Tag: IRGC Intelligence

IRGC Intelligence Organization: At least 127 People Arrested in Three Provinces

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other, Religious Minorities
East Azerbaijan, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Kerman, Mazandaran

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization has announced the identification and arrest of at least 127 individuals in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. The organization claims that these individuals, including media activists, Baha’i citizens, people affiliated with opposition groups, and “spy teams”, were involved in activities linked to what it described as “networks affiliated with foreign governments.”

According to a report by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), the IRGC Intelligence Organization announced in a statement the arrest of dozens of individuals. The organization stated that “cells affiliated with the United States, Israel, and the United Kingdom” had been identified and “dismantled” in the provinces of East Azerbaijan, Kerman, and Mazandaran. In the statement, those arrested were accused of actions such as “network-building, espionage, market disruption, and planning unrest.”

According to the claims made, seven individuals were arrested in East Azerbaijan province for alleged connections with “monarchist” groups. In Mazandaran province, authorities reported the arrest of 69 individuals who, according to the organization, face accusations including ties to anti-government movements and so-called “economic mercenary” activities.

The report further states that the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Kerman province announced the identification and action taken against 51 individuals. It claimed that among them were three “spy teams” linked to foreign intelligence services, two groups of Baha’i citizens, a four-member “armed operational cell affiliated with monarchist groups,” and six media operatives connected to the “Iran International” network. According to the organization, these individuals were attempting to disrupt the market and organize unrest through contacts outside the country.

The statement also claimed that quantities of weapons and communication equipment were discovered at locations where these individuals were held.

As of the time of this report, no independent information has been released regarding the identities of those arrested, their place of detention, or the legal process of their cases. Additionally, despite the scale of the reported figures and the accusations made, no specific details have been provided regarding the evidence for these charges, the manner of the arrests, or the exact nature of their alleged connections.

Ilam: 8 Citizens Arrested by IRGC Intelligence Agents

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Other
HRANA, Ilam, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization in Ilam has announced the arrest of eight citizens on accusations described as “cooperation with anti-government groups and foreign media outlets, along with direct contact with Mossad.”

According to HRANA, citing Shahr News Agency, the arrests were carried out by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Ilam. The institution stated that the charges against these individuals include “cooperation with groups opposed to the government and foreign media outlets (Iran International), as well as direct contact with Mossad.”

The report does not provide further details, including the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

Several Foreign Nationals Arrested by Intelligence Agents in Abadan

Posted on by . .
News, Other
Abadan, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Khuzestan

HRANA – The IRGC Intelligence Organization in Khuzestan announced in a statement that several foreign nationals have been arrested in Abadan. The reason given for their arrest was “collective illegal entry into Iran from neighboring countries during a sensitive period.”

According to ILNA, the Valiasr Intelligence Organization of the IRGC in Khuzestan reported the arrest of several foreign nationals in Abadan. The statement said: “These foreign nationals had entered the country illegally from neighboring countries during the country’s sensitive period and had taken up residence in a location. They were arrested collectively and handed over to the judicial authorities.”

The report does not provide any details regarding the identities, number, nationality, or place of detention of those arrested.

It is worth noting that the U.S. and Israeli military attacks on Iran began on February 28, 2026, and on April 8, 2026, a two-week ceasefire between the parties was announced. Since the beginning of these attacks, HRANA has been documenting and recording related incidents across different parts of the country on a daily basis. For further information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed reports covering the forty days of the conflict.

The Ambiguous Death of a Detained Citizen in the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility in Ahvaz

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
Hossein Ghavi, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA – Hossein Ghavi, a disabled resident of Ahvaz who had recently been arrested in connection with the ongoing conflict, died under unclear circumstances in an IRGC Intelligence detention facility.

Local sources told HRANA that Hossein Ghavi had been arrested in March by security forces at the tea stall where he worked, allegedly for filming bombed areas and sending the footage to foreign media outlets.

According to these sources, on Thursday, April 2, forces affiliated with the IRGC Intelligence Organization informed his family by telephone that their son had died. The security forces who made the call provided no explanation regarding the conditions of his detention or how he died in custody. His body has also not yet been returned to his family.

Hossein Ghavi (Silavi), 28, was a resident of the Zargan area in northern Ahvaz. He had a disability affecting his left leg and was the sole breadwinner of his family.

Judiciary Announces the Execution of Amirhossein Hatami

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, Ali Fahim, Amirhossein Hatami, IRGC Intelligence, Mohammadamin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur

HRANA – The judiciary’s media center announced that in the early hours of today, Thursday, April 2, the execution sentence of Amirhossein Hatami was carried out. Mr. Hatami had been arrested in connection with the January 2026 protests in Tehran and was later sentenced to death and confiscation of property by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. Earlier this week, he had been transferred to solitary confinement in Karaj’s Ghezel Hesar Prison.

According to Mizan, the report states that after being arrested by the IRGC Intelligence during the January 8, 2026 protests, Mr. Hatami was prosecuted on charges of “participation in operational actions against the country’s security for Israel, the United States, and anti-government groups; entering classified military sites with the intent to remove weapons and ammunition; and destroying and setting fire to government property with the aim of confronting the system of the Islamic Republic.”

Ultimately, following court sessions, Mr. Hatami was sentenced to death and confiscation of property. The death sentence of this citizen, who had been imprisoned in Ghezel Hesar Prison, was reviewed by the Supreme Court, and after his appeal was rejected, the lower court’s ruling ordering his execution was upheld.

The report adds that during the January protests, Mr. Hatami had allegedly intended to enter a military center and gain access to the weapons stored there, but ultimately did not succeed in carrying out this action.

HRANA had previously reported that in recent days at least five prisoners, Amirhossein Hatami, Mohammadamin Biglari, Shahin Vahedparast Kalur, Abolfazl Salehi Siavashani, and Ali Fahim, were transferred to solitary cells in Unit Three of Ward 35 of Qezel Hesar Prison. Following the executions of Akbar Daneshvarkar, Seyed Mohammad Taghavi-Sangdehi, as well as Babak Alipour and Pouya Qobadi in recent days, the transfer of the remaining prisoners had heightened concerns about their fate and the risk that their sentences would also be carried out.

Amirhossein Hatami, approximately 19, was arrested on the evening of Thursday, January 8, near Namjoo Street in eastern Tehran by security forces. His case was heard by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, and on February 6, 2026, he was sentenced to death.

According to the annual report on the state of human rights in Iran, published by the Statistics, Publications, and Works Unit of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, in 2026 at least 2,488 citizens, including 63 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, 13 executions were carried out in public. During the same period, another 130 individuals, including 10 women and 1 juvenile offender, were sentenced to death.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

Report on the Arrest of an Austrian-Iranian Dual National in Tehran

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abbas Danesh, Austria, HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Tehran

HRANA – Abbas Danesh, an Iranian-Austrian dual national, was arrested in Tehran on March 10, 2026, by intelligence agents of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Despite the passage of time, no information has been obtained regarding his place of detention.

A family member, in an interview with HRANA, confirmed the arrest and stated that Mr. Danesh was detained in the Fereshteh area of Tehran without the presentation of a warrant or judicial order.

The source added that Mr. Danesh had returned to Iran in late February to attend to personal administrative and financial matters.

According to individuals close to Mr. Danesh, the family’s efforts to obtain information from security institutions about his health condition and whereabouts have so far been unsuccessful. This lack of information has heightened concerns among his relatives, particularly those in Austria.

As of the time of writing, no information is available regarding the reasons for his arrest or any charges brought against him.

Kourosh Keyvani Executed on Charges of “Espionage”

Posted on by . .
Executions, News
Espionage, IRGC Intelligence, Kourosh Keyvani, کوروش کیوانی

HRANA – The judiciary’s media center has announced the execution of Kourosh Keyvani on charges of “spying for Israel.” The sentence was carried out at dawn today, Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

According to Mizan News Agency, Keyvani was identified and arrested on the fourth day of the “12-day war” by the IRGC Intelligence Organization at a villa in Savojbolagh County. At the time of his arrest, authorities reportedly discovered and confiscated €30,000 in cash, a Padra pickup truck, a cross motorcycle, as well as various sophisticated espionage, intelligence, and satellite communication equipment.

In relation to this case, it has been claimed that in 2023, after registering his details through an online advertisement link for group travel, Keyvani was identified by Israeli security services in Sweden. It is alleged that an intelligence officer, by establishing a friendly online relationship, obtained information about his interests, financial status, family connections, and economic difficulties.

He was ultimately sentenced to death on charges of espionage through sending images and information from sensitive locations in the country. The sentence was carried out this morning after being upheld by the Supreme Court.

The statement did not provide further details, including the location where the execution took place.

According to HRA’s annual report on the state of human rights in Iran, in 2025, at least 2,063 people were executed in Iran. This represents a 119% increase compared to 2024. In many cases, due to secrecy, prisoners were reportedly denied even a final visit with their families.

Nationwide Protests: Report on the Arrest of 13 Citizens in Various Cities

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Ahmad Tamouei, Ali Ansari, Ali Sharifzadeh, Elias Jahannoush, Farhad Salari, Farshad Salari, IRGC Intelligence, Lakan prison, Leila Bakhshandehfar, Mohammad Kalmishi, Mousa al-Reza Meshkani, Raham Rahimi, Saeed Gharagholi, Vakilabad

HRANA – In connection with the recent nationwide protests, security forces have arrested 13 individuals. Some of those detained have since been released, while information regarding the charges against these individuals remains unclear.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mousa al-Reza Meshkani was arrested on January 10 in Meshkan, a district of Sabzevar, and is currently being held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ali Sharifzadeh (Eizi), Saeed Gharagholi, and Mohammad Kalmishi were arrested in Sabzevar on January 8 (18 Dey), February 11, and January 9, respectively. Ali Sharifzadeh was transferred to Mashhad Prison, while Saeed Gharagholi and Mohammad Kalmishi are still being held in Sabzevar Prison. Reza Gerami was arrested on February 14 in Joghatai and is currently detained in the city’s prison.

Raham Rahimi, Elias Jahannoush, Ali Ansari, and Farshad and Farhad Salari, other residents of Sabzevar, were released on Tuesday, February 24, from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad after posting bail.

Leila Bakhshandehfar, who had been arrested on January 3 by the Mashhad Intelligence Office, was also released yesterday from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. She had previously been sentenced by a judicial authority to four years and six months of discretionary imprisonment. The sentence was initially converted to a fine of 140 million tomans in lieu of imprisonment. Ultimately, taking into account her detention period and submission to the verdict, the amount was reduced to 70 million tomans.

Additionally, the Kurdpa news outlet reported that in the early hours of Monday, February 23, Ahmad Tamouei, a former political prisoner from Salmas County, was arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location. Mr. Tamouei has previously served prison sentences due to his activities.

Hyrcani media also reported that Sohrab Kolthoumi, 32, a resident of Rasht, was arrested by security forces at his home in the city on January 25.

According to the report, following his arrest, he was held for 26 days at an IRGC Intelligence detention facility, where he was interrogated and beaten. He was then transferred for a short time to the triage ward of Lakan Prison in Rasht. He was subsequently removed from the prison and transferred back to the IRGC Intelligence detention facility. Concerns have increased regarding continued pressure to extract a forced confession and about his physical condition.

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

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025. After two days, the protests expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these demonstrations became one of the most widespread protests in recent years. Following the suppression of the protests by law enforcement and security forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For further information, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “The Crimson Winter: A 50 Day Record of Iran’s 2025–2026 Nationwide Protests.”

British Nationals Craig and Lindsay Foreman Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Abolghasem Salavati, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, Craig Foreman, IRGC Intelligence, Joe Bennett, Kerman, Lindsay Foreman

HRANA – Craig and Lindsay Foreman, two British nationals currently imprisoned in Iran, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on charges of “espionage.”

According to HRANA News Agency, citing BBC Persian, Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, headed by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, sentenced the couple to 10 years in prison on charges of “espionage.”

The British couple stated that despite being present in court, no evidence was presented and they were given no opportunity to defend themselves.

Their son, Joe Bennett, has said that he is deeply concerned about their conditions of detention. The UK Foreign Secretary has also described the ruling as “appalling and unjustifiable.”

The report does not provide further details, including the date on which the verdict was issued.

The couple had previously gone on hunger strike in November of last year in protest against the lack of progress in their case.

Craig Foreman and Lindsay Foreman had entered Iran as part of a round-the-world motorcycle trip and were arrested in December 2024 by the IRGC Intelligence in Kerman. Judicial authorities had earlier accused them of “espionage,” alleging that they had gathered information in several provinces under the cover of tourism and research activities.

The then British ambassador to Iran also met with the two defendants at the Kerman Prosecutor’s Office in February of last year.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have detained several foreign nationals on charges such as espionage or cooperation with hostile states. Some of these detainees have later been released following political negotiations. Human rights organizations and some Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as a means of political leverage, allegations that Iranian authorities have consistently denied.

Mehdi Sabeti Arrested and Transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary

Posted on by . .
News, Prisoners
HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Karaj, Mehdi Sabeti, Meshkin Dasht, مهدی ثابتی

HRANA – Mehdi Sabeti, a political defendant, was arrested last week by security forces in Karaj and transferred to the city’s Central Penitentiary.

Based on information received by HRANA, Mr. Sabeti was arrested in Karaj last week and transferred to Ward 16, the security ward of the city’s Central Penitentiary. He has been formally charged with “insulting the Supreme Leader” and “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Sabeti had previously been released from Karaj Central Penitentiary in late April of this year on “leave connected to the end of his sentence.”

In June 2024, Branch 4 of the Revolutionary Court of Karaj sentenced him to two years in prison on the charge of “insulting the Supreme Leader” and one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

The court hearing to address the charges against this political defendant was held on June 18, 2024, in the aforementioned branch, in the presence of his court-appointed lawyer.

Mr. Sabeti was arrested on September 17, 2023, by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization in Meshkin Dasht, located in Fardis County. He was later transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary.

A source close to the family of this political prisoner had previously told HRANA: “A few days after his arrest, Mehdi was additionally charged during interrogation in Fardis with insulting religious sanctities, spreading falsehoods, and assaulting an officer. His case in this regard is currently under review at Branch 1 of the Criminal Court of Karaj County.”

Mehdi Sabeti, aged approximately 36, is a resident of Fardis County, Karaj.