Category: Freedom of Expression

Oshnavieh Revolutionary Court Sentences Three Citizens to 10 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Omid Ebrahimi, Oshnavieh, Rashid Faghizadeh, Yaser Sharifian

HRANA – The Revolutionary Court of Oshnavieh has sentenced three local citizens, Yaser Sharifian, Rashid Faghizadeh, and Omid Ebrahimi, to a combined total of 10 years in prison.

According to Kolbar News, the court sentenced Omid Ebrahimi to five years in prison on charges of acting against national security, propaganda against the regime, and alleged collaboration with an opposition party. Yaser Sharifian was handed a four-year sentence on similar charges, including propaganda and actions against the regime as well as collaboration with an opposition party. Rashid Faghizadeh received a one-year sentence for “spreading misinformation” and “disturbing public opinion.”

Ebrahimi and Sharifian were released from Oshnavieh Prison on June 1, 2025. Faghizadeh had previously been released on bail on May 18.

Sharifian and Ebrahimi were initially arrested by security forces in Oshnavieh on May 7 and transferred to the city’s prison. On the same day, Faghizadeh was also arrested and later transferred to Oshnavieh Prison.

Ebrahimi has a prior record of arrest related to his activities.

Ilam: Mohammad Younesi Sentenced to Over 4 Years in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Dehloran, Ilam, Mohammad Younesi

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad Younesi, a nurse residing in Dehloran, has been sentenced to four years and three months in prison by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Ilam.

Based on a ruling recently issued and communicated to Mr. Younesi by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Ilam, he has been sentenced to seven months in prison on the charge of propaganda against the regime, and three years and eight months in prison on the charge of propaganda activities in favor of, endorsement of, or strengthening Israel. Posts published on Mr. Younesi’s Instagram account were cited as evidence for these charges.

On July 11, Mohammad Younesi was released from Ilam Prison after posting bail. He had previously been arrested earlier in July by security forces.

Mohammad Younesi, a nurse residing in Dehloran, has also faced previous convictions due to his activities.

Elham Naderi Monfared Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Elham Naderi Monfared, Marivan, Naderi Monfared, Nowsud

HRANA – Elham Naderi Monfared, a resident of Marivan, has been sentenced to two years in prison, with 21 months and 15 days of the term suspended.

According to HRANA, quoting Kolbar News, Naderi Monfared received a 24-month prison sentence, though the majority of it has been suspended. The specific charges that led to this ruling have not been disclosed.

The report adds that she was previously arrested for posting critical content on social media regarding the Iran-Israel war and was later released on bail.

Elham Naderi Monfared, 32, is originally from Nowsud and currently resides in Marivan.

Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi Sentenced to Imprisonment

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Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, ahvaz, Hossein Ali Hatami, Ramhormoz

HRANA– Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, a resident of Ramhormoz, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court. The sentence has been suspended for two years.

This ruling was issued by Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court and was recently communicated to Mr. Zangeneh-Nezhadi’s lawyer, Hossein Ali Hatami.

Based on the ruling, he was sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of propaganda against the regime. The sentence has been suspended for two years. Additionally, Mr. Zangeneh-Nezhadi was acquitted of the charges of membership in an insurgent group and collaboration with hostile states.

The court session to review this citizen’s charges was held in May of this year at Branch 2 of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court.

Abbas Zangeneh-Nezhadi, a resident of Ramhormoz County, was arrested in March 2024 and released after about 50 days on bail.

Women’s Rights Advocate Tina Deljoo Sentenced to One Year in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Tina Deljoo

HRANA– Tina Deljoo, a women’s rights activist, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

This verdict was issued on Wednesday, August 20, by Branch 3 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court and was recently communicated to the women’s rights activist. Based on the ruling, Ms. Deljoo has been sentenced to one year in prison on the charge of propaganda against the regime.

No details are available regarding the specific acts cited in this case, which was opened against her in the winter of last year.

On January, 2025, Tina Deljoo was arrested and transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht to serve a previously issued seven-month prison sentence in connection with an earlier case. She was released in mid-August of this year after completing that sentence.

Tina Deljoo, a civil activist and women’s rights defender, resides in Gilan. She has previously faced arrest and imprisonment for her activism.

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Yazd Blogger Hamidreza Naeimabadi Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hamidreza Naeimabadi, Yazd, حمیدرضا نعیم آبادی

HRANA– Hamidreza Naeimabadi, a satirical blogger from Yazd, has been arrested by the city’s security police. At the same time, a judicial order has been issued to suspend his Instagram page and restrict his use of social media.

Sources confirmed to HRANA that since his arrest, Mr. Naeimabadi has had no contact with his relatives.

Meanwhile, the Public Relations Office of the Yazd Judiciary, without revealing his identity, announced the arrest of a “satirical blogger from Yazd,” accusing him of publishing content “contrary to legal and moral principles” and “insulting freight drivers” on social media.

According to the Judiciary’s statement, “the accused was detained by order of the case investigator through the security police and, after being transferred to the prosecutor’s office, was taken into custody under an appropriate judicial order.” Additionally, an order was issued to suspend his Instagram page and impose restrictions on his online activity.

Tehran Prosecutor Files Charges Against Comedian Zeinab Mousavi

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Freedom of Expression, News
Emperor Kuzco, HRANA, Qom, Tehran, Zeinab Mousavi, زینب موسوی

HRANA– The Tehran prosecutor has filed charges against Iranian comedian Zeinab Mousavi over a video circulated on social media containing remarks about Ferdowsi, the renowned Iranian poet.

According to HRANA, quoting Mizan, the Tehran prosecutor initiated legal action against Mousavi following the release of part of a program online in which she made comments regarding Ferdowsi. The report alleges that Mousavi’s statements were “contrary to public morality.”

In October of last year, the Tehran prosecutor also filed charges against her, which later led to the issuance of an indictment.

Zeinab Mousavi, one of the first women stand-up comedians in Iran and the creator of the character “Empress Kuzco,” was arrested in October 2023 and released after several days. Her case, involving two charges, was referred to the Tehran Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court.

She was also arrested in Qom in October 2022 and released on bail in late November of the same year pending trial. Mousavi has stated that during this detention she spent 25 days in solitary confinement and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Journalist Omid Faraghat Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Iman Afshari, Karaj, Omid Faraghat

HRANA – Omid Faraghat, a journalist, has been sentenced to three months in prison by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. In a separate ruling, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of other charges.

According to HRANA, Mr. Faraghat reported that Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, convicted him on the charge of propaganda against the regime and sentenced him to three months in prison. The charge was based on allegations of interviews with Persian-language media outlets based abroad, a claim he has denied.

At the same time, Branch 3 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court acquitted him of additional charges of propaganda against the regime and spreading falsehoods to disturb public opinion. The trial concerning these accusations took place on Monday, August 18.

The conviction that resulted in his prison sentence was issued following a separate hearing held on Sunday, July 13, in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Omid Faraghat, a journalist and political media activist residing in Karaj, has previously faced judicial proceedings in connection with his professional activities.

Student Activist Motahareh Goonehi Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Motahareh Goonehi, Motahareh Gounei, Student activist

HRANA – Motahareh Goonehi (Gounei), a student activist, has been sentenced by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 21 months in prison.

In a statement published by this student activist, she wrote: “By order of the Revolutionary Court, I was sentenced to 15 months in prison for ‘propaganda against the Islamic Republic’ and to six months in prison for ‘insulting the Supreme Leader,’ as well as the confiscation of my mobile phone containing so-called ‘criminal content.’ This ruling was issued by Branch 29 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in less than one week.”

Ms. Goonehi was arrested by security forces in Tehran on Saturday, June 14, and released more than a month later on bail. Following her release, she shared a disturbing account of her arrest, reporting that she was detained without a judicial warrant, that shots were fired inside her home during the arrest, and that she was blindfolded and taken barefoot into the street at night before being released.

Goonehi is a dental student and the former political secretary of the Islamic Association of Students at the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences. She has previously faced arrest and security-related pressures due to her activism. She was released from Evin Prison on March 16, 2025, after completing her prison sentence.

Ramin Rostami Arrested by Security Forces in Tehran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Harsin, Ramin Rostami, Tehran, رامین رستمی

HRANA– On Wednesday, August 20, Ramin Rostami, a resident of Harsin currently living in Tehran, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, his arrest took place on Wednesday, August 20, at his residence in Tehran by security forces who did not present a judicial warrant. A source close to the citizen confirmed the arrest and told HRANA: “Ramin Rostami was detained at the same time as Ehsan Rostami.”

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

Ramin Rostami, originally from Harsin, has previously been active in the field of publishing and books.