Tag: IRGC Intelligence

Judicial Case Filed Against Women’s Wrestling Medalist Masoumeh Soleimani

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khorramabad, Masoumeh Soleimani, معصومه سلیمانی

HRANA News Agency – A judicial case has been opened against Masoumeh Soleimani, a world medalist in women’s wrestling. She has been summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Khorramabad in connection with the case.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Soleimani announced in a video that she was recently summoned on charges of “encouraging women to defy mandatory hijab laws.”

In August 2023, she had been sentenced by the Khorramabad Criminal Court to one year of imprisonment on the charge of “inciting violent acts on social media.”

In a separate case, she was sentenced to six months of discretionary imprisonment and six months of suspended imprisonment. Following an appeal, the sentence was reduced to a fine of 50 million tomans and six months of suspended imprisonment.

Soleimani was previously arrested on May 10, 2023, by security forces in Khorramabad and released on bail for days later. She had been held in the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility.

Masoumeh Soleimani, a mother and world medalist in women’s wrestling, has a history of arrest due to her activism.

Mehdi Tavakoli Zaniani Sentenced to 8 Years in Prison and Flogging Following Sentence Consolidation

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mehdi Tavakoli Zaniani, Shahr-e Kord, مهدی توکلی زانیانی

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Tavakoli Zaniani, a political prisoner held in Shahr-e Kord Prison, has been sentenced to eight years in prison and 74 lashes following the consolidation of his sentences.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentence was issued by Branch 1 of the Criminal Court One of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province.

A source close to Tavakoli’s family confirmed to HRANA that the verdict was issued on charges of insulting the Prophet of Islam (Sab al-Nabi), insulting the Supreme Leader, insulting sacred beliefs, and propaganda against the regime. He received:

5 years for insulting sacred beliefs
2 years for insulting the Supreme Leader
1 year for propaganda against the regime
74 lashes for insulting the Prophet

Previously, in two separate rulings—both later overturned by the case judge—Tavakoli had been sentenced by Revolutionary and Criminal Courts to 3 years and 10 months in prison and 29 lashes on the same charges.

Tavakoli was arrested on December 20, 2023, by IRGC Intelligence agents in Shahr-e Kord.

He is a specialist in painting and insulation for oil and gas projects.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Kazem Safabakhsh and Saman Bidar Arrested in Qazvin

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activists, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kazem Safabakhsh, Saman Bidar, Tabriz Prison

HRANA News Agency –On Friday, May 2, Azerbaijani-Turk activists Kazem Safabakhsh and Saman Bidar were arrested in Qazvin and transferred to the city’s prison.

A source close to the families confirmed the arrests and told HRANA, “The two were detained by IRGC Intelligence agents in connection with their support for the Tractor football team during a recent match. Following their arrest, both Safabakhsh and Bidar were transferred to Qazvin Prison.”

Saman Bidar had previously been released on bail from Tabriz Prison on March 13, 2025, after being arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents on March 1 of the same year.

Both activists have a history of prior arrests and convictions related to their activism.

In 2024, HRANA reported the arrest of 262 ethnic activists. Although the specific charges and reasons for these arrests remain unclear in many cases, given the security agencies’ longstanding pattern of conduct, it is believed that most were detained due to their advocacy for ethnic rights. At least 109 of these arrests were carried out without a warrant.

Younes Azadbar Arrested by Security Forces

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

HRANA News Agency – Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht County, was arrested today by IRGC Intelligence agents and transferred to their facility for interrogation.

A source close to Azadbar’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Mr. Azadbar was arrested a few minutes ago at his home by IRGC Intelligence agents without a court warrant and was taken for questioning. At the same time, his home was searched, and personal belongings, including his mobile phone, were confiscated.”

The source added: “Mr. Azadbar is 62 years old, suffers from epilepsy, and has a mechanical heart valve and a cardiac pacemaker. His physical condition is highly concerning, and his family is worried about the impact of interrogation pressure on his health.”

He was initially arrested on July 19, 2023 and then released on bail in December 2023 to receive medical treatment.

During his previous detention, he appeared before Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, where he defended himself against charges including “enmity against God (moharebeh),” propaganda against the regime, and “membership in anti-government groups.”

Younes Azadbar, 62, is a resident of Sangar, a town in Rasht County. He has a prior conviction related to his activism.

Poet Faramarz Se-Dehi Sentenced to Over 22 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faramarz Se-Dehi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khuzestan, Mahshahr, فرامرز سه دهی

HRANA News Agency – Faramarz Se-Dehi, a poet and member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, has been sentenced to more than 22 months in prison by Branch 1 of the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court.

According to the verdict issued on April 13, 2025, Mr. Se-Dehi was sentenced to seven and a half months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 15 months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” Under the principle of enforcing the severest punishment, the 15-month sentence will be carried out.

Earlier, on February 18, 2025, Mr. Se-Dehi was formally charged at Branch 2 of the Behbahan Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently released on bail. He had been summoned to the prosecutor’s office following a notice issued on February 12, 2025.

On January 9, 2025, Mr. Se-Dehi was arrested at his private residence by IRGC intelligence agents. He was released after several hours, but during the arrest, the agents searched his home and confiscated his mobile phone and books.

Faramarz Se-Dehi, a Khuzestan-based poet and a member of the Iranian Writers’ Association, has previously faced legal action in connection with his activities.

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Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Prisoner Accused of Espionage for Israel

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Executions, News
IRGC Intelligence, Naser Bakarzadeh, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Naser Bakarzadeh, a prisoner held in Urmia Prison. Bakarzadeh had previously been sentenced to death by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage for Israel.”

This judicial decision was communicated to his defense attorney today. Bakarzadeh is currently being held in the political ward of Urmia Prison and remains in legal limbo until a new court branch is assigned and his case is re-examined.

In November 2024, Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “espionage for Israel and collaboration with the Mossad intelligence agency.” The Judiciary’s media center was the first to announce this verdict.

Approximately 26 years old, Bakarzadeh was arrested in December 2023–January 2024. He was held for a period in the IRGC Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia, where he underwent interrogation. According to a source close to his family, the process involved violations of his basic rights, including denial of phone calls and family visits.

Minoo Roozehdar Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, IRGC Intelligence, Minoo Roozehdar

HRANA News Agency – Minoo Roozehdar , a Tehran resident, has been sentenced to 14 months in prison and paying a fine by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Ms. Roozehdar to 14 months in prison and a 30 million toman fine on charges including propaganda against the regime and spreading false information. Her prison sentence has been suspended for four years.

Minoo Roozehdar had been arrested by security forces on January 20, 2025, in Tehran and transferred to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility, known as Ward 1-A. After one week, she was moved to the women’s ward of Evin Prison. She was released on March 4, 2025, after posting bail.

Roozehdar is a Tehran resident and mother of three.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA reported a total of 84 cases where Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, issued verdicts that violated the human rights of defendants.

Teacher’s Union Activist Kobra Taherkhani Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kobra Taherkhani, Pari Taherkhani, Qazvin, کبری طاهرخانی

HRANA News Agency – Kobra (Pari) Taherkhani, a teachers’ union activist in Qazvin, has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Qazvin Revolutionary Court to three years in prison and a three-year travel ban.

According to the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the verdict was issued on March 16, 2025, and formally communicated to Ms. Taherkhani. She received two years in prison for insulting the Supreme Leader and one year for propaganda against the regime. Additionally, she was sentenced to a three-year travel ban as a supplementary punishment.

The charges against Ms. Taherkhani were partly based on content published on her Instagram page.

Earlier, on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, she was summoned for interrogation at Branch 1 of the Qazvin Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. After being formally charged, she was released on bail.

Prior to that, on December 2, 2024, IRGC Intelligence agents raided her home in Qazvin, interrogated her for several hours, and confiscated her mobile phone and laptop.

Kobra (Pari) Taherkhani is a teachers’ union activist with 26 years of experience and currently serves as the principal of a lower secondary school in Qazvin Province.

Ongoing Detention of Political Prisoner Mahnaz Tarah in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mahnaz Tarah

HRANA News Agency – Mahnaz Tarah, a political prisoner, is currently serving the 16th month of her sentence in Evin Prison. Recently, her request for furlough was denied.

A source close to her family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating that her recent furlough request was rejected following interference from the IRGC Intelligence Organization. An agent named Esmail Shafiee, affiliated with IRGC Intelligence, is directly in charge of Ms. Tarah’s case.

In January of this year, Mahnaz Tarah’s request for a retrial was denied by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Ghasem Mazinani. Earlier, in November, 2024, her request for conditional release had also been rejected by the IRGC Intelligence.

Mahnaz Tarah was violently arrested by security forces on November 13, 2023, on a street in Tehran. She was eventually transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the public ward of the prison on November 23 of the same year.

In January of 2024, she was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to three years and eight months in prison for “assembly and collusion to act against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Her sentence was reduced to two years and nine months following a plea of no contest.

Mahnaz Tarah has had previous encounters with judicial and security authorities.

A Citizen Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Forces in Meshgin Shahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardabil Province, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Meshgin Shahr

HRANA News Agency – The prosecutor of Meshgin Shahr, Ardabil province, announced the arrest of a citizen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces in this city. He claimed the individual had caused public anxiety through online content creation.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the prosecutor alleged that the individual was “one of the separatist elements who had been in contact with separatist groups and circles abroad through cyberspace.” Without naming the detainee, he further claimed that the individual was “causing public anxiety by producing separatist content, insulting Islamic sanctities and values, and promoting groups and organizations opposing the regime.”

Babak Nonahal added that the arrest was carried out by the IRGC Intelligence Organization of Ardabil Province. The individual was transferred to prison following the arrest.