Teachers’ Union Activist Masoud Farhikhteh Sentenced to Imprisonment by Court of Appeal

HRANA – Branch 12 of the Alborz Province Court of Appeal has reduced the prison sentence of teachers’ union activist Masoud Farhikhteh to four years, one month, and 17 days, down from the six years previously handed down by the trial court.

According to the Coordination Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the appellate court sentenced Farhikhteh to three years, six months, and one day in prison for “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against internal security,” and seven months and 16 days for “propaganda against the regime.”

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, only the most severe sentence — three years, six months, and one day — will be enforceable.

Farhikhteh was originally sentenced in January 2025 by Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, following a trial held in July 2024.

In a separate case, the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him in April 2024 to three months in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” later converting the sentence to an eight-million-toman fine. He was acquitted of this charge in August 2024 by the Kurdistan Province Court of Appeal.

A board member of the Islamshahr Teachers’ Union, Farhikhteh was arrested by security forces at his home in Karaj on May 1, 2023, and transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. He was released on bail in June of that year.

Ramin Gorgani Arrested in Kamyaran by Security Forces

HRANA– On Sunday, August 10, 2025, Ramin Gorgani, a resident of Kamyaran County, was arrested by security forces in this county and transferred to one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities in Sanandaj. During a search of his home, agents confiscated several of his personal belongings.

According to Kurdpa, an informed source reported that Mr. Gorgani’s arrest was carried out by security forces without the presentation of a judicial warrant, in one of the streets of Kamyaran. Following his arrest, he was transferred to one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities in Sanandaj.

Additionally, after detaining him, agents went to his home, searched the premises, and seized some of his personal possessions.

As of the time of writing, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Ramin Gorgani has previously been arrested due to his activities.

Kamran Sakhtemanqar Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fine

HRANA Kamran Sakhtemanqar, a labor activist from Sanandaj, has been sentenced by Branch 2 of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court to three months of discretionary imprisonment and a fine of 30 million tomans. The verdict, issued on Tuesday, July 15, pertains to the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

A preliminary hearing in the case was held on May 18, 2025, in Branch 2 of the Sanandaj Prosecutor’s Office, following a summons issued on May 10.

Mr. Sakhtemanqar was arrested by security forces on February 5, 2025, and released from Sanandaj Prison on March 11 after posting bail.

In mid-January 2025, he also appeared before Branch 109 of the Sanandaj Criminal Court to respond to separate charges of defamation and slander.

Kamran Sakhtemanqar has previously faced multiple arrests and convictions due to his labor activism.

Four Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Sanandaj

HRANA – On Monday, July 14, Diyar Ahmadi, Ayoub Ahmadi, Abed Ahmadi, and Ali Ahmadi were arrested by security forces in Sanandaj and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Kolbar News, security agents arrested them without presenting a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, there is no information about the reasons for their arrest, their whereabouts, or the charges brought against them.

In 2024, a total of 2,783 Iranian citizens were arrested by security and judicial authorities due to their beliefs, opinions, or political and civil activities. Over the past decade, the number of such arrests has exceeded 56,000. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2022, during the nationwide protests, when HRANA documented 23,977 detentions.

Karim Asghari, a Relative of Varisheh Moradi, Arrested in Sanandaj

HRANA News Agency – Today, Karim Asghari, the brother-in-law of Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner sentenced to death, was arrested in Sanandaj by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, who reportedly beat him during the arrest.

Based on information received by HRANA, at 1 PM today, Sunday, June 8, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj went to Mr. Asghari’s workplace. After presenting a judicial warrant, they arrested him with physical violence.

A source close to the family confirmed the news and told HRANA: “In recent months, members of Varisheh Moradi’s family—including her sister Mehraneh Moradi and Karim Asghari—have been under increasing security pressure.” According to this source, after Varisheh’s arrest, her family has been summoned multiple times to the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj and has been repeatedly threatened with arrest. The source also reported that Mehraneh Moradi was directly threatened with arrest should she continue to follow up on her sister’s case. She had previously, in 2016, been detained along with Karim Asghari for three months.

The source added: “In recent months, as the family sought to pursue Varisheh’s medical treatment and raised concerns over her being denied visits, Karim Asghari was temporarily detained by plainclothes security forces in front of Evin Prison. He was held in a vehicle for three hours, interrogated, and threatened. The agents explicitly warned that any disclosure of information about the case is prohibited and that media coverage would provoke severe consequences.”

As of the time of this report, there is no information on the reasons for Mr. Asghari’s arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj in August 2023. She was ultimately transferred to Evin Prison on December 26, 2023. In late November 2024, she was sentenced to death by Branch 15 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

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Report on the Latest Status of Detained Truckers Amid Ongoing Strikes

HRANA News Agency – Since the start of nationwide truckers’ strikes in Iran on May 22, more than 40 truck drivers, supporters, and other citizens have been arrested in various cities. The strikes emerged in protest of rising costs, reduced freight rates, difficult living conditions, and the government’s neglect of truck drivers’ professional demands.

Since the strikes began, reports have confirmed the arrest of over 40 people in different cities. The identities of seven detainees have been confirmed as: Farzad Rezaei from Divandarreh, Zanko Rostami in Dehgolan, Rezgâr Moradi, Sediq Mohammadi, and Ata Aziri from Sanandaj, Alireza Faghfoori from Behbahan, and Shahab Darabi in Eslamabad-e Gharb. Among them, Shahab Darabi has recently been released.

Following the start of the strikes, the Union of Iranian Truckers and Drivers’ Associations reported the arrest of 11 drivers in Kermanshah and several others in Sanandaj.

Additionally, a citizen was arrested by IRGC Quds forces in Gilan province for supporting the nationwide truckers’ strikes in Rasht.

The Public Relations and Propaganda Division of the Khuzestan IRGC also announced the arrest of two citizens in Bandar Imam Khomeini for supporting the strikes. A video of the two individuals’ “forced confessions” was later published by state media.

In another case, the police chief of Bandar Lengeh stated that a citizen had been arrested for encouraging participation in the strike. According to him, the individual had produced and shared a video clip on social media encouraging heavy vehicle drivers to join the strike, which was later shared with foreign-based media outlets.

In addition, the prosecutor of Shiraz confirmed the arrest of several protesting drivers, accusing them of disrupting transportation. Without specifying the number of detainees, he claimed the individuals were “purposefully and systematically disrupting the transport system.”

In a related development, state media reported that nine citizens had been arrested and transferred to prison in Qazvin province for their involvement in the truckers’ strike.

Two citizens were also arrested in Bahar County, and five more in Khuzestan and Hamadan provinces, all in connection with activities related to the strike.

It’s worth noting that HRANA has recently published a detailed report covering the past week of truckers’ strikes. The report comprehensively addresses the causes of the protests, their expansion, the government’s response, and the status of the detainees.

Truckers’ Strike: Two Arrested in Kurdistan Province

HRANA News Agency – Zanko Rostami in Dehgolan and Rezgar Moradi in Sanandaj were arrested by security forces for supporting and participating in the nationwide truckers’ strike.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Rezgar Moradi was arrested on May 27 in Sanandaj, and Zanko Rostami was detained on May 25 in Dehgolan by security forces.

Mr. Rostami was arrested during a protest gathering by truckers in Dehgolan, and his current status remains unknown. Moradi was detained on the Sanandaj–Marivan road and, following the issuance of a one-month detention order, was transferred to Sanandaj Prison.

The truckers’ protests began in Iran on May 22. Since then, dozens of truckers and supporters have been arrested in various cities across the country.

Additionally, HRANA has published a comprehensive report on the past week’s strikes, detailing the causes behind the protests, their spread, the government’s response, and the status of those detained.

Ata Aziri Arrested for Supporting Truckers’ Strike

HRANA News Agency – On Wednesday, May 28, truck driver Ata Aziri was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Sanandaj for his support of the ongoing nationwide truck drivers’ strike. He is currently being held at the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

According to a source close to his family, agents from the Ministry of Intelligence visited Aziri’s home around noon, presented a warrant, and arrested him before transferring him to the agency’s detention center.

Information obtained by HRANA indicates that his arrest is directly linked to his participation in and support for the strike.

The nationwide truck drivers’ protests began on May 21. Since then, over 20 truckers and citizens supporting the movement have been arrested in various cities across Iran.

HRANA has also published a detailed report on the truckers’ strike over the past week, outlining the causes of the protest, its spread, the government’s response, and the condition of those detained.

Dozens Arrested as Truckers’ Strikes Spread Across Iran

HRANA News Agency –At least 20 truckers and supporters have been arrested in connection with a wave of truckers’ strikes that began on May 22 in cities across Iran, including Sanandaj, Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah, Rasht, Bandar Imam Khomeini, Bandar Lengeh, and Shiraz.

The strikes, launched in protest of longstanding grievances over working conditions and economic pressures, have drawn a strong security response. Among those detained are Sediq Mohammadi and Shahab Darabi, arrested in Sanandaj and Eslamabad-e Gharb respectively. The whereabouts of Mohammadi remain unknown.

The National Union of Truckers and Drivers has released several statements confirming the arrest of at least 11 drivers in Kermanshah and several others in Sanandaj. The union also reported violent police tactics, including the use of pepper spray against striking drivers at the Sanandaj terminal.

In Rasht, the IRGC’s Gilan provincial office announced the arrest of a citizen for allegedly supporting the strike. The individual was accused of “disrupting the order and security of road transport” and “aiding opposition groups” through negative portrayals of the situation.

The IRGC in Khuzestan Province reported the arrest of two individuals in Bandar Imam Khomeini on similar charges. State media later aired what appeared to be their forced confessions.

Authorities in Bandar Lengeh also arrested a citizen for allegedly producing and distributing videos encouraging strike participation. Police claimed the videos were shared with foreign media outlets.

In Shiraz, the local prosecutor confirmed the detention of several drivers, accusing them of “deliberate and organized disruption” of the transportation system. No specific number of detainees was disclosed.

HRANA previously published a detailed report on the first week of the truckers’ strike, outlining its causes, scale, and the government’s response, including arrests and repression.

Sanandaj: Armin Khodamoradi Arrested and Taken to Unknown Location

HRANA News Agency – On Friday, May 16, 2025, Armin Khodamoradi, a 26-year-old resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

His identity was confirmed by Kolbar News, which reported that Khodamoradi was detained in Sanandaj by security agents.

Despite repeated inquiries, his family has been unable to obtain any information about his whereabouts or current condition, prompting growing concern for his safety.

At the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges brought against him remain unknown.