January Protests: Report on the Latest Status of Ilya Ben-Rashid in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

HRANA – Ilya Ben-Rashid, one of those arrested during the January protests in Shahin Shahr, has been in detention for nearly 100 days and is currently being held in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan. Recently, a court session was held to address the charges against him, including moharebeh (enmity against God), at the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

An informed source confirmed to HRANA: “In early April, a court session reviewing Ilya’s charges was held via video conference at Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court. He faces charges including moharebeh through alleged involvement in the destruction of public property, assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and propaganda against the regime. During the session, he defended himself against these accusations.”

The source added: “Ilya has lost both of his parents and, prior to his arrest, lived with his grandparents. Given their advanced age, pursuing his legal case has become difficult. Additionally, Ilya has been denied access to a lawyer of his choice.”

Mr. Ben-Rashid was arrested on January 22, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan. He was later formally charged on February 21, at Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shahin Shahr.

Ilya Ben-Rashid is 22 years old and a resident of Shahin Shahr, Isfahan.

Political Prisoner Vahid Chavaran at Risk of Vision Loss Amid Lack of Medical Treatment in Prison

HRANA – Vahid Chavaran, a political prisoner, has been serving his sentence in exile in Zahedan Prison since May of 2025. Despite suffering from physical health issues, he has been deprived of proper medical care and family visits.

An informed source close to Chavaran’s family confirmed the situation to HRANA, stating: “Vahid is suffering from an eye condition in Zahedan Prison and, due to the lack of specialized medical care, he faces a serious risk of losing his eyesight. Doctors have emphasized the need to transfer him to a hospital for specialized treatment, but prison authorities have so far prevented this.”

According to the same source, in addition to being denied medical services, Vahid Chavaran has also been deprived of the right to family visits.

In May of last year, Vahid Chavaran was transferred from Ilam Prison to Zahedan Prison to serve his 12-year sentence in exile.

He had previously been sentenced by Branch 1 of the Ilam Revolutionary Court to 12 years of imprisonment in exile on charges including participation in moharebeh (enmity against God) through the use of a light automatic firearm, disruption of public order, and insulting the Supreme Leader.

Vahid Chavaran was arrested on June 23, 2023, while attempting to leave the country. He was later transferred to The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Ilam, and after the interrogation process, he was eventually moved to Ilam Prison.

Student Fariborz Kohanzad Arrested

HRANA – Fariborz Kohanzad, an undergraduate electrical engineering student at Sharif University of Technology, has been arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA News Agency, citing the United Students Telegram channel, Mr. Kohanzad was arrested by security forces and transferred to an unknown location. As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

The report does not provide further details, including the date or location of his arrest.

Fariborz Kohanzad has previously been arrested and faced judicial actions due to his activities.

World Day for Safety and Health at Work: One-Year Statistical Report on Workplace Accidents in Iran

HRANA – On the occasion of World Day for Safety and Health at Work, the Human Rights Activists in Iran have examined the situation of workplace accidents caused by unsafe environments or working conditions over the period from 3 May 2025 to 27 April 2026.

According to data compiled by the organization’s statistics department, during this period, at least 586 workers lost their lives and at least 4,424 workers were injured due to workplace accidents resulting from unsafe environments or working conditions.

In 2003, the International Labour Organization (ILO), after extensive review, designated April 28 as World Day for Safety and Health at Work. The aim is to raise awareness about occupational safety and health, with an emphasis on preventing workplace accidents and diseases. In effect, it is an international campaign highlighting the importance of improving workplace safety and its impact on reducing work-related fatalities. Accordingly, governments are required to develop systematic policies and programs to monitor and enforce compliance with occupational safety and health regulations. It is also noteworthy that since 1996, labor unions worldwide have marked this day as a global day of remembrance for workers killed or injured on the job.

According to HRA’s Statistics And Documents Center, based on reports published over the past 12 months, the deaths of at least 586 workers due to workplace accidents linked to unsafe conditions have been reported by media outlets or relevant organizations.

In addition, 4,424 cases of work-related injuries have been reported and compiled by the organization’s statistics department.

Among the most tragic and notable incidents of the past year are: the deaths of 9 workers in a fire at an industrial workshop in Borkhar, located in Isfahan province; the poisoning of 17 workers by carbon monoxide gas in a cold storage facility in Fariman, Razavi Khorasan Province; the death and injury of 13 workers in a fire at the Kaveh Methanol Petrochemical plant; and the death and injury of 3 miners following a coal mine collapse in Nahroudbar, located in Mazandaran Province.

Based on the data collected by HRA’s Statistics And Documents Center, the causes of these incidents are distributed as follows: 20.28% construction-related accidents, 15.91% falls from height, 15.21% struck by hard objects, 11.89% fires, 7.69% mining incidents, 7.17% traffic accidents, 5.94% electrocutions, 3.32% explosions, 2.97% gas poisoning, 2.45% accidents in wells, 2.27% in factories, 2.10% poisoning, 1.05% drowning, 0.52% heatstroke, 0.52% smoke inhalation, 0.52% in petrochemical and refinery sectors, and 0.17% agricultural accidents.

Workplace Accident Categorization ChartWorkplace Accident Categorization Chart

Report on the Arrest of Keyvan Ahmadi by the IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Keyvan Ahmadi, a resident of Noorabad Mamasani, was arrested in late Match by agents of the IRGC Intelligence, and there is still no precise information available about his condition.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Ahmadi was arrested in late March, 2026, by IRGC Intelligence agents in Shiraz. Despite nearly a month having passed since his arrest, there is still no clear information about his situation.
The reason for his arrest has been reported as accusations related to events that took place during the funeral of one of those killed in the January protests.

Keyvan Ahmadi had been working in a commercial unit in Noorabad Mamasani and was also active in the field of local music.

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101 Individuals Arrested in Kerman on Security-Related Charges

HRANA – The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Kerman has announced the arrest of at least 101 individuals during the ongoing conflict in the county. He cited the reasons for their detention as “espionage, links with the Israeli regime, possession and carrying of weapons, and membership in takfiri groups.”

According to IRNA, at least 101 citizens were arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman Province during military attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran.

The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor of Kerman stated that among those detained, 15 individuals were arrested on charges of “espionage,” 19 for membership in “takfiri” groups, and 53 others in connection with “weapons and ammunition.”

Mehdi Bakhshi added that two individuals were also arrested under charges related to Article 2, and 12 others under Article 8 of the relevant law. Additionally, four individuals have been prosecuted on charges of cooperation with “Israel and hostile countries,” in accordance with Article 6 of the Law on Intensifying Punishment for Espionage.

The statement did not disclose the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

Death Sentence of Mohammad Abbasi, 25-Year Term for Daughter Upheld by Supreme Court

HRANA – The death sentence of Mohammad Abbasi, who was arrested during the January 2026 protests and is currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison, has been upheld by Branch 39 of the Supreme Court. In addition, the Supreme Court has fully upheld the 25-year prison sentence of his daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, who is detained in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court rejected the appeal and upheld Mohammad Abbasi’s death sentence.
Likewise, the 25-year prison sentence of Fatemeh Abbasi was fully confirmed by the same branch.
Currently, Mr. Abbasi is being held in Ghezel Hesar Prison, while his daughter Fatemeh Abbasi remains in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

These individuals were arrested during the nationwide protests of January 2026 in connection with the case involving the killing of Second Lieutenant Shahin Dehghani Kakavandi in Malard. Following initial trial proceedings, Mr. Abbasi was sentenced to death on charges of moharebeh (enmity against God) by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati. His daughter, Fatemeh Abbasi, was also sentenced by the same branch to 25 years in prison.

After the initial verdict was issued, Ali Sharifzadeh Ardakani, an attorney, stated in an interview with Emtedad that the case had been referred to Branch 39 of the Supreme Court following an appeal by court-appointed counsel. He further noted that “Branch 39 of the Supreme Court, citing Note to Article 48 of the Criminal Procedure Code, prevented him and another colleague from representing the case.” The report by Emtedad added that there are numerous ambiguities surrounding the case of these two defendants, but independent lawyers have been unable to review the case due to lack of access.

Seyed Anvar Alavi Arrested in Oshnavieh

HRANA – Seyed Anvar Alavi, a resident of Oshnavieh, has been arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to Kurdpa, his arrest was carried out without the presentation of a judicial warrant. Following his detention, he was taken to an unknown location and has been denied access to a lawyer and family visits.

So far, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges brought against him.

Arbitrary arrests, transferring detainees to undisclosed locations, and leaving families in the dark about the fate of their loved ones are routine practices of the Iranian regime’s security agencies, such as the Ministry of Intelligence and the IRGC Intelligence Unit. This pattern of behavior stands in clear violation of the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.

 

Death Sentence of Naser Bakrzadeh Upheld by the Supreme Court

HRANA – The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence of Naser Bakrzadeh, a political prisoner held in Urmia Prison, for the third time. He had previously been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of espionage for Israel.

According to Kurdpa, following confirmation by Iran’s highest judicial authority, the ruling was officially communicated to Mr. Bakrzadeh on April 25 at the sentence enforcement office of Urmia Prison.

Naser Bakrzadeh was arrested in January 2024. He was initially held for some time in the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility in Urmia before being transferred to Urmia Prison.

He was first sentenced to death in November 2024 by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on charges of “espionage for Israel and cooperation with the Mossad intelligence service.” This ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in April 2025, and his case was referred to a parallel branch for reconsideration.

For the second time, he was sentenced to death in September 2025 by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia on the charge of “espionage for Israel.” This sentence was also overturned by the Supreme Court in November 2025. He was again sentenced to death for the third time on February 3, 2026 by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Urmia, presided over by Judge Shahini.

According to an informed source close to his family, Naser Bakrzadeh, approximately 27 years old, was denied basic rights during his detention, including the ability to contact and meet with his family.

Iran Executes Amer Ramesh on Security Charges

HRANA – The Judiciary’s Media Center reported that the death sentence of Amer Ramesh, a prisoner charged with security-related offenses including “armed rebellion (baghi)” and membership in an armed anti-state group, has been carried out. The sentence was implemented at dawn today after being upheld by the Supreme Court.

According to IRNA, the death sentence of Amer Ramesh, was carried out at dawn on Sunday, April 26, following confirmation by the Supreme Court. The Judiciary’s Media Center stated that Mr. Ramesh had been sentenced to death during legal proceedings on charges including “armed rebellion through bombings and ambushes against military forces,” “membership in Jaish al-Adl,” and “cooperation with anti-government groups.”

According to the claims of this body, he had previously been arrested during a security operation in the Pirsohrab area of Chabahar County and, after a case was formed, was tried in the Revolutionary Court.

The judiciary has cited examples of the charges against him, including “participation in shootings toward law enforcement forces, presence in ambush operations, and attempts to carry out roadside bombings.” It has also been claimed that he received military and security training abroad before returning to Iran.

The Judiciary stated that the case evidence included “reports from law enforcement officers, data extracted from communication devices, and the defendant’s statements.” However, no independent details have been published regarding the manner of his arrest, conditions of detention, his effective access to a lawyer during different stages of the proceedings, or the quality of the judicial process.

Meanwhile, local sources have identified the prisoner as Amer Ramesh, approximately 19 years old from the village of Balingi in Chabahar County. According to these reports, he was transferred to a solitary confinement cell in Zahedan Prison on April 24 for the execution of his sentence, which was carried out in that prison. However, official reports have not specified the location where the execution took place.

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 implementation of death sentences in Iran has entered a new and concerning phase, one marked by a strong focus on prisoners with political and security-related charges and a noticeable acceleration in executions.

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.