Tag: HRANA

January 2026 Protests: Yashar Hassanzadeh Remains Detained in Legal Limbo at Tabriz Prison

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News, Students
HRANA, Tabriz Prison, Yashar Hassanzadeh

HRANA – Yashar Hassanzadeh, a resident of Tabriz who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, remains detained in Tabriz Prison without resolution of his legal status, more than six months after his arrest. Throughout his detention, he has also been denied phone calls and visits with his family.

According to HRANA, Yashar Hassanzadeh remains in pretrial detention.

An informed source close to Hassanzadeh’s family confirmed the matter to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Hassanzadeh has been held in Tabriz Prison for more than six months without resolution of his legal status. His case remains unresolved, and no trial has been held for him to date.”

According to the source, Yashar Hassanzadeh has also been denied phone calls and visits with his family throughout his detention.

Hassanzadeh was arrested at his home in Tabriz on January 23, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests. He was subsequently transferred to Tabriz Prison.

HRANA’s efforts to obtain further information regarding the specific details of his case and the reasons for his arrest are ongoing.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

The 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 Sanandaj Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Kaveh Rafoosheh, Sanandaj, Sanandaj Prison, کاوه رفوشه

HRANA – At dawn today, Sanandaj Prison authorities carried out the execution of Kaveh Rafoosheh, who had previously been sentenced to death on a murder charge.

According to HRANA, Kaveh Rafoosheh was executed in Sanandaj Prison today, Tuesday, August 18, 2026.

Mr. Rafoosheh, a 35-year-old unmarried resident of Sanandaj, had been transferred from the general ward of Sanandaj Prison to solitary confinement earlier this week in preparation for the execution of his sentence.

According to information received by HRANA, approximately three years ago, Kaveh Rafoosheh committed a murder during a street altercation in Sanandaj and turned himself in to the police following the incident. After his arrest, the Sanandaj Criminal Court sentenced him to death.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not publicly announced his 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.

January 2026 Protests: Parsa Moslehi-Fard Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Parsa Moslehi-Fard, پارسا مصلحی فرد

HRANA – Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Parsa Moslehi-Fard, one of the individuals arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, to one year in prison.

According to HRANA, Parsa Moslehi-Fard has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Moslehi-Fard was recently sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to his family, confirming the matter to HRANA, said: “The SIM card belonging to this citizen, who was arrested in connection with last January’s protests, has been blocked, and all of his electronic devices also remain in the possession of security agencies.”

The court hearing addressing the charges against Mr. Moslehi-Fard was held on July 19 of this year before the aforementioned judicial branch.

Mr. Moslehi-Fard was arrested on January 27, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests that took place that January.

Parsa Moslehi-Fard, aged approximately 26, is a composer residing in Tehran. He had previously been arrested over his protest-related and artistic activities in connection with the 2022 protests.

Teachers’ Union Activist Mehdi Fathi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Mehdi Fathi

HRANA – The conviction of Mehdi Fathi, a retired teacher and board member of the Fars Teachers’ Trade Association, was upheld in full by the Fars Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced by the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to 15 months in prison and additional punishments.

According to HRANA, Mehdi Fathi has been sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

On July 3, the Fars Province Court of Appeals sentenced Mr. Fathi to 15 months in prison, a travel ban, revocation of his passport, and a two-year ban on online activities.

The initial ruling in this case, dated May 11, had been issued by the Shiraz Revolutionary Court on charges including “propaganda against the regime.”

In January 2024, Mehdi Fathi was released from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz under electronic ankle monitoring. He has since been serving the remainder of the sentence from his previous case outside prison, subject to restrictions on his movement.

In March 2022, Mr. Fathi was sentenced to 12 years in prison, exile, a travel ban, and passport revocation on charges including “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.”

His sentence was subsequently reduced on appeal to eight years in prison, passport revocation, and a ban on leaving the country. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, five years in prison, was deemed enforceable.

This teachers’ union activist was arrested by security forces at his home in June 2022 and subsequently transferred to Ward 14 of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

Mehdi Fathi is a retired teacher and board member of the Fars Teachers’ Trade Association. He is from the village of Kordshul, in Pasargad County, Fars Province.

January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Three Detainees

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Shahab Zahdi, Yaser Rajaeifar

HRANA – The death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar, detainees from the January 2026 protests who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, have been overturned by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of three detainees from the January 2026 protests.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court overturned the death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar and referred their cases to a branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for retrial. In February 2026, the prisoners had been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, in connection with a case involving the burning of a Basij base in eastern Tehran.

During the nationwide protests of 2026, these individuals, along with four other prisoners, Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim, were prosecuted and arrested in a joint case related to the burning of the “185 Martyr Mahmoud Kaveh” Basij base in eastern Tehran on the evening of January 8, 2026. The trial was subsequently held on February 7, 2026, before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Their death sentences were issued the following day, February 8.

In April 2026, the death sentences of Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim were carried out.

Iranian state media had previously published videos showing forced confessions by these individuals. The circumstances under which the videos were recorded remain unclear.

An informed source, confirming the report, told HRANA about the judicial proceedings in Shahab Zahdi’s case: “Mr. Zahdi’s trial was held without his lawyer present.” The charges brought against him were “assembly and collusion against national security” and “moharebeh (enmity against God) and corruption on earth through setting fire to public property and facilities.” His interrogation session was held on January 10, 2026, at Branch 33 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office (Shahid Moghaddas Security Prosecutor’s Office). Zahdi had been arrested by security forces on January 8 of that year.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani was arrested by security forces on January 9, 2026, while Yaser Rajaeifar was arrested on January 8, 2026.

The three are currently being held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani is 52 years old, married, and the father of an 18-year-old child. Before his arrest, he worked as a motorcycle courier. Yaser Rajaeifar is 31 years old, and Shahab Zahdi is the father of a 15-year-old daughter.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

The 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.

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Two Prisoners Executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Hassan Kordi, HRANA, Mohammad Ali Pazireh, Shiraz

HRANA – The death sentences of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on charges of murder and non-political offenses were carried out yesterday, August 16, 2026, at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, two prisoners were executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners, who were hanged at dawn today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, as Mohammad Ali Pazireh and Hassan Kordi.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammad Ali Pazireh had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court. Mr. Kordi had also previously been arrested on charges related to non-political offenses, and his death sentence was issued by a judicial authority.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these two prisoners have not been announced by prison officials or other 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.

Baha’i Citizen Faranak Zabihi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Faranak Zabihi, HRANA, Qaemshahr, فرانک ذبیحی

HRANA – Faranak Zabihi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a two-year deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Faranak Zabihi has been sentenced to imprisonment and deprivation of social rights.

Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was sentenced by Reza Majazi, a judge at the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court, to two years and one day of imprisonment and a two-year deprivation of social rights on the charge of “propaganda against the regime through promoting the Baha’i Faith.”

Ms. Zabihi’s court hearing was held on August 3, 2026, and the aforementioned verdict was issued on August 10, 2026.

Faranak Zabihi Mahforujaki, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. She was released one day later from Tir Kola Prison in Sari after posting bail. Her arrest was accompanied by a search of her home, during which a number of personal and electronic belongings belonging to her and members of her family were confiscated.

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 indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Dariush Rahimi Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dariush Rahimi, HRANA, Sanandaj, داریوش رحیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, August 15, Dariush Rahimi, a resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces at his home. His whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Dariush Rahimi was arrested in Sanandaj.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Saturday, August 15, security forces entered Rahimi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant and arrested him using violence and physical force. During the arrest, agents also confiscated mobile phones belonging to Mr. Rahimi and his wife.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Dariush Rahimi’s arrest, the charges against him, the agency responsible for his arrest, or his place of detention.

Mr. Rahimi has previously faced judicial action. With no information available about his current condition, his family and relatives have expressed concern for his well-being.

Younes Azadbar Arrested in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Rasht, Younes Azadbar, یونس آزادبر

HRANA– Yesterday, Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht, was arrested and transferred to one of the detention facilities in the city.

According to HRANA, Younes Azadbar has been arrested.

Mr. Azadbar was arrested this morning, Sunday, August 16, following a protest gathering by retirees in Rasht. The arrest was carried out by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Detention Facility No. 2 in the city.

Mehrad Azadbar, Younes Azadbar’s son, stated that the case investigator has set bail at 1.5 billion tomans for his father’s release. He also said that Mr. Azadbar, who suffers from epilepsy and heart problems, has been denied access to his medications while in detention.

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

Younes Azadbar, 62, is a resident of Sangar, a city in Rasht County. He has previously faced arrest and judicial convictions in connection with his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Shahram Sadeghi Executed

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Executions, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Shahram Sadeghi, شهرام صادقی

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center announced that Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests in Karaj, was executed at dawn today. He had previously been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to death and confiscation of his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile countries against national security and interests.”

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was executed today, Sunday, August 16.

According to the report, Mr. Sadeghi was arrested and prosecuted in connection with the events of January 8, 2026, near Golzar Intersection in Karaj. The Judiciary-affiliated media outlet claimed that on that day, he drove his vehicle toward a number of law enforcement officers, injuring seven of them. According to the same report, one of the injured officers was in a coma for a period of time.

Mizan News Agency reported that following the incident, Shahram Sadeghi set his vehicle on fire and fled the scene. He was arrested some time later by law enforcement forces in Alborz Province while, according to the outlet’s claim, he was hiding under a false identity at a drug rehabilitation center.

According to the Judiciary, following the completion of the investigation, an indictment was issued against Shahram Sadeghi, and his case was heard by the Karaj Revolutionary Court in the presence of an attorney. The court sentenced him to death and the confiscation of all his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups and countries, pursuant to Article 1 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel and Hostile Countries Against National Security and Interests.”

After Mr. Sadeghi and his attorney appealed the ruling, the case was referred to the Supreme Court for review. According to the Judiciary, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, which was carried out early this morning.

The report did not provide details regarding how the court proceedings were conducted or whether Mr. Sadeghi had access to a fair trial.