Tag: HRANA

Wave of Arrests Following Protests in Dehdasht, Iran

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Nourmohammadi, Alireza Parisayi, Dehdasht, Hamid Parisayi, Hossein Parisayi, HRANA, irgc, Jaber Foroughi, Kamran Buzari, Pouria Barati, Reza Yeganeh, RGC Intelligence, Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab

HRANA News Agency – Following a protest on Tuesday, February 11, in Dehdasht, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, a large number of demonstrators have been arrested.

HRANA has confirmed the identities of several detainees, including Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, Reza Yeganeh, Hossein Parisayi, Alireza Parisayi, Hamid Parisayi, and Ahmad Noormohammadi. Earlier, the arrests of Atefeh Tahernia, 17-year-old Amirhossein Jafari, 16-year-old Kamran Buzari, Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati had also been reported.

Ahmad Noormohammadi, accused of leading the protests, is being held in the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Meanwhile, Hossein, Alireza, and Hamid Parisayi (three brothers), Jaber Foroughi, and Pouria Barati are detained in Dehdasht Prison, while Atefeh Tahernia is held in Yasuj Prison. Amirhossein Jafari, the 17-year-old detainee, has been transferred to the Yasuj Juvenile Correctional Center.

A source close to the detainees confirmed this to HRANA, stating: “Atefeh Tahernia was supposed to be released from Yasuj Prison on bail, but the judicial officer opposed her release.”

Yesterday, Fars News Agency reported the arrests of several protesters in Dehdasht, accusing them of “disrupting public order and attempting sabotage.” At the same time, security-affiliated media channels identified one of the detainees as “Ahmad Lolo” (referring to Ahmad Noormohammadi) and claimed—without evidence—that he is an Afghan national and one of the organizers of the protest.

According to HRANA’s sources, during the arrests of Shahram Nooranian and Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab, IRGC intelligence forces opened fire on their vehicle in the Tang-e Pirza area of Kohgiluyeh County.

A source close to one of the detainees’ families confirmed this account to HRANA, stating:
“Shahram and Shahriar were violently beaten and arrested. Since their detention, their families have received no information about their whereabouts and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”

On the night of Tuesday, February 11, a group of Dehdasht residents gathered in protest, chanting slogans against the government. These demonstrations were driven by growing public frustration over economic and social issues.

In the days following the protest, amid widespread arrests, Dehdasht has remained under heavy security, with a significant presence of security forces throughout the city.

Prisoner Executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz

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Executions, News
Adelabad Prison, HRANA, Saeed Jokar, Shiraz, سعید جوکار

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 16, 2025, a prisoner previously sentenced to death on non-political charges was executed in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the identity of the executed prisoner has been confirmed as Saeed Jokar. Based on information obtained by HRANA, Jokar had been sentenced to death by judicial authorities on non-political charges.

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial officials have not publicly announced the execution.

Saeed Jokar’s Death notice

According to HRANA’s data, Adelabad Prison in Shiraz carried out 85 executions in 2024, marking a 73% increase compared to the previous year. This places it as the second most active prison for executions in Iran. For a detailed analysis and full statistics on executions across the country, refer to HRANA’s report.

British Couple Arrested in Kerman Identified as Craig and Lindsay Foreman

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News, Other
Craig Foreman, HRANA, Kerman, Lindsay Foreman

HRANA News Agency – The identities of a British couple previously arrested in Kerman have been confirmed for the first time. The two individuals, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, are currently in detention on security-related charges.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, the couple’s family released a statement yesterday confirming their identities and expressing concern for their well-being. They also stated that they are cooperating with the UK government to ensure their safety and secure their return home.

Last Thursday, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Kerman province announced in a statement that Hugo Shorter, the UK ambassador to Iran, had met with these security-related detainees at the prosecutor’s office in Kerman.

The couple, both in their early 50s, had entered Iran as part of a worldwide motorcycle trip and had planned to travel to Pakistan after a short stay.

No details regarding the charges against the two British citizens have been disclosed so far.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have arrested multiple foreign nationals on charges such as espionage or collaboration with hostile governments. Some of these detainees have been released following political negotiations. Human rights organizations and several Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as leverage in diplomatic disputes—an allegation Iranian authorities have consistently denied.

After Supreme Court Overturns Verdict, Death Sentence Reissued for Sharifeh Mohammadi

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Executions, News, Prisoners
Baghi, HRANA, Lakan prison, Rasht, Sharifeh Mohammadi

HRANA News Agency – Sharifeh Mohammadi, a labor activist imprisoned in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has once again been sentenced to death by Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht. Her initial death sentence had previously been overturned by the Supreme Court, and the case was referred to a parallel court for retrial.

Based on the ruling issued by Judge Darvish Goftar of Branch 2 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, which was delivered to her lawyers today, Mohammadi has been sentenced to death on charges of “armed rebellion (baghi) through membership in an opposition group.”

Mohammadi was sentenced to death on July 4, 2023, on charges of baghi (armed rebellion) due to her alleged membership in an opposition group. This sentence against the female labor activist triggered widespread public outcry.

Her trial, held on June 8, 2023, revolved around multiple charges, including propaganda against the regime, actions against national security, and baghi through her supposed affiliation with the group.

Mohammadi was arrested by the Ministry of Intelligence at her home in Rasht on December 5, 2023. Later that month, she was transferred from Lakan Prison to Sanandaj Prison on December 30, only to be sent back to Lakan after some time.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “Sharifeh was a member of the Association of Labor Organizations until 2013, which has no ties to the Komala group. The charge of baghi is based on her alleged membership in this group, which is not true.”

Two British Nationals Arrested on Security Charges in Kerman

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News, Other
British citizens Arrested, HRANA, Hugo Shorter, Kerman

HRANA News Agency – Two British nationals, a man and a woman, have been arrested in Kerman on security-related charges. The Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Kerman Province, without disclosing their names, reported that the UK ambassador to Iran recently met with the detainees.

According to HRANA, citing IRNA, two British citizens have been detained in Kerman.

In an official statement, the Kerman Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office announced that Hugo Shorter, the UK ambassador to Iran, met with the two detainees at the Prosecutor’s Office in Kerman.

The report does not disclose the detainees’ identities, whereabouts, or further details regarding their case.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have arrested multiple foreign nationals on charges such as espionage or collaboration with hostile governments. Some of these detainees have been released following political negotiations. Human rights organizations and several Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as leverage in diplomatic disputes—an allegation Iranian authorities have consistently denied.

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Uncertainty in Retrial Process: Latest Update on the Case of Behfar Lalehzari

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News, Prisoners
Behfar Lalehzari, Evin Prison, HRANA, Iman Afshari, ایمان افشاری, بهفر لاله زاری

HRANA News Agency – Behfar Lalehzari, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, has been waiting for nearly nine months for a decision on his retrial request at Branch 39 of the Supreme Court.

A source close to Lalehzari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating:
“Mr. Lalehzari submitted his retrial request nearly nine months ago, but Branch 39 of the Supreme Court has yet to review it. In protest against this negligence, he will begin a hunger strike.”

Lalehzari, who suffers from multiple health issues, has submitted nine requests for medical furlough, all of which have been denied by prison officials.

On September 18, 2023, security forces arrested Behfar Lalehzari at his home. After seven days in solitary confinement at the Security Police detention facility, he was transferred to Evin Prison.

Later, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, sentenced him to four years in prison for “assembly and collusion against internal security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling five years. The verdict was upheld by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Two Prisoners Executed in Tabriz Prison

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Executions, News
Farhad Abdoli, HRANA, Shahram Manafzadeh, Tabriz Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Sunday, February 9, two prisoners who had been sentenced to death on charges of “rape” in a joint case were executed in Tabriz Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting Iran Human Rights, the executions took place without the prisoners having a final visit with their families. The executed individuals have been identified as 33-year-old Shahram Manafzadeh and 29-year-old Farhad Abdoli.

These two prisoners had previously been sentenced to death by the judiciary in a shared case on charges of “rape.”

As of the time of this report, prison and judicial authorities have not publicly announced these executions.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Female Prisoner Executed in Sari Prison

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Executions, News
HRANA, Mahtab Ghazizadeh, Sari Prison

HRANA News Agency – At dawn on Thursday, February 8, 2025, a female prisoner previously sentenced to death for murder was executed in Sari Prison.

According to HRANA, quoting the Iran Human Rights, the executed prisoner has been identified as Mahtab Ghazizadeh, 47 years old, and a mother of two.

Reports indicate that approximately four years ago, Ms. Ghazizadeh was arrested on charges of murdering her husband and later sentenced to death by the judiciary. She had her final visit with her family on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before her execution.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant officials have not publicly announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

A Supporter of Erfan-e Halgheh Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Isfahan

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Freedom of Expression, News
Erfan-e-Halgheh, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan

HRANA News Agency – IRGC Intelligence has announced the arrest of a supporter of Erfan-e Halgheh in Isfahan.

According to HRANA, citing Fars News Agency, the Sahib al-Zaman IRGC Intelligence Organization in Isfahan issued a statement confirming the arrest, referring to the individual as the “main leader” of Erfan-e Halgheh (Interuniversal Mysticism). The statement claimed that the arrest was carried out under Article 500 Bis of the Islamic Penal Code.

The statement further alleged that Erfan-e Halgheh is a “deviant sect” that, under the pretense of energy healing and addressing mental health issues, interferes in medical matters, misguides people’s beliefs, and illegitimately profits from its activities.

The report does not provide any details regarding the identity, location of detention, or specific charges against the arrested individual.

The Iranian government classifies Erfan-e-Halgheh as a “deviant and anti-religious movement” and has taken strict judicial and security actions against its founder and followers. Participants in the movement have faced severe punishments, including imprisonment, fines, and flogging.

International human rights organizations have condemned these actions as violations of the right to freedom of belief and expression. They have repeatedly urged the Iranian government to cease such repressive measures and respect religious and ideological freedoms.

Report on the Latest Situation of Ehsan Meshksar in Adel Abad Prison, Shiraz

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Ehsan Meshksar, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Shiraz, احسان مشکسار

HRANA News Agency – The Supreme Court has rejected the retrial request of Ehsan Meshksar, a political prisoner held in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz.

A source familiar with the case informed HRANA that Meshksar suffers from a gastrointestinal illness and requires specialized medical care, raising concerns about his health behind bars.

Meshksar was arrested on October 28, 2023, by IRGC intelligence agents at his home in Sadra, Shiraz. He was later transferred to Adelabad Prison.

In June 2024, the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 10 years in prison on charges including “membership in illegal groups with the intent to disrupt national security.” The Fars Province Court of Appeals subsequently upheld the verdict in full.

Ehsan Meshksar, 37, is married, a father to a 13-year-old child, and a resident of Shiraz.