Tag: Shahin-Shahr

2026 Protests; Ilya Ben-Rashid Sentenced to Imprisonment and Flogging

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Ilya Ben-Rashid, Isfahan, moharebeh, Shahin-Shahr

HRANA – Ilya Ben-Rashid, one of the detainees arrested during the January 2026 protests in Shahin Shahr, has been sentenced by a criminal court to six months in prison and 20 lashes. Another part of his case, involving the charge of “enmity against God” (moharebeh), is currently under review by the Revolutionary Court, and no verdict has yet been issued for that part of the case.

According to HRANA, Ilya Ben-Rashid, who is currently imprisoned in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, has been sentenced to imprisonment and flogging.

Based on the ruling issued by Branch 102 of the Shahin Shahr and Meymeh Criminal Court Two, Mr. Ben-Rashid was sentenced to six months of discretionary imprisonment and 20 lashes on the charge of “direct involvement in the theft of a computer case belonging to the Shahin Shahr Health and Treatment Network.” The court acquitted him of the charge of disrupting public order and peace through participation in protests.

According to information received by HRANA, another part of his case is still being reviewed by the Isfahan Revolutionary Court, and no ruling has yet been issued in that regard.

In April of this year, a hearing was held at Branch 5 of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to address the charges against this citizen. In this part of the case, he faces charges including “enmity against God (moharebeh) through participation in the destruction of public property, assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security, and anti-state propaganda activity.”

Mr. Ben-Rashid was arrested on January 22, 2026, in connection with the nationwide protests in Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, and was subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

He was later formally charged on February 20, 2026, at Branch 2 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Shahin Shahr regarding the aforementioned accusations.

Ilya Ben-Rashid is 22 years old and a resident of Shahin Shahr, Isfahan.

It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, 2025, and within two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the largest protest movements of 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 agencies. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s comprehensive report titled “Crimson Winter,” documenting the first fifty days following the outbreak of Iran’s nationwide protests.

Three Citizens Arrested in Shahin Shahr

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HRANA, Shahin-Shahr

HRANA – The deputy commander of the Isfahan Provincial Police announced the arrest of three citizens, including a woman, in Shahin Shahr on accusations of what was described as “sending information and cooperating with an anti-government network.”

According to Daneshjoo News Agency, the deputy commander of the Isfahan Provincial Police claimed that a young couple and another individual in Shahin Shahr had been in contact with a media outlet based outside the country and had sent information and cooperated with the network.

Ahmad-Ali Goudarzi further alleged that these individuals had sent images of military sites to the anti-government network and had called for the bombing of those locations. He also claimed that during the burial ceremony of those killed in the January 2026 protests at Behesht-e Masoumeh cemetery in Shahin Shahr, the three individuals had engaged in “propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran and created a negative psychological atmosphere.”

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

Two Citizens Arrested in Shahin Shahr and Kermanshah

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Hossein Afrasiab, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Moslem Zarei, Shahin-Shahr

HRANA – Moslem Zarei, a resident of Kermanshah, was arrested yesterday by security forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. Hossein Afrasiab was also arrested on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Shahin Shahr and subsequently transferred to Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.

The citizen’s sister announced in a post on her personal page that Mr. Afrasiab was arrested on Saturday, March 14, 2026, by security agents in Shahin Shahr, accompanied by physical violence, and was transferred to Ward “A-T” of Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan.
The lack of information regarding his health condition, along with his deprivation of phone contact with his family or access to a lawyer, has increased concerns among his relatives.

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the charges against this citizen, who was active in rap music.

Meanwhile, according to Kurdpa, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Moslem Zarei, a citizen from Kermanshah, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to the report, Mr. Zarei’s arrest was carried out without a judicial warrant, and no information is available regarding the charges against him.

This citizen had previously faced security-related encounters. His sister, Mahsa Zarei, had also been arrested in recent months and was later released on bail.

Day 46 of the Protests: Conditional Release with Mandatory Pledges, Arrest of Teachers, and European Parliament Session

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Ali Imani Motlagh, Ali Shamaili, Amir Rahimi, Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, Farhad Rahmani, HRANA, IRGC Intelligence, Isfahan, Masoud Kiani, Mastoureh Narimani, Sattar Zarei, Shahin-Shahr

HRANA – According to HRANA’s latest aggregated data through the end of the forty-sixth day since the beginning of the protests, the total number of confirmed deaths has reached 7,002. Of these, 6,506 individuals have been registered under the category of “protesters,” including 216 persons under the age of 18. In addition, 214 individuals affiliated with government forces and 66 “non-protesters civilians” have been reported killed. Another 11,730 cases remain under investigation.

During the same period, the number of injured civilians has been recorded at 25,022, total arrests at 52,941 cases, student arrests at 136 cases, forced confessions at 337 cases, and summonses at 11,051 cases. A total of 676 protest locations have been documented across 210 cities in 31 provinces.

On the forty-sixth day, the following key developments are noteworthy: the continuation of targeted arrests among citizens and teachers, the imposition of new conditions for the release of detainees, and international reactions to the systematic crackdown on protesters.

Conditional Release of Some Detainees Tied to Signing a Pledge to Participate in a Pro-Regime Rally

In Shahin Shahr, Isfahan, the families of at least three recently detained individuals have announced that despite the issuance and posting of bail, the release of their loved ones has been halted. According to these families, judicial authorities have made their release contingent upon signing a written pledge requiring the detainees to participate in the February 11 rally, take photos and videos of their attendance, and submit them to the relevant authorities.

Families have been informed that failure to sign this pledge or to comply with its terms would expose the individuals to the risk of re-arrest. This conditional requirement has been imposed even though bail had already been secured and the legal procedures for its submission had
been completed.

Arrest of At Least 8 Teachers in Various Cities

Amid continued security crackdowns, at least eight teachers have been arrested in connection with the protests. The names of the detained teachers are: Mastoureh Narimani in Ahvaz, Amir Rahimi in Azna, Sattar Zarei in Khomeini Shahr, Ali Shamaili in Songhor, Shervin Hamideh in Karaj, Farhad Rahmani in Takestan, Ali Imani Motlagh in Lorestan, and Masoud Kiani in Shabad.

The arrest of these teachers, alongside the reported 136 student arrests, indicates the Iranian regime’s concentrated crackdown on the education sector.

European Parliament Session on Systematic Crackdown in Iran

Today, the European Parliament held a session on “systematic repression, inhumane conditions, and arbitrary detentions” in Iran. During the session, representatives discussed the intensification of the crackdown on protests, widespread arrests, poor detention conditions, and the denial of detainees’ access to medical care and legal counsel.

In the draft resolution presented within this body, emphasis was placed on the immediate and unconditional release of political detainees and protesters, granting international bodies access to detention facilities, and holding perpetrators of serious human rights violations accountable.

Arrests and Crackdowns Continue

Arrest of Citizens in Several Provinces

In connection with the protests, Soroush Dabirmanesh and Khalil Rasouli in Bojnurd, Sajed Khabazi in Lahijan, Mehdi Haghjou (a 17-year-old student) in Langarud, and Milad Didar in Rasht were arrested by security forces.

In Dehdasht, Jamal Pourmandfar was arrested on January 10, 2026, and transferred to the city’s prison, where he remains in a state of uncertainty.

Arrest of Political and Reformist Activists

In Tehran, Mohsen Aminzadeh, a member of the Reform Front, was arrested on February 7, 2026, by IRGC Intelligence agents. His lawyer has stated that he is being held in solitary confinement and that the announced charges lack legal basis.

At the same time, Azar Mansouri, Ebrahim Asgharzadeh, Hossein Karroubi, and Ali Shokouhi-Rad have also been arrested. These arrests indicate an expansion of the crackdown to include political figures and long-standing activists.

Arrest of Labor Activists

Yaser Ahmadinejad, a labor activist and dismissed worker of the National Iranian Drilling Company, was arrested on February 5, 2026 (aligned with Europe time) and transferred to Dehdasht Prison. He had previously acted as an independent representative of workers, pursuing labor demands and criticizing oil sector management and contractors.

Pressure on the Media and Response to a Live Broadcast Incident

During the February 11 ceremony, a presenter on Hamoon Network mistakenly uttered the phrase “Death to Khamenei” during a live broadcast, which led to the broadcast being cut off. Following the incident, the network’s broadcast director was dismissed, the channel’s operator and supervisor were suspended, and other staff members were referred to a disciplinary committee.

Continuation of Judicial Threats

The First Deputy of the Judiciary announced that some protest-related cases are in the investigation phase, some have been sent to court with indictments issued, and others are at the appeals stage. He emphasized that those who have “committed rioting” will be dealt with without leniency.

Cumulative Statistics Through the End of Day 46

• Total recorded protest locations: 676

• Number of cities (without repetition): 210

• Number of provinces (without repetition): 31

• Injured civilians: 25,022

• Total arrests: 52,941

• Student arrests: 136

• Forced confessions: 337

• Summonses: 11,051

• Total protesters killed: 6,506

▪️ Including children: 216
▪️ Military/government forces: 214
▪️ Non-civilian, non-protesters: 66

• Total deaths: 7,002

• Cases under investigation: 11,730

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

Summary

The forty-sixth day passed with arrests continuing at various levels, from school students and university students to teachers, labor activists, and political figures. Conditioning the release of some detainees in Shahin Shahr, the arrest of at least eight teachers across different cities, and the continuation of judicial proceedings accompanied by threatening rhetoric from officials were among the most notable developments of the day.

At the international level, the crackdown on protests and detention conditions has been raised in the European Parliament. Meanwhile, HRANA’s cumulative data indicate a continued rise in the number of deaths, injuries, and arrests—demonstrating that 46 days after the start of the protests, both the human and geographic scope of these events remains extensive, with their consequences continuing to accumulate.

Family Concern Grows as Bita Shafiei Remains Detained Without Updates

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IRGC Intelligence, khorramshahr, Shahin-Shahr, بیتا شفیعی

HRANA – Bita Shafiei, a resident of Shahin Shahr and the daughter of Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, has been detained for five days by IRGC Intelligence agents in Khorramshahr, with no information available about her whereabouts or condition. The absence of updates has heightened her family’s concern.

Based on information received by HRANA, Ms. Shafiei was arrested on Thursday, November 13, by IRGC Intelligence agents at the home of her relatives in Khorramshahr. She had traveled to Khorramshahr after the arrest of her mother, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, from their residence in Shahin Shahr.

A source close to the Shafiei family confirmed to HRANA: “Despite the family’s efforts, none of the security or judicial bodies have provided any clear answers regarding her status. This situation has significantly increased the worries of her family and relatives.”

As of the time of this report, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for her arrest or the charges brought against her.

Bita Shafiei is the daughter of Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, a student who was arrested by security forces during protests related to the student poisoning incidents in Shahin Shahr and later released.

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Maryam Abbasi Nikoo Arrested

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Bita Shafiei, irgc, IRGC Intelligence, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, Shahin-Shahr, مریم عباسی نیکو

HRANA – On Monday, November 10, Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, a resident of Shahin Shahr, was arrested by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization and taken to an undisclosed location.

Her daughter, Bita Shafiei, reported that around 2 p.m., IRGC Intelligence agents entered their home, arrested her mother, and transferred her to an unknown location. Shafiei stated that the agents caused damage to household items during the raid.

As of this report, no information has been released regarding the reasons for Abbasi Nikoo’s arrest, the charges against her, or her current whereabouts.

Maryam Abbasi Nikoo, a resident of Shahin Shahr, is the mother of Bita Shafiei, a student previously arrested by security forces during protests over the mass poisoning of students in Shahin Shahr and later released. Abbasi Nikoo has also faced prior arrests and judicial proceedings related to her activism.

Nationwide Protests in Iran Continue on Day Sixteen

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Arak, Babol, Bukan, Dehgolan, Isfahan, Karaj, Mahsa Amini, Mashhad, Molavi Abdul Hamid, Rasht, Shahin-Shahr, Shahrekord, Shiraz, Tehran, Zahedan

On October 1, 2022, despite the heavy presence of riot police and plainclothes security agents, Iranian people held demonstrations in many cities including Mashhad, Rasht, Dehgolan, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tehran, Shahrekord, Shahin Shahr, Arak, Bukan, Babol, Karaj. Moreover, on at least 27 universities campus, the students held protests. These protests continued in Tehran, Isfahan, Bushehr and at least 25 universities on the following day, October 2.

The map below shows the geographical distribution of protests across Iran during the last 48 hours.

In most cases, peaceful student protests turned violent by the police as dozens of students were arrested by the security forces. On the University of Isfahan campus, the security agents or the police fired tear gas at the crowd of protesting students.

Last night, the police and security forces surrounded the Sharif University of Technology, chasing and arresting violently the students who left the campus. The police fired tear gas and pellet guns, leading to several students’ injuries. 

According to Iran’s Student Union, several protesting students were trapped in a university building by university security agents and then arrested by the police.

The students chanted slogans such as “Death to the dictator”, “don’t call it protests, it is now a revolution”, and “jailed students should be freed.” They also chanted slogans against the Supreme Leader, Khamenei.

On October 2, in Isfahan and Piranshahr, traders and shopkeepers joined the general strike and closed their shops.

Meanwhile, in recent days, the record-breaking hashtag Mahsa Amini (مهسا_امینی#) reached over 200 million times on Twitter.

Like the previous days, most parts of the country, especially Kurdistan, faced internet and mobile phone disruptions and outages.

Last Friday, September 30, in Zahedan, in Sistan and Baluchistan province, the security forces opened fire at the crowd of protestors coming from the Friday prayer. According to Iranian Sunni cleric Molavi Abdul Hamid, at least 40 people were killed in this incident.

The number of people arrested is increasing day on day. HRANA identified 31 arrests alone for yesterday.

Kurdistan police chief claimed that more than 150 people arrested during the “unrest” have been released.

It is estimated that 30 to 40 students at the Sharif University of Technology were arrested.

Anti-riot police and security forces use live ammunition against the protestors. HRANA has identified 150 death tolls, of which some have been verified by HRANA after fact-checking.

Below is the compilation of the videos from the protests in the past 24 hours.

Nationwide Protests in Iran Continues on Day Nine

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Amol, Babol, Fardis, Fuman, Isfahan, Karaj, Mahsa Amini, Nowshahr, Qaen, Sabzevar, Sanandaj, Shahin-Shahr, Shahr-e-Rey, Shiraz, Tabriz, Tehran, Zahedan

On September 25, the nationwide protests continued nine days after the death of Mahsa Amini. Demonstrations continued in at least 19 cities and universities, as the number of arrests and the individuals injured or killed increased. There were disruptions and outages in internet and phone services and social media was filtered. 

On September 24,25, 2022, despite the heavy presence of riot police and plainclothes security agents, people held demonstrations in many cities, including Shahin-Shahr, Karaj, Shiraz, Amol, Babol, Sanandaj, Tehran, Fardis, Isfahan, Tabriz, Zahedan, Fuman, Sabzevar, Qaen, Shahr-e-Rey, and Nowshahr. 

The Sharif University of Technology and the University of Tehran students held protests on campus, chanting slogans  such as “Death to the dictator”, “Jailed student should be freed”, and “We will fight, we will die, but we will take back Iran.”

The two maps below show the geographical distribution and concentrations of the protests until the seventh day of protests. 

On September 25, the Coordination Council of the Iranian Teachers Trade Association issued a statement asking teachers and students all over Iran to join the general strike.

 It is estimated that many individuals have been arrested, as 450 arrests were reported only in the city of Sari. However, HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, is still working on fact-checking and reviewing the reports independently. HRANA has identified and verified 48 individuals arrested so far.

There were also reports of several individuals killed as a result of the brutality of the security apparatus. The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting reported 41 deaths, of which HRANA has identified 38.

The map below shows the distribution of the death toll as of the seventh day of protests.

Below is a compilation of the videos gathered on the eighth and ninth days of protests in Iran.

Report on Protests Following Abadan Building Collapse

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Abadan, Abadan Building Collapse, Abadan Protests, Aghil Amoori, ahvaz, Ali Fartoosi, Andimeshk, death to the dictator, Hamid Fartoosi, Karim Aldninawi, khorramshahr, Metropol, Mohammad Fartoosi, Netblocks, Shahin-Shahr, Shahr-e-Rey

In recent days, following the collapse of a building in Abadan in Khuzestan Province which led to the death of 29 people declared so far, hundreds of citizens in Abadan, Ahvaz, Shahin-Shahr, Shahr-e-Rey, Andimeshk and Khorramshahr demonstrated against the government, more specifically on the issues related to corruption, low safety standards, and mismanagement. People protested against authorities and influential individuals whose corruption, incompetency and failure to impose safety standards on the construction contributed to the disaster. They also blamed shortcomings in rescue operations and equipment for such a high death toll.

Metropol Collapse

So far, a number of protestors have been arrested. Anti-riot forces have been present on the scene, turning peaceful protests into a violent showdown.

On Monday, May 23, 2022, 10-story building which was under construction known as Metropol collapsed in the city of Abadan in Khuzestan Province. Dozens of people were killed, injured or trapped in the rubble. The experts of the Abadan Engineering Organization had already warned about the safety deficiencies and announced that for these safety issues, the building should not be inaugurated. Nonetheless, the construction continued.

Although the causes of the collapse have not been investigated yet, many argue that the lack of construction oversight by the municipal officials who are themselves the shareholders of this project led to this disaster.

Moreover, the government’s failure to provide adequate emergency response and proper rescue equipment caused anger and criticism toward the officials. According to some victims’ families and protestors, the officials’ failure to provide the required equipment hindered the debris removal operation, which led to the death of more people who were trapped under rubble. Moreover, the government did not cancel a state-run celebration in a sports stadium, which further angered the populace.

Protests

Initially, people gathered for mourning after the building collapse which turned into the marching in streets and spread to additional cities. In Abadan, Ahvaz, Shahin-Shahr, Shahr Ray, Andimeshk and Khorramshahr, people marched and chanted slogans against the Iranian regime.

On Friday, the protests turned violent in some cities as the police attempted to scatter the crowds with tear gas and pellet guns. Many protestors were beaten in Ahvaz and Shahin-Shahr .

The protests continued on Saturday and Sunday. In Andimeshk, Abadan, Shahr-e-Rey, and Dezful, people marched and chanted “death to the dictator”, “the clerics must go away”, and other anti-regime slogans.

On Sunday, officials in Abadan attempted to hold a supervised mourning gathering. According to reports of eye-witnesses obtained by HRANA, during the gathering, people began to chant anti-regime slogans, did not allow the assigned cleric to finish sermons, and left to march in the streets.

The map below shows the geographical distribution of protests:

On Friday, Netblocks, a watchdog organization that monitors global access to the internet reported disruption on the internet in Iran. Some local sources have also reported the internet and phone disruption to HRANA. These reports were in Abadan, Ahvaz and Khorramshahr.

Arrests

Dozens of people have been arrested during these protests. So far, HRANA has identified four individuals who were arrested as Ali Fartoosi, Aghil Amoori, Mohammad Fartoosi, and Hamid Fartoosi. These individuals were arrested and transferred to an unidentified location. Also, on Thursday, Karim Aldninawi, an Arab poet and resident of Shush City, was arrested following his criticism of the government in a video post on social media.

The following video is a compilation of 44 verified video reports on current protests.