Category: Freedom of Expression

Appeals Court Ruling: Donya Hosseini Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Donya Hosseini, Iman Afshari, Khojasteh, Qarchak Varamin

HRANA – The prison sentence of Donya Hosseini has been upheld in full by Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals. Ms. Hosseini had previously been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to three years and six months of imprisonment.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Hosseini was sentenced by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Khojasteh, to three years and six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime in support of strengthening the Israeli government.” This sentence had originally been issued at the preliminary stage by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Donya Hosseini, also known by the alias “Donya Azad,” aged 36, was arrested in Tehran by security forces on June 16 of this year and released from Qarchak Varamin Prison on Sunday, August 3, after posting bail of 3 billion tomans.

In 2023, Ms. Hosseini was also sentenced in a separate case to five years of suspended imprisonment and a monetary fine.

Family Concern Grows as Bita Shafiei Remains Detained Without Updates

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Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC Intelligence, khorramshahr, Shahin-Shahr, بیتا شفیعی

HRANA – Bita Shafiei, a resident of Shahin Shahr and the daughter of Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, has been detained for five days by IRGC Intelligence agents in Khorramshahr, with no information available about her whereabouts or condition. The absence of updates has heightened her family’s concern.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Shafiei was arrested on Thursday, November 13, by IRGC Intelligence agents at the home of her relatives in Khorramshahr. She had traveled to Khorramshahr after the arrest of her mother, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, from their residence in Shahin Shahr.

A source close to the Shafiei family confirmed to HRANA: “Despite the family’s efforts, none of the security or judicial bodies have provided any clear answers regarding her status. This situation has significantly increased the worries of her family and relatives.”

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

Bita Shafiei is the daughter of Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, a student who was arrested by security forces during protests related to the student poisoning incidents in Shahin Shahr and later released.

Morteza Dolatpour Sentenced to Prison on Political Charge

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Akbar Ansarizadeh, Qom, مرتضی دولت پور

HRANA – Morteza Dolatpour, a resident of Qom, has been sentenced to nine months in prison by Branch 1 of the Qom Revolutionary Court.

The ruling was recently issued by Branch 1 of the Qom Revolutionary Court, presided over by Advisor Ali Akbar Ansarizadeh, against Mr. Dolatpour. He was initially sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” but after submitting himself to the verdict, the sentence was reduced to nine months.

On Sunday, November 9, the hearing on his charge was held at the mentioned judicial authority.

Mr. Dolatpour, aged approximately 40, was arrested on September 18, 2025, in Qom by security forces and released five days later on bail.

He had previously been arrested in July-August 2020 by security forces. In that case, Branch 3 of the Qom Revolutionary Court convicted him on three charges. After the verdict was upheld on appeal, a 17-month prison term, issued as the most severe of the sentences, was enforceable. Ultimately, in April-May 2022, Branch 11 of the Qom Court of Appeals granted him conditional release from Qom Prison.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, HRANA, Isfahan, اکبر دانش سرارودی

HRANA – On November 14, Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political activist residing in Isfahan, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was arrested on Friday, November 14, 2025, at his home by security forces without the presentation of a judicial warrant. Efforts by his family to learn about his situation have so far been unsuccessful.
As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

In May 2025, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to three years in prison and additional penalties.

Prior to that, the hearing on his charges had been held in the same branch. A few days later, the political activist personally submitted his defense bill to the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

In February 2025, he had been arrested in connection with a call for a gathering planned for February 13 of that year, intended as a protest against the continued house arrest of three political figures. On February 19, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was released from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan after posting bail.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political and media activist and an Iran-Iraq war veteran residing in Isfahan, has previously faced arrest and judicial actions because of his activities.

Amol: Amirreza Alipour Arrested and Transferred to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirreza Alipour, Amirreza Alipour Hashteli Amoli, Amol, HRANA, امیررضا علی پور

HRANA – Amirreza Alipour Hashteli Amoli, a resident of Amol, was arrested on Wednesday, November 4, by security forces and, after being informed of the charges at the Amol Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, was transferred to the city’s prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Alipour was arrested on Wednesday, November 5, at his private residence by security forces. At Branch 7 of the Investigation Office of the Amol Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, he was charged with “propaganda against the regime” and then transferred to Amol Prison. He is currently being held in the prison’s special ward.

A source close to the Alipour family confirmed the arrest and told HRANA: “The investigator has so far not agreed to a bail order.”

In 2022, Mr. Alipour was sentenced to six months of home confinement with an electronic ankle monitor on the charge of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic.” On December 16, 2018, Branch 1059 of Tehran Criminal Court II sentenced him to six months in prison on the charge of “insulting the president.” In 2015, he had also been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months of suspended imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Alipour, 31, a resident of Amol, has previously faced arrest and prosecution for his activities.

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Mohammad Benazadeh Amirkhizi Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Benazadeh Amirkhizi, محمد بنازاده امیرخیزی

HRANA – Mohammad Benazadeh Amirkhizi, a political defendant, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

According to the notice he received last week, Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mohammad-Reza Amouzad, sentenced him to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and to five years in prison on suspicion of membership in one of the groups opposing the regime.

Benazadeh Amirkhizi was arrested on Monday, July 28, 2025, at his residence in Tehran by security forces and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Qom. He was released on bail in October 2025.

Mohammad Benazadeh Amirkhizi, 80, a resident of Tehran, has previously faced convictions related to his activities.

Sarvabad: Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Kurdistan Province, Salman Advaei, Sarvabad, Yaser Advaei

HRANA – Yaser Advaei and Salman Advaei, two residents of Sarvabad, were arrested yesterday by Ministry of Intelligence agents in this county and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, in the early hours of Thursday, November 13, Yaser Advaei and Salman Advaei were arrested at their home in Sarvabad by Ministry of Intelligence forces without a judicial warrant. Their families’ efforts to obtain information about their situation have so far gone unanswered.

As of the time of writing, no information is available regarding their whereabouts, the reasons for their arrest, or the charges brought against them.

Salman Advaei and Yaser Advaei, residents of Selin village in Sarvabad County, Kurdistan Province, have previously been detained and convicted.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

Zeinab Mousavi Sentenced to Six Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Emperor Kuzco, Zeinab Mousavi, زینب موسوی

HRANA – Zeinab Mousavi, an Iranian comedian, has been sentenced by a judicial authority to six months of discretionary imprisonment and the writing of a research thesis under the supervision of the Ferdowsi Foundation, due to a video she posted online containing remarks about the Iranian poet Ferdowsi.

According to HRANA, quoting Shargh newspaper, Zeinab Mousavi has been sentenced to six months of discretionary imprisonment and the writing of a research thesis under the supervision of the Ferdowsi Foundation.

Part of the issued verdict states: “The defendant is required, under the supervision of the Ferdowsi Foundation and with the guidance of an instructor approved by this foundation, to draft and defend within six months a thesis on topics including Ferdowsi’s role in Iran’s national identity and culture, and the significance of the Shahnameh in Persian literature.”

According to the ruling, Mousavi is also obligated to conduct at least 120 hours of storytelling sessions centered on Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh in schools or cultural centers in underprivileged areas, coordinated with the Institute for the Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults and the Ministry of Education, and to submit documentation to the Enforcement of Judgments Office.

Zeinab Mousavi, one of the first female stand-up comedians in Iran and the creator of the character “Emperor Kuzco,” was arrested in October 2023 and released after a few days. Her case was sent to both the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court of Tehran on two charges.

She was also arrested in Qom in October 2022 and released on bail in late November of the same year pending trial. Mousavi has stated that she was held in solitary confinement for 25 days during her detention and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Arrest of Protesters in Military Attire Following Public Action in Tehran Subway

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Freedom of Expression, News
Tehran

HRANA – On Wednesday, November 12 , a video circulated on social media showing two individuals in military uniforms staging a protest action at one of Tehran’s metro stations. Hours later, channels close to security agencies reported that these individuals had been arrested by law enforcement forces.

According to the HRANA News Agency, a video of the incident circulated on social media in which two individuals in military attire raise the “Lion and Sun” flag in the concourse of a Tehran metro station and, using a loudspeaker, make statements opposing the ruling establishment.

In part of the video, a bystander hesitantly asks, “Is this a hidden camera?” One of the protesters responds: “No sir, this is resistance against the criminal regime of the Supreme Leader’s rule.” Midway through the footage, a person attempts to seize the flag from the protesters but fails.

Hours later, channels close to security agencies, including Saberin News, reported that the two individuals had been arrested by law enforcement. Official authorities have so far made no comment regarding the identity or status of the detainees.

In related reports, state media claimed that “the detainees are not members of the country’s military forces” and that “their information does not match that of any Armed Forces personnel.”

At the same time, another video surfaced on social media showing an individual in military uniform calling on people to join protest marches. So far, no link has been established between this individual and the two protesters who were arrested.

As of the time of this report, no further information has been obtained regarding the identity, place of detention, or legal status of the detainees.

Court of Appeals Upholds Prison and Flogging Sentences for Masoud Vazifeh and Sohrab Hassan-Khani

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ekbatan Town case, Masoud Vazifeh, Sohrab Hassan-Khani, سهراب حسن خانی, مسعود وظیفه

HRANA – The Tehran Province Court of Appeals has upheld the sentences of Masoud Vazifeh and Sohrab Hassan-Khani in full. The two citizens had previously been sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a combined total of six years and eight months in prison, 114 lashes, and a fine of 100 million tomans.

Masoud Vazifeh received one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” one year in prison and 74 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50 million toman fine for “spreading false information.”

Sohrab Hassan Khani received eight months in prison and 40 lashes for “disturbing public order and peace,” and two years in prison plus a 50 million toman fine for “spreading false information.”

The initial verdicts were issued on April 20, 2025, by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Mr. Vazifeh’s subsequent appeal for retrial was later rejected.

Both men had been released from Evin Prison on bail, Vazifeh on February 5, 2025, and Hassan Khani on December 30, 2024.

They were originally arrested by security forces in December 2024 for staging a sit-in protest against death sentences issued for defendants in the so-called “Ekbatan Town case.” Following their arrest, they were transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison).

Masoud Vazifeh has previously faced arrest and judicial prosecution due to his civil activities.