New Case Filed in Prison: Mehdi Mahmoudian Summoned to Tehran Prosecutor’s Office

HRANA – Mehdi Mahmoudian, a civil activist imprisoned in the Greater Tehran Prison, is facing a new legal case. He has been summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran after receiving a notice to defend himself against new charges.

A recent summons, issued by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of District 31 (Media and Cyber Crimes) in Tehran, was delivered to Mr. Mahmoudian’s family. He has been asked to appear and respond to the charge of “spreading false information.”

Earlier this month, following Israel’s attack on Evin Prison, Mr. Mahmoudian was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison along with several other prisoners.

On February 3, 2025, he was arrested at the Enforcement Branch and sent to prison to serve his sentence.

Previously, Mahmoudian had been tried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. He was sentenced to 8 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” along with two-year bans on party membership, smartphone use, and foreign travel.

Commenting on his sentence, Mahmoudian had written that “all of these punishments were imposed solely because I responded to a false report by a news outlet about the ‘eradication of bedbugs in prison,’ and wrote that they are ‘addicted to lying.’”

He had also previously faced prosecution for giving an interview about the difficulties Baha’is face in burying their deceased. In May of last year, he was arrested after appearing at the Prosecutor’s Office for Culture and Media and released a day later on bail.

Political Prisoners Face Overcrowding and Unsafe Conditions After Transfer from Evin to Greater Tehran Penitentiary

HRANA News Agency – Following Israeli airstrikes on June 23 that directly targeted Evin Prison, Iranian authorities have initiated the mass transfer of inmates to other prisons across Tehran Province. Most political prisoners from Ward 4 of Evin have been moved to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary, where they now face harsh and deteriorating conditions, including extreme overcrowding, lack of access to clean drinking water, and the absence of separation between inmates by the nature of their charges.

HRANA has learned that political prisoners including Morteza Parvin, Abdolaziz Azimi Ghadim, Mahmoud Ojaghlou, Taher Naghavi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Abolfazl Ghadiani, Mohammad Bagher Bakhtiar, and Hossein Shanbehzadeh are among those transferred.

A source close to Taher Naghavi reported that he is being held in a hall with at least 120 inmates—despite the space being designed for no more than 40 people—and is not separated from those convicted of non-political offenses.

Additional reports highlight the facility’s inadequate water supply. Inmates have described the available water as too salty to drink. According to a source close to Morteza Parvin, he and Mahmoud Ojaghlou were moved late Monday night without being allowed to bring any of their personal belongings.

Family members have also confirmed these developments. Ahmad Ghadiani and Alireza Bakhtiar, sons of Abolfazl Ghadiani and Mohammad Bagher Bakhtiar, respectively, shared on social media that their fathers had been transferred. Alireza noted that many inmates now sleep on the floor and that only one bottle of mineral water is provided for every four political prisoners.

Fatemeh Alvandi, the mother of Mehdi Mahmoudian, told Emtedad News Agency that the detention conditions are extremely poor. She reported overcrowded quarters, unsanitary facilities, and a lack of basic necessities. According to her, her son and others lacked even food containers upon arrival, and the lack of hygiene products is now threatening inmates’ health.

Abbas Shanbehzadeh confirmed that his brother, Hossein, was also among those moved from Ward 4 of Evin to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary.

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, Mai Sato, has expressed concern about the treatment of these transferred inmates. She also noted receiving reports of arbitrary arrests and expedited trials lacking due process, particularly since the onset of the Israeli strikes.

The June 23 airstrikes struck Evin’s entrance gate and the judiciary building within the prison compound. Several conscripted soldiers were reportedly killed or injured, along with some prison staff and inmate workers who were gardening at the time. Following the attack, Iran’s Prisons Organization confirmed the transfer of Evin inmates to other facilities in the province.

Civil Rights Activist Mehdi Mahmoudian Faces Legal Action for Criticizing Discrimination Against Baha’i Community

Civil rights activist Mehdi Mahmoudian faces a new legal challenge with the initiation of a case against him in the Cyber Crimes Court.

This civil activist announced that a new case has been initiated against him in the District 31 Cyber Crimes Court. This case was filed following a complaint by the officials of Behesht-e Zahra Cemetery, due to Mr. Mahmoudian’s interview regarding the burial issues faced by the Baha’i community in burying their deceased.

Further complicating his legal battles, one of Mahmoudian’s previous cases has been escalated to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Mahmoudian was detained on May 19, 2024, following his appearance at the Culture and Media Court, but was released on bail the subsequent day.

Prior to this incident, he disclosed that he was summoned to court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

With a history of convictions and imprisonment for his advocacy, Mahmoudian continues to confront significant legal pressures.

Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi and Mehdi Mahmoudian Transferred to General Ward of Evin Prison on 31st Day of Detention

On Wednesday, September 15, lawyers Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, and Mehdi Mahmoudian were transferred from solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison to the general ward of the prison.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, these citizens announced their transfer to the public ward of Evin Prison during a telephone call with their families.

Despite the issuance of indictment and designation of a court branch, the detainees were still kept in solitary confinement in Ward 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the intelligence service section of the judiciary for an entire month. Mostafa Nili has only been allowed to make phone calls twice since his arrest.

On August 14, several lawyers and civil activists, including Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Maryam Afrafraz, and Leila Heydari, were arrested during a meeting at the office of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights in Tehran.

Leila Heydari and Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb were released on bail a day after their arrest, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz were released on bail on August 29, but Nili, Kaykhrosravi, and Mahmoudian had remained in detention.

Apart from being allowed to contact their families on the first day of their detention, these citizens have been largely denied the right to make telephone calls.

Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi and Mehdi Mahmoudian Still in Detention in Evin Prison

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, lawyers and civil activists Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, and Mehdi Mahmoudian are still in detention weeks after their arrest.

The citizens are being held in Ward 241 of Evin Prison under the supervision of the intelligence service of Judiciary.

On August 14, several lawyers and civil activists, including Mostafa Nili, Arash Kaykhosravi, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb, Maryam Afrafraz, and Leila Heydari, were arrested during a meeting at the office of the Association for the Protection of Civil Rights in Tehran.

Leila Heydari and Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb were released on bail a day after their arrest, and Mohammad Reza Faghihi and Maryam Afrafaraz were released on bail on August 29, but Nili, Kaykhrosravi, and Mahmoudian remain in detention.

These lawyers and civil activists have been accused of “running an illegal organization” under Article 498 of the Islamic Penal Code. Apart from being allowed to contact their families on the first day of their detention, these citizens have been largely denied the right to make telephone calls.

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“They Arrest first, Then Look for a Reason”: Security Forces Search Homes of Detained Lawyers and Civil Activists Raising Concerns of Fabricated Evidence

"Eleven security officers who raided Arash Kaykhosravi's father's house today closed his room’s door for a few minutes and did not allow family members to enter. This is the prelude to 'gathering evidence' through embedding the evidence in the room. They arrest first, then look for a reason."

In recent days, a number of civil activists and lawyers have been arrested under dubious pretenses, many of whom are still in detention.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, some of the arrested have had their homes searched by security forces, raising concerns of fabricated evidence.

On Saturday, August 14 Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, Leila Heidari, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Maryam Afrafaraz were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location. Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb and Leila Heydari were released hours after their arrest, but the others remain in detention.

On the afternoon of Wednesday, August 25, security forces searched the home of lawyer Mostafa Nili and the home of Arash Kaykhosravi’s father.

Saeid Dehghan, Mr. Kaykhosravi’s lawyer, wrote on his social media page, “Eleven security officers who raided Arash Kaykhosravi’s father’s house today closed his room’s door for a few minutes and did not allow family members to enter. This is the prelude to ‘gathering evidence’ through embedding the evidence in the room. They arrest first, then look for a reason. They took the CCTV camera with them so that there is no evidence of their attack.”

On the same day, the house of Mohammad Reza Faghihi was searched by security forces. Earlier, Mr. Nili’s lawyer, Zahra Minouei, expressed that she does not have access to her client’s case.

“Because I am not a trusted lawyer accepted by the judiciary in security cases, they have not allowed accessing my client’s case,” Minouei said. “After the release of the videos related to Evin Prison [by hackers], the mental condition of my client’s family is not good and their concerns have been greatly increased.”

Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari are lawyers, Mehdi Mahmoudian is a journalist and member of the Central Council of the Etihad Mellat party, and Maryam Afrafaraz is a civil activist and a member of the Imam Ali Charity Association.

Regarding the reason behind these arrests, an informed source earlier said that the lawyers and activists were talking in a meeting about the negligence of the officials and its contribution to the spread coronavirus, and expressed possible complaints against some officials. But they had not reached a complete conclusion and were arrested.

Five Lawyers and 2 Activists Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

On Saturday, August 14 Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Maryam Afrafaraz were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, The citizens’ personal belongings were confiscated at the time of arrest by security forces.

Arash Kaykhosravi, Mostafa Nili, Mohammad Reza Faghihi, Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kasb, and Leila Heidari are lawyers, Mehdi Mahmoudian is a journalist and member of the Central Council of the Etihad Mellat party, and Maryam Afrafaraz is a civil activist and a member of the Imam Ali Charity Association.

Mohammad Hadi Erfanian Kaseb and Leila Heydari were released hours after their arrest. Five others are still in detention.

The reasons behind the citizens’ arrests and their whereabouts are not known as of this writing, and the number of detainees is likely to be higher.

19 political prisoners on hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison

HRANA News Agency – 19 political prisoners of Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj have gone on hunger strike in solidarity with the political prisoners of ward 350 of Evin prison.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Afshin Heyratian, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, Saleh Kohandel, Said Masouri, Mohammad Ali Mansouri, Rasoul Badaghi, Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi, Khaled Hardani, Hamid Reza Borhani, Batir Shahr Mohammadov, Misagh Yazdan Nejad and Naseh Yousefi have gone on hunger strike since the morning of April 23rd in solidarity with the political prisoners of ward 350 of Evin prison. Continue reading “19 political prisoners on hunger strike in Rajai Shahr prison”

More political prisoners have to return to prisons

HRANA News Agency – A while before presidential elections, Zhila Karamzade Makvandi, Masoud Bastani, Ahmad Zeydabadi, Bahman Ahmadi Amooi and Didar Raufi returned to the prisons.
 
According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Zhila Karamzade Makvandi, one of the peace mothers who had come for vacation last week returned to prison yesterday. Continue reading “More political prisoners have to return to prisons”

Shiva Nazar Ahari returned to Evin prison

HRANA News Agency – Shiva Nazar Ahari, the human rights activist and a founder member of the committee of human rights reporters returned to Evin prison yesterday afternoon.
 
According to a report by the committee of human rights reporters, she had come for the vacation for the second time without asking for it on 1st May and was called to return to the prison and supposed to go there yesterday. Continue reading “Shiva Nazar Ahari returned to Evin prison”