HRANA – Aref Assar, a resident of Khaf and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, is currently serving his sentence in Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison. He had previously been sentenced at the initial stage to five years and one day in prison, which was reduced on appeal to two years and six months.

According to HRANA, Aref Assar is serving his sentence in Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

According to information received by HRANA, on August 8, 2026, Mr. Assar reported to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison to begin serving his two-year-and-six-month prison sentence.

At the initial stage, he was sentenced by the Khaf Revolutionary Court to five years and one day of imprisonment. After the case was referred to the Court of Appeals, the sentence was reduced to two years and six months of imprisonment. During the proceedings, he faced multiple charges, including “propaganda against the regime,” “cooperation with hostile countries,” “espionage,” “disrupting public security,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “links with opposition groups.”

An informed source close to his family told HRANA that no specific evidence against Mr. Assar was presented in his case and that a significant portion of the allegations against him was based on statements made by individuals who had reported him. The source added: “Mr. Assar was subjected to mistreatment and torture while in detention, which resulted in a dislocated shoulder. The injury has so far required him to undergo several surgeries on his shoulder.”

Aref Assar, 22, is a resident of Khaf County. He was arrested on January 8, 2026, during nationwide protests and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison. He was released approximately one week later after posting bail of 500 million tomans.