Tag: HRANA

Iraj Pashapour Sentenced to Prison and Complementary Punishment

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Ardabil Province, Eslamshahr, Germi, HRANA, Iraj Pashapour

HRANA News Agency – Iraj Pashapour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Germi Revolutionary Court in Ardabil Province to nine months in prison and a one-year ban on online activity.

According to the verdict, which was recently communicated to him, Pashapour was convicted on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” In addition to his prison term, the court imposed a one-year prohibition on his use of social media as a complementary punishment.

The ruling was based on reports from the Germi Public Security Police as well as Pashapour’s online activities. The court further stated that if he violates the ban, the punishment will be extended, and in the case of repeated violations, it may be converted to a fine or an additional prison term.

Notably, while the header of the judgment identifies the issuing body as the “Germi Public Civil Court,” the text refers to it as the “Germi Revolutionary Court.” Such discrepancies are common in smaller cities where no independent Revolutionary Court exists, and a branch of the General Court assumes its duties.

Pashapour was arrested on June 20, 2024, by security forces and transferred to Germi Prison. He was later charged with “membership in groups formed inside the country with the intent of disturbing national security” and “propaganda against the regime,” before being released on bail of 500 million tomans.

Iraj Pashapour is an Azerbaijani-Turk activist and a resident of Eslamshahr.

Shahab Darabi Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
HRANA, Iranian truck driver, Shahab Darabi, شهاب دارابی

HRANA – Shahab Darabi, a truck driver from Eslamabad-e Gharb who was arrested by security forces for supporting the truck drivers’ strikes, has been sentenced to three years and one day in prison.

According to a verdict recently issued by a branch of the Revolutionary Court and communicated to Mr. Darabi, he was sentenced in connection with his participation in the truck drivers’ strikes and for posting supportive content on social media. Further details, including the specific charges brought against him, are under review by HRANA.

Darabi was arrested on May 27 by Ministry of Intelligence agents. His arrest was carried out violently, with officers subjecting him to beatings.

After his detention, a video of Darabi was circulated on social media in which – under unclear circumstances – he expressed regret over his past actions. The footage sparked widespread reactions online, with many users describing it as a “forced confession.” He was eventually released on bail on June 1.

HRANA has also published a detailed report on the truck drivers’ strikes in June, outlining the causes, the strike’s expansion, the government’s response, and the subsequent arrests.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Naghi Shahi, Tabriz Prison, Yashar Lejehi.

HRANA– At dawn on Wednesday, August 20, two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges were executed in Tabriz Prison.

HRANA has identified the individuals hanged at dawn on Wednesday, August 21, 2025, as Naghi Shahi and Yashar Lejehi. Based on information received by HRANA, Messrs. Shahi and Lejehi had been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by criminal courts.

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

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.

Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari Arrested in Sabzevar

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Sabzevar, Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari, کلاته سیفری

HRANA – Yesterday, Tahereh Kalateh Seyfari, a resident of Sabzevar, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A knowledgeable source confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Kalateh Seyfari was arrested on Wednesday, August 20, by security forces in Sabzevar. The reason cited for her arrest was her participation in the July 22 protest in front of the county governor’s office, where residents gathered to protest repeated electricity and water outages.”

Based on information received by HRANA, since her arrest this citizen has not been in contact with her family. Despite her family’s inquiries with judicial and security authorities, no information has been made available regarding her whereabouts or the charges against her.

It should be noted that on the evening of Tuesday, July 22, a group of Sabzevar residents held a protest in front of the county governor’s office in response to frequent power and water cuts.

Public Execution: Prisoner Hanged in Kordkuy

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Executions, News
Golestan, HRANA, Kordkuy, Public execution

HRANA – At dawn on August 21, a prisoner in Kordkuy County, previously sentenced to death for the murder of three people, was executed in public.

According to Mizan News Agency, the head of Golestan Province’s Judiciary reported that the man had been arrested in December last year for murdering three individuals—a married couple and a young woman – using a hunting rifle in Kordkuy.

Heydar Asiabi added that Branch Two of the Criminal Court One of Golestan Province sentenced him to public execution, a verdict later upheld by the Supreme Court. The execution was carried out on Thursday morning.

No further details, including the prisoner’s identity, were provided in the report.

Since the start of 2025, Iranian authorities have carried out eight public executions—a significant rise compared to previous years.

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Writers Nina Golestani and Rozita Rajai Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Lakan prison, Nina Golestani and Rozita Rajaie, Rasht, Rozita Rajai, رزیتا رجایی, نینا گلستانی

HRANA – Nina Golestani and Rozita Rajai, two fiction writers from Rasht, have each been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of the city.

According to Hyrcani, the two writers were previously tried by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht on charges of “propaganda against the regime on social media.” The court has now sentenced each of them to one year in prison.

Another joint case against the two remains under judicial review. Charges in that case include “spreading falsehoods, appearing in public without hijab, publishing images and content deemed contrary to public morality, and disclosing preliminary investigations of the prosecutor’s office.”

Rozita Rajai was released on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht on August 3, 2025, after being arrested on July 19 following a prosecutor’s office interrogation.

Nina Golestani was released on bail from Lakan Prison on March 16, 2025. She had been arrested on March 11, 2025, in Rasht by IRGC intelligence agents and transferred to the same facility.

Both writers have previously faced judicial convictions in relation to their activities.

Two prisoners executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, Hossein Karimi, HRANA, Isfahan, Taleb Rikani, حسین کریمی, طالب ریکانی

HRANA– At dawn yesterday, August 21, two prisoners were executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan. These prisoners had previously been sentenced to death in separate cases on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners as Taleb Rikani, from Khuzestan, and Hossein Karimi.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Karimi had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Mr. Rikani had earlier been arrested on a charge of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by a Criminal Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of these prisoners has not been announced by prison officials or judicial authorities.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Three Prisoners Executed in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Kangavar, Kerman prison, Milad Narouei, Safarali Keyfari

HRANA- At dawn on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, the death sentences of three prisoners previously convicted on charges related to drug offenses were carried out in Kerman Prison.

HRANA has identified two of the executed prisoners as Safarali Keyfari and Milad Narouei. Keyfari, a resident of Kangavar, was the father of three children.

The third prisoner, whose identity is still being confirmed, was from Shiraz. He had been sentenced to death in the same case as Kamran Amraei – executed in the same prison last week – under Article 45 of the Islamic Penal Code, which prescribes the death penalty for certain drug-related offenses.

According to information received by HRANA, all three prisoners executed yesterday had been arrested in separate drug-related cases and subsequently sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

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

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Shahram Fallah, Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Kerman

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizens, HRANA, Kerman, Shahram Fallah

HRANA – On the evening of Monday, August 18, 2025, Shahram Fallah, a 64-year-old Baha’i citizen of Kerman, was arrested at his home by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and transferred to that agency’s detention facility.

A source close to the family told HRANA: “Intelligence agents in Kerman came to Mr. Fallah’s home that evening and arrested him while several guests were present. They confiscated the mobile phones of family members and guests, along with a number of Mr. Fallah’s religious books and images. Since his arrest, he has not contacted his family.”

The reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

Mr. Fallah has previously faced judicial harassment, arrest, and imprisonment.

Recently, HRANA published a statistical report on the widespread human rights violations against Baha’i citizens in Iran over the past five years.

Mehdi Jahangiri Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mehdi Jahangiri, University of Tehran, مهدی جهانگیری

HRANA– Mehdi Jahangiri, a resident of Tehran, was arrested today by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his workplace and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “This morning, Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Mehdi Jahangiri was arrested at his workplace. Ministry of Intelligence agents carried out the arrest without presenting a judicial warrant.”

According to information received by HRANA, the arrest was linked to his social media posts and protests over repeated power outages.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Mehdi Jahangiri, a University of Tehran graduate and worker at the Golgoun Industrial Town, had previously been arrested by the security police on December 16 of last year during a workers’ protest at the same industrial complex. He was later released on bail.