Indictment Issued for Four Accused of “Spying for Israel”

HRANA – The head of the West Azerbaijan Province Judiciary has announced that indictments have been issued against four individuals accused of “spying for Israel.”

According to Mizan, the indictments were handed down following proceedings in the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, under Article 6 of the Law on Combating the Actions of the Zionist Regime.

Naser Atabati, head of the provincial judiciary, claimed that the defendants were involved in identifying military facilities and other sensitive sites across Iran. He further alleged that they operated in Tehran, Urmia, Shahroud, and Isfahan, where they photographed and filmed locations for transfer to Mossad agents, procured SIM cards and specialized phones for secure communications, and carried out explosions and acts of arson. In return, he said, they received payments from the Israeli military in the form of cryptocurrency and other digital assets.

The report did not specify the date of the indictments or which judicial branch issued them.

Article 6 of the Law on Combating the Actions of Israel equates any intelligence cooperation or espionage on behalf of Israel with moharebeh (enmity against God) and corruption on earth, both of which carry the maximum penalty under Iranian law.

While espionage in itself is not considered a human rights violation, the Iranian government has a documented history of using such charges to target political opponents. As a result, claims of this nature- particularly when lacking transparency about evidence, legal proceedings, or due process – are widely regarded with skepticism.

Appeals Court Increases Prison Sentence of Hamid Chapati

HRANA – The prison sentence of Hamid Chapati, a resident of Urmia, has been increased to six months by Branch 23 of the West Azerbaijan Province Court of Appeals. He had previously been sentenced to three months in prison by a lower court.

According to Kurdpa, the ruling was issued by Branch 23 of the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals and formally communicated to Mr. Chapati on Tuesday, August 19. Under this verdict, he has been sentenced to six months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

The increased sentence came after an appeal filed by Behzad Sarikhanlou, the deputy prosecutor of Urmia, against the lower court’s decision, which resulted in the case being referred to the Court of Appeals.

In February 2025, Branch 2 of the Urmia Revolutionary Court had sentenced Mr. Chapati to three months in prison on the same charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Mr. Chapati was initially arrested on October 16, 2024, after being summoned by phone to the Urmia Security Police. He was later released on bail following the formal presentation of charges.

The Fifth Day of Israeli Attacks on Iran: A Review of the Incidents

HRANA News Agency – The military conflict between Iran and Israel, which began in the early hours of Friday, June 13th, with Israeli airstrikes on Iranian territory, entered its fifth day yesterday. Since the outset of the conflict, military installations, civilian infrastructure, and residential areas across Iran have been targeted.

Yesterday, the spokesperson of the Iranian Red Crescent reported that 21 provinces have been affected since the start of Israel’s attacks. According to published reports, at least seven people were killed or injured in yesterday’s assaults. Based on non-governmental sources, as of June 17, 23:00 UTC, the total number of casualties over the past five days has reached at least 1,911, including 585 dead and 1,326 injured.

Geographic Scope of the Strikes

In continuation of Israel’s military attacks on Iranian territory, yesterday energy infrastructure, military facilities, and residential areas were attacked in the provinces of Tehran, Isfahan, East Azerbaijan, Alborz, Markazi, Qazvin, Khuzestan, Hormozgan, West Azerbaijan, Khorasan Razavi, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Hamedan, Bushehr, and Kerman. Isfahan Province was Israel’s primary target yesterday.

Regarding the geographical scope of Israel’s attacks in Iran, Mojtaba Khaledi, the spokesperson for the Red Crescent, without naming specific provinces, stated: “Since the beginning of Israel’s attacks, 21 provinces have been involved.”

Casualties among Red Crescent rescue workers in Tehran were among yesterday’s notable events. According to the Red Crescent spokesperson, four rescue workers have been killed in the Israeli attacks so far.

Explosions in some areas have caused extensive damage and likely resulted in additional casualties. Further information is under investigation and will be updated.

Military Equipment and Scale of Attacks

The Israeli army previously announced that during the first three days of attacks on Iran, it conducted 720 airstrikes across various parts of the country. This figure has not yet been updated by Israel.

In the investigations of human rights groups, proportionality under the laws of war is of particular importance — including proportionality between targets and weaponry. According to information gathered from credible sources, the Israeli army used the following weapons in its attack:

 

WeaponTypeModel/VariantDescription & Role
1HaropLoitering attack drone– (IAI Harop)Autonomous kamikaze drone that loiters and dives onto targets (especially radars). Used to suppress Iranian air defenses and communications by homing in on radar emissions.
2HarpyLoitering anti-radar drone– (IAI Harpy)Anti-radiation loitering munition designed to seek and destroy enemy radars. Older, fire-and-forget drone that crashes into SAM radar emitters. Complemented Harop in knocking out Iran’s SAM sites.
3F-35I “Adir”Stealth multirole fighterF-35I (Israel variant)5th-gen stealth fighter jet with Israeli electronics. Penetrated Iranian airspace undetected to lead initial strikes, targeting air defenses, command centers, and nuclear sites with precision munitions.
4F-15I “Ra’am”Strike fighter-bomberF-15I (Israel variant)Long-range heavy fighter (F-15E variant) carrying large payloads (bunker busters, etc.). Non-stealth, but high payload and range; used to bomb hardened sites like Natanz once air defenses were down.
5F-16I “Sufa”Multirole fighterF-16D Block 52+ (Israel)Versatile fighter jet with conformal fuel tanks for extended range. Dropped guided bombs (e.g., SPICE, JDAM) on a wide array of targets (missile launchers, bases, leaders). Backbone of strike force.
6DelilahAir-launched cruise missile– (IMI Delilah)Standoff cruise missile (loitering munition) with ~250 km range. Can loiter and be retargeted in flight. Used to surgically strike mobile or well-hidden targets (radars, convoys) from afar.
7RampageAir-to-surface guided missile– (Elbit Rampage)Supersonic guided strike missile (air-launched rocket) designed to penetrate bunkers and hit high-value targets at long range. Difficult to intercept due to high speed.
8Blue SparrowAir-launched ballistic missile (ALBM)– (Blue Sparrow target missile)Air-dropped ballistic missile used as a pseudo-weapon. Released from aircraft to strike like a short-range ballistic missile. Provided Israel a way to hit distant hardened targets quickly.
9LORAShort-range ballistic missileLORA (IAI)Surface-launched ballistic missile (ground/ship) with ~400 km range and 10 m accuracy. Carries a 570 kg warhead. Used to hit fixed strategic targets (bases, infrastructure) at long range in opening salvo.
10SPICE-1000/2000Precision glide bomb kitSPICE family (Rafael)Electro-optical/GPS guided bombs (1000 lb or 2000 lb) that glide to target. Extremely accurate (<3 m CEP). Used to destroy buildings, runways, and other fixed targets with minimal collateral damage.
11JDAM BombsGPS-guided bomb (kit)GBU-31 JDAM etc.Joint Direct Attack Munition – a guidance kit for 500–2000 lb bombs using GPS/INS. Turns “dumb” bombs into all-weather smart bombs (~5–10 m accuracy). Formed a large portion of munitions dropped on Iranian targets.
12GBU-39 Small Diameter BombGuided glide bombGBU-39/B SDB I250 lb glide bomb with GPS guidance and pop-out wings (range ~110 km). Small warhead for pinpoint strikes on SAM sites, launchers, etc. Allows multiple bombs per aircraft hardpoint.
13GBU-28 “Bunker Buster”Laser/GPS guided bombGBU-28/B5,000 lb deep-penetration bomb developed to destroy heavily fortified underground facilities. Can penetrate dozens of feet of concrete/earth. Deployed by F-15I against Iran’s buried nuclear sites (e.g. Natanz).

 

Latest Casualty Figures

Since the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Iran, hundreds of both military and civilian individuals have been killed or injured. The military or civilian status of a significant number of the victims cited in this report remains under investigation.

In addition to the figures reported during the first four days of attacks, HRANA, after reviewing and verifying additional information and documentation, has added 806 more fatalities and injuries to its earlier casualty reports for those initial days. However, in some cases, these new figures reflect reclassification of victims rather than an actual increase in total numbers.

Beyond the casualties reported in previous days, as detailed earlier, yesterday’s attacks accounted for three additional deaths and four injuries. According to HRANA’s reports, based on its volunteer network and other non-governmental sources, the total number of people killed or injured as a result of Israel’s attacks has now reached at least 1,911.

 

Civilian Casualties (Killed and Injured)
ProvinceCityDateKilledInjuredNotesNeighborhoods & Locations
KashanKashanJune 1734Checkpoint Station

According to non-governmental sources, as of the time this report was compiled (June 17, 23:00 UTC), a total of 1,911 military or civilian citizens have been killed or injured, broken down as follows:

▫️Civilians:
Deaths: 239
Injured: 335

▫️Military personnel:
Deaths: 126
Injured: 123

▫️Unspecified:
Deaths: 220
Injured: 868

▫️Total deaths: 585
▫️Total injured: 1,326
▫️Total human casualties: 1,911 individuals

While a detailed examination of various non-governmental sources documents 1,911 casualties inside Iran, yesterday Ali Mousavi, the Islamic Republic’s ambassador in London, announced that nearly 1,500 people have been killed or injured in the Israeli attacks on Iran. He did not provide precise figures but stated that 224 civilians, including 20 children, have been killed. This comes after the Minister of Health announced yesterday that 1,800 people were injured in Iran during the first four days of the attacks.

At noon yesterday, the Red Crescent spokesperson reported: “So far, 145 injured individuals have been transferred to hospitals by the Red Crescent, and 75 were treated at the scene.” Additionally, a government spokesperson said that 120 women and children have been injured as a result of the Israeli attacks.

Previously, Hossein Kermanpour, head of public relations for the Ministry of Health, claimed in a social media post that 1,481 people were killed or injured during the first 65 hours of Israel’s attack on Iran. He stated that “more than 90 percent of these individuals were civilians.” According to Kermanpour, 522 people have been discharged, with 224 killed and 1,257 injured.

Continued Israeli Strikes on Iran’s Civilian Infrastructure on the Fifth Day

On the fifth day, Israeli attacks struck civilian areas and infrastructure in the cities of Tehran, Kashan, Tabriz, Nazarabad, Zarandieh, Khomein, Qazvin, Najafabad, Ardestan, Shahin Shahr, and Naein. Among the civilian targets were the IRIB broadcasting complex in Tehran, the Nazarabad Industrial Zone, and the Zaviyeh Industrial Park.

According to documented reports, the following civilian areas were targeted: Piroozi Street, areas near IRIB headquarters, Majidieh, Andarzgoo, Sabalan Square, Velenjak, Pasdaran, and Elahieh in Tehran; Valayat District in Qazvin; and areas near Alavijeh Junction in Shahin Shahr.

Additionally, yesterday air defense confrontations with hostile projectiles were reported in Mahabad, Tehran, Natanz, Bandar Abbas, Qazvin, Shiraz, Tabriz, Mashhad, Saqqez, Sabzevar, Kermanshah, Ahvaz, Nahavand, Malayer, and Bushehr.

Alongside civilian sites, several military locations were struck, including: a checkpoint headquarters in the Kashan region, Heshmatiyeh Barracks, Al-Zahra Barracks in Tabriz, Quds IRGC Barracks in Shahin Shahr, an ammunition depot and Ayat Base in Villashahr, Hashem Abad Air Defense site in Naein, an additional ammunition depot in Ekhtiarabad, and the 15th of Khordad Barracks in Isfahan.

Communication Disruptions and Secondary Consequences

From the start of the attacks, the Minister of Communications claimed that due to the “special circumstances of the country,” the ministry had temporarily restricted internet access. WhatsApp remained blocked for the fifth consecutive day. IRIB, as the sole official radio and television broadcaster in Iran, urged citizens to delete WhatsApp and Instagram from their phones, claiming that these apps were stealing Iranian user data and cooperating with Israel.

Since the outbreak of military hostilities, access to services based on Cloudflare has also been disrupted — an ongoing issue that has seriously affected independent media activity, emergency data transmission, and real-time access to information.

This morning, Bank Sepah’s infrastructure came under cyberattack, disrupting its services. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News Agency confirmed the cyberattack and reported that because Bank Sepah supports some gas stations, fuel service disruptions may occur in the coming hours.

Later in the day, users across various provinces reported widespread internet disruptions. No official government statements have been made about these interruptions so far.

Official media outlets also reported widespread internet disruptions across multiple provinces. Simultaneously, ArvanCloud Radar and the Telecommunication Infrastructure Company’s monitoring dashboard — which show real-time internet status — also experienced disruptions. Some IT experts warned of the possibility of a complete disconnection from the international internet in the coming hours. Meanwhile, NetBlocks, which monitors internet access restrictions worldwide, confirmed the internet disruptions in Iran.

Yesterday, the Israeli attacks also shut down Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. According to published images, shopkeepers refused to open their businesses.

Arrests and Security Crackdowns

Yesterday, at least 21 individuals were arrested for online activities. Among them: 1 in Bafgh, 18 in Lorestan Province, 1 in Boukan, and 1 in Tehran.

Including these new detentions, a total of 139 Iranian citizens have been arrested over the past five days for their online activity and content related to Israel’s attack on Iran.

Additionally, Fars News Agency, affiliated with Iran’s security institutions, reported the formation of legal cases and arrests of several citizens and media outlets. According to the report, among those targeted were ISNA News Agency, Dideban Iran website, Asr Iran website, Salam Telegram channel, and individuals including Mostafa Mehryein, Motahareh Gonei, Sadegh Al-Hosseini, Ali Sharif Zarchi, Asal Esmaeilzadeh, Hassan Asadi Lari, Atiyeh Rad, Ali Taremi, Atefeh Chaharmahalian, Hadi Tabakhgar, and Hadi Kasaeizadeh. Some of them received warnings, legal cases were opened for others, and some were arrested by court orders. HRANA had previously reported the arrests of Motahareh Gonei and Mostafa Mehryein.

The Tasnim News Agency also reported the arrests of two individuals in Isfahan and Savojbolagh, accusing them of being “affiliated with the Mossad intelligence agency.” The deputy governor of Zanjan Province also announced the arrest of several individuals on charges of collaborating with Israel. Government-affiliated media also published video footage reporting that one individual in Bushehr was arrested for allegedly collaborating with Israeli intelligence.

It should be noted that yesterday, an Iranian prisoner named Esmail Fekri was executed on charges of “spying for Israel.” The judiciary’s news agency claimed that Mr. Fekri was arrested in December 2023, and after the initial verdict, the case was sent to the Supreme Court for appeal, where, “based on the existing evidence,” the lower court’s ruling was upheld.

Other Related Developments

One related development was the cancellation of all nurses’ leave across the country. Sajad Razavi, Deputy Minister of Health for Treatment Affairs, announced that all doctors and nurses nationwide had their leaves canceled and were required to remain continuously present at medical centers.

Emphasis on Compliance with Humanitarian Obligations

As stated above that among other instances, the civilian targets have included the IRIB broadcasting complex in Tehran.

While IRIB functions as a central propaganda outlet for the Iranian government and the IRGC, its targeting raises serious concerns under international humanitarian law. State media is protected as a civilian object unless and for such time as it makes an effective contribution to military action and its destruction offers a definite military advantage. The dissemination of propaganda alone does not satisfy this threshold. Absent concrete evidence that IRIB was directly used for military purposes, such as transmitting operational instructions, its targeting would likely constitute a violation of IHL.

As the field consequences of the attacks expand, the damage to civilian infrastructure and disruption of emergency and medical services have increased. These conditions underscore the urgent need for strict adherence to humanitarian law obligations, including the principles of precaution, proportionality, and distinction between military and civilian targets.

International bodies and human rights defenders have once again stressed the need to ensure safe and unimpeded access to emergency aid and protection for civilians. The ongoing indiscriminate nature of attacks without proper distinction poses serious challenges to the legitimacy of military actions by both parties.

HRA, while continuing to monitor developments on the ground, emphasizes the need for independent investigations, accurate documentation of suspected violations, and legal accountability for all parties involved.

 

Saba Blvd in the Andarzgoo area
– Tehran
KermanshahNear IRIB (state broadcaster)

Appeals Court Upholds 15-Year Prison Sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri

HRANA News Agency – The 15-year prison sentence for Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, one of those arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests in Bukan, has been upheld in full by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court.

Zhino Beigzadeh Babamiri, daughter of the political prisoner, announced in a post that her father’s 15-year sentence was fully upheld by the West Azerbaijan Appeals Court. She added that the ruling was recently delivered to Mr. Babamiri in prison by the Urmia Judiciary’s Sentence Enforcement Branch.

Previously, the Criminal Court Branch One of Urmia had sentenced Mr. Babamiri to 15 years in prison for alleged involvement in a murder during the 2022 nationwide protests.

In addition to this case, Mr. Babamiri is also facing other charges, including baghi (armed rebellion), in a separate case currently under review at the Urmia Revolutionary Court.

Rezgar Beigzadeh Babamiri, a farmer residing in Bukan, was arrested in April 2023 in connection with the 2022 protests.

Between late 2019 and the end of 2024, the number of arrests made by Iran’s security forces for peaceful expression nearly doubled compared to the preceding five-year period (2015–2019), reflecting an intensifying pattern of repression following major protest movements.

Human Trafficking in Iran: Exploitation Through Air, Land, and Sea

HRANA News Agency –Iran’s geographic position makes it a key hub for human trafficking, with victims transported through land, sea, and air routes for forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other abuses. Despite legal frameworks, systemic failures—including lack of transparency, weak enforcement, and reliance on the death penalty—raise serious concerns about the government’s response. This report examines Iran’s trafficking routes, vulnerable populations, and the state’s flawed approach to combating this crisis.

Trafficking in Persons or Human trafficking is the illegal transportation, transfer, or harboring of individuals for exploitation. This exploitation can take various forms, including forced labor, slavery, sexual exploitation, child soldiering, and more. Human Trafficking is a crime and a severe human rights violation. Traffickers employ force, fraud, and coercion as primary mechanisms to exploit individuals. This force includes acts of physical violence, such as assault, confinement, or drugging to incapacitate victims, effectively stripping them of autonomy. Fraud involves deceptive practices, including false promises of employment, improved living conditions, or fraudulent documentation to manipulate victims. Coercion encompasses both physical and psychological tactics, such as threats of violence, blackmail, or intimidation, including threats of deportation or harm to loved ones. These methods underscore the complex and systematic nature of exploitation in human trafficking.

Geographic Crossroads

Situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Iran serves as a source, destination, and transit hub for human trafficking. Human traffickers exploit Iran’s land, air, and sea routes, operating at nearly every border to facilitate the movement of victims across the country and beyond.

This widespread exploitation is driven by a combination of social, economic, and geographical factors, with traffickers taking advantage of weak border controls, corruption, and gaps in enforcement.

Iran’s southeastern border, particularly in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, serves as a major transit corridor for traffickers. Its shared borders with Pakistan and Afghanistan facilitate the movement of trafficking victims, many of whom are transported to Persian Gulf countries. The region’s rugged terrain and inadequate border enforcement make it a preferred route for smugglers and traffickers seeking to evade detection.

Southern Iran, including key port cities such as Bandar Abbas, Bushehr, and Chabahar, is another critical trafficking hub. These ports serve as primary exit points for victims trafficked to Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, where they are subjected to forced labor and sexual exploitation. The use of small vessels and maritime routes allows traffickers to circumvent legal monitoring.  One survivor, now residing in Dubai, shared her experience with HRA. She described being trafficked along with several other women and girls on an old wooden dhow under the guise of cargo transport from the port of Jask to Dubai. Upon arrival, she was provided with forged documents and forced into prostitution.

In western Iran, provinces such as Kurdistan, West Azerbaijan, and Khuzestan serve as key routes for traffickers moving victims into Turkey and, ultimately, Europe. Many of these victims are forced into labor or other forms of exploitation. The strategic significance of the Iranian-Turkish border, a major gateway to Europe, has made it a focal point for trafficking operations, posing ongoing security and humanitarian challenges.

Northern Iran, particularly its borders with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, is also exploited for trafficking networks. Victims transported through these routes are often funneled into the Caucasus and Russia for sexual exploitation or other illicit activities. Additionally, the Caspian Sea functions as a maritime trafficking route, further complicating efforts to combat these crimes.

Beyond conventional trafficking routes, Iran has also been implicated in the trafficking of children for military purposes. Afghan children recruited by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have been trafficked via air routes—including on now-sanctioned airlines Mehr Air and Iran Air—from Iran to Syria to serve as combatants. This practice constitutes not only a severe human rights violation but also a war crime and a crime against humanity under international law.

Despite the enactment of multiple domestic laws aimed at combating trafficking, Iran’s failure to ensure transparency and victim-centered accountability mechanisms raises serious concerns about the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable populations. The judiciary’s lack of independence, coupled with the systemic absence of fully implemented victim protection measures, fosters an environment where victims remain at risk of further exploitation.

Vulnerable Groups

Victims of trafficking come from various vulnerable groups. Women, girls, and children are frequently targeted for sexual exploitation, while undocumented migrants are often forced into labor (employed in the construction, agriculture, and handicraft industries). Afghan migrants are particularly vulnerable to trafficking and sexual exploitation. Migrant children face significant risks, often falling victim to financial and sexual exploitation. These individuals, usually seeking to transit through Iran en route to Europe or other developed countries, become entangled in trafficking networks.

Concerns of Revictimization and a Flawed Reliance on the Death Penalty

The Iranian government and security agencies have taken various measures in recent years to combat human trafficking. Domestic legislation, including the provisions in the Islamic Penal Code, the Anti-Human Trafficking Act, the Law on the Protection of Children and Adolescents, and the Law on Combating Transnational Organized Crime, all address aspects of trafficking.

However, these legal frameworks fall far short of ensuring a transparent, victim-centered approach to justice. The absence of independent oversight, due process, and adequate protections for victims—particularly women, children, foreign nationals, and other vulnerable groups—raises serious concerns about the sincerity and effectiveness of these efforts.

In 2023, Iran claimed to have dismantled 94 trafficking networks and, the year prior, arrested members of 10 human trafficking rings. Yet, authorities failed to provide any meaningful details about the victims, their treatment, or the judicial process that followed.

While high-profile trafficking cases, such as the Alex network—accused of trafficking women for exploitation—led to multiple arrests and the eventual execution of its leader, the reliance on the death penalty only deepens Iran’s systemic human rights crisis. Iran’s continued use of execution sentences in trafficking cases, often following unfair trials, further violates international legal norms and underscores the judiciary’s disregard for fundamental rights.

Additionally, reports indicate the recent dismantling of a 12-member network engaged in forging travel documents to traffic individuals to 25 countries, as well as the detention of 97 individuals linked to a network transporting women to Turkey and Georgia for exploitation. While efforts to dismantle networks are welcome, concerns of revictimization are paramount.

The Iranian government has provided no assurances that victims of trafficking are not subjected to further harm within the judicial system. Instead of being treated as individuals in need of protection and support, victims—particularly women and children—face the risk of criminalization, stigmatization, and retraumatization through coercive legal proceedings or prolonged detention.

Iran must ensure that accountability processes for trafficking are conducted in a transparent and rights-based manner. Yet, the judiciary’s notorious lack of independence and the absence of protection mechanisms for victims suggest that trafficking-related prosecutions serve more as a demonstration of state control rather than a genuine effort to dismantle trafficking networks and safeguard those affected.

The Iranian government has repeatedly failed to provide evidence that women and children targeted by traffickers receive any meaningful protection. Without systemic reforms to ensure victim-centered protections and fair trials, alongside a reliance on the death penalty, Iran’s approach to human trafficking will remain deeply flawed, further endangering those most vulnerable.

 

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Alarming Rise in Casualties Among Border Workers: Over 170 Kolbars and Fuel Carriers Dead or Injured in Two Months

HRANA News Agency reports that from February 20 to April 19, 2024, the number of incidents causing death and injury among cross-border laborers (Kolbar) and fuel carriers (Sukhtbar) has significantly increased.

During this period, at least 15 Kolbars in the border areas of Kermanshah, Kurdistan, and West Azerbaijan provinces, and 9 Sukhtbars in the southeastern border areas of the country, lost their lives. Additionally, 141 Kolbars and 11 Sukhtbars were injured. Indiscriminate military shootings were the leading cause, followed by incidents such as falls from heights, frostbite, and cardiac arrest.

In comparison, the casualty figures from the previous two months totaled 93 (10 dead and 83 injured). This indicates a 90% increase in casualties and injuries among border workers (both Kolbars and Sukhtbars) in the recent two months.

Military shootings caused the deaths of 9 Kolbars and injuries to 115. Additional Kolbar fatalities occurred due to falls from heights (3 deaths), frostbite (2 deaths), and cardiac arrest (1 death). Of the injuries, 17 resulted from falls, 4 from military personnel assaults, and 4 from landmine explosions in the border areas.

In Sistan and Baluchestan province, 9 Baluchi Sukhtbars died from direct gunshot wounds or vehicle overturns due to military shootings. An additional 11 Sukhtbars were injured in similar incidents.

All reported incidents in Kermanshah province occurred in the border areas of Nowsud county, resulting in 98 injured Kolbars and 3 deaths. In Kurdistan province, the border areas of Baneh reported the most Kolbar casualties, with 3 deaths and 22 injuries.

Between March 23 and March 28, 2024, at least 7 Kolbars died, with 5 deaths attributed to military shootings and falls from heights.

On February 24, 2024, military personnel targeted dozens of Kolbars with gunfire at the border. Investigations show that on this day, at least 45 Kolbars were injured by military gunfire.

These figures are collected by HRANA and may underreport the true scope of casualties, as data is likely lacking in some areas.

Kolbars, primarily Kurdish citizens residing in impoverished regions, face numerous hazards while carrying heavy loads over long, difficult paths, in addition to facing military forces on both sides of the border. Indiscriminate shootings by border guards remain a significant cause of death and injury among Kolbars.

Meanwhile, in Sistan and Baluchestan province, lack of sufficient income forces many to engage in high-risk fuel carrying, known as Sukhtbari, for family livelihood. This dangerous occupation involves transporting fuel across borders and exposes workers to threats such as military attacks and natural disasters.
In addition to material damages, the killing of pack animals and incidents such as frostbite and avalanches also lurk for cross-border workers.

HRANA’s report on human rights violations in Iran during the 1402 Hijri year provides statistics on citizens killed or injured by Iran’s military forces.

50 Arrested for Encouraging Election Boycott in West Azerbaijan

The Chief of Police in West Azerbaijan has revealed the arrest of 50 social media page administrators in this province for urging people to boycott the upcoming parliamentary election, as reported by IRNA.

Rahim Jahanbakhsh, the Chief of Police, cited charges of “disturbing public opinion and encouraging people to abstain from voting in the election.”

The report has not disclosed the identities of the detainees or the location of their detention.

Faryad Hama-Shour Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence

On May 31, 2023, Faryad Hama-Shour, a resident of Oshnavieh, had his 12-year prison sentence confirmed by the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he will serve a mandatory five-year term.

Initially, on November 10, 2022, the Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Hama-Shour to five years in prison for his alleged involvement in an anti-regime political party. Additionally, he was given a four-year sentence for purportedly assisting in setting fire to a bank in Oshnavieh, and three years for defying authority by using weapons. Presiding over the case, Judge Ali Hassanzadeh upheld this verdict at the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals.

Hama-Shour was arrested on September 27, 2022, without showing an arrest warrant, by security forces who subsequently detained him in Urmia Prison.

 

13 People Arrested for Allegedly Espionage

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence announced the arrest of 13 people accused of “espionage” in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Golestan and West Azerbaijan Provinces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Mizan Online News Agency, 13 individuals were arrested for allegedly “espionage.”

The Ministry of intelligence claimed that in Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd, Golestan and West Azerbaijan Provinces, 23 individuals working for Mossad (the intelligence agency of Israel) were detected, of which 13 people residing inside the country were apprehended before they could take any action. The Ministry claimed that the “head of this spy network” has been identified as “Sirus,” residing in one of the European Countries. This report did not disclose the detainees’ identities.

Although the prosecution of individuals for espionage is not considered a violation of human rights, there are concerns about the validity of these allegations due to the frequent use of such accusations by Iran’s regime in order to suppress its political dissidents and due to the ambiguities in legal proceedings and the lack of transparency about such legal cases.

Nationwide Protests: 209 People Indicted in Semnan, West Azerbaijan and Kerman Provinces

The Chief Justice of Semnan, West Azerbaijan and Kerman Provinces announced that 89, 95 and 25 protestors were indicted, respectively.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, quoting Aftab News, the Chief Justice of Semnan stated that 89 people arrested during the nationwide protests were indicted.

Also, the Chief Justice of West Azerbaijan Province stated that 95 individuals were indicted, and the rest is under review.
 
Moreover, IRNA, quoting the Chief Justice of Kerman, reported the indictment of 25 individuals as ” protest leaders” in Kerman Province.

According to the latest available data gathered by HRANA, over 13800 people have been arrested during the nationwide protests. For more details and statistics on the nationwide protest across Iran, read HRANA’s comprehensive report here.