Category: Freedom of Expression

Prison Sentences for Three Azerbaijani-Turk Activists Upheld by the Supreme Court

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Freedom of Expression, News
Araz Aman Zeinabad, Ayaz Seifkhah, Azerbaijani Turk activists, Bagher Hajizadeh

HRANA – The prison sentences of Azerbaijani-Turk activists Ayaz Seifkhah, Araz Aman Zeinabad, and Baqer Hajizadeh Mazraeh have been upheld by the Supreme Court. The three had previously been sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a combined total of 40 years in prison.

According to HRANA, the sentences were confirmed by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Kuhkamari. Based on the ruling of the country’s highest judicial authority, Ayaz Seifkhah was sentenced to 14 years in prison, while Araz Aman and Baqer Hajizadeh were each sentenced to 13 years in prison.

The prison terms issued against these three political defendants were previously upheld in January 2024 by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

The three were tried in October 2024 by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. According to the verdict, Ayaz Seifkhah was sentenced to nine years in prison for espionage and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.” Araz Aman and Bagher Hajizadeh were each sentenced to eight years for espionage and five years for “assembly and collusion against national security.”

In addition, all three were sentenced to two years of deprivation from membership in political parties, media activity, and social media presence, as well as a two-year travel ban as complementary punishments.

Hearings on their cases, along with several other political defendants, were previously held at the same court, during which they defended themselves against the charges.

All these Azerbaijani-Turk activists were arrested in February 2024 by security forces and later transferred to Evin Prison.

Supreme Court Overturns Death Sentences of Five Protest Detainees from the 2022 Nationwide Protests

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Executions, Freedom of Expression, News
Kaveh Salehi, Pejman Soltani, Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Salimi Babamiri, Teyfour Salimi Babamiri

HRANA – The Supreme Court has overturned the death sentences of Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, Pejman Soltani, Ali (Soran) Ghasemi, Kaveh Salehi, and Teyfour Salimi Babamiri, five individuals arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, whose execution verdicts had previously been issued by the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Following the ruling, the cases of these individuals have been referred to the Mahabad Revolutionary Court for retrial. It is worth noting that Salimi Babamiri, after being temporarily released, has since left Iran.

These five individuals were tried in a joint case by Branch 1 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court and sentenced to death and imprisonment. The charges against them included “armed rebellion (baghi),” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” and “leadership and formation of an armed insurgent group.” According to the original verdicts, four of them had been sentenced to death more than once. The verdicts were delivered to their defense attorneys on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Specifically, Ghasemi, Soltani, and Salehi were each sentenced to death three times on the charges of baghi, moharebeh, and forming and leading an insurgent group; Rezgar Bigzadeh Babamiri was sentenced to death twice; and Tifour Salimi Babamiri received one death sentence for forming and leading an insurgent group. In addition, eight other defendants in the same case were sentenced to prison terms and fines.

Currently, Soltani, Rezgar Babamiri, Salehi, and Ghasemi are being held in Urmia Prison. These individuals had previously been sentenced respectively to death, 15 years in prison, and 10 years in prison on the charge of “killing a security agent.”

They were arrested in April 2023, while Tifour Salimi Babamiri was detained in March 2023. Salimi Babamiri was released approximately 18 months after his arrest.

Hadi Jamalipour Sentenced to Eight Years in Prison for “Insulting the Supreme Leader” and “Supporting Israel”

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Freedom of Expression, News
Birjand, Hadi Jamalipour, HRANA, هادی جمالی پور

HRANA – Hadi Jamalipour, a resident of Birjand, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of this city to eight years in prison and one year of dismissal from public and governmental service.

This verdict was issued and communicated to Mr. Jamalipour on October 21 by Branch 1 of the Birjand Revolutionary Court. Based on the ruling, he was sentenced to two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and five years for “promoting and supporting Israel,” amounting to a total of eight years in prison. Additionally, he was sentenced to one year of dismissal from public and governmental service as a supplementary punishment.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe sentence, five years in prison, will be enforceable for Mr. Jamalipour.

Jamalipour was arrested on June 19 of this year by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence at his private residence. During the arrest, officers searched his home and confiscated several electronic devices. He was then transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Birjand and, two days later, moved to Birjand Prison.

Jamalipour was ultimately released from Birjand Prison after eight days in custody, upon posting a bail of 750 million tomans.

Hadi Jamalipour, 42 years old, is an employee of Payam Noor University and a resident of Birjand.

Updated Report: Number of Executions in Qom Prison Rises to Two

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Javad Naeimi, Qom prison, Sadegh Nik-Ravesh

HRANA – At dawn on Saturday, October 18, alongside the execution of Javad Naeimi, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on espionage charges, another prisoner was also executed in Qom Prison. The latter had been sentenced to death for murder.

Earlier, the head of the Qom Judiciary and the province’s Judicial Council had announced the execution of a man convicted of “spying for Israel.” HRANA has since identified this individual as Javad Naeimi. In addition to Naeimi’s execution, another prisoner, identified as Sadegh Nik-Ravesh, was also executed that same day in Qom Prison.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Nik-Ravesh had previously been arrested on murder charges and later sentenced to death by the Criminal Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution of Sadegh Nik-Ravesh has not been officially announced by prison authorities or other responsible institutions.

From the beginning of this year until the end of September, the Islamic Republic of Iran has carried out 1,028 executions, reflecting an unprecedented surge compared to previous years.

Mohsen Parish Arrested in Meshkindasht

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Meshkindasht, Mohsen Parish

HRANA – Mohsen Parish, a resident of Meshkindasht, Karaj, was arrested yesterday, October 21, by security forces in front of his home and transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary.

A source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Mr. Parish was arrested this Tuesday in front of his residence in Meshkindasht, Karaj. The agents used violence during the arrest. After being detained, he was taken to Branch 6 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Meshkindasht. A few hours later, following the formal announcement of charges, he was transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary.”

According to information obtained by HRANA, after Parish’s arrest, agents prevented his family from entering the courthouse. When he was transferred to prison, visible injuries were observed on his elbow and neck. His mobile phone was also confiscated by agents from the Ministry of Intelligence. The prosecutor in charge of his case has reportedly set bail at 750 million tomans.

As of the time of this report, the exact charges against this citizen remain unknown.

Mohsen Parish has previously been arrested and faced judicial proceedings due to his activism. He was among those injured during the November 2019 protests and was arrested again in 2020. In a two-part case, he was convicted on charges including “insulting the Prophet,” “insulting sacred values,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “propaganda against the regime,” and “acting against national security through calling for anti-regime demonstrations.” He was sentenced to imprisonment and flogging. Parish was eventually released under a general amnesty in early 2023.

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Execution of Two Prisoners, Including a Juvenile Offender, in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Ali Aghajeri Peyvand, Behbahan, Sajad Shokri, Sepidar Prison

HRANA – At dawn on Monday, October 20, the death sentences of two prisoners, including a juvenile offender, were carried out in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz. Both individuals had previously been convicted of murder.

HRANA has identified the executed prisoners as Ali Aghajeri Peyvand, a resident of Behbahan, and Sajad Shokri.

According to information obtained by HRANA, five years ago, when Aghajeri was 17 years old, he was arrested following a group altercation over farmland that led to one person’s death. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court.

A source close to the prisoner’s family confirmed the execution, noting that despite years of efforts by Aghajeri’s family to obtain the victim’s family’s consent and pay blood money (diya), these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful.

Based on HRANA’s findings, Mr. Shokri had also been arrested on a murder charge and later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, judicial and prison authorities have not officially announced the executions.

Jahangir Rostami Arrested and Transferred to Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ehsan Rostami, Evin Prison, Harsin, HRANA, Kermanshah

HRANA – Jahangir Rostami, a member of the Harsin Teachers’ Trade Association, was arrested by security forces at his home on Friday, October 17, and transferred to Evin Prison.

A source close to Rostami confirmed the violent nature of his arrest and told HRANA:
“On Friday, October 17, security agents arrested Jahangir Rostami at his home in Harsin. His family later went to the Kermanshah Prosecutor’s Office, where they were informed that he had been transferred to Evin Prison.”

As of now, no information has been made available regarding the charges brought against him.

Jahangir Rostami, a 63-year-old retired teacher, is the father of Ehsan Rostami, a cultural activist from Harsin who was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 20. Since his arrest, Ehsan Rostami has been denied family visits by order of Naser Jalayer Sartaghi, the investigator of Branch 5 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office. On Wednesday, October 2, he began a hunger strike to protest the uncertainty surrounding his case and the pressure exerted by interrogators.

Atash Shakarami Summoned for Execution of Flogging Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Atash Shakarami, Nika Shakarami, نیکا شاکرمی

HRANA – Atash (Zahra) Shakarami has been summoned to the Second Branch of the Criminal Enforcement Office in Khorramabad to receive 38 lashes, following a notice issued for the execution of her sentence.

According to the summons, issued on October 16, Ms. Shakarami has been ordered to appear within ten days to carry out the sentence. She was previously convicted by Branch 106 of the Khorramabad Criminal Court (Category 2) on charges of “spreading falsehoods,” for which she received 38 lashes, and defamation, for which she was fined 51 million tomans. The verdict was later upheld in its entirety by the Court of Appeals. The case originated from a complaint filed by a private plaintiff.

Atash (Zahra) Shakarami, who has a prior record of arrest, is the aunt of Nika Shakarami, one of the victims killed during the nationwide protests of 2022.

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) strictly prohibits cruel, inhuman, and degrading punishments such as flogging. Nonetheless, in 2024, HRANA documented at least three cases in which flogging sentences were carried out, totaling 106 lashes. In the same year, the Iranian judiciary sentenced at least 131 individuals to a combined total of 9,957 lashes.

Children’s Rights Activist Hossein Mirbehari Detained by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hossein Mirbahari, Nadia Mirbehari, حسین میربهاری

HRANA – Yesterday, October 15, 2025, Hossein Mirbahari, founder of the Society for the Defense of Child Laborers and Street Children, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

His sister, who is also a children’s rights activist, announced the news on her personal page, writing:
“This morning my brother, Hossein Mirbahari, was arrested at his home. They also went to my sister Nadia Mirbahari’s house with an arrest warrant for her. They confiscated her communication devices and gave her until Saturday to report to Evin Prosecutor’s Office. Working for children’s rights and criticizing the situation is never a crime.”

So far, no information has been obtained about the reasons for his arrest, his place of detention, or the charges against him.

Mr. Mirbahari was previously arrested on June 21, 2025, at his residence by security forces. During that period of detention, he was denied access to legal counsel and visits with his family, and was eventually released on July 20, 2025, after posting bail.

Hossein Mirbahari is a children’s rights activist residing in Pardis and the founder of the Society for the Defense of Child Laborers and Street Children.

Retired Employee Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Ahvaz

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Freedom of Expression, News
IRGC Intelligence, Mohammad-Zaman Kamrava

HRANA – Mohammad-Zaman Kamrava, a retired employee of the Social Security Organization residing in Ahvaz, was arrested on October 11 by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization.

According to the Iranian Retirees Council, after several hours of not hearing from Mr. Kamrava and receiving no response to phone calls, his family went to his residence, where they found the house in disarray and learned of his arrest. Hours later, he managed to make a brief phone call, confirming that he had been detained by IRGC Intelligence forces.

On October 7, Mr. Kamrava, along with Mohammad Nochian, a retired teacher, and Maryam Zaleki, a sports instructor, had been summoned to Branch 13 of the Prosecutor’s Office to present their final defense in a case involving charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Earlier this year, in June 2025, Mr. Kamrava was sentenced by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court to two years in prison on the same charges. The case stemmed from retirees’ protest gatherings held in February 2022.