Tag: Mazandaran

IRGC Intelligence Organization: At least 127 People Arrested in Three Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Religious Minorities
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Mazandaran

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization has announced the identification and arrest of at least 127 individuals in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. The organization claims that these individuals, including media activists, Baha’i citizens, people affiliated with opposition groups, and “spy teams”, were involved in activities linked to what it described as “networks affiliated with foreign governments.”

According to a report by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced in a statement the arrest of dozens of individuals. The organization stated that “cells affiliated with the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom” had been identified and “dismantled” in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. In the statement, those arrested were accused of actions such as “network-building, espionage, market disruption, and planning unrest.”

According to the claims made, seven individuals were arrested in East Azerbaijan province for alleged connections with “monarchist” groups. In Mazandaran province, authorities reported the arrest of 69 individuals who, according to the organization, face accusations including ties to anti-government movements and so-called “economic mercenary” activities.

The report further states that the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman province announced the identification and action taken against 51 individuals. It claimed that among them were three “spy teams” linked to foreign intelligence services, two groups of Baha’i citizens, a four-member “armed operational cell affiliated with monarchist groups,” and six media operatives connected to the “Iran International” network. According to the organization, these individuals were attempting to disrupt the market and organize unrest through contacts outside the country.

The statement also claimed that quantities of weapons and communication equipment were discovered at locations where these individuals were held.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or the legal process of their cases. Additionally, despite the scale of the reported figures and the accusations made, no specific details have been provided regarding the evidence for these charges, the manner of the arrests, or the exact nature of their alleged connections.

Arrest of 23 Citizens on Accusations of Foreign Contacts and Anti-Government Activities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gilan, Hormozgan, HRANA, Lorestan, Mazandaran, Tonekabon

HRANA – Iranian domestic media have reported the arrest of 23 citizens in the provinces of Lorestan, Hormozgan, Mazandaran, and Gilan on accusations including “sending information to foreign countries and links to groups opposed to the government.”

According to IRIB, 19 citizens were arrested by forces of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. In a statement, Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced that seven individuals accused of “communicating with pages attributed to Israel on social media and sending information about sensitive, military, and infrastructure sites” were arrested in the provinces of Lorestan and Hormozgan.

Officers of this institution also arrested eight citizens in Mazandaran Province and four individuals in Gilan Province, who were alleged to have intended to “take action against law enforcement centers and security forces.”

Separately, according to Fars, four citizens were arrested in Tonekabon. The county’s law enforcement command claimed that these individuals were “affiliated with groups opposed to the government,” and that a number of unauthorized hunting weapons were also discovered in their possession.

These reports did not provide further details, including the identities or places of detention of these citizens.

It should be noted that the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording events related to these conflicts across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 40th day of the conflict, which was published last night.

Report on the Arrest of 62 People Across Several Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faraja, Forced confession, HRANA, irgc, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Mazandaran, Tehran

HRANA – Domestic media outlets have reported the arrest of 62 citizens in the provinces of Kermanshah, Kurdistan, Isfahan, Kerman, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, Mazandaran, and Tehran.

According to Tabnak, a number of citizens were arrested in four different provinces. In a statement, the Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 30 citizens. According to the statement, security agents in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad and Kurdistan provinces arrested 15 people on accusations of “cooperation with foreign countries.” In addition, 13 other citizens, accused of “sending information and coordinates of defense and sensitive sites to foreign media and countries,” were arrested in Kerman, Kurdistan, and Isfahan.

According to a report by ISNA, the Information Center of the Greater Tehran Police Command announced that an individual who had “sent the locations of inspection checkpoints and police units to anti-government channels” was identified and arrested.

Mersad News also reported that the commander of the IRGC in Songhor and Koliai County announced the arrest of one citizen in that county.

The report claimed that this citizen had been cooperating with foreign-based media outlets and had recorded images and videos from sensitive areas and sent them to those outlets. At the same time, a video of the individual’s forced confession was released, though it is unclear under what circumstances it was obtained.

Meanwhile, the FARAJA Intelligence Organization in Mazandaran Province announced that 30 citizens had been arrested in the province. The stated reason for their arrests was sending information and details related to provincial security and military sites to foreign media outlets.

These reports did not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that the military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the thirtieth day of the conflict, published last night.

At Least 90 Citizens Arrested in Various Provinces in Connection with the War

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faraja, HRANA, irgc, Khuzestan, Mazandaran, Razavi Khorasan

HRANA –Security authorities announced that a total of 90 individuals have been arrested in various provinces on charges of “anti-security” activities.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, the Public Security Police (FARAJA) reported the arrest of 54 citizens. In the statement, without specifying where the arrests took place, authorities claimed that the detainees intended to act as leaders in organizing street protests and damaging citizens’ property. It was further stated that at the time of arrest, 11 of these individuals opened fire on police officers, and several firearms and ammunition were seized from them.

FARAJA described these individuals as “monarchists” and claimed that two of them had sent the geographic coordinates of important locations to the intelligence services of countries involved in the war.

In another report, the news agency stated that 13 citizens in Qom Province were arrested by IRGC forces in the province on charges of “security-related” activities. Three Starlink satellite devices were confiscated from them.

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) News Agency, the Ministry of Intelligence also announced the arrest of 23 citizens in the provinces of Mazandaran, Razavi Khorasan, and Khuzestan.

The Ministry of Intelligence stated that 10 individuals were arrested in Mazandaran, 10 in Razavi Khorasan, and 3 citizens in Khuzestan. The reported reason for the arrest of 20 of these individuals was sending images of military locations and economic infrastructure to countries involved in the war.

Regarding the three individuals arrested in Khuzestan, the report claimed that they had carried out armed attacks against security forces and public places in recent days.

The reports did not provide information about the identities or places of detention of these individuals.

Since February 28, 2026, Iran has been subjected to a series of military attacks carried out by Israel and the United States. For further details, readers can refer to HRANA’s report, which provides a statistical overview of the war and its consequences.

Mazandaran: Eight Administrators of a Telegram Channel Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Chalus, HRANA, Mazandaran

HRANA – The Chief Justice of Mazandaran Province has announced the arrest of eight citizens who administered a Telegram channel. The detainees are facing charges including “participation in forming and operating a network aimed at disrupting national security” and “propaganda activity against the regime.” After cases were opened against them in the Chalus Prosecutor’s Office, they were subsequently transferred to prison.

According to ILNA, the Chief Justice identified the detainees as core members of the Telegram channel “Shikar-e Mozdoor” (Mercenary Hunter) and reiterated the charges of “forming and managing a network allegedly intended to undermine national security and engaging in propaganda activities against the regime”.

Abbas Pouriani further stated that the Telegram channel attributed to these individuals has been blocked, and that investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest additional suspects. He noted that the arrests—carried out in Ramsar, Tonekabon, Chalus, Abbasabad, and Nowshahr—followed nearly ten months of surveillance, after which the individuals were transferred to prison under judicial orders.

No additional details, including the individuals’ identities or the precise dates of their arrests, have been disclosed.

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A Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison

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Executions, News
Habib Shojaei, Mazandaran, Sari Prison

On Sunday, June 30, 2024, an inmate convicted of murder was executed in Sari Prison, Mazandaran Province, as reported by Iran Human Rights Organization.

The identity of this prisoner has been reported as “Habib Shojaei, approximately forty years old.”
The report states: This prisoner was arrested about three years ago on charges of murder and was sentenced to death by the judiciary.

No official sources or domestic media outlets within the country have provided coverage of these executions at the time of writing. In 2023, 66% of HRANA’s reports on executions lacked official announcements by judicial authorities and went unreported by media inside Iran, highlighting a troubling lack of transparency in due process.

In 2023, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran registered the execution of 767 individuals. Out of these, 7 were carried out in public. Among the executed individuals whose genders were identified, 21 were female. Additionally, 2 juvenile offenders, defined as individuals under the age of 18 at the time of their alleged crimes, were also executed.

Crackdown on Dissent Following Kerman Blasts: Dozens Arrested and Prosecuted

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kerman, Mazandaran, Qasem Soleimani, Sadegh Zibakalam, South Khorasan province

In the aftermath of the tragic explosions in Kerman during Qasem Soleimani’s commemoration ceremony, claiming numerous lives and causing injuries, security forces and affiliated individuals on social media have actively sought to identify and apprehend those expressing opinions about the incident. As a result, dozens of individuals have been summoned, arrested, and had their social media pages removed, with an estimated 76 people detained in connection to these events.

According to 32 reports from social media channels associated with Iran’s security institutions, at least 76 arrests have been made, 108 individuals have been summoned to security/judicial institutions, 537 social media pages were taken down, and two businesses in Mazandaran and South Khorasan Province were closed.

In an attempt to instill fear and suppress dissent, these security-affiliated channels have doxed 28 citizens, leading to their subsequent arrests and prosecutions. Furthermore, one security-affiliated channel has released a video featuring the coerced confession of a citizen, although the location and circumstances of the recording remain unclear. In the video, the detainee expresses regret for his opinions, attributing his actions to the influence of social media.

The regime’s approach has sparked concerns about potential violations of citizens’ privacy rights. Additionally, the Tehran prosecutor has announced legal action against Sadegh Zibakalam, an author and political pundit, and seven others for their statements regarding the recent blasts in Kerman. Furthermore, several students have faced disciplinary measures from universities due to their opinions on the incident.

Appeals Court Upholds Six-Month Sentence for Writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie

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Freedom of Expression, News
Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie, Iranian Writer, Mazandaran, ارسلان رسولی عمارلویی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has affirmed the six-month sentence imposed on writer Arsalan Rasouli Amarlooie.

This decision follows his initial conviction by the Tonekabon Revolutionary Court for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran.”

Rasouli Amarlooie’s charge is said to be linked to the republication of an article authored by a former managing editor of Kayhan on the internet.

Known for his literary contributions, Rasouli Amarlooie has authored several books, including “Uprising,” “The 1979 Fall,” “Return from Resurrection,” “Sargalesh Hymn,” and “School Teacher.”

Mahsa Yazdani’s 13-Year Sentence Upheld on Appeal

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Freedom of Expression, News
Blasphemy, Mahsa Yazdani, Mazandaran, Meysam Mousavi, Mohammad Javad Zahedi, محمدجواد یزدانی, مهسا یزدانی

The Mazandaran Court of Appeals has confirmed a 13-year sentence against Mahsa Yazdani, whose son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the nationwide protests in 2022 at the hands of regime forces.

Yazdani’s lawyer, Meysam Mousavi, publicly announced the affirmation of this verdict by the Mazandaran Court of Appeals on Sunday, November 19.

Initially, the Sari Revolutionary Court imposed a five-year term on Yazdani for “blasphemy,” an additional five years for “incitement against national security,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran,” and an extra year for “spreading propaganda against the regime,” resulting in a total of 13 years, with five years to be enforced.

On August 22, 2023, Yazdani was apprehended by security forces in Sari. After spending 45 days in detention, she was granted release on bail.

Her son, Mohammad-Javad Zahedi, tragically lost his life during the protests on September 22, 2022.

Fourteen Baha’i Citizens Receive Sentences and Fines in Mazandaran

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News, Religious Minorities
Afnaneh Nematian, Anis Senaei, Basir Samimi, Bita Haghighi, Golin Falah, Hengameh Alipour, HRANA, Mahsa Fathi, Majir Samimi, Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Mazandaran, Nazanin Goli, Negar Darabi, Qaem Shahr, Sam Samimi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Sanaz Hekmat Shoar

The Mazandaran Court of Appeal has handed down sentences and fines to 14 Baha’i citizens.

On November 2, verdicts were delivered, with Bita Haghighi and Sanaz Hekmat Shoar sentenced to three years in prison and a 30-million-toman fine (approximately 600 dollars). Mani Ghoi-Nejad, Negar Darabi, Sam Samimi, Mahsa Fathi, Samieh Gholi-Nejad, Majir Samimi, Anis Senaei, Afnaneh Nematian, Basir Samimi, Hengameh Alipour, Golin Falah, and Nazanin Goli were sentenced a fifty-million-toman fine (approximately 1000 dollars) in exchange for the initial sentence of two years and one month.

A source has informed HRANA that the individuals were verbally notified of these verdicts, seemingly in an attempt to prevent them from appealing. Their legal representation has also been denied access to the case documents. Additionally, they have been given ten days to pay the imposed fines.

These citizens had previously received a cumulative sentence of 31 years and were fined by the Qaem Shahr Revolutionary Court. Furthermore, all of their assets were seized.

The individuals were arrested by security forces in Sari and Babolsar, both located in Mazandaran Province, on August 31, 2022. They were subsequently released on bail in the months following their arrest.

At the time of their apprehension, the Ministry of Intelligence released a statement, accusing these citizens of being members of an espionage organization and claiming that two of them had received training from individuals in Israel.

According to HRANA annual report, from the total human rights reports regarding the violation of religious minorities’ rights, 64.63% belonged to the violation of the rights of Baha’is.

The Baha’i faith is not recognized as a legitimate religion by Iranian authorities, leading to systematic and longstanding violations of the rights of Baha’is in the country. This includes the denial of their fundamental right to practice their religion, which constitutes a clear breach of both Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The United Nations covenant holds that every person has the right to freedom of religion, freedom of converting religion, as well as freedom of expression, individually or collectively; openly or secretly.