Category: News

Sentences Issued for 22 Defendants to Long-Term Imprisonment in Two Provinces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, January Protests

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center has announced the issuance of long-term prison sentences for 22 defendants in two provinces of the country. According to the report, eight of them have been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison, while 14 others have received sentences of less than 10 years, along with additional penalties. However, no details have been published regarding the identities of the convicted individuals or the exact charges against them.

According to Mizan, 22 defendants in several cases across two provinces have been sentenced to long-term imprisonment. Based on the report, eight of the defendants received sentences exceeding 10 years in prison, while 14 others were sentenced to less than 10 years, accompanied by supplementary punishments.

The Judiciary’s Media Center stated that these individuals were prosecuted on charges of “cooperation with an enemy,” and the mentioned sentences were issued following proceedings in competent courts.

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.

January Protests: Amir-Ali Mirjafari Executed

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Amir-Ali Mirjafari, Amirali Mirjafari, HRANA

HRANA – The death sentence of Amir-Ali Mirjafari, arrested during the December–January 2026 protests, was carried out early this morning. He had faced charges during the judicial process including “espionage” and “acting against national security.”

According to Mizan, Amir-Ali Mirjafari was hanged at dawn today after his death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. Based on the report, this citizen was arrested during the Dey protests and, in the course of judicial proceedings, was sentenced to death on charges such as “operational actions for the Zionist regime and hostile governments” and cooperation with what were described as “networks affiliated with Mossad.”

In the report, he is described as a “leader of a network,” and accusations against him include directing protest actions and maintaining contact with foreign intelligence entities. The alleged charges cited include setting fire to the Qolhak Grand Mosque, destroying public property such as buses and motorcycles, blocking roads by burning trash bins, and attacking security forces with cold weapons.

The report claims that court sessions were held in the presence of the defendant and his lawyer, and that the issued verdict was approved by the Supreme Court after completing legal procedures.

It is also claimed that the defendant’s active presence in the protests was established through “technical examinations” and “visual documentation,” which were used as evidence in the case. However, no independent details are available regarding how this evidence was examined or whether it could be verified through a transparent judicial process.

It is worth noting that following the outbreak of military conflict between the United States–Israel and Iran, which began on February 28, 2026, the execution of prisoners with political-security charges has accelerated.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

Report on the Arrest of a Citizen in Malard County

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Malard

HRANA – A citizen in Malard County has been arrested on charges of “propaganda against the regime on social media and cooperation with anti-government groups.”

According to Mehr News Agency, a citizen has been arrested in Malard, Tehran Province. Judicial authorities in the county announced that a man, approximately 33 years old, was arrested on charges of “propaganda against the system on social media and cooperation with anti-government groups.”

Based on the report, the social media accounts belonging to this citizen have also been deleted, and he has been handed over to judicial authorities.

The report does not mention the identity of the arrested individual or his place of detention.

Families in the Dark as Detention of Three Baha’i Residents Continues in Shiraz

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Baha'i, Behzad Basiri, Mahsa Sotoudeh, Mandana Sotoudeh, Shiraz

HRANA – Nearly three weeks after their arrests, Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, a Baha’i couple living in Shiraz, along with Mahsa Sotoudeh, another Baha’i resident of the city, remain in a state of uncertainty. The lack of information about their fate has caused growing concern among their families and relatives.

Based on information received by HRANA, 18 days have passed since the arrests of Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh, and 21 days since the arrest of Mahsa Sotoudeh. Despite this, their families and relatives remain completely unaware of their condition. Efforts to obtain information about their place of detention and their situation have so far been unsuccessful. Additionally, lawyers have not yet been able to formally register representation or follow up on their legal cases.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against them.

Mahsa Sotoudeh was arrested on Sunday, March 29, by IRGC intelligence forces at her home in Shiraz. Behzad Basiri and Mandana Sotoudeh were also arrested on Wednesday, April 1, by forces affiliated with the IRGC. Their arrests were accompanied by searches of their homes, during which agents confiscated their electronic devices.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has been subjected to security and judicial measures more than any other religious minority. A review of the annual reports published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Center of the Human Rights Activists in Iran shows that over the past year, an average of 62% of reports concerning religious minorities were dedicated to violations of the civil rights of Baha’is.

One Person Arrested on Espionage Charges in Robat Karim

Posted on by . .
News, Other
IRGC Intelligence, Robat-Karim

HRANA – One individual in Robat Karim, Tehran Province, has been arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces on charges of “espionage by sending images of the country’s sensitive centers to opposition groups and foreign media outlets.”

According to Khabar Fori, Robat Karim security officials claimed that the individual was detained on the charge of “espionage through sending images of sensitive national sites to groups opposed to the regime and foreign media.”

It adds that the person was transferred to prison after the arrest.
The report does not provide further details, including the identity of the citizen.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Human Rights Activist Nasrin Sotoudeh Remains in Intelligence Detention

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mehraveh Khadem, Nasrin Sotoudeh, نسرین ستوده

HRANA – Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, has been in detention for 18 days after being arrested by agents of the Intelligence Department in Tehran, and is being held in a state of uncertainty in one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility.

Mehraveh Khadem, Ms. Sotoudeh’s child, stated in a post that her mother, during a phone call on Saturday, April 18, said she is being held in one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. Khadem added: “Apparently, she was either not allowed to disclose her exact place of detention or did not know it herself. Therefore, we still do not know where she is being held, but the Ministry of Intelligence bears responsibility for any harm that may come to her.”

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges against Nasrin Sotoudeh.

Ms. Sotoudeh was arrested on the evening of Wednesday, April 1, at her home in Tehran. At the time of her arrest, electronic devices including her laptop and mobile phones, as well as those of her spouse, were confiscated by agents.

Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, has previously been arrested and convicted due to her activities.

Police Commander Announces Arrest of At Least 1,800 People

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ahmadreza Radan, HRANA

HRANA – The Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Law Enforcement Force has announced the arrest of at least 1,800 individuals as part of a crackdown on what he described as “hostile elements, espionage, and disruptive actors.”

Ahmadreza Radan stated that these individuals were detained in connection with activities such as alleged “criminal” actions in cyberspace, publishing images of sensitive locations, communication with opposition groups, and participation in protests. According to Ahmadreza Radan, more than 900 others have also been “identified or dealt with.”

According to Fars News Agency, Radan discussed a series of security and policing measures in recent months during a televised interview last night. Based on  his statements, more than 700 individuals identified as “monarchist elements and affiliated online networks” have been arrested. Additionally, over 400 people were detained on charges of “collecting and publishing images and information from strike locations and transferring operational data.”

In another part of the report, Radan stated that more than 200 individuals were arrested for using “technical and network tools for destructive activities.” Furthermore, over 400 people were detained in connection with protests, and at least 100 others were arrested for alleged links to what he described as “terrorist groups and services.”

He also reported that more than 900 individuals in the field of cyberspace have been “identified or dealt with,” claiming that they were involved in “disturbing public opinion or supporting disruptive actions.” No precise details have been provided regarding the nature of these actions or how many of these individuals were actually arrested.

The Commander-in-Chief further claimed the discovery of more than 3,000 firearms and the seizure of over 6,000 pieces of what he described as “espionage equipment,” presenting these as outcomes of law enforcement and security operations.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the geographic distribution of these arrests, the identities of those detained, their places of detention, the legal process of their cases, or their access to legal counsel. Additional details about the alleged activities and supporting evidence have also not been made available.

Two Defendants Executed Over Alleged Cooperation with Mossad and Security Charges

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Hamed Validi, Mohammad Masoum Shahi, حامد ولیدی, محمد معصوم شاهی

HRANA – the Judiciary’s media center announced that at dawn today, April 20, two defendants named Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi were executed. These individuals had been sentenced to death by the Karaj Revolutionary Court on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) and “cooperation with Mossad.”

Their identities have been reported by Mizan as Mohammad Masoum Shahi and Hamed Validi. According to the Judiciary’s media center, the two were tried and sentenced to death by the Karaj Revolutionary Court on charges including “enmity against God,” “cooperation with a hostile state,” “assembly and collusion against national security,” and “membership in a group with the aim of disrupting national security.”

Mizan has claimed that these individuals had been active in connection with an intelligence network prior to their arrest.

The death sentences were carried out after their appeals were rejected and the verdicts were upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

IRGC Intelligence Organization: At least 127 People Arrested in Three Provinces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Religious Minorities
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Mazandaran

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization has announced the identification and arrest of at least 127 individuals in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. The organization claims that these individuals, including media activists, Baha’i citizens, people affiliated with opposition groups, and “spy teams”, were involved in activities linked to what it described as “networks affiliated with foreign governments.”

According to a report by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced in a statement the arrest of dozens of individuals. The organization stated that “cells affiliated with the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom” had been identified and “dismantled” in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. In the statement, those arrested were accused of actions such as “network-building, espionage, market disruption, and planning unrest.”

According to the claims made, seven individuals were arrested in East Azerbaijan province for alleged connections with “monarchist” groups. In Mazandaran province, authorities reported the arrest of 69 individuals who, according to the organization, face accusations including ties to anti-government movements and so-called “economic mercenary” activities.

The report further states that the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman province announced the identification and action taken against 51 individuals. It claimed that among them were three “spy teams” linked to foreign intelligence services, two groups of Baha’i citizens, a four-member “armed operational cell affiliated with monarchist groups,” and six media operatives connected to the “Iran International” network. According to the organization, these individuals were attempting to disrupt the market and organize unrest through contacts outside the country.

The statement also claimed that quantities of weapons and communication equipment were discovered at locations where these individuals were held.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or the legal process of their cases. Additionally, despite the scale of the reported figures and the accusations made, no specific details have been provided regarding the evidence for these charges, the manner of the arrests, or the exact nature of their alleged connections.

Two Teenagers Killed by IRGC Forces in Golshan County

Posted on by . .
Children, News, Other
Ali Siahani, Golshan, irgc, Omran Siahani

HRANA – On Monday, April 13, 2026, two teenagers were killed after being targeted by indiscriminate gunfire from military forces in the Kalgān border region of Golshan County.

Haal Vsh has confirmed the identities of the victims as Ali Siahani, approximately 18 years old, and Omran Siahani, approximately 17 years old. Both were residents of Kalgān, a district of Golshan County, Sistan and Baluchestan Province.

According to the report, on Monday, April 13, the two teenagers had gone to the Kalgān border area to take their flock of sheep when they were shot at without prior warning by IRGC forces and lost their lives.

Omran Siahani died at the scene after being struck by two bullets to the heart. Ali Siahani, who was injured by gunfire, died later in hospital due to the severity of his injuries.

As of the time of this report, domestic media outlets have not commented on the incident.

According to HRA’s annual report on the human rights situation in Iran, in 1404 Hijri year, at least 32,820 citizens were targeted by gunfire from military or security forces. This figure includes the deaths of 15 Kolbars (border porters), 23 fuel carriers, and 6,784 citizens, as well as injuries to 22 Kolbars, 25,963 civilians, and 13 fuel carriers.