Prisoner Executed in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA News Agency – On February 3, 2025, the death sentence of a prisoner previously convicted of moharebeh (enmity against God) through armed robbery was carried out in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

HRANA has identified the prisoner as Hafez Bani Asadi, a resident of Kahnuj. According to information obtained by HRANA, he had been sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court on charges of moharebeh through armed robbery.

As of the time of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not officially announced the execution.

In 2024, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran documented 812 cases related to the right to life, including the sentencing of 214 individuals to death and the execution of 930 individuals. Among these, 4 executions were carried out in public. Of those executed, 818 were male, 26 were female, and 5 were juvenile offenders—individuals under 18 years old at the time of their alleged crimes.

Seyed Javad Hosseini Nejad Sentenced to Prison

HRANA News Agency – Seyed Javad Hosseini-Nejad, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to eight months in prison by Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to a verdict recently issued and communicated to Mr. Hosseini-Nejad, he was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” Security forces arrested him in October 2024, after which he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

Approximately 36 years old, Seyed Javad Hosseini-Nejad is a father of one and a resident of Mashhad. He has previously faced arrest and imprisonment due to his activism.

Political Prisoners Fatemeh and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri Face New Charges

HRANA News Agency – Fatemeh Sepehri and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri, political prisoners held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, were charged yesterday, January 27, in connection with a new case opened against them.

Ali Sepehri, their brother, announced that the charges were brought by Branch 905 of the Mashhad Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office. The siblings are accused of “insulting the Supreme Leader of Iran” and “propaganda against the regime.” The charges reportedly stem from a letter recently published by the two prisoners.

Background on Arrests and Sentences
Fatemeh Sepehri was arrested in September 2022, and Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri in September 2023, both by security forces.

Fatemeh Sepehri has faced multiple convictions. She was sentenced to:

  • 10 years imprisonment for “collaboration with hostile governments,”
  • 5 years for “assembly and collusion,”
  • 2 years for “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and
  • 1 year for “propaganda against the regime.”

These sentences were upheld by the appeals court, with the 10-year sentence enforceable under Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code. In February 2023, the Mashhad Criminal Court also sentenced her to 1 year in prison and a fine of 20 million tomans for “spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.”

Additionally, in June 2023, Fatemeh Sepehri, alongside her brothers Mohammad Hossein and Hossein Sepehri, was sentenced to 18 years and 6 months in prison in a joint case. Mohammad Hossein Sepehri received an 8-year sentence in this case.

Fatemeh Sepehri is also known as one of the signatories of an open letter calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. For this, she was initially sentenced to 5 years imprisonment by Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, later reduced to 3 years and 6 months on appeal. In early 2020, she was conditionally released for 5 years.

Additional Developments
In late November 2023, the Mashhad Education Department issued an order dismissing Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri from his teaching position, which was officially conveyed to him in Vakilabad Prison. In September 2024, Branch 25 of the Administrative Justice Court upheld his dismissal.

Both siblings have a history of arrests and convictions due to their political activities.

Khosrow Alikordi Sentenced to One-Year in Prison

HRANA News Agency – Khosrow Alikordi, a lawyer currently held in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, has been sentenced to one year in prison by Branch 5 of the Revolutionary Court of Mashhad.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Khosrow Alikordi was convicted on charges of “propaganda against the regime.” The dissemination of content on social media was cited as evidence for the charges against him.

Alikordi, who was previously serving another sentence under a semi-open prison arrangement, was re-arrested in early January after being summoned by the supervisory judge at Vakilabad Prison.

On August 1, 2023, Alikordi was initially arrested after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison but released on bail after five days.

In January 2024, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, sentenced Alikordi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” As additional penalties, he was sentenced to two years of exile in Nahbandan, two years of a travel ban, two years of prohibition from practicing law, and two years of a social media ban. The sentence was upheld by Branch 35 of the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals in January 2024.

In a separate case, Branch 131 of the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Alikordi to a fine of 15 million tomans for “spreading false information and failing to maintain confidentiality.” This sentence was also upheld on appeal.

In early-February 2024, Alikurdi was summoned by the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office in connection with another case and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison to serve his one-year prison sentence.

Report on the Latest Situation of Fatemeh Sepehri in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

HRANA News Agency – Fatemeh Sepehri, a political prisoner held in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, is enduring poor physical and environmental conditions despite needing regular medical care. Due to a heart condition and past surgery, she requires quarterly medical examinations.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Sepehri’s specialized medical needs remain unmet in prison, contributing to her deteriorating condition.

Her brother, Asghar Sepehri, stated that Fatemeh was examined by a cardiac surgeon on December 25 due to her heart condition. Additionally, three days later, she was seen by an orthopedic specialist for severe pain in both hands. The doctor administered pain-relieving injections and prescribed 10 physical therapy sessions, attributing the pain to psychological stress and the pressures of the prison environment.

Since December 5, Sepehri has only been allowed two hours of daily outdoor time under the supervision of a guard. Her brother emphasized that these harsh conditions are exacerbating her physical and mental health challenges.

Following her heart surgery in October last year, Sepehri has repeatedly requested medical or conditional leave, all of which have been denied by security agencies and the prison’s overseeing judge.

In June of 2024, Sepehri and her brothers, Mohammad-Hossein Sepehri and Hossein Sepehri, were sentenced to a total of 18 years and six months in prison. The charges against her included “assembly and collusion against national security,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “propaganda against the regime,” as well as an additional charge of “supporting a hostile government (Israel).”

Sepehri is currently serving a sentence from a prior case in Vakilabad Prison. She was temporarily released on medical leave on October 16, 2023, but was re-arrested at her home in Mashhad just three days later, and returned to prison.

In February 2023, the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced her to an additional one year of imprisonment and a fine of 20 million tomans for “spreading falsehoods and disturbing public opinion.” She was also arrested on September 21 of that year at her home and transferred to Vakilabad Prison.

Fatemeh Sepehri is one of the signatories of a letter calling for the resignation of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the initial trial, Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court sentenced her to five years of imprisonment, later reduced to three years and six months on appeal. In May, 2023, this sentence was conditionally suspended for five years, leading to her temporary release.

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Letter from Six Sunni Prisoners: “Officials Beat Prisoners and Erase the Footage”

HRANA News Agency – Six Sunni prisoners detained in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad, have written a letter exposing violence and inhumane behavior by prison officials.

The signatories—Isa Eidmohammadi, Farhad Shakeri, Habib Pir-Mohammadi, Abdolrahman Gorgij, Abdolbaset Avarsan, and Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij—have reported that prison officials assault prisoners and erase video evidence from surveillance cameras. They also criticized poor physical and mental health conditions, unfair sentences, and lack of attention to medical issues, calling for the United Nations and human rights organizations to respond.

These six Sunni prisoners protested the dire conditions of prisoners through their letter, demanding immediate action by international bodies to hold the Iranian government accountable and ensure transparency. In their letter, the prisoners highlighted issues such as prolonged uncertainty for detainees, harsh prison sentences, and neglect of medical needs, including both physical and psychological concerns. They expressed outrage at the violence and insults routinely inflicted by prison staff, emphasizing that officials often delete footage from prison surveillance cameras to conceal evidence of abuse.

The full text of this letter:

“Together, We Can Overthrow the Dictator…”

What is Happening in the Dictator’s Prisons?

In the name of the homeland, the love within every honorable and pure-hearted person.

Once again, crimes against humanity rage on.

In this era of democracy, freedom, and equality, the news and images from the dreadful prisons of the cursed criminal Bashar al-Assad clearly expose the bloodthirstiness of this tyrant, who has claimed the lives of millions. This alone illustrates the hatred such dictators harbor for freedom and equality. Moreover, this criminal is merely a pupil of the cruel regime of Khamenei, the dictator.

With the fall of these criminals, many more atrocities will come to light. Sadly, we have repeatedly witnessed the suffering of our defenseless compatriots in Iranian prisons. Despite testimonies and evidence from our fellow citizens, International organizations and human rights bodies have failed to take decisive action.

Every day, we witness new crimes committed by this dictatorial regime.

What happens in the tyrant’s prisons?

  • Fathers have remained in limbo for nearly a decade, only to find their children have grown into adults in their absence.
  • Long-term imprisonments have pushed families to the brink of collapse, poverty, and corruption.
  • Young people have gone gray in these prisons while their parents have suffered strokes from longing and grief.
  • Divorce, broken families, and countless other tragedies.

Meanwhile, the regime labels us as “delusional” while allowing political, ideological, and security prisoners to be beaten by its prison agents with impunity. They then brazenly erase footage from surveillance cameras and dismiss the prisoners’ accounts as fabricated lies against the regime’s officials. A recent instance of such a crime took place in Ward 6/1.

We, the political and ideological prisoners, demand that the United Nations and human rights organizations expose the horrors of the dictator’s prisons and hold these tyrants accountable, so that such inhumane acts are never repeated. Only then can we ensure a peaceful and beautiful future for the generations to come.

And a final word: Let us not forget that our loved ones have withered and perished under the yoke of tyranny. We will forever raise the cry of freedom for those still in captivity and for the families of those who gave their lives for the liberation of our homeland. Together, for the freedom of our country.

Details About the Authors of the Letter:

Isa Eidmohammadi, Farhad Shakeri, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, Abdolrahman Gorgij, and Abdolbaset Avarsan were arrested in 2015 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in connection with a shared case. A year later, they were transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. In 2019, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Mahmoud Davoudabadi, sentenced Shakeri, Eidmohammadi, Abdolhakim Azim Gorgij, and Abdolrahman Gorgij to death on charges of “armed rebellion (Baghi) through membership in the Salafi group Party of Furqan and membership in the National Solidarity Front of Sunni Muslims in Iran.” Avarsan was sentenced to 15 years in prison for “armed rebellion through membership in ISIS.”

The death sentences were overturned by Branch 41 of the Supreme Court, presided over by Judge Ali Razini, and the case was referred to a parallel court for retrial. However, in August 2023, Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahmadian Salami, once again sentenced the prisoners to death. In August 2024, Branch 39 of the Supreme Court upheld the death sentences.

As for Habib Pir-Mohammadi, another Sunni prisoner, he was arrested at his workplace on March 17, 2018. After 103 days of interrogation at The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Mashhad, he was transferred to Vakilabad Prison. On February 24, 2019, Branch 4 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, sentenced him to a total of 22 years in prison on charges including “armed rebellion (Baghi),” “assembly and collusion against internal security,” and “propaganda against the regime.” Based on Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, 15 years of imprisonment as the most severe sentence will be enforced.

Attorney Khosrow Alikordi Arrested

Yesterday, attorney Khosrow Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open prison arrangement, was arrested after being summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. He was subsequently transferred to an undisclosed location.

On Tuesday, December 24, 2024, Alikordi, who was serving his sentence under a semi-open arrangement, was summoned by the supervising judge of Vakilabad Prison and taken into custody. His whereabouts remain unknown.

On August 1, 2023, Alikordi was initially arrested after appearing at the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Mashhad. He was transferred to Vakilabad Prison but released on bail after five days.

In January 2024, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Hadi Mansouri, sentenced Alikordi to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime in favor of anti-regime groups.” As additional penalties, he was sentenced to two years of exile in Nahbandan, two years of a travel ban, two years of prohibition from practicing law, and two years of a social media ban. The sentence was upheld by Branch 35 of the Khorasan Razavi Court of Appeals in January 2024.

In a separate case, Branch 131 of the Mashhad Criminal Court sentenced Alikordi to a fine of 15 million tomans for “spreading false information and failing to maintain confidentiality.” This sentence was also upheld on appeal.

In early-February 2024, Alikordi was summoned by the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office in connection with another case and was later transferred to Vakilabad Prison to serve his one-year prison sentence.

Three Executions Carried Out in Isfahan and Mashhad Prisons

Yesterday, December 12, the death sentences of three prisoners, previously convicted on charges related to drug offenses and murder, were carried out in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan and Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.

According to HRANA, quoting the Iranian Human Rights Organization, on Thursday, December 12, 2024, one prisoner was executed in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

According to the Iranian Human Rights Organization, Majid Esmaeili, 30 years old and a resident of Isfahan, was executed in Isfahan Prison. Based on this report, Mr. Esmaeili was arrested three years ago on charges of murder during a street altercation. He was subsequently sentenced to death by the judiciary.

According to Haal Vsh, two prisoners were executed yesterday in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad.

The prisoners were identified as Mohammad Shah Achakzahi, 22, and Rahim Achakzehi, 24, both Afghan nationals residing in Mashhad.

The report states that the two individuals were arrested in 2022 on drug-related charges in Mashhad and later sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court of the city.

At the time of this report’s publication, prison authorities and responsible institutions had not officially announced the executions.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.

Agrin Sedighi: Political Prisoner Serving Six-Month Sentence in Vakilabad Prison, Mashhad

Agrin Sedighi, a political prisoner, is currently serving her sentence in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad. Ms. Sedighi was previously sentenced to six months in prison by Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Ms. Sedighi, aged around 23, is serving her prison term in the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison.

Based on HRANA’s findings, Ms. Sedighi was arrested on July 17, 2024, after appearing before Branch 21 of the Mashhad Prosecutor’s Office for enforcement of sentences. She was then transferred to Vakilabad Prison. Earlier, Branch 1 of the Mashhad Revolutionary Court had sentenced her to six months in prison on charges of “propaganda on the Internet in support of the Zionist regime.”

The activities cited in support of these charges included social media posts, which the court interpreted as examples of propaganda against the regime.

Execution of Six Prisoners Carried Out in Mashhad

At dawn on November 5, six prisoners convicted of non-political offenses, primarily drug-related, were executed at Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, according to Haal Vsh.

Four of the executed prisoners have been identified: Mahmoud Shahraki and Mohammad-Reza Davar, both from Zabol; Zaher Safari, an Afghan national; and Majid Ghadiri from Mashhad. All four had been sentenced to death on drug-related charges.

The identities and charges of the two remaining prisoners remain unknown.

As of this report, prison authorities and relevant institutions have not publicly confirmed the executions.

According to latest HRANA’s annual report over between October 10, 2023, and October 8, 2024, at least 811 individuals were executed by hanging in Iran, rising to 23.06% compared to the same period last year. Of these executions, four were carried out in public. Many of the defendants were denied a fair trial.