Four Prisoners Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad and Gorgan Prison

HRANA – At dawn on Wednesday, September 2, four prisoners, including two Afghan nationals, who had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad and Gorgan Prison.

According to HRANA, citing Iran Human Rights Organization, four prisoners were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad and Gorgan Prison at dawn on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.

The prisoners have been identified as Ahmad Haji-Hassani, 50, married, a father of four, and a resident of Gonbad-e Kavus; Omid Rakhshani, 22, from Mashhad; and Ansar Nami, 52, and Nazif Rasoul Khandeh, 46, both from Taloqan, Afghanistan.

According to the report, Ahmad Haji-Hassani was hanged in Gorgan Prison. He had previously been arrested on drug-related charges for “transporting eight kilograms and 700 grams of methamphetamine” and was subsequently sentenced to death by a Revolutionary Court.

Omid Rakhshani, Ansar Nami, and Nazif Rasoul Khandeh were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Rakhshani had been arrested approximately three years earlier on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

Ansar Nami and Nazif Rasoul Khandeh, both Afghan nationals, were arrested two years ago on a murder charge in a joint case and were later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

The two Afghan nationals were executed without being granted a final visit with their families.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not publicly announced these executions.
According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Prisoner Executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht

HRANA – At dawn on Monday, August 31, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge was executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht.

According to HRANA, citing Iran Human Rights Organization, a prisoner was executed in Lakan Prison in Rasht at dawn on Monday, August 31, 2026.

The prisoner has been identified as Mojtaba Salahi Laghani, a resident of Laghan village in Shaft County.

According to the report, Mr. Salahi was arrested approximately four years ago on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

January 2026 Protests: Saman Ghaderi Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

HRANA – Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Saman Ghaderi, a resident of Urmia and one of those arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, to a total of 14 years in prison. He is currently being held in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, Saman Ghaderi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and served on Mr. Ghaderi on Tuesday, August 25, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security” and three years on the charge of “insulting the sacred.”

An informed source close to the family of the political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Following the notification of the ruling, Mr. Ghaderi challenged the verdict and filed an appeal.”

Saman Ghaderi was arrested in Tehran in March 2026 by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization in connection with the January 2026 protests. After completing the initial stages of interrogation, he was transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Saman Ghaderi is 37 years old and from Urmia.

Sima Sabto and Nahid Falahati Remain in Detention Without Due Process After 73 Days

HRANA – Sima Sabto and Nahid Falahati, Baha’i citizens residing in Shiraz, remain in detention without resolution of their legal status at Adelabad Prison more than 70 days after their arrests. They have been denied phone calls and visits with their families.

According to HRANA, Sima Sabto and Nahid Falahati remain detained in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz amid continued legal uncertainty.

According to information received by HRANA, 73 days have passed since their arrests, and they continue to be held at Adelabad Prison without resolution of their legal status. The two Baha’i citizens remain deprived of phone calls and visits with their families.

Previously, an informed source told HRANA that the authorities had provided no explanation for imposing these restrictions or denying the two citizens phone contact and visits with their families.

Sima Sabto, who is married and has two daughters, ages 19 and 24, was arrested by security forces at her home in Shiraz on June 23, 2026. Since her arrest, this Baha’i citizen has been interrogated on several occasions and has been charged with “propaganda against the regime.”

Nahid Falahati was also arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces in Shiraz on June 23, 2026, and transferred to Adelabad Prison. To date, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. 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 rights of Baha’i citizens.

January 2026 Protests: Sadegh Saedinia Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison and Property Confiscation

HRANA – The conviction of Sadegh Saedinia, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison, confiscation of all movable and immovable property, and a two-year ban from working in the café business.

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, the sentences issued against Sadegh Saedinia have been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Saedinia had previously been sentenced by a court to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison and the confiscation of all his movable and immovable property in favor of the state on the charge of “media and propaganda activities against national security in favor of opposition groups.” As an additional punishment, he was also sentenced to a two-year ban from working in the café business following the completion of his prison term.

According to the indictment issued in this case, the charges brought against this citizen include “propaganda or media activities against national security, taking operational measures to disrupt security through the publication of content on social media, participating in gatherings, closing cafés and shops owned by him, encouraging employees to participate in gatherings, and engaging in propaganda against the regime.”

Earlier, during the judicial proceedings in this case, all branches of cafés owned by Sadegh Saedinia were sealed by judicial order.

In May 2026, the Judiciary Media Center announced that a court session had been held at the Qom Revolutionary Court to hear the charges against Sadegh Saedinia.

Sadegh Saedinia, son of Mohammad Ali, aged approximately 49, was arrested in January 2026 for supporting the nationwide protests and was transferred to Langroud Prison in Qom.

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Payam Faridian’s Prison Sentence Reduced to Two Years on Appeal

HRANA – Payam Faridian, a Baha’i citizen residing in Mashhad who had previously been sentenced to three years in prison by Branch 2 of the city’s Revolutionary Court, received a reduced sentence on appeal. Branch 5 of the Razavi Khorasan Province Court of Appeals reduced his prison sentence to two years.

According to HRANA, the prison sentence of Payam Faridian, a Baha’i citizen residing in Mashhad, was reduced on appeal.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Faridian had previously been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court to three years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion,” pursuant to Article 610 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Following the filing of an appeal, his case was reviewed by Branch 5 of the Razavi Khorasan Province Court of Appeals, which reduced Payam Faridian’s prison sentence from three years to two years.

Payam Faridian is a photographer and ceramic artist residing in Mashhad. He was previously arrested by security forces at his workplace in Mashhad on January 22, 2026.

He was ultimately released on bail.

Qorveh: Hazhir Yaghoubi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

HRANA – Hazhir Yaghoubi, a resident of Qorveh and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was sentenced by a criminal court to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Hazhir Yaghoubi has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

According to the report, under a ruling issued by the criminal court and communicated to Mr. Yaghoubi, he was sentenced to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

Hazhir Yaghoubi was arrested by security forces during the January 2026 protests in connection with a strike by shopkeepers in Qorveh. After spending some time in detention, he was temporarily released on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

Hazhir Yaghoubi is a resident of Qorveh and a local shopkeeper.

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.

Prisoner Executed in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, September 2, the death sentence of a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge was carried out in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison.

According to HRANA, a prisoner was executed in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of the prisoner, who was hanged at dawn today, Wednesday, September 2, as Aziz Roshanayi.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Roshanayi had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, the prisoner’s execution has not been officially announced by prison officials or the relevant authorities.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Ali-Asghar Peyghambari, Prisoner Sentenced to Death, Held in Ghezel Hesar Prison

HRANA – Ali-Asghar Peyghambari, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026 and sentenced to death, is currently being held in Unit 3 of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. His death sentence was recently upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, Ali-Asghar Peyghambari, 26, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, is currently imprisoned in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

According to information received by HRANA, Peyghambari is currently being held in Ward 37 of Unit 3 at the prison. He was previously sentenced to death by Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “operational and security-related actions against the regime” and “encouraging individuals to participate in protests,” under the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel. His sentence was recently upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

Payam Derafshan, one of Peyghambari’s attorneys, previously stated that his client had no organizational or other ties to “hostile groups” and that, according to the defense presented in court, the only action attributed to him was attending one of the protests. He also announced that a request for a retrial and a stay of execution had been prepared.

Ali-Asghar (Alireza) Peyghambari was arrested by security forces on January 9, 2026, amid the nationwide protests. He was released on bail in March of the same year.

The first court session addressing the charges against Peyghambari was held in April-May 2026 before Branch 23 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. His second hearing was held before the same branch in late May. Following the hearing, Peyghambari was arrested and transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

An informed source previously told HRANA that Peyghambari had not participated in the demonstrations and, after leaving his workplace, inadvertently found himself amid a crowd during unrest related to the protests. This account differs from his attorney’s statement that his client was accused of attending one of the protests.

After being held for some time in the Greater Tehran Prison, Peyghambari was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Prisoner Executed in Babol Prison

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, September 2, the death sentence of a prisoner who had previously been convicted of murder and sentenced to death was carried out in Babol Prison.

According to HRANA, a prisoner was executed in Babol Prison at dawn today, Wednesday, September 2. HRANA has identified the prisoner as Ali Mirrezaei, a local Mazandarani singer.

According to information received by HRANA, Mirrezaei was arrested in 2021 after a fight resulted in the death of one person and was charged with murder. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

Ali Mirrezaei had been taken to the gallows three months ago for the execution of his sentence. However, the victim’s family granted him a three-month reprieve, postponing the execution.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.