Tag: HRANA

Drug-Related Charges: Three Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Jalil Moghanlou, Mehrdad Alivand, Tabriz Prison, Yadollah Kazemi

HRANA – Yesterday, 18 November 2025, the death sentences of three prisoners previously convicted on drug-related charges were carried out in Tabriz Prison.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of the prisoners who were hanged at dawn yesterday: Mehrdad Alivand, Yadollah Kazemi, and Jalil Moghanlou. These individuals had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts.

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

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.

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Prolonged Detention and Legal Uncertainty for Ramin and Jahangir Rostami in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Ehsan Rostami, Evin Prison, Harsin, HRANA, Jahangir Rostami, Ramin Rostami, جهانگیر رستمی, رامین رستمی

HRANA – More than a month after the arrest of Jahangir Rostami, a member of the Hersin Teachers’ Trade Association, and over three months after the arrest of Tehran resident Ramin Rostami, both men remain in a state of legal limbo in Evin Prison.

A source close to their families confirmed to HRANA: “It has now been 91 days since the arrest of Ramin Rostami and 33 days since the arrest of Jahangir Rostami. They continue to be held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility, known as Ward 209 of Evin Prison. Both have been denied access to legal counsel, and no meaningful action has been taken to advance their cases.”

On 20 August 2025, security forces arrested Ramin Rostami in Tehran and subsequently transferred him to Evin Prison. According to information obtained by HRANA, he launched a hunger strike shortly after his arrest to protest his ongoing detention and the uncertainty surrounding his legal status.

Ramin Rostami, originally from Harsin, has previously worked in publishing and the book industry.

As for Jahangir Rostami, the 63-year-old retired teacher was violently arrested at his home by security forces on 17 October 2025 and transferred to Evin Prison. He is the father of Ehsan Rostami, a cultural activist from Harsin who was himself arrested on 19 August in Tehran.

As of this report, no information has been made available regarding the charges brought against either detainee.

Another Iranian–American Imprisoned in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Jamshid Sharmahd, Reza Valizadeh, جمشید شارمهد, رضا ولی زاده

HRANA – Afarin Mohajer, an Iranian-American dual national residing in Los Angeles, has been in detention for 51 days and continues to be held in legal limbo in the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

According to HRANA, Ms. Mohajer, who had traveled to Iran for a visit, was arrested on Monday, September 29, 2025, at Imam Khomeini International Airport. No reliable information has yet been made available regarding the charges brought against her.

HRANA published an initial report on her arrest eight days ago, but it has now been confirmed that she also holds United States citizenship.

The arrest of dual nationals in Iran has been widely criticized by human rights organizations and Western governments over the past four decades. Critics argue that the Islamic Republic uses such detentions as tools of political pressure or bargaining leverage. This pattern began in 1979 with the takeover of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, and continued in the following decades with the arrests of dual-national tourists, researchers, journalists, and activists.

In recent years, several similar cases have occurred. For example, Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American and former Radio Farda journalist, was arrested during a trip to Iran and sentenced to 10 years in prison, two years of exile, and social restrictions on charges of cooperation with the U.S. government. Additionally, Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German political activist residing in the United States, reportedly died in custody before his execution in October 2024.

Amid the rise in such cases, the European Union and several Western governments, including France and Germany, have issued warnings about the risk of their citizens being arrested in Iran and have advised them either to avoid traveling to Iran or to leave the country as soon as possible.

Drug-Related Charges: Three Prisoners Executed in Esfarayen Prison

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Executions, News
Armin Shokri, Esfarayen, HRANA, اسفراین

HRANA – At dawn today, three prisoners were executed in Esfarayen Prison, North Khorasan province. These individuals had previously been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

HRANA has confirmed the identity of one of the prisoners hanged at dawn today as Armin Shokri. The other two prisoners were Afghan nationals. Based on information received by HRANA, they had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by Revolutionary Courts.

Further details, including HRANA’s verification of all prisoners’ identities, are still under review.

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

From the beginning of this year until the end of October, the Iranian regime has executed 1,286 people, marking an unprecedented increase compared to previous years.

Aminollah Koushkbaghi, a Baha’i Citizen, Arrested in Gonbad-e Kavus

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News, Religious Minorities
Aminollah Koushkbaghi, Arvin Avezpour, Baha'i citizen, Gonbad-e Kavus, HRANA

HRANA – Aminollah Koushkbaghi, a Baha’i citizen residing in Gonbad-e Kavus, was arrested by security forces on Wednesday, November 12, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Koushkbaghi, 69, was arrested on Wednesday, November 12, by security forces. Five days after his arrest, efforts by his family and relatives to obtain information about his fate have so far been unsuccessful.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding his whereabouts, the reasons for his arrest, or the charges brought against him.

Around the time of this arrest, another Baha’i citizen in Gonbad-e Kavus, Arvin Avezpour, was also arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Over the past decade, the Iranian Bahá’í community has been disproportionately targeted by Iran’s security forces and judiciary—more than any other minority group. In the past three years, an average of 72 percent of the reports on religious rights violations collected by HRANA have documented the Iranian regime’s repression of the Bahá’í community.

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Akbar Danesh Sararoudi Arrested in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, HRANA, Isfahan, اکبر دانش سرارودی

HRANA – On November 14, Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political activist residing in Isfahan, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was arrested on Friday, November 14, 2025, at his home by security forces without the presentation of a judicial warrant. Efforts by his family to learn about his situation have so far been unsuccessful.
As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

In May 2025, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to three years in prison and additional penalties.

Prior to that, the hearing on his charges had been held in the same branch. A few days later, the political activist personally submitted his defense bill to the Isfahan Revolutionary Court.

In February 2025, he had been arrested in connection with a call for a gathering planned for February 13 of that year, intended as a protest against the continued house arrest of three political figures. On February 19, Mr. Danesh Sararoudi was released from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan after posting bail.

Akbar Danesh Sararoudi, a political and media activist and an Iran-Iraq war veteran residing in Isfahan, has previously faced arrest and judicial actions because of his activities.

Amol: Amirreza Alipour Arrested and Transferred to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
Amirreza Alipour, Amirreza Alipour Hashteli Amoli, Amol, HRANA, امیررضا علی پور

HRANA – Amirreza Alipour Hashteli Amoli, a resident of Amol, was arrested on Wednesday, November 4, by security forces and, after being informed of the charges at the Amol Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, was transferred to the city’s prison.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Alipour was arrested on Wednesday, November 5, at his private residence by security forces. At Branch 7 of the Investigation Office of the Amol Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, he was charged with “propaganda against the regime” and then transferred to Amol Prison. He is currently being held in the prison’s special ward.

A source close to the Alipour family confirmed the arrest and told HRANA: “The investigator has so far not agreed to a bail order.”

In 2022, Mr. Alipour was sentenced to six months of home confinement with an electronic ankle monitor on the charge of “insulting the founder of the Islamic Republic.” On December 16, 2018, Branch 1059 of Tehran Criminal Court II sentenced him to six months in prison on the charge of “insulting the president.” In 2015, he had also been sentenced by the Revolutionary Court to six months of suspended imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Alipour, 31, a resident of Amol, has previously faced arrest and prosecution for his activities.

Report on the Execution of Three Prisoners, Including a Woman, in Mahabad Prison

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Executions, News
Dima Faramarzi, HRANA, Kaviar Khediripour, Mahabad, Mehran Hagh-Panah

HRANA – The death sentences of three prisoners, including one woman, who had previously been convicted on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were carried out in Mahabad Prison between September 21 and October 15.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of these prisoners as Mehran Hagh-Panah, Dima Faramarzi, and Kaviar Khediripour.

Based on information received by HRANA, the execution of Mehran Hagh-Panah, a resident of Tabriz, was carried out on October 15. He had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.
The execution of Ms. Faramarzi, who had previously been sentenced to death for the murder of her husband’s father, was carried out on Tuesday, September 30. Kaviar Khediripour, who had also been sentenced to death for murder, was executed on September 21.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been 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.

Update on the Latest Condition of Alvand Banaeian in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan

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News, Prisoners
Alvand Banaeian, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan, الوند بنائیان

HRANA – Alvand Banaeian is serving his sentence in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

Based on information received by HRANA, in October this year, a hearing on the charges against Banaeian was held via videoconference at Branch Two of the Isfahan Criminal Court. In this portion of his case, he was sentenced to six months in prison, 45 lashes, and a fine for possession of alcoholic beverages and a cold weapon.

A source close to his family confirmed this to HRANA, adding: “In another part of his case, this prisoner is facing the charge of ‘propaganda against the state.’ After his arrest, he was formally charged with this accusation by Branch 18 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Isfahan. This case had been referred to Branch Five of the Revolutionary Court, but due to issues such as procedural defects, it was returned to the same investigative branch. Nonetheless, his case remains in a state of limbo. Additionally, for the past month, he has been denied visits with his family by the authorities.”

Alvand Banaeian was arrested on June 16 of this year by security forces at his family home in Isfahan. During the arrest, agents searched the premises, seizing several personal belongings and quantities of alcoholic beverages.

Banaeian has previously been arrested and faced judicial action due to his activities. In 2022, he was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents and was eventually released on bail after three months.

Execution of 24 Prisoners in Various Prisons Across Iran in Recent Days

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Executions, News
Aligudarz, Bojnourd, Dezful, Gorgan, HRANA, Qazvin, Shahrekord

HRANA – Amid an unprecedented surge in executions in recent months, HRANA and Iran Human Rights have reported the execution of dozens of prisoners in multiple prisons across Iran in recent days.

According to HRANA, on Sunday, November 9, a prisoner named Allahkaram Nazari was executed on murder charges in Dezful Prison. On the same day, Dariush Amini in Ilam Prison and Seyed Mohammad Haeri in Saveh Prison were also executed on murder charges.
Iran Human Rights additionally reported that Hassan Hajizadeh, 30, from Semnan, was executed in Semnan Prison. Hajizadeh had been arrested a year earlier on charges of possessing three kilograms of narcotics and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

On Monday, November 10, HRANA reported the execution of Shahab Nazemi in Bojnourd Prison and two prisoners in Qazvin Prison, one of whom has been identified only as Shahriar, all on drug-related charges. On the same day, a prisoner identified as Ghasemi (first name unknown) was executed in Damghan Prison, Behzad Zeidi in Zanjan Prison, Noushad Mousavi on murder charges in Chabahar Prison, and Milad Nemati on murder charges in Jiroft Prison.
Iran Human Rights also reported the execution of Abdolrahman Mehrbani, 57, in Gorgan Prison, on murder charges. Mehrbani had been arrested about six years ago for murder during a dispute over farmland and was later sentenced to death.

On Tuesday, November 11, Shahin Saleh was executed in Birjand Prison on murder charges, Khodayar Joghtai in Sabzevar Prison (charges unknown), Omid Beqlani in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz, on murder charges, Mostafa Al-Khamis on murder charges in Bushehr Prison, Kaka Morad Panahi on drug-related charges in Kashmar Prison, and Arash Karimi on drug-related charges in Ardabil Prison.
Iran Human Rights also reported that Vahid Fazeli, 42, was executed in Lakan Prison, Rasht, on murder charges.

On Wednesday, November 12, HRANA reported the execution of Mehdi Moridi in Aligudarz Prison and Nezam Saeedi in Kerman Prison, both on murder charges.
Iran Human Rights also confirmed the execution of Saeed Mokhtari, 35, from Jahrom, and Shahrokh Mostafavi, 40, a father of one from Karaj, in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, both on drug-related charges.

Finally, on Thursday, a prisoner named Ali Safa Niazi was executed in Shahrekord Prison on murder charges.

As of the time of this report, the executions of these prisoners have not yet been announced by prison officials or judicial authorities.