Category: Freedom of Expression

Teacher Forough Khosravi Arrested by IRGC Intelligence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Behbahan, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Forough Khosravi, an elementary school teacher and resident of Behbahan, was arrested on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence.

A source familiar with her situation told HRANA: “On Tuesday morning, Ms. Khosravi received a phone call from an unknown number, instructing her to appear at the courthouse by noon. She declined to comply, citing the absence of an official summons. A few hours later, around 2:30 PM, IRGC Intelligence agents arrived with an arrest warrant, detained her, and transferred her to an undisclosed location.”

As of the time of this report, the reasons for her arrest and the charges brought against her remain unclear.

This arrest follows a previous incident on June 19, when six IRGC Intelligence agents — including two women — entered Ms. Khosravi’s home without presenting a judicial warrant. During the raid, they created a climate of intimidation while conducting a search, and confiscated several personal belongings, including her cellphone. Ms. Khosravi’s daughter, who was home at the time, was reportedly deeply traumatized by the experience.

Subsequently, Ms. Khosravi filed a formal complaint against the agents. However, in what has been described as a one-sided decision in favor of the security apparatus, Judge Ruhollah Farzadnasab of Branch 2 in Behbahan dismissed the case, issuing an order not to pursue prosecution.

Forough Khosravi holds a doctorate in education and works as an elementary school teacher. She was previously expelled from Payam Noor University in Bandar Imam in the aftermath of the 2009 protests.

Arrest and Incommunicado Detention of Pouya Ahmadi in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Pouya Ahmadi, Tehran

HRANA– Pouya Ahmadi, a resident of Tehran, has been held in detention for six days following his arrest by security forces, with no information available regarding his fate or whereabouts.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA that on July 22, 2025, security forces violently arrested Mr. Ahmadi at his home in Tehran and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, agents searched the home and confiscated several personal belongings, including his phone, computer, printer, and identification documents.

The source added that Ahmadi’s family has received no information about his location or condition, which has caused them significant concern.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him remain unknown.

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.

Naser Hemmati Sentenced to over 5 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abdanan, HRANA, Ilam, Naser Hemmati

HRANA – Naser Hemmati, a resident of Abdanan, has been sentenced in absentia to more than five years in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court in Ilam.

According to HRANA, quoting Kurdpa, the verdict was recently delivered to Mr. Hemmati, sentencing him to five years, three months, and two days in prison. The charges leading to his conviction include “supporting and legitimizing Israel,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “communication with a Telegram channel.”

Mr. Hemmati only learned of the case details when summoned to receive a copy of the verdict.

He was previously arrested in December 2023 after being summoned by Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Abdanan and was later released on bail of one billion tomans. The charges brought against him at that time included “sabb al-nabi (insulting the Prophet of Islam),” “propaganda against the regime,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” “spreading falsehoods online,” and “supporting and legitimizing the Zionist regime.”

Mr. Hemmati has a history of previous arrests and convictions related to his activism.

Researcher Navid Kalahrudi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohammad Ahmadi, Navid Kalahrudi, نوید کلهرودی

HRANA – On Friday, July 25, Navid Kalahrudi, a researcher, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, quoting Etemad Online, Kalahrudi was arrested on the evening of Friday, July 25, by security agents who also searched his home and confiscated several personal items, including his laptop. The report does not specify where he is being held.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges against him.

It is worth noting that a recent interview with Kalahrudi on the program Dialogue Iran, which focuses on political and social issues, has been widely viewed on social media. The program’s producer, Mohammad Ahmadi, is also currently in detention.

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.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar Arrested in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Shahin Zoghi Tabar, Tehran, شاهین ذوقی تبار

HRANA– This morning, Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, a Tehran resident, was arrested by security forces at his private residence and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to his family confirmed the arrest and told HRANA:
“Mr. Zoghi-Tabar was arrested this morning, Thursday, July 24, 2025, at his home in Tehran. At the same time, his home was searched by agents, who confiscated several personal items, including mobile phones belonging to him and his family members.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges he may be facing.

Shahin Zoghi-Tabar, a former political prisoner, had previously been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion” through alleged cooperation with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). He was released from Rajaei Shahr Prison in Karaj in 2017 after serving his sentence.

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Documentary Filmmaker Mina Mashhadi Mahdi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hasan Naqqashi, HRANA, Mina Mashhadi Mahdi

HRANA– On Tuesday, July 22, 2025, documentary filmmaker Mina Mashhadi Mahdi was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Her husband, Hasan Naqqashi, announced that security forces arrested his wife on July 22 and, despite assurances that she would be released the same day, she remains in detention.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding the reasons for her arrest, the charges against her, or her place of detention.

Mina Mashhadi Mahdi is a documentary filmmaker, editor, and actress. Her works have been screened at various art festivals.

Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi Arrested in Borujerd

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi, Borujerd, Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, Leila Saremi, Reza Moazami Goudarzi

HRANA – On Tuesday,  July 22, Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi, the parents of political prisoner Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, were arrested by security forces in the city of Borujerd and taken to an undisclosed location.

Mr. Moazami Goudarzi and Ms. Saremi were detained at their private residence in Borujerd by security agents without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

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

Ahmad Moazami Goudarzi and Leila Saremi are Borujerd residents and the parents of Farzad Moazami Goudarzi, a political prisoner. They are also relatives of Reza Moazami Goudarzi, who was fatally shot during the nationwide protests on November 17, 2019, in Shahriar.

At Least 2,000 People Arrested During Iran–Israel War

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, HRANA

HRANA – Iran’s judiciary chief has announced that approximately 2,000 individuals were arrested during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel. HRANA had previously cited similar figures in earlier reports.

Quoting Hamshahri, HRANA reports that Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, head of the judiciary, stated: “During the 12-day war, at least 2,000 people were arrested. Many of them had no involvement in acts of sabotage and have since been released.”

For further details, see HRANA’s comprehensive report on the Iran–Israel conflict.

The war began in the early hours of Friday, June 13, 2025, with a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting Iranian territory. According to HRANA’s field sources, alongside military sites, residential neighborhoods and civilian infrastructure were also hit, leading to the deaths of hundreds of civilians.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison Sentence for Farhad Avizheh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehdasht, Farhad Avizheh, Yasuj, فرهاد آویژه

HRANA – The Appeals Court Branch 1 of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province has upheld the two years and one month prison sentence issued against Farhad Avizheh, a resident of Dehdasht. A portion of this sentence has been suspended for two years.

Avizheh has been sentenced to 10 months in prison for “propaganda against the regime” and to 15 months and one day for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” According to the verdict, half of the harsher sentence has been suspended for two years. As a result, Mr. Avizheh’s enforceable sentence is seven months and 15 days.

A source familiar with the case told HRANA: “Mr. Avizheh’s case has been referred to the sentence enforcement office, and he will likely be summoned soon to begin serving his sentence.”

Earlier this year in June, Mr. Avizheh had been sentenced to this prison term by Branch 1 of the Yasuj Revolutionary Court.

Farhad Avizheh was arrested in May this year and released about a month later on bail. The Dehdasht resident has previously faced judicial action over his activism.

New Case Filed in Prison: Mehdi Mahmoudian Summoned to Tehran Prosecutor’s Office

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Freedom of Expression, News
Greater Tehran Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, Mehdi Mahmoudian

HRANA – Mehdi Mahmoudian, a civil activist imprisoned in the Greater Tehran Prison, is facing a new legal case. He has been summoned to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran after receiving a notice to defend himself against new charges.

A recent summons, issued by Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of District 31 (Media and Cyber Crimes) in Tehran, was delivered to Mr. Mahmoudian’s family. He has been asked to appear and respond to the charge of “spreading false information.”

Earlier this month, following Israel’s attack on Evin Prison, Mr. Mahmoudian was transferred to Greater Tehran Prison along with several other prisoners.

On February 3, 2025, he was arrested at the Enforcement Branch and sent to prison to serve his sentence.

Previously, Mahmoudian had been tried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. He was sentenced to 8 months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime,” along with two-year bans on party membership, smartphone use, and foreign travel.

Commenting on his sentence, Mahmoudian had written that “all of these punishments were imposed solely because I responded to a false report by a news outlet about the ‘eradication of bedbugs in prison,’ and wrote that they are ‘addicted to lying.’”

He had also previously faced prosecution for giving an interview about the difficulties Baha’is face in burying their deceased. In May of last year, he was arrested after appearing at the Prosecutor’s Office for Culture and Media and released a day later on bail.