Tag: Karaj

Death Toll from Executions at Ghezel Hesar Prison Rises to Five

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Executions, News
Abbas Nesari, Aref Khoshkar, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA – Yesterday, alongside the execution of political prisoner Aref Khoshkar, who had been sentenced to death on charges including murder, four other prisoners who had also been sentenced to death in separate murder cases were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, five prisoners were executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj in the early hours of Wednesday, July 15.

In addition to the execution of Aref Khoshkar, which HRANA reported earlier, four other prisoners were hanged at the prison. HRANA has identified one of them as Abbas Nesari, who had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

The remaining details regarding the four prisoners’ cases were published by the Hamshahri newspaper and are summarized below:

The first prisoner had been arrested in May 2022 on charges of fatally shooting a teenage boy with a Kalashnikov rifle. He was subsequently sentenced to death by a criminal court. After the sentence was upheld by Branch 20 of the Supreme Court, it was carried out on Tuesday.

The second prisoner had been arrested in 2021 on charges of murdering his stepson. He was sentenced to death by a criminal court, and the ruling was later upheld by Branch 7 of the Supreme Court before being carried out.

The third prisoner had been arrested in March 2024 on charges of murdering both his former wife’s daughter and his former wife. He was later sentenced to death by a criminal court.

The fourth case stemmed from the reported disappearance of a middle-aged man in December 2020. The investigation ultimately led to a confession by the victim’s wife.

According to the case file, the woman, with the assistance of a man identified as Behzad, gave her husband sleeping pills to facilitate the murder. Behzad then entered the house, fatally shot the victim, and together they transported the body to the Saveh road, where they set it on fire.

After reviewing the evidence, the criminal court found Behzad to be the principal perpetrator of the murder and sentenced him to death. His execution was carried out on Tuesday morning. The victim’s wife was sentenced to prison for complicity in the murder.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

2022 Protests: Aref Khoshkar Executed at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Aref Khoshkar, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, moharebeh

HRANA – The death sentence of Aref Khoshkar, one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests, was carried out at dawn today, July 15, 2026, at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

According to HRANA, the execution of Aref Khoshkar, a detainee from the 2022 nationwide protests, was carried out at dawn on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

A source close to the family of the political prisoner told HRANA that Khoshkar’s family was informed of his execution at approximately 8:00 a.m. today. Prison authorities refused to hand over his body to the family and transferred it to the Behesht Zahra morgue in Tehran at around 11:00 a.m. The family was also instructed to go to Behesht Zahra at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, to identify and receive his body.

The source added that Aref Khoshkar had been transferred to Suite 35 of Ghezel Hesar Prison on Saturday, July 11, 2026, and his family had their final visit with him on Sunday, July 12, 2026. His family had sought a one-month postponement of the execution and requested a meeting aimed at obtaining the consent of the victim’s family in an effort to halt the sentence. However, these efforts were unsuccessful. Despite assurances that such a meeting would be held, the relevant authorities ultimately took no action to arrange it.

Aref Khoshkar had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on the charge of moharebeh (enmity against God) through carrying and using a weapon, as well as the killing of a Basij member. His lawyer had previously pointed to significant ambiguities in the case, stating that the location of the killing cited by the court was not covered by surveillance cameras and that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the charges.

Aref Khoshkar was arrested on November 11, 2022, during the nationwide protests in Tehran’s Fallah neighborhood. His indictment, which included charges of moharebeh through carrying and using a weapon, assembly and collusion against national security, and the killing of a Basij member, was referred to the Revolutionary Court.

Ghezel Hesar Inmates Protest Transfer of Six Death Row Prisoners for Execution

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj

HRANA – Today, July 13, 2026, prisoners held in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj refused to accept their food rations in protest against the transfer of six death row prisoners to solitary confinement for the implementation of their death sentences.

According to HRANA, prisoners in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj have gone on strike.

Based on information received by HRANA, prisoners in Unit 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison began their protest today, Monday, July 13, 2026, after six prisoners sentenced to death were transferred to solitary confinement ahead of their executions. As part of the protest, the inmates refused to receive the prison’s food rations and launched a strike.

Earlier today, the six prisoners, who had been sentenced to death on charges related to drug offenses, were moved to solitary confinement in preparation for the implementation of their death sentences.

It is worth noting that last year, HRANA also reported on strikes by a number of prisoners at Ghezel Hesar Prison protesting the implementation of execution sentences.

Journalist Omid Faraghat Arrested

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Karaj, Omid Faraghat, امید فراغت

HRANA – Omid Faraghat, a journalist based in Karaj, was arrested yesterday after being summoned by security authorities. He was transferred to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and was ultimately sent to prison following the issuance of a temporary detention order.

According to HRANA, Omid Faraghat has been arrested. The journalist was summoned by security authorities earlier this morning and taken to the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. Following the issuance of a temporary detention order, he was transferred to prison.

The charges brought against Omid Faraghat are “disturbing public opinion” and “acting against national security.”

Faraghat had announced the previous day that he had been summoned to the Security Police by phone.

In November 2025, Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals sentenced Faraghat to pay a fine of 20 million tomans in lieu of serving a three-month prison sentence. He had previously been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court in the same case.

In August 2025, a hearing was held at the Karaj Revolutionary Court in another case against Faraghat on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “disturbing public opinion.” He was acquitted of both charges in that case.

Omid Faraghat, a journalist and political media activist based in Karaj, has previously faced judicial prosecution due to his professional activities.

Eight Prisoners Executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj

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Executions, News
Amirabbas Dekavand, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Seyed Akbar Banihashem

HRANA – On Saturday, June 13, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj witnessed the execution of eight prisoners. HRANA has confirmed the identities of two of those executed, both of whom had previously been sentenced to death on murder charges.

On Saturday, June 13, authorities at Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj carried out the executions of eight prisoners. HRANA has identified two of them as Seyed Akbar Banihashem and Amirabbas Dekavand. Both prisoners had been sentenced to death on charges of murder. HRANA is continuing to investigate and verify the identities of the other six prisoners.

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

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025 at least 2,063 citizens, including 61 women and 2 juvenile offenders, were executed. Of these, the sentences of 11 individuals were carried out in public. During the same period, 172 other individuals were sentenced to death.

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Baha’i Citizen Riyaz Behrad Arrested in Karaj

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News, Religious Minorities
Bahais, Karaj, Riyaz Behrad, ریاض بهراد

HRANA – Riyaz Behrad, a Baha’i citizen, was arrested on Wednesday, May 6, after appearing at the Karaj Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to an undisclosed location.

The arrest of this Baha’i citizen took place on Wednesday, May 6, after he appeared at the Karaj Prosecutor’s Office. Mr. Behrad’s home had also been searched by security forces on Monday, May 4.

At the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges brought against this Baha’i citizen.

Over the past decade, the Baha’i community in Iran has faced more security and judicial pressure than any other religious minority. HRA’s annual report reveals that in 2025, an average of 62.41% of reports concerning religious minorities were related to violations of the rights of Baha’i citizens.

Report on the Latest Status of Soheil Arabi in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj

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News, Prisoners
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Soheil Arabi, سهیل عربی

HRANA – Soheil Arabi, a political defendant imprisoned in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, is still being held in a state of uncertainty in this prison. He was recently summoned to attend an interrogation session after receiving an official notice.

An informed source close to Arabi’s family confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Mr. Arabi has been held in solitary confinement in Ghezel Hesar Prison since his arrest, without a clear status. During interrogations, he was beaten by prison officers. He was eventually transferred to a hospital outside the prison and then returned to solitary confinement.”

According to this source, Arabi, who is facing charges of membership in anti-government groups, was recently summoned to attend an interrogation session after receiving a formal notice.

In March 2026, Soheil Arabi was arrested by security forces and transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Soheil Arabi has previously been arrested and faced judicial action due to his activities.

It is worth noting that Soheil Arabi is a blogger and citizen journalist who received the “Press Freedom Award” from Reporters Without Borders in 2017. He has previously faced multiple convictions and legal actions. In 2014, he was sentenced to death by Branch 76 of the Tehran Criminal Court on charges of “insulting the Prophet of Islam” on Facebook. This sentence was later overturned and commuted to other punishments.

Political Prisoners Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi Executed

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Executions, News
Akbar Daneshvar Kar, Babak Alipour, Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Karaj, Mohammad Taghavi, Pouya Ghobadi

HRANA – The Judiciary Media Center has announced the execution of death sentences against Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi, two political prisoners held in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, carried out at dawn today, Tuesday, March 31.

According to Mizan, the Judiciary Media Center, the executions were carried out this morning after the sentences had been upheld by the Supreme Court and the defendants’ appeals had been rejected.

The death sentences against Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi, along with four others, had previously been issued on the charge of “baghi” (armed rebellion) through alleged membership in groups opposed to the state. In July of last year, the Supreme Court overturned this ruling and referred the case to a parallel branch for reconsideration.

In November 2025, they were retried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Ultimately, on December 7, 2025, the same branch reissued the death sentences for these political prisoners and formally notified their lawyers.

Regarding Babak Alipour, the Judiciary Media Center has claimed that he had been in contact via cyberspace with one of the “liaisons” of the MEK (People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran). It alleged that, “at this person’s request to carry out an armed operation, he traveled from Gilan to Tehran and fired a projectile weapon (launcher) at the building of one of the country’s institutions. Of the four launchers used, only two functioned.”

As for Pouya Ghobadi, the same institution claimed that he had also “participated in several terrorist actions under the direction of the MEK.” According to the report, Ghobadi “was in a safe house assembling parts of explosive packages.” It further alleged that he had been in contact with one of the group’s liaisons through Telegram and had intended to illegally cross the border in order to receive the training necessary for conducting operations in Tehran.

Babak Alipour was arrested by security forces in Tehran in autumn 2023. On February 23, 2024, Pouya Ghobadi was also arrested in Chaldoran County and transferred to Maku Prison.

These individuals were formally charged in May 2024 in Branch 5 of the Tehran Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, and were later transferred in the summer of that year to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.

Yesterday, the death sentences of Akbar Daneshvar-Kar and Seyed Mohammad Taghavi-Sangdehi, other defendants in the same case, were also carried out.

According to HRA’s Annual Report, in 2025, at least 2,063 people were executed in Iran. Based on this report, executions increased by 119% compared to 2024.

Milad Bakhtiari Receives 20-Month Prison Term

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hourieh Farajzadeh Tarani, HRANA, Karaj, Milad Bakhtiari, Shahram Farajzadeh

HRANA – Milad Bakhtiari, a resident of Karaj, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison by Branch Two of the Revolutionary Court of this city.

Based on information received by HRANA, Branch Two of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to a total of 20 months in prison on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and “assembly and collusion.”

An informed source close to Mr. Bakhtiari’s family confirmed the news to HRANA and stated: “Milad Bakhtiari has objected to the verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court, and the case is currently under review for reconsideration. He is presently being held in Ward Two of Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj.”

Mr. Bakhtiari was arrested on Friday, January 9, on one of the streets of Karaj and was transferred to an undisclosed location. He was ultimately transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison on January 11.

Milad Bakhtiari, 29, is the son of Hourieh Farajzadeh Tarani and the nephew of Shahram Farajzadeh, who was killed during the violent events following the tenth presidential election on Ashura in 2009.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began on Sunday, December 28, 2025, in Tehran. 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 crackdown by security and law enforcement forces, thousands were killed or injured, and tens of thousands were arrested or summoned by security institutions. For more information about these protests, refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report.

Mehdi Sabeti Arrested and Transferred to Karaj Central Penitentiary

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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.