Tag: Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf

Day 50 of the Protests: Intensification of Security Prosecutions and Uncertainty Regarding the Status of Detainees

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Ali Balaei, Homayoun Sameh-Yah Najafabadi, HRANA, iran protests, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Morteza Khazri, Reza Khasi, Sohrab Pournazeri

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data as of the end of the fiftieth day since the beginning of the protests, the total number of confirmed fatalities has reached 7,015. Of these, 6,508 individuals have been registered under the category of “protesters.” A total of 226 of those killed were under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 members of military/government forces and 67 “non-military, non-protester” individuals have been reported dead. Another 11,744 cases remain under review.

During the same period, 25,845 civilian injuries have been recorded. The total number of arrests stands at 53,552, including 144 student arrests. Authorities have documented 355 cases of forced confessions and 11,053 summonses. A total of 676 protest-related incidents have been registered across 210 cities in 31 provinces.

Today’s developments centered on four key issues: the controversy surrounding security institutions’ access to information on injured protesters; the Speaker of Parliament’s candid remarks on poverty amid growing public discontent; official statements addressing the arrests of school and university students; and the ongoing arrests and security crackdowns in various cities, according to HRANA’s reports.

The Ministry of Health Opposes the Tehran Security Council’s Request

Homayoun Sameh-Yah Najafabadi, a member of Parliament’s Health Commission, announced that the Ministry of Health, in a confidential correspondence, rejected a request by the Tehran County Security Council for access to the medical records of individuals injured during the protests. According to him, the ministry emphasized that no one is entitled to access patients’ names or medical files without following due legal procedures, and that individuals’ medical information is confidential.

These remarks come amid earlier reports of injured protesters expressing concerns about seeking hospital treatment, as well as claims that security institutions had exerted pressure to identify and pursue those wounded. At the same time, the MP referred to protesters as “rioters” and asserted that the Ministry of Health had instructed that all injured individuals be treated free of charge, regardless of their identity. However, no details were provided regarding the number of cases requested by the Security Council or the scope of the demand.

Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly: 34 Percent of Iran’s Population Lives in Poverty

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Parliament), stated during an open parliamentary session that, based on available data, 34 percent of Iran’s population lives in poverty or absolute poverty. Criticizing the current subsidy decile classification system, he said that this categorization “bears no relation to people’s purchasing power or their actual economic conditions” and called for its revision.

This statistic was raised amid the recent protests, which have emerged against a backdrop of economic grievances, inflation, and declining purchasing power. Referring to the “Iranian Welfare System” database, Ghalibaf noted that the largest share of the population falls within a cluster consisting of individuals who are poor or at risk of absolute poverty. Although he did not explicitly attribute the protests to this rise in poverty, the timing of his remarks points to the significant role of economic factors in the emergence of the recent unrest.

Government Spokesperson: Arrests of School Students Have Occurred

Fatemeh Mohajerani, the government spokesperson, in response to a question regarding the arrest of school students during the recent protests, confirmed that such arrests have taken place. She stated that the government emphasizes the observance of the rights of individuals under the age of 18 in accordance with the law, and announced the launch of “crisis management hotlines” as well as the deployment of psychological support teams to schools.

However, she declined to provide any specific figures regarding the number of students detained, and offered no details about their current status, place of detention, or the number of those released. She also did not give a clear explanation when asked about allegations that some students had been accused of acting as “leaders.”

According to HRANA’s aggregated data, as of the end of the fiftieth day, 226 children have been recorded among the fatalities, and the proportion of arrests involving school students and minors has increased in recent weeks.

Minister of Science: Some Students Remain in Detention

Saeed Habiba, Deputy Minister of Science and Head of the Student Affairs Organization, stated that while a number of detained university students have been released, others remain in custody. He added that the Minister of Science is actively following up on the matter through the relevant authorities, though precise figures cannot be disclosed at this time.

At the same time, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, Minister of Science, confirmed that the status of students who were absent from exams due to detention is under review, and that arrangements will be made for them to retake their examinations. He added that, except for those whose alleged offenses have been “proven,” other students will be released.

According to HRANA’s statistics, the number of detained students has reached 144 as of the end of the fiftieth day, an indication that universities continue to be among the primary sites of security crackdowns in the context of the protests.

Arrests and Security Measures

Reports released by HRANA on the fiftieth day point to the ongoing wave of arrests across multiple cities. In one report, the arrest of Hamid Norouzi, a lawyer, in Shiraz; Morteza Khazri in Bandar Ganaveh; Reza Khasi, a physician, in Malekshahi; and Ali Balaei in Eslamabad-e Gharb by security forces was confirmed. Additionally, Sohrab Pournazeri, a composer and singer, was detained for several hours upon returning to Iran; a judicial case was opened against him and his passport was confiscated. The same report noted that Reza Moslemi, a teachers’ union activist, was released from Hamedan Prison, and Mohsen Aminzadeh, a political activist, was released from Evin Prison on bail.

In another report, at least 10 citizens, including five women, were arrested in connection with the protests. Mousa al-Reza Alavi, an 18-year-old athlete; Mahdieh Yousefi; Samira Shokouhi-Nasab; Aida Ataei; Tina Fereshteh, 18; and Bahar Sajadi were arrested in Sabzevar. Amir Ali Amiri, 22, was arrested in Gorgan; Hadi Molayjerdi, 25, in Jowin; Hassan Ghasemabadi, known as Elias, a CrossFit coach, in Neyshabur; and Mohammadreza Marandi in Fariman were also detained by security forces.

Further reports indicated the arrest of seven other citizens. Khashayar Rezvani was arrested in Tehran; Peyman Rahmani in Kamyaran; and Saman Nourmohammadi, Milad Shahbazi, Mojtaba Yazdani, Majid Habibzadeh, and Behnam Zafari in Masal. It was announced that Rezvani’s detention order has been extended for one month, and that he faces charges including propaganda against the system and assembly and collusion against national security. He reportedly suffers from a lung condition and has been denied adequate access to medical care.

In Tabriz, Danial Mohammadi-Amani, a medical student, was summoned through an official notice to Branch Three of the Investigative Prosecutor’s Office at the Judge Tabatabaei Judicial Complex.

Taken together, these cases, along with the cumulative figures of 53,552 arrests, including 144 students, and 11,053 summonses, demonstrate that on the fiftieth day, security, judicial, and administrative actions against protesters and those associated with the protests remained ongoing, targeting a broad range of individuals, including lawyers, physicians, labor activists, students, and minors.

Updated (Cumulative) Statistics as of the End of the Fiftieth Day Since the Start of the Protests

• Total number of locations across cities: 676

• Number of cities (without duplication): 210

• Number of provinces (without duplication): 31

Fatalities

• Total protesters: 6,508

▪️ Including children: 226
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protester: 67

• Grand total: 7,015

• Under review: 11,744

Other Statistics

• Injured civilians: 25,845

• Total arrests: 53,552

• Student arrests: 144

• Forced confessions: 355

• Summonses: 11,053

It should be noted that the confirmed figures for those killed represent the minimum verifiable numbers, while estimates of the total number of fatalities indicate significantly higher rates.

Summary

A summary of developments on the fiftieth day is as follows: the continuation of dispersed yet widespread arrests across various provinces; official ambiguity regarding the number of detained school and university students; and the Speaker of Parliament raising the issue of structural poverty amid the protests.

At the institutional level, the Ministry of Health’s opposition to providing information about the injured to the Provincial Security Council has been assessed as a sign of tension between security considerations and the principles of medical confidentiality.

Overall, the cumulative data indicate that the scale of arrests, summonses, and casualties remains extensive. The broader picture of the protests on the fiftieth day reflects the persistence of security measures alongside mounting social and economic pressures.

Detailed Report on the Ninth Day of Protests: More Than 1,200 Protesters Arrested

Posted on by . .
Children, Freedom of Expression, Labor and Guilds, News
Erfan Bozorgi, HRANA, Mansour Mokhtari, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Mohammad Qasem Rousta, Mostafa Fallahi, Parviz Boroumand, Reza Kianian, Reza Moradi Abdolvand, Sajad Babaei, Vahab Ghaedi

HRANA – For the ninth consecutive day, protests and strikes continued across numerous cities in Iran. Analysis of collected and verified data shows that despite an increasingly securitized environment, the expanded presence of law enforcement and security forces, ongoing street-level confrontations, and the use of live ammunition in some areas, the geographic scope of the protests has not diminished. On the contrary, diverse forms of protest activity have persisted nationwide. In recent days, at least 257 locations in 88 cities across 27 provinces have witnessed protest gatherings. During this period, at least 1,203 citizens were arrested, and at least 29 protesters lost their lives.

Protests that initially took shape in the form of strikes and labor-related gatherings entered a new phase on the ninth consecutive day. Alongside the continuation of some labor actions, street protests and student demonstrations at several universities have also been reported.

Background to the Protests

The protests emerged in a context where economic pressures on broad segments of society have reached a critical stage, and clear signs of disruption in the cycle of daily livelihoods are visible. Repeated surges in exchange rates, prolonged market instability, and the continuous decline in purchasing power have darkened and rendered unpredictable the economic outlook for households and trade activists alike, turning financial insecurity into a widespread experience.

In the days leading up to the start of the protests, reports indicated that exchange rates had crossed new thresholds, alongside a downturn in the capital market and capital outflows. Analysts have interpreted this trend as a shift of liquidity toward safer markets such as gold and foreign currency, and a decline in public trust in economic policies. At the grassroots level, the consequences have included the closure or partial shutdown of trade units, increasing difficulty in sustaining small businesses, and the spread of protest and strike waves in various cities, protests rooted not in a single short-term factor, but in the long-term accumulation of livelihood pressures and the erosion of hope for improved conditions.

Geography of the Protests

Based on updated and aggregated information, at least 257 locations across Iran have witnessed protests, street gatherings, or labor strikes in recent days. These protest activities have been reported in 27 provinces nationwide, and during the same period, 17 universities have also seen student-led protest actions.

Over the past 24 hours, reports have been received of protest gatherings in the cities of Ilam, Arak, Hamedan, Amol, Lahijan, Malekshahi, Semnan, Shalamzar, Bojnord, Babol, Koushk, Yasuj, Parand, Tehran, Asgharabad, Bandar Ganaveh, Marvdasht, Najafabad, Abadeh, Eslamabad-e Gharb, Sanandaj, Sari, Farsan, Shandiz, Sonqor, and Birjand.

An examination of the geographic pattern of the protests indicates that these activities have not been limited to major metropolitan areas, but have also extended to smaller cities and various regions across the country. This reflects the increasingly widespread nature of the protests and the participation of diverse social groups in the protest movement.

Methods of Protest and Slogans

Verified reports indicate that the protests on the ninth day, similar to previous days, encompassed a diverse range of demands. Slogans voiced during gatherings went beyond livelihood and economic grievances, also including criticism of governance, objections to restrictions on individual and social freedoms, and calls for justice.

Within the framework of its human rights mission, HRANA focuses its reporting on slogans and demands that are directly related to violations of human rights or the pursuit of fundamental freedoms and civil rights. The persistence of these demands across different parts of the country reflects the depth of public discontent and the overlap of economic, social, and political grievances within the ongoing protests.

Conduct of Law Enforcement–Security Forces and Details of Violence

On the ninth day of nationwide protests, reports and videos received by HRANA continue to indicate the persistence of a heavy security atmosphere and the use of repressive measures by law enforcement and security forces to prevent the formation or expansion of protest gatherings. Reports from various cities document violent crackdown, gunfire, the use of tear gas, and the arrest of protesters.

On the ninth day of protests, at least four videos of forced confessions by detained citizens in Tehran, Malard, Parand, and Darreh Shahr were published by official media outlets. It remains unclear under what conditions these videos were recorded, and there are serious ambiguities regarding how these confessions were obtained. Similar videos of forced confessions by protesters had also been broadcast in previous days by security institutions or media outlets close to them.

Alongside these developments, official narratives presented by local authorities regarding some of the fatalities have been met with skepticism from eyewitnesses and unofficial reports. Details surrounding the circumstances of these deaths remain under review and subject to verification.

Fatalities and Injuries

According to HRANA’s updated information, the deaths of at least 29 people during the nine days of protests have been confirmed. Of these, two were affiliated with law enforcement–security forces. Additionally, 64 cases of injuries among protesting citizens have been recorded to date, most of which resulted from pellet and rubber bullets.

Fars News Agency, a media outlet close to security institutions, claimed in a report that from the beginning of the protests up to last night, approximately 250 police officers and 45 Basij members were injured. Based on these figures, the number of injured military and law enforcement personnel reaches 314 as of the time of this report.

According to information confirmed by HRANA, during the past 24 hours, the deaths of Reza Moradi Abdolvand in Azna; Sajad Babaei in Qorveh; Mohammad Qasem Rousta in Marvdasht; Mansour Mokhtari in Marvdasht; Erfan Bozorgi in Marvdasht; Vahab Ghaedi in Azna; and Mostafa Fallahi in Azna have been confirmed in connection with protests in these cities.

The newspaper Emtedad, citing an informed source, confirmed that as a result of violence by law enforcement–security forces in Malekshahi and the use of live ammunition, at least 12 people were injured and three others lost their lives.

Internet Disruption

During the recent protests, the policy of imposing internet restrictions has not relied on a complete network shutdown, but rather on the implementation of gradual, localized, and calculated disruptions. Under this approach, basic connectivity has been maintained, while the quality and stability of the connection have been weakened to the extent that practical use of the internet for communication, messaging, and coordination has faced serious difficulties. This method reflects an approach that, instead of overt disconnection, relies on eroding network functionality and undermining users’ trust in internet access.

Field observations from Tehran and other cities show that these restrictions have not been applied uniformly; their intensity and form have varied depending on location, time, and service provider. In some areas, mobile or fixed-line internet access was cut off for hours, while in others the connection was weak, unstable, and effectively unusable. This apparent dispersion and lack of uniformity indicate the targeted implementation of restrictions in sensitive areas and protest sites, a model that reduces protesters’ communication capabilities without provoking widespread public backlash.

From a technical perspective, many of these disruptions are not clearly visible in aggregate data, as they are applied at local network levels or higher communication layers. At the same time, intensified filtering, widespread blocking of circumvention tools, and interference with commonly used protocols have led to service instability and a noticeable decline in traffic. The result of these combined measures is a network that may appear technically “connected,” but in practice has lost the capacity for stable data transmission and has become an ineffective tool for users.

Arrests

Over nine days of protests, at least 1,203 protesting citizens have been arrested; however, the actual number of detainees is estimated to be significantly higher.

Individually identified arrests on the ninth day:

  1. 1. Navid Kahro – Arrested in Rasht; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: United Students
    Note: Student

  2. 2. Hessam Ghadiri – Arrested in Rasht; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA
    Note: Student

  3. 3. Mohammad Babakhani – Arrested in Eqbaliyeh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  4. 4. Mehdi Kahani – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa
    Note: 17-year-old minor

  5. 5. Reza Chakav – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  6. 6. Milad Shapsandi – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  7. 7. Mehdi Fahimi – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  8. 8. Armin Karimi – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  9. 9. Amir Mohammad Sohrabian – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  10. 10. Mohaddeseh Razzazadeh – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  11. 11. Ali Saraei – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  12. 12. Amir Yousefzadeh – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  13. 13. Mohammad Mehdi Aydian – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  14. 14. Jafar Rahbari – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  15. 15. Nima Naseri – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  16. 16. Hassan Nourdinvand – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  17. 17. Mohammad Amin Bazgir – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  18. 18. Mehdi Gheysar Beigi – Arrested in Malekshahi; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  19. 19. Nabi Omidi – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa
    Note: Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Ilam

  20. 20. Iman Cheshteh – Arrested in Mahabad; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa
    Note: Student

  21. 21. Meysam Nouri – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  22. 22. Moein Fazeli – Arrested in Badreh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  23. 23. Reza Abdshahi – Arrested in Badreh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  24. 24. Arya Karimi – Arrested in Badreh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  25. 25. Behzad Abbasi – Arrested in Chardavol; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  26. 26. Hiva Abbasi – Arrested in Chardavol; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  27. 27. Mostafa Faraji – Arrested in Malekshahi; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  28. 28. Javad Malek – Arrested in Malekshahi; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  29. 29. Ali Sajadian – Arrested in Sarableh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  30. 30. Milad Karami – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  31. 31. Amir Morad Haseli – Arrested in Badreh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  32. 32. Alireza Naghizadeh – Arrested in Sarableh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  33. 33. Omid Aini – Arrested in Dehloran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  34. 34. Sahand Nejatbakhsh – Arrested in Tehran; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: United Students
    Note: Student

  35. 35. Amin Karimi – Arrested in Tehran; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: Amir Kabir Newsletter
    Note: Student

  36. 36. Mobin Safdari – Arrested in Tehran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Amir Kabir Newsletter
    Note: Student

  37. 37. Ali Bijani Banari – Arrested in Gachsaran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  38. 38. Alireza Maki Zadeh Banari – Arrested in Gachsaran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  39. 39. Mohsen Sabzi Zadeh Banari – Arrested in Gachsaran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  40. 40. Hassan Maili – Arrested in Hamedan; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  41. 41. Sajad Nazemkani – Arrested in Gachsaran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  42. 42. Ayoub Karimi – Arrested in Malekshahi; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  43. 43. Parviz Yazdani – Arrested in Bojnord; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Baloch Activists Campaign

  44. 44. Ehsan Masoudi – Arrested in Tehran; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: United Students
    Note: Student

  45. 45. Alireza Rasouli – Arrested in Tehran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Amir Kabir Newsletter
    Note: Student

  46. 46. Ruhollah Karami – Arrested in Dehloran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  47. 47. Mobin Oulad – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  48. 48. Bijan Maghsoudi – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  49. 49. Noushad Arabi – Arrested in Sarableh; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  50. 50. Amirhossein Seidi Boujani – Arrested in Kermanshah; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  51. 51. Amir Lotfi – Arrested in Ilam; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  52. 52. Mohammad Alinesab Banari – Arrested in Gachsaran; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  53. 53. Amir Hossein Bahrampour – Arrested in Mashhad; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  54. 54. Erfan Kaskani – Arrested in Sabzevar; held in the quarantine ward of Sabzevar Prison; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  55. 55. Esmail Salehabadi – Arrested in Joveyn; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  56. 56. Abolfazl Mohammadi – Arrested in Sabzevar; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  57. 57. Ebrahim Derakhshan – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  58. 58. Ahmadreza Madani – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  59. 59. Ahmad Karami – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  60. 60. Arya Sabzpour – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  61. 61. Omid Mohammadi – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  62. 62. Hassan Emouri – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  63. 63. Shahab Gholamian – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  64. 64. Ali Hassan Behamin – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  65. 65. Alireza Oveisi – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  66. 66. Alireza Rostami – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  67. 67. Mohammad Amin Rasti-Zadeh – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  68. 68. Mohammad Mokhtari – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  69. 69. Mehrdad Shabanzadeh – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  70. 70. Neda Gerami – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  71. 71. Yashar Shahbazi – Arrested in Yasuj; held at the IRGC Intelligence detention facility; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  72. 72. Abolfazl Azarian – Arrested in Behbahan; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  73. 73. Ahmad Reza Hashemi – Arrested in Behbahan; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: HRANA

  74. 74. Siroos Mohammadi Khorasani – Arrested in Behbahan; place of detention unknown; released.
    Source: HRANA

  75. 75. Mohammad Shafiei – Arrested in Behbahan; held in Behbahan; detained.
    Source: HRANA

  76. 76. Sadra Yousefi – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  77. 77. Ali Darabi – Arrested in Darreh Shahr; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

  78. 78. Keyomars Vaezhi – Arrested in Sonqor; place of detention unknown; detained.
    Source: Kurdpa

Group Arrests or Arrests Without Identity Confirmation on the Ninth Day
(Based on media reports or HRANA field investigations):

  1. 1. The arrest of at least 100 citizens in Bojnord

  2. 2. The arrest of 7 citizens in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, Qom, Yasuj, Malard, and Darreh Shahr

  3. 3. The arrest of five students at the University of Birjand

  4. 4. The arrest of 14 individuals in Qazvin

  5. 5. The arrest of a number of citizens under the age of 20 in Yazdanshahr

  6. 6. The arrest of two individuals in Isfahan

  7. 7. The arrest of at least four students at Noushirvani University of Technology in Babol

International Reactions

As nationwide protests continued and security crackdowns intensified in Iran, international reactions and statements also increased.

Donald Trump, the President of the United States, once again warned the Iranian government against the use of violence against protesters. He stated, “If they start killing people like they did in the past, in my view they will face a very severe blow from the United States of America.”

Reaction of Iranian Government Officials

Inside the country, government officials continued to emphasize a security-based narrative of the protests. Today, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the Speaker of Parliament, described protesters as “rioters” and “instigators of unrest,” and claimed they were linked to “intelligence services.”

The head of the judiciary, speaking at a meeting of the Supreme Judicial Council, threatened protesters and stated that those arrested would face decisive action and that there would be “no leniency.” Stressing zero tolerance toward what he described as “riots,” he ordered that individuals who had assisted protesters, even if they had not participated directly in demonstrations, should be prosecuted.

The IRGC’s Lorestan branch also issued a statement announcing the end of what it called a “period of leniency,” declaring that the “agents and organizers of the unrest will be identified decisively and dealt with legally in the shortest possible time.” Meanwhile, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the U.S. president’s warnings regarding the suppression of protesters in Iran as “psychological warfare” by the United States and Israel.

In the executive sphere, the government announced internet restrictions and shutdowns in certain areas. The Minister of Communications stated that this policy was neither “absolute nor permanent” and was being implemented with security and livelihood considerations in mind. At the same time, Parliament approved the general outline of the 2026 budget bill, promising “livelihood reforms”, a move observers have interpreted as an attempt to contain growing public discontent.

Domestic Reactions (Civil and Public Figures)

The Iranian Writers’ Association issued a statement supporting the people’s “unconditional right to protest,” calling on writers, freedom-seeking artists, and aligned institutions around the world to “be the loud voice of support for the people of Iran and not allow the government to once again fill prisons and cemeteries with protesters.” The statement noted that the Islamic Republic was founded on the “killing, torture, and imprisonment of opponents, critics, and freedom seekers,” emphasizing that the government has consistently responded to street protests with a “uniform pattern,” including “direct gunfire at protesters and the fabrication of cases against detainees.”

The Khorasan Bar Association, reacting to the recent protests, stressed the need to uphold citizens’ rights and human dignity and announced its readiness to play an advisory role in legal dialogue. The statement emphasized that peaceful protest against economic conditions is legitimate and must be distinguished from violent or destructive acts that exploit such protests.

Cinema actor Reza Kianian, in defense of the protesters, wrote on his personal page that it is young people with no future, the unemployed, shopkeepers, and employees whose income does not cover their expenses who are protesting. He stressed that protesters take to the streets out of desperation to make their voices heard.

Homayoun Shajarian, a traditional Iranian music singer, announced the cancellation of his concerts, writing that due to the pain and suffering experienced by the people and the violence faced by protesters, he was unable to perform. Parviz Boroumand, former goalkeeper of Iran’s national football team, addressed officials, stating: “The voice of Iran’s oppressed, dignified, and honorable people must be heard; these people are not rioters.”

Conclusion

The ongoing protests, which began in Tehran’s bazaar, have entered their ninth day marked by geographic expansion, increased public participation, and an intensified presence of security forces. The combination of livelihood-related and political demands, rising arrests, and authorities’ simultaneous economic and security-oriented efforts to contain the crisis reflect the government’s heightened sensitivity to the continuation of these protests.

HRANA continues to collect, verify, and complete information related to these protests and will publish supplementary reports should the gatherings persist or expand further.

An Instagram Blogger Arrested in Qazvin and His Account Blocked

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Maryam Ghalibaf, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Vahid Nemati

On June 28, 2024, Vahid Nemati, an Instagram blogger, was summoned and arrested by security forces in Qazvin for allegedly “publishing criminal content.”

Nemati, known for creating humorous videos in response to current events, was detained by a security agency in Qazvin. The content on his Instagram and Facebook pages, which had about 90,000 followers, was deleted, and an image stating “By order of the honorable judicial authority, this page has been blocked due to the publication of criminal content” was posted.

Recently, Nemati released a video in which he criticized the remarks of Maryam Ghalibaf, daughter of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Speaker of the Islamic Consultative Assembly and a candidate in the 2024 presidential election in Iran, using humorous rap music. This video went viral, being viewed and shared millions of times on social media.

As of the time of this report, no information is available about Nemati’s whereabouts or the charges against him.

Journalist Vahid Ashtari Starts Serving 14-Month Sentence

Posted on by . .
Freedom of Expression, News
Babol, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Vahid Ashtari, وحید اشتری

On Thursday, June 20, Vahid Ashtari, a journalist, was arrested and transferred to prison to serve his fourteen-month sentence, according to Mizan, the judiciary’s news agency.

Vahid Ashtari was initially sentenced to 24 months in prison, which was later reduced to 14 months by the Court of Appeals. This case was referred to another branch in the Court of Appeals of Tehran Province in November-December 2023 following the Supreme Court’s order for retrial. However, the judges of that branch rejected the retrial and confirmed the verdict issued by the Tehran Court of Appeals.

Mizan reported that this conviction is related to a case initiated after Mr. Ashtari reported the assault against him by a soldier in Babol, Mazandaran province.

This journalist has faced several other charges and convictions due to his activities as a journalist. He is also known for exposing the trip of Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s family, the current Speaker of the Parliament of Iran, to Turkey, leading to a scandal known as the “baby layette Gate” for Ghalibaf.

Journalist Yashar Soltani Acquitted of Charges

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Yashar Soltani

Recently, the Press Court, following the overturn of an initial verdict against Yashar Soltani by the Supreme Court of Iran, acquitted him in a retrial.

Soltani is a journalist and the director of Memari News who had previously broken the news of widespread corruption. 

In 2020, the Revolutionary Court of Tehran sentenced him to five years in prison and prohibited him from journalistic activism on the internet.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, journalist Yashar Soltani was acquitted of the charges in a retrial by the press court.

In February of 2020, Mr Soltani was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran to five years in prison and  prohibition on media activities on the internet on the charge of “disturbing public opinion.”

On December 21, 2019, Mr Soltani was summoned by the court in regards to a lawsuit filed by Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the former mayor of Tehran.

In February of 2021, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf’s lawyer, Ali Asghar Ghahremani said that Mr. Soltani has been sentenced to 13 months in prison.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

“There Are Other Tortures that are not Recorded on Camera”: Political Prisoners in Evin Prison Give Statement on Released Footage

Posted on by .
Environment, News, Prisoners
Adalat Ali, Andarzagah, Evin, Evin Prison, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, prison accountability, Prison conditions, prisons in iran

Following the broadcast of videos from Evin Prison surveillance cameras, a group of political prisoners in Andarzagah 8 of Evin Prison have written a statement in response.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, the statement calls for serious and immediate attention to the situation of prisoners in Iran.

“There are other tortures that are not recorded on any camera,” the prisoners write in the statement. “The psychological and mental torture of prisoners in solitary confinement (white torture) and interrogation rooms; fathers, mothers, wives, and children who become more tired of pursuing cases of their loved ones in the maze of [judiciary and prisons] offices every day without seeing their loved ones, and lack of accountability of officials and their humiliating behaviors with the prisoner and their families are noteworthy.”

Recently elected head of the judiciary, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Eje’i , has ordered an immediate investigation into the officers’ treatment of prisoners following the release of the video by the hacker group Adalat Ali.

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, the speaker of the parliament, in response to the request of the representatives to deal with the publishers of these videos, said that a Commission, with the collaboration of the prosecutor’s office is following up the whole issue.

Whether the investigation will lead to meaningful reform or increased accountability remains to be seen.