Tag: irgc

Appeals Court Upholds Mehdi Hemmati’s 5-Year Prison Sentence

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News, Prisoners
Abolghasem Salavati, irgc, Jina Amini, Mahsa Amini, Mehdi Hemmati, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals has upheld the five-year prison sentence of Mehdi Hemmati, a political prisoner currently held in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

As per the verdict recently issued by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals and communicated to Hemmati, he has been sentenced to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” This sentence was initially handed down by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati.

Additionally, in another part of his case, Branch 1147 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced Hemmati to 10 months in prison for “disrupting public order,” five months in prison, and 30 lashes for “possession of explosive materials.” This ruling was later upheld by Branch 34 of the Court of Appeals.

Mehdi Hemmati was arrested during the 40-day memorial ceremony for Mahsa (Jina) Amini in Tehran. He spent time in detention at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) detention facility in Tehran, where he was subjected to torture and denied access to legal representation. He was later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Ghezel Hesar Prison: Update on Mehdi Hemmati, a Detainee from the 2022 Protests

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News, Prisoners
Amir Kamandi, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, irgc, Mahsa Amini, Mehdi Hemmati, Tehran

HRANA News Agency – Mehdi Hemmati, a Tehran resident arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, is currently serving his sentence in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. He was previously sentenced by Tehran’s Revolutionary and Criminal Courts to more than six years in prison and 30 lashes.

According to HRANA, Hemmati was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, to five years in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security.” In a separate ruling, Branch 1147 of the Tehran Criminal Court sentenced him to 10 months for “disrupting public order” and an additional five months in prison, along with 30 lashes, for “possession of explosives.”

His Revolutionary Court sentence has been sent to Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals, while the Criminal Court’s ruling was upheld by Branch 34 of the Appeals Court.

Hemmati was arrested alongside four others during the 40th-day memorial service for Mahsa (Jina) Amini in Tehran. The group was initially detained at an IRGC facility in Tehran, where they were subjected to torture and denied access to legal counsel. They were later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison. During their interrogation, they faced multiple charges, including “disrupting public order,” “possession of explosives,” and “complicity in the murder of Amir Kamandi,” a member of the IRGC Ground Forces.

In the final indictment, Hemmati was acquitted of all murder-related charges. Before his trial, authorities set his bail at one billion tomans, but case officers opposed his release.

A source close to Hemmati’s family told HRANA that he is a 38-year-old unmarried resident of Tehran. “He suffers from multiple health conditions and has been denied medical care,” the source said.

Dehdasht Protests: Judiciary Spokesperson Confirms Arrest of 12 Individuals

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News, Prisoners
Ahmad Noormohammadi, Alireza Parisayi, Amirhossein Jafari, Atefeh Tahernia, Dehdasht, Hamid Parisayi, Hossein Parisayi, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Jaber Foroughi, Kamran Buzari, Pouria Barati, Reza Yeganeh, Shahram Nooranian, Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab

HRANA News Agency – The spokesperson for Iran’s Judiciary has confirmed the arrest of 12 citizens in Dehdasht, stating that they have been charged with “disrupting public order.” On the night of Tuesday, February 11, protests erupted in the city, during which several individuals were detained. HRANA had previously identified 12 of those arrested.

According to HRANA, quoting Entekhab, Judiciary spokesperson Asghar Jahangir claimed that the arrests were related to a “local conflict between two clans” and reiterated that the detainees were charged with “disrupting public order in the city.”

Without disclosing their identities, Jahangir added that one of the detainees is a foreign national and that their cases are under investigation.

Protests and Heavy Security Presence

On the night of February 11, residents of Dehdasht staged a protest, chanting anti-government slogans in response to mounting economic and social grievances in the region. In the aftermath of the demonstration, authorities intensified security measures, leading to widespread arrests and a heavy security presence across the city.

HRANA has identified the 12 detainees as:

  • Shahram Nooranian
  • Shahriar Heshmat-Nasab
  • Reza Yeganeh
  • Hossein Parisayi
  • Alireza Parisayi
  • Hamid Parisayi
  • Ahmad Noormohammadi
  • Atefeh Tahernia
  • Amirhossein Jafari (17 years old)
  • Kamran Buzari (16 years old)
  • Jaber Foroughi
  • Pouria Barati

Among them, Ahmad Noormohammadi has been accused of leading the protests and is currently being held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility.

Violent Arrests and Use of Force

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

A source close to one of the detainees’ families told HRANA:

“Shahram and Shahriar were violently arrested and beaten. Their families have had no information about their whereabouts since their detention and are deeply concerned for their well-being.”

Mohammad Sultani Arrested by IRGC Intelligence in Arak

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Mehrshad Shahidi, محمد سلطانی

HRANA News Agency – On Friday, February 21, Mohammad Sultani (Soltani), a resident of Arak, was arrested by IRGC Intelligence agents in the city. He is currently being held in one of the agency’s detention centers.

According to information obtained by HRANA, Sultani was detained by IRGC Intelligence agents on a street in Arak. A day after his arrest, he contacted his family by phone and informed them of his transfer to the agency’s detention facility.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any charges against him remain unknown.

Sultani had previously been arrested on August 5, 2023, after attending a memorial ceremony at the gravesite of Mehrshad Shahidi, one of those killed during the 2022 nationwide protests. Following his arrest by security forces in Arak, he was transferred to the city’s prison.

In September 2023, he and seven others were tried in a joint case by Branch 2 of the Arak Criminal Court. He was ultimately sentenced to six years in prison and 74 lashes.

On October 1, 2023, Sultani was released from Arak Prison on bail.

Four Months in Legal Limbo: Mohammad-Ali and Hoda Mehreganfar Denied Medical Care in Shiraz Prison

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News, Prisoners
Adelabad Prison, Fars Province, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Zarghan

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar and his daughter, Hoda Mehreganfar, political detainees from Zarghan in Fars Province, have been held in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz for over four months without due process. Despite suffering from serious health issues, both have been denied medical care and access to essential medication.

HRANA has learned that the father and daughter were arrested by security forces in Zarghan on October 22, 2024. They were held for 58 days in an IRGC Intelligence detention facility before being transferred to Adelabad Prison. Authorities have accused them of alleged ties to an opposition group, and they remain in custody without the possibility of release on bail.

A source close to the family confirmed to HRANA: “Hoda Mehreganfar had recently undergone gynecological surgery before her arrest. She received no medical care while in IRGC Intelligence detention, and now in Adelabad Prison, she is also being denied access to hospital treatment. Additionally, Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar suffers from heart problems, and one of his eyes requires surgery, yet he has not received any medical attention.”

The source further stated: “Prison authorities have refused to provide Hoda Mehreganfar with her prescribed medications. The prison’s medical unit has informed her that she must personally cover the cost and arrange for the medicine to be brought from outside. However, she has no one outside prison to handle her medical needs.”

Mohammad-Ali Mehreganfar, 66, is a former political prisoner from the 1980s. His daughter, Hoda Mehreganfar, 38, is an electronics engineer. Both are residents of Zarghan, Fars Province.

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Detained British Nationals, Craig and Lindsay Foreman, Accused of “Espionage”

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News, Other
Craig Foreman, HRANA, Hugo Shorter, irgc, IRGC’s intelligence, Lindsay Foreman

HRANA News Agency – The spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary has announced that Craig Foreman and Lindsay Foreman, two British nationals recently arrested in Kerman, have been charged with “espionage.”

According to HRANA, quoting Mizan, the judiciary’s official news outlet, the spokesperson confirmed the charges against the detained individuals. Asghar Jahangir, the judiciary spokesperson, stated that the arrests were carried out by the IRGC’s Intelligence Unit and that the couple is accused of gathering intelligence under the cover of tourism. He further alleged:

“The arrested individuals entered Iran under the guise of tourists. They gathered information in multiple provinces while pretending to conduct research and academic studies.”

On February 15, 2025, the Foreman family released a statement confirming the identities of the detainees. Expressing deep concern for their safety, they stated that they are working with the British government to secure their release.

Earlier, on February 13, 2025, the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office of Kerman announced that Hugo Shorter, the British Ambassador to Iran, had met with the detained individuals at the prosecutor’s office.

The couple, both in their early 50s, had entered Iran as part of a motorcycle world tour and had planned to continue their journey to Pakistan after a short stay.

In recent years, Iranian authorities have arrested multiple foreign nationals on charges of espionage or collaboration with hostile governments. While some have been released following political negotiations, human rights organizations and several Western governments have accused Iran of using such arrests as a means of political leverage—an allegation Iranian officials have consistently denied.

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.

Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar Arrested during Protest in Front of Tehran University

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hanieh Bakhtiar, irgc, Mehdi Karroubi, Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar, Zahra Rahnavard, محمد باقر بختیار

HRANA News Agency – Mohammad-Bagher Bakhtiar, an injured veteran of the Iran-Iraq war and a former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), was arrested during Thursday’s protest in Tehran against the continued house arrest of three political figures. His whereabouts remain unknown.

His daughter, Hanieh Bakhtiar, stated that while most detainees have been released, her father remains in custody, and the family has no information on his location.

She highlighted her father’s 70 months of service on the frontlines during the Iran-Iraq war and his war-related health issues, including lung damage from mustard gas exposure, neurological conditions caused by blast waves, and diabetes. She emphasized that he requires regular medication and continuous medical care, but since his arrest, he has been denied access to his medication, putting his physical and mental health at serious risk.

Despite a heavy security presence, a protest was held yesterday in front of Tehran University to oppose the continued house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi. Several demonstrators were arrested during the gathering.

It is worth noting that Mir Hossein Mousavi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mehdi Karroubi have been under house arrest since February 2011.

Minoo Roozehdar Still in Limbo 25 Days After Arrest

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Minou Roozehdar, مینو روزه دار

HRANA News Agency – Minoo Roozehdar, a Tehran resident, remains in legal uncertainty in the women’s ward of Evin Prison, 25 days after her arrest. She was recently charged at Evin Prosecutor’s Office.

A source close to her family told HRANA: “She was recently charged at Branch 5 of Evin Prosecutor’s Office with ‘propaganda against the regime’ and ‘insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.’”

Roozehdar was arrested on January 20, 2025, by security forces in Tehran and taken to the IRGC Intelligence Detention Facility, known as Ward 1-A. After a week, she was transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Roozehdar is a mother of three and remains in detention without clarity on the next steps in her case.

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.