Tag: HRANA

Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj: 17 Political Prisoners Remain in Solitary Confinement

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News, Prisoners
Abolhassan Montazer, Ahmadreza Haeri, Akbar Bagheri, Ali Moezzi, Arsham Rezaei, Asadollah Hadi, Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou, Hamzeh Savari, HRANA, Khosrow Rahnama, Loqman Aminpour, Mehdi Hasani, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Mohammad Shafiei, Mostafa Ramezani, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Reza Salmanzadeh, Salahuddin Ziaei, Sepehr Emamjomeh, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

HRANA – At least 17 political prisoners are being held in solitary confinement for the fifth consecutive day in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, these individuals continue to be held in solitary cells inside units 1 and 3 of Ghezel Hesar Prison: Sepehr Emamjomeh, Loqman Aminpour, Meysam Dehbanzadeh, Abolhassan Montazer, Ali Moezzi, Khosrow Rahnama, Hamzeh Savari, Asadollah Hadi, Reza Salmanzadeh, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, Mostafa Ramezani, Salaheddin Ziaei, Arsham Rezaei, Akbar Bagheri, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, Ahmadreza Haeri, and Mohammad Shafiei.

On Saturday, July 26, a special unit of prison guards, accompanied by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence, raided the ward housing political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison. During the operation, phone lines in the ward were cut, several inmates were reportedly beaten, and a number of political prisoners were forcibly transferred to solitary confinement.

In response, some of the affected prisoners have launched a hunger strike to protest what they describe as “systematic violence by security forces against political prisoners in Unit 4.” Their complete disconnection from families and external sources has severely limited access to information about their current conditions. HRANA continues to investigate and gather further details.

This violent crackdown appears to be an attempt to suppress resistance by prisoners opposing the transfer of political prisoner Saeed Masouri to Zahedan Prison, and the implementation of death sentences against political prisoners Behrooz Ehsani Eslamlou and Mehdi Hasani.

Prolonged solitary confinement—especially without access to communication, legal counsel, medical care, or visitation—is considered a form of psychological torture and violates the principles of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the “Nelson Mandela Rules” regarding the treatment of prisoners.

Afghan National Ehsan Hosseini Arrested in Qom

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News, Other
Ehsan Hosseini, HRANA, Qom

HRANA – Ehsan Hosseini, an Afghan national residing in Qom, was arrested by security forces at his private residence on Tuesday, July 29.

According to HRANA, citing Emtedad, the arrest took place at Mr. Hosseini’s home, where agents confiscated his cellphone and electronic devices. Mr. Hosseini, identified in the report as a social activist, has reportedly collaborated in the past with academic and civil institutions working on migrant rights in Iran.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and his whereabouts remain unknown.

Confiscation of Property from 22 Baha’i Citizens in Isfahan

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA – Iranian authorities have intensified security and economic pressure on the Baha’i community by issuing judicial rulings to confiscate the property of 22 Baha’i citizens in Isfahan. Officials delivered these orders—citing Article 49 of the Constitution—without following standard legal procedures or registering them in the judiciary’s electronic system (Sana).

One of the Baha’i citizens affected, speaking to HRANA on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, stated: “At this point, property has been frozen for most, if not all, of those targeted, and they have effectively been placed under a transaction ban. Any assets or property in their name can no longer be sold or transferred. However, final rulings on permanent confiscation have not yet been issued.”

According to this source, the process is unfolding in complete secrecy and involves blatant violations of the accused individuals’ rights—including denial of access to legal representation, removal of case files from the judiciary’s Sana system, and the creation of two parallel legal cases for each individual: one criminal case (typically heard in Branch 11 of the Criminal Court) and another in courts handling cases under Article 49, aimed at confiscating property.

Another informed source noted that although some of the individuals had previously been arrested and had their belongings seized during security raids, a separate and now formal property confiscation process has been initiated—one that could result in significantly greater harm to families both legally and financially.

He added: “This goes far beyond temporary detention or the seizure of personal items. Full asset freezes and transfer bans are being enforced in cases that are not even officially registered in the judiciary’s database, leaving lawyers unable to intervene.”

HRANA has previously documented similar patterns of persecution against Baha’is in other provinces, including Mazandaran and Khorasan Razavi. Article 49 of Iran’s Constitution authorizes the government to confiscate assets acquired through illegitimate means. However, in recent years, this article has increasingly been used as a structural tool to target religious and political minorities and confiscate their assets.

Due to fears that the confiscation process may accelerate, many Baha’i citizens have declined to have their names made public. Nevertheless, HRANA has verified the identities and details of those involved in these cases.

The Baha’i International Community has previously expressed grave concern over the increasing confiscation of Baha’i-owned property in Iran, a campaign reportedly orchestrated and directed by the “Executive Headquarters of Imam’s Order” (Setad).

Prisoner Executed in Public in Damghan

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Executions, News
Damghan, HRANA

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, a man convicted of murdering a four-year-old child in Damghan was executed in public.

According to HRANA, citing Tasnim News Agency, the execution took place in Semnan Province at dawn today, Wednesday, July 30. Mohammad Sadegh Akbari, Chief Justice of Semnan Province, announced the news, stating: “Following the report of the murder of a child on January 14, 2025, judicial proceedings began.”

Akbari added that the defendant was sentenced to death after the completion of legal procedures and the Supreme Court’s confirmation of the verdict. The sentence was carried out in public this morning.

Back in May, this judicial official had stated that the defendant had been sentenced to death for the premeditated murder of a child, and to 12 years in prison for the attempted murder of nine others.

On January 14, 2025, during a family gathering, the man fatally stabbed the child of one of his wife’s relatives due to family disputes. He also attempted to kill other guests by sedating them with sleeping pills and opening the gas valves in the house. The 25-year-old suspect was arrested and taken into custody a few hours after the incident.

The report does not disclose further details, including the identity of the prisoner or the precise location of the execution.

Teacher Forough Khosravi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher and resident of Behbahan, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA: “On Tuesday morning, Ms. Khosravi received a phone call from an unknown number, instructing her to appear at the courthouse by noon. She declined to comply, citing the absence of an official summons. A few hours later, around 2:30 PM, IRGC Intelligence agents arrived with an arrest warrant, detained her, and transferred her to an undisclosed location.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges brought against her remain unclear.

This arrest follows a previous incident on June 19, when six IRGC Intelligence agents — including two women — entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant. During the raid, they created a climate of intimidation while conducting a search, and confiscated several personal belongings, including her cellphone. Ms. Khosravi’s daughter, who was home at the time, was reportedly deeply traumatized by the experience.

Subsequently, Ms. Khosravi filed a formal complaint against the agents. However, in what has been described as a one-sided decision in favor of the security apparatus, Judge Ruhollah Farzadnasab of Branch 2 in Behbahan dismissed the case, issuing an order not to pursue prosecution.

Forough Khosravi holds a doctorate in education and works as an elementary school teacher. She was previously expelled from Payam Noor University in Bandar Imam in the aftermath of the 2009 protests.

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Four Prisoners Executed in Arak, Zanjan, and Birjand Prisons

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Executions, News
Abolfazl Shakeri, Arak, Birjand Prison, HRANA, Nazir Mohammad, zanjan, Zanjan Prison

HRANA – Today, July 29, two Afghan nationals who had previously been sentenced to death for murder were executed in Birjand Prison. In recent days, two other prisoners were also hanged in the prisons of Zanjan and Arak.

At dawn on Saturday, July 26, a prisoner named Abolfazl Shakeri was executed in Zanjan Prison. According to information received by HRANA, on Sunday, July 27, Hossein Akbari, 50 years old, was executed in Arak Prison. Akbari had been arrested three years ago on charges related to drug offenses and was subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Finally, today, Tuesday, the death sentences of two Afghan nationals previously convicted of murder were carried out in Birjand Prison. HRANA has identified one of the two as Nazir Mohammad. Further details, including the identity of the second individual, are under investigation.

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

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Two Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Alireza Mir-Foroughi, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, Saleh Hatami

HRANA– At dawn on Sunday, July 27, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted of murder were carried out in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

The identities of the two individuals have been confirmed by HRANA as Alireza Mir-Foroughi, 46 years old and a resident of Isfahan, and Saleh Hatami, a resident of Khuzestan.

According to information received by HRANA, Alireza Mir-Foroughi had been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by the Criminal Court. Mr. Hatami was also arrested four years ago on similar charges and sentenced to death.

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

According to HRANA’s statistics, in 2024, 61 inmates were hanged in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan — a 74% increase compared to the previous year. This sharp rise reflects a disturbing escalation in executions at this facility.

Arrest and Incommunicado Detention of Pouya Ahmadi in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Pouya Ahmadi, Tehran

HRANA– Pouya Ahmadi, a resident of Tehran, has been held in detention for six days following his arrest by security forces, with no information available regarding his fate or whereabouts.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that on July 22, 2025, security forces violently arrested Mr. Ahmadi at his home in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched the home and confiscated several personal belongings, including his phone, computer, printer, and identification documents.

The source added that Ahmadi’s family has received no information about his location or condition, which has caused them significant concern.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Naser Hemmati Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, HRANA, Ilam, Naser Hemmati

HRANA – Naser Hemmati, a resident of Abdanan, has been sentenced in absentia to more than five years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ilam.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the verdict was recently delivered to Mr. Hemmati, sentencing him to five years, three months, and two days in prison. The charges leading to his conviction include “supporting and legitimizing Israel,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “communication with a Telegram channel.”

Mr. Hemmati only learned of the case details when summoned to receive a copy of the verdict.

He was previously arrested in December 2023 after being summoned by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Abdanan and was later released on bail of one billion tomans. The charges brought against him at that time included “sabb al-nabi (insulting the Prophet of Islam),” “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “spreading falsehoods online,” and “supporting and legitimizing the Zionist regime.”

Mr. Hemmati has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Researcher Navid Kalahrudi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohammad Ahmadi, Navid Kalahrudi, نوید کلهرودی

HRANA – On Friday, July 25, Navid Kalahrudi, a researcher, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Etemad Online, Kalahrudi was arrested on the evening of Friday, July 25, by security agents who also searched his home and confiscated several personal items, including his laptop. The report does not specify where he is being held.

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

It is worth noting that a recent interview with Kalahrudi on the program Dialogue Iran, which focuses on political and social issues, has been widely viewed on social media. The program’s producer, Mohammad Ahmadi, is also currently in detention.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.