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Political Prisoner Sultanali Shirzadi Fakhr Executed

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Executions, News
moharebeh, Sultanali Shirzadi Fakhr

HRANA – The judiciary announced the execution of Sultanali (Sultan-Ali) Shirzadi Fakhr, a political prisoner, stating that he had been sentenced to death on charges including “membership in the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, collaboration with Israel, and enmity against God (Moharebeh).”

According to Mizan News Agency, the death sentence of Sultanali Shirzadi Fakhr was implemented at dawn on Thursday, April 23, after completing legal proceedings and being confirmed by the Supreme Court.

According to the claims of this institution, the charges against him included “membership in the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, cooperation with Israel’s intelligence service, and moharebeh.”

Mizan News Agency has claimed that he joined the group in the 1980s after leaving the country and, following military training, participated in operations including “Forough Javidan” and “Chelcheragh.” It was also stated that in recent years, after residing abroad, he entered Iran under the cover of a family visit on a mission allegedly linked to foreign intelligence bodies and was arrested upon arrival.

The location where the execution was carried out has not been announced by the judiciary’s media center or other official authorities.

It is worth noting that following the outbreak of military conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, the execution of prisoners with political-security charges has accelerated.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Maryam Derisi and Fariba Hosseini Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fariba Hosseini, Kazerun, Maryam Derisi, Shiraz

HRANA – Maryam Derisi and Fariba Hosseini, residents of Kazerun and Shiraz respectively, have been sentenced by Branch 101 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz to a total of seven years in prison and 74 lashes.

Based on a ruling recently issued by Branch 101 of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz and communicated to these individuals, Maryam Derisi has been sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes on the charge of “disrupting public order.” Fariba Hosseini has been sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security,” and one additional year on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.” The court acquitted Ms. Hosseini of the charge of insulting the Supreme Leader.

According to information received by HRANA, Maryam Derisi also faces a charge of propaganda against the state; however, this charge has not yet been adjudicated in court.

Maryam Derisi was arrested on February 13, 2026, in Kazerun, and Fariba Hosseini was arrested on January 4, 2026, in Shiraz during nationwide protests. Both were released on bail on March 9, 2026.

Both have previously been arrested and convicted due to their activities.

Report on the Arrest of Azam Mohebbi by the IRGC Intelligence Organization

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azam Mohebbi, IRGC Intelligence, Urmia

HRANA – Azam Mohebbi, a journalist and the editor-in-chief of the news website “Madar-e Sharghi”, who had traveled to Kurdistan Province about 20 days ago to prepare a report, has been arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Urmia and transferred to one of this institution’s security detention centers.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing BBC Persian, Azam Mohebbi was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Urmia. Based on the report, Ms. Mohebbi had traveled to Kurdistan Province about 20 days ago to prepare a report and was subsequently arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Urmia. The report states that the arrest of this journalist was carried out on suspicion of cooperation with opposition groups.

The report also states, quoting one of Ms. Mohebbi’s close colleagues, that she has gone on a hunger strike due to being held unlawfully in the IRGC detention facility in Urmia.

Azam Mohebbi is a social affairs journalist and has a history of collaboration with newspapers such as “Iran” and “Shargh.”

Fate Unknown: Continued Detention of Executed Prisoner’s Brother Raises Concern

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Babak Alipour, HRANA, Maryam Alipour, Omolbanin Dehghan, Roozbeh Alipour

HRANA – Roozbeh Alipour, the brother of Babak Alipour, an executed political prisoner, remains in a state of uncertainty 87 days after his arrest. The lack of information about his fate has heightened his family’s concerns.

An informed source close to Mr. Alipour’s family confirmed this in a conversation with HRANA, stating: “During this period, Roozbeh has only made two brief phone calls to his family, each lasting about one minute. Nearly two months have passed since his last call, and since then, he has had no contact with his family. His father’s follow-ups with judicial authorities have also gone unanswered, and the prosecutor’s office has so far provided no information regarding his situation.”

On January 26, 2026, Roozbeh Alipour was arrested along with his mother, Omolbanin Dehghan, and his sister, Maryam Alipour, while returning from a visit with Babak Alipour. Maryam Alipour and Ommolbanin Dehghan were transferred to Qarchak Varamin Prison, while Mr. Alipour was initially taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After some time, he was transferred from this security detention facility to an undisclosed location.

The lack of information about his condition continues while, on March 31, his brother’s execution was carried out without prior notice to the family. Following this event, the family, while enduring grief, has also expressed serious concern about Roozbeh Alipour’s fate.

As of the time of this report, no independent information is available regarding the charges against this individual or his health condition.

Roozbeh Alipour, a resident of Rasht, had previously been arrested in 2018 and was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of “insulting the Supreme Leader.” He was released in 2019 after serving his sentence.

Mehdi Farid Executed on Espionage Charges

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News
Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Mehdi Farid, مهدی فرید

HRANA – The Judiciary’s media center announced that Mehdi Farid, a prisoner accused of espionage, was executed early this morning. Mr. Farid, who had been an employee of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, had been sentenced to death on charges of “corruption on earth through collaboration with Israel.”

According to a report by Mizan, Mehdi Farid was executed at dawn on Wednesday, April 22, after his sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. The Judiciary’s media center claims that Mr. Farid had been working in one of the institutions affiliated with passive defense and had established contact on Internet, with an individual mentioned as a “Mossad officer.” The report alleges that after initial contact through email, he gradually entered into intelligence cooperation and provided information regarding organizational structure, infrastructure, and personnel details.

The judiciary has stated that the case evidence included the “defendant’s confessions,” reports from security agencies, and analysis of electronic equipment. Based on these, the court deemed the actions attributed to Mehdi Farid as constituting “corruption on earth” and issued the death sentence.

The statement does not mention the location where the execution was carried out. However, on November 11 of 2025, HRANA had reported that this prisoner was transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Mehdi Farid, born in Arak, was approximately 55 years old. He was arrested in the winter of 2023. In the initial trial, he had been sentenced to 10 years in prison and restitution of property. However, following the prosecutor’s objection, the case entered a new phase, and the Tehran Province Court of Appeals sentenced him to death on charges of cooperation with Israel.

It is worth noting that following the outbreak of military conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, the execution of prisoners with political-security charges has accelerated.

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Ardestan: Four Citizens Arrested in Connection with January Protests

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardestan, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA – The Law Enforcement Command of Isfahan Province has announced the arrest of four citizens in Ardestan County in connection with the December–January protests.

According to Mehr, four citizens have been arrested in Ardestan. The Law Enforcement Command of Isfahan Province stated that the arrests were carried out in connection with the January protests. No details were provided regarding the charges against the detainees.

The report does not mention the exact time of the arrests or the identities of the detained citizens.

t 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.

Sentences Issued for 22 Defendants to Long-Term Imprisonment in Two Provinces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January Protests

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center has announced the issuance of long-term prison sentences for 22 defendants in two provinces of the country. According to the report, eight of them have been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, while 14 others have received sentences of less than 10 years, along with additional penalties. However, no details have been published regarding the identities of the convicted individuals or the exact charges against them.

According to Mizan, 22 defendants in several cases across two provinces have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment. Based on the report, eight of the defendants received sentences exceeding 10 years in prison, while 14 others were sentenced to less than 10 years, accompanied by supplementary punishments.

The Judiciary’s Media Center stated that these individuals were prosecuted on charges of “cooperation with an enemy,” and the mentioned sentences were issued following proceedings in competent courts.

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.

January Protests: Amir-Ali Mirjafari Executed

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Executions, News
Amir-Ali Mirjafari, Amirali Mirjafari, HRANA

HRANA – The death sentence of Amir-Ali Mirjafari, arrested during the December–January 2026 protests, was carried out early this morning. He had faced charges during the judicial process including “espionage” and “acting against national security.”

According to Mizan, Amir-Ali Mirjafari was hanged at dawn today after his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. Based on the report, this citizen was arrested during the Dey protests and, in the course of judicial proceedings, was sentenced to death on charges such as “operational actions for the Zionist regime and hostile governments” and cooperation with what were described as “networks affiliated with Mossad.”

In the report, he is described as a “leader of a network,” and accusations against him include directing protest actions and maintaining contact with foreign intelligence entities. The alleged charges cited include setting fire to the Qolhak Grand Mosque, destroying public property such as buses and motorcycles, blocking roads by burning trash bins, and attacking security forces with cold weapons.

The report claims that court sessions were held in the presence of the defendant and his lawyer, and that the issued verdict was approved by the Supreme Court after completing legal procedures.

It is also claimed that the defendant’s active presence in the protests was established through “technical examinations” and “visual documentation,” which were used as evidence in the case. However, no independent details are available regarding how this evidence was examined or whether it could be verified through a transparent judicial process.

It is worth noting that following the outbreak of military conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, the execution of prisoners with political-security charges has accelerated.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Report on the Arrest of a Citizen in Malard County

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Malard

HRANA – A citizen in Malard County has been arrested on charges of “propaganda against the regime on social media and cooperation with anti-government groups.”

According to Mehr News Agency, a citizen has been arrested in Malard, Tehran Province. Judicial authorities in the county announced that a man, approximately 33 years old, was arrested on charges of “propaganda against the system on social media and cooperation with anti-government groups.”

Based on the report, the social media accounts belonging to this citizen have also been deleted, and he has been handed over to judicial authorities.

The report does not mention the identity of the arrested individual or his place of detention.

Families in the Dark as Detention of Three Baha’i Residents Continues in Shiraz

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Behzad Basiri, Mahsa Sotoudeh, Mandana Sotoudeh, Shiraz

HRANA – Nearly three weeks after their arrests, Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, a Baha’i couple living in Shiraz, along with Mahsa Sotoudeh, another Baha’i resident of the city, remain in a state of uncertainty. The lack of information about their fate has caused growing concern among their families and relatives.

Based on information received by HRANA, 18 days have passed since the arrests of Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, and 21 days since the arrest of Mahsa Sotoudeh. Despite this, their families and relatives remain completely unaware of their condition. Efforts to obtain information about their place of detention and their situation have so far been unsuccessful. Additionally, lawyers have not yet been able to formally register representation or follow up on their legal cases.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against them.

Mahsa Sotoudeh was arrested on Sunday, March 29, by IRGC intelligence forces at her home in Shiraz. Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh were also arrested on Wednesday, April 1, by forces affiliated with the IRGC. Their arrests were accompanied by searches of their homes, during which agents confiscated their electronic devices.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial measures more than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that over the past year, an average of 62% of reports concerning religious minorities were dedicated to violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.