Category: News

Masoud Bakhtiari Arrested in Arak

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Arak, Masoud Bakhtiari, مسعود بختیاری

HRANA – Masoud Bakhtiari, a resident of Arak, was arrested by the Cyber Police (FATA) in the city and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, citing the Free Union of Iranian Workers, Mr. Bakhtiari—who was active in labor-related issues—was arrested in recent days by FATA officers without a judicial warrant. Following his arrest, he was transferred to an unknown location.

The reason for his arrest was reportedly the publication of posts criticizing the Friday Prayer Imam and local authorities in Arak, as well as raising labor issues and workers’ demands in a Telegram channel.

The report does not mention further details, including the exact time of arrest.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained about Mr. Bakhtiari’s whereabouts or the charges against him.

In 2024, a total of 2,783 Iranian citizens were arrested by security and judicial authorities due to their beliefs, opinions, or political and civil activities. Over the past decade, the number of such arrests has exceeded 56,000. The highest number of arrests occurred in 2022, during the nationwide protests, when HRANA documented 23,977 detentions.

Prisoner Executed in Vakilabad Prison on Drug-Related Charges

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
HRANA, Mashhad, Omid Azizian, Vakilabad prison

HRANA – At dawn on Wednesday, August 6, a prisoner who had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of the executed prisoner as Omid Azizian, who was hanged at dawn on Wednesday, August 6.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Azizzian had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not announced the execution.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.

Ali Sameri Soaiberi Arrested in Ahvaz

Posted on by . .
News, Other
ahvaz, Ali Sameri, علی سامری

HRANA – On Sunday, August 3, 2025, Ali Sameri Soaiberi, a resident of Ahvaz, was arrested after being summoned by the Ministry of Intelligence in the city. He was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

According to available reports, Sameri Soaiberi was summoned by the Intelligence Office’s news division in Ahvaz and was detained upon appearing. Since his arrest, he has had no contact with his family, and security agencies have not responded to their inquiries.

Sameri Soaiberi suffers from a heart condition, and the lack of information about his health and whereabouts has intensified his family’s concerns.

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

Ali Sameri Soaiberi, approximately 47 years old, is married, the father of three children, and a resident of Ahvaz.

Two Prisoners Executed in Kerman Prison

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
HRANA, Kamran Amraei, Kerman prison

HRANA– At dawn on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, two prisoners were executed in Kerman Prison. They had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of the executed prisoners as Kamran Amraei. Both individuals were arrested in the past on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

Further details, including the identity of the second prisoner, are still under investigation by HRANA.

As of the time of this report, prison officials and relevant authorities have not publicly announced the executions.

In 2024, according to 812 reports compiled by HRANA, the Iranian regime executed 930 individuals in its prisons—marking the highest number of executions in the past 12 years. Despite the scale of these executions, prison officials and other relevant authorities publicly acknowledged only 6% of them, highlighting the regime’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Yousef Kari and Touhid Amir Amini Sentenced to Imprisonment and Fines

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
ardabil prison, Touhid Amir Amini, Yousef Kari

HRANA – Azerbaijani-Turk activist Yousef Kari has been sentenced by Branch 104 of Ardabil Criminal Court to pay fines, some of which are in lieu of imprisonment and flogging. Another defendant in the case, Touhid Amir Amini, was sentenced to a prison term and a monetary fine.

The verdict, issued on Sunday, August 3, 2025, finds Kari guilty of “disturbing public order and peace” and sentences him to a 30 million toman fine in lieu of imprisonment and a 12 million toman fine in lieu of flogging. He was also fined an additional 20.2 million tomans for “disobeying officers.”

Touhid Amir Amini was tried in absentia and convicted of “spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion.” He received a sentence of three months and one day in prison, along with a 30 million toman fine.

Amir Amini was arrested in late June 2025 and transferred to Ardabil Prison. He was released on bail on June 28.

In May 2025, Kari was arrested during public celebrations following a football club’s championship victory. He was released the following day from the Public Security and Intelligence Police detention facility in Ardabil.

The indictment against both activists was issued in March 2025 by Branch 10 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Ardabil.

Kari and Amir Amini have both previously faced judicial harassment, including arrests and imprisonment, in connection with their activism.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Two Prisoners Executed in Dastgerd Prison of Isfahan on Drug-Related Charges

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA– Yesterday, August 6, the death sentences of two prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

Their identities have been confirmed by HRANA as Reza Sharifzadeh and Mojtaba Izadi. According to information received by HRANA, the two prisoners had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or responsible institutions.

According to HRANA’s statistics, in 2024, 61 inmates were hanged in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan — a 74% increase compared to the previous year. This sharp rise reflects a disturbing escalation in executions at this facility.

Amir Nasr Azadani Transferred from Dastgerd Prison to Hospital

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Amir Nasr Azadani, Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

HRANA– Amir Nasr Azadani, former professional football player and political prisoner held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been transferred to a hospital.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Nasr Azadani was moved from Dastgerd Prison to a hospital in Isfahan, as reported by a social media page attributed to him quoting one of his cellmates.

No further details have been released regarding the timing of the transfer or his current health condition.

Amir Nasr Azadani, formerly a player for Tractor and Sepahan football clubs, is one of the defendants in the so-called “House of Isfahan” case. Following judicial proceedings, he was ultimately sentenced by the Supreme Court in February 2024 to 16 years in prison.

Andimeshk Resident Ruhollah Korki Arrested by Security Forces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Amin Korki, Andimeshk, HRANA, irgc, Ruhollah Korki

HRANA – On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Ruhollah Korki, a resident of Andimeshk, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

A source close to the family confirmed the arrest, telling HRANA: “Mr. Korki was detained by plainclothes agents while walking with his young daughter on a street in Andimeshk. His daughter returned home in tears. The arresting agents were reportedly affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).”

It remains unclear whether Korki is being held in Andimeshk or has been transferred to Ahvaz. While the family was informed that the arresting forces had come from Ahvaz, some evidence suggests he may still be held locally.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for Korki’s arrest and any charges brought against him have not been disclosed.

Ruhollah Korki is the brother of Amin Korki, who was arrested during the nationwide protests of December 2017. Amin Korki died under suspicious circumstances in April 2018 following a second arrest.

Two Prisoners Executed on Alleged Espionage and Terrorism Charges

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Israel, Mehdi Asgharzadeh, Roozbeh Vadi

HRANA – On Wednesday, August 6, the Judiciary’s Media Center announced the execution of two prisoners, Roozbeh Vadi and Mehdi Asgharzadeh. Vadi was convicted of “espionage and intelligence cooperation with Israel,” while Asgharzadeh was sentenced for alleged membership in the group ISIS.

According to the Judiciary, the two men—identified as Roozbeh Vadi and Mehdi Asgharzadeh—were hanged at dawn. Vadi was accused of collaborating with Israel while employed at what authorities described as a “sensitive and high-level” government institution. Mizan, the official news outlet of the Judiciary, alleged that he committed “extensive crimes against national security” that severely disrupted public order.

The Judiciary has not released information regarding the date of Vadi’s arrest, the judicial process, or the court that issued the death sentence.

Asgharzadeh, who was also referred to in the report by the aliases “Abu Khaled” and “Hesam,” was accused of undergoing military training in Syria and Iraq, and planning terrorist operations within Iran. The Judiciary claims he entered the country via the mountainous western border and was eventually arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence.

He was sentenced to death on charges of “corruption on earth” through alleged activities with the terrorist and takfiri group ISIS and actions against public security. As with Vadi, no details were provided about his arrest, trial proceedings, or the prison where the execution took place.

Prisoner Executed in Semnan Prison for Drug-Related Charges

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Jahanshah Iravani, Semnan

HRANA– Yesterday, Tuesday, August 5, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out in Semnan Prison.

HRANA has identified the executed prisoner as Jahanshah Iravani, who was hanged at dawn yesterday.

According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Iravani had been arrested on drug-related charges and sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

As of the time of this report, the execution has not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.

According to HRANA’s report, in 2024, over 52 percent of executed prisoners had been convicted on drug-related charges. Over the past ten years, individuals convicted of drug trafficking have accounted for 40 percent of all executions. Unfortunately, HRANA’s statistics show no progress in reducing executions for drug-related offenses.