Tag: HRANA

Retired Teacher Zina Fereydounian Sentenced to Prison

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Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Fereydounian, HRANA, Qorveh, Zina Fereydounian, زینا فریدونیان

HRANA News Agency – Zina Fereydounian, a retired teacher from Qorveh, has been sentenced by the city’s Revolutionary Court to over 13 months of prison and an additional three years of suspended imprisonment in two separate cases.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Fereydounian was sentenced to 10 months in prison for “propaganda against the regime.” In a separate case, she was sentenced to 91 days of discretionary imprisonment and an additional three years of suspended prison time. The court also imposed a travel ban on her.

Following the court’s refusal to allow her to serve her sentence under electronic monitoring outside prison, the 10-month sentence was referred to the sentence enforcement unit.

A source close to Faridounian’s family told HRANA: “In Qorveh, she supported vulnerable groups by covering wedding and living expenses. Her prison sentence stems solely from her criticism of social conditions.”

Three Prisoners Executed in Malayer, Arak, and Zanjan

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News
Arak, HRANA, Khondab, Malayer, zanjan

HRANA- Over the course of Monday and Tuesday, three prisoners were executed in the prisons of Malayer, Arak, and Zanjan.

According to HRANA, at dawn on Monday, June 9, Mostafa Hajibabaei was executed in Malayer Prison, Hamedan Province, on a murder charge. He had previously been arrested and later sentenced to death by a criminal court for the alleged killing.

HRANA also reported another execution on Tuesday, June 10, in Zanjan Prison. The prisoner has been identified as Mirza Morad Rezaei, a resident of Kuhdasht. Based on information received by HRANA, he had been arrested on drug-related charges and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court.

That same day, a prisoner named Ali Rezaei—a father to one daughter and a resident of Khondab—was executed in Arak Prison. He had been arrested approximately six years ago on a murder charge and sentenced to death by a criminal court.

As of the time of this report, none of these executions have been officially confirmed by prison authorities or responsible 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.

Six Baha’i Women in Hamedan Sentenced to a Total of 38 Years and 11 Months in Prison

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News, Religious Minorities
Atefeh Zahedi, Bahais, Farideh Ayoubi, Hamedan, HRANA, Neda Mohebi, Noora Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, Zhaleh Rezaei

HRANA – six Baha’i women residing in Hamedan—have been collectively sentenced to 38 years and 11 months in prison by Branch 2 of the Hamedan Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the sentences were recently issued and formally communicated to the defendants. The charges include “membership in the Baha’i community” and “teaching and promoting activities deemed contrary to Islamic principles.”

The details of the verdict for each individual are as follows:

  • Neda Mohebi was sentenced to five years in prison for teaching and promoting the Baha’i faith, and an additional two years and eight months for membership in the Baha’i community. Three years of her sentence have been suspended for five years.

  • Atefeh Zahedi, Farideh Ayoubi, Noora Ayoubi, Zarrindokht Ahadzadeh, and Zhaleh Rezaei were each sentenced to two years and eight months for Baha’i community membership, and three years and seven months for promoting activities against Islamic law. For Noora Ayoubi, Ahadzadeh, and Rezaei, two years of their prison sentences were suspended for five years.

All six were previously released on bail in December 2023 after being detained by security forces on November 7, 2023. They were held in The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Hamedan. Security forces also searched the homes of Zhaleh Rezaei and Farideh Ayoubi following their arrests.

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.

Three Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ardeshir Soltanabadi, Ghezel Hesar prison, Harsin, HRANA, Karaj, Masoud Naseri, Nourabad, Sajad Moradian

HRANA – At dawn today, Wednesday, June 11, the death sentences of three prisoners previously convicted of drug-related offenses were carried out in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

HRANA has identified the individuals executed this morning as: Ardeshir Soltanabadi from Harsin, Masoud Naseri from Kermanshah, and Sajad Moradian from Nourabad.

According to information received by HRANA, the three 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 responsible authorities have not officially announced the executions.

According to HRANA’s statistics, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the highest number of executions among all Iranian prisons, with 150 inmates hanged. This figure has nearly doubled compared to the previous year — a deeply alarming increase that underscores the escalating use of capital punishment in Iran.

Death Row Inmate Aydin Shari’atmadar Killed During Escape Attempt

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News, Prisoners
Aydin Shari’atmadar, Ghezel Hesar, HRANA, آیدین شریعتمدار

HRANA – Aydin Shari’atmadar, a death row prisoner held for nearly two decades in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, was fatally shot by police on Saturday, June 7, during an attempted escape from Imam Ali Hospital.

According to the HRANA, Shari’atmadar had been transferred to the hospital due to internal bleeding. While hospitalized, he reportedly overpowered the accompanying officers with the help of armed individuals believed to be his relatives and attempted to flee. Police opened fire after issuing a warning, killing him at the scene.

News of Shari’atmadar’s death sparked protests among inmates at Ghezel Hesar. Dozens of prisoners reportedly chanted slogans such as “Freedom or death,” and for several hours, they prevented the prison yard gates from being closed.

The protest prompted a heightened security presence inside the facility. Unconfirmed reports also suggest limited clashes between inmates and prison guards, though no official statements have been released regarding the incident.

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Death Sentences of 9 Prisoners Convicted of Moharebeh Carried Out

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Executions, News
Baghi, General Pakpour, HRANA, irgc, moharebeh

HRANA News Agency – The death sentences of 9 prisoners who had previously been convicted of moharebeh (enmity against God) through baghi (armed rebellion) and armed uprising were carried out.

According to Mizan, Judiciary’s media outlet, after court sessions were held in the presence of the defendants and their lawyers, the court sentenced these 9 individuals to death. Ultimately, after the Supreme Court upheld the verdict, the executions were carried out.

The case against these defendants, based on charges of moharebeh through baghi and armed uprising and possession of military-grade weapons, had been referred to the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office via judicial delegation. After investigations were completed and an indictment was issued, the case was sent to court.

Regarding the details of the case, the report claims: “In February 2018, the commander of the IRGC Ground Forces announced the dismantling of a team affiliated with ISIS in western Iran. According to General Pakpour, ISIS had planned to carry out several terrorist operations in Iran’s border and central cities by sending its members into the country. In a military operation, several ISIS-linked individuals were killed and others were arrested. Three military personnel were also killed in the operation. A variety of military weapons, ammunition, machine guns, 50 grenades, several thermal cameras, pistols, and a large quantity of bullets and magazines were reportedly seized from the suspects.”

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.

Amputation Sentences for Two Theft Defendants Carried Out in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan

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News, Other
Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – The head of the Judiciary in Isfahan Province has confirmed that the amputation sentences for two individuals convicted of theft were carried out in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to HRANA, citing ISNA, the punishments were enforced following the completion of all judicial procedures. The individuals were sentenced after their cases were reviewed by the prosecutor’s office, the preliminary court, and the provincial appeals court, with the verdicts ultimately upheld by the Supreme Court.

Asadollah Jafari, the head of the provincial judiciary, did not disclose the identities of the individuals but stated that they had been convicted of participating in both hudud (theft offenses defined under Islamic law) and ta’zir (discretionary punishments under civil law) thefts, as well as related offenses including property destruction and intentional bodily harm.

The implementation of amputation as a criminal punishment has been widely condemned by human rights organizations, as it violates the inherent principle of human dignity. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights explicitly prohibits cruel, inhuman, or degrading punishments.

Execution of Three Prisoners in Karaj Central Prison

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Executions, News
Alborz province, Hamzeh Yari, HRANA, Karaj Central Prison, Karim Hemmati, Saman Khorrami

At dawn on Monday, June 9, officials at Karaj Central Prison executed three death row prisoners by hanging.

HRANA has identified the three individuals as Hamzeh (Yaghoub) Yari, Karim Hemmati, and Saman Khorrami. All three had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

One day prior, HRANA had reported that at least three prisoners had been transferred to solitary confinement in the prison in preparation for their executions.

As of the time of this report, the executions have not been officially announced by prison authorities or relevant institutions.
In 2024, a total of 191 inmates were executed in Alborz province alone — equivalent to 7 executions per 100,000 people in this small province.

Ongoing Detention of 19 “Yamani” Followers in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

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News, Prisoners, Religious Minorities
Alireza Salim Kaviani, Amin-Akbari, Amir Zohan, Amir Zorami, Emad Eftetahi, Ghasem Hatami, Hamed Nejad-Nik, HRANA, IRGC forces, Mashhad, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajhad, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, Mostafa Tavana, Reza Ghiasi, Sajjad Rezvan, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Vakilabad prison, Yamani

HRANA News Agency – Nineteen individuals affiliated with the “Yamani” religious movement, remain in legal limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, one week after their arrest.

These detainees are Amir Zorami, Amin Akbari, Reza Ghiasi, Amir Zohan, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Hamed Nejad-Nik, Emad Eftetahi, Alireza Salim Kaviani, Ghasem Hatami, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Sajjad Rezvan, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajhad, Mostafa Tavana, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, and five others.

Based on information received by HRANA, these individuals were arrested by IRGC forces while attending a religious gathering.

As of the time of this report, no information has been released regarding the charges brought against these citizens.

Every year in Iran, individuals are arrested merely for claiming a connection to the Shi’a messianic figure, the Hidden Imam. The “Yemeni” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, operates based on messianic claims related to Mahdism.

Iran’s security apparatus—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—maintains dedicated divisions tasked with confronting religions, spiritual groups, and ideological-religious communities that do not align with the state’s official ideology.

Prisoner Executed in Arak Prison for Drug-Related Offenses

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Executions, News
Arak prison, Davood Alinejad, HRANA

HRANA News Agency – The death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of drug-related offenses was carried out at dawn yesterday, Sunday, June 8, in Arak Prison.

HRANA has identified the hanged prisoner as Davood Alinejad. According to information obtained by HRANA, Mr. Alinejad had previously been arrested on drug-related charges and was later 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 reports, in 2024, only 6% of executions were announced by official bodies or domestic media outlets. Over the past five years, 77% of executions have gone unreported—commonly referred to as secret executions. In some of these cases, the lack of transparency is so severe that the death-row prisoners are denied even the chance for a final visit with their families.