Tag: Yazd

Baha’i Citizen Flora Samadani Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
Ahmad Naeimi, Baha'i citizen, Flora Samadani, HRANA, Yazd

HRANA – Flora Samadani, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Sunday, May 3, by security forces in Yazd. Three days after her arrest, there is still no precise information available regarding her fate.

According to HRANA, the continued detention and uncertainty surrounding Flora Samadani has now entered its third day. Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was detained by security forces in Yazd on Sunday, May 3, and no information about her condition or whereabouts has been made available since. The lack of information about her situation has increased concerns among her family.

As of the time of this report, no details have been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

Flora Samadani is a Baha’i resident of Yazd and the wife of Ahmad Naeimi. Mr. Naeimi has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his religious beliefs.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to more security and judicial pressures than any other religious minority. A review of 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 rights of Baha’is.

Three Christian Citizens Arrested in Yazd

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News, Religious Minorities
HRANA, Iranian Christians, Yazd

HRANA – The prosecutor of Yazd announced the arrest of three Christian citizens in the province on charges described as “forming a house church group and promoting Christianity.”

According to Fars News Agency, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Yazd Province referred to these individuals as “key members of a Christian proselytizing network” and stated that they were arrested by security forces.

Mehdi Hassanpour further claimed that these citizens “established connections with Christian missionary organizations and entities linked to Israel, and subsequently formed a group in the form of a house church. They encouraged several family members and friends, both in person and online, to convert to Christianity.” He also alleged that some individuals connected to the case had insulted religious sanctities and “prayed for Israel’s victory.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of those arrested or their place of detention.

These actions against Christian converts in Iran occur despite Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, both of which affirm every individual’s right to freedom of religion, including the right to change one’s religion and to express it individually or collectively, publicly or privately.

Graduate Student Arman Hajmohammadi Arrested in Yazd

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
Arman Hajmohammadi, HRANA, Yazd, آرمان حاج محمدی

HRANA – Arman Hajmohammadi, a master’s student in civil engineering at Sharif University of Technology, has been arrested in recent days by security forces in Yazd. There is still no information about his whereabouts.

According to  Amir Kabir Newsletter, the student was detained in recent days at his residence in Yazd by security forces. Despite the passage of time, no information has yet been obtained regarding his place of detention.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained about the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Arman Hajmohammadi is a master’s student in civil engineering at Sharif University of Technology.

It should be noted that military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related events across various parts of the country on a daily basis. For more information, you can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-eighth day of these conflicts, which was published last night.

Six Citizens Arrested in Yazd for Using Starlink Equipment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Starlink, Yazd

HRANA – Domestic media have reported the arrest of six citizens in Yazd over what has been described as “using Starlink equipment and sending news to foreign media outlets.” Additionally, 61 bank accounts linked to these individuals have been frozen.

According to Mehr, Ahmad Negahban, the commander of the Law Enforcement Forces in Yazd Province, stated that these individuals were detained for “using Starlink equipment.”

He added that during inspections by law enforcement forces, six Starlink devices were discovered and confiscated from these citizens. Furthermore, 61 bank accounts belonging to them have been blocked.

According to Negahban, the arrested individuals were “sending news and information to foreign media and selling internet services.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026 . Since the start of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related developments across the country on a daily basis. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the 26th day of the conflict, published last night.

At Least 71 Citizens Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hormozgan, Jam, Razavi Khorasan, Shahrud, Yazd

HRANA – Amid ongoing military clashes and an increasingly securitized climate across the country, domestic media have reported the arrest of 71 citizens in various parts of Iran, including Shahrud, Yazd, Jam, and the provinces of Hormozgan and Razavi Khorasan. Authorities have accused them of “espionage” and providing information to foreign media outlets.

At the same time, a video purportedly showing the forced confession of one of the detainees has been circulated, though the circumstances under which it was recorded remain unclear. Separately, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that 59 websites and individuals involved in selling VPN services have been identified.

According to Hamshahri Newspaper, two citizens were arrested in Shahrud. The police commander of Semnan Province claimed in this regard that these individuals had been collecting information as part of targeted activities and providing it to foreign networks and media outlets. During their arrest, several prohibited items as well as communication and technical equipment were reportedly discovered and confiscated.

Meanwhile, the Tasnim news agency reported the arrest of another citizen in connection with the same allegations in Yazd. At the same time, a video of this citizen’s forced confession was released, though the conditions under which it was recorded remain unknown.

Another report by Tasnim states that 55 citizens in Hormozgan Province were arrested in connection with what authorities described as “cooperation with foreign countries.”

The Fars news agency also reported the arrest of 10 individuals in Razavi Khorasan Province, claiming that four of them had been gathering information and the locations of sensitive sites and economic infrastructure for espionage purposes. It also alleged that a three-person cell among those arrested had been planning field operations “under the guidance of a liaison from a monarchist group and with organized financial and media support.”

Additionally, three citizens in Jam County were arrested for what authorities described as “sending images of bombing sites to foreign media outlets.”

Furthermore, according to Mehr, the police commander of Yazd Province announced that “59 websites and individuals selling VPN services have been identified.” The report did not provide information regarding judicial or security actions taken against them.

These reports did not disclose the identities of those arrested or the locations where they are being held.

Since February 28, Iranian territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s report on the seventeenth day after the start of these attacks, which was published last night.

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Arrest of Five Individuals for Filming and Sending Footage to Media

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Freedom of Expression, News
Faraja, HRANA, Tehran, Yazd

HRANA – At least four citizens in Tehran and one in Yazd have been arrested for filming sites where missiles struck and bombed areas and sending the footage to a foreign-based media outlet.

According to Fars News Agency, the public relations office of the Yazd Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office announced the arrest of a citizen. The individual was arrested following judicial coordination for filming and sending footage to a foreign-based media outlet (Iran International). After being formally charged and issued a legal bail order, the person was transferred to prison.

The report states that the individual had recorded images or videos from specific locations, including missile launch or impact sites during the recent war.

Meanwhile, Tasnim News Agency reported the arrest of four citizens in Tehran. According to the report, these individuals were also detained by the Special Units of the Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA) for the same actions.

The reports do not mention the identities of the detainees or the dates of their arrests.

Since February 28, Iran’s territory has been targeted by military attacks by Israel and the United States. For more information, you can refer to HRANA’s report on the thirteenth day after the start of these attacks, which was published last night.

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

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Executions, News
ahvaz, Bam, Birjand, Borazjan, Chabahar, Damghan, HRANA, Ilam, Jiroft, Khaf, Lahijan, Mahabad, Malayer, Rasht, Sabzevar, Shiraz, Sirjan, Yazd

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.

At Least 282 Arrested in Connection with Nationwide Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Negahban, Anzali, Bam, IRIB, Karaj, Parand, Yazd

HRANA – Official media outlets have reported the arrest of at least 282 individuals in the cities of Karaj, Anzali, Bam, Parand, and Yazd Province in connection with the recent protests. This figure includes the arrest of eight people in Karaj, Anzali, and Bam; 135 people in Parand; and 139 foreign nationals in Yazd Province.

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the police commander of Alborz Province claimed that those arrested were involved in setting fire to a police kiosk and the municipal building of District One in Karaj. The police commander of Anzali County also announced the arrest of two individuals, alleging that they had played a role in setting fire to a chain store. Additionally, the police commander of Bam County stated that one individual, described as a “leader,” had been identified and arrested by the Public Security Police.

Separately, the Tasnim News Agency, quoting the Public Relations Office of the Haidar Guards Corps in Parand, reported that 135 people were arrested during the recent protests in the city. In a statement issued by the organization, the detainees were accused of “destruction of public property and insulting national and religious sanctities.”

In another report, Tasnim announced the arrest of 139 foreign nationals in Yazd Province. Ahmad Negahban, the police commander of Yazd Province, claimed that these individuals had taken advantage of the “existing social atmosphere” to play a role in organizing and directing the protests and, in some cases, had connections with networks outside the country.

These reports do not provide information regarding the identities, places of detention, or legal status of those arrested.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on December 28, 2025, After two days, the protests spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations turned into one of the most widespread protests of recent years. Following the crackdown on the protests by security and law enforcement forces, thousands of people were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-seventh day since the start of the protests.

Execution of 15 Prisoners on Murder and Drug-Related Charges

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Executions, News
ahvaz, Bam, Birjand, Borazjan, executions, HRANA, Ilam, Jiroft, Khaf, Lahijan, Mahabad, Malayer, Rasht, Sabzevar, Shiraz, Sirjan, Yazd

HRANA – At dawn today, February 3, the death sentences of 15 prisoners, previously convicted on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were carried out in the prisons of Sirjan, Rasht, Yazd, Ahvaz, Jiroft, Borazjan, Ilam, Khaf, Bam, Birjand, Lahijan, Mahabad, Sabzevar, Shiraz, and Malayer.

Based on information received by HRANA, Saeed Rouhani was executed in Sirjan Prison; Ayoub Lashkari in Rasht Prison; Bahram Bani Asad in Ahvaz Prison; Hedayat Mirzaei in Borazjan Prison; Afshin Maleki in Ilam Prison; Tahmasb Mehrjou in Khaf Prison; Ali Haghighatdoost in Lahijan Prison; Hirman Sadri in Mahabad Prison; and Majid Sohrabi in Malayer Prison. These individuals had been sentenced to death on charges of murder, and their sentences were carried out.

Additionally, Kourosh Niri in Yazd Prison, Eshaq Miri in Jiroft Prison, one prisoner in Bam Prison, Moradbeyg Haghighat in Birjand Prison, Pouya Lashani in Sabzevar Prison, and Khalil Hemmati in Shiraz Prison were executed on charges related to drug offenses.

Further details, including the identity of the prisoner executed in Bam Prison, are currently under investigation by HRANA.

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

According to HRA’s annual report, at least 2,063 people were executed in Iran during the one-year period from January 1, 2025 to January 1, 2026. Based on this report, the implementation of death sentences increased by 119% compared to 2024. In many of these executions, due to secrecy, prisoners were even deprived of the right to a final visit with their families.

Nationwide Protests: 140 Protesters Arrested in Various Cities

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Freedom of Expression, News
nationwide protests, Tehran, Yazd, zanjan

HRANA – State media reported the arrest of additional protesters: 85 protesting citizens were detained in Zanjan Province, 12 in Tehran, and 43 in Yazd Province. At the same time, forced confessions by six of those detained in Tehran have been released, though it is unclear under what conditions they were recorded.

In a statement, the Zanjan Provincial Intelligence Department described these citizens as “leaders of the protests” and claimed that “firearms and incendiary materials” were discovered in their possession.

Meanwhile, the Young Journalists Club reported the arrest of 12 citizens in Tehran’s Sattarkhan district. This outlet has published a video containing confessions by six of these individuals, though it is not known under what circumstances the footage was obtained.

The Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of Yazd Province also announced that 43 individuals described as the “main agents behind announcing and disseminating widespread calls on social media” were arrested during the protests by the FATA Police and the Intelligence Organization of the Yazd Provincial Law Enforcement Command.

These reports do not mention the identities of those arrested or their places of detention.

It is worth noting that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days expanded beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests have become one of the most widespread demonstrations of recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report published last night on the thirty-third day since the start of the protests.