Category: Prisoners

Jalil Abbasi Remains in Detention Five Days After Arrest in Zanjan

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Jalil Abbasi, zanjan, جلیل عباسی

HRANA – Jalil Abbasi, a resident of Zanjan, has been detained for five days by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and is being held in the city’s prison.

A source close to Mr. Abbasi’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that he was detained on December 17 by Ministry of Intelligence agents in Zanjan and transferred to the city’s prison. He has been held in the quarantine ward of the prison since his arrest. As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Jalil Abbasi has previously faced arrest and judicial action due to his activities.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Uncertain Status of Iranian–Norwegian Citizen Shahin Mahmoudi Continues

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News, Prisoners
Sanandaj, Saqqez, Shahin Mahmoudi, شهین محمودی

HRANA – Eight days after her arrest, Shahin Mahmoudi, an Iranian-Norwegian dual national, remains in an uncertain legal situation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sanandaj.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Mahmoudi was summoned by telephone to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Saqqez on Sunday, December 14. Later that day, after appearing at the security agency, she was arrested. She was subsequently transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sanandaj.

So far, no information has been provided to her family regarding the charges against her. Her relatives remain completely unaware of the reasons for her arrest, her health condition, and the status of her case.

Ms. Mahmoudi had traveled from Norway to Iran on Friday, November 28, a trip that was followed by her arrest and the opening of a judicial case against her.

Shahin Mahmoudi, born in 1979, is originally from Saqqez and holds Norwegian citizenship. Her name is registered as Shine Mahmoudi in Norwegian identity documents.

Dozens Detained Following Seventh-Day Memorial of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad; Some Released on Bail

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Alieh Motalebzadeh, HRANA, Jafar Karimi, Javad Alikordi, Khosrow Alikordi, Mohammad Ali Dehestani, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Pouria Najjarzadeh

HRANA – At least 27 citizens were detained in connection with the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, remain in custody. Meanwhile, Kamran Alikordi, Hassan Bagherinia, Pouria Najjarzadeh, Mohammad-Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad Ali Dehestani, and Jafar Karimi have been released on bail.

Based on information received by HRANA, among those arrested on Friday, December 12, coinciding with the memorial ceremony in Mashhad, at least 27 individuals remain detained. Most of them have been issued one-month temporary detention orders, while bail has been set for a small number. The charges brought against most detainees include propaganda against the regime, acting against national security, and assembly and collusion against national security. In recent days, at least six of the detainees have been released on bail.

A knowledgeable source, confirming this news to HRANA, said: “More than 20 of the detained individuals have been transferred to Room 2 of Ward 6/1 at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Those transferred to this location are deprived of phone calls and family visits, which has resulted in families being left without information and has increased their concerns.”

Details regarding the situation of some of the detainees are as follows:

Javad Alikordi is being held under a one-month detention order at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad. Judicial authorities have only informed his family of his appearance before a judicial authority and the continuation of interrogations. A knowledgeable source, confirming this information to HRANA, stated: “Yesterday, Mr. Alikordi’s family, along with one of the lawyers, to the Mashhad Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and, after follow-up, learned that his case has been referred to Branch 902 of the investigating judge on charges of assembly and collusion and propaganda against the regime, and a one-month detention order has been issued for him.”

The family of Narges Mohammadi announced that on December 14, after nearly three days without any information, she informed her family of her poor physical condition during a brief phone call. According to her account, during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi on the outskirts of Mashhad, she was severely beaten with batons to the head and neck area in front of the mosque where the ceremony was held, and was then violently arrested. Narges Mohammadi also stated that due to the severity of the blows, she was transferred to emergency medical services twice, was confronted, without being informed of the detaining authority, with the charge of “cooperation with the State of Israel,” and was threatened. On Tuesday, her husband, Taghi Rahmani, expressed concern, stating that Narges Mohammadi is being held at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad, and that her family and trusted doctors have been denied the possibility of visitation or medical examination.

Ghazal Abdollahi, the daughter of Alieh Motalebzadeh, announced that her mother had a phone call with the family on Sunday evening, December 14, which was monitored by a security agent and broadcast over a loudspeaker. According to her, during this call Ms. Motalebzadeh reported being beaten at the time of her arrest and stated that the investigator of Branch 901 had issued a one-month temporary detention order against her on the charge of assembly and collusion. She also said that she was initially held by the IRGC Intelligence Organization and later transferred to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Mashhad, and that due to the severity of the beatings she was subjected to a medical examination. According to her daughter, despite suffering from breast cancer, she had been denied access to medication and medical care up until the time of this call.

Yaser Dehestani, a lawyer, has been transferred to Vakilabad Prison after bail of 500 million tomans was set. Heydar Chah Chamandi is also facing a one-month detention order and is being held in Vakilabad Prison. For one of the detainees with the last name Moradzadeh, bail of one billion tomans has been set. Milad Fattah, for whom bail has also been determined, remains held in Vakilabad Prison; he has not contacted his family since Friday, which has heightened their concerns.

According to published information, Pouran Nazemi had a brief phone call with her family without any reference to her place of detention.

Ali Adinehzadeh has been barred from phone calls and family visits. Marzieh Adinehzadeh, his daughter, stated that the charges brought against her father are “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Fatemeh Ranjbar, the wife of Hamed Rasoulkhani, wrote in a post that bail of 500 million tomans has been set for her husband. She added that a one-month detention order has been issued for Mehdi Rasoulkhani. At present, both Hamed Rasoulkhani and Mehdi Rasoulkhani are deprived of phone calls and are being held in Vakilabad Prison.

According to a statement by Hasti Amiri’s brother on social media on Tuesday, her family is unaware of her place of detention. Meanwhile, the Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad announced that a one-month temporary detention order has been issued for Ms. Amiri. During the interrogation period, she has been denied the right to make phone calls and to have a lawyer.

In addition, a detention order has been issued for Sepideh Gholian on the charges of “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” According to her brother, Mehdi Gholian, Sepideh has had a brief phone call with her family in recent days, but no details regarding her detention or condition are yet available.

Ali Vosoughinia, a former archaeology student at the University of Tehran, was arrested by security forces on Friday during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi. After being transferred to Soroush Detention Center and beaten on the pretext of clashing with officers and refusing to provide the password to his mobile phone, he was transferred on Saturday to Vakilabad Prison. Bail of 500 million tomans has also been set for his temporary release.

According to information received by HRANA, 13 other citizens, Abolfazl Abri, Tayebeh Nazari, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Hamed Hosseini, Mohammad Hassan Sadeghian, Mohammadreza Babaei, Javad Jalali, Mahmoud Khanali, Amir Khavari, Hamed Zare’, Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi, Mohammadreza Salehifar, and Zahra (Raha) Sharifi, are also among those detained in connection with this ceremony and remain in custody.

Some individuals who were arrested on Friday, December 12, at the same time as the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad, have been released after posting bail. According to information obtained by HRANA, Hassan Bagherinia, who had been transferred to Vakilabad Prison, was released from the prison on Monday, December 15, after posting bail. Kamran Alikordi, a relative of Khosrow Alikordi, was released after posting bail of one billion tomans. Pouria Najjarzadeh, a lawyer, has also been released following the ceremony. Mohammad Hossein Hosseini was released in the early hours of Sunday. In addition, Mohammad Ali Dehestani was released on bail from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, although his mobile phone has been confiscated by security agencies. Jafar Karimi has also been released on bail.

Mai Sato, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, announced that she is closely following reports regarding the arrests of individuals at the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi in Mashhad. According to her, reports have been received indicating that some of the detainees are being held in undisclosed locations. The UN official emphasized that peaceful mourning and the expression of grief must be respected.

On Friday, December 12, the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi was held with a large turnout at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad. The ceremony was accompanied by protest slogans chanted by participants. Eventually, following the intervention of law enforcement forces, the event turned violent. During this incident, dozens of participants were arrested by security forces.

On Saturday, the Prosecutor General and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Mashhad announced the arrest of 39 individuals during the seventh-day memorial ceremony of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer, in the city. According to him, these individuals were arrested due to what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behaviors.” He also claimed that during the ceremony, two law enforcement officers were injured.

Other individuals were also arrested during the ceremony, and HRANA’s investigations regarding their identities and current status are ongoing.

Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar and a resident of Mashhad, passed away on Friday, December 5, 2025. His funeral ceremony was held on Sunday, December 7, in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest slogans from attendees, including “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long Live Iran.” Following this, a large number of lawyers across the country issued a statement, a copy of which was received by HRANA, expressing condolences and sympathy with the family of Khosrow Alikordi and emphasizing the need for a precise, technical, and expert review of the circumstances surrounding his death. They called for all relevant documentation and information to be made available to his family as soon as possible.

Father of Protest Victim Remains in Detention After 40 Days in Bukan Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ali Mohammadi, Bukan, Shahriar Mohammadi, علی محمدی

HRANA – Ali Mohammadi, the father of Shahriar Mohammadi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, remains in a state of legal uncertainty at Bukan Prison, despite 40 days having passed since his arrest.

Milad Mohammadi, his son, wrote in a post that his father was arrested for the second time this year on November 8, 2025, and has been held in Bukan Prison for the past 40 days. According to him, Mr. Mohammadi suffers from heart problems, and his continued detention, given his physical condition, has heightened the family’s concerns.

In July-August 2025, Branch One of the Deputy Prosecutor’s Office in Bukan issued an indictment in Mr. Mohammadi’s case. In the final decision of the prosecutor’s office, the charges listed include propaganda in favor of groups and organizations opposed to the regime and membership in opposition groups.

Ali Mohammadi, a resident of Bukan and the father of Shahriar Mohammadi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests, had previously been arrested by security forces in Bukan on June 18, 2025, and was released from prison after a period of detention.

It should be noted that Shahriar Mohammadi, approximately 30 years old, was killed on November 18, 2022, after being shot during the nationwide protests in Bukan.

Update on Arrests at Khosrow Alikordi’s Seventh-Day Memorial in Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Abri, Ahmad Alikordi, Ali Adinehzadeh, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Amin Vosoughi-Nia, Amir Khavari, Behrouz Alikordi, Davoud Alikordi, Hamed Hosseini, Hamed Rasoulkhani, Hamed Zareh, Hassan Bagherinia, Hasti Amiri, Heydar Chah Chamandi, HRANA, Iraj Alikordi, Javad Alikordi, Javad Jalali, Kamran Alikordi, Mahmoud Khanali, Mehdi Rasoulkhani, Milad Fattah, Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Mohammad-Hassan Sadeghian, Mohammadreza Babaei, Mojtaba Alikordi, Narges Mohammadi, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Pouran Nazemi, Pouria Najarzadeh, Sepideh Gholian, Tayebeh Nazari, Yaser Dehestani

HRANA – On Friday, December 12, 2025, during the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer, held in Mashhad, a number of citizens were arrested. The identities of at least 22 additional detainees have been confirmed. Some of these individuals were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, while others were taken to Soroush Detention Center in Mashhad. A number of them have also been released on bail.

In addition to Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Pouran Nazemi, Hasti Amiri, Abolfazl Abri, Alieh Motalebzadeh, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Haghparast), Ali Adinehzadeh, Hassan Bagherinia, Javad Alikordi, and Hamed Hosseini, the identities of at least 22 other citizens and civil activists have been established, these individuals were arrested on Friday, December 12, 2025:

Tayebeh Nazari, Heydar Chah Chamandi, Mohammad Hassan Sadeghian, Yaser Dehestani, Amin Vosoughi-Nia, Milad Fattah, Mohammadreza Babaei, Davoud Alikordi, Ahmad Alikordi, Iraj Alikordi, Kamran Alikordi, Mojtaba Alikordi, Behrouz Alikordi, Javad Jalali, Mahmoud Khanali, Hamed Rasoulkhani, Mehdi Rasoulkhani, Amir Khavari, Pouria Najarzadeh, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Hamed Zareh, and Mohammad Hossein Boroumand Sharifi.

According to informed sources who spoke with HRANA, some of those arrested were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, while others were taken to Soroush Detention Center, which operates under the supervision of the Public Security Police (FARAJA). Among the detainees, Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, Behrouz Alikordi, Iraj Alikordi, and Mojtaba Alikordi were released after posting bail. Additionally, the mobile phones of some individuals were confiscated by security agents.

Based on information received by HRANA, the judicial cases of some of these individuals have been referred to Branch 902 and Branch 901 of the Investigative Unit of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. They are facing charges including “propaganda against the state,” “disturbing public opinion,” and “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security.”

According to reports published by the families of some of the detainees, including Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Gholian, several of those arrested have so far had no telephone contact with their families and have been denied access to legal counsel, a situation that has heightened concerns among their families and relatives.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi was held at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad with a large public turnout. The ceremony was accompanied by the chanting of protest slogans by participants. Eventually, following the intervention of law enforcement forces, the gathering turned violent. During these events, dozens of participants—including Narges Mohammadi, Sepideh Gholian, Pouran Nazemi, Hasti Amiri, Abolfazl Abri, Alieh Matalebzadeh, Nora Haghi (Vahideh Hagparast), Ali Adinehzadeh, Hassan Bagherinia, Javad Alikordi, and Hamed Hosseini—were arrested by security forces.

On Saturday, the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor announced the arrest of 39 individuals during the memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi in the city. According to him, these individuals were detained due to what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behavior.” He also claimed that two law enforcement officers were injured during the ceremony.

Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar and a resident of Mashhad, passed away on the evening of Friday, December 5, 2025. His funeral was held on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest chants such as “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long Live Iran.” Following this, a large number of lawyers across the country issued a statement, a copy of which was obtained by HRANA, expressing condolences to Alikordi’s family and emphasizing the need for a precise, technical, and expert review of the circumstances surrounding his death, while calling for all relevant documentation and information to be made available to his family as soon as possible.

Regarding Soroush Detention Center, it should be noted that this facility, located in eastern Mashhad, operates under the management of the Public Security Police of FARAJA. Since the nationwide protests of 2017 and 2019, and especially after 2022, it has become one of the main centers for interrogating and holding political and security detainees. Initially used to detain suspects accused of ordinary crimes such as drug trafficking, arms trading, and alcohol-related offenses, the center has in recent years evolved into a dual-purpose facility due to the detention of protesters and political dissidents.

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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.