Tag: HRANA

Report on the Arrest of Hossein Alizadeh in Eslamshahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Eslamshahr, Hossein Alizadeh, HRANA

HRANA – Hossein Alizadeh, a resident of Eslamshahr, was arrested by security forces in the city on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Hossein Alizadeh, a resident of Eslamshahr, has been in detention for six days.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Alizadeh was arrested by security forces in front of his home in Eslamshahr on Saturday, July 4, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location. Since his arrest, he has made only one phone call to his family, during which he did not disclose his place of detention.

At the time of writing, the reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain unknown.

Hossein Alizadeh, a surveying engineer residing in Eslamshahr, has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings in 2022 and 2025 on charges including spreading false information, assembly and collusion, and propaganda against the state.

January 2026 Protests: Five Detainees Held in Urmia Prison Sentenced

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behzad Samadzadeh, Farshad Souri, Gholamreza Abdollahzadeh, HRANA, Karim Masoudi, Sardar Pourmirzaei, Urmia

HRANA – Karim Masoudi, Behzad Samadzadeh, Sardar Pourmirzaei, Gholamreza Abdollahzadeh, and Farshad Souri, all detained during the nationwide protests in January 2026 and currently held in Urmia Central Prison, have been sentenced to prison by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, five citizens, arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026, have been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to the ruling issued by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, Karim Masoudi and Sardar Pourmirzaei were each sentenced to two years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security.” Of these sentences, 18 months of Masoudi’s sentence and 17 months of Pourmirzaei’s sentence were suspended. Gholamreza Abdollahzadeh was also sentenced by the same branch to one year of discretionary imprisonment, which was reduced to nine months after he accepted the court’s ruling.

Separately, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, presided over by Judge Doosti, sentenced Behzad Samadzadeh to two years of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “acting against national security,” with 18 months of the sentence suspended. Farshad Souri was also sentenced by the same branch to one year in prison, which was later reduced to nine months after he accepted the verdict.

The five citizens were arrested by security forces in Urmia on January 8, 2026, during the nationwide protests. After completing the interrogation process, they were transferred to Urmia Central Prison, where they remain in custody.

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.

IRGC Intelligence Arrests Two Citizens in Sardasht

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News, Other
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Mullah Abu Bakr Yousefi, Sardasht, Younes Mousapour

HRANA – Mullah Abu Bakr Yousefi and Younes Musapour, two residents of the city of Nalas in Sardasht County, have been held for four days after being arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization. They are currently being detained at one of the organization’s security detention facilities in Urmia.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Mullah Abu Bakr Yousefi and Younes Mousapour remain in custody.

According to the report, on the evening of July 5, 2026, agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization violently arrested the two men in the city of Nalas, part of Rabat District in Sardasht County, and transferred them to one of the IRGC Intelligence Organization’s security detention facilities in Urmia.

Since their arrest, the two detainees have been denied access to legal counsel, family visits, and telephone contact.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for their arrest and the charges brought against them remain unknown.

Mullah Abu Bakr Yousefi, also known as Mullah Abu Bakr Halweh, and Younes Mousapour are both residents of Nalas, a town in the Rabat District of Sardasht County.

Fatemeh Sepehri Denied Adequate Medical Care in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

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News, Prisoners
Asghar Sepehri, Fatemeh Sepehri, HRANA, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Vakilabad prison, فاطمه سپهری

HRANA – Fatemeh Sepehri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison, has been denied adequate medical care and transfer to medical facilities outside the prison despite suffering from a heart condition and deteriorating health.

According to HRANA, Fatemeh Sepehri continues to be deprived of proper medical treatment.

According to his brother, Asghar Sepehri, despite a prison doctor’s recommendation in March 2026 that Fatemeh Sepehri be examined by a cardiologist, prison authorities failed to arrange the transfer. She was only taken to a heart specialist after her condition significantly worsened on April 22, 2026. He added that the specialist had scheduled a follow-up appointment for May 23, 2026, but that visit has yet to take place. In addition, most of her essential medications have run out, and continuing her treatment depends on another specialist examination and the renewal of her prescriptions.

In March 2025, in a joint case with her brother, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri, Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad sentenced each of them to three years and nine months in prison. The case stemmed from a letter the two political prisoners published from Vakilabad Prison on December 26, 2024.

Previously, in June 2024, Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to 18 years and six months in prison in another joint case alongside her brothers, Mohammad Hossein Sepehri and Hossein Sepehri.

Earlier, in January 2023, the Criminal Court of Mashhad sentenced Fatemeh Sepehri to one year of discretionary imprisonment and a fine of 200 million rials on charges of spreading false information and disturbing public opinion.

In a separate case, Fatemeh Sepehri was sentenced to 10 years in prison on charges of cooperation with hostile states. She also received five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and one year for propaganda against the state. These sentences were upheld on appeal. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, 10 years of the combined sentence are enforceable.

Fatemeh Sepehri is also one of the signatories of the letter calling for the resignation of Ali Khamenei. In connection with that letter, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad initially sentenced her to five years of discretionary imprisonment. The sentence was later reduced on appeal to three years and six months. She was subsequently released in early 2020 under a five-year suspended sentence.

Baha’i Photojournalist Artin Ghazanfari Remains in Legal Limbo at Greater Tehran Penitentiary

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News, Religious Minorities
Artin Ghazanfari, HRANA, آرتین غضنفری

HRANA – More than five months after his arrest, Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, remains detained without legal resolution at Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

A source close to the family, who confirmed the information to HRANA, said: “Artin Ghazanfari has now been held at Greater Tehran Penitentiary for 170 days without legal resolution. His judicial case remains in limbo, and no court hearing has been held for him to date.”

A previously informed source had told HRANA that Mr. Ghazanfari suffers from several medical conditions, including heart failure, asthma, and high blood pressure, and requires daily medication. Despite repeated efforts by his family to secure his temporary release through judicial authorities, the relevant officials have refused to grant him provisional release.

Mr. Ghazanfari was arrested on January 19, 2026, at his home in Tehran. At the same time, security agents searched both his residence and workplace, confiscating a number of electronic devices, books, and his personal and professional equipment.

As of the time of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Artin Ghazanfari, a Baha’i citizen and photojournalist, has previously served a prison sentence due to his activities.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial persecution than any other religious minority in the country. According HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities during the past year involved violations of the rights of Baha’is.

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Baha’i Citizen Mitra Bandi Amirabadi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, Yazd, میترا بندر امیرآبادی

HRANA – Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Yazd to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of the prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

According to HRANA, Mitra Bandi Amirabadi has been sentenced to prison. Under a ruling issued by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Yazd, this Baha’i citizen was convicted on the charge of “deviant propaganda activity contrary to the sacred law of Islam through the promotion of the Baha’i faith,” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. She was sentenced to five years of discretionary imprisonment and a 10-year deprivation of social rights. Three years of her prison sentence have been suspended for a period of three years.

If the verdict is upheld on appeal, Ms. Bandi Amirabadi will be required to serve two years of discretionary imprisonment.

On June 17, 2025, security forces searched the home of this Baha’i citizen. The search was carried out around midnight, and officers confiscated a number of electronic devices, personal belongings, and several religious books.

Mitra Bandi Amirabadi, a Baha’i resident of Yazd, has previously been arrested and convicted because of her religious beliefs.

Sardar Ostad-Ahmadi Arrested in Mahabad

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News, Other
HRANA, Mahabad, Sardar Ostad-Ahmadi

HRANA – Yesterday, Sardar Ostad-Ahmadi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to a report received by HRANA from Kurdpa, Sardar Ostad-Ahmadi was arrested in Mahabad.

Based on the report, security agents arrested him at his home on Tuesday, July 7, without presenting a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

Sardar Ostad-Ahmadi is a native and resident of Mahabad.

January 2026 Protests: Kamal Khan-Babayi Sentenced to Death

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Kamal Khan-Babayi, moharebeh, Qazvin

HRANA – Kamal Khan-Babayi, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests in January 2026, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Qazvin Revolutionary Court on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh).

According to HRANA, Kamal Khan-Babayi, arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to death.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 1 of the Qazvin Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Asadi, sentenced Kamal Khan-Babayi to death on the charge of moharebeh through alleged participation in the destruction of public property. Following an appeal against the ruling, his case has been referred to the Supreme Court for review.

A source familiar with the case and close to the family confirmed the news in an interview with HRANA, stating: “One of the alleged acts cited against Mr. Khan-Babayi is the breaking of two surveillance cameras.” The source added that this has raised concerns regarding the handling of his judicial proceedings.

Kamal Khan-Babayi was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents on January 15, 2027. He was held for approximately 10 days at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, where he was interrogated and beaten in an effort to extract forced confessions. He was subsequently transferred to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

Kamal Khan-Babayi, aged approximately 32, is married, has one child, and is from Qazvin County.

Evin Prison: Mohammad Moaidi Shakib Has Been on Hunger Strike for Nine Days

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Mohammad Moaidi Shakib, محمد معیدی شکیب

HRANA – Mohammad Moaidi Shakib, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, who suffers from multiple medical conditions, has been on hunger strike since Sunday, June 28, in protest against the continued denial of transfer to medical facilities outside the prison.

According to HRANA, Mohammad Moaidi Shakib, a political prisoner imprisoned in Evin Prison, has now been on hunger strike for nine days.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Moaidi Shakib continues to be denied transfer to medical facilities outside the prison to receive specialized treatment despite suffering from heart disease, a prostate condition, and cervical and lumbar disc disorders. He began his hunger strike on Sunday, June 28, in protest against this ongoing deprivation.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “After beginning his hunger strike, the prison warden threatened him that if he continued his protest, he would be transferred to Razi Psychiatric Hospital (Aminabad).”

Mr. Moaidi Shakib had previously also gone on hunger strike to protest the authorities’ failure to provide adequate medical care for his physical health conditions.

Mohammad Moaidi Shakib has been sentenced to a total of three years and nine months in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.” He had previously been tried by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Mohammad Moaidi Shakib was arrested at his home on September 9, 2023. He is currently being held in Hall 12 of Ward 7 of Evin Prison.

Lawyer Elham Zeraatpisheh Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elham Zeraatpisheh, HRANA, Shiraz

HRANA – Elham Zeraatpisheh, a lawyer, has been sentenced by Branch One of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court to six years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and the revocation of her passport.

According to HRANA, Elham Zeraatpisheh has been sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

Under the ruling issued by Branch One of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, Ms. Zeraatpisheh was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security” and one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” The court also imposed a two-year ban on leaving the country and ordered the revocation of her passport for the same period.

The lawyer was arrested on May 4, 2026, near the Shiraz Office for the Enforcement of Judgments.

Elham Zeraatpisheh is a lawyer and a member of the Fars Bar Association. She has previously faced judicial action and arrest in connection with her professional activities.