Nine Followers of the “Yamani” Movement Remain in Detention at Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA – Over a month after their arrests, nine followers of the “Yamani” religious movement remain in pre-trial detention at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. The detainees include Emad Eftetahi, Amin Akbari, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Ghasem Hatami, Alireza Salim Kaviani, Sajjad Rezvan, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajad, and one unidentified individual.

They were among 19 “Yamani” adherents detained in Mashhad. According to relatives, the arrests were made without official warrants and in violation of legal procedures.

In Iran, individuals are frequently detained for espousing spiritual or messianic beliefs, especially those claiming a connection to the Shi’a Mahdi. The “Yamani” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, centers its teachings on Mahdism.

Iran’s security agencies—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—operate dedicated units to suppress religious, spiritual, and ideological groups that fall outside the bounds of the state-sanctioned doctrine.

Ongoing Detention of 19 “Yamani” Followers in Mashhad’s Vakilabad Prison

HRANA News Agency – Nineteen individuals affiliated with the “Yamani” religious movement, remain in legal limbo in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, one week after their arrest.

These detainees are Amir Zorami, Amin Akbari, Reza Ghiasi, Amir Zohan, Seyed Yahya Tarrahomi, Hamed Nejad-Nik, Emad Eftetahi, Alireza Salim Kaviani, Ghasem Hatami, Seyed Ali Hosseini, Sajjad Rezvan, Mohammad Hossein Nazarnajhad, Mostafa Tavana, Mohammad Kazem Fathi, and five others.

Based on information received by HRANA, these individuals were arrested by IRGC forces while attending a religious gathering.

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

Every year in Iran, individuals are arrested merely for claiming a connection to the Shi’a messianic figure, the Hidden Imam. The “Yemeni” movement, led by Ahmad al-Hasan Yamani, operates based on messianic claims related to Mahdism.

Iran’s security apparatus—particularly the Ministry of Intelligence—maintains dedicated divisions tasked with confronting religions, spiritual groups, and ideological-religious communities that do not align with the state’s official ideology.