Tag: Mashhad

Execution Sentence of Seyed Mohammad Javad Vafaie Suspended

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News, Prisoners
Babak Paknia, Mashhad, Seyed Mohammad Javad Vafaie, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Iran’s Supreme Court has agreed to halt the execution of Seyed Mohammad Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner held at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Babak Paknia, the defense attorney for this political prisoner, stated earlier today that an order to stop the execution of Mohammad Javad Vafaie Sani had been issued by the Supreme Court. The death sentence had recently been reaffirmed by the Supreme Court following the rejection of a request for retrial.

The death sentence of Javad Vafaie Sani had previously been overturned twice by the Supreme Court. However, in recent months it was upheld by Branch Nine of the Supreme Court. Following this decision, his lawyer submitted another request for retrial, which was ultimately rejected. Mr. Vafaie Sani was most recently sentenced to death in September 2024 by Branch Three of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on the charge of “corruption on earth.”

This 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In the initial stage of proceedings, he was also sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate destruction.” That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. In the second trial, a death sentence was again issued, which was likewise overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024.

Bahrooz Alikordi Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bahrooz Alikrdi, Khosrow Alikordi, Mashhad, Sabzevar

HRANA – Bahrooz Alikrdi, a relative of Khosrow Alikordi, was arrested yesterday by security forces in Mashhad and transferred to Soroush Detention Center in the city.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Alikordi was arrested today, Monday, November 22, 2025, by security forces at his workplace in Mashhad. Following the issuance of a temporary detention order, he was transferred to Soroush Detention Center. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Bahrooz Alikordi is the cousin of Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer and human rights defender from Sabzevar who resided in Mashhad and passed away on the evening of December 5, 2025. His burial ceremony was held on December 7 in Sabzevar and was accompanied by protest chants from attendees, including “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “Long Live Iran.”

On December 12, the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi was held at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad with a large turnout of citizens. The ceremony was marked by protest chants from participants and ultimately turned violent following the intervention of law enforcement forces. Dozens of attendees were arrested by security forces. On Saturday, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Mashhad announced the arrest of 39 individuals in connection with the ceremony, stating that they were detained due to what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behavior.” He also claimed that two law enforcement officers were injured during the event.

On December 17, HRANA published a report on the continued legal uncertainty of dozens of those arrested at the ceremony and the release of some on bail. The report provided further details, including the charges against individuals, transfers to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, and the release of some detainees under judicial guarantees.

Earlier this week, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Razavi Khorasan Province announced that out of the 39 individuals arrested in connection with the ceremony, nine have been released after posting appropriate bail.

Sadegh Mansouri Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khosrow Alikordi, Mashhad, Sadegh Mansouri, صادق منصوری

HRANA – Sadegh Mansouri, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested yesterday by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

The arrest took place on Sunday, December 21, 2025, when security forces raided his private residence in Mashhad. Based on information received by HRANA, officers stated at the time of arrest that the reason for this action was Mr. Mansouri’s presence at the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi.

So far, no information has been made available regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against him.

Yesterday, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Razavi Khorasan Province announced that out of 39 individuals arrested in connection with this ceremony, nine have been released after posting appropriate bail.

Previously, on December 18, 2025, HRANA published a report on the continued legal uncertainty of dozens of citizens arrested during the ceremony, as well as the release of some individuals on bail. That report included further details such as the charges attributed to those detained, transfers to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, and the release of several detainees under criminal bail orders.

On Friday, December 12, 2025, the seventh-day memorial ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi was held at Ghadir Mosque in Mashhad with a large public turnout. The event was accompanied by protest chants from participants and ultimately turned violent following the intervention of law enforcement forces. During the incident, dozens of attendees were arrested by security forces. On Saturday, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Mashhad confirmed the arrest of 39 individuals during the ceremony for Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer, stating that they were detained for what he described as “norm-breaking actions and behavior.” He also claimed that two law enforcement officers were injured during the event.

Sadegh Mansouri is a Mashhad-based citizen and an artist active in the field of calligraphy. He has previously faced security-related confrontations and arrest.

Mohammad Zanganeh Arrested in Mashhad

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Mohammad Zanganeh, محمد زنگنه

HRANA – Yesterday, Mohammad Zanganeh, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

A source close to Mr. Zanganeh’s family, confirming the news to HRANA, stated: “On Tuesday, December 16, Mohammad Zanganeh was arrested by security forces at his family home in Mashhad and taken to an undisclosed location.”

The source added: “Mr. Zanganeh had previously undergone knee surgery and, due to the presence of around 30 absorbable screws in that area, suffers from limited mobility and is unable to walk properly without assistive devices. Despite his physical condition, he was arrested violently and without the necessary medical precautions. Although his family has followed up with security institutions, no information has so far been obtained regarding his condition or place of detention, which has significantly increased the family’s concerns.”

According to information received by HRANA, the arrest of this citizen was carried out following the publication of posts and videos on social media.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his place of detention or the charges brought against Mr. Zanganeh.

Mohammad Zanganeh is 23 years old, single, originally from Torbat-e Heydarieh, and a resident of Mashhad.

Death Sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Executions, News
Mashhad, Mohammad-Javad Vafaie, Vakilabad

HRANA – The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani, a political prisoner, has once again been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court after his request for retrial was rejected.

The informed source told HRANA: “On Monday, December 15, 2025, the rejection of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani’s request for retrial by the Supreme Court was formally communicated to him in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Following this notification, prison authorities informed the Vafaie family during a phone call that his case had been sent to the Mashhad Office for the Implementation of Sentences. In addition, his mother was unexpectedly granted an in-person visit. Taken together, final confirmation of the sentence, referral of the case for implementation, and the sudden family visit, these developments indicate that this political prisoner’s situation has entered a highly concerning stage.”

The death sentence of Seyed Mohammad-Javad Vafaie Sani had previously been overturned twice by the Supreme Court, but in recent months it was upheld by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court. Following this decision, his defense attorney submitted another request for retrial, which was ultimately rejected. Most recently, in September 2024, Branch 3 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “corruption on earth.”

This 28-year-old political prisoner and boxing coach was arrested in Mashhad in March 2020 and transferred to Vakilabad Prison. In the initial stage of proceedings, he was also sentenced to death by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court on charges of “corruption on earth through deliberate destruction.” That verdict was overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration. In the second trial, a death sentence was again issued, which was likewise overturned by the Supreme Court in June 2024.

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Two Prisoners, Including a Woman, Executed in Mashhad

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Executions, News
Mahin Rahimi, Mashhad, Seyed Javad Tabatabaei, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, November 26, the death sentences of two prisoners, including one woman, were carried out in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. These prisoners had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners as Mahin Rahimi and Seyed Javad Tabatabaei. They were executed at dawn today. Based on information received by HRANA, both individuals had earlier been arrested on charges of murder and later sentenced to death by criminal courts.

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

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Arman Oskouei Sentenced to Imprisonment

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News, Prisoners
Mashhad, Seyed Arman Oskouei, Vakilabad

HRANA – Seyed Arman Oskouei, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to 23 months in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to the ruling issued by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court and delivered to Mr. Oskouei last week, he received 15 months and 1 day in prison on the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader and 7 months and 23 days on the charge of propaganda against the regime. He had been formally notified of these charges in October at the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office.

Oskouei was arrested on September 14, 2025, at his home in Mashhad and was transferred to Vakilabad Prison on September 27, 2025.

According to information obtained by HRANA, he had previously been arrested on July 6, 2025, by Basij forces for walking his dog in a park. During that incident, he was beaten, taken to a police station in Mashhad, and later released.

Seyed Arman Oskouei, 29, had also been arrested by security forces during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released afterward.

Two Prisoners Executed in Mashhad

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – Yesterday, November 19, the death sentences of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to execution on charges of murder were carried out in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

The identities of these prisoners, Mohsen Fakhraie and Ne’mat Shamloo, have been verified by HRANA.
According to information obtained by HRANA, they had earlier been arrested on charges of murder and subsequently sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

As of the time of this reporting, the executions have not been announced by prison authorities or other responsible institutions.

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

HRANA’s Report on the Execution of 31 Prisoners in Recent Days

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Executions, News
ahvaz, Aligudarz, Arak, Bam, Bandar-Abbas, Behbahan, Bukan, Damghan, Dezful, Gorgan, Ilam, Kermanshah, Khorramabad, Mashhad, Nahavand, Qom, Sabzevar, Salmas, Sanandaj, Semnan, Taybad, Yasuj, zanjan

HRANA – In recent days, authorities in several prisons across Iran have carried out the execution of dozens of inmates on drug-related and murder charges. The pace of executions this year has been unprecedented compared to previous years.

HRANA has documented the following executions in recent days:

Tuesday, November 11

• Reza Geraei, on drug-related charges, in Behbahan Prison

• Yaqub Dachi, 28, on murder charges, in Ilam Prison

Wednesday, November 12

• Abbas Beigi, on murder charges, in Yasuj Prison

• Saber Fallah, 33, on murder charges stemming from a street altercation, in Qom Prison

Thursday, November 13

• Qomri Abbaszadeh, 29, and Iraj Aghaei, 30, on murder and drug-related charges respectively, in Sari Prison

Saturday, November 15

• Nour Mohammad Rahmati, on drug-related charges, in Aligudarz Prison

• Yar Morad Hassanvand, on murder charges, in Khorramabad Prison

• Two prisoners executed in Dizelabad Prison in Kermanshah on murder charges; HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of them as Kamyar Fathi

•Jaber Saki and Jahan Rasouli, on murder and drug-related charges respectively, in Dezful Prison

Sunday, November 16

• Seyed Ali Hashemi of Karaj, on drug-related charges, in Salmas Prison

• (First name unknown) Yeganeh, on drug-related charges, in Bam Prison

• Habib Ezzati, on murder charges, in Sanandaj Prison

• Mohammad Amin Safari, on murder charges, in Bukan Prison

• Yasin Esfandiari, on drug-related charges, in Semnan Prison

• An unidentified prisoner, on murder charges, in Nahavand Prison

• Shokat Veisi (female), on drug-related charges, in Damghan Prison

• Amin Shokarkhodaei, on murder charges, in Arak Prison

• Mosib Khalavand, on drug-related charges, in Bandar Abbas Prison

Monday, November 17

• Reza Kamayi, on murder charges, in Sepidar Prison of Ahvaz

• Alireza Keshavarz, on murder charges, in Sabzevar Prison

• Amir Farkhnezhad, on drug-related charges, in Zanjan Prison

• Behzad Hasani, on murder charges, in Gorgan Prison

• Two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges in Taybad Prison; HRANA has verified the identity of one of them as Javad Sattari

• Four prisoners were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on drug-related charges. HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of them as Shamseddin (surname unknown), an Afghan national, and Alimardan Barani.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and responsible institutions have not publicly announced these executions.

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Three Prisoners Executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad

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Executions, News
HRANA, Kuhdasht, Mashhad, Rasoul Kahzadi, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – On Tuesday, November 4, three prisoners were executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to Khorasan daily, one of the executed prisoners was identified as Majid Sh., 29 years old. The report states that in June 2021, he was arrested on charges of murdering “Reza A.”, the husband of one of his acquaintances. The crime was allegedly committed in collaboration with the victim’s wife, motivated by an extramarital relationship between the two.

Both defendants confessed to the crime after their arrest. The Criminal Court Branch One of Razavi Khorasan Province sentenced Majid to death for murder and his accomplice to a long-term prison sentence. The death sentence was later upheld by the Supreme Court and subsequently carried out.

HRANA has identified another executed prisoner as Rasoul Kahzadi, a native of Kuhdasht. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Kahzadi was arrested in 2022 after traveling to Mashhad, where he was involved in a fatal altercation that resulted in the death of a young man. He was later sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

The third executed prisoner had also been sentenced to death for murder.

Further details, including the identity of the third prisoner, are still under investigation by HRANA.

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.