Tag: HRANA

Mohammad Ahmadi Sentenced to 16 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Greater Tehran Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Ahmadi

HRANA – Mohammad Ahmadi, a political prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison who was arrested amid war-related security developments, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Mohammad Ahmadi, a prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Mr. Ahmadi to 16 years in prison on charges of “espionage.” The verdict was communicated to him in prison.

Ahmadi was arrested by security forces amid war-related security developments and subsequently transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

HRANA is continuing its investigation into the details of his case, including the evidence cited by the court and whether he has had access to a lawyer of his choosing.

Mohammad Naderi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Greater Tehran Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Naderi

HRANA – Mohammad Naderi, a prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison who was arrested amid war-related security developments, has been sentenced to death by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage.”

According to HRANA, Mohammad Naderi, a prisoner held in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to death.

Based on information received by HRANA, Naderi was sentenced to death by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage.”

He was arrested by security forces amid war-related security developments and transferred to Greater Tehran Prison.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of his case, including the evidence cited by the court and whether he has had access to a lawyer of his choosing, is ongoing.

Nine Attorneys in Gilan Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gholamhossein Layeghi, Gilan province, Hesam Ahmadpour, HRANA, Kian Taherajaroud, Ladan Asefi-Rad, Masoumeh Pourshahrani, Mohammadreza Tak, Shadi Falahati, Tahereh Pour-Esmaeili

HRANA – Nine attorneys in Gilan Province have been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court to a combined 14 years, seven months, and 15 days in prison.

According to HRANA, nine attorneys in Gilan Province have been sentenced to prison in connection with a joint case.

Masoumeh Pourshahrani, Tahereh Pour Esmaeili, Shadi Falahati, Gholamhossein Layeghi, Hesam Ahmadpour, Ladan Asefi-Rad, Mohammadreza Tak, Kian Taherajaroud, and Dalili (first name unknown) were each sentenced by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court to seven months and 15 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 12 months in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.”

Based on information received by HRANA, the sentences were issued against the attorneys recently. Another part of their case, concerning the charge of “insulting the sacred,” is also under review by Branch 2 of the Rasht Criminal Court.

Hesam Pourahmadi, Masoumeh Pourshahrani, and Tahereh Pour Esmaeili were arrested by security forces in Rasht during the second week of September 2025 and transferred to Lakan Prison in the city. The three attorneys were released on bail several days later.

Mohammadreza Tak was also arrested by security forces on August 30, 2025, and was released from Lakan Prison in Rasht in the second half of October that year.

Shadi Falahati was arrested by security forces on August 26, 2025, along with several other attorneys in Rasht, and was released sometime later.

HRANA recently published a detailed report titled “A Year of Pressure on Lawyers: At Least 135 Targeted by Judicial and Security Authorities” examining actions taken against attorneys between September 2025 and September 2026. According to data compiled in the report, at least 135 attorneys in Iran faced measures including arrests, summonses, prosecution, prison sentences, bans from practicing law, and travel bans.

Teachers’ Union Activist Hossein Salami Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Hossein Salami, HRANA, Teachers union activist, حسین سلامی

HRANA – Hossein Salami, a teachers’ union activist in Mazandaran Province, has been sentenced to one year in prison by judicial authorities.

According to HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Hossein Salami has been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Salami was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.”

The report states that the charges stem, in part, from Salami’s union and social activities, as well as certain statements he made regarding events related to the 2022 protests and the poisoning of school students.

Hossein Salami, a teachers’ union activist residing in Mazandaran Province, has previously faced security-related measures and arrest.

Attorney Hamid Rahmani Manshadi Remains in Detention After Two Weeks in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, HRANA, Yazd University, حمید رحمانی

HRANA – Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, an attorney and law professor at Yazd University, was arrested by security forces in Yazd approximately two weeks ago after being summoned to and appearing in court.

According to HRANA, Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, an attorney and law professor at Yazd University, remains in detention.

Based on information received by HRANA, Rahmani was arrested by security forces in Yazd approximately two weeks ago, following a court summons and his subsequent appearance in court. His whereabouts remain unknown. Throughout his detention, he has been denied visits with his family and access to legal counsel.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, 45, is an attorney and law professor at Yazd University.

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Arghavan Fallahi’s Death Sentence Overturned by Supreme Court

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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.

 

Abbas Shaverdi, 17-Year-Old Teenager, Arrested in Shadegan

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Children, News
Abbas Shaverdi, HRANA, Shadegan, عباس شاوردی

HRANA – Abbas Shaverdi, a 17-year-old resident of Shadegan, was arrested by security forces in the city on September 18, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Abbas Shaverdi, a 17-year-old teenager, has been arrested in Shadegan, Khuzestan province.

Based on information received by HRANA, the teenager was arrested by security forces at his home in Shadegan on Friday, September 18, 2026.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges brought against him.

Attorney Hassan Younesi Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hassan Younesi, HRANA, حسن یونسی

HRANA – Hassan Younesi, an attorney, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years in prison, a ban on online activity, confiscation of his mobile phone, and a fine.

According to HRANA, Hassan Younesi has been sentenced to prison and additional punishments.

According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, he was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and two years in prison on the charge of “spreading falsehoods.” He was also ordered to pay a fine of 50 million tomans and was sentenced to a ban on online activity and confiscation of his mobile phone.

Mr. Younesi also wrote that his statements regarding the events of January 7 and 8, in connection with the January 2026 protests, were among the grounds for the charges against him.

A hearing on Mr. Younesi’s charges was held before the aforementioned branch on August 10, 2026.

Previously, an interrogation session for the attorney had been held at the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office. According to Mr. Younesi, the case was opened following a complaint filed against him by a security agency.

Hassan Younesi, an attorney and one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022, has previously been summoned and arrested in connection with his activities.

Baha’i Citizen Romina Goli Sentenced to Prison and Social Restrictions

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, HRANA, Romina Goli

HRANA – Romina Goli, a Baha’i citizen residing in Sari, was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court to five years, seven months, and 16 days in prison, as well as 10 years of deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Romina Goli, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced to prison and deprivation of social rights.

According to a verdict issued by Branch 2 of the Sari Revolutionary Court and communicated to Ms. Goli, she was sentenced to five years in prison and 10 years of deprivation of social rights on the charge of “deviant educational or proselytizing activity contrary to or disruptive of the sacred law of Islam,” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. She was also sentenced to seven months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” under Article 500 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Romina Goli was arrested by security forces in Sari on May 9, 2026. At the time of her arrest, her home was searched, and officers confiscated several personal digital devices and religious books related to the Baha’i Faith.

On May 10, Ms. Goli’s interrogation session was held at the Sari Prosecutor’s Office. She was subsequently released from prison on bail.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority in the country. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of reports concerning religious minorities have involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

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

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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.