Tag: Urmia

Widespread Arrests: 13 Citizens Detained Across Four Cities in Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
and Rudsar, Astara, Bakhtiar Azizi, irgc, Jalaleddin Javanmardi, Mahabad, Rudsar, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – In recent days, security and law enforcement forces have arrested 13 citizens in the cities of Astara, Urmia, Mahabad, and Rudsar, with some transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to Mehr News Agency, Jalaleddin Javanmardi, the police chief of Rudsar, announced today the arrest of five individuals in the city. He stated that the arrests were made over allegations of “collaborating with Israel on social media,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “disturbing public opinion.”

Javanmardi, detailing the case, said that the police acted in response to online posts insulting religious sanctities and deceased IRGC commanders, sharing pro-Israel clips, and publishing offensive content against Iranian officials.

He added that the detainees include a 52-year-old woman and four men aged 31, 39, 40, and 41, who were arrested in Rahimabad, Kelachay, and the central district of Rudsar County. All were transferred to a police station and referred to the judiciary after case files were opened.

ILNA also reported the arrest of four citizens in Astara, quoting the city’s police chief, Morteza Ahadi. Ahadi said the arrests took place on Friday, June 27, on charges such as “espionage” and “propaganda against the regime.”

He added that the detainees, two men and two women from western provinces, were arrested along with digital evidence. Their phones allegedly contained photos and videos from Astara and other cities, which were reportedly sent to opposition networks. They had also applied for asylum in European countries.

On June 25, 2025, security forces arrested a citizen in Urmia. Kurdpa identified the individual as Alireza Khaledi, 22, a resident of Hasanabad village in the Sumay Baradost region. Security agents reportedly detained Mr. Khaledi without presenting a judicial warrant and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

Reports also indicate that on June 24, another citizen was arrested in Urmia by security forces. Kolbar News identified him as Bakhtiar Azizi, a resident of the Dizaj area. According to the report, security agents also arrested him without a court order. On the same day, two more individuals—Afshin Azizi and Kako Azizi—were also detained in Urmia.

Kolbar News further reported the arrests of two additional citizens about ten days ago. Authorities transferred both to an undisclosed location. They were identified as Hazhar Asadpour, 27, an employee of the Red Crescent, and Keyvan Ashtab, 29, an emergency medical technician at Mahabad Hospital.

As of now, there is no information regarding the whereabouts or charges against these individuals.

Two Women and One Man Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Jalal Farrokhi, Ra'na Khoran, Rozhan Khoran, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – On the evening of Monday, May 26, 2025, Ra’na Khoran and Rozhan Khoran, two sisters, along with their uncle, Jalal Farrokhi, were arrested by security forces in Urmia and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to Kolbar News, the arrests were carried out by security forces without presenting a judicial warrant, at their private residence in Urmia.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding their whereabouts, the reasons for their arrest, or the charges against them.

Rana Khoran, Rozhan Khoran, and Jalal Farrokhi had previously been summoned and detained in April of this year for participating in Nowruz celebrations in Urmia.

Execution of a Prisoner Carried Out in Urmia Prison

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Labor and Guilds, News
Moshir Othmanzadeh, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – At dawn today, Wednesday, May 14, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Urmia Prison.

The individual has been identified as Moshir Othmanzadeh, a resident of Urmia.

Mr. Othmanzadeh was arrested about four years ago on charges of murder and was sentenced to death by the criminal court.

The execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Appeals Court; Physician Bayan Salehian Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bayan Salehian, HRANA, Urmia, بیان صالحیان

HRANA News Agency – Branch 9 of the West Azerbaijan Province Court of Appeals has upheld the prison and monetary fine sentence against Bayan Salehian, a physician residing in Urmia.

A source close to her family told HRANA, “According to the verdict issued by Branch 9 of the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court and delivered to Ms. Salehian in April, she has been sentenced to five months in prison and a paying a fine for ‘spreading false information with the intent to disturb public opinion on social media.”

Earlier, in January 2025, the Shahid Beheshti Complex’s Second Criminal Court in Urmia had issued the initial verdict sentencing Ms. Salehian to prison and a fine.

In a separate part of this case, the Urmia Revolutionary Court had previously sentenced her to pay a fine for “propaganda against the regime.”

Security forces from the Intelligence Protection Unit of Urmia’s Law Enforcement Command arrested Ms. Salehian in October 2024. They released her after several hours of interrogation and confiscated her mobile phone.

Bayan Salehian, a physician based in Urmia, has a prior record of arrest and conviction.

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentence of Prisoner Accused of Espionage for Israel

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Executions, News
IRGC Intelligence, Naser Bakarzadeh, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentence of Naser Bakarzadeh, a prisoner held in Urmia Prison. Bakarzadeh had previously been sentenced to death by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage for Israel.”

This judicial decision was communicated to his defense attorney today. Bakarzadeh is currently being held in the political ward of Urmia Prison and remains in legal limbo until a new court branch is assigned and his case is re-examined.

In November 2024, Branch 3 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court sentenced him to death on charges of “espionage for Israel and collaboration with the Mossad intelligence agency.” The Judiciary’s media center was the first to announce this verdict.

Approximately 26 years old, Bakarzadeh was arrested in December 2023–January 2024. He was held for a period in the IRGC Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia, where he underwent interrogation. According to a source close to his family, the process involved violations of his basic rights, including denial of phone calls and family visits.

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Death Sentence of Political Prisoner Hamid Hosseinnezhad Upheld by Supreme Court

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News, Prisoners
Chaldoran, Hamid Hosseinnezhad, HRANA, Najafzadeh, Urmia, Urmia prison

HRANA News Agency – The death sentence of Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, has been upheld by the Supreme Court of Iran. He had previously been sentenced to death by the Urmia Revolutionary Court on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion).

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the Supreme Court’s Branch 9 confirmed the death sentence, which was officially communicated to him on March 26, 2025, in Urmia Prison.

Mr. Hosseinnezhad was sentenced to death in July 2024 by Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Najafzadeh. He was convicted of baghi for alleged membership in an opposition party. After he appealed the ruling, the case was referred to the Supreme Court.

He was arrested on April 13, 2023, by border guards near Chaldoran. After several hours of interrogation, he was transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia. There, he was subjected to psychological and physical torture for 11 months and 10 days to force a confession. He was made to sign pre-written statements.

During his detention at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, he was only allowed two brief phone calls with his family and was denied access to legal counsel and in-person visits. Due to opposition from the Ministry of Intelligence, he was also denied a chosen lawyer during trial. The court dismissed his defense and sentenced him to death for baghi.

In court, Mr. Hosseinnezhad denied all charges. Kurdpa reported that the Ministry of Intelligence accused him of collaborating with an opposition party without presenting any evidence. The agency claimed he held a grudge against border forces because his brother-in-law, Mostafa Nouri, had been killed by them in 2015. Based on this, he was accused of involvement in an armed clash. Judge Najafzadeh issued the death sentence in a brief hearing, solely based on “the judge’s intuition.”

Hamid Hosseinnezhad Heydaranlou, aged around 40, is a father of three. He is currently being held in Ward 2 of Urmia Prison.

Mohammad-Ali Azari Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad-Ali Azari, Naqadeh, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, March 28, Mohammad-Ali Azari, a resident of Urmia, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Kurdpa has identified him as Mohammad-Ali Azari, father of two, originally from Naqadeh and currently residing in Urmia.

According to the report, Mr. Azari was arrested yesterday by security forces who used violence during the raid on his home. His arrest is reportedly linked to his participation in a Nowruz (Persian New Year) celebration. Each year, the regime’s security forces attempt to prevent Nowruz celebrations, resorting to summoning, threatening, and arresting dozens of citizens to that end.

As of now, there is no information about his whereabouts or the charges brought against him.

Milad Mokhtari Arrested by Security Forces in Urmia

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Ethnic Minorities, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Milad Mokhtari, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – Today, Monday, March 24, 2025, Milad Mokhtari, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested by security forces in Urmia and taken to an undisclosed location.

His arrest took place today, Monday, March 24, 2025, in the city of Urmia. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges brought against him.

Milad Mokhtari has previously faced security-related actions due to his activism.

In 2024, HRA documented the arrests of 262 individuals from ethnic minority groups or those advocating for ethnic minority rights, including Azerbaijani-Turk activists.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Salar Taher Afshar Arrested in Urmia

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azerbaijani Turk activist, Salar Taher Afshar, Tabriz, Urmia

HRANA News Agency – Salar Taher Afshar, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested yesterday, February 18, in Urmia by the Ministry of Intelligence.

A source close to his family told HRANA: “Around noon on Tuesday, intelligence agents arrived at Mr. Taherafshar’s workplace with two vehicles and arrested him. A few hours later, he informed his family by phone that he is set to be transferred from the Intelligence Detention Facility in Urmia to Tabriz in the coming days.”

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

Taher Afshar had previously been sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals in January 2025 on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

He was first arrested on February 6, 2024, in Urmia and later transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was released on February 28, 2024, on bail.

Two Teenagers Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

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Children, News, Other
HRANA, Kamyar Izadi, Mahabad, Rezgar Moloudi, Urmia

On Tuesday, December 31, Rezgar Moloudi and Kamyar Izadi, two teenagers from Mahabad, were arrested after being summoned to Ministry of Intelligence Office in this city and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Urmia.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, the two teenagers, both 17 years old and residents of a village in Mahabad County, were detained on December 31.

The report also mentions that security forces raided Rezgar Moloudi’s family home on Monday, searching the premises.

As of now, no information is available regarding the reasons for their arrest or the charges against them.