Tag: RGC Intelligence

Mahsa Sotoudeh, a Baha’i Citizen Living in Shiraz, Arrested

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News, Religious Minorities
Behzad Yazdani, irgc, RGC Intelligence, Romina Khazali, Shiraz, مهسا ستوده

HRANA – Mahsa Sotoudeh, a Baha’i citizen residing in Shiraz, was arrested yesterday by IRGC intelligence agents and transferred to an undisclosed location. The family home of this citizen was also searched by agents, and the electronic devices belonging to family members were confiscated.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Sunday, March 29, IRGC intelligence agents went to Mahsa Sotoudeh’s home. After searching the house and confiscating the electronic devices of family members, they arrested this Baha’i citizen.
As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding her place of detention or the charges brought against her.

According to an informed source, Ms. Sotoudeh’s family home is located next to the residence of Behzad Yazdani and Romina Khazali, the Baha’i citizens who were also arrested by security agents on Saturday and Sunday.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been targeted by security and judicial pressure more than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Report on the Arrest of Several Individuals in Fars and Lorestan Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, irgc, IRIB, RGC Intelligence, Starlink, US-Iran War

HRANA – The deputy commander of the Law Enforcement Forces in Fars Province announced that a citizen was arrested for setting up a network in several provinces across the country to sell unfiltered internet via Starlink. Meanwhile, IRGC Intelligence reported the arrest of several citizens in Fars Province for what it described as “sending images to a foreign-based media outlet.” The Lorestan Police Information Center also announced that seven citizens in the province were arrested on charges of espionage.

According to Mehr News Agency, a citizen was arrested in Shiraz. Regarding the case, the deputy commander of the Fars Provincial Police stated that the 37-year-old citizen was arrested for establishing a network across several provinces in order to sell unfiltered internet via Starlink. The individual’s Starlink device and related equipment were also discovered and confiscated.

In a separate development, the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) News Agency published a statement from the IRGC Intelligence announcing that several citizens in Fars Province were arrested for “sending images to a foreign-based media outlet.”

The statement claimed that the individuals were collecting images on the social media platform Telegram under the title “Leon” and sending them to the Iran International network. It alleged that by broadcasting these images they intended to provoke public opinion and incite unrest in the streets. The organization also described the detainees as being connected to one of the groups opposed to the government.

According to Fars News Agency, the Lorestan Police Information Center reported the arrest of seven citizens in the province on charges of espionage. According to the statement, the individuals had taken photographs of certain locations.

Although countering espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, given the Iranian government’s record of instrumentally using such accusations to confront political opponents, these kinds of claims, particularly when details and the judicial process remain unclear—are consistently viewed with skepticism.

The reports did not mention the date of the arrests or the identities of the detainees.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks carried out by Israel and the United States. For more information, see HRANA’s report on the thirteenth day following the start of these attacks, published last night.

Nationwide Protests: Arrest of 13 Citizens, Including 8 Teenagers, in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Kenari, Ali-Abbas Shamsaei Moghaddam, Amirali Delrooz, Amirhomayoun Romina, Amirhossein Raznahan, Amirsam Heydarian, Arsam Safaei, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Ilya Nekoouifar, Mehdi Savareh-Ulia, Reza Shoja Mazraji, RGC Intelligence, Sanaz Shah-Hosseini

HRANA – As mass arrests by security forces continue, the identities of 13 detainees arrested in connection with the protests have been confirmed.

Based on information received by HRANA, Sanaz Shah-Hosseini was arrested at her residence in Ekbatan, Tehran, on January 10, 2026, and transferred to Evin Prison. Additionally, Amirsam Heydarian, Amirhossein Raznahan, Arsam Safaei, Ilya Nekoouifar, Amirali Delrooz, Amirhomayoun Romina, Abolfazl Kenari, and Ali-Abbas Shamsaei Moghaddam, eight students under the age of 17, were arrested on February 14, 2026, in Yasuj by agents of the IRGC Intelligence. Mehdi Savareh-Ulia was also arrested on January 8, 2026, in Karaj by IRGC Intelligence agents. He is currently being held in a state of legal limbo in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

It should be noted that Mehdi Savareh-Ulia sustained serious injuries to his head and spine due to beatings during his arrest and interrogation. Despite his poor physical condition, he has reportedly been denied medical treatment. He was initially transferred to Ward 16 (security ward) of the Central Prison of Karaj. His arrest was carried out by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

An informed source close to the families of the eight detained students confirmed the matter to HRANA, stating: “These teenagers were interrogated after their arrest, and judicial cases have been opened against them. So far, no information has been obtained regarding their place of detention.” Meanwhile, the IRGC Fath Intelligence Organization claimed in a statement that the individuals, allegedly operating as an eight-member team, were identified and arrested before taking any destructive action, as they were reportedly attempting to prepare and distribute incendiary materials and Molotov cocktails. However, the statement did not mention the ages or identities of the accused.

The Telegram channel “United Students” also reported the arrest of Ali Parvin and Mohammadamin Soltanzadeh, students at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. According to the report, the two students were arrested on Monday, February 16, by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

In another development, the Telegram channel of the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations announced the release of a teacher named Reza Shoja Mazraji. According to the report, he was released on February 7, 2026, after posting bail set at 2 billion tomans from one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities in Sarakhs. The charges brought against him include assembly and collusion and propaganda against the regime. He had been arrested at his private residence in Sarakhs on January 9, 2026, by security forces.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges against 12 of these individuals.

Among these citizens, Ali Parvin and Mohammadamin Soltanzadeh have previously faced judicial action due to their activities. Sanaz Shah-Hosseini had also been arrested during the nationwide protests of 2022. She was released from Evin Prison after one month at that time.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and market merchants began on Sunday, December 28, in Tehran and, after two days, spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. Following the crackdown by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the fiftieth day since the beginning of the protests, published last night.

Nationwide Protests: At Least Seven Citizens Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Saqafi, Ali Akbar Rezaei, Ali Gholami Khesht, Farzaneh Ramezani, Mehdi Sadidi, Navid Safa, RGC Intelligence, Seyed Hadi Zorqani

HRANA – In connection with the protests, Navid Safa, Seyed Hadi Zorqani, Ali Akbar Rezaei, and Mehdi Sadidi in Sabzevar; Ali Gholami Khesht in Mashhad; Farzaneh Ramezani in Quchan; and Abbas Saqafi in Dashtestan have been arrested by security forces.

Based on information received by HRANA, Navid Safa, Seyed Hadi Zorqani, and Mehdi Sadidi were arrested on January 9, 2026 (Europe time), and Ali Akbar Rezaei on January 7, 2026, in Sabzevar. Ali Gholami Khesht was arrested on January 10, in Mashhad; Farzaneh Ramezani on January 9, 2026, in Quchan; and Abbas Saqafi on January 10, in Dashtestan.

Among these individuals, Mr. Saqafi was arrested with the use of violence in the village of Tangeh Zard, Bushkan District, Dashtestan County, and transferred to an IRGC Intelligence detention facility in Bushehr. Ms. Ramezani is currently being held in Quchan Prison, and Mr. Gholami Khesht is being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the whereabouts or charges brought against the other five citizens.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and market traders began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in recent years. Following the crackdown by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the forty-seventh day since the beginning of the protests.

Political Prisoner Yousef Savari Denied Medical Care in Sheiban Prison

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News, Prisoners
ahvaz, RGC Intelligence, Sheiban Prison, یوسف سواری

HRANA – Yousef Savari, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, has been denied transfer to medical facilities and access to healthcare despite his poor physical condition and suffering from a respiratory illness.

This political prisoner suffers from a lung disease and has recently experienced repeated shortness of breath attacks. According to a family member, Mr. Savari experiences choking sensations when lying down and, due to his lung condition, is unable to sleep. Despite this situation, prison officials have refused to transfer him to a hospital outside the prison. His family has repeatedly requested his transfer to a hospital from both prison authorities and the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court, but these requests remain unanswered.

Mr. Savari was arrested on November 8, 2018, by IRGC intelligence agents at his father’s home and transferred to the IRGC Intelligence’s detention facility in Ahvaz. On April 29, 2020, he was released from Sheiban Prison on bail. Ultimately, last year, the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison on charges of having ties to groups opposed to the Islamic Republic. He is currently being held in Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz.

Yousef Savari, 37, married and father of three, is from Dasht-e Azadegan County, Khuzestan Province.

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Wave of Arrests Following Protests in Dehdasht, Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Nourmohammadi, Alireza Parisayi, Dehdasht, Hamid Parisayi, Hossein Parisayi, HRANA, irgc, Jaber Foroughi, Kamran Buzari, Pouria Barati, Reza Yeganeh, RGC Intelligence, Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab

HRANA News Agency – Following a protest on Tuesday, February 11, in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, a large number of demonstrators have been arrested.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of several detainees, including Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, Reza Yeganeh, Hossein Parisayi, Alireza Parisayi, Hamid Parisayi, and Ahmad Noormohammadi. Earlier, the arrests of Atefeh Tahernia, 17-year-old Amirhossein Jafari, 16-year-old Kamran Buzari, Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati had also been reported.

Ahmad Noormohammadi, accused of leading the protests, is being held in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Meanwhile, Hossein, Alireza, and Hamid Parisayi (three brothers), Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati are detained in Dehdasht Prison, while Atefeh Tahernia is held in Yasuj Prison. Amirhossein Jafari, the 17-year-old detainee, has been transferred to the Yasuj Juvenile Correctional Center.

A source close to the detainees confirmed this to HRANA, stating: “Atefeh Tahernia was supposed to be released from Yasuj Prison on bail, but the judicial officer opposed her release.”

Yesterday, Fars News Agency reported the arrests of several protesters in Dehdasht, accusing them of “disrupting public order and attempting sabotage.” At the same time, security-affiliated media channels identified one of the detainees as “Ahmad Lolo” (referring to Ahmad Noormohammadi) and claimed—without evidence—that he is an Afghan national and one of the organizers of the protest.

According to HRANA’s sources, during the arrests of Shahram Nooranian and Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, IRGC intelligence forces opened fire on their vehicle in the Tang-e Pirza area of Kohgiluyeh County.

A source close to one of the detainees’ families confirmed this account to HRANA, stating:
“Shahram and Shahriar were violently beaten and arrested. Since their detention, their families have received no information about their whereabouts and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”

On the night of Tuesday, February 11, a group of Dehdasht residents gathered in protest, chanting slogans against the government. These demonstrations were driven by growing public frustration over economic and social issues.

In the days following the protest, amid widespread arrests, Dehdasht has remained under heavy security, with a significant presence of security forces throughout the city.

Majid Shia Ali Imprisoned on Political Charges

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khorasan Razavi Court, Majid Shia Ali, Mashhad, RGC Intelligence, مجید شیعه علی

HRANA News Agency – today, February 4, 2025, Majid Shia Ali, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested and transferred to prison to serve his one-year and six-month sentence.

On January 20, 2025, Branch 991 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office ordered this political defendant to report within ten days to serve his sentence.

Previously, in May 2023, the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals sentenced him to two years and six months in prison, of which the longest enforceable term—one year and six months—is now being carried out.

In February 2023, the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had initially sentenced Shia Ali to six years and six months in prison on three charges: “membership in a group formed to disrupt national security,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “insulting the Supreme Leader.”

According to HRANA, his case was opened after he posted content on social media related to the 2022 nationwide protests.

Majid Shia Ali, a PhD student at Mashhad’s Azad University, was first arrested in late November 2022 and was released on bail in mid-February 2023 from Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad. During his 56-day detention, he spent 40 days in solitary confinement at one of the IRGC Intelligence detention facilities in Mashhad.