Category: Freedom of Expression

Maryam Karimi Sentenced to Prison Under Electronic Monitoring

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Freedom of Expression, News, Women
Esmaeil Rostami Tarsari, Maryam Karimi, ran-Aghideh, Rasht

HRANA News Agency – Maryam Karimi, a tour guide and resident of Rasht, has been sentenced by the Gilan Province Appeals Court to two years and seven months of imprisonment under electronic monitoring. She had previously received a one-year suspended prison sentence from the Rasht Revolutionary Court in another part of her case.

In a public post, Ms. Karimi stated that she had been sentenced to two years and seven months of monitored imprisonment within Rasht, under electronic ankle bracelet supervision. She was charged with “promoting immorality and indecency by encouraging others to remove their hijab in public” and “displaying indecent images in public view.” The verdict was issued by Judges Esmaeil Rostami Tarsari and Mohammad Sadegh Iran-Aghideh.

Under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the most severe charge—two years of imprisonment under electronic monitoring—will be enforceable.

She was initially tried and convicted in this part of the case by Branch 12 of the Rasht Criminal Court.

In a separate part of her case, she had already been sentenced to a one-year suspended prison term by the Rasht Revolutionary Court on charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

The charges against Ms. Karimi are reportedly based on images she posted on social media.

Maryam Karimi, a tour designer and guide, was arrested in May 2023 and later released.

Political Prisoner Naser Daneshfar Sentenced to Two Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Naser Daneshfar, ناصر دانشفر

HRANA News Agency – Naser Daneshfar, a political activist, has been sentenced by the court to two years in prison and a two-year ban on online activity.

Mr. Daneshfar announced in a public statement that he has been sentenced to two years in prison and a two-year ban from online activity on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime” and “acting against national security.” He added that one-fortieth of the sentence is final, while the remainder has been suspended for five years.

His interrogation session was held on March 8, 2025, at Branch 7 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in District 33 of Tehran.

He was arrested for publishing a call to attend a protest gathering in front of the University of Tehran. He was later released on bail.

Naser Daneshfar is a political activist and a veteran of the eight-year Iran-Iraq war.

Mahabad: Ali Daneshi Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Daneshi, HRANA, Mahabad, مهاباد

HRANA News Agency – Today, Friday, May 10, Ali Daneshi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing Kurdpa, Ali Daneshi was arrested in Mahabad without a judicial warrant. So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, the charges against him, or his whereabouts.

Ali Daneshi was previously arrested by security forces in Mahabad in July of last year and was later released on bail after a period of detention.

Azhdar Piri Imprisoned to Begin Serving One-Year Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Azhdar Piri, Central Prison of Karaj, اژدر پیری

HRANA News Agency – On Sunday, May 4, Azhdar Piri Sarmanlou, editor-in-chief of the Research of Nations monthly magazine, was arrested after reporting to the Sentence Enforcement Branch of Karaj Prosecutor’s Office and transferred to the Central Prison of Karaj to serve a one-year prison sentence.

According to this report, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Mr. Piri Sarmanlou was arrested upon reporting to the Sentence Enforcement Branch of the Karaj Prosecutor’s Office and was then transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary to begin serving his one-year sentence.

In January 2025, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced Azhdar Piri to one year in prison on charges of propaganda against the regime and insulting officials and agents. As additional punishment, he was also sentenced to a two-year ban from social media membership and activity.

Mr. Piri was originally arrested on October 21, 2024, by Ministry of Intelligence agents at his home in Karaj and taken to one of the city’s security detention centers.

During his detention, he was denied access to legal counsel. After 21 days of interrogation, he was transferred to Karaj Central Prison. He was released three days later on bail set at 200 million tomans.

Azhdar Piri Sarmanlou, 36, is a native of Urmia and a resident of Karaj. He is the editor-in-chief of the Research of Nations monthly.

Appeals Court Upholds Prison and Exile Sentence for Mehrdad Moghiseh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Darmian, Mehrdad Moghiseh, Razavi Khorasan Province, Sabzevar

HRANA – The Appeals Court of Razavi Khorasan Province has upheld the sentence of Mehrdad Moghiseh, confirming seven months and 15 days in prison and one year of exile.

According to information obtained by HRANA, the ruling—originally issued by Branch 1 of the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court—convicted Moghiseh of “propaganda against the regime” and sentenced him to imprisonment and exile to the town of Darmian. The appeals court affirmed the verdict without modification. His trial took place on March 11, 2025.

Mehrdad Moghiseh was among those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Sabzevar. He has previously faced arrest and conviction related to his activism.

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Younes Azadbar Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Rasht, Rasht County, Younes Azadbar, یونس آزادبر

HRANA News Agency – Younes Azadbar, a resident of Rasht County, was arrested today by IRGC Intelligence agents and transferred to their facility for interrogation.

A source close to Azadbar’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and said: “Mr. Azadbar was arrested a few minutes ago at his home by IRGC Intelligence agents without a court warrant and was taken for questioning. At the same time, his home was searched, and personal belongings, including his mobile phone, were confiscated.”

The source added: “Mr. Azadbar is 62 years old, suffers from epilepsy, and has a mechanical heart valve and a cardiac pacemaker. His physical condition is highly concerning, and his family is worried about the impact of interrogation pressure on his health.”

He was initially arrested on July 19, 2023 and then released on bail in December 2023 to receive medical treatment.

During his previous detention, he appeared before Branch 1 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, where he defended himself against charges including “enmity against God (moharebeh),” propaganda against the regime, and “membership in anti-government groups.”

Younes Azadbar, 62, is a resident of Sangar, a town in Rasht County. He has a prior conviction related to his activism.

Mahmoud Sedighipour Arrested Following Summons by Security Police

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Gilan province, Mahmoud Sedighipour, محمود صدیقی پور

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, April 30, Mahmoud Sedighipour, a teachers’ union activist in Gilan Province, was summoned and subsequently arrested by the Security Police.

According to the Coordinating Council of Iranian Teachers’ Trade Associations, Mr. Sedighipour was summoned to the Security Police in Rasht this afternoon, where he was then arrested.

Earlier in the day, he had been interrogated and threatened by the same agency for refusing to refrain from participating in a teachers’ union gathering.

As of the time of this report, there is no information available regarding his whereabouts or the specific charges against him.

Mahmoud Sedighipour (محمود صدیقی پور) has previously faced imprisonment and other legal penalties due to his union-related activities.

Somayeh Rashidi Transferred to Evin Prison After Arrest and Beating by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Somayeh Rashidi, Tehran, سمیه رشیدی

HRANA News Agency – Somayeh Rashidi, a political detainee, has been held in custody for the past week following her arrest by security forces in Tehran. She is currently being held in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Ms. Rashidi was transferred to Evin Prison on April 26, 2025, after spending two days in a police detention facility. She faces charges of “propaganda against the regime.”

A source close to Ms. Rashidi’s family told HRANA: “Somayeh was arrested while writing protest slogans in a Tehran neighborhood. During her arrest, officers beat her—slamming her head against a wall and pinning her down by sitting on her chest. They inflicted repeated blows to her face, legs, and abdomen. She has since filed a formal complaint against the officers for these acts of violence.”

Somayeh Rashidi, 42, is a resident of Tehran.

Judicial Case Filed Against Journalist Mohammad Parsi

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Mohammad Parsi, Nika Shakarami, محمد پارسی

HRANA News Agency – A judicial case has been opened against journalist Mohammad Parsi and referred to Branch 9 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office.

A source familiar with the matter confirmed to HRANA that yesterday, April 29, 2025, Mr. Parsi received a summons notifying him that a case had been filed against him and referred to Branch 9 of the Culture and Media Prosecutor’s Office. The charges are reportedly linked to content he shared online, including posts on X (formerly Twitter).

Earlier, on April 22, security forces searched the journalist’s residence and confiscated electronic devices, including his mobile phone.

In November 2024, Parsi had previously been formally charged with “propaganda against the regime” and “spreading falsehoods.” In another case, he had been fined for writing about the details surrounding the death of Nika Shakarami.

The journalist also faced legal proceedings in July 2024 over posts related to the presidential election.

Mohammad Parsi, editor-in-chief of the literary magazine Kandoo and director of two other media outlets, has a history of judicial confrontations related to his professional activities.

Exiled and Ailing: Protester Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi Denied Access to Medical Care in Ardakan

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ardakan, HRANA, Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi, Savojbolagh

HRANA News Agency – Manouchehr Jafari Ahmadabadi, a protester from the 2022 nationwide demonstrations, has been serving a two-year sentence of exile in Ardakan, Yazd Province, since February 2025. He suffers from Hemophilia A and Hepatitis C, and the lack of access to specialized healthcare in the area has severely impacted his physical and mental health.

According to information received by HRANA, Ardakan lacks facilities equipped to treat hemophilia. Although specialized care is available in the provincial capital, Yazd, Mr. Jafari is barred from traveling there due to the restrictions imposed by his sentence. This medical deprivation, combined with the psychological strain of forced exile and separation from his family, has worsened his health and triggered a recurrence of depression symptoms.

Mr. Jafari Ahmadabadi, 35, is a resident of Savojbolagh County in Alborz Province. He has faced persistent judicial and security harassment since his participation in the 2022 protests and related online activism. His first encounter with security threats occurred in November 2022 while he was volunteering at the Red Crescent in Ardakan. Over time, he was subjected to repeated summonses, threats, attempted arrests, and eventual prosecution.

In February 2023, he was forced to end his cooperation with the Red Crescent due to mounting security pressure. That same month, authorities made two unsuccessful attempts to arrest him without formal notice. He was also pressured to sign a written confession of repentance, which he refused.

Legal proceedings against Mr. Jafari began in May 2023. He was initially released on bail, and his first hearing took place in September 2023 at the Karaj Revolutionary Court. In August 2024, a lower court sentenced him to three years in prison and two years in exile. The appeals court later reduced the sentence in October 2024 to five months of imprisonment and two years of exile.

Mr. Jafari turned himself in to begin serving his sentence in November 2024 and spent 77 days in Karaj Central Prison (Ward 15, designated for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience). In February 2025, he was released with an electronic ankle monitor and transferred to Ardakan to begin his exile. Since then, he has been required to report daily to the police station in Ahmadabad.