Tag: irgc

Khomein: Nurse Seyed Behzad Saeedi Arrested and Sent to Prison

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News
Behzad Saeedi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khomein, بهزاد سعیدی

HRANA – Seyed Behzad Saeedi, a resident of Khomein, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, October 22. He was charged the following day at the Khomein Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently transferred to the city’s prison under a two-month detention order.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Saeedi was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence on Wednesday, October 22, at his father’s home and taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. After one day, he was brought before the Khomein Prosecutor’s Office, where he was charged with ‘assembly and collusion to act against internal security’ and ‘propaganda against the regime.’ Following this, the prosecutor issued a two-month detention order, and he was transferred to Khomein Prison.”

According to this informed source, “sending photos of sensitive locations in the city to foreign media” has been cited as an example of the charges brought against Mr. Saeedi.

Seyed Behzad Saeedi, born in 1990, is a nurse and a native and resident of Khomein.

Death Sentence of Hossein Shahoozahi Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Executions, News
irgc, Razavi Khorasan Province, Vakilabad prison, Yousef Mohammad-Hosseini

HRANA – Hossein Shahoozahi, a detainee held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, a verdict that has recently been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Following his arrest by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, Shahoozahi has been accused of attempting to assassinate the Supreme Leader’s representative in Razavi Khorasan Province and of planning an attack on the governor’s office.

According to Haal Vsh, Mashhad Revolutionary Court had previously issued the initial death sentence against Shahoozahi, which has now been upheld by the country’s highest judicial authority.

Hossein Shahoozahi, 29, a native of Zahedan, is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

He was arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces at the Mashhad bus terminal. On December 9, 2022, the Public Relations Office of the IRGC in Razavi Khorasan Province confirmed the arrest of several individuals, including Shahouzehi, claiming that they were affiliated with an opposition group. The IRGC’s statement further alleged that “a significant quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was discovered and confiscated from these individuals.”

Following his arrest, Shahoozahi faced multiple charges, including possession of weapons, attempting to assassinate Ahmad Alamolhoda -the Supreme Leader’s representative in Razavi Khorasan Province – and planning an attack on the governor’s office in Mashhad. The Revolutionary Court ultimately sentenced him to death. Throughout the judicial process, he was denied the right to access legal counsel.

According to local media reports, Shahouzehi was held for about six months in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility, where he was subjected to pressure and violent treatment by interrogators. During this period, he was also denied any contact or visits with his family.

Local sources further reported that Shahoozahi had been arrested simultaneously with another individual named Yousef Mohammad-Hosseini, 25, and a native of Mirjaveh. To date, there has been no information about Mohammad-Hosseini’s fate, which remains unknown.

Appeal Court Upholds 25-Year Prison Sentence for Baha’i Citizen Rouya Sabet

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News, Religious Minorities
Adelabad Prison, Baha'i citizen, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Rouya Sabet, Shiraz, رویا ثابت

HRANA – The 25-year prison sentence of Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, has been upheld in full by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

The ruling, issued on September 23 by the appellate court, has since been officially communicated to Ms. Sabet. According to the verdict, she received 10 years in prison for each of the charges of “collaboration and communication with Israeli nationals and institutions” and “forming and running a group with the intent to act against national security.” She was also sentenced to five years in prison for “religious propaganda activity contrary to the Sharia of Islam.”

As complementary punishments, Ms. Sabet was handed a two-year travel ban (including passport cancellation), five years’ deprivation of social rights, and a ban on online activity.

The verdict is final. Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the heaviest sentence, 10 years of imprisonment, will be enforceable.

On May 28, 2024, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced Ms. Sabet to 25 years in prison along with additional penalties on the same charges.

Rouya Sabet, a Baha’i citizen residing in the United Arab Emirates, was summoned and arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Shiraz on February 15, 2024, while visiting the city. She was released approximately five months later from Adelabad Prison in Shiraz after posting bail.

Younes Azadbar Sentenced to Prison by Rasht Revolutionary Court

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

HRANA – Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht, has been sentenced to 22 months and 17 days in prison by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the verdict against Mr. Azadbar was recently issued by Branch 2 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court, presided over by Mohammad-Ali Darvish-Goftar.

Mr. Azadbar was sentenced to 7 months and 16 days in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and 15 months and 1 day for “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

He had previously received a summons to appear before the same court. On August 19, 2025, he and two other citizens were also summoned to Branch 4 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Rasht to respond to related charges.

Younes Azadbar was arrested on May 5, 2025, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home and was released six days later after posting bail.

Mr. Azadbar, 62 years old and a resident of Rasht County, has previously been arrested and convicted for his activities.

Family Left in the Dark Nine Days After Saro Yarahmadi’s Arrest by IRGC Intelligence

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News, Other
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Kermanshah, Saro Yarahmadi

HRANA – Saro Yarahmadi (Yar-Ahmadi), a dentist residing in Kermanshah, has been held in detention by IRGC Intelligence agents in this city for the past nine days, with no information available about his whereabouts. The uncertainty surrounding his fate has heightened the concerns of his family and relatives.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Mr. Yarahmadi was arrested in Kermanshah by IRGC Intelligence agents and transferred to an undisclosed location. Despite the family’s efforts, none of the security or judicial institutions have provided clear answers regarding his situation.”

The lack of information about Mr. Yarahmadi’s condition has caused increasing concern among his family and close relatives.

In 2024, a total of 2,783 Iranian citizens were arrested by security and judicial authorities due to their beliefs, opinions, or political and civil activities. Over the past decade, the number of such arrests has exceeded 56,000. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2022, during the nationwide protests, when HRANA documented 23,977 detentions.

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Ongoing Detention: Baha’i Citizen Keyhan Maghsoudi Remains in Limbo

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News, Religious Minorities
irgc, Keyhan Maghsoudi, Keyhan Maqsoudi, Urmia prison

HRANA – Baha’i citizen Keyhan Maghsoudi, a resident of Urmia, remains in limbo 85 days after his arrest, currently held in one of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) detention facilities in the city.

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Mr. Maghsoudi has been held in detention for 85 days without clarity about his case. He was initially kept in a security detention center in Urmia. On September 4, he was transferred to Urmia Prison, but two days later was returned to an IRGC detention facility for further interrogation. Since his arrest, his family has only been allowed two brief visits, and he continues to be denied access to legal counsel.”

Mr. Maghsoudi was arrested on Friday, June 20, 2025, during the 12-day Iran-Israel war, by security forces at his workplace. Following his arrest, he was transferred between Urmia’s security detention centers and Urmia Prison multiple times. About a month after his arrest, security forces also confiscated his personal vehicle.

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

Keyhan Maghsoudi, 49, is unmarried and works as a photographer and filmmaker in Urmia. A nature enthusiast, he has collaborated on numerous cinema and television projects.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

Amin Dehestani Arrested in Khorramabad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amin Dehestani, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khorramabad, امین دهستانی

HRANA – Amin Dehestani, a blogger residing in Khorramabad, was arrested yesterday in the city by security forces and transferred to the IRGC Intelligence detention facility.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Dehestani was arrested on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at his workplace, a drug rehabilitation center, by IRGC Intelligence agents. He was then transferred to the detention facility of this security institution in Khorramabad.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges against this citizen.

Amin Dehestani, a 46-year-old blogger from Khorramabad, is the father of one child. He had previously published posts criticizing public services and addressing citizens’ problems.

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.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence and Defrocking of Shiite Cleric Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad, Qom prison

HRANA – The Appeals Court of the Special Clerical Court has upheld the prison sentence and defrocking order against Shiite cleric Mohammad-Taghi Akbarnejad. In the initial ruling, he had been sentenced to 23 months and six days in prison, along with three years of defrocking from the clergy.

A page attributed to this cleric reported that the Appeals Court of the Special Clerical Court confirmed in full both his prison sentence and defrocking order. In the lower court, he had been sentenced to eight months and one day in prison on the charge of “acting against the regim,” and to 15 months and five days in prison for “insulting the leaders of the Islamic Revolution.” Additionally, he was sentenced to three years of defrocking on the charge of “dishonoring the clergy.”

Mr. Akbarnejad was released from Qom Prison in March 2024 after posting bail. His arrest had taken place on February 17, 2024, by agents of the IRGC Intelligence.

In an earlier audio message sent to HRANA, Akbarnejad described being pressured to make forced confessions.

Mr. Akbarnejad, a Shiite cleric and former professor at the Qom Seminary, has previously faced judicial action due to his activities.

Mohsen Alizadeh Arrested in Gachsaran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gachsaran, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mohsen Alizadeh, Mohsen Alizadeh Benari, محسن عالی زاده

HRANA – Yesterday, Mohsen Alizadeh Benari, a resident of Gachsaran, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, was arrested at his home by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “On Tuesday, August 12, Mr. Alizadeh was arrested at his residence in Gachsaran by IRGC Intelligence agents. The agents searched the premises and confiscated his digital devices, including his laptop and mobile phone.”

As of now, there is no information on his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges against him.

Mohsen Alizadeh Benari has previously been arrested and served prison time for his activities. He was detained during the nationwide protests of November 2019 and spent a period in prison.

Andimeshk Resident Ruhollah Korki Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Amin Korki, Andimeshk, HRANA, irgc, Ruhollah Korki

HRANA – On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Ruhollah Korki, a resident of Andimeshk, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest, telling HRANA: “Mr. Korki was detained by plainclothes agents while walking with his young daughter on a street in Andimeshk. His daughter returned home in tears. The arresting agents were reportedly affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

It remains unclear whether Korki is being held in Andimeshk or has been transferred to Ahvaz. While the family was informed that the arresting forces had come from Ahvaz, some evidence suggests he may still be held locally.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for Korki’s arrest and any charges brought against him have not been disclosed.

Ruhollah Korki is the brother of Amin Korki, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of December 2017. Amin Korki died under suspicious circumstances in April 2018 following a second arrest.