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Matin Rasouli Arrested in Piranshahr

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News, Other
Matin Rasouli, Piranshahr, متین رسولی

HRANA – Matin Rasouli, a resident of Piranshahr, was arrested by security forces on Sunday, August 16, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, on Sunday, August 16, 2026, a citizen was arrested by security forces in Piranshahr.

The individual has been identified as Matin Rasouli, a resident of Piranshahr.

According to the report, Mr. Rasouli was arrested without the presentation of a judicial warrant. He has also been denied access to legal counsel, family visits, and phone calls with his family.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding Matin Rasouli’s place of detention, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

January 2026 Protests: Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Three Detainees

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Shahab Zahdi, Yaser Rajaeifar

HRANA – The death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar, detainees from the January 2026 protests who are currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, have been overturned by Branch 9 of the Supreme Court.

According to HRANA, the Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of three detainees from the January 2026 protests.

According to information received by HRANA, Branch 9 of the Supreme Court overturned the death sentences of Shahab Zahdi, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Yaser Rajaeifar and referred their cases to a branch of the Tehran Revolutionary Court for retrial. In February 2026, the prisoners had been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, in connection with a case involving the burning of a Basij base in eastern Tehran.

During the nationwide protests of 2026, these individuals, along with four other prisoners, Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim, were prosecuted and arrested in a joint case related to the burning of the “185 Martyr Mahmoud Kaveh” Basij base in eastern Tehran on the evening of January 8, 2026. The trial was subsequently held on February 7, 2026, before Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Their death sentences were issued the following day, February 8.

In April 2026, the death sentences of Mohammad-Amin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Amirhossein Hatami, and Ali Fahim were carried out.

Iranian state media had previously published videos showing forced confessions by these individuals. The circumstances under which the videos were recorded remain unclear.

An informed source, confirming the report, told HRANA about the judicial proceedings in Shahab Zahdi’s case: “Mr. Zahdi’s trial was held without his lawyer present.” The charges brought against him were “assembly and collusion against national security” and “moharebeh (enmity against God) and corruption on earth through setting fire to public property and facilities.” His interrogation session was held on January 10, 2026, at Branch 33 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office (Shahid Moghaddas Security Prosecutor’s Office). Zahdi had been arrested by security forces on January 8 of that year.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani was arrested by security forces on January 9, 2026, while Yaser Rajaeifar was arrested on January 8, 2026.

The three are currently being held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani is 52 years old, married, and the father of an 18-year-old child. Before his arrest, he worked as a motorcycle courier. Yaser Rajaeifar is 31 years old, and Shahab Zahdi is the father of a 15-year-old daughter.

Background on the January 2026 Protests

The 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.

Revolutionary Court Sentences 16 Citizens in Mahabad to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdullah Ghoveh, Abdullah Houshmand, Abdulrahman Ghoveh, Ali Maroufi, Aram Mabzooleh, Ayoub Rasouli, Ghader Khoramanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Kamal Masoudi, Mahabad, Nazanin Elyasi, Othman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Rebwar Rasouli, Salar Shams Borhan, Yousef Tal, Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi

HRANA – Sixteen residents of Mahabad County have been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad to a combined 77 years and seven months in prison.

According to HRANA, citing IranWire, 16 citizens in Mahabad have been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Ahad Siami, issued sentences against the 16 residents on charges including “assembly and collusion against national security,” “membership in opposition parties,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “supporting parties opposed to the government.”

Under the court ruling, Abdullah Houshmand and Abdulrahman Ghoveh were each sentenced to seven years and one month in prison. Abdullah Ghoveh, Ghader Khoramanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Ali Maroufi, Aram Mabzooleh, Yousef Tal, Rebwar Rasouli, Ayoub Rasouli, Othman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Salar Shams-Borhan, and Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi were each sentenced to five years and one month in prison. Nazanin (Golaleh) Elyasi was sentenced to two years in prison, while Kamal Masoudi received a five-month prison sentence.

The report further states that these citizens, who were arrested by security forces in October–December 2024, were subjected to torture while in detention. They were also denied access to legal counsel and deprived of phone calls and visits with their families.

Nazanin Elyasi was released from Urmia Prison on bail on April 10, 2025. She had been arrested on December 16, 2024, after reporting to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Mahabad.

Salar Shams-Borhan and Abdullah Ghoveh were arrested on December 17, 2024. Othman (Shwaneh) Jahanifar, Ayoub Rasouli, Rebwar Rasouli, Rahman Dana, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, Ghader Khoramanfar, Yousef Tal, Aram Mabzoleh, and Zanyar Seyed-Ahmadi were also arrested by security forces in Mahabad on December 15, 2024. Among them, Qader Khoramanfar and Jalal Sadafi were transferred to Mahabad Prison in January–February 2025. The two were released from the prison on bail in November–December 2025.

Ali Maroufi, Abdullah Houshmand, and Abdulrahman (Hawri) Ghoveh were also arrested by security forces on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Two Prisoners Executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, Hassan Kordi, HRANA, Mohammad Ali Pazireh, Shiraz

HRANA – The death sentences of two prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death on charges of murder and non-political offenses were carried out yesterday, August 16, 2026, at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

According to HRANA, two prisoners were executed at Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners, who were hanged at dawn today, Sunday, August 16, 2026, as Mohammad Ali Pazireh and Hassan Kordi.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mohammad Ali Pazireh had previously been arrested on a murder charge and was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court. Mr. Kordi had also previously been arrested on charges related to non-political offenses, and his death sentence was issued by a judicial authority.

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

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.

Baha’i Citizen Faranak Zabihi Sentenced to Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Baha'i citizen, Faranak Zabihi, HRANA, Qaemshahr, فرانک ذبیحی

HRANA – Faranak Zabihi, a Baha’i citizen, has been sentenced by the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court to two years in prison and a two-year deprivation of social rights.

According to HRANA, Faranak Zabihi has been sentenced to imprisonment and deprivation of social rights.

Based on information received by HRANA, this Baha’i citizen was sentenced by Reza Majazi, a judge at the Qaemshahr Revolutionary Court, to two years and one day of imprisonment and a two-year deprivation of social rights on the charge of “propaganda against the regime through promoting the Baha’i Faith.”

Ms. Zabihi’s court hearing was held on August 3, 2026, and the aforementioned verdict was issued on August 10, 2026.

Faranak Zabihi Mahforujaki, a Baha’i citizen residing in Qaemshahr, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, April 7, 2026. She was released one day later from Tir Kola Prison in Sari after posting bail. Her arrest was accompanied by a search of her home, during which a number of personal and electronic belongings belonging to her and members of her family were confiscated.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority. A review of HRA’s annual reports indicates that, over the past year, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

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Dariush Rahimi Arrested in Sanandaj

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dariush Rahimi, HRANA, Sanandaj, داریوش رحیمی

HRANA – On Saturday, August 15, Dariush Rahimi, a resident of Sanandaj, was arrested by security forces at his home. His whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Dariush Rahimi was arrested in Sanandaj.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Saturday, August 15, security forces entered Rahimi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant and arrested him using violence and physical force. During the arrest, agents also confiscated mobile phones belonging to Mr. Rahimi and his wife.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Dariush Rahimi’s arrest, the charges against him, the agency responsible for his arrest, or his place of detention.

Mr. Rahimi has previously faced judicial action. With no information available about his current condition, his family and relatives have expressed concern for his well-being.

Younes Azadbar Arrested in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Rasht, Younes Azadbar, یونس آزادبر

HRANA– Yesterday, Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht, was arrested and transferred to one of the detention facilities in the city.

According to HRANA, Younes Azadbar has been arrested.

Mr. Azadbar was arrested this morning, Sunday, August 16, following a protest gathering by retirees in Rasht. The arrest was carried out by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization. Following his arrest, he was transferred to Detention Facility No. 2 in the city.

Mehrad Azadbar, Younes Azadbar’s son, stated that the case investigator has set bail at 1.5 billion tomans for his father’s release. He also said that Mr. Azadbar, who suffers from epilepsy and heart problems, has been denied access to his medications while in detention.

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

Younes Azadbar, 62, is a resident of Sangar, a city in Rasht County. He has previously faced arrest and judicial convictions in connection with his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Shahram Sadeghi Executed

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Executions, News
HRANA, January 2026 Protests, Shahram Sadeghi, شهرام صادقی

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center announced that Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests in Karaj, was executed at dawn today. He had previously been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to death and confiscation of his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile countries against national security and interests.”

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, Shahram Sadeghi, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was executed today, Sunday, August 16.

According to the report, Mr. Sadeghi was arrested and prosecuted in connection with the events of January 8, 2026, near Golzar Intersection in Karaj. The Judiciary-affiliated media outlet claimed that on that day, he drove his vehicle toward a number of law enforcement officers, injuring seven of them. According to the same report, one of the injured officers was in a coma for a period of time.

Mizan News Agency reported that following the incident, Shahram Sadeghi set his vehicle on fire and fled the scene. He was arrested some time later by law enforcement forces in Alborz Province while, according to the outlet’s claim, he was hiding under a false identity at a drug rehabilitation center.

According to the Judiciary, following the completion of the investigation, an indictment was issued against Shahram Sadeghi, and his case was heard by the Karaj Revolutionary Court in the presence of an attorney. The court sentenced him to death and the confiscation of all his property on the charge of “carrying out operational activities on behalf of Israel, the United States, and hostile groups and countries, pursuant to Article 1 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage and Cooperation with Israel and Hostile Countries Against National Security and Interests.”

After Mr. Sadeghi and his attorney appealed the ruling, the case was referred to the Supreme Court for review. According to the Judiciary, the Supreme Court upheld the sentence, which was carried out early this morning.

The report did not provide details regarding how the court proceedings were conducted or whether Mr. Sadeghi had access to a fair trial.

Sepehr Amirzadeh, Detained During January Protests, Sentenced to Death

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Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan, moharebeh, Sepehr Amirzadeh, سپهر امیرزاده

HRANA – Sepehr Amirzadeh, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests and currently held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God).

According to HRANA, Sepehr Amirzadeh, who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to death.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Amirzadeh was sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on the charge of “moharebeh” (enmity against God). His case is currently under review by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Amirzadeh was arrested by security forces at his home in Isfahan on January 13, 2026, in connection with nationwide protests. After undergoing interrogation, he was transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, where he remains incarcerated.

HRANA’s investigation into the details of the case, including the specific acts underlying the charge brought against him, is ongoing.

Sepehr Amirzadeh, aged approximately 23, is originally from Ramhormoz, Khuzestan Province. He is an instructor and musician who plays the ney-anban, a traditional Iranian bagpipe, and resides in Isfahan.

Female Prisoner Dies in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad Following Lack of Medical Care

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News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mashhad, Taktam Ramezani, Vakilabad prison, تکتم رمضانی

HRANA – Taktam Ramezani, a prisoner convicted of non-political offenses and held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, died in the prison following a ruptured gallbladder and delays in receiving medical care and being transferred to a hospital.

According to HRANA, a prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad died due to a lack of timely medical care.

The prisoner, identified by HRANA as 37-year-old Taktam Ramezani, had been convicted of non-political offenses.

According to reports received by HRANA, Ms. Ramezani died in Ward 2 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, following a ruptured gallbladder and delays in her transfer to a hospital. During the four days preceding her death, she suffered from severe pain in the gallbladder area. Despite repeated requests for medical attention, she was denied transfer to a hospital and access to appropriate medical treatment.

Ms. Ramezani had been arrested some time earlier on drug-related charges and was serving her sentence in Ward 2 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She also worked in the prison collecting garbage.

Under the regulations of Iran’s Prisons Organization, all prisoners are entitled to healthcare and medical services. The regulations stipulate that prisoners must undergo regular medical examinations and, when urgent treatment is required, be transferred to specialized hospitals. In practice, however, numerous reports indicate that prisoners are frequently denied this fundamental right.