Category: News

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.

Prisoner Executed in Zanjan Prison for Drug Offenses

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Executions, News
Hassan Mirzaei, HRANA, Zanjan Prison

HRANA News Agency – The death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted on drug-related charges was carried out on May 4 in Zanjan Prison.

The identity of the prisoner, who had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges, has been confirmed by HRANA as Hassan Mirzaei.

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

Prisoner Executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

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News
Adelabad Prison, Ali Shafiee, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Shiraz

HRANA News Agency – Yesterday, May 7, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of murder was carried out in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz.

The identity of the prisoner, executed at dawn on Wednesday, May 7, has been confirmed by HRANA as Ali (Arash) Shafiee.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Shafiee was arrested four years ago on a murder charge and later sentenced to death by the criminal court.

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

According to HRANA’s statistics, in 2024, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz witnessed the execution of 92 inmates — an 88% increase compared to the previous year. This sharp rise places Adelabad as the second deadliest prison in Iran after Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Report on the Latest Status of Akbar Bagheri in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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News, Prisoners
Akbar Bagheri, Ghezel Hesar, Iman Afshari

HRANA News Agency – Akbar Bagheri, a political detainee, remains in custody at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj more than 177 days after his arrest, with his legal status still unresolved.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Bagheri has been imprisoned for nearly six months. He remains in a state of legal uncertainty at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. His court hearing will be held on May 13, 2025, at Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. He is charged with “assembly and collusion to disrupt national security through cooperation with opposition groups.”

Bagheri was transferred from Evin Prison to Ghezel Hesar in mid-February 2024. He is currently held in Ward 4 of the facility.

Mr. Bagheri, who suffers from blood-related hemoglobin disorders, intestinal and liver issues, and hemorrhoids, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on November 10, 2023.

He was previously arrested in 2017 by security forces in Tehran and taken to Evin Prison. In the summer of 2018, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, sentenced him to nine years in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion.” This sentence was later upheld in the appeals court. Following the events at Evin Prison in October 2022, he was transferred along with several others to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. He was eventually released on May 8, 2023, under a general pardon directive.

Prisoner Executed in Kerman Prison

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Executions, News
Kerman prison, Saeed Shokoohi

HRANA News Agency – On Sunday, May 4, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on a murder charge was executed in Kerman Prison.

The identity of the prisoner has been identified by Iran Human Rights as Saeed Shokoohi. According to the report, Mr. Shokoohi had previously been arrested on charges of murder and sentenced to death by the judicial authorities.

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

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.

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Akbar Danesh Sararoudi Sentenced to Prison and Additional Punishments

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News
Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, Isfahan, Mohammad Reza Tavakkoli

HRANA – Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court has sentenced political activist Akbar Danesh Sararoudi to three years in prison and additional penalties. The prison sentence has been suspended for four years.

According to HRANA, the verdict was issued on April 29, 2025, by Judge Mohammad Reza Tavakkoli and officially delivered to Mr. Danesh Sararoudi today, Wednesday, May 7. He was sentenced to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime” for calling for a protest on February 13, and two years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” His additional penalties include a ban on media activity, a travel ban, and the confiscation of his mobile phone.

If the current verdict becomes final, a previously suspended three-year sentence from a separate case involving similar charges may also be enforced.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi was released from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan on February 19, 2025, after posting bail. He had been arrested earlier that month in connection with a call to protest on February 13, marking opposition to the continued house arrest of three prominent political figures.

Sararoudi, a political and media activist based in Isfahan, has previously faced arrest and legal action over his activism.

Drug-Related Offenses: Prisoner Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, Karaj, Ruhollah Moradiani

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, May 7, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on drug-related charges was executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of the executed prisoner as Ruhollah Moradiani. He had been arrested on charges related to drug offenses and later sentenced to death by the judiciary.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and responsible institutions have not officially 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.

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.

Execution of Three Prisoners in Shiraz, Arak, and Zanjan

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Executions, News
Arak, Hossein Rafieinia, HRANA, Mehdi Khani, Mohsen Raisi, Shiraz, zanjan

HRANA News Agency – On May 6, two prisoners were executed in the prisons of Zanjan and Arak on charges of murder and rape, respectively. Additionally, on Sunday, May 4, a prisoner was executed in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz on murder charges.

HRANA has identified the individual executed on Sunday as Mohsen Raisi. According to information received by HRANA, Mr. Raisi had previously been sentenced to death by the criminal court for murder.

Yesterday, Mehdi Khani, 21, was hanged in Arak Prison. Based on HRANA’s information, Mr. Khani had earlier been arrested on charges of rape and sentenced to death by the criminal court.

On the same day, the execution of a prisoner named Hossein Rafieinia was carried out in Zanjan Prison. According to HRANA’s findings, Mr. Rafieinia had previously been arrested for murder and sentenced to death by the criminal court.

As of the time of this report’s publication, none of these executions have been officially announced by prison officials or relevant authorities.

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.

Rasht Revolutionary Court Sentences Poet Peyman Farah-Avar to Death

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Ahmad Darvish Goftar, Amin Farahavar, Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, moharebeh, Peyman Farah-Avar, Peyman Farahavar

HRANA News Agency – Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar (Farahavar), a poet from Gilan currently held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been sentenced to death by Branch 1 of the Rasht Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentence was issued by Judge Ahmad Darvish Goftar and is based on charges of “baghi” (armed rebellion against the state) and “moharebeh” (enmity against God).

A source close to Farahavar’s family confirmed the ruling and told HRANA: “The charges are based on his poetry and protest-related activities focused on social justice and civil rights. His trial was held behind closed doors, without access to a chosen lawyer, and the verdict was issued without due process or transparency.”

The court session took place on May 1, 2025, at the mentioned branch. Specific evidence cited in the charges has not been made public.

Farah-Avar was arrested by security forces in September 2024 and taken to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. He was later transferred to Lakan Prison following the interrogation phase.

A father of a 10-year-old boy, Peyman (Amin) Farah-Avar has previously been detained for his activism.