HRANA – Afshin Heyratian, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, has been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to a total of 31 years in prison and financial penalties. Under Iran’s sentencing rules for multiple offenses, 12 years of his prison sentence, as the most severe punishment, will be enforceable.
According to HRANA, children’s rights activist Afshin Heyratian has been sentenced to prison.
According to the verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, Mr. Heyratian was sentenced to:
• 12 years in prison for forming an illegal group;
• 11 years in prison for propaganda activities contrary to the sacred law of Islam;
• 6 years in prison and a fine of 330 million tomans for assembly and collusion against national security.
Under the legal provisions governing multiple convictions, if the verdict is upheld on appeal, only the most severe sentence, 12 years in prison, will be enforceable.
He was also sentenced to 2 years in prison and a fine equal to twice the amount received (US$2,000) on the charge of obtaining illicit property, in connection with receiving US$1,000.
Mr. Heyratian’s trial was held on July 18, 2026, before Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. At the time of the hearing, he had spent more than 250 days in detention without a final legal determination of his case.
Afshin Heyratian was arrested by security forces at his mother’s home in Tehran on November 11, 2025. During the arrest, agents searched the residence and confiscated a number of his personal belongings as well as items belonging to his family members. He was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.
Afshin Heyratian, an approximately 46-year-old single Baha’i resident of Tehran, is a member of the Society for Protecting the Rights of Child Laborers and Street Children. He has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution because of his activities and religious beliefs.
According to HRA’s annual reports, over the past three years, an average of 72% of all reported violations of the rights of religious minorities in Iran have involved Baha’i citizens.
