced to 21 months in prison.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan-Beigi was arrested by security forces at her home on September 18, 2023, along with her husband, Behfar Lalehzari.

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhan Beigi and Behfar Lalehzari have previously faced arrest and imprisonment in connection with their activities.

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Nazem Barihi’s Life Sentence Reduced to 25 Years

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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.

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

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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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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.

Political Prisoner Fatemeh Sepehri Has Been on Hunger Strike for Seven Days

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Ali Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri, HRANA, Vakilabad prison, فاطمه سپهری

HRANA – Fatemeh Sepehri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been on strike since Wednesday, June 17, in protest against the authorities’ disregard for her demands. Following a visit with the political prisoner today, her family expressed concern over her physical condition.

According to HRANA, political prisoner Fatemeh Sepehri is in the seventh day of her hunger strike.

Ali Sepehri, her brother, stated that Ms. Sepehri began a hunger strike and medication strike on Wednesday, June 17, in protest against what she described as insults, harassment, and mistreatment by Fariba Hatampour, the internal manager of the women’s ward at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He added that during this period, the prison authorities’ only action has been to transfer her daily to the infirmary and administer glucose IV fluids. During today’s visit, her family described Fatemeh Sepehri’s physical condition as alarming.

According to Mr. Sepehri, despite the family’s repeated efforts to secure a suspension of her sentence or medical leave, none of the authorities have responded to the situation.

In March 2025, Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to prison in a joint case with her brother, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, by Branch Five of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. Each of them received a sentence of three years and nine months in prison. The case relates to a letter the two political prisoners published from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on December 26, 2024.

In June 2024, Fatemeh Sepehri, in another joint case with her brothers Mohammad Hossein and Hossein Sepehri, was sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison.

Previously, in March  2023, the Criminal Court of Mashhad sentenced Fatemeh Sepehri to one year of discretionary imprisonment and a fine of 20 million tomans on charges of spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.

In another case, Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of cooperating with hostile states. She was also sentenced to five years for assembly and collusion, two years for insulting the Supreme Leader, and one year for propaganda against the state. These sentences were upheld on appeal. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, 10 years of these sentences are enforceable.

Ms. Sepehri is one of the signatories of the letter calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For this reason, she was initially sentenced by Branch Four of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to five years of discretionary imprisonment. The sentence was later reduced on appeal to three years and six months. She was subsequently released from prison in 2020 under a five-year suspended sentence arrangement.

Report on Political Prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi’s Situation in Dastgerd Prison

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Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA – Political prisoner Abdolrasoul Mortazavi is serving his sentence in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. He has been sentenced to more than 30 years in prison in several separate cases and is currently serving his longest executable sentence of 11 years’ imprisonment.

According to HRANA, Abdolrasoul Mortazavi is currently serving his sentence in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

A source close to the family of the political prisoner told HRANA that Mr. Mortazavi is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War and, due to his injuries, is required to use a prosthetic leg. The source added: “In addition to the difficult prison conditions Mr. Mortazavi faces, on March 1, 2026, he was taken out of prison and transferred to one of the intelligence detention cells within the prison for a period of 40 days. Prison authorities claimed that the transfer was a preventive measure.”

The source further stated that after returning from the detention facility, Mr. Mortazavi released an audio file in which he reported acts of violence against detainees in the detention facility.

In August 2019, a letter signed by 14 civil activists calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Khamenei was published. Following the publication of the letter, several of its signatories, including Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, were arrested. In connection with this case, Mr. Mortazavi was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad to 26 years in prison. In another part of the same case, he was sentenced by a criminal court to two years’ imprisonment on charges of disturbing public opinion. Of these sentences, 11 years as the severest punishment is enforceable, and he is currently serving this sentence in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

In June 2021, in a case opened against him while he was in prison, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced him in absentia to two years’ imprisonment. The sentence, issued on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disrupting public order,” was later reduced to eight months in prison on appeal.

Additionally, in 2022, in another case opened against him during his imprisonment, the Revolutionary Court of Karaj sentenced him to two years in prison on charges of insulting the Supreme Leader.

Abdolrasoul Mortazavi, a veteran of the Iran-Iraq War who had also been sentenced to imprisonment in another case in 2017, was arrested in Mashhad in 2019 and has remained in prison ever since.

Following his arrest, Mr. Mortazavi was initially transferred to Evin Prison to serve his sentence. He was subsequently transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj in April 2021 and finally to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan in July 2022.