Kurdish political prisoner, her young child released on furlough in Orumiyeh

Kurdish political prisoner So’ada Khadirzadeh has been sent on temporary leaver from the women’s section of Orumiyeh Central Prison after 40 months in prison….

Kurdish activist remains detained without access to family, lawyer

A week after his arrest, Kurdish cultural activist Servat Sohrabi remains in detention in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, without access to legal representation or family…

Two Kurdish men held without legal access; wives summoned for questioning

Two Kurdish men, Ghader Kharamanfar and Jalal Sadafi, remain in prolonged detention without legal representation or family visits following their arrest by the Ministry…

NEWS

February 11, 2025

Avalanche claims life of kolbar in Hawraman border region

Amin Hosseini, a 47-year-old kolbar, died after being caught in an avalanche in the mountainous border region of Hawraman on 9 February. Hosseini, a…

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February 10, 2025

Rights groups urge Iran to halt executions of Pakhshan Azizi, Verisheh Moradi

We, the undersigned organizations, call on the Iranian judiciary to revoke the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi, Verisheh (Wirishe) Moradi, and others on death…

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PINNED

Kurdistan Human Rights Network’s Annual Report – 2024

This report examines instances of human rights violations against Kurdish civilians in Iran during 2024. As in previous years, these violations stem from factors…

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Monthly Report of August 2024

In its monthly reports, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) highlights cases of human rights violations in Kurdistan and violations of the rights of…

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Monthly Report of July 2024

In its monthly reports, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) highlights cases of human rights violations in Kurdistan and violations of the rights of…

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PUBLICATIONS

Special report: 11 Kurdish civilians, activists on death row, 8 more awaiting verdicts

At present, 11 Kurdish political activists and civilians are imprisoned under death sentences, with at least eight others facing the risk of receiving similar sentences. Some of these individuals were arrested during the anti-government Women, Life, Freedom uprising. They have been subjected to unjust conditions, including denial of access to chosen lawyers, severe physical and psychological torture, and unfair trials, resulting in the issuance of…

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KHRN’s special report on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The following report, published to mark 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, documents cases of femicide, arrests, sentencing,…

Extrajudicial executions: Ra’uf Sheikhi killing

Joint explanation of the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN, or Network) and the Abdorrahman Boroumand Center for Human Rights in Iran (ABC, or Center):…

Special report: 23 women killed, dozens arrested, sentenced, fired from jobs

This report details cases of femicide, suspicious deaths of women, as well as the arrest and imprisonment of Kurdish women activists and their removal…

Monthly Report of January 2025

In its monthly reports, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) highlights cases of human rights violations in Kurdistan and violations of the rights of Kurdish civilians in different regions and cities across Iran.

This report includes all cases recorded and reported by KHRN from across Iran through its own sources and verification mechanisms from 1 January to 31 January.

The restrictive environment for independent human rights organisations in Iran, coupled with the pressures faced by individuals subjected to human rights violations and their families, make it difficult to publish accurate and comprehensive reports.

It is therefore important to note that the statistics and information presented in this report do not cover all cases of human rights violations. This report is the result of examining news and reports published by the KHRN and fact-checking of reports published by other human rights organisations and news websites.

Executions

Iran executed at least 12 prisoners in January, seven on charges of “premeditated murder”, three on drug-related charges and two for rape, according to KHRN’s findings.

The executions took place in Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, Mahabad Prison, and Orumiyeh Central Prison.

*Explanation: The KHRN, recognizing the fundamental right to life, publishes and records news and execution statistics without regard to the ethnic background of individuals and the location of the execution. All cases reported to the organisation by credible sources are published after thorough fact-checking.

Femicide

At least six cases of femicide were reported in January in Kermanshah, Ilam, Bukan and Piranshahr.

In one case, a seven-year-old girl, Niyan Jabraeilpour, lost her life after being tortured and raped by a family acquaintance in Bukan on 16 January.

Two others were children, aged 16 and 17, one of whom was the victim of a shooting and the other of a stabbing by her father.

Kolbars

In January, at least one kolbar was shot dead by Iranian border guards, three were wounded after being shot and one was injured after being beaten by these forces.

Civilian killings

On 5 January, Mohammad Azizi, a 35-year-old Kurdish civilian from Qasr-e Shirin, Kermanshah Province, was fatally shot by law enforcement officers at the Parvizkhan border terminal in the city.

The officers shot Azizi three times in the shoulder and abdomen at close range while attempting to arrest him, resulting in his death.

Landmine explosions

On 16 January, Kurdish civilians Kamal Ehsan-Bakhsh and Najieh Jafari were seriously injured in a landmine explosion while the couple were grazing their livestock in the Meymak border area of Ilam Province.

Ehsan-Bakhsh’s left leg was amputated, while his wife, Jafari, suffered injuries to her eye and abdomen.

Detentions and arrests

Over the past month, Iranian forces arrested at least 94 individuals, including 26 activists.

At least nine of the detained civilians were sent to prison to serve prison sentences.

Many of those arrested are believed to have been targeted for their involvement in the recent general strike and protests against the death sentences handed down to Kurdish political prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh (Wirishe) Moradi.

Sentences

During this period, Iranian courts sentenced at least seven people to prison sentences ranging from six to 29 months.

Additionally, in early January, Branch 39 of Iran’s Supreme Court upheld the death sentence issued against Kurdish political prisoner Pakhshan Azizi on charges of “armed insurrection” (baghi).

  • Executions
  • Femicide
  • Kolbar deaths
  • Kolbar injuries
  • Civilian killings
  • Landmine explosions
  • Detentions and arrests
  • Sentences
NameFromCharged withDate of ExecutionLocation of Execution
1Meysam FarhadiHarsin, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder2 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
2Reza BakhtiariKermanshah, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder2 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
3Ali AtinSardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceRape6 JanMahabad Central Prison
4Reza SeyyediSardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceRape6 JanMahabad Central Prison
5Ashkan KazemiGilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder7 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
6Mohammad ShahidiKermanshah, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder7 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
7Mozaffar ShahsavariKermanshah, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder7 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
8Farman AfristamKermanshah, Kermanshah ProvincePremeditated murder7 JanDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah
9Seyvan YaghoubiSarvabad, Kurdistan ProvincePremeditated murder15 JanSanandaj Central Prison
10Farhad FardiniHarsin, Kermanshah ProvinceDrug trafficking24 JanGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
11Farzad MirzaeiHarsin, Kermanshah ProvinceDrug trafficking24 JanGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
12Samad HashemiHarsin, Kermanshah ProvinceDrug trafficking24 JanGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
NameDate of IncidentLocation of IncidentExplanation
1Kosar Darabi1 JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province18 years old, murderer: husband, method of murder: gunshot
2Zahra Shahbazi7 JanIlam, Ilam Province28-year-old mother of two, murderer: husband, method of murder: gunshot
3Nian Jabraeilpour16 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan Province7 years old, murderer: a family acquaintance, method of murder: torture and rape
4Kani Abdollahi25 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province17 years old, murderer: father, method of murder: stabbing
5Sima Moradi25 JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province35 years old, murderer: husband, method of murder: gunshot
6Zeynab Gholami25 JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province16 years old, murderer: father, method of murder: gunshot
NameFromKilled/DeathDate of IncidentLocation of IncidentExplanation
1Mahyar SafariMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceKilled27 JanMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceShot by Iranian border guards
NameFromType of InjuryDate of IncidentLocation of IncidentExplanation
1Shahin Rasoul Hassan Sardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceWounded7 Jan Sardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceShot by Iranian border guards
2Mohammad VeysiSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceWounded12 JanMarivan, Kurdistan Province Beaten by Iranian border guards
3Saro VeysiSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceWounded20 Jan Baneh, Kurdistan ProvinceShot by Iranian border guards
4Jamal AziziSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceWounded23 Jan Baneh, Kurdistan ProvinceShot by Iranian border guards
NameFromDate of IncidentLocation of IncidentOrganisationExplanation
1Mohammad AziziQasr-e Shirn, Kermanshah Province5 JanQasr-e Shirn, Kermanshah ProvinceIranian police35 years old, had an altercation with police the week before incident, police shot him while trying to arrest him
NameLocation of IncidentDate of IncidentKilled/Injured
1Kamal Ehsan-BakhshGilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province16 JanAmputation
2Najimeh JafariGilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province16 JanInjured
NameFromActivityDate of ArrestLocation of ArrestLocation held and latest status
1Susan RazaniSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
2Seyyed Khaled HosseiniSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
3Eghbal ShabaniSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
4Fardin MirakiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
5Farshid AbdollahiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceDadkhah/justice-seeking family member2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
6Sheys AmaniSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
7Jamal AsadiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist2 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
8Fereydoun NabiPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian2 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 43 months in Naqadeh Prison
9Amir RahmaniOshnavieh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian4 JanOshnavieh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve one year in Oshnavieh Prison
10Armin MoradiCivilianEarly JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province
11Mohammad AziziCivilianEarly JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province
12Mohammad YousefiCivilianEarly JanKermanshah, Kermanshah Province
13Yousef ElyasiCivilianEarly JanSarpol-e-Zahab, Kermanshah Province
14Komar NaderiCivilianEarly JanSarpol-e-Zahab, Kermanshah Province
15Omar BabaeiCivilianEarly JanSarpol-e-Zahab, Kermanshah Province
16Hamed ElyasiCivilianEarly JanSarpol-e-Zahab, Kermanshah Province
17Yousef NeyriziCivilianEarly JanSarpol-e-Zahab, Kermanshah Province
18Sirvan ParviziIlam, Ilam ProvinceBlogger and satirist5 JanIlam, Ilam ProvinceReleased on bail
19Srwa ShiriBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian6 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 8 months in Orumiyeh Prison
20Peyman ShiriBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian6 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 6 months in Orumiyeh Prison
21Afshin Hossein-PanahiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceFormer political prisoner8 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
22Behzad BarakhasiDivandarreh, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian9 JanDivandarreh, Kurdistan Province
23Esmaeil SoleymaniPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian11 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 10 months
24Jiyan MiriSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceEnvironmental activist11 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReleased on bail
25Galawezh Mohammadi-ArshadMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian12 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 4 months in Orumiyeh Prison
26Kavan KasraeiMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian13 JanMarivan, Kurdistan Province
27Farhad MenbariSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian13 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
28Seyvan GhafouriSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian13 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
29Masoud MohammadpourNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian15 JanNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan Province
30Ayoub AzmandNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian16 JanNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan Province
31Mohammad Taher ElyasiNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian16 JanNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan Province
32Edris Haji RasoulpourBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceDadkhah/justice-seeking family member16 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 3 months in Bukan Prison
33Mahmoud NiroumandDargaz, Razavi Khorasan ProvinceCultural activistMid JanDargaz, Khorasan Razavi ProvinceImprisoned to serve 1 year and 6 months in Dargaz Prison
34Ayda AmoueiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist18 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
35Asaad GhafouriSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist18 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
36Hamed RezaeiSalas-e Babajani, Kermanshah ProvinceCivilian18 JanSalas-e Babajani, Kermanshah Province
37Hiwa ShojaeiPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian19 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
38Ramyar KavehMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian20 JanMarivan, Kurdistan Province
39Mohammad SohrabiPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceFormer political prisoner20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
40Fardin MahmoudiPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceEnvironmental activist20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
41Anvar EbrahimPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
42Morad OstovarPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
43Nemat AhmadnezhadPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
44Jigar MojahediPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian20 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
45Parvin AdvaeiMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist, former political prisoner20 JanMarivan, Kurdistan Province
46Benyamin RahimpourSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceFormer political prisoner21 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
47Keyvan AsayehPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian21 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
48Farhad PellehPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian21 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
49Rahim AlizadehPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian21 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
50Hassan HassannezhadSardasht, West AzerbaijanCivilian21 JanSardasht, West Azerbaijan Province
51Mohammad Amin HassannezhadSardasht, West AzerbaijanCivilian21 JanSardasht, West Azerbaijan Province
52Karo AlidadMarivan, Kurdistan ProvinceEnvironmental activist22 JanMarivan, Kurdistan Province
53Nariman RendaniSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSaqqez, Kurdistan Province
54Mohammad Seyf-PanahiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
55Sina RezaeiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
56Amjad GeryakhizSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
57Naeil DoustiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
58Omid MohammadiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
59Mohammad AtlasiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian22 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
60Kamal AkheratiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian23 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
61Milad RendaniSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist23 JanSaqqez, Kurdistan Province
62Avareh ShakhsiRabat, Sardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian23 JanRabat, Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Province
63Jalil MohammadiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist, former political prisoner23 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
64Faranak KarimiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist23 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
65Hemin Ebrahim HamzehBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian23 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceImprisoned to serve 3 months in Bukan Prison
66Rafigh KarimiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist23 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
67Zahed KhaledianQorveh, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian23 JanQorveh, Kurdistan Province
68Vahed KhaledianQorveh, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian23 JanQorveh, Kurdistan Province
69Kamal AkheratiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian23 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
70Afshin MostafapourNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian25 JanNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan Province
71Payam FathiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceLabour activist25 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceSummoned and interrogated
72Farzad HamidiKamyaran, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian25 JanKamyaran, Kurdistan Province
73Mansour MowloudpourMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian25 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
74Jalal ParhizgarMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian25 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
75Sarvar Hama-NazdarMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian25 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
76Nasser AhmadzadehMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian26 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
77Zagros RasouliMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceEnvironmental activist26 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
78Mohammad RamazaniMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceEnvironmental activist26 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
79Nasser AhmadzadehMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian26 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
80Sadegh KurdiPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian26 JanPiranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province
81Hassan KhaliliSardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivil rights activist26 JanSardasht, West Azerbaijan ProvinceReleased on bail
82Farhad ZandiDehgolan, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist27 JanDehgolan, Kurdistan Province
83Mehdi JavanmardiDehgolan, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist27 JanDehgolan, Kurdistan Province
84Chiako GhorbehSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian27 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
85Aliollah VeysiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivil rights activist, former political prisoner27 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceSummoned and interrogated
86Barzan MalekiSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceReligious activist27 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
87Hiwa AminiSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian29 JanSaqqez, Kurdistan Province
88Ali RasoulianBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian29 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan Province
89Vahab KhediripourMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian29 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
90Rahman RahimpourSaqqez, Kurdistan ProvinceFormer political prisoner29 JanSaqqez, Kurdistan Province
91Mohyeddin KhaledianSanandaj, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilian29 JanSanandaj, Kurdistan Province
92Bafrin MahmoudiBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian30 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan Province
93Anvar KurdBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian30 JanBukan, West Azerbaijan Province
94Keyvan NiknamMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian30 JanMahabad, West Azerbaijan Province
NameFromType of ActivityCharges AgainstSentenceDate of SentenceIssuing CourtExplanation
1Salam AzariNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilianMembership in one of the Kurdish parties in opposition of the Iranian government, propaganda against the state1 year and 6 months imprisonmentEarly JanBranch One of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mahabad
2Mohammad AminifarNaqadeh, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilianMembership in one of the Kurdish parties in opposition of the Iranian government, propaganda against the state29 months imprisonmentEarly JanBranch One of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Mahabad
3Pakhshan AziziMahabad, West Azerbaijan ProvinceSocial workerArmed insurrection (Baghi), membership of opposition groupsDeath sentence upheld8 JanBranch 39 of Supreme Court
4Bahman NaderiKermanshah, Kermanshah ProvinceCivilianInsulting officials and officers6 months imprisonment8 Jan Branch 105 of Kermanshah Criminal Court Two
5Farid BadidastDivandarreh, Kurdistan ProvinceCivilianCollaboration with one of the Kurdish parties in opposition of the Iranian government, propaganda against the state20 months imprisonment9 JanBranch One of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj
6Hiwa BahmanBukan, West Azerbaijan ProvinceCivilian Propaganda against the state 6 months imprisonment15 Jan Branch 101 of Bukan Criminal Court Two
7Azhdar Piri SarmanlouChaldoran, West Azerbaijan ProvinceMedia activist Propaganda against the state 1 year imprisonment and 2-year ban on social media activitiesMid JanIslamic Revolutionary Court in KarajEditor-in-Chief of the international monthly journal of Nations Research