Report on the Arrest of Four Female Protesters During the January Protests

HRANA – Negin Azad, Kamelia Nazari, Saghar Ghodrat, and Ghazal Ghodrat, four citizens who were arrested during the January protests in Shiraz, were released from Adelabad Prison in March under electronic ankle monitor supervision after going through detention, trial, and sentencing.

A source close to Negin Azad’s family told HRANA that at the time of arrest, the women were shot with paintball pellets in front of their home, causing physical injuries. The source also stated that “although no reports of physical mistreatment inside the prison have been raised, there has been psychological pressure, and in some cases, such as injury to one detainee’s ear, adequate medical care was not provided.”

Their arrests took place during the nationwide January protests in Shiraz. Following their detention, a joint case was opened against them, and judicial proceedings on the charges began.

In the initial trial, the judicial authority sentenced each of the four women to five years in prison on the charge of “disrupting public order.” After they appealed, the Fars Province Court of Appeals reviewed the case and ultimately reduced the sentence, sentencing each of them to two years of imprisonment to be served outside prison under electronic monitoring.

According to information received by HRANA, the four women were released from Adelabad Prison in late March 2026 under the new ruling, with electronic monitoring in place. Their release does not nullify their convictions, and the sentences will continue to be enforced in an alternative form outside prison.

It should be noted that 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.

Woman Arrested in Shiraz on Espionage Charges

HRANA – The deputy commander of Fars Province’s police force announced the arrest of a female citizen in Shiraz. The official cited the reason for her arrest as “espionage through sending videos and images of missile launch and impact sites, cooperation with international hostile networks, and distributing anti-government leaflets.”

According to IRNA, the deputy police commander of Fars Province said that a woman had been arrested in Shiraz. Yousef Malekzadeh stated that the reason for her arrest was “espionage through sending footage and images from enemy missile launch and impact locations, cooperation with international hostile networks, and distributing anti-government leaflets.”

The police official further claimed that the woman had extensive contact with two media outlets based outside the country. He added that she had also intended to financially support one of these networks and served as the admin of two Instagram pages that widely published stories and messages.

Malekzadeh continued by claiming that “sending images of launchers, the moment of missile launches, and launch sites along with their geographic locations to foreign-based networks, chanting slogans against the regime at night from rooftops and across the city with several others, supporting one of the regime’s opposition groups, and participating in the protests of last January” were among her other alleged activities.

However, the deputy commander did not disclose the woman’s identity or place of detention.

Teachers’ Union Activist Mohammad-Ali Zahmatkesh Arrested

HRANA – Yesterday, Tuesday, April 14, Mohammad-Ali Zahmatkesh, a teachers’ union activist in Fars Province, was arrested by security forces in Shiraz.

According to a report by the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Mohammad-Ali Zahmatkesh was arrested in Shiraz. Based on this report, the arrest of this teachers’ union activist took place yesterday, Tuesday, April 14, at his private residence by security forces.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or his place of detention.

Zahmatkesh had previously been arrested and convicted due to his union activities.

Baha’i Citizen Sara Sepehri Arrested in Shiraz

HRANA – Yesterday, Sara Sepehri, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, both her residence and her mother’s home were searched, during which a number of her personal and digital belongings were confiscated.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Ms. Sepehri was arrested yesterday by security agents at her residence. Simultaneously, both her home and her mother’s home were searched. During the search, all of her electronic devices, as well as personal and work-related items, were seized.”

The source further added: “The agents broke down the front door in order to enter Ms. Sepehri’s home. Her mother also lives with a disability and requires continuous care. In addition, Sara Sepehri is under medical supervision, and the stress caused by the situation, combined with concern for her mother, could put her health at risk.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest, her place of detention, or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. According HRA’s annual reports, an average of 62.41% of all reported violations concerning religious minorities over the past year involved violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Baha’i Citizen Angha Siavashi Arrested in Shiraz

HRANA – Last night, Angha Siavashi, a Baha’i resident of Shiraz, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location. At the same time, his residence was searched, and a number of his personal belongings were confiscated by agents.

A knowledgeable source close to the family of this Baha’i citizen, while confirming the matter, told HRANA: “Mr. Siavashi was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, April 7, 2026, by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. At the same time, his residence was searched by the agents. During the search, electronic and personal items, including a modem, computer, laptop, mobile phones, photo albums, books, religious images, gold, and other property in the home, were confiscated.”

According to this informed source, “At the time of the arrest, the family was hosting guests. Security forces also searched all of the guests and confiscated their personal belongings as well, including phones and jewelry.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Angha Siavashi, a 19-year-old Baha’i resident of Shiraz, has a prior conviction due to his religious beliefs.

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

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Mandana Sotoudeh and Behzad Basiri, a Baha’i Couple Living in Shiraz, Arrested

HRANA – Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, a Baha’i couple residing in Shiraz, were arrested by security forces on Wednesday, April 1. At the same time, their home was searched by agents, and a number of their electronic devices were confiscated.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Wednesday, April 1, security forces raided the home of Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh. During the search, the agents confiscated these citizens’ electronic devices. The officers first arrested Mr. Basiri, who was at home, and then proceeded to arrest Ms. Sotoudeh at her mother’s house. During the search of the home and the arrest of these citizens, the agents did not present a judicial warrant.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrest or the location where these Baha’i citizens are being held.

It is worth noting that Mahsa Sotoudeh, Mandana Sotoudeh’s sister, was also arrested by security forces in the city on Sunday, March 29. Her arrest was likewise accompanied by a house search and the confiscation of electronic devices, and no information has yet emerged about her fate.

Notably, over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been targeted by security and judicial actions more than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran indicates that over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

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

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.

Shiraz: Retired Teacher Ali Ahmadi Arrested by Security Forces

HRANA – Ali Ahmadi, a retired teacher, was arrested by security forces in Shiraz on March 7 and transferred to Adelabad Prison in the city.

Based on the report, the arrest took place on March 7 and was carried out by forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization. Ahmadi had previously delivered a speech during the protests regarding those who were killed and had himself been injured after being shot by security forces. The teacher had traveled to Shiraz for medical treatment and was arrested again while returning to Nurabad Mamasani.

Following his arrest, Mr. Ahmadi was transferred to Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

During this period, the teacher has been in contact with his family and reported that violence was used during interrogations in order to obtain forced confessions. He also stated that he is facing charges such as “spreading corruption on earth.”

The report adds that this citizen’s child was also arrested along with him and transferred to Kazerun Prison; however, no information has been provided regarding the child’s age or identity.

It is worth noting that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025. Within two days, the movement spread 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 suppression of the protests by law enforcement and security forces, thousands of people were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” which documents the first fifty days after the start of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Execution of At Least Twelve Prisoners on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

HRANA – At dawn today, the death sentences of at least 12 prisoners were carried out in the prisons of Mahabad, Shiraz, Malayer, Lahijan, Gonabad, Chabahar, Damghan, Bushehr, Shahrekord, Sabzevar, Kashmar, and Mashhad. These individuals had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to murder and drug offenses.

According to information received by HRANA, Kianoush Monavari was executed in Mahabad Prison; Ghader Mohammadi in Shiraz Prison; Nariman Zangeneh in Malayer Prison; Ali Asghar Oladi in Lahijan Prison; (first name unknown) Shateri in Gonabad Prison; Mostafa Kamali in Chabahar Prison; Aysan Rostami in Damghan Prison; Jahan Azadi in Bushehr Prison; and Farshid Ghasemi in Shahrekord Prison. These individuals had previously been arrested in separate cases on murder charges and sentenced to death by criminal courts.

Meanwhile, the death sentences of Taher Yousefi in Sabzevar Prison, Hamid Tajik in Kashmar Prison, and Adel Fereshteh in Mashhad Prison were carried out on drug-related charges.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRA’s annual report on the human rights situation in Iran, in 2025, at least 2,063 individuals were executed in Iran between January 1, 2025, and January 1, 2026. This represents a 119% increase in the implementation of death sentences compared to 2024. In many of these cases, due to secrecy, prisoners were even denied the right to a final visit with their families.

At Least 19 Prisoners Executed on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

HRANA – At dawn today, Tuesday, February 9, 2026, the death sentences of at least 19 prisoners were carried out in prisons across multiple cities. These individuals had previously been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses and murder.

Based on information received by HRANA, Gholam Hassani was executed in Birjand Prison; Fariborz Saljoughi in Bam Prison; Mohammadkaram Jafari in Ilam Prison; Sina Maleki in Borazjan Prison; Javad Najjar in Ahvaz Prison; Morad Jahromi in Jiroft Prison; Taghi Zalpour in Mahabad Prison; Amin Torkaman in Malayer Prison; Mehrshad Alinia in Damghan Prison; Ali Bazargan in Chabahar Prison; Mojtaba Barani in Rasht Prison; Yadollah Mokhtari in Sirjan Prison; and Mahmoud Niazi in Lahijan Prison. These prisoners had previously been arrested on murder charges and sentenced to death by criminal courts.

Separately, the executions of Ayoub Soufi in Khaf Prison, Afshin Ghanbari in Yazd Prison, Rajabali Arya in Sabzevar Prison, and Parviz Pirovani in Shiraz Prison were carried out on charges related to drug offenses. At the same time, two other prisoners were executed in Yazd Prison on similar charges; their identities are currently under review by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, these executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRA’s annual report, at least 2,063 people were executed in Iran during 2025. Based on this report, executions increased by 119% compared to 2024. In many cases, due to secrecy, prisoners were even denied the right to a final visit with their families prior to execution.