Category: Freedom of Expression

Scholar of Mysticism Hamidreza Moraveji Sabzevari Detained by Security Forces in Sabzevar

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamidreza Moraveji Sabzevari, Sabzevar

HRANA News Agency – Hamidreza Moraveji Sabzevari, a scholar and researcher in the field of mysticism, has been detained by security forces in Sabzevar for the past nine days. His whereabouts remain unknown, raising serious concerns among his family and those close to him.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Moraveji Sabzevari was arrested on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, at his private residence by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. Since his arrest, there has been no information regarding his condition or place of detention.

Some state-affiliated media outlets have reported the charges against him as “encouraging people to corruption and conducting educational and promotional activities contrary to the sacred principles of Islam.”

Hamidreza Moraveji Sabzevari is a prominent researcher in the field of mysticism. Over the years, he has conducted more than two thousand sessions dedicated to the interpretation and analysis of the Quran, Rumi’s Masnavi, Attar’s Conference of the Birds, Hafez’s Ghazals, and other mystical texts.

A Citizen Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Forces in Meshgin Shahr

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ardabil Province, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Meshgin Shahr

HRANA News Agency – The prosecutor of Meshgin Shahr, Ardabil province, announced the arrest of a citizen by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) intelligence forces in this city. He claimed the individual had caused public anxiety through online content creation.

According to Tasnim News Agency, the prosecutor alleged that the individual was “one of the separatist elements who had been in contact with separatist groups and circles abroad through cyberspace.” Without naming the detainee, he further claimed that the individual was “causing public anxiety by producing separatist content, insulting Islamic sanctities and values, and promoting groups and organizations opposing the regime.”

Babak Nonahal added that the arrest was carried out by the IRGC Intelligence Organization of Ardabil Province. The individual was transferred to prison following the arrest.

Sima Alipour Arrested After Summons to IRGC Intelligence in Tabriz

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Sima Alipour, Tabriz, سیما علیپور

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, March 17, Sima Alipour, an Azerbaijani-Turk activist, was arrested after appearing at the IRGC Intelligence office in Tabriz and was transferred to the agency’s detention facility.

A source close to Alipour’s family confirmed the arrest in a conversation with HRANA, stating: “After being summoned, Ms. Alipour appeared at the IRGC Intelligence office in Tabriz on the morning of Monday, March 17. Hours later, the family was informed through their contacts that she had been arrested by the agency. They were advised to follow up on the case through the Tabriz Prosecutor’s Office.”

As of this report, no information has been released regarding the reasons for the arrest or the charges against her.

Last week, IRGC Intelligence agents searched Alipour’s home and confiscated several personal belongings, including her mobile phone.

Previously, in April 2023, a court hearing was held for Ms. Alipour and her husband, Davoud Shiri (Derakhshan), regarding their charges.

On May 28, 2022, both were arrested by Tabriz’s Ministry of Intelligence agents and released several days later on bail from the agency’s detention facility.

Sima Alipour has a prior record of arrests and encounters with security forces.

Hamideh Zeraei Sentenced to 18 Months in Prison and 178 Lashes

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Freedom of Expression, News
Asif Al-Hosseini, Hamideh Zeraei, Kachooei Prison, Karaj, Lakan prison, Rasht, حمیده زراعی

HRANA News Agency – Hamideh Zeraei, a former political prisoner, has been sentenced to one year and six months in prison and 178 lashes by Branch 104 of the Rasht Criminal Court, according to the Hyrcani news outlet.

The court, presided over by Judge Majid Shadpour, issued the verdict against Zeraei for refusing to comply with compulsory hijab regulations during a court appearance. She was sentenced to nine months in prison and 74 lashes on charges of “disturbing public order” and an additional nine months in prison for “defying law enforcement officers.” Furthermore, she received 74 lashes for “insulting an officer on duty” and 30 lashes for “causing minor physical harm.”

Zeraei was arrested in connection with this case on February 4, 2025, and released approximately one month later on bail from Lakan Prison in Rasht.

In a previous case, on November 16, 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Karaj—presided over by Judge Mousa Asif Al-Hosseini—had sentenced Zeraei to one year in prison, two years of exile to Rasht, a two-year travel ban, and a two-year ban on social media use. After accepting the verdict, her prison sentence was later reduced to nine months.

Zeraei was first arrested by security forces on May 29, 2023, at her home and transferred to Kachooei Prison in Karaj. She was released on February 22, 2024, after serving her sentence.

Previously, Hamideh (Shimin) Zeraei had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests. She was released on February 7, 2023, from Kachooei Prison in Karaj following a general “pardon” directive.

Five Poets and Journalists Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abadan, Arash Ghaleh-Golab, Farzaneh Yahya Abadi, Kourosh Karam-Pour, Mandana Sadeghi

HRANA News Agency – Arash Ghaleh-Golab, Kourosh Karam-Pour, Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi, Mandana Sadeghi and his husband, Reza Mohammadi, have been sentenced to a total of more than 10 years and 9 months in prison by Branch One of the Abadan Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, five poets and journalists have been sentenced to prison terms.

Based on the verdict issued by Branch One of the Abadan Revolutionary Court, Mandana Sadeghi and Arash Ghaleh-Golab have each been sentenced to 4 years, 1 month, and 17 days in prison. Kourosh Karam-Pour has been sentenced to 2 years in prison.
Reza Mohammadi and Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi have each been sentenced to 3 months and 1 day in prison.

Breakdown of Charges and Sentences

Mandana Sadeghi and Arash Ghaleh-Golab were convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced to 7 months and 16 days in prison. They were also convicted of “assembly and collusion against national security” and sentenced to 3 years, 6 months, and 1 day in prison.
Kourosh Karam-Pour, a poet and journalist from Abadan, was sentenced to 2 years in prison on similar charges.
Reza Mohammadi, poet and literary critic, and Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi, journalist, were each sentenced to 3 months and 1 day in prison for “propaganda against the regime”. The sentence against Yahya-Abadi was issued in absentia.

Court Proceedings and Previous Arrests

These three journalists, along with Reza Mohammadi, Ms. Sadeghi’s husband, had previously been summoned to the Abadan Revolutionary Court for their defense.

Mandana Sadeghi and Reza Mohammadi were arrested at their home in Abadan on October 19, 2022, by security forces and transferred to Ahvaz. They were later released on bail. They had previously faced legal action for their activities.
Farzaneh Yahya-Abadi was also arrested on October 19, 2022, in Abadan and later released on bail.
Arash Ghaleh-Golab was arrested on May 26, 2022, in front of the Metropol Building while mourning the victims of the Metropol collapse. Security forces detained him violently, and he was later released after 11 days on bail.

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Karim Jalili Arrested in Masjed Soleyman

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karim Jalili, Masjed-Soleyman, کریم جلیلی

HRANA News Agency – Karim Jalili, a resident of Masjed Soleyman, was arrested by security forces at his home and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Mr. Jalili was arrested by security forces at his home in Masjed Soleyman. A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating, “It is likely that Mr. Jalili was arrested due to his activities on social media. His online accounts are now being controlled by security forces.”

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Karim Jalili, 40, has previously faced security-related confrontations due to his activism.

Revolutionary Court Sentences Samad Pourshah to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mahsa Amini, Samad Pourshah, Yasuj, صمد پورشه

HRANA News Agency – Samad Pourshah, a resident of Yasuj, has been sentenced to one year in prison by the city’s Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

According to a verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court of Yasuj and personally delivered to him yesterday, Mr. Pourshah was convicted and sentenced to one year in prison. His trial took place on March 8, 2025, at the same court.

He was initially arrested by security forces in Yasuj in September 2023, during the first anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death. He was later released from Yasuj Prison in November 2023 after posting bail and securing a guarantor’s commitment.

In February 2024, the Revolutionary Court of Yasuj sentenced him to three months and one day in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and a fine as a substitute for an additional three-month prison term for “propaganda against the regime.” Pourshah was transferred to Yasuj Prison in March 2024 to serve his sentence and was later released upon its completion.

Five Members of a Family Tried in Bavi County

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Freedom of Expression, News
Bavi County, Khuzestan province, Masoud Jamei, Zeinab Hezbapour

HRANA News Agency – The Revolutionary Court of Bavi County, Khuzestan Province, held a hearing for Masoud Jamei, a political prisoner detained in Sheiban Prison, Ahvaz, along with his wife, Zeinab Hezbapour, and their children, Nahid, Dalal, and Roghayeh Jamei.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, five members of this family stood trial earlier this week. During the session, Masoud Jamei, his wife, and their three children defended themselves against charges of alleged connections with an opposition group. They had previously been summoned to court through official notices.

Masoud Jamei had already been indicted by the Ahvaz Prosecutor’s Office on charges including “spreading corruption on earth,” membership in opposition groups, and “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security.”

Jamei, who suffers from fatty liver disease and digestive issues, was arrested by security forces on August 1, 2023, in Ahvaz and subsequently transferred to Sheiban Prison.

Masoud Jamei, approximately 47 years old, his wife Zeinab Hezbapour, and their children—Nahid (22), Dalal (20), and Roghayeh (16)—are all residents of Ahvaz.

Nina Golestani Arrested in Rasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Javad Sajjadi Rad, Lakan prison, Nina Golestani, Rasht

HRANA News Agency – On Tuesday, March 11, IRGC Intelligence agents arrested Nina Golestani, a writer and resident of Rasht, and transferred her to Lakan Prison in the city.

Her husband, Seyed Javad Sajjadi Rad, stated that on the morning of March 11, 2025, IRGC Intelligence agents disguised themselves as electricity company employees to gain entry into her parents’ home. After presenting an arrest warrant, they detained Golestani and searched the house. She was then taken for interrogation.

Later that day, at 5:30 PM, after a judge set bail, she was transferred to Lakan Prison. However, when her husband visited Branch 4 of the Prosecutor’s Office the following day, the judge deemed the bail insufficient and insisted on re-interrogating her before proceeding with the case.

As of the time of this report, the charges against Nina Golestani remain unknown.

Golestani, a writer from Rasht, has previously faced arrest and legal action due to her activities.

Ali Jahanian and Fereshteh Souri Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Jahanian, Fereshteh Souri, Malayer Prison, Nahavand

HRANA News Agency – Ali Jahanian and his wife, Fereshteh Souri, have each been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Nahavand.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the couple was convicted of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced to serve their terms in Nahavand Prison. However, the court acquitted them of the charge of “forming a group to disrupt national security.”

Their trial was held in late January 2025, and the verdict was issued and formally communicated to them on March 10, 2025.

Jahanian and Souri were originally arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents on September 9, 2024, at their home in Nahavand. While Souri was released on bail after several hours of interrogation, she was rearrested on September 11 and later transferred to Malayer Prison.

Both were eventually released on bail on November 11, 2024. A source close to their family told HRANA that Fereshteh Souri was subjected to verbal abuse and physical violence during her interrogations at the Intelligence Ministry’s detention facility.

Ali Jahanian, a poet and political activist from Nahavand, has been previously arrested due to his activism.