Category: Prisoners

Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence of Political Prisoner Reza Abdali

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
ahvaz, moharebeh, Reza Abdali, Sheiban Prison

HRANA – The death sentence and prison term of Reza Abdali, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, have been upheld by Iran’s Supreme Court, the country’s highest judicial authority.

Abdali had previously been sentenced to death and 15 years in prison by the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh).

According to information obtained by HRANA, the Supreme Court recently confirmed and notified Abdali’s verdict. He had been convicted in June-July 2025 by one of the branches of the Ahvaz Revolutionary Court on charges of moharebeh, with “connection with the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization (MEK)” cited as an instance of the accusation.

Reza Abdali, aged 35 and a resident of Ahvaz, is currently held in Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison.

He was arrested in February 2025 (Bahman 1403) by security forces, and after interrogation, was transferred to Sheiban Prison. During his detention, he has been denied access to a lawyer of his choice.

Jewish Iranian-American Dual National Kamran Hekmati Imprisoned in Evin Prison Over Past Trip to Israel

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Kamran Hekmati, Navid Reuven, Shahab Yousef, Tehran

HRANA – Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Iranian-American dual national and Jewish citizen, is currently serving his prison sentence in Evin Prison. He had been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to four years in prison for traveling to Israel, a sentence that was later reduced to one year.

According to The New York Times, Mr. Hekmati was sentenced in late August by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to four years in prison over a trip he made to Israel 13 years ago. After a reduction in the penalty for travel to Israel from four years to two, the final sentence was ultimately reduced to one year of imprisonment.

His family told the newspaper that Mr. Hekmati’s lawyer has filed an appeal, but no court date has yet been scheduled. They expressed hope that he would be released on humanitarian grounds, noting that he was not involved in political activities, that his visit to Israel was personal, and that he is currently battling aggressive bladder cancer.

In August this year, HRANA reported that four Jewish citizens were arrested in Tehran and Shiraz by the Ministry of Intelligence following security tensions related to the 12-day Iran-Israel conflict. HRANA identified them as Navid Reuven, Shahab Yousef, Kamran Hekmati, and Michael (last name unknown). HRANA further reported that Hekmati, approximately 70 years old, was arrested by security forces upon entering Iran to visit relatives due to his previous trip to Israel, and was transferred to one of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facilities in Tehran.

Despite official government claims of protecting the rights of religious minorities, including Jews, human rights experts have warned that the recent security pressures on this minority community may constitute religious and ethnic discrimination, violating Iran’s international human rights obligations.

Ongoing Detention and Uncertainty for Three Citizens in Yasuj Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, Mohammad-Ali Mohammad-Hosseini, Nima Hasanpour, Sirus Akram-Kish, Yasuj

HRANA – Mohammad-Ali Mohammad-Hosseini, Nima Hasanpour, and Sirus Akram-Kish, three residents of Yasuj, remain in detention at the city’s prison more than two weeks after their arrest, without clarity on their legal status.

According to information received by HRANA, the three were arrested in the mid-October by agents of the Yasuj office of the Ministry of Intelligence. Since then, they have been held without charge or trial and, by order of the investigating judge of Yasuj Branch 3, have been denied access to legal counsel and family visits.

HRANA has learned that Mohammad-Hosseini suffers from autoimmune disease and diabetes, and the lack of information about his condition has heightened his family’s concerns.

The charge of “acting against national security” has been brought against these citizens.

Mohammadhosseini, aged 45, along with Hasanpour and Akram-Kish, both around 40 years old, are residents of Yasuj County.

French Nationals Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris Released from Evin Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Cécile Kohler, Jacques Paris, Mahdieh Esfandiari

HRANA – The President of France has announced the release of Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, two French nationals previously imprisoned in Evin Prison. At the same time, Fars News Agency published a video showing the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian prisoner held in France — a move that appears to have taken place as part of a prisoner exchange.

French President Emmanuel Macron, without providing details on the circumstances of their release, stated: “Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris, who had been detained in Iran for three years, have been released from Evin Prison and are on their way to the French Embassy in Tehran.”

Simultaneously, Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with Iranian security institutions, released a video showing the release of Mahdieh Esfandiari, an Iranian citizen who had been detained in France on charges of supporting a paramilitary group. It appears that the release of Kohler and Paris occurred within the framework of an exchange involving Esfandiari.

In October this year, Mizan, the media outlet of Iran’s Judiciary, reported that two French nationals had received heavy prison sentences on charges of “espionage” and “intelligence cooperation with Israel.” Although the Judiciary’s statement did not name the two individuals, independent media reports and official statements from French authorities indicated that the sentences referred to Cécile Kohler and Jacques Paris.

Kohler and Paris were arrested in 2022 after traveling to Iran. In late May of that year, Iranian state television broadcast a report linking their arrests to teachers’ protest gatherings in the country. The report accused Kohler, a member of the Education and Culture Federation of the French Labor Union, and her husband, Jacques Paris, of “organizing unrest and disorder,” while also connecting them to Iranian teachers’ union activists Eskandar Lotfi, Masoud Nik-Khah, Sha’ban Mohammadi, and Rasoul Bodaghi.

Throughout their detention, both the families and the French government repeatedly denied the accusations against them and called for their immediate release.

Report on the Latest Status of Death-Row Prisoner Ehsan Afrashteh

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
Ehsan Afrashteh, Evin Prison, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, Isfahan, احسان افرشته

HRANA – Ehsan Afrashteh, a prisoner sentenced to death, is currently being held in Evin Prison. His second request for retrial has been filed with the Supreme Court and referred to Branch 29 for review.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Mr. Afrashteh was sentenced to death in June 2025 by Judge Salavati, head of Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, on the charge of “espionage.” The sentence was upheld first by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court during the appeals stage and again by Branch 9 during the first retrial. His case is now under review in the second retrial phase, referred to Branch 29 of the Supreme Court.

Ehsan Afrashteh was arrested in 2024 after returning to Iran from Turkey. Following several months in solitary confinement, he was transferred to the public ward of Evin Prison in October 2024, and he is currently held in Ward 7.

A source close to Afrashteh’s family confirmed to HRANA:
“Recently, prison officials intended to transfer him to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, but several inmates tried to prevent it. In response, authorities summoned some of these prisoners to the ward’s administrative office and deprived them of family visits.”

The source added: “Ehsan Afrashteh has been accused of espionage for Israel and sentenced to death. Forced confessions were obtained from him, though the content remains undisclosed. According to the source, these confessions were fabricated, and Afrashteh has denied all charges. Additionally, some of his and his family’s assets have been seized, and his family remains under pressure and threats from security agencies.”

Ehsan Afrashteh, aged approximately 32, is a civil engineering graduate (MSc), an IT and network specialist, and a native of Isfahan who previously resided in Tehran.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Death Sentence of Naser Bekrzadeh Overturned for the Second Time by the Supreme Court

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
HRANA, Naser Bekrzadeh, Urmia prison, Urmia Revolutionary Court, ناصر بکرزاده

HRANA – The death sentence of Naser Bekrzadeh, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, has once again been overturned by the Supreme Court. Bekrzadeh had recently been sentenced to death for the second time by Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, Bekrzadeh’s death sentence was recently overturned by the Supreme Court, and the decision was officially communicated to him on Wednesday, October 29. The political prisoner, who is being held in Urmia Prison’s political ward, is now awaiting the scheduling of a new hearing and the designation of a new court branch to review his case.

In September 2025, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court had sentenced Bekrzadeh to death on charges of “espionage for Israel” for the second time.

In November 2024, he had initially been sentenced to death by Branch Three of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “espionage for Israel and collaboration with Mossad intelligence services.” That ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in April 2025, which referred the case to another branch for reconsideration.

Naser Bekrzadeh, about 26 years old, was arrested in January 2024. He was held for a period in the IRGC’s intelligence detention facility in Urmia, where he was subjected to interrogation. According to a source close to his family, this process involved violations of his basic rights, including being denied contact and visits with his family.

By Order of the Military Court: Ghodratollah Jooyar Sentenced to Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Ghodratollah Jooyar, HRANA, Ilam, قدرت الله جویار

HRANA – Ghodratollah Jooyar, a 33-year-old resident of Tehran and an employee of the Parchin military zone, has been sentenced by the Military Court of Tehran Province to 12 years in prison. He has been held in custody since June 20 on several charges, including insulting the Supreme Leader and attempting espionage.

A source close to the family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Jooyar, an employee of the Parchin military zone, was tried in October 2025 by Branch 3 of the Tehran Military Court on charges including insulting the Supreme Leader, attempting espionage, and offenses related to drugs and alcohol. According to the court’s verdict, he received a total of seven years in prison for his political and security-related charges, and five years for the other offenses.”

The same source added: “Ghodratollah Jooyar is currently being held in a military detention facility in Tehran. He was arrested on June 20, 2025, at his home by agents of the Intelligence Protection Unit of the Parchin military zone, without a judicial warrant. Since his arrest, he has been denied contact with his family and lawyer.”

Ghodratollah Jooyar, 33 years old, is a native of Ilam and a resident of Tehran.

Death Sentence of Abbas Deris Overturned by the Supreme Court

Posted on by . .
Executions, News, Prisoners
Abbas Deris, Fereshteh Tabanian, Mahshahr Prison

HRANA – The death sentence of Abbas Deris, one of the detainees from the November 2019 protests, has been overturned by the Supreme Court of Iran, and his case has been referred to a parallel branch for retrial.

On October 21, attorney Fereshteh Tabanian announced that the Supreme Court’s First Branch had accepted Deris’s request for retrial, thereby overturning his conviction on the charge of moharebeh (enmity against God). His case will now be reviewed again in a branch of equal standing.

Deris, who is currently held in Mahshahr Prison, had previously been sentenced to death by the Mahshahr Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh. That verdict was upheld in July 2023 by the Supreme Court’s 39th Branch. Following the registration of a retrial request with the Supreme Court’s 9th Branch, an order to halt the execution was issued. After several months, the Supreme Court ultimately accepted the retrial, nullifying his death sentence.

In June 2025, the Supreme Court rejected Deris’s appeal in another part of his case, making his 10-year prison sentence final and forwarding it to the Sentence Enforcement Unit. In that part of the case, the Khuzestan Province Criminal Court (Branch One) had sentenced him to 14 years in prison on charges of murder and possession of a firearm. The most severe punishment, i.e., 10 years in prison, was deemed enforceable.

Abbas Deris was arrested on December 8, 2019, along with his brother Mohsen, by agents of the Abolfazl Abbas Base Intelligence Division.

Deris, aged approximately 52, is the father of three children. While he acknowledged taking part in the November 18, 2019 protests in Chamran Town, he has denied any involvement in burning tires or blocking roads.

After 20 Years in Prison, Ali Halafi Granted Medical Furlough

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Ali Halafi, HRANA, moharebeh, Sheiban Prison

HRANA – After 20 years in prison and years of being denied adequate medical care, political prisoner Ali Halafi was granted a seven-day medical furlough today from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, after posting bail.

According to HRANA, political prisoner Ali Halafi was temporarily released from Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz for medical treatment after serving two decades behind bars. Halafi suffers from gastrointestinal and pulmonary diseases, bleeding hemorrhoids, and knee problems, and has long been deprived of proper medical care. His temporary medical leave was granted upon posting bail of 51 billion rials for a period of seven days.

He was arrested in 2005 in connection with the “Ahvaz Salman Farsi Street explosion” case. Although he was not among the main defendants, he was convicted of “enmity against God (moharebeh)” and sentenced to 30 years in prison, a verdict later upheld on appeal.

Halafi had previously been transferred among several prisons, including Karun Prison in Ahvaz, Gonabad Prison, Masjed Soleiman Prison, and Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Due to his deteriorating health, he has now been granted a short-term release from custody.

Ali Halafi, approximately 59, is the father of three daughters and one son. HRANA has previously published a detailed report on his imprisonment conditions and case.

Beating of Political Prisoner Omid Fathi in Vakilabad Prison

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Omid Fathi, Vakilabad prison, امید فتحی

HRANA – Political prisoner Omid Fathi, held in Vakilabad Prison of Mashhad, sustained an eye injury last night after being beaten by prison security officers. His pre-existing spinal disc condition has reportedly worsened, and he is currently denied phone calls and family visits.

A source close to Fathi’s family told HRANA:
“On the evening of Friday, October 17, several security officers at Vakilabad Prison attacked Omid Fathi after he left the prisoners’ phone area. As a result of the beating, one of his eyes was injured and became swollen and bloodshot. Given his history of a herniated disc, his physical condition is concerning.”

The source added:
“On Saturday, Omid Fathi’s family went to Vakilabad Prison to inquire about his condition but received no clear answers. Some officials claimed he was in the prison infirmary, while others said he remained in Ward 103. The family says they have been denied any contact or visitation, and repeated attempts to reach relevant authorities have yielded no results.”

Reports received by HRANA indicate that following the release of several audio recordings from inside the prison, a new security case has been opened against Fathi. According to informed sources, he was recently taken to court, where the content of the recordings was read to him, but his family has received no details regarding the legal proceedings or outcomes.

Omid Fathi, who suffers from back problems including a herniated disc, had previously been transferred to Ward 103 of Vakilabad Prison by order of the prison’s internal management and security department. On September 4, he went on hunger strike to protest poor prison conditions and the authorities’ failure to separate prisoners based on the nature of their charges.

In June 2025, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced Fathi to a fine of 50 million tomans in lieu of six months in prison. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison after being unable to pay the fine. Another case against him, including charges of ‘insulting the Supreme Leader’, was to be heard in a separate court session, which was postponed due to the Israeli attack on Iran.

Omid Fathi, a resident of Mashhad, has previously faced multiple instances of security harassment and prosecution in connection with his activities.