Report on the Arrest of Asad Halafi by IRGC Intelligence in Ahvaz

HRANA – Asad Halafi, a 37-year-old resident of Ahvaz, has been detained by IRGC Intelligence forces in the city for six days, and his whereabouts remain unknown.

According to HRANA, Asad Halafi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

According to information received by HRANA, at around 4:00 a.m., IRGC Intelligence forces went to Halafi’s home in Ahvaz and arrested him. During the arrest, agents also searched his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.

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

Asad Halafi is 37 years old, married, and the father of two children.

Mona Mahmoudian Arrested in Babol

HRANA – On Tuesday, September 29, Mona Mahmoudian, the wife of Ebrahim Mostafapour, who was killed during the January 2026 protests, was arrested by security forces in Babol and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, Mona Mahmoudian has been arrested.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Mahmoudian was arrested by security forces on the morning of Tuesday, September 29, outside her workplace in Babol. Despite her family’s inquiries with judicial authorities, they have so far received no clear information regarding her condition or whereabouts.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for Ms. Mahmoudian’s arrest or the charges brought against her.

Mona Mahmoudian is the wife of Ebrahim Mostafapour, who was killed during the nationwide protests of January 2026 in Babol County.

January 2026 Protests: Morteza Yousefzadeh Sentenced to 10 Years in Prison

HRANA – Morteza Yousefzadeh, one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests who is currently incarcerated in Greater Tehran Prison, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, Morteza Yousefzadeh has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Ali Mazloum, sentenced Mr. Yousefzadeh to 10 years in prison on charges including “taking operational action aimed at disrupting national security.”

Morteza Yousefzadeh was arrested in January 2026 amid nationwide protests. He has been held in Greater Tehran Prison since his arrest.

Background on January 2026 Protests:

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.

Three Baha’i Citizens Sentenced to 35 Years in Prison, Additional Punishments, and Property Confiscation

HRANA – Hengameh Sharifinia, Fouad Abdolghaffari, and Fahim Agahi, three Baha’i citizens, have been sentenced to a combined 35 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. They were also subjected to additional punishments, including travel bans, restrictions on participation in groups and organizations, and confiscation of their property.

According to HRANA, Baha’i citizens Hengameh Sharifinia, Fouad Abdolghaffari, and Fahim Agahi have been sentenced to prison and additional punishments.

The ruling was issued in late September by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. Under the ruling, Ms. Sharifinia was sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years of deprivation of social rights on the charge of “deviant educational or proselytizing activities contrary to or disruptive of the sacred law of Islam,” under Article 500 bis of the Islamic Penal Code. She was also sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “membership in groups and organizations aimed at disrupting national security,” under Article 499 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Fouad Abdolghaffari and Fahim Agahi were each sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “proselytizing activities contrary to Islamic law” and an additional five years in prison, along with a fine of 80 million tomans, on the charge of “membership in groups and organizations aimed at disrupting national security.” In addition to these sentences, all three Baha’i citizens received supplementary punishments consisting of a two-year ban on participating in groups and organizations and a two-year travel ban.

Under the ruling, property belonging to the three citizens was also confiscated.

The three had previously been tried in a joint case before the same branch of the court.

HRANA previously reported their arrests in October 2025 amid a wave of security measures targeting Baha’i citizens. Hengameh Sharifinia and Fahim Agahi were arrested in Tehran, while security forces simultaneously searched the homes of several Baha’i citizens. Fouad Abdolghaffari was also arrested in Tehran as part of the same wave of actions, while his home was being searched.

Over the past decade, Iran’s Baha’i community has faced more security and judicial actions than any other religious minority in the country. A review of HRA’s annual reports shows that, over the past three years, an average of 72% of reports concerning religious minorities have involved violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

Parviz Bangini Sentenced to Prison by Bukan Revolutionary Court

HRANA – Parviz Bangini, a resident of Bukan, was sentenced to eight months in prison by the Bukan Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Parviz Bangini has been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch of the Bukan Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mehdi Fakhri, sentenced Mr. Bangini to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Parviz Bangini, a 29-year-old resident of Bukan, was arrested with the use of force by security forces at his residence on Wednesday, February 11, 2026. He was released after 35 days upon posting bail of one billion tomans. During his detention, he was also denied access to a lawyer, family visits, and phone calls with his family.

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Mohammad Azizi Arrested and Transferred to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin

HRANA – Mohammad Azizi, a resident of Alvand, was arrested one week ago by IRGC Intelligence agents in the city and transferred to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

According to information received by HRANA, Mohammad Azizi was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents at his residence in Alvand on Wednesday, September 23. He was subsequently transferred to Choobindar Prison in Qazvin.

An informed source, confirming the news to HRANA, said that Mr. Azizi faces charges of “propaganda against the regime on the Internet,” “disrupting public order and peace,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “insulting religious sanctities.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the specific acts cited as the basis for these charges.

Mohammad Azizi, a resident of Alvand, has previously faced arrest and judicial proceedings due to his activities.

Babak Roshan-Zamir Arrested and Transferred to Dehdasht Prison

HRANA – Babak Roshan-Zamir was arrested by security forces on September 18 and subsequently transferred to Dehdasht Prison.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Roshan-Zamir was arrested by security forces in Likak on September 18, 2026, and was transferred to Dehdasht Prison approximately one week after his arrest.

An informed source close to his family told HRANA that he faces charges including “propaganda against the regime” and “collaboration with foreign networks.” Mr. Roshan-Zamir was reportedly arrested after visiting the graves of those killed during nationwide protests.

As of the time of this report, no further information has been obtained regarding the proceedings in his case or the conditions of his detention.

Babak Roshan-Zamir, a resident of Likak in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, has worked in the field of civil engineering.

Six Teacher Union Activists Arrested Mamasani

HRANA – Six teachers’ union activists were arrested on Friday, September 25, in Mamasani County, Fars province. The individuals were transferred to Nurabad Prison in Mamasani following interrogation.

According to HRANA, citing the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, the detainees have been identified as Shokrollah Ahmadi, Ali Safari, Ali Hassan Bahamin, Hojjat Sadat, Rasoul Bodaghi and Ghaffar Dindar.

According to the report, around noon on Friday, September 25, 2026, security forces arrived at a location in Mamasani County where the teachers’ union activists had gathered to visit a colleague and arrested them. Following interrogation, the detainees were transferred to Nurabad Prison in Mamasani on Saturday, September 26, 2026.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against these union activists.

Shokrollah Ahmadi had previously been sentenced by a court to three years, seven months, and 15 days in prison. In January of 2026, he was arrested in connection with nationwide protests in Mamasani and was later released on bail. This teachers’ union activist has also previously faced judicial action because of his activities.

Ali Hassan Bahamin, a teacher and teachers’ union activist from Yasuj, had previously been sentenced by the Primary Board for Reviewing Administrative Violations of Employees of the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province Department of Education to compulsory retirement with a reduction of two employment grades.

Rasoul Bodaghi has also previously been arrested and served sentences in connection with his union activities.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to Prison in a New Case Filed Against Him While Incarcerated

HRANA – Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a political prisoner held at Karaj Central Penitentiary, has been sentenced by the Karaj Revolutionary Court to one year in prison, as well as a two-year ban on leaving the country and a two-year suspension from government and public services, in connection with a new case opened against him during his imprisonment.

According to HRANA, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to imprisonment and additional punishments.

According to information received by HRANA, in a new case opened against Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb during his imprisonment, a branch of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to one year in prison. As additional punishments, he was also sentenced to a two-year travel ban and a two-year suspension from government and public services.

Information received by HRANA indicates that Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb continues to be held alongside Masoud Farhikhteh in a separate room adjacent to Ward 16 that lacks basic facilities.

On August 19, 2026, a court hearing addressing the charges against Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb was held via videoconference before a branch of the Karaj Revolutionary Court. During the hearing, Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb defended himself against charges including insulting the Supreme Leader, disrupting public order, and propaganda against the regime through the dissemination of false information.

On November 15, 2025, Mr. Ahmadi Ragheb was transferred from Ghezel Hesar Prison to Karaj Central Penitentiary.

In July 2024, the political prisoner was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of exile in a case opened against him during his imprisonment following a complaint filed by officials at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb was arrested in March 2023 and, several months later, was sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years and eight months in prison and additional punishments. He had previously faced judicial proceedings and imprisonment in connection with his activities.

Sheida Saberi Arrested in Shiraz

HRANA – Sheida Saberi, a resident of Shiraz, was arrested by Security Police officers on Sunday, September 20, and transferred to Adelabad Prison in the city.

According to HRANA, Sheida Saberi has been arrested in Shiraz.

According to information received by HRANA, Ms. Saberi was arrested by Security Police officers in Shiraz on Sunday, September 20, 2026, and subsequently transferred to Adelabad Prison in the city.

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

Saberi has previously been arrested and faced judicial proceedings in connection with her activities. On October 8, 2022, during the nationwide protests, she was arrested by security forces in Yasuj and was released from the city’s prison on October 11 of the same year.