Prisoners Archives

World Teachers’ Day: At Least 47 Iranian Teachers Imprisoned, Detained, or in Exile

Posted on October 5, 2026October 5, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News, Prisoners, Publications

HRANA – At least 47 current and retired teachers across Iran are imprisoned, detained, or serving sentences of exile, according to data compiled by HRANA on the occasion of World Teachers’ Day. Of those, 13 are serving prison sentences, 32 remain in detention, and two are serving court-ordered exile. This report provides an overview of their latest known status and focuses exclusively on their current circumstances.

World Teachers’ Day, observed annually on October 5, has been commemorated since 1994 and marks the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. The document addresses, among other issues, teachers’ rights and responsibilities, conditions of employment, and standards for their working conditions and education.

Overview of Teachers’ Current Status

Category	Number
Total individuals	47
Serving prison sentences	13
In detention	32
Serving sentences of exile	2
Geographic scope	19 provinces

These 47 teachers are spread across 19 provinces in Iran. Razavi Khorasan has the highest number on the list, with eight individuals. It is followed by Fars and Khuzestan provinces, with five each; North Khorasan, with four; and Alborz and West Azerbaijan, with three each.

Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Markazi, Isfahan, and Tehran each have two individuals on the list, while Lorestan, Bushehr, Kerman, Zanjan, Gilan, Qazvin, and Ilam each have one.

Names of the 47 Teachers:

Shokrollah Ahmadi, Masoud Farhikhteh, Milad Khorshidi, Amir Rahimi, Reza Amanifar, Ali Ahmadi, Mohammad Rafi Sadeghi, Sabah Valadbeigi, Siamak Sadeghi Chehrazi, Mojtaba Iravi, Mohammad Hassan Davoudi, Bakhtiar Rezvani, Javad Safari, Forouzan Yektaei, Hossein Khaleghi, Ahanali Jahandideh, Hashem Khastar, Javad Laal-Mohammadi, Mohsen Khodaei, Iraj Toubeiha, Shervin Hamideh, Masoud Kiani, Hossein Ramezanpour, Mahmoud Heidarian, Reza Taheri, Sirous Sattarnezhad, Mastoureh Narimani, Farhad Rahmani, Ahmad Alizadeh, Sina Karimi-Mofrad, Sadegh Sedaghat, Abolfazl Khoran, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, Alireza Mardasi, Aman Jalalinezhad, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Reza Kamalvand, Yousef Amini, Zahra Arefi-Mehr, Alireza Shaygan, Arman Shahpourikho, Alan Hekmatirad, Reza Gerami, Ameneh Biraqdari, Fatemeh Zarei, Sattar Zarei, and Abbas Bagheri.

Among those on the list, Alireza Mardasi has been sentenced to death on two counts and one year in prison. The sentences issued against Javad Laal-Mohammadi total 21 years in prison, a portion of which is enforceable. Hashem Khastar has been sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison, while Mohammad Hossein Sepehri has been sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison.

Teachers Serving Prison Sentences

According to available information, 13 teachers are currently serving their sentences:

• Masoud Farhikhteh – Sentenced to five years, one month, and 17 days in prison and is serving his sentence at Karaj Central Penitentiary.

• Amir Rahimi – Sentenced to four years in prison and is incarcerated at Dorud Prison.

• Mohammad Hassan Davoudi – Sentenced to three years, four months, and two days in prison and is serving his sentence at Urmia Prison.

• Javad Safari – Sentenced to five years in prison and a fine and is incarcerated at Zanjan Prison.

• Abolfazl Khoran – Sentenced to a total of six years and five months in prison and 74 lashes and is serving his sentence at Arak Prison.

• Hashem Khastar – Has been in detention and prison since August 2019. He was sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison, two years of exile, and a two-year ban on leaving the country. He is currently incarcerated at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

• Javad Laal-Mohammadi – Has been in detention and prison since October 2021. His sentences total 21 years in prison, a portion of which is enforceable. In August 2026, he was also dismissed from the Ministry of Education by the Primary Board for Administrative Violations of Employees of the Razavi Khorasan Department of Education.

• Mohammad Hossein Sepehri – Sentenced to 11 years and nine months in prison and dismissal from the Ministry of Education. He is serving his sentence at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

• Aman Jalalinezhad – Sentenced by a criminal court to three years and six months in prison and is incarcerated at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

• Arman Shahpourikho – Currently serving a two-year prison sentence at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

• Reza Kamalvand – Currently serving a five-year prison sentence and has been suspended from his job. He is held at Esfarayen Prison.

• Alireza Mardasi – Incarcerated at Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz and sentenced to death on two counts and one year in prison. According to available information, his sentence has been upheld by the Supreme Court.

• Ameneh Biraqdari – Arrested in January 2026 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She was subsequently sentenced to one year in prison. After accepting the verdict and waiving her right to appeal, her sentence was reduced to eight months.

Teachers in Detention

In addition to the teachers sentenced to prison, 32 other teachers remain in detention. They are being held in prisons in various cities across the country, and in several cases, their exact place of detention or the charges brought against them remain unknown.

Fars: Shokrollah Ahmadi, Ali Ahmadi, Hossein Khaleghi, Ahanali Jahandideh, and Sadegh Sedaghat are in detention. Shokrollah Ahmadi was arrested in Nurabad, Mamasani, on September 25, 2026, and, following interrogation, was transferred to the city’s prison. Five other teachers who were arrested at the same time were later released on bail.

Razavi Khorasan: Zahra Arefi-Mehr, Alireza Shaygan, Reza Gerami, and Fatemeh Zarei are in detention.

Kurdistan: Milad Khorshidi and Mojtaba Iravi are in detention.

Khuzestan: Siamak Sadeghi Chehrazi and Mastoureh Narimani are in detention.

North Khorasan: Hossein Ramezanpour, Mahmoud Heidarian, and Abbas Bagheri are in detention.

Alborz: Shervin Hamideh and Reza Taheri are in detention.

Kermanshah: Sabah Valadbeigi and Masoud Kiani are in detention.

Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad: Bakhtiar Rezvani and Sina Karimi-Mofrad are in detention.

Tehran: Mehdi Farahi Shandiz and Sirous Sattarnezhad are in detention.

Additionally, Reza Amanifar in Bushehr, Mohammad Rafi Sadeghi in Sirjan, Forouzan Yektaei in Rasht, Mohsen Khodaei in Javersian, Farhad Rahmani in Takestan, Yousef Amini in Bukan, Alan Hekmatirad in Naqadeh, and Sattar Zarei in Khomeyni Shahr remain in detention.

Teachers Serving Sentences of Exile

In addition to those imprisoned or detained, two teachers are currently serving sentences of exile. Iraj Toubeiha, following his release from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, was sent to Dehsalm Rural District in Nehbandan County, South Khorasan Province, to serve a two-year sentence of exile. Ahmad Alizadeh, after completing his prison sentence, is also serving his sentence of exile in Fanuj County.

Conclusion

The cases documented in this report reflect the current circumstances of at least 47 current and retired teachers across Iran, based on information available at the time of publication.

Penalties imposed on individuals in this group include death sentences, lengthy prison terms, flogging, fines, dismissal from the Ministry of Education, suspension from employment, travel bans, and exile. In addition, the legal status of some detained teachers—including the charges against them and, in some cases, their exact place of detention—remains unclear.

Najmeh Amini Faces Death Sentence and Over 12 Years in Prison Following Arrest During January Protests

Posted on September 25, 2026September 25, 2026 by . .

Executions, Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

January 2026 Protests, Mashhad, Najmeh Amini, Vakilabad prison, نجمه امینی

HRANA – Najmeh Amini, arrested during the January 2026 protests, remains incarcerated in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The 23-year-old student has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and death in two separate cases heard by the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, Najmeh Amini is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

A source close to Amini’s family confirmed this information and told HRANA about the judicial proceedings in her cases: “Following her arrest, she faced two separate legal cases, one heard by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and the other by Criminal Court One. In the case heard by Criminal Court One, she was sentenced to death on charges of ‘insulting the Prophet.’ Initially, the charge against Ms. Amini in this case was described as ‘insulting the Imams,’ but the charge was subsequently changed during the judicial proceedings.”

The source added: “In a separate case, Branch One of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Ms. Amini to a total of 12 years, six months, and one day in prison on charges including ‘acting against national security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.'”

Recently, in an audio message from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, Ms. Amini announced that the judiciary had issued her death sentence on September 16, 2026. In the message, she called on the United Nations, lawyers, human rights activists, and human rights organizations to review her case and demanded her right to a fair trial.

A court hearing concerning Ms. Amini’s charges was held in August of this year at the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. She was tried on charges of “assembly and collusion” and “insulting religious sanctities and the Imams.”

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

Najmeh Amini, 23, 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.

Arghavan Fallahi’s Death Sentence Overturned by Supreme Court

Posted on September 24, 2026September 24, 2026 by . .

Executions, News, Prisoners

Arghavan Fallahi, Evin Prison, HRANA, ارغوان فلاحی

HRANA – The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Arghavan Fallahi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison. She had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of baghi (armed rebellion).

According to HRANA, citing Emtedad, the Supreme Court has overturned Arghavan Fallahi’s death sentence.

According to the report, her request for a retrial was under review by the Supreme Court, which accepted the objections and legal challenges raised in her case. Following the approval of her retrial request, the execution of her death sentence has been suspended, and her case will be referred to another branch of the court of equal standing for reconsideration.

Previously, the Supreme Court had rejected Arghavan Fallahi’s request for a retrial.

In July of this year, the political prisoner was sentenced to death on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion) by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In late August, her death sentence was upheld by Branch 41 of the Supreme Court.

Arghavan Fallahi, aged approximately 25, was arrested by security forces in late January 2025 and transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

Following the Israeli attack on Evin Prison in June 2025, she was first transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison and later to Qarchak Prison in Varamin. She was subsequently transferred back to Evin Prison.

Previously, a source familiar with the political defendant’s situation told HRANA: “Following her arrest, Ms. Fallahi spent some time detained in Wards 209 and 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Organization. During this period, she was subjected to severe psychological torture, and attempts were made to extract forced confessions from her in connection with the assassination of two judges, Mohammad Moghiseh and Ali Razini.”

Ms. Fallahi had previously been arrested along with her father by security forces in November 2022 and was later transferred to Evin Prison. She was subsequently sentenced to two years in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges of “assembly and collusion” and “propaganda against the regime.” She was released from Evin Prison after completing her sentence.

Turkish Aid Worker Residing in Germany, Serkan Eren, Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison in Iran

Posted on September 23, 2026September 23, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

HRANA, Serkan Eren, سرکان ارن

HRANA – Serkan Eren, a 42-year-old aid worker and Turkish citizen residing in Germany who has been detained in Iran for more than a year, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by an Iranian court.

According to HRANA, citing Deutsche Welle Persian, Serkan Eren, an aid worker and Turkish citizen residing in Germany, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a court in Iran.

STELP, a Stuttgart-based aid organization, said the sentence was issued against Mr. Eren in connection with the charge of “having ties with a hostile country.”

According to the report, Serkan Eren traveled to Iran on June 24, 2025, as a humanitarian aid worker to distribute donated supplies from Germany. He intended to leave Iran that same day, but contact with his family was cut off, and he has remained in detention ever since.

STELP protested the sentence, describing the punishment as disproportionate to the circumstances of the case. The organization said that, in order to protect the safety of Serkan Eren and others involved, it would not release further details about the case at this time.

The organization also said that, given Mr. Eren’s Turkish citizenship, it is in contact with Turkish authorities to follow up on his situation and secure his return.

According to Deutsche Welle Persian, before traveling to Iran, Mr. Eren told Germany’s ARD television network that, in order to avoid any misunderstandings, he was not carrying any communications or protective equipment, including a satellite phone, bulletproof vest, or helmet, and had entered Iran carrying only a backpack.

Serkan Eren began his humanitarian aid work in 2015, during the refugee crisis in Europe. In 2023, he received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany from the country’s president.

Deutsche Welle has described Eren as a “Turkish-German citizen.” However, members of the STELP aid organization told HRANA that he does not hold German citizenship and is only a resident of Germany.

January 2026 Protests: Death Sentences of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli Overturned by Supreme Court

Posted on September 22, 2026 by . .

Executions, News, Prisoners

January 2026 Protests, Mahnaz Chardouli, Mehdi Nazer

HRANA – The death sentences of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli, who were arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, have been overturned by the Supreme Court. The two political prisoners had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

According to HRANA, the death sentences of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli have been overturned by the country’s highest judicial authority.

Based on information received by HRANA, the Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli, who were arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026. Mehdi Nazer is currently incarcerated in Greater Tehran Prison, while Mahnaz Chardouli is being held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.

The two prisoners were previously tried in a joint case by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, and sentenced to death on charges including destruction of public property, participation in illegal gatherings, and assembly and collusion against national security. The same judicial branch also sentenced the two political prisoners, along with another defendant in the case, Atefeh Nazer, to 10 years in prison each.

Mehdi Nazer and Mahnaz Chardouli were arrested in Tehran on January 11, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

Alborz Court of Appeals Upholds Manouchehr Bakhtiari’s 18-Year Prison Sentence

Posted on September 21, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

HRANA, Manouchehr Bakhtiari, منوچهر بختیاری

HRANA – Branch 1 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals, after reviewing Manouchehr Bakhtiari’s appeal in a case dating back to 2020 on Kish Island, upheld his sentence totaling 18 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the sentence totaling 18 years in prison for Manouchehr Bakhtiari, who is currently incarcerated in Bandar Abbas Prison, has been upheld.

In a ruling issued on September 16, 2026, by Branch 1 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals, Mr. Bakhtiari’s appeal was rejected, and his sentence totaling 18 years in prison was upheld, with modifications to the charges and penalties. The sentence of 74 lashes previously imposed on him was removed from the ruling.

According to the ruling, Mr. Bakhtiari was sentenced to 10 years in prison on the charge of forming and managing an online group with the aim of disrupting national security; five years on the charge of assembly and collusion with the intent to commit crimes against national security through cooperation with an opposition group; two years on the charge of publishing falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion; and one year on the charge of propaganda against the regime.

The case dates back to events on Kish Island in 2020. A source close to Mr. Bakhtiari’s family told HRANA that the case was opened after he raised a flag on the island. According to the source, he was acquitted during proceedings in a Kish court, and the Supreme Court also reviewed the case twice, with outcomes in Mr. Bakhtiari’s favor.

In January 2024, Mr. Bakhtiari had previously been sentenced in the same case to a total of 18 years in prison and 74 lashes by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mousa Asef al-Hosseini. Following an appeal, Branch 1 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeals issued a ruling on April 20, 2024, overturning the judgment due to the trial court’s lack of jurisdiction and referring the case to the Kish Revolutionary Court for retrial.

On January 19, 2026, while serving his period of exile in Bandar Abbas, he was arrested and transferred to the city’s prison. He subsequently faced a new case. In late August 2026, Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court sentenced him to an additional total of 10 years in prison.

Bakhtiari had previously been arrested by security forces at his home in Tehran on April 29, 2021, and was ultimately sentenced to three years and six months in prison, two years and six months of exile, and a two-year travel ban. After serving more than four years in prison, he was released from Choobindar Prison in Qazvin in October 2025 and transferred to Bandar Abbas to serve his exile sentence.

During his imprisonment, additional cases were also opened against Bakhtiari. In one case, he was sentenced to six months in prison. In another, he was sentenced to 18 years in prison and 74 lashes. The latter sentence was overturned on appeal, and the case was sent back to the Revolutionary Court for retrial.

Manouchehr Bakhtiari, the father of Pouya Bakhtiari, has stated that his 27-year-old son was shot and killed in Phase 4 of Mehrshahr, Karaj, during the November 2019 protests. According to Bakhtiari, Pouya, along with his mother and sister, joined protesters on the second day of demonstrations against the increase in gasoline prices. He was shot in the head and died before reaching the hospital.

Pouya Bakhtiari (born September 10, 1992; died November 16, 2019, in Mehrshahr, Karaj) was among those killed during Iran’s nationwide protests of 2019.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Amir Gerousi to 10 Years in Prison

Posted on September 21, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

Amir Gerousi, HRANA, Seyed Ali Mazloum

HRANA – Amir Gerousi, a 60-year-old political prisoner currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, tAmir Gerousi has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum, sentenced Mr. Gerousi to 10 years in prison on suspicion of “sending photos and videos to media outlets outside Iran.” The political prisoner is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison.

A source close to the political prisoner’s family confirmed the matter to HRANA and said that Mr. Gerousi has appealed the sentence issued by the Tehran Revolutionary Court and is awaiting a ruling from the Court of Appeals.

Amir Gerousi, a 60-year-old political prisoner, was arrested in March/April 2026.

Najmeh Amini from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad: “I Have Been Sentenced to Death”

Posted on September 20, 2026 by . .

Executions, News, Prisoners

HRANA, Mashhad, Najmeh Amini, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Najmeh Amini, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, announced in an audio message from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, which was circulated on social media, that the judiciary has sentenced her to death.

According to HRANA, one of those arrested during last year’s January protests, has reported that she has been sentenced to death.

In an audio message from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, Ms. Amini stated that the judiciary issued her death sentence on September 16, 2026.

The prisoner has called on the United Nations, lawyers, activists, and human rights organizations to review her case so that she may exercise her right to a fair trial.

HRANA is unable to independently verify Najmeh Amini’s statements.

A court hearing to address the charges against Ms. Amini was held in August of this year at the Mashhad Revolutionary Court. She was tried on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “insulting sacred beliefs and the Imams.”

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

Najmeh Amini, 23, is an accounting student and a resident of Mashhad.

New Case Filed Against Political Prisoner Mostafa Tajzadeh

Posted on September 18, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

Evin Prison, HRANA, Mostafa Tajzadeh, مصطفی تاجزاده

HRANA – Mostafa Tajzadeh, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, is facing a new case on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The filing of this case during his imprisonment has halted the process of granting him furlough.

According to HRANA, citing Emtedad, a new case has been filed against Mostafa Tajzadeh while he is in prison.

Fakhrossadat Mohtashamipour, Tajzadeh’s wife, stated that after his furlough was approved and the administrative procedures were completed, the process of sending him on furlough was halted at the final stage. Follow-up inquiries revealed that a new case had been opened against him on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” with bail set at 500 million tomans.

According to his wife, the case dates back to August of this year and must be resolved by the branch handling the case.

Mostafa Tajzadeh was arrested by security forces on July 8, 2022, and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

Tajzadeh has faced several judicial cases in recent years.

He was initially sentenced in 2022 to eight years in prison, five years of which were enforceable. In 2024, he was sentenced in another case to a total of six years in prison. In July 2025, he was also sentenced to an aggregate five-year prison term in a case opened against him while he was incarcerated. Following the issuance of this new ruling, Houshang Pourbabai, Tajzadeh’s attorney, stated that his client’s cumulative prison sentences had reached 17 years at that time. In February 2026, Tajzadeh was sentenced to an additional 14 months in prison in another case that had been opened against him during his incarceration.

Tajzadeh, who is serving his sentence in Evin Prison, has previously faced judicial action and imprisonment in connection with his activities.

Hossein Molaei Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison

Posted on September 17, 2026 by . .

Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners

Greater Tehran Prison, Hossein Molaei, HRANA, حسین مولایی

HRANA – Hossein Molaei, a 50-year-old political prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Hossein Molaei has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Molaei, who is currently held in Greater Tehran Prison, was sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 15 years in prison on the charge of “supporting Israel.”

An informed source familiar with his situation told HRANA: “Mr. Molaei is in a difficult financial situation and cannot afford the cost of an attorney. Accordingly, he needs access to legal counsel to pursue the judicial proceedings in his case and appeal the sentence issued against him.”

Hossein Molaei, 50, was arrested by security forces in March 2026 and transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

HRANA is reviewing details regarding the specific acts underlying the charge brought against him.

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