Category: Freedom of Expression

Photojournalist Majid Saeedi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Khoy Prison, Majid Saeedi, مجید سعیدی

HRANA – Security forces arrested photojournalist Majid Saeedi at his home in Tehran on Wednesday, September 9, and transferred him to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, security forces arrested Majid Saeedi in Tehran on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Mehdi Saeedi, Majid Saeedi’s brother, announced in a post that his brother had been arrested at his home and that the family has no information about the reasons for his arrest or his whereabouts.

Majid Saeedi was previously arrested by security forces on August 25, 2021, while reporting on the situation of Afghan refugees in the border areas of Khoy County. At the time, he was accused of “photographing a border outpost.” He was ultimately released from Khoy Prison on September 12 of that year.

Mr. Saeedi began his professional career in photojournalism in 1990 and has previously worked with Shargh newspaper. He also received the Lucas Dolega Award for his photo series “Life in War,” which documented the lives of people in Afghanistan.

January 2026 Protests: Narges Heydari, a Resident of Izeh, Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Izeh, January 2026 Protests, Narges Heydari, Sepidar Prison, ایذه, نرگس حیدری

HRANA – The Ahvaz Revolutionary Court sentenced Narges Heydari, a resident of Izeh who was arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests and is currently held in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz, to five years in prison and additional punishment.

According to HRANA, Narges Heydari has been sentenced to imprisonment.

Under a ruling issued by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court and communicated to Heydari, she was sentenced to five years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security.” As an additional punishment, the court also ordered her to perform “enjoining good” for one year.

On January 19, 2026, Narges Heydari was arrested in Izeh by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization in connection with nationwide protests.

Heydari, 38, is currently held in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

Hossein Afrasiab Sentenced to More Than Three Years and Nine Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Dastgerd Prison, Hossein Afrasiab, HRANA, Isfahan, حسین افراسیاب

HRANA – The judiciary sentenced Hossein Afrasiab, a detained citizen currently held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, to three years, nine months, and twenty days in prison.

According to HRANA, Hossein Afrasiab has been sentenced to imprisonment.

A social media page attributed to the prisoner wrote: “Hossein Afrasiab was initially sentenced by the judiciary to five years and one month in prison. In the final ruling, his sentence was reduced to three years, nine months, and twenty days.”

Without providing further details, including the charges against the prisoner or the judicial authority that issued the sentence, the page stated that possession of satellite internet equipment (Starlink) was among the alleged grounds for the charges brought against Mr. Afrasiab.

On March 14, 2026, Hossein Afrasiab was arrested by security forces in Shahin Shahr and subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

HRANA’s inquiries regarding the judicial authority that issued the sentence and the details of this prisoner’s case remain ongoing.

Babak Moradifar Sentenced to 30 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Babak Moradifar, Evin Prison, HRANA, بابک مرادی فر

HRANA – Babak Moradifar, a political activist, was sentenced by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 30 months in prison.

According to HRANA, political activist Babak Moradifar announced that he had been sentenced to 30 months in prison.

In a video, Babak Moradifar stated that Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Amouzad, sentenced him at the initial stage of proceedings to 30 months in prison.

According to the indictment issued by Branch 2 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, he was charged with “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security through propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic.” His attendance at a ceremony marking the seventh day after Khosrow Alikordi’s death in Mashhad and his support for the January 2026 protests were cited among the grounds for the charge.

On the morning of January 9, 2026, Moradifar was arrested by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Tehran. According to a previous HRANA report, following his arrest, his family had no information about his condition or whereabouts for ten days, until he informed them in a brief phone call that he was being held in Evin Prison.

After approximately 40 days of detention in Evin Prison, he was transferred to the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently to the Greater Tehran Prison. HRANA previously reported that during this period, Moradifar was denied access to an attorney and the opportunity to mount an effective defense. A source close to his family also told HRANA that during interrogations at Evin Prison, a tendon in his right foot was injured and that, despite doctors’ recommendations, he was not provided with necessary medical treatment, including a splint or cast.

After approximately two months of detention in Evin Prison and the Greater Tehran Prison, Moradifar was released on bail due to his need for medical treatment.

Babak Moradifar has previously faced arrest and conviction.

Shaker Bouri Sentenced to Prison and Fine

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abadan, HRANA, Shaker Bouri

HRANA – Shaker Bouri, a satirist residing in Abadan, has been sentenced by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Abadan to 13 months and 20 days in prison and a monetary fine.

According to HRANA, Shaker Bouri has been sentenced to imprisonment and a fine.

According to a verdict issued by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court II of Abadan and formally communicated to him, Bouri was sentenced to 13 months and 20 days in prison on the charge of “disseminating false information with the intent to cause harm to others.” On a separate charge of “insulting a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly,” he was ordered to pay a fine of 45 million rials.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe punishment, in this case, the prison sentence, will be enforceable.

The case was opened in connection with the publication of video content following a complaint filed against Shaker Bouri by Mousa Ghazanfarabadi, a member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly.

Shaker Bouri, a satirist residing in Abadan, has previously been arrested in connection with his activities.

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January 2026 Protests: Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi Each Sentenced to Five Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abolfazl Rostami, Erfan Moradi Dangi, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence Organization, Qasr-e Shirin, ابوالفضل رستمی, عرفان مرادی دنگی, قصر شیرین

HRANA – Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi, two residents of Qasr-e Shirin who were arrested during the January 2026 protests, have each been sentenced to five years in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Qasr-e Shirin.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi have been sentenced to prison.

According to the report, Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Qasr-e Shirin recently sentenced each of these citizens to five years in prison on the charge of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” The sentences have been formally communicated to them.

The two citizens were arrested in Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah Province, on Thursday, May 28, 2026, by forces of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in connection with the January 2026 protests. After several weeks in detention and under interrogation, they were released temporarily on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

The report states that Abolfazl Rostami and Erfan Moradi Dangi were subjected to pressure as well as physical and psychological torture during their detention.

Writer Roozbeh Gilasian Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Gorgan, HRANA, Roozbeh Gilasian

HRANA – Roozbeh Gilasian, a writer from Gorgan, has been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court to four years and eight months in prison.

According to HRANA, Roozbeh Gilasian has been sentenced to prison.

Under a ruling issued on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, by Branch 1 of the Bandar Abbas Revolutionary Court, Mr. Gilasian was sentenced to eight months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime” and four years in prison on the charge of “engaging in educational activities and/or deviant propaganda and/or activities disruptive to the sacred principles of Islam.”

According to information received by HRANA, managing a channel with approximately 100 members and sharing several books that he had previously written and published were among the acts cited as grounds for the charges against Mr. Gilasian.

An informed source close to the writer’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “A number of citizens in Bandar Abbas were arrested following the 12-day war. During the proceedings in their cases, Mr. Gilasian’s name and writings came to the attention of security agencies. He was subsequently arrested as well and faced charges related to the activities of this channel and his works.”

Mr. Gilasian was arrested by security forces in Gorgan in August 2025 and was subsequently released on bail.

Roozbeh Gilasian is a writer from and resident of Gorgan who has previously faced judicial action over his activities.

January 2026 Protests: Saman Ghaderi Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Iman Afshari, January 2026 Protests, Saman Ghaderi, Urmia

HRANA – Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced Saman Ghaderi, a resident of Urmia and one of those arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests, to a total of 14 years in prison. He is currently being held in the Greater Tehran Prison.

According to HRANA, Saman Ghaderi has been sentenced to imprisonment.

According to a ruling issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, and served on Mr. Ghaderi on Tuesday, August 25, he was sentenced to 11 years in prison on the charge of “acting against national security” and three years on the charge of “insulting the sacred.”

An informed source close to the family of the political defendant confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Following the notification of the ruling, Mr. Ghaderi challenged the verdict and filed an appeal.”

Saman Ghaderi was arrested in Tehran in March 2026 by agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organization in connection with the January 2026 protests. After completing the initial stages of interrogation, he was transferred to the Greater Tehran Prison.

Saman Ghaderi is 37 years old and from Urmia.

January 2026 Protests: Sadegh Saedinia Sentenced to More Than 12 Years in Prison and Property Confiscation

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Langroud Prison, Qom Revolutionary Court, Sadegh Saedinia

HRANA – The conviction of Sadegh Saedinia, one of those arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026, has been upheld by the Supreme Court. He had previously been sentenced to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison, confiscation of all movable and immovable property, and a two-year ban from working in the café business.

According to HRANA, citing Mizan, the sentences issued against Sadegh Saedinia have been upheld by the Supreme Court.

Mr. Saedinia had previously been sentenced by a court to 12 years, six months, and one day in prison and the confiscation of all his movable and immovable property in favor of the state on the charge of “media and propaganda activities against national security in favor of opposition groups.” As an additional punishment, he was also sentenced to a two-year ban from working in the café business following the completion of his prison term.

According to the indictment issued in this case, the charges brought against this citizen include “propaganda or media activities against national security, taking operational measures to disrupt security through the publication of content on social media, participating in gatherings, closing cafés and shops owned by him, encouraging employees to participate in gatherings, and engaging in propaganda against the regime.”

Earlier, during the judicial proceedings in this case, all branches of cafés owned by Sadegh Saedinia were sealed by judicial order.

In May 2026, the Judiciary Media Center announced that a court session had been held at the Qom Revolutionary Court to hear the charges against Sadegh Saedinia.

Sadegh Saedinia, son of Mohammad Ali, aged approximately 49, was arrested in January 2026 for supporting the nationwide protests and was transferred to Langroud Prison in Qom.

Qorveh: Hazhir Yaghoubi Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hazhir Yaghoubi, HRANA, Qorveh, هژِیر یعقوبی

HRANA – Hazhir Yaghoubi, a resident of Qorveh and one of those arrested during the January 2026 protests, was sentenced by a criminal court to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

According to HRANA, citing Kolbar News, Hazhir Yaghoubi has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

According to the report, under a ruling issued by the criminal court and communicated to Mr. Yaghoubi, he was sentenced to one year in prison and 31 lashes.

Hazhir Yaghoubi was arrested by security forces during the January 2026 protests in connection with a strike by shopkeepers in Qorveh. After spending some time in detention, he was temporarily released on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.

Hazhir Yaghoubi is a resident of Qorveh and a local shopkeeper.

Background on the 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.