HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data from the beginning of the protests through the end of day forty-four, 676 protest-related incidents have been reported across various locations. These incidents were recorded in 210 cities across 31 provinces. Based on these figures, the total number of confirmed deaths stands at 6,964, of whom 6,473 are categorized as “protesters,” while 212 of those killed were “children under the age of 18.” In addition, 214 individuals affiliated with the government and 65 people classified as “non-protesters civilians” have been reported among the deceased. The number of cases “under review” has been announced as 11,730.
During the same period, the number of injured civilians reached 11,022; total arrests amounted to 51,790 cases; student arrests numbered 122; forced confessions totaled 331 cases; and 11,051 summonses were recorded.
On the forty-fourth day since the start of the protests, the following developments were observed: student gatherings in Mashhad and the raising of demands regarding the situation of detainees; simultaneous judicial and media pressures alongside criticism by the head of the judiciary over delays in handling cases; the denial of a highly controversial death sentence; the publication of trade union and labor statements concerning the killing and arrest of workers; and at the field level, the continuation of scattered arrests as well as mass arrests in several provinces.
Student Gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad; Demands Regarding Arrests and Commemoration of Those Killed
At Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, a group of students gathered on campus despite the prevailing security atmosphere and announced restrictions. The gathering was reported to have taken place in front of the Faculty of Pharmacy, where students chanted slogans and demanded clarification regarding the status of their detained classmate, Amin Pourfarhang. At the same time, accounts published about the gathering referred to a commemoration and the naming of two deceased students, Parsa Safar and Mohammad Mehdi Salari.
Reports released from inside the university also state that Mohammad Hossein Nejabat (the head of the university’s Student Basij) claimed that Amin Pourfarhang’s situation would be clarified “within a maximum of three days” in coordination with the prosecutor’s office. However, as of the time this report was prepared, no official details regarding this student’s place of detention, legal status, or charges have been transparently announced.
Order by the Head of the Judiciary to Expedite Protesters’ Cases
Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the head of the judiciary, criticized what he described as a “lack of promptness” in handling cases related to the protests. He emphasized that in cases involving detained individuals or defendants connected to the protests, the pace of proceedings is “not as expected,” and he called for the review process to be accelerated.
This order comes amid numerous reports of detainees remaining in prolonged legal limbo, repeated extensions of detention orders, lack of continuous access to legal counsel, and frequent transfers across several cities. Families have also continued to report the absence of clear and accurate information regarding the status of these cases.
Denial of Issuing a “Death Sentence” for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini; Case at Preliminary Investigation Stage
In relation to one of these cases, the judiciary denied issuing a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini, a 26-year-old football player from Mashhad. According to a media outlet affiliated with the judiciary, claims regarding the issuance of a death sentence are “unfounded,” and his case is currently at the preliminary investigation stage.
This denial was published after claims circulated on social media and in some channels alleging that a severe sentence had been issued against the athlete. Despite the rejection of the death sentence claim, official details regarding the specific charges and the course of judicial proceedings remain limited.
Pressure on Media and Restrictions on Communications During the Protests
In the realm of digital rights and freedom of expression, Article 19 has emphasized several key points in its reports on the protests: increased pressure on media outlets and journalists, restrictions on access to the internet and platforms, and the use of control mechanisms to curb the free flow of information. Within this framework, internet shutdowns or disruptions and communication restrictions have functioned not merely as technical measures, but as part of a broader apparatus of repression, affecting the flow of information and the ability to document events.
At the same time, some reports and media analyses have pointed to the role of imported technologies and surveillance infrastructures in managing the internet and monitoring citizens, a trend that in practice can expand the authorities’ capacity to control and identify protesters.
Raising the Issue of “Equipping Security Forces with Crowd-Control Tools”
In another statement, the head of the judiciary stated during a public meeting with senior judicial officials that a review was needed regarding “how security forces confront gatherings,” and spoke of examining broader use of crowd-control tools. Within this context, some domestic media outlets reported discussions about equipping security forces with tools such as tasers and riot-control equipment as alternatives to what were described as “costly and violent methods.”
The proposal prompted critical reactions. Human rights activists and observers have stressed that such tools, if used without clear regulations and independent oversight, could themselves lead to an increase in human rights violations, particularly in light of numerous reports documenting the direct use of pellet guns and military weapons against protesters.
In this context, reports have emerged regarding the high number of eye and facial injuries during the protests, including accounts citing more than one thousand eye injuries recorded at a specialized medical center, including Farabi Hospital. In addition, numerous images and reports have circulated showing protesters being shot in the head, face, and eyes, alongside allegations of the securitization of some medical facilities, pressure on healthcare staff, and even the abduction of injured individuals from hospitals.
Statement by the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company; “Killing and Arrest of Workers” and Demand for Immediate Release
The Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company issued a statement criticizing what it described as the “killing” and widespread arrest of protesting workers during the protests. Referring to communication restrictions and internet shutdowns, the statement says that reports have gradually emerged indicating the deaths of a number of protesting workers.
The labor union also pointed to reports concerning the mass arrest of workers in Asaluyeh, stating that workers who intended to go on strike were detained collectively and held in warehouses belonging to the same companies. Emphasizing the responsibility of security institutions for the lives of detainees, the syndicate called for the publication of the names of those killed and arrested, transparency regarding their status, families’ access to information, and the immediate and unconditional release of all detained workers and protesters across the country.
Publication of an Alleged “Apology” Letter Attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia; Conflicting Accounts of Pressure and Sealing of Premises
As part of the continued security confrontation with well-known figures and trade/social activists, a copy of an alleged “apology” letter attributed to Mohammad Ali Saedinia was published. The letter is addressed to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and to “the people,” and in it, the author uses language emphasizing “love for Iran” and the “rejection of accusations of treason” in an attempt to explain his position.
Accounts accompanying this news report state that Saedinia had previously been arrested over actions such as closing cafés in response to political calls. At the same time, reports have emerged regarding the sealing of his place of business and even discussions about the confiscation of assets or compensation through the sale of property. However, the precise legal status of his case, his place of detention, and the authenticity of the letter’s attribution remain disputed and unclear.
Arrests and Summonses of Reformist Figures
Reports concerning the arrest and summons of political figures close to the reformist camp also continued.
According to reports, Javad Emam, Secretary General of the Majma-e Isargaran, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Hossein Karroubi, a political activist and son of Mehdi Karroubi, was also arrested; his lawyer stated that the arrest took place after he was summoned to the Media and Culture Prosecutor’s Office.
In another development, it was reported that Azar Mansouri (head of the Reformist Front), Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, and Mohsen Aminzadeh were arrested. At the same time, reports indicated that figures such as Mohammad Sadegh Javadi-Hessar and Mohammad Ali Abtahi had been summoned.
Reports also noted the arrest of Ali Shakourirad, a member of the central council of the Etemad-e Melli Party, following the release of an audio file and claims raised about “fabricating killings.”
This wave of arrests and summonses has continued amid an intensification of warning messages from judicial authorities about “speeding up case processing,” while the security atmosphere targeting political and civil activists has become increasingly pronounced.
Task Force for “Reviewing the January Incidents”; Announcement of a Government Working Group
The president, Masoud Pezeshkian, has ordered the formation of a task force to review the January incidents. According to reports, this body is set to operate under the leadership of Mohammad Reza Aref, the First Vice President, with the participation of members from the government as well as some officials from outside the administration.
The announcement of such a task force comes amid the release of differing figures regarding the death toll and the scale of the crackdown. While some official media outlets have referred to a figure of “more than several thousand killed,” HRANA’s aggregated data up to the end of day forty-four reports 6,964 confirmed deaths and 11,730 cases still under review.
Continuation of Arrests and Security Crackdowns; From Mass Arrests to the Detention of Students, Teachers, and Minors
On day forty-four, numerous reports were published of arrests, transfers to undisclosed locations, and the prolonged legal uncertainty of detainees. Reports included both individual arrests, naming those detained and their locations, and mass arrests reported in numerical terms.
1) Mass Arrests and Numerical Waves Across Several Provinces
At least 117 citizens were reportedly arrested in connection with the protests, including 31 citizens in Saman County and 86 protesters in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province.
Official media also reported the arrest of at least 67 citizens in two locations: 11 citizens in Bandar Gaz and 56 protesters in Esfarayen.
These figures, alongside HRANA’s aggregated total of 51,790 arrests through the end of day forty-four, indicate that the security crackdown has not been limited to cases involving well-known figures, but has encompassed a broad segment of protesting society, from ordinary citizens to students and workers.
2) Recorded Arrests by Name, From Tehran to Miandoab
Daily reports referred to the arrest or continued legal uncertainty of a number of other citizens, including: Ahmad Taj (Tehran), Ali Shakouri-Rad (Tehran), Erfan Arabi, a student (Birjand), Amir Mohammad Sarafraz (Bojnord), Behzad Abdi (Miandoab), Saeed Alizadeh (Tehran), Ahad Mihan-Khah (Oshnavieh), Sajjad Hekmat (Abdanan), Abbas Gharagozloo, a student (Alborz Province), Diako Rajabi, a student (Zanjan), Homa Teymouri (Tehran), Mohammad Mehdi Baralak (Ilam), Ali Cheraghi (Tehran), and Ali Namizad (Ilam).
Additional details indicate that Ahmad Taj was arrested in Tehran on January 10 and is currently being held in Greater Tehran Prison, where he has been charged with “assembly and collusion.” Erfan Arabi, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, was arrested after being summoned to the Birjand Intelligence Office.
In a further account regarding Diako Rajabi, it was reported that he is a nutrition student at Zanjan University and was working at a café; he was arrested near Saadi Street in Zanjan after leaving his workplace. Regarding Abbas Gharagozloo, reports state that after about a month, there is still no clear official information about his place of detention or legal status.
Continuing the pressure on civil activists, it was reported that Ali Cheraghi, a teacher and children’s rights activist, was arrested on January 28 following a raid by security agents on his home in Tehran’s Punak neighborhood. According to reports, his phone and some electronic devices were confiscated, and immediately after his arrest, his Instagram page became inaccessible. His family has reportedly received no information about his whereabouts or condition.
3) Arrests of Teachers and Minors; Sonqor, Sanandaj/Saqqez, and Bandar Anzali
Several notable cases were reported today in relation to professional and age-based arrests:
Ali Shamayeli, a teacher from Sonqor, was arrested by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Keyomars Va’ezi, a teacher and labor activist living in Saqqez, was arrested by the IRGC Intelligence Organization on January 5 and transferred at dawn the following day to Dizel-Abad Prison in Kermanshah. His arrest reportedly took place at 4:00 p.m. in front of his private residence, and he remains in detention.
Saeed Hajibabaei, a 16-year-old minor, was arrested more than a month ago in Bandar Anzali and is being held in a state of uncertainty at Lakan Prison in Rasht.
Updated (Aggregated) Statistics Through the End of Day Forty-Four
• Protest-related incidents recorded on the day: 76
• Number of cities (no duplicates): 210
• Number of provinces (no duplicates): 31
• Injured civilians: 11,022
• Total arrests: 51,790
• Student arrests: 122
• Forced confessions: 331
• Summonses: 11,051
• Total protesters killed: 6,473
▪️ Including children: 212
▪️ Military/government-affiliated: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 65
• Total confirmed deaths: 6,964
• Cases under review: 11,730
Summary
Day forty-four concluded amid the continued, large-scale, and multi-layered pattern of arrests, ranging from mass arrests across several provinces to individual detentions identified by name, affecting political activists, students, teachers, minors, and civil society activists. At the university level, the student gathering at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad became one of the day’s focal points, highlighting demands regarding the status of Amin Pourfarhang and commemorating slain student protesters.
At the same time, on the official level, the head of the judiciary’s criticism of the “slow handling” of cases effectively signaled an intensification of the judicial approach. Within this atmosphere, the denial of a death sentence for Mohammad Hossein Hosseini illustrated how protest-related cases remain highly susceptible to the emergence of volatile and contentious narratives.
Alongside these developments, the statement issued by the Syndicate of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company and the discussion surrounding equipping security forces with crowd-control tools underscored that the confrontation between street-level protests and mechanisms of repression continues along two parallel tracks: escalating security and field pressure on the one hand, and growing labor, social, and civic protest and demands on the other.
