World-Traveling Cyclist Khosrow Azarbeyg Arrested in Tehran

HRANA News Agency – On Monday, February 17, 2025, security forces in Tehran arrested Khosrow Azarbeyg, a musician and world-traveling cyclist.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, attorney Amir Raeesian stated that Mr. Azarbeyg was detained by security forces on Monday evening while walking on a street in Tehran. His family has been informed that he is facing charges of “insulting Bashar al-Assad.” His current whereabouts remain unknown.

Mr. Azarbeyg had previously been arrested on September 20, 2024, while performing street music in Tehran’s Mellat Park. Security forces confiscated his belongings, and although he was released hours later, a judicial case was opened against him.

He was also briefly detained on January 10, 2024, for playing the daf drum at a metro station in Tehran.

Khosrow Azarbeyg is a cyclist, musician, traveler, documentary filmmaker, and children’s rights activist. He has traveled to more than 40 countries across Asia, Europe, and Africa and has been involved in various initiatives supporting impoverished families in Sistan and Baluchestan, children with autism, and the families of child laborers.

Azerbaijani-Turk Activist Ebrahim Asemani Sentenced to Prison and Flogging

HRANA News Agency – Azerbaijani-Turk activist Ebrahim Asemani has been sentenced to three months in prison and 30 lashes by Branch 118 of the Tabriz Criminal Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Asemani was convicted on charges of “disrupting public order through unconventional attire and creating commotion during the funeral of Zohreh Sa’adati Vafaie.” The verdict, issued on February 15, 2025, sentenced him to three months and one day of imprisonment and 30 lashes.

This verdict was issued in absentia and can be appealed within 20 days of notification, with an additional 20-day window for appeal in the Court of Appeals.

Asemani was arrested on September 23, 2024, during the funeral of Sa’adati Vafaie at a Cemetery in Tabriz for wearing traditional clothing featuring specific inscriptions. He was released on bail after eight days.

Asmani, aged approximately 60, is a married Azerbaijani-Turk activist from Tabriz. He has previously faced summonses, arrests, and judicial sentences due to his activism.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits inhumane and degrading punishments such as flogging and amputation. However, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases where flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. Additionally, at least 131 individuals were sentenced to a combined 9,957 lashes by the Iranian judiciary.

Furthermore, four individuals had their hand amputation sentences executed, while four others were sentenced to amputation.
For detailed statistics and further insights, read HRANA’s 2024 Annual Report.

Wave of Arrests Following Protests in Dehdasht, Iran

HRANA News Agency – Following a protest on Tuesday, February 11, in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, a large number of demonstrators have been arrested.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of several detainees, including Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, Reza Yeganeh, Hossein Parisayi, Alireza Parisayi, Hamid Parisayi, and Ahmad Noormohammadi. Earlier, the arrests of Atefeh Tahernia, 17-year-old Amirhossein Jafari, 16-year-old Kamran Buzari, Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati had also been reported.

Ahmad Noormohammadi, accused of leading the protests, is being held in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Meanwhile, Hossein, Alireza, and Hamid Parisayi (three brothers), Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati are detained in Dehdasht Prison, while Atefeh Tahernia is held in Yasuj Prison. Amirhossein Jafari, the 17-year-old detainee, has been transferred to the Yasuj Juvenile Correctional Center.

A source close to the detainees confirmed this to HRANA, stating: “Atefeh Tahernia was supposed to be released from Yasuj Prison on bail, but the judicial officer opposed her release.”

Yesterday, Fars News Agency reported the arrests of several protesters in Dehdasht, accusing them of “disrupting public order and attempting sabotage.” At the same time, security-affiliated media channels identified one of the detainees as “Ahmad Lolo” (referring to Ahmad Noormohammadi) and claimed—without evidence—that he is an Afghan national and one of the organizers of the protest.

According to HRANA’s sources, during the arrests of Shahram Nooranian and Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, IRGC intelligence forces opened fire on their vehicle in the Tang-e Pirza area of Kohgiluyeh County.

A source close to one of the detainees’ families confirmed this account to HRANA, stating:
“Shahram and Shahriar were violently beaten and arrested. Since their detention, their families have received no information about their whereabouts and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”

On the night of Tuesday, February 11, a group of Dehdasht residents gathered in protest, chanting slogans against the government. These demonstrations were driven by growing public frustration over economic and social issues.

In the days following the protest, amid widespread arrests, Dehdasht has remained under heavy security, with a significant presence of security forces throughout the city.

Teacher and Union Activist Asghar Amirzadegan Sentenced to Three Years in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Asghar Amirzadegan, a teacher and member of the teachers’ union in Fars province, has been sentenced in absentia to three years in prison by the Criminal Court of Firouzabad County.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Branch 101 of the Firouzabad Criminal Court issued the verdict on February 11, 2025. Amirzadegan was sentenced to two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic” and an additional one year for “propaganda against the regime,” bringing his total prison term to three years.

This is not the first time Amirzadegan has faced imprisonment. In June 2023, Branch 1 of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court sentenced him to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion against national security.” This sentence was later upheld by Branch 37 of the Fars Province Court of Appeals.

He began serving his five-year sentence in November 2023 at Firouzabad Prison but was released in January 2024 after his appeal was accepted and his sentence was suspended.

However, in March 2024, he was convicted in a separate case and sentenced by the Firouzabad Revolutionary Court to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” following a complaint by the Firouzabad prosecutor.

Earlier this month, Amirzadegan was arrested again and transferred to Firouzabad Prison to serve his latest sentence.

A long-time advocate for teachers’ rights, Amirzadegan has been repeatedly arrested and sentenced due to his activism.

Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar Arrested during Protest in Front of Tehran University

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar, an injured veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was arrested during Thursday’s protest in Tehran against the continued house arrest of three political figures. His whereabouts remain unknown.

His daughter, Hanieh Bakhtiar, stated that while most detainees have been released, her father remains in custody, and the family has no information on his location.

She highlighted her father’s 70 months of service on the frontlines during the Iran-Iraq war and his war-related health issues, including lung damage from mustard gas exposure, neurological conditions caused by blast waves, and diabetes. She emphasized that he requires regular medication and continuous medical care, but since his arrest, he has been denied access to his medication, putting his physical and mental health at serious risk.

Despite a heavy security presence, a protest was held yesterday in front of Tehran University to oppose the continued house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. Several demonstrators were arrested during the gathering.

It is worth noting that Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest since February 2011.

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Arrests During Protest in Front of Tehran University

HRANA News Agency – During the past two days, several protesters were arrested in front of Tehran University during a gathering against the continued house arrest of three political figures.

Despite a heavy security presence, a gathering took place yesterday in front of Tehran University to protest the ongoing house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. Reports indicate that several individuals were arrested at the protest, following the detention of at least six political activists yesterday. These activists, most of whom are veterans of the Iran-Iraq war, were arrested in connection with calls to attend the demonstration.

Jamaran News reported that two of the detainees from yesterday’s protest were Saeed and Saeedeh Montazeri, the children of Ayatollah Hossein-Ali Montazeri, a senior Shia cleric. Additionally, Didban Iran News Agency confirmed the arrest of Hossein Loqmanian, a former member of Iran’s Sixth Parliament, along with his brother.

On Wednesday, prior to the demonstration, individuals such as Rahim Ghomeishi, Naser Daneshfar, and Akbar Danesh Sararoudi were arrested in connection with calls for participation in the protest. Some state-affiliated media outlets reported yesterday that Mahmoud Dordkeshan, Javad Dordkeshan, and Soleimani Ardestani were also arrested.

Among the detainees, Mahmoud Dordkeshan, Javad Dordkeshan, Hossein Loqmanian, and Saeed and Saeedeh Montazeri were released a few hours after their detention.

It is worth noting that Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest since February 2011.

Political Activists Akbar Danesh Sararoudi and Naser Daneshfar Arrested in Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Security forces in Tehran have arrested Akbar Danesh Sararoudi and Naser Daneshfar, transferring them to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Ensaf News, the two activists were detained after recently calling for a gathering in front of the University of Tehran scheduled for Thursday.

In connection with these events, political activist Rahim Ghomeishi was also arrested by security forces in Tehran yesterday.

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the charges against them or their current whereabouts.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political and media activist from Isfahan, has previously faced arrests and legal action due to his activism.

Naser Daneshfar, also a political activist, is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war.

Political Activist Rahim Ghomeishi Arrested in Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Security forces arrested political activist Rahim Ghomeishi today, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to Emtedad, Ghomeishi, who had recently issued a call for a gathering on Thursday in front of the University of Tehran, was arrested this afternoon by security forces.

No information is available yet regarding his whereabouts or the charges against him.

Rahim Ghomeishi, a Tehran resident and political activist, is also a veteran of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war.

Arrest of Five Citizens, Including a Teenager, in Dehdasht

HRANA News Agency – Last night, February 11, at least five residents of Dehdasht, including a teenager, were arrested by security forces.

Based on information received by HRANA, Amirhossein Jafari (17 years old), Atefeh Tahernia (Female), Kamran Buzari, Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati were arrested separately by security forces in Dehdasht County in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, on February 12, 2025.

The detainees have been transferred as follows:

  • Amirhossein Jafari to the Dehdasht Juvenile Correctional Center,
  • Atefeh Tahernia to Yasuj Prison,
  • Jaber Foroughi and Pouria Barati to Dehdasht Prison.

As of now, the location of Kamran Buzari remains unknown.

HRANA is investigating further details, including the reasons for their arrests and the charges against them.

Jaber Foroughi has a history of previous arrests due to his activities.

Woman Goes Partially Unclothed in Tehran; Four Individuals Arrested

HRANA News Agency – On February 8, a woman who partially undressed on a street in Tehran was arrested. Judiciary-affiliated media claim that the act was pre-planned, leading to the arrest of three other individuals in connection with the incident.

According to HRANA, quoting Mizan News, the judiciary’s news agency, a total of four citizens were arrested in Tehran. The report states that at noon on Saturday, February 8, a partially unclothed woman stepped out of her private vehicle on a street in Tehran. After walking a short distance, she retrieved her clothes from the back seat, put them on, and left the scene.

Judiciary-affiliated sources allege that the woman was part of a four-person organized group and that three other individuals accompanying her were filming and photographing her as she walked partially undressed in the street.

All four individuals have reportedly been arrested, and criminal cases have been opened against them.

The report does not provide any details regarding the identities or whereabouts of the detained individuals.