Mehdi Shafakhah, Activist Supporting Working Children, Arrested

HRANA – Mehdi Shafakhah, an activist involved in education and support for working children and residents of underprivileged areas, was arrested by security forces on Tuesday, May 12, and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to a report by Modara, the social activist was arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence. Based on the report, on Tuesday, May 12, security forces raided Mr. Shafakhah’s home, arrested him, and searched the residence while confiscating his personal belongings.

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

In recent years, Mehdi Shafakhah had been volunteering in deprived and marginalized areas, working to reduce social harms such as addiction and delinquency by teaching sports and social skills to working children and vulnerable teenagers.

He is the brother of Reza Shafakhah, an attorney and activist for the rights of children and political prisoners.

Two Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Bukan

HRANA – Esti Mohammadi, 67, and Amir Yousefi, residents of Bukan, were arrested by security forces.

Kolbar News has identified these individuals as Amir Yousefi and Esti Mohammadi, 67, both residents of Bukan. Based on the report, Ms. Mohammadi was arrested on the evening of Monday, May 11, while Mr. Yousefi was arrested separately on Tuesday by security forces. Yousefi was reportedly held for one day at a detention center in Bukan following his arrest and was then transferred to one of the security detention facilities in Urmia.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against these citizens.

Political Prisoner Varisheh Moradi Sentenced to Additional Prison Term

HRANA – Varisheh Moradi, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to six months in prison in connection with a new case opened against her during her imprisonment.

Based on a verdict recently issued and formally communicated to the political prisoner, Ms. Moradi was sentenced to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

The case was opened against Ms. Moradi during her imprisonment, and the evidence cited reportedly relates to her authorship of a statement concerning the anniversary of the 2022 protests.

In late November 2024, Ms. Moradi had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion). Late last year, her death sentence was overturned by the Supreme Court, and her case was referred to a parallel branch for retrial.

In late October 2024, Moradi was also sentenced to six months of discretionary imprisonment in a joint judicial case alongside four other prisoners, stemming from incidents inside prison. The sentence was issued by Branch Two of the Qods Judicial Complex Criminal Court in Tehran. “Assaulting an officer and disobedience” were the charges brought against her in that case. The case was opened following events on August 7, 2024, after prisoners in the women’s ward of Evin Prison protested the execution of Reza Rasaei and clashed with prison guards.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj in August 2023. On December 26, 2023, following the completion of interrogation procedures, she was transferred from the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, to the women’s ward of the prison.

In November 2024, Ms. Moradi had been sentenced to death on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

In October 2024, in a separate joint case opened against her and four other prisoners inside the prison, Ms. Moradi was sentenced by Branch Two of the Qods Judicial Complex in Tehran to six months’ discretionary imprisonment. In that case, she faced charges of assaulting an officer and disobedience. The case stemmed from an incident on August 6, when Evin women’s ward prisoners protested after learning of the execution of Reza Rasaei, leading to confrontations with prison guards.

Varisheh Moradi was arrested in August 2023 by security forces in the outskirts of Sanandaj. She was eventually transferred on December 26 of that year from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison, after the completion of interrogation, to the women’s ward of the same prison.

Appeals Court: Four Citizens Sentenced to a Combined 30 Years in Prison

HRANA – Branch One of the Appeals Court of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province has sentenced Feyzollah Azarnoosh, Milad Kariminasab, Amirhossein Mohsenipour, and Mehdi Karami, in a joint case, to a combined total of 30 years in prison. Of this total, 16 years are enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

Based on the issued ruling, Branch One of the Appeals Court of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province sentenced these individuals to a total of 30 years of discretionary imprisonment. The ruling was issued with the advisory opinions of Seyed Abolhassan Dadgar and Saeed Jarideh Asl against the named individuals.

The details of the charges and final sentences for each defendant are as follows:

1. Feyzollah Azarnoosh was sentenced to five years in prison for “participation in forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” three years for “propaganda activities in support of and strengthening Israel,” two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” three years for “assembly and collusion against the country’s internal security,” and one year for “insulting Islamic sanctities.” In total, he received 15 years in prison, of which five years are enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

2. Milad Kariminasab was sentenced to five years in prison for “participation in forming a group with the intent to disrupt national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime.” His total sentence amounts to six years in prison, of which five years are enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code.

3. Amirhossein Mohsenipour was sentenced to three years in prison for “membership in a group or association with the intent to disrupt national security,” one year for “propaganda against the regime,” and two years for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” His total sentence amounts to six years in prison, of which three years are enforceable under the aforementioned article of the Islamic Penal Code.

4. Mehdi Karami was also sentenced to three years of discretionary imprisonment for “membership in a group or association with the intent to disrupt national security.” The entirety of this sentence, issued on a single charge, is enforceable.

It should be noted that Hamid Dastvaneh, the fifth defendant in this case, who had previously been sentenced to one year in prison at the trial stage, was acquitted of all charges during the appeals process.

HRANA had previously reported that these individuals had been sentenced in December of 2025 by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two of Kohgiluyeh County and the Yasuj Revolutionary Court based in Dehdasht to a combined total of 48 years in prison.

Feyzollah Azarnoosh is the father of Pedram Azarnoosh, one of those killed during the nationwide protests of 2022. He was arrested in Yasuj on June 18, 2025, and was later released from the city’s prison after some time in detention. He was also summoned by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Yasuj on November 9, 2025. After appearing at the security institution, he was interrogated for several hours.

Milad Kariminasab was arrested by security forces in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province on June 11, 2025, while Mehdi Karami was arrested on June 18, 2025.

Amirhossein Mohseni was arrested by security forces on June 23, 2025, and transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Dehdasht. Following the completion of interrogation procedures, he was transferred to Dehdasht Prison. He was eventually released from this prison on August 20, 2025.

Hamid Dastvaneh has also previously faced security-related actions due to his activities.

Three Citizens Arrested in Shahin Shahr

HRANA – The deputy commander of the Isfahan Provincial Police announced the arrest of three citizens, including a woman, in Shahin Shahr on accusations of what was described as “sending information and cooperating with an anti-government network.”

According to Daneshjoo News Agency, the deputy commander of the Isfahan Provincial Police claimed that a young couple and another individual in Shahin Shahr had been in contact with a media outlet based outside the country and had sent information and cooperated with the network.

Ahmad-Ali Goudarzi further alleged that these individuals had sent images of military sites to the anti-government network and had called for the bombing of those locations. He also claimed that during the burial ceremony of those killed in the January 2026 protests at Behesht-e Masoumeh cemetery in Shahin Shahr, the three individuals had engaged in “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran and created a negative psychological atmosphere.”

The report did not provide further details, including the date of arrest, the identities of the detainees, or their place of detention.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Tehran Resident Arrested Over Alleged Starlink Use

HRANA – Tehran’s Greater Police Command announced the arrest of one individual in the Chitgar area of Tehran. Police claim that the person used Starlink satellite internet equipment to transfer information regarding impact locations during the recent military conflict to networks opposed to the government.

According to Rokna, the Information Center of Tehran’s Greater Police Command announced the arrest of one person. The statement claimed that the arrest followed reports of “suspicious movements” at the individual’s residence. Police stated that after conducting field investigations and identifying the suspect, officers arrested the individual during an operation.

According to police claims, a search of the citizen’s residence led to the seizure of several communication devices and a Starlink receiver. Authorities also alleged that during interrogations, the accused admitted to using the equipment for the “collection and transfer of information.”

The report did not mention the exact date of the arrest, the identity of the detainee, or their place of detention.

In recent months, amid continuing internet restrictions in Iran, multiple reports have emerged regarding judicial and security measures against users of Starlink satellite internet services. In some cases, the Islamic Republic’s security institutions have linked the use of such equipment to security-related accusations.

Vakilabad Prison: Identification of 30 Women Arrested During Protests and Security Developments Concurrent with the War

HRANA – At least 30 women were arrested in Razavi Khorasan Province during the January 2026 protests and the security developments concurrent with the war, and were transferred to the so-called “Aramesh” ward and the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the identities of 30 women arrested in Razavi Khorasan Province have been confirmed, and the list of their names is included later in this report.

Based on information received by HRANA, these citizens were arrested during the January 2026 protests as well as the security developments concurrent with the war, and 25 of them remain imprisoned. HRANA has also confirmed the identities of five detainees who were recently released from the prison.

According to information received by HRANA, these women were primarily arrested in connection with participation in the January 2026 protests, activity on social media, communication with foreign media outlets, providing aid to injured protesters, or involvement in symbolic protest actions. Some of these women were arrested over recent months by security bodies including the IRGC Intelligence Organization, the Ministry of Intelligence, and the Law Enforcement Command (FARAJA). Several are facing serious charges such as “enmity against God” (moharebeh), “collaboration with Israel,” “insulting the Prophet,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Among these women, 18 are being held in the so-called “Aramesh” ward and seven others in the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. A number of them have remained in legal limbo for months, with no court sessions held to address the charges against them. Some of these prisoners have also been denied telephone calls and family visits, while their families have faced extensive restrictions and uncertainty in attempts to follow up on their cases or seek temporary release.

The report goes on to separately examine the situation of the detained women in the Aramesh ward and the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, followed by details regarding those who have been released. According to received information by HRANA the Aramesh ward suffers from poor detention conditions and inadequate basic facilities. Poor ventilation, lack of sanitary facilities, malfunctioning heating and cooling systems, and limited access to medical services are among the problems faced by women held in this ward. According to one former prisoner, the physical conditions and confined environment of the ward were such that she compared it to an “ant nest.”

The identities of 18 women imprisoned in the Aramesh ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad are as follows:

1- Maryam Nouri

Maryam Nouri was arrested five days after her husband, Ashkan Torabzadeh, was killed during the nationwide protests of January 2026. So far, no information is available regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

2- Arezou Dehghan

Arezou Dehghan, 18 years old, is among the detainees currently held in the Aramesh ward of the prison. She was arrested for participating in the nationwide protests of January 2026.

3- Nadia Sedgh-Ali

She was arrested for placing flowers on the graves of those killed during the protests at Behesht Reza Cemetery in Mashhad and for sending images to foreign media outlets, including Iran International. Bail was set at 5 billion tomans. Due to her family’s inability to provide the bail amount, her temporary release has not been possible.

4- Soheila Hosseini

Along with her husband Dr. Ahmad Rahimi, she was arrested at their home in Mashhad on March 18, 2026. According to information received by HRANA, they were identified due to possessing and using a Starlink device and are accused of helping those injured during the January 2026 protests.

5- Najmeh Amini

The 22-year-old accounting student has been detained for approximately 89 days. Charges against her include moharebeh (“enmity against God”), collaboration with Israel, insulting the Supreme Leader, insulting the Prophet, and clashing with officers. She was arrested with violence by security forces on January 31, 2026, at Ferdowsi Shopping Center in Mashhad.

6- Mahdieh Afghahi

Mahdieh Afghahi, along with her husband Abolghasem Ali-Moradi, was arrested for communicating with foreign media outlets. Bail orders have been issued for them, but they remain detained due to inability to pay the bail amount.

7- Hadiseh Morvaridi

Morvaridi, 24 years old, was arrested in Fariman on January 8, 2026, and remains in legal limbo. According to informed sources, she faces the risk of being charged with insulting the Prophet of Islam.

8- Shahrzad Zamiri

Following her arrest, Shahrzad Zamiri spent 43 days in solitary confinement in the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility and is now being held in the Aramesh ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. No information is available regarding the charges against her.

9- Tahereh Dehghan

She was arrested in Chenaran for participating in the January 2026 protests and sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to one year in prison. She has been imprisoned for approximately 110 days.

10- Asieh Naeimi

Asieh Naeimi was arrested for communicating with Persian-language media outlets abroad.

11- Adeleh Naeimi

Adeleh Naeimi, the sister of Asieh Naeimi, was also arrested in connection with this case.

12- Mahsa Behdari

Mahsa Behdari was arrested on March 20 for lighting candles during a mourning ceremony for those killed in the protests at Behesht Reza Cemetery. The charges against her include assembly and collusion and propaganda against the regime.

13- Zahra Mousavi

Zahra Mousavi, 21 years old, has been imprisoned for approximately 98 days. She was the head of her household and worked as a cashier at a restaurant in Fariman. Charges against her include participation in protests, forming groups, training in and manufacturing and using Molotov cocktails, and encouraging others to disrupt public order and national security. She holds both Iranian and Afghan citizenship, and according to informed sources, she has lost her Iranian birth certificate as a result of this case and faces the threat of exile.

14- Azar Yahoo

Azar Yahoo, aged approximately 38, was arrested in Mashhad on March 4, 2026, by IRGC intelligence forces and is currently held in the Aramesh ward of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The charge against her is “collaboration with Israel,” an accusation reportedly linked to her online activities, including the use of stickers. Her presence in the streets and dancing on the day of Ali Khamenei’s death were also cited as reasons for her arrest.

15- Mahboubeh Shabani

She was arrested in Mashhad on February 2, 2026, and is currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. A hearing regarding her charges has been held at the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad. No information is available about the charges against her.

16- Marzieh Mashhadi

She was arrested for participating in the January 2026 protests and communicating with Persian-language media outlets abroad. She remains detained in an uncertain legal status.

17- Sima Anbaei Farimani

Sima Anbaei Farimani, originally from Fariman and born in 1992, was arrested by FARAJA forces on March 16, 2026, and is currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Charges against her include “links with Israel,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “insulting the former and current leaders.” According to HRANA’s reports, Ms. Anbaei Farimani is currently denied visitation and phone contact with her family, and her case is subject to severe restrictions on information disclosure.

18- Faezeh Salehabadi

Faezeh Salehabadi has been held in legal limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad for approximately 78 days. According to informed sources, her arrest was related to posting a story on social media.

Further details regarding the detained women held in the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad are provided below.

HRANA had previously received reports indicating that the quarantine unit of this prison suffers from poor conditions in terms of facilities and sanitation, and that prisoners lack adequate access to basic necessities and standard accommodation conditions. According to an informed source, the constant smell of sewage in this section continuously causes distress to prisoners, while the lack of proper ventilation has made detention conditions even more difficult.

1- Masoumeh Yaghoubi

Masoumeh Yaghoubi, known by the alias “Azadeh,” was arrested by security forces in Mashhad on January 24, 2026. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the charges brought against her.

2- Fatemeh Rezvanifar

Fatemeh Rezvanifar, known by the alias “Samira,” was arrested on January 17, 2026. No court hearing has yet been held to address the charges against her, and no information is available regarding the details of her case or the accusations against her. According to an informed source, her family’s efforts to secure her temporary release have so far been unsuccessful.

3- Seyedeh Zeinab Mousavi

Seyedeh Zeinab Mousavi, known by the alias “Aban,” was arrested on February 24, 2026. The court hearing regarding the charges against her and her brother, Seyed Hassan Mousavi, was held on April 26, 2026, and they are facing charges of moharebeh (“enmity against God”).

4- Melika Khavari Khorasani

She, 21 years old, was arrested on March 1, 2026, and is currently being held in legal limbo in the quarantine section of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

5- Mina Zarei

According to informed sources, she was transferred to prison in poor physical condition. She was arrested on March 1, 2026, and the reason for her arrest was stated to be “dancing for Khamenei’s death.”

6- Reyhaneh Kafsh-Kanan

Reyhaneh Kafsh-Kanan has been detained for 48 days and has been denied visitation and phone contact. She appeared in an interrogation session on April 26, and according to informed sources, she was threatened with torture and execution.

7- Hadiseh Babazadeh

Hadiseh Babazadeh is among the detained women being held in the quarantine section of this prison. Investigations into the details of her case are ongoing.

In recent days, five inmates of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad were released on bail. The names of these individuals and the status of their cases are as follows:

1- Samira Bayat

She, 35 years old, was arrested by security forces on January 24, 2026. She was the head of her household and worked as a cashier at a restaurant in Mashhad. Her arrest was related to participation in the January protests. She was recently released from the prison after posting bail.

2- Elnaz Eghbali

Ms. Eghbali, along with her husband Saeed Samiei, was arrested in late February 2026 for participating in the protests. They were released in recent days after posting bail.

3- Negar Farahmand

She was arrested at her home in Mashhad on March 29, 2026, by IRGC intelligence agents. The charge brought against her was sending videos and images to foreign media outlets. She was eventually released from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after posting bail.

4- Najmeh Ruhand

Najmeh Ruhand was arrested on the evening of March 20 during the Persian New Year celebration ceremony at Ferdowsi’s tomb in Mashhad by security agents. She was initially transferred to the quarantine ward of Vakilabad Prison and, after interrogation, moved to the Aramesh ward of the prison. She faced charges of acting against national security. She was ultimately released from prison after posting bail.

5- Fatemeh Eram

Fatemeh Eram, 28 years old and from Fariman, was arrested by security forces in connection with participation in the January 2026 protests. She faced charges of leading protests. She was recently released after posting bail.

Report on the Arrest of Nine Citizens in Sabzevar

HRANA – In recent days, security forces arrested nine residents of Sabzevar and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison. So far, the identities of four of them, Amirhossein Paydar, Farzaneh Parvaneh, Saeed Parvaneh, and Elham Parvaneh, all relatives of Abolfazl Paydar, who was killed during the January 2026 protests, have been confirmed.

Based on information received by HRANA, these arrests took place after the individuals attempted to hold a birthday memorial ceremony for Abolfazl Paydar, one of those killed during the January 2026 protests. So far, the identities of four of the detainees have been confirmed: Amirhossein Paydar, Abolfazl Paydar’s brother; Farzaneh Parvaneh, his mother; Saeed Parvaneh, his maternal uncle; and Elham Parvaneh, his maternal aunt.

A source familiar with the matter told HRANA that the ceremony was stopped by security agents before it could take place.

Further details, including the identities of the other detained individuals, are still being investigated by HRANA.

Maryam Derisi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

HRANA – Maryam Derisi, a resident of Kazerun who had been released on bail in March, has been sentenced by the Criminal Court of Kazerun and the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz to a total of two years and three months in prison and 74 lashes.

Based on a ruling issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court Two of Kazerun, Ms. Derisi was sentenced to one year in prison and 74 lashes on charges of “disrupting public order and peace” under Article 618 of the Islamic Penal Code. The verdict was issued in absentia on April 13, 2026.
In another part of her case, Branch One of the Revolutionary Court of Shiraz sentenced her to one year and three months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” The verdict was officially communicated to her lawyer two days ago, despite the fact that the maximum legal punishment for this charge is one year in prison. The court reportedly increased the sentence by invoking repeat-offense provisions.

According to the criminal court’s ruling, Ms. Derisi’s protest activities during a memorial ceremony for Behnam Enayat, one of those killed during the January 2026 protests, were cited as examples supporting the charges against her. The ruling also notes that the investigation phase of her case was conducted by the IRGC Intelligence Organization.

Ms. Derisi was arrested by security forces in February of last year and was released on March 8 after posting bail set at 20 billion rials.

Maryam Derisi, a resident of Kazerun, has previously faced arrest and imprisonment due to her activities.

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.

Amirhossein Rezaei, University of Tehran Student, Arrested in Arak

HRANA – Amirhossein Rezaei, a political science student at the University of Tehran and a journalist, was arrested by security forces in Arak on Wednesday, May 6, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

On the morning of Wednesday, May 6, security agents entered Mr. Rezaei’s family home in Arak, arrested him, and searched the residence. The agents also seized several personal items, including electronic devices and books belonging to the student.

Amirhossein Rezaei is a political science student at University of Tehran and a journalist. He had recently been dismissed from his job at the newspaper Donya-e-Eqtesad following a wave of staff layoffs and had returned to his family’s home in Arak.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding his place of detention, the charges against him, or his health condition.