Ongoing Detention of Mehdi Farahi Shandiz; Reports of Assault During Arrest

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, a former contract teacher, remains in legal limbo in Evin Prison more than two weeks after his arrest. He was reportedly beaten by security forces at the time of his detention for chanting protest slogans.

A source close to his family told HRANA: “During the arrest, inside the van, Farahi Shandiz was beaten by security agents for chanting protest slogans. One officer applied intense pressure by sitting on his abdomen, causing physical injury.”

Farahi Shandiz has now spent 16 days in Evin Prison without due process, and efforts to release him on bail have so far failed.

He was arrested on May 1, 2025, during a teachers’ protest held in Tehran, coinciding with International Workers’ Day. At the same protest, retired teacher Hossein Ebadian from Malayer (now residing in Shahriar) and Ahmad Heydari were also detained but were later released on bail.

As of the time of this report, no formal charges have been announced against these union activists.

Farahi Shandiz has previously served prison time for his activism.

Four Teachers’ Union Activists Held Without Charge After May Day Protest

HRANA News Agency – Vali Mirza Seyedi, Ahmad Heydari, Hossein Ebadian, and Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, four teachers’ union activists, remain held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. They were arrested last week during a protest in Tehran on International Workers’ Day.

According to HRANA, quoting the Telegram channel of the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Union Organizations, the four activists are still in custody.
The report states that Vali Mirza Seyedi, Ahmad Heydari, and Hossein Ebadian are retired teachers, while Mehdi Farahi Shandiz is a former part-time teacher. They are currently detained in Ward 209 of Evin Prison without formal charges.

As of the time this report was prepared, no information has been released about the charges brought against these union activists.

Hossein Ebadian, a retired teacher from Malayer and resident of Shahriar, was arrested on Thursday, May 1, during a teachers’ protest in Tehran held in conjunction with International Workers’ Day. Mehdi Farahi Shandiz and Ahmad Heydari were also arrested during the same protest.

Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Beaten and Transferred to Solitary Confinement

HRANA News Agency – On December 5, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz political prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison was sent to the court violently by prison authorities after refusing to go to the court. Mr. Farahi has been moved to solitary confinement after the court.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on December 5, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner in hall 12 of ward 4 of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, was violently sent to the court by Darius Amirian, director of the prison director after refusing to go to the court. Continue reading “Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Beaten and Transferred to Solitary Confinement”

Political Prisoners Reject to Be Released with Electric Shackles

HRANA News Agency – Between 4 and 11 October, at least three political prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj were called to be released by the electronic fasteners plan. The prisoners are required to pay 30 million IRR for “the price of the shackles” and 2 million and half IRR as “the fee charged”. Two of the prisoners did not accept this kind of freedom.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), between 4 to 11 October, at least three political prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, Abdolhad Jalilzadeh, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz and Shahab Dehghan were called to be released by electronic fasteners plan. Continue reading “Political Prisoners Reject to Be Released with Electric Shackles”

The List Of Over 80 Political Prisoners In Rajai Shahr Prison In Karaj

HRANA News Agency – The following list includes names, warrants and charges of more than 80 political prisoners, prisoners of conscience and security in Rajai Shahr prison which has been prepared by the reporters of HRANA.
A diverse range of prisoners charged with political, conscience, military and security allegations are being held in Rajai Shahr prison. Although many of these prisoners are kept in separate rooms in Hall 12 but a large number of these prisoners are being kept also between non-political, criminals and sometimes dangerous prisoners unlike the principle of separation of crimes. Continue reading “The List Of Over 80 Political Prisoners In Rajai Shahr Prison In Karaj”

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Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Has to Stay in Prison until 2019

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shahndiz, political prisoner in Rajai Shahr Prison, in Karaj, who has been sentenced a total 9 years imprisonment on charges of insulting the leadership in three times, must stay in prison until 2019.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), out of these three cases, two sentences have been issued while Mehdi Farahi Shahndiz was kept in prison. Continue reading “Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Has to Stay in Prison until 2019”

Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Sentenced to Another 3 Years in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner in Rajai Shahr Prison, in Karaj, was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for the third time with the quite similar charges, in fact, first two times were during his imprisonment, and in this way, he should spend 9 years in prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), regarding the court verdict, issued on 26th May, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment by the branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Moghiseh, on charges of insulting the Supreme Leader, and disturbing public order, and this is despite the fact that he has not been informed about the Court hearing, and also the decision was not delivered to prisoner or the prisoner’s lawyer, and was directly stated on the prisoners situation statement. Continue reading “Mehdi Farahi Shandiz Sentenced to Another 3 Years in Prison”

Mehedi Farahi Shandiz Sentenced to another Three Years in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner of Rajaei Shahr prison of Karaj has been sentenced to another three years in prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner of Rajaei Shahr in Karaj, who is currently kept in ward number 10 of this prison, has been sentenced to another three years in prison by branch number 15 of the revolutionary court. Continue reading “Mehedi Farahi Shandiz Sentenced to another Three Years in Prison”

Mehdi Farahi Shandiz in Solitary Confinement since 26 Days ago

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison, who was transferred to solitary confinement since December, still has not returned to the public ward.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison, from 31st December was transferred to solitary confinement, and there is no information about his condition. Continue reading “Mehdi Farahi Shandiz in Solitary Confinement since 26 Days ago”

Mehdi Farahi Shandiz transferred to ward 2 of Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Farahi Shandiz, political prisoner in Rajai Shahr prison, was transferred from ward 1 to ward 2.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), on Sunday 27th July, Mehdi Farahi Shandiz was transferred from ward 1 in Rajai Shahr prison to ward 2. Continue reading “Mehdi Farahi Shandiz transferred to ward 2 of Rajai Shahr Prison”