HRANA – Nine residents of Esfarayen who were arrested in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026, remain in legal limbo. Several of these individuals face charges including “moharebeh” (enmity against God) and “corruption on earth.”
According to HRANA, nine residents of Esfarayen are being prosecuted in a joint case in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026.
Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammad Azari, Reza Rezapour, Hossein Mehrangiz, Ali Babri, Amirhossein Nazarzadeh, Sajjad Sang-Sefidi, and Mostafa Rajabalizadeh were transferred from Esfarayen Prison to Bojnurd Prison in early August. Their case has been referred to judicial authorities in Bojnurd County for further proceedings.
Amirhossein Sarban and Sajjad Shamsaei, the two defendants under the age of 18 in this case, were not transferred to Bojnurd Prison and are being held in a juvenile correctional center. Information received by HRANA indicates that both were under the age of 18 at the time of the events at issue in the case.
These individuals were arrested in connection with a fire at a traffic police kiosk in Esfarayen during the protests on January 8, 2026. The incident resulted in the deaths of Ali-Akbar Hosseinzadeh, the prosecutor of Esfarayen, and four others. HRANA had previously published reports on their continued detention and unresolved legal status.
Charges
According to information available in the case, the defendants face charges including “moharebeh,” “corruption on earth,” “premeditated murder,” “participation in premeditated murder,” “aiding and abetting premeditated murder,” “intentional destruction of property,” “arson,” “inciting or provoking people to wage war and kill one another,” “disrupting public order and peace,” and charges related to national security.
Reza Rezapour faces charges including destruction of property and setting fire to a police kiosk with the alleged intent of undermining national security and confronting the Islamic Republic, as well as inciting or provoking people to wage war and kill one another.
Mohammad Azari has been charged with “moharebeh and corruption on earth through displaying a bladed weapon with the intent to cause public fear and intimidation during the events of January 8.”
Sajjad Sang-Sefidi is also being prosecuted on charges of destroying and setting fire to a police kiosk with the alleged intent of undermining national security and confronting the Islamic Republic, conduct characterized by the authorities as constituting moharebeh.
Amirhossein Nazarzadeh faces charges including moharebeh and corruption on earth through brandishing a weapon with the alleged intent to cause public fear and intimidation, as well as destroying and setting fire to a police kiosk with the alleged intent of undermining national security and confronting the Islamic Republic.
Mostafa Rajabalizadeh likewise faces charges of destroying and setting fire to a police kiosk with the alleged intent of undermining national security and confronting the Islamic Republic, conduct characterized as constituting moharebeh.
Amirhossein Sarban, 16, one of the two defendants under the age of 18 in this case, faces charges including “moharebeh and corruption on earth,” “destruction and arson of facilities used by the public,” “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against the country’s internal security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “forming or managing a group or association with the purpose of undermining national security, or membership in such a group.”
No specific information is currently available regarding the charges brought against Hossein Mehrangiz, Ali Babri, and Sajjad Shamsaei.
Arrests and Detention
These individuals were separately arrested by security forces in Esfarayen County in connection with the nationwide protests of January 2026. Amirhossein Nazarzadeh was arrested on January 20, Mohammad Azari on January 14, Hossein Mehrangiz on January 9, and Ali Babri in late January.
Amirhossein Nazarzadeh, 27, from the village of Fartan; Mohammad Azari, 35; Reza Rezapour; Hossein Mehrangiz; Ali Babri; Sajjad Sang-Sefidi; Mostafa Rajabalizadeh; Amirhossein Sarban, 16; and Sajjad Shamsaei, who is under 18, are all residents of Esfarayen County.
As of the time of this report, all nine individuals remain in legal limbo, and no information is available regarding when a final hearing on the charges against them will be held.
Background on the January 2026 Protests
The protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of recent years. Following the crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.
