Tag: HRANA

Day 44 Since the Start of the Protests: Student Gatherings, Warning from the Head of the Judiciary, and the Continuation of Arrests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Shakourirad, Amin Pourfarhang, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, HRANA, Masoud Pezeshkian, Mehdi Karroubi, Mohammad Ali Saedinia, Mohseni Eje’i

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data from the beginning of the protests through the end of day forty-four, 676 protest-related incidents have been reported across various locations. These incidents were recorded in 210 cities across 31 provinces. Based on these figures, the total number of confirmed deaths stands at 6,964, of whom 6,473 are categorized as “protesters,” while 212 of those killed were “children under the age of 18.” In addition, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 65 people classified as “non-protesters civilians” have been reported among the deceased. The number of cases “under review” has been announced as 11,730.

During the same period, the number of injured civilians reached 11,022; total arrests amounted to 51,790 cases; student arrests numbered 122; forced confessions totaled 331 cases; and 11,051 summonses were recorded.

On the forty-fourth day since the start of the protests, the following developments were observed: student gatherings in Mashhad and the raising of demands regarding the situation of detainees; simultaneous judicial and media pressures alongside criticism by the head of the judiciary over delays in handling cases; the denial of a highly controversial death sentence; the publication of trade union and labor statements concerning the killing and arrest of workers; and at the field level, the continuation of scattered arrests as well as mass arrests in several provinces.

Student Gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad; Demands Regarding Arrests and Commemoration of Those Killed

At Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, a group of students gathered on campus despite the prevailing security atmosphere and announced restrictions. The gathering was reported to have taken place in front of the Faculty of Pharmacy, where students chanted slogans and demanded clarification regarding the status of their detained classmate, Amin Pourfarhang. At the same time, accounts published about the gathering referred to a commemoration and the naming of two deceased students, Parsa Safar and Mohammad Mehdi Salari.

Reports released from inside the university also state that Mohammad Hossein Nejabat (the head of the university’s Student Basij) claimed that Amin Pourfarhang’s situation would be clarified “within a maximum of three days” in coordination with the prosecutor’s office. However, as of the time this report was prepared, no official details regarding this student’s place of detention, legal status, or charges have been transparently announced.

Order by the Head of the Judiciary to Expedite Protesters’ Cases

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, criticized what he described as a “lack of promptness” in handling cases related to the protests. He emphasized that in cases involving detained individuals or defendants connected to the protests, the pace of proceedings is “not as expected,” and he called for the review process to be accelerated.

This order comes amid numerous reports of detainees remaining in prolonged legal limbo, repeated extensions of detention orders, lack of continuous access to legal counsel, and frequent transfers across several cities. Families have also continued to report the absence of clear and accurate information regarding the status of these cases.

Denial of Issuing a “Death Sentence” for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini; Case at Preliminary Investigation Stage

In relation to one of these cases, the judiciary denied issuing a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, a 26-year-old football player from Mashhad. According to a media outlet affiliated with the judiciary, claims regarding the issuance of a death sentence are “unfounded,” and his case is currently at the preliminary investigation stage.

This denial was published after claims circulated on social media and in some channels alleging that a severe sentence had been issued against the athlete. Despite the rejection of the death sentence claim, official details regarding the specific charges and the course of judicial proceedings remain limited.

Pressure on Media and Restrictions on Communications During the Protests

In the realm of digital rights and freedom of expression, Article 19 has emphasized several key points in its reports on the protests: increased pressure on media outlets and journalists, restrictions on access to the internet and platforms, and the use of control mechanisms to curb the free flow of information. Within this framework, internet shutdowns or disruptions and communication restrictions have functioned not merely as technical measures, but as part of a broader apparatus of repression, affecting the flow of information and the ability to document events.

At the same time, some reports and media analyses have pointed to the role of imported technologies and surveillance infrastructures in managing the internet and monitoring citizens, a trend that in practice can expand the authorities’ capacity to control and identify protesters.

Raising the Issue of “Equipping Security Forces with Crowd-Control Tools”

In another statement, the head of the judiciary stated during a public meeting with senior judicial officials that a review was needed regarding “how security forces confront gatherings,” and spoke of examining broader use of crowd-control tools. Within this context, some domestic media outlets reported discussions about equipping security forces with tools such as tasers and riot-control equipment as alternatives to what were described as “costly and violent methods.”

The proposal prompted critical reactions. Human rights activists and observers have stressed that such tools, if used without clear regulations and independent oversight, could themselves lead to an increase in human rights violations, particularly in light of numerous reports documenting the direct use of pellet guns and military weapons against protesters.

In this context, reports have emerged regarding the high number of eye and facial injuries during the protests, including accounts citing more than one thousand eye injuries recorded at a specialized medical center, including Farabi Hospital. In addition, numerous images and reports have circulated showing protesters being shot in the head, face, and eyes, alongside allegations of the securitization of some medical facilities, pressure on healthcare staff, and even the abduction of injured individuals from hospitals.

Statement by the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company; “Killing and Arrest of Workers” and Demand for Immediate Release

The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement criticizing what it described as the “killing” and widespread arrest of protesting workers during the protests. Referring to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns, the statement says that reports have gradually emerged indicating the deaths of a number of protesting workers.

The labor union also pointed to reports concerning the mass arrest of workers in Asaluyeh, stating that workers who intended to go on strike were detained collectively and held in warehouses belonging to the same companies. Emphasizing the responsibility of security institutions for the lives of detainees, the syndicate called for the publication of the names of those killed and arrested, transparency regarding their status, families’ access to information, and the immediate and unconditional release of all detained workers and protesters across the country.

Publication of an Alleged “Apology” Letter Attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia; Conflicting Accounts of Pressure and Sealing of Premises

As part of the continued security confrontation with well-known figures and trade/social activists, a copy of an alleged “apology” letter attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia was published. The letter is addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and to “the people,” and in it, the author uses language emphasizing “love for Iran” and the “rejection of accusations of treason” in an attempt to explain his position.

Accounts accompanying this news report state that Saedinia had previously been arrested over actions such as closing cafés in response to political calls. At the same time, reports have emerged regarding the sealing of his place of business and even discussions about the confiscation of assets or compensation through the sale of property. However, the precise legal status of his case, his place of detention, and the authenticity of the letter’s attribution remain disputed and unclear.

Arrests and Summonses of Reformist Figures

Reports concerning the arrest and summons of political figures close to the reformist camp also continued.

According to reports, Javad Emam, Secretary General of the Majma-e Isargaran, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Hossein Karroubi, a political activist and son of Mehdi Karroubi, was also arrested; his lawyer stated that the arrest took place after he was summoned to the Media and Culture Prosecutor’s Office.

In another development, it was reported that Azar Mansouri (head of the Reformist Front), Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested. At the same time, reports indicated that figures such as Mohammad Sadegh Javadi-Hessar and Mohammad Ali Abtahi had been summoned.

Reports also noted the arrest of Ali Shakourirad, a member of the central council of the Etemad-e Melli Party, following the release of an audio file and claims raised about “fabricating killings.”

This wave of arrests and summonses has continued amid an intensification of warning messages from judicial authorities about “speeding up case processing,” while the security atmosphere targeting political and civil activists has become increasingly pronounced.

Task Force for “Reviewing the January Incidents”; Announcement of a Government Working Group

The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has ordered the formation of a task force to review the January incidents. According to reports, this body is set to operate under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President, with the participation of members from the government as well as some officials from outside the administration.

The announcement of such a task force comes amid the release of differing figures regarding the death toll and the scale of the crackdown. While some official media outlets have referred to a figure of “more than several thousand killed,” HRANA’s aggregated data up to the end of day forty-four reports 6,964 confirmed deaths and 11,730 cases still under review.

Continuation of Arrests and Security Crackdowns; From Mass Arrests to the Detention of Students, Teachers, and Minors

On day forty-four, numerous reports were published of arrests, transfers to undisclosed locations, and the prolonged legal uncertainty of detainees. Reports included both individual arrests, naming those detained and their locations, and mass arrests reported in numerical terms.

1) Mass Arrests and Numerical Waves Across Several Provinces

At least 117 citizens were reportedly arrested in connection with the protests, including 31 citizens in Saman County and 86 protesters in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.

Official media also reported the arrest of at least 67 citizens in two locations: 11 citizens in Bandar Gaz and 56 protesters in Esfarayen.

These figures, alongside HRANA’s aggregated total of 51,790 arrests through the end of day forty-four, indicate that the security crackdown has not been limited to cases involving well-known figures, but has encompassed a broad segment of protesting society, from ordinary citizens to students and workers.

2) Recorded Arrests by Name, From Tehran to Miandoab

Daily reports referred to the arrest or continued legal uncertainty of a number of other citizens, including: Ahmad Taj (Tehran), Ali Shakouri-Rad (Tehran), Erfan Arabi, a student (Birjand), Amir Mohammad Sarafraz (Bojnord), Behzad Abdi (Miandoab), Saeed Alizadeh (Tehran), Ahad Mihan-Khah (Oshnavieh), Sajjad Hekmat (Abdanan), Abbas Gharagozloo, a student (Alborz Province), Diako Rajabi, a student (Zanjan), Homa Teymouri (Tehran), Mohammad Mehdi Baralak (Ilam), Ali Cheraghi (Tehran), and Ali Namizad (Ilam).

Additional details indicate that Ahmad Taj was arrested in Tehran on January 10 and is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison, where he has been charged with “assembly and collusion.” Erfan Arabi, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, was arrested after being summoned to the Birjand Intelligence Office.

In a further account regarding Diako Rajabi, it was reported that he is a nutrition student at Zanjan University and was working at a café; he was arrested near Saadi Street in Zanjan after leaving his workplace. Regarding Abbas Gharagozloo, reports state that after about a month, there is still no clear official information about his place of detention or legal status.

Continuing the pressure on civil activists, it was reported that Ali Cheraghi, a teacher and children’s rights activist, was arrested on January 28 following a raid by security agents on his home in Tehran’s Punak neighborhood. According to reports, his phone and some electronic devices were confiscated, and immediately after his arrest, his Instagram page became inaccessible. His family has reportedly received no information about his whereabouts or condition.

3) Arrests of Teachers and Minors; Sonqor, Sanandaj/Saqqez, and Bandar Anzali

Several notable cases were reported today in relation to professional and age-based arrests:

Ali Shamayeli, a teacher from Sonqor, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Keyomars Va’ezi, a teacher and labor activist living in Saqqez, was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization on January 5 and transferred at dawn the following day to Dizel-Abad Prison in Kermanshah. His arrest reportedly took place at 4:00 p.m. in front of his private residence, and he remains in detention.

Saeed Hajibabaei, a 16-year-old minor, was arrested more than a month ago in Bandar Anzali and is being held in a state of uncertainty at Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day Forty-Four

• Protest-related incidents recorded on the day: 76

• Number of cities (no duplicates): 210

• Number of provinces (no duplicates): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,022

• Total arrests: 51,790

• Student arrests: 122

• Forced confessions: 331

• Summonses: 11,051

• Total protesters killed: 6,473

▪️ Including children: 212
▪️ Military/government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 65

• Total confirmed deaths: 6,964

• Cases under review: 11,730

Summary

Day forty-four concluded amid the continued, large-scale, and multi-layered pattern of arrests, ranging from mass arrests across several provinces to individual detentions identified by name, affecting political activists, students, teachers, minors, and civil society activists. At the university level, the student gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad became one of the day’s focal points, highlighting demands regarding the status of Amin Pourfarhang and commemorating slain student protesters.

At the same time, on the official level, the head of the judiciary’s criticism of the “slow handling” of cases effectively signaled an intensification of the judicial approach. Within this atmosphere, the denial of a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini illustrated how protest-related cases remain highly susceptible to the emergence of volatile and contentious narratives.

Alongside these developments, the statement issued by the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and the discussion surrounding equipping security forces with crowd-control tools underscored that the confrontation between street-level protests and mechanisms of repression continues along two parallel tracks: escalating security and field pressure on the one hand, and growing labor, social, and civic protest and demands on the other.

At Least Five Citizens Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Taj, Ali Shakouri Rad, Erfan Arabi, HRANA

HRANA – Ahmad Taj and Ali Shakouri Rad in Tehran; Erfan Arabi, a student in Birjand; Amirmohammad Sarafraz in Bojnurd; and Behzad Abdi in Miandoab were arrested in connection with the recent protests.

Hossein Taj, an attorney, stated regarding the arrest of his brother that he was detained in Tehran on January 11 and is currently being held at Greater Tehran Prison. He has been charged with ‘assembly and collusion against national security’. Meanwhile, Erfan Arabi, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, was arrested after being summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Birjand.

A source close to Mr. Arabi’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that he is facing charges of propaganda against the state and assembly and collusion to act against national security, and that he was transferred to prison after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Birjand.

Additionally, Hamshahri Online reported that Ali Shakouri Rad, a member of the Central Council of the Ettehad-e Mellat Party, was arrested by judicial order. According to the report, Shakouri Rad had recently made comments about the protests in an audio file. His remarks drew strong reactions from political figures, including Amir-Hossein Sabeti, a member of parliament, who called for judicial action against him.

The outlet Kurdpa also reported the arrest of two citizens identified as Amir-Mohammad Sarafraz, a resident of Bojnurd, and Behzad Abdi, 25, married and the father of one child, from Miandoab. Mr. Sarafraz was arrested on January 13, and Behzad Abdi was detained in the early hours of today. Their place of detention remains unknown.

It should be noted that demonstrations and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and within two days expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became among the largest in recent years. Following their suppression by law enforcement and security forces, thousands have been killed or injured, and tens of thousands have been arrested or summoned by security agencies.
For further details, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the forty-third day of the protests, published last night.

Twenty Prisoners Executed on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
Arak, Ardabil, Bandar-Abbas, Borujerd, Dorud, Gorgan, HRANA, Isfahan, Kashan, Kerman, Naein, Neyshabur, Nowshahr, Qaemshahr, Qazvin, Qom, Quchan, Saveh, Semnan, Tabriz, zanjan

HRANA- Over the course of today and yesterday, at least twenty prisoners were executed in various prisons across Iran on charges related to murder and drug-related offenses.

The names of those executed yesterday are as follows:

On murder charges:

  • • Khaled Hosseini – Nowshahr Prison

  • • Mehdi Jafarian – Ardabil Prison

  • • Abbas Khordbin – Semnan Prison

  • • Shah Mirza Ghaedrahmati – Borujerd Prison

On drug-related charges:

  • • Rahman Najafi – Arak Prison

  • • Nezam Tajik, an Afghan national – Bandar Abbas Prison

  • • Younes Bagheri – Tabriz Prison

  • • Parsa Taghizadeh – Qazvin Prison

  • • Danial Abdi – Qom Prison

  • • Hamid Kariyabi – Naein Prison

Today, February 9, the death sentences of ten additional prisoners were carried out in various prisons:

On murder charges:

  • • Shayan Tojihi – Qaemshahr Prison

  • • Rouzbeh Amanatdoust – Quchan Prison

  • • Mohammad Zalitabar – Gorgan Prison

  • • Abedin Ahmadi – Neyshabur Prison

  • • Mohsen Rezaei – Dorud Prison

  • • Karim Javadi – Zanjan Prison

  • • Shahla Dowlatabadi – Kerman Prison

  • • Hooshang Shokouhi – Saveh Prison

On drug-related charges:

  • • Keyvan Akbari – Isfahan Prison

  • • Seyed Ali Kalami – Kashan Prison

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRANA’s annual report, in 2025, at least 2,063 people were executed in Iran. Based on this data, the implementation of death sentences has increased by 119% compared to 2024. In many of these executions, due to secrecy, prisoners were denied even a final visit with their families.

Report on the Arrest of 43 Protesters During Behbahan Demonstrations

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, HRANA, iran protests

HRANA – During nationwide public protests in Behbahan, 43 citizens were arrested by security forces. Of these individuals, 26 have since been released.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, the following individuals remain in detention:
Sepahr Sana’ti, Amir-Hossein Javadanzadeh, Esmail Shabro, Zabihollah Nourian, Mohammad Marzban, Rastin Fakhri, Hossein Yari, Reza Shahrouyi, Ali Sayari-Nasab, Ali Mobasherian, Nia Salehifar, Shirzad Habibipour, Mohammad-Reza Ghanavati, Esmail Mousavi, Ali Dastan, Omid Askari, Ali Ashnoud, and others.

A knowledgeable source at one of Behbahan’s police stations confirmed to HRANA that among the 43 detainees, the following individuals have been released:
Saman Barouninejad, Hamid-Reza Rouzeh, Ashkan Eghdami, Ali Zohraabi, Mojtaba Moghaddam, Elias Jalalimanesh, Amir Khanjarzadeh, Hossein Tarakmeh, Mohammad Razmi, Nima Shahrouyi, Iman Beigdeli, Ali Siadat-Nasab, Ali Ardaneh, Hossein Hedayatollahi, Ali Tahvildar, Mehdi Zanganeh, Maryam Johari, Mohammad Changizi, Amir-Reza Mohammadi, Amir-Mohammad Mansourian, Setareh Hadi, Fatemeh Derakhshanzadeh, Arya Baj, Nasrin Hadi, Ali Peyma, and Yasin Faqih.

According to the same source, security forces confiscated personal belongings such as mobile phones and computers from detainees and have refused to return them. Additionally, some of those arrested have reportedly been accused of offenses including possession of weapons. Several individuals were injured by pellet gun and Kalashnikov fire, including Esmail Mousavi, who was shot in the side of his body.

It should be noted that demonstrations and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and within two days expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became among the largest in recent years. Following their suppression by law enforcement and security forces, thousands have been killed or injured, and tens of thousands have been arrested or summoned by security agencies.
For further details, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the forty-third day of the protests, published last night.

Day 43 of the Protests: Pressure and Threats on Universities and Political Activists

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Khanpour, Azar Mansouri, brutal crackdown, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, HRANA, iran protests, Kasra Amini, Mohsen Aminzadeh, Mohseni Eje’i, Sohrab Assareh

HRANA – Based on HRANA’s latest aggregated data through the end of the forty-third day since the start of the protests, a total of 675 protest locations have been recorded across 210 cities and 31 provinces. According to these figures, the total number of confirmed fatalities stands at 6,961, of whom 6,476 have been registered as “protesters.” Among the deceased, 207 are reported to be children under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 64 categorized as “non-protester civilians” have been reported killed. The number of cases listed as “under review” has been announced as 11,730.

During the same period, the number of civilian injuries reached 11,022, the total number of arrests was recorded at 51,591, 120 students were arrested, 331 cases of forced confessions were documented, and 11,050 summonses were issued.

Reports from the forty-first day indicate a continued and expanding wave of security and judicial crackdowns targeting protesters and their supporters, spanning universities, political figures, and ordinary citizens across multiple cities. At the same time, official rhetoric remained overtly threatening, from statements by the Golestan prosecutor on identifying property and pursuing compensation for damages, to sharp attacks by the head of the judiciary and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

Other reports increasingly underscored the human and medical toll of the protests. These included accounts of injured individuals delaying treatment out of fear, the Medical Council Organization’s announcement of 25,000 visits to medical facilities, and renewed emphasis on the killing of a significant number of students during the unrest. Meanwhile, the situation of children and school students once again drew attention, following the publication of victims’ names and official acknowledgment that individuals under the age of 18 continue to be held in detention.

Student Arrests and the Ongoing Restriction of the Academic Environment

As part of continued arrests linked to the protests, three students were arrested in Tehran: Sohrab Assareh, Kasra Amini, and Ali Khanpour. The inclusion of these names, alongside the cumulative figure of 120 student arrests, underscores that the campaign of pressure against universities has not abated and has, in certain locations, escalated.

Reports have also emerged of the continued detention and prolonged uncertainty facing some students. Among these is the case of Yousef Yousefi (a student at K. N. Toosi University of Technology), who is reported to remain in detention after weeks and has been deprived of access to classes and examinations. This pattern, arrest, prolonged uncertainty, and denial of education, when viewed alongside the high number of summonses and forced confessions, reflects the growing securitization of universities. In this environment, student participation in protests, or even symbolic expressions of support, can result in arrest and the opening of legal cases.

Crackdowns Extend into the Political Sphere

Reports also point to the arrest of political figures. Among those named are Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh. These arrests come amid recent reports of the summoning and detention of signatories and supporters of critical statements. The inclusion of well-known political figures now signals a clearer expansion of the crackdown into the political arena.

In the same vein, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament have also directed attacks against the authors of recent statements. The language used in these positions has largely centered on accusations, political threats, and efforts to delegitimize critics, raising concerns about the potential escalation of judicial pressure, further summonses, and the opening of new cases against signatories and those associated with them. These attacks alongside the reported arrests suggests that state measures have moved beyond controlling street protests and toward tightening control over the broader public and political space.

Remarks by the Golestan Prosecutor on Identifying Property

One important development on the forty-third day was the Golestan prosecutor’s remarks regarding the identification of defendants’ property and the pursuit of “compensation for damages.” Raising such issues signals that the authorities’ approach is not limited to arrest and conviction alone, but may extend toward financial pressure, asset-focused measures, and the imposition of economic costs on protesters and their families.

Such statements, particularly when viewed alongside numerous reports of widespread summonses and forced confessions, present a picture of a “combined deterrence” policy, in which judicial threats are coupled with economic and social tools. Under this approach, the impact of repression extends beyond the detained individual to encompass their family and broader social environment.

Remarks by the Vice President for Executive Affairs

At the government level, the Vice President for Executive Affairs referred to survey results indicating widespread public dissatisfaction, noting especially low levels of satisfaction in certain provinces. These remarks come at a time when arrests and security crackdowns continue on the ground.

The acknowledgment of widespread dissatisfaction alongside the continued repression indicates that the government is seeking to manage public opinion. In this official narrative, public discontent is merely noted, without any reference to its underlying causes or to the violent suppression of protests.

“Students Among the Victims”: Health Ministry Official on the Killing of Students

Continuing official statements, the Deputy for Cultural and Student Affairs at the Ministry of Health reported that nearly 100 students have been killed during the protests and also referred to the ongoing detention of a number of students. The significance of these remarks lies in the fact that, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data, including the rise in student arrests to 120 cases, they once again underscore that the student community has been among the primary groups bearing the human and security costs of the protests.

This situation underscores two key dynamics: the active participation of students in the protests, and the transformation of universities into major focal points of security crackdowns, marked by scattered arrests, denial of access to education, and various forms of informal pressure.

“Children Under 18 in Detention”: Justice Minister’s Admission and Rising Concerns

On the forty-third day, the issue of children and adolescents once again came to the forefront. The Minister of Justice acknowledged the detention of children under the age of 18, stating that some remain in custody for the purpose of “investigations.” These remarks come amid HRANA data documenting 207 child fatalities, alongside continued reports of teenagers being arrested and held in designated detention facilities.

The official acknowledgment of this issue, combined with a lack of transparency regarding the location of detention, health conditions, access to family members and legal counsel, and the duration of detention, has intensified concerns over the fate of detained minors. This is particularly alarming given that the continuation of detention under the pretext of “completing investigations” can, in practice, lead to prolonged and exhausting periods of detention.

“List of Deceased Schoolchildren”: Teachers’ Statement and the Documentation of Names

Today, the Coordinating Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations announced in a statement that at least 200 school students have been killed, publishing a list of their names. The release of this list, going beyond a mere statistic, amounts to the formal documentation of identities, transforming victims from numbers into named individuals. Such an act can increase social pressure for accountability regarding the scope of the crackdown and the resolution of these cases.

Alongside this statement, HRANA’s data also indicate that children make up a significant proportion of confirmed fatalities. The convergence of these figures with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 presents a picture of the crisis extending into the realm of childhood and schools, an arena that under normal circumstances should remain insulated from security measures, but has now become one of the protest movement’s most sensitive fault lines.

“Fear of Seeking Treatment”: Reports of Delayed Medical Care and Severe Consequences

Reports indicate that some injured individuals delay or altogether avoid seeking medical care due to fear of arrest, summonses, or other security repercussions. According to these accounts, such delays have, in some cases, resulted in serious consequences, including blindness, permanent disability, risk of amputation, and even death.

These reports demonstrate that the prevailing security climate has extended its impact to the realm of medical treatment itself, effectively increasing the human cost of the protests. When the injured fear presenting at hospitals, the documentation and treatment of injuries become more difficult, and the likelihood of timely and effective medical intervention is significantly reduced.

“25,000 Medical Visits”: Medical Council’s Remarks and the Scale of Injuries

Continuing reports from the healthcare sector, the Medical Council Organization has stated that 25,000 injured individuals sought medical treatment during the course of the protests. This figure, when viewed alongside HRANA’s data on attacks and injuries, including the registration of 11,022 civilian injuries by the end of the forty-third day, highlights the extensive scale of physical harm and the mounting strain on the healthcare system.

The presentation of these figures alongside accounts of the “fear of seeking treatment” suggests that the crisis extends beyond the sheer number of injured individuals. Issues of access to care and the safety of seeking medical treatment have themselves evolved into a secondary crisis, one with direct consequences for both families and medical personnel.

“University Notices and Suspension of Activities”: Iranian Studies Associations at the University of Tehran

Today, the Iranian studies associations at the University of Tehran also issued a notice announcing the suspension of their official and public activities. While such notices are typically framed in administrative and internal language, within the context of the prevailing security climate they can be interpreted as a sign of intensified restrictions on collective activities and tighter control over academic and cultural institutions. This is particularly notable given that, in recent weeks, reports have already emerged of pressure on university activities, the suspension of programs, and the imposition of similar limitations.

“Reactions from Sports Figures”: Symbolic Support Amid Security Costs

Alongside reports of arrests and pressure, reactions from sports figures also drew attention. According to reports, several footballers, including Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mehdi Taremi, and Ali Gholizadeh, shared messages or expressed reactions in support of the protests. In another report, Rasoul Khadem issued a statement calling for the release of Alireza Nejati (a former Greco-Roman national team wrestler), who has reportedly been arrested due to his support for the protests.

The visibility of these reactions comes amid a broader context in which athletes have previously faced pressure, summonses, or detention for expressing solidarity with the protests. As a result, each new public stance simultaneously serves as an act of symbolic support and a reminder of the significant security costs such expressions may carry.

“Other Arrests and Crackdowns”: From Detained Couples to Mass Arrests

As sporadic arrests continued across various cities, reports emerged of additional citizens being detained, including the following cases:

• Leila Nasirinia was arrested in Ramhormoz.

• Ali Siahpour, a 17-year-old teenager, was arrested in Gachsaran.

• Shehzad/Heydar Azami, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested in Semnan.

• Saeedeh Foroughifar and Mohsen Darji, a couple residing in Yasuj, were arrested and transferred to an undisclosed location.

It has also been reported that at least 43 citizens were arrested in Behbahan, of whom 26 have since been released. Such mass arrests, often accompanied by transfers to undisclosed locations and gradual, limited releases, indicate that policies of psychological attrition and social destabilization remain in effect.

At a broader level, the rise in the total number of arrests to 51,591 cases and summonses to 11,050 cases demonstrates that crackdowns continue on a wide scale. In many instances, these measures extend beyond detention and are accompanied by summonses, threats, and various forms of extrajudicial pressure.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics as of the End of Day 43 Since the Start of the Protests

• Total recorded protest locations: 675

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Civilian injuries: 11,022

• Total arrests: 51,591

• Student arrests: 120

• Forced confessions: 331

• Summonses: 11,050

• Total protesters killed: 6,476

▪️ Including children: 207
▪️ Military / government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian / non-protester: 64

• Total confirmed fatalities: 6,961

• Cases under review: 11,730

Summary

On the forty-third day, the dominant trend was the continuation of organized repression, marked by student and political arrests alongside persistent official threats. These included the arrest of three students in Tehran, the detention of political figures such as Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh, as well as attacks by Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei and several members of parliament against the authors of recent statements.

At the same time, remarks by the Golestan prosecutor regarding the identification of property and the pursuit of compensation for damages pointed to the continuation of judicial pressure through economic instruments. In the humanitarian and medical sphere, reports of injured individuals fearing access to medical care, combined with the announcement of 25,000 medical visits and the documentation of 11,022 civilian injuries, highlighted the severe human consequences of the protests.

Simultaneously, the issue of children and school students became more prominent, with official acknowledgment of the detention of individuals under the age of 18 and the publication of a list naming at least 200 deceased school students. Taken together, these data and developments indicate that the protest crisis continues to expand, carrying escalating human, social, and security costs.

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Day 42 of Protests: Wave of Arrests and Intensified Security Crackdowns

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bojnurd, HRANA, iran protests, nationwide protests, Sadegh Ashtari

HRANA – According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA up to the end of the forty-second day since the beginning of the protests, a total of 675 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 210 cities in 31 provinces. Based on these figures, the total number of confirmed fatalities has been reported as 6,961, of whom 6,507 are registered as “protesters,” and 178 are among the fatalities categorized as children under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 members of government-affiliated forces and 62 individuals listed under the category of  non-protester civilians have been reported. The number of cases listed as “under investigation” has been announced as 11,630. During the same period, the number of injured civilians reached 11,021, total arrests amounted to 51,465, student arrests numbered 112, forced confessions totaled 311, and summonses reached 11,048.

On the forty-second day, repression continued in various forms: the continuation and expansion of security and judicial crackdowns against protesters and their supporters, ranging from political activists and journalists to medical staff, students, adolescents, and citizens in various cities. At the same time, reports emerged of raids on homes, seizure of communication devices, blocking of bank accounts, fabrication of cases and the filing of serious charges, as well as the killing of a wanted protester during an attempted arrest.

Chain arrests and charges against political activists and other citizens

As part of the ongoing arrests linked to the protests, Ghorban Behzadian-Nejad, a senior advisor to Mir-Hossein Mousavi and one of the signatories of the 17-person statement, was arrested in Tehran. Reports also recalled that Abdollah Momeni, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Vida Rabbani, other signatories of the same statement, had previously been arrested.

At the same time, the East Azerbaijan General Directorate of Intelligence announced the arrest of 48 citizens in connection with the nationwide protests, stating that these arrests took place in cities including Tabriz, Sahand, Miyaneh, Basmenj, and Jolfa. Separately, official media also reported the arrest of more than 17 citizens linked to the protests in the provinces of Alborz, Kermanshah, and Kurdistan.

Reports also documented mass arrests in various other locations. One report on the arrest of three citizens stated that Mohammad Hadi Mahimeni was arrested in Gorgan, Omar Mohajer in Chabahar, and Raheleh Moini in Tehran. The same report noted that Raheleh Moini is being held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, while Mohammad Hadi Mahimeni is detained in Gorgan Prison.

Another report announced the arrest of at least six citizens, including a minor: Mani Vafadar (a 17-year-old adolescent) in Bojnurd; Fardin Javanbakht and Hamed Karimkhah in Bushehr; and Jaber Taqvaei, Saeed Javanbakht, and Ali Taqvaei in Yasuj. According to the published information, Mani Vafadar, following his arrest in Bojnurd, is currently being held at the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center in that city. Further details regarding the timing of some arrests indicate that Fardin Javanbakht and Hamed Karimkhah were arrested on 16 Bahman in Bushehr, while Jaber Taqvaei, Saeed Javanbakht, and Ali Taqvaei were arrested on January 9 in Yasuj.

Meanwhile, reports also emerged of scattered arrests in several other cities. Among the names mentioned were Ali Shaeri, Mohammad Shakeri, and Ali Babari (in Esfarayen); Yaser Ghaffarnezhad (in Yasuj); Aref Khanzadeh (in Bojnord); Shahab Naderi (in Kermanshah); and Arshia Amin Javaheri (a student in Isfahan). The report also mentioned the arrests of Dana Rasoulpour and Hejar Bariki. Additional explanations stated that the identities and places of residence of some of these individuals, among them Ali Shaeri, Mohammad Shakeri, and Ali Babari (residents of Esfarayen), and Yaser Ghaffarnezhad (a resident of Yasuj), have been confirmed.

Additionally, official media reported on the holding of a court session for Mohammadreza Tabari, one of those arrested during the recent protests. One of the charges brought against him was cited as “enmity against God through armed action,” indicating that the process of case-building against some detainees is being steered toward more severe charges.

“Pressure on media and journalists”: home searches, phone confiscation, and bank account freezes

As the wave of security crackdowns on the media continues, reports indicate that security forces searched the home of Azadeh Mokhtari (a journalist), confiscated her mobile phone and identification documents, and barred her from using social media platforms.

In another report, Kianoush Darvishi (a journalist) stated that following a summons to the Cyber Police (FATA), his bank accounts were frozen. According to his account, the accounts were blocked without the case being referred to a court and solely based on a letter from the Cyber Police. The reason for his summons was reportedly attributed to publishing an “Instagram story of corpses.”

Reports also emerged of continued pressure on other media activists. Among them, it was noted that during a search of the home of Yalda Moaiery (a photographer), some of his electronic equipment was confiscated. The continued detention of several others in different cities was also reported, including Pedram Alamdari and Somayeh Heydari in Tabriz, Hassan Abbasi in Bandar Abbas, and Artin Ghazanfari in Mashhad.

Within the same context, the Iranian Writers’ Association expressed concern over the situation of two of its imprisoned members, Yousef Ansari and Ali Asadollahi, warning about their continued detention and the handling of their cases.

“Pressure on medical staff”: arrests of Medical Council members and crackdowns on protesting healthcare workers

Pressure and threats by security forces against medical staff continue. Mohammad Raiszadeh, head of the Iranian Medical Council Organization, announced that 33 members of the organization have been arrested in connection with the protests. He stated that so far 11 detained members in cities including Shiraz, Ardabil, Qazvin, Golestan Province, and Tehran have been released, but according to the latest figures, 23 individuals remain in detention.

Reports have also emerged regarding the arrest of healthcare workers. Among them is the arrest of Saber Dehghan (a neurosurgeon in Sirjan), who, according to reports, was arrested on January 2 while treating protest-injured patients at a hospital, following an altercation with security agents. At the time of this report, no clear information has been published regarding his condition or the charges against him.

Alongside these cases, numerous reports continue to highlight concerns among medical staff and accounts related to security pressures affecting the treatment of the injured, a trend that could further restrict safe access to medical services for those wounded during the protests.

“Seizure of assets and blocking of communications”: targeting well-known figures and symbolic repression

As part of the continued measures against prominent figures, reports indicate that the assets, bank accounts, and mobile phone line of Voria Ghafouri (former football player and coach of Esteghlal) have been seized and blocked. The same report also refers to the sealing of two cafés owned by him in Tehran, known as Cafe Voria, cafés that had been closed during the peak days of the protests (January 8 and 9). These actions were reported despite the fact that Ghafouri had previously expressed support for protesters on social media in response to the crackdowns.

“Death during arrest”: killing of Sadegh Ashtari and arrest of co-defendants

In another report, IRIB announced the killing of Sadegh Ashtari, one of the citizens wanted in connection with the Tehranpars protests, during his arrest following gunfire by security forces. It was also stated that 15 individuals described as his “co-defendants” were arrested. The release of a related video, without clear details regarding the circumstances of its recording, has been raised amid increasing reports of forced confessions and coerced videos in protest-related cases.

Market stagnation and the persistence of social anxiety

In the economic sphere as well, reports indicate that markets in many areas have not returned to normal conditions. A report on the Alaeddin and Chaharsoo shopping centers (among the main hubs for mobile phones and accessories) notes that despite shops being open, the market remains stagnant. Foot traffic is largely limited to shopkeepers, and the sound of customers is rarely heard in the corridors. The report also points to a heavy security presence, with agents visible around and inside the malls, and describes an intensified sense of anxiety within the business environment.

Updated (aggregated) statistics up to the end of Day 42 since the start of the protests

• Total recorded protest-related incidents: 675

• Number of cities (no repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (no repetition): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,021

• Total arrests: 51,465

• Student arrests: 112

• Forced confessions: 311

• Summonses: 11,048

• Total protesters killed: 6,507

▪️ Including children: 178
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 62

• Total confirmed fatalities: 6,961

• Cases under investigation: 11,630

Summary

Day forty-two unfolded with systematic repression remaining the dominant trend, reflected in widespread and scattered arrests, intensified pressure on key social groups, including journalists, writers, medical staff, and students, and the expanded use of control measures such as home searches, confiscation of phones and identity documents, restrictions on online activity, bank account freezes, and case-building involving severe charges. Alongside these developments, the reported killing of a wanted protester during arrest and the persistence of a heavy security presence in public and economic spaces underscore a deepening crisis and the escalating human and social costs of the protests.

Day 41 of the Protests: New Domestic and International Reactions to the Protests and the Continued Arrests

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Molavi Abdolhamid, Niloufar Mir-Karimi, Sajjad Salarvand

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data, by the end of the forty-first day since the start of the protests, a total of 675 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 210 cities in 31 provinces. The total number of those killed has been reported as 6,955, of whom 6,505 have been classified as “protesters.” Additionally, 175 were children under the age of 18, 214 were government forces, and 61 were reported in the category of non-protester civilian. During the same period, 11,630 cases remain under review.

Regarding other indicators, the number of injured civilians stands at 11,021; total arrests have reached 51,251 cases; 111 student arrests have been recorded; 311 cases of forced confessions; and 11,048 summonses have been documented.

Reports from the forty-first day focus on two main developments: on the one hand, new domestic and international reactions to the crackdown, internet disruptions, and the condition of detainees; and on the other, the continued arrests, growing pressure to extract forced confessions, and the emergence of cases signaling an intensification of judicial and security measures.

Pressure to Halt the Crackdown

On the forty-first day, the German Teachers’ Union took a clear stance, calling for an end to the crackdown and the killing of protesters. The union also emphasized the necessity of keeping the internet accessible and preventing restrictions on communications, while demanding the release of detainees and an end to torture, enforced disappearances, and pressure on families. In this statement, the main focus was placed on the “right to protest,” “the safety of protesters,” and “the preservation of free access to information”, issues that in recent weeks have become central to international reactions toward Iran.

Molavi Abdolhamid, the spiritual leader for Iran’s Sunni Muslim population, also criticized the silence of some clerics and religious figures in the face of killings and repression. The core of this criticism was described as the distancing of religious institutions from public demands for accountability and the lack of response to concerns over those killed and detained. This position aligns with a series of recent reactions seeking to highlight the moral and social responsibility of elites and influential figures in addressing violence and repression.

Alongside these developments, the protest resignation of Niloufar Mir-Karimi, a Premier League futsal referee, drew widespread attention. In explaining her decision, she used explicitly protest-oriented language, underscoring the “unbearability of continuing life as normal” while citizens’ blood is being shed. Her resignation is widely viewed as part of a broader wave of reactions among figures in the sports and cultural spheres who, in recent days, through resignations, protest silence, or public statements, have conveyed that the protests are no longer confined to the streets but have extended into professional and social arenas as well.

Mass Arrests and Heavy Charges: The Continuation of Security and Judicial Crackdowns

On the forty-first day, HRANA’s aggregated data indicate the continued application of security measures on a broad scale. The arrest figure reaching 51,251 cases, alongside 11,048 summonses, shows that mechanisms of control and repression do not rely solely on street arrests but persist through summonses, threats, case fabrication, and other forms of pressure. The rise in documented cases of forced confessions to 311 further underscores that extracting “confessions” continues to be used as a key tool for building cases, waging psychological warfare, and providing media justification for repression.

Among notable cases, the arrest of Sajjad Salarvand, a Paralympic athlete, by the Intelligence Organization of the IRGC was reported. According to the information released, he was temporarily freed after posting a heavy bail set at 5 billion tomans. This case highlights, on the one hand, the ongoing arrest of well-known individuals with social standing, and on the other, the use of exorbitant bail amounts as a means of economic and psychological pressure on families.

Alongside the arrests, reports have also emerged of intensified pressure inside detention facilities. In particular, accounts from Gilan point to “pressure to confess against oneself and others,” a pattern that in many cases is pursued simultaneously with restricted access to legal counsel, cut-off communications, and the prolonged holding of detainees in a state of uncertainty. These measures, coupled with the rise in forced confessions, illustrate the approach of the regime’s security and judicial apparatus in managing the protests.

Updated (Aggregated) Statistics as of the End of Day Forty-One Since the Start of the Protests

• Total recorded protest-related incidents: 675

• Number of cities (no repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (no repetition): 31

• Injured civilians: 11,021

• Total arrests: 51,251

• Student arrests: 111

• Forced confessions: 311

• Summonses: 11,048

• Total protesters killed: 6,505

▪️ Including children: 175
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 61

• Total deaths: 6,955

• Cases under review: 11,630

Summary

The forty-first day was marked by a convergence of overt reactions, ranging from demands issued by the German Teachers’ Union and criticisms voiced by Molavi Abdolhamid to the protest resignation of Niloufar Mir-Karimi, alongside the continued enforcement of security repression. On the ground, the scale of arrests, summonses, and forced confessions remains severe. At the judicial level, the increasing prominence of high-risk cases, including those in which the possibility of death sentences has been raised, signals that pressure has extended beyond street-level control and is increasingly aimed at entrenching judicial deterrence.

Naser Bakrzadeh Sentenced to Death for the Third Time

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Executions, News
HRANA, Naser Bekrzadeh, Urmia prison

HRANA – Naser Bakrzadeh, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, has been sentenced to death for the third time by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia. He had previously been sentenced to death twice by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, but on both occasions the Supreme Court overturned the verdicts and referred the case back for retrial.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, presided over by Judge Shahini, and communicated to Mr. Bakarzadeh’s lawyer on Tuesday, Bahman 14, he was sentenced to death on charges of espionage for Israel.

Mr. Bakarzadeh was first sentenced to death in November 2024 by Branch Three of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “espionage for Israel and cooperation with the Mossad intelligence service.” This verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court in April of 2025, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for retrial.

He was sentenced to death for a second time in September, 2025, by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “espionage for Israel.” This ruling was also overturned by the Supreme Court in October 2025.

Naser Bakrzadeh, about 26 years old, was arrested in January 2024. He was held for a period in the IRGC’s intelligence detention facility in Urmia, where he was subjected to interrogation. According to a source close to his family, this process involved violations of his basic rights, including being denied contact and visits with his family.

Panel Discussion | Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps: Human Rights Violations and International Crimes in Iran and Beyond

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News, Other
Amin Ghazaei, HRANA, irgc, Skylar Thompson, UpRights, Valérie Gabard

HRANA– This evening, Thursday, the Asser Institute hosted a well-attended panel discussion examining the role of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in widespread human rights violations and alleged international crimes committed in Iran and beyond. The panel, co-organised by the IHCL Platform, brought together legal scholars, human rights practitioners, journalists, and members of the Iranian diaspora for an in-depth discussion on institutional violence, documentation, and pathways to accountability in connection with HRA’s Pasdaran Documentation Project (PDP).The event was moderated by Gabriele Chlevickaite, senior researcher in international criminal law at the Asser Institute.

Importantly, the discussion unfolded against the backdrop of the nationwide protests that erupted in Iran in late 2025.

These remarks were made in the context of the opening of HRA’s European office, Stichting Human Rights Activists in Iran, officially registered in the Netherlands, marking an important step in strengthening the organization’s legal and operational presence in Europe.

Amin Ghazaei, Iranian author and human rights activist. provided a detailed overview of the founding of the IRGC in the aftermath of the 1979 revolution.

Ghazaei highlighted how ideology functions not merely as rhetoric within the IRGC, but as an operational framework that legitimizes violence against perceived internal and external enemies. This ideology, he noted, has played a crucial role in normalizing repression, particularly during periods of mass protest. He also outlined the IRGC’s complex internal structure, including its ground forces, intelligence units, Basij militia, and extraterritorial operations, stressing that this institutional complexity must be understood in order to assess responsibility for abuses. This paved the way for the importance of HRA’s work on the PDP database.

The discussion then turned to an intervention by Skylar Thompson, Deputy Director of Human Rights Activists in Iran (HRA). Thompson presented the Pasdaran Documentation Project (PDP), a long-term initiative developed by HRA to systematically map the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as an institution from its inception to the present day. She explained that PDP links documented incidents of serious human rights violations and international crimes to specific IRGC units and individuals. The database currently includes profiles of more than 4,800 IRGC members and over 84,700 units, and is now expanding its analysis to examine how these units are connected to ongoing events.

According to Thompson, PDP serves several key purposes: supporting legal accountability efforts, assisting national investigative authorities and researchers, and preserving a public historical record in a context where official narratives often seek to erase or distort evidence of abuse. She stressed that documentation itself is the foundation of accountability, explaining that without rigorous, systematic documentation, accountability is impossible. As Thompson noted, “Accountability cannot exist without documentation. At the core of PDP is the act of recording, preserving, and contextualizing evidence, both as a form of justice in its own right and as the essential basis for any future accountability efforts, while keeping victims at the center to guide our work.”

Valérie Gabard, Co-Director of UpRights, focused on the implications of such documentation and the avenues available for accountability beyond Iran’s borders. Drawing on the Practitioner’s Guide to Addressing Alleged Serious Human Rights Violations and International Crimes Committed by the IRGC in Iran and Abroad, published jointly by HRA and UpRights in April 2025, Gabard outlined practical strategies for pursuing justice.

She discussed the potential use of universal jurisdiction in national courts and targeted sanctions regimes. While acknowledging significant procedural obstacles, Gabard emphasized that existing legal frameworks already offer meaningful opportunities for action, provided that evidence is collected, structured, and preserved in a manner that meets prosecutorial standards. She concluded by underscoring the critical importance of high-quality documentation for future accountability efforts, including maintaining clear chains of custody and adhering to ethical documentation practices, such as protecting victims’ identities and refraining from sharing their names.

Gabard acknowledged that there is no easy or linear pathway forward, but emphasized that viable legal and accountability options do exist.

The panel concluded with an extended question-and-answer session, during which audience members raised questions about challenges related to documentation, evidence collection, and universal jurisdiction. Several questions focused on the role of European states, both as potential venues for universal jurisdiction cases and as political actors shaping accountability through sanctions and diplomatic pressure.

 

Day 40 of the Protests: Domestic Reactions, Continued Arrests, and Forced Confessions

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ayatollah Bayat Zanjani, Fajr Film Festival, HRANA, Mohammad Baghjari, Sattar Goharifar

HRANA – Based on HRANA’s aggregated data up to the end of the fortieth day since the start of the protests, the total number of recorded protest-related incidents has reached 675 locations across 210 cities in 31 provinces. During this same period, the number of confirmed deaths has been reported as 6,941, including 6,495 protesters, 171 children, 214 military–government forces, and 61 civilian non-protesters. In addition, 11,630 cases remain under review. The number of seriously injured civilians stands at 11,021, the total number of arrests at 50,921, student arrests at 109 cases, forced confessions at 307 cases, and summonses at 11,047 cases.

On the fortieth day since the start of the protests, on the one hand, we witnessed domestic reactions, particularly from professional guilds and cultural figures, to the bloody crackdown, and on the other hand, the continuation of arrests, summonses, and security pressures in various cities. Reports also indicate an increase in forced confessions and threats against detainees.

Domestic Responses to the Protests: Condemnation Statements and Public Figures’ Withdrawals as an Act of Protest

In the days leading up to the fortieth day, a significant portion of domestic reactions took the form of statements, formal appeals, and professional and trade-based positions.

One of the most notable domestic stances was announced by Ayatollah Bayat Zanjani, who, in a symbolic and protest-oriented act, declared that he had refrained from holding Mid-Sha’ban celebrations and ceremonies in solidarity with the families of those killed during the January protests. Due to his religious and social standing and the timing amid rising fatalities, this position received wide public attention and was interpreted in the public sphere as a clear message opposing the crackdown.

In the cultural sphere, withdrawals and refusals to participate in the Fajr Film Festival continued. In the latest instance, it was reported that Amir Jadidi had also declined to attend the festival. The continuation of this trend is seen as a sign of a widening rift between segments of the artistic community and official institutions, a divide that had become increasingly visible through multiple waves of withdrawals in recent days and that persisted on the fortieth day.

Forty-eight attorneys also issued a statement condemning the crackdown. The statement emphasized issues such as detainees being denied access to independent legal counsel, expedited judicial procedures, restrictions on contact and visits, pressure to extract confessions, and the broadcast of televised confessions, warning of systematic violations of due process rights. At the same time, a lawyer publicly criticized bar associations, stating that these bodies had failed to respond effectively or pursue the situation of detained lawyers. In this context, the arrest of at least 22 lawyers in connection with the protests was highlighted. This criticism focused specifically on the “distance of professional institutions from the crisis” and their “lack of active defense of members,” once again bringing issues of lawyers’ job security and the right to independent defense to the forefront.

Additionally, in East Azerbaijan Province, more than 40 lawyers affiliated with the Bar Association had been summoned by the Judiciary’s Intelligence Protection Office, and cases had been opened against some of them. These actions were reportedly linked to their support for protesters’ rights, under charges such as “propaganda against the system” and “spreading false information.” Observers view these summonses as part of an organized effort to restrict legal defense networks in protest-related cases.

At the political level, a member of the parliament’s presiding board called for the inclusion of “education on peaceful protest” in the national education system. This proposal took on a dual significance amid the ongoing crackdown: on the one hand, it implicitly acknowledged the continued reality of protests, and on the other, it represented an attempt to offer a more “controlled” and lower-cost approach to dealing with social unrest.

In this context, the Coordination Council of Teachers’ Trade Associations announced that the number of students killed in the suppression of the protests has exceeded 160, a figure that, alongside the publication of name lists, illustrates the heavy human toll of the crackdown. In contrast, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education stated that all detained students had been released. Given the reported death toll and repeated accounts of arrests, this claim was met with public skepticism and, by some observers, interpreted as an effort to manage public opinion.

A group of sociologists inside the country also commented on the violence and repression, emphasizing that preserving human life takes precedence over any political expediency. These positions, alongside professional statements, indicate that the protests are no longer merely a street phenomenon but have become a broad and pervasive public issue spanning education, culture, law, and social analysis.

Detentions, Mass Summonses and Forced Confessions

On the fortieth day, reports indicate that arrests and security measures remained one of the main axes of developments, both in the form of individual arrests with named detainees and in the form of widespread arrests and summonses.

According to HRANA’s aggregated data, the total number of arrests has reached 50,921, alongside 11,047 recorded summonses. In the academic sphere, the number of arrested students has been reported as 109, indicating that universities continue to be among the sensitive focal points for security crackdowns. The number of forced confessions has also reached 307 cases.

HRANA’s reports from the fortieth day refer to the arrest of seven citizens in connection with the protests, among them a 16-year-old minor. It was also reported that two minors were arrested in Chabahar, one of whom had been injured in the leg by gunfire from law enforcement–security forces prior to arrest. In other cases, the name of Mohammad Baghjari was reported as a detainee in Sabzevar; according to reports, he was beaten at his workplace. The situation of Sattar Goharifar (a student) in Greater Tehran Prison was also highlighted as an example of uncertainty and limbo in detention. Another report referred to the arrest of three citizens in Isfahan and Rudsar, noting that they are being held in Doulataabad/Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan and Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Alongside these individual cases, reports of broader arrest campaigns were also published, including references to the detention of at least 57 citizens in North Khorasan and Astaneh Ashrafieh in connection with the protests. Other media reports have spoken of a much larger scale of arrests, including estimates of tens of thousands detained and even summonses/arrests approaching 100,000 people or more in recent weeks. These figures are considered difficult to verify precisely due to deliberate ambiguity in case registration, lack of responses from responsible institutions, and the disorientation imposed on families.

Meanwhile, reports concerning the broadcast of forced confessions and concerns about their consequences have increased. Families and activists say these confessions are extracted under pressure and torture and could pave the way for heavy sentences, including the death penalty. At the same time, multiple warnings have been issued about the risk of torture and forced confessions in conditions where the high number of arrests and summonses has severely strained families’ ability to pursue legal remedies and access information.

On the fortieth day, signs of crackdowns were also observed in professional and medical sectors. It was reported that students at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences continued their multi-day sit-in protest against the crackdown and the situation facing medical staff.

HRANA Aggregated Statistics as of the End of the Fortieth Day

Protest-Related Incidents

• Total number of locations across cities: 675

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

Fatalities

• Total protesters killed: 6,495

• Including children: 171

• Military/government forces: 214

• Non-civilian, non-protesters: 61

• Total confirmed deaths: 6,941

• Cases under review: 11,630

Other Statistics

• Injured civilians: 11,021

• Total arrests: 50,921

• Student arrests: 109

• Forced confessions: 307

• Summonses: 11,047

Summary

On the fortieth day, we witnessed an increase in cumulative statistics related to the protests. Notable developments included positions taken by religious, legal, and cultural figures, as well as the continued arrests, summonses, and forced confessions.