Special reports Archives – KHRN

January 13, 2024

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 from their positions between 25 November 2022 and 25 November 2023. According to this report, at least 23 Kurdish women were murdered by male family members during this period. The deaths of three others were also reported as suspicious and linked…

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March 17, 2023

Special report: Mohyeddin Ebrahimi’s arrest, trial, execution

Kurdish political prisoner Mohyeddin Ebrahimi was executed today at Orumiyeh Central Prison, in north-western Iran. At the same time, the death sentences of four other Kurdish civilians, Yasin Rashidi, Jahanbakhsh Radloui, Salim (Mohammad) Ayoubian, and Foruhar Abbasnezhad, who were sentenced to death on drug-related charges, were also executed. On 15 March, Ebrahimi was moved from the ward for political prisoners to solitary confinement and was visited…

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January 11, 2023

Details of 121 Kurdish people killed during Mahsa (Jina) Amini protests in Iran

According to Iran Human Rights, a total of 481 people have been killed so far during the Mahsa (Jina) Amini protests across Iran, including in Iran’s Kurdish region. KHRN data of confirmed deaths of Kurdish people shows that 121 Kurds have been killed by Iranian security forces during the protests. KHRN has verified this information via multiple sources. At least two sources have confirmed the deaths…

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June 7, 2022

Kermanshah: Situation of women’s section in Juvenile Detention Centre

The families of some of the prisoners in the women’s ward of the Juvenile Detention Centre in Kermanshah spoke to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) about the grave situation in the prison. The families say about 70 women and a child are currently being held in the ward’s five rooms. Most of these prisoners are forced to sleep on the floor due to the…

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November 25, 2021

Special report: 61 women committed suicide, 25 murdered in seven months in Kurdistan, Iran

On the occasion of 25 November, International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has prepared a detailed report on cases of genocide, honour killings, female suicides, as well as the arrests and imprisonments of Kurdish women activists in Iran from the beginning of the Iranian year 1400 (21 March 2021) to 25 November. Since 21 March, 61…

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November 5, 2021

Special report: Anniversary of Kurdish political prisoner Sherko Moarefi’s execution

On 3 November 2013, Kurdish political prisoner Sherko Moarefi was suddenly transferred to solitary confinement in Saqqez Prison without the prior notice of his lawyer and family. He was executed in prison the next morning, on 4 November. The body of this political prisoner was buried the same day in the city of Baneh under strict security measures. On the eighth anniversary of his execution, the Kurdistan…

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October 29, 2021

A Report by Kurdistan Human Rights Network on Secret Detention Centres of Iranian Security Institutions in Kermanshah, Sanandaj, Orumiyeh

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has prepared this report to draw the attention of international human rights organisations to the situation of secret detention centres of two security agencies, the Ministry of Intelligence and the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), in Iranian Kurdistan. The report briefly addresses the location of these secret detention centres and the detention conditions, interrogation, and…

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October 25, 2021

Special report: Execution anniversary of Kurdish political prisoners Habibollah Golparipour and Reza Mamadi

On 25 October 2013, Habibollah Golparipour in Orumiyeh Central Prison and Reza Mamadi in Salmas Prison were suddenly transferred to solitary confinement without the prior notice of their lawyers and families. The following morning, the two Kurdish political prisoners were executed. Security and judicial officials refused to hand over the bodies to the families and did not even specify their burial locations. Mamadi’s family managed to…

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September 13, 2021

Special report: Executed Kurdish political prisoner Kamal Ahmadnezhad

Three years ago, Iran executed Kurdish political prisoner Kamal Ahmadnezhad in Miandoab Central Prison in West Azerbaijan province on 10 September 2018. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) had previously collected and published details on the arrest, torture under detention, court process, and execution of Kamal Ahmadnezhad. These details are republished in this report on the occasion of the anniversary of his execution. Arrest, false charges, unfair…

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NEWS

KHRN launches database of Kurdish political prisoners amidst 10th anniversary

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has launched a new section of its database of political and religious prisoners, marking the 10th anniversary of…

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Security forces arrest Kurdish civilian in Piranshahr amid crackdown

Security forces arrested Kurdish civilian Soleyman Choupani during a raid on his home in the village of Gerd Kashaneh in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province,…

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Kurdish civilian arrested amid crackdown ahead of uprising anniversary

Security forces arrested Kurdish civilian Saadoun Sharifi on 4 September in Piranshahr, West Azerbaijan Province, as part of a wider wave of arrests targeting…

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Security forces arrest four Kurdish civilians, whereabouts unknown

Four Kurdish civilians from Mahabad and Oshnavieh in West Azerbaijan Province have been arrested by security forces in recent days and taken to an…

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Security forces arrest Kurdish singer in early morning raid in Mahabad

Security forces have arrested Kurdish singer Omid Ahmadnezhad in an early morning raid on his family home in the village of Qojibad in Mahabad,…

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Family members of slain protesters arrested in Mahabad home raids

Security forces today raided the homes of Siavash Soltani and Ramyar Aboubakri, family members of protesters killed during the Women, Life, Freedom anti-government uprising…

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Gilan-e Gharb activists: Six released on bail, two still detained

Six of the eight civil rights activists from Gilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, arrested by the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)…

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Iran executes prisoner for murder-related charges in Hamadan

Authorities in Hamadan Central Prison executed Saber Jamali, a 29-year-old prisoner from Kangavar in Kermanshah Province, on the morning of 1 September on charges…

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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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Young kolbar shot dead by Iran border forces in Baneh

Asaad Espandar, a 24-year-old kolbar from Sardasht, West Azerbaijan Province, has been shot dead by Iranian border guards in the Alut border area of…

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Clerical court sentences Sunni Kurdish cleric to 15 months in prison

Sunni Kurdish cleric Saber Khoda-Moradi has been sentenced to 15 months in prison by the Special Clerical Court in Hamadan, Hamadan Province, the Kurdistan…

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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 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 August to 31 August.

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

According to KHRN’s findings, Iran executed at least 14 prisoners in August, including Reza Rasaei, a 35-year-old Kurdish Yarsani civilian who was arrested during the Women, Life, Freedom anti-government uprising.

The political prisoner was executed on 6 August and his family and lawyer were not informed in advance, nor was he allowed a final meeting with his family.

The remaining 13 prisoners were executed on drug or murder charges.

*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

On 26 August, an 18-year-old woman, Mobina Zeynivand, was killed by her father in the village of Gorz-e Langar in Darreh Shahr, Ilam Province.

Zeynivand’s 56-year-old father killed his daughter and surrendered to the judicial authorities, citing “family disputes” as the reason for the murder. She was reportedly killed for trying to marry the person she loved.

Kolbars and tradesmen

In August, at least two kolbars were killed and nine injured by gunfire from Iranian border and security forces.

Additionally, one kolbar was injured due to falling from border heights in Marivan, Kurdistan Province.

Detentions and arrests

Over the past month, Iranian forces arrested at least 17 individuals, including activists and religious figures.

At least four of the detained civilians were sent to Naqadeh, Orumiyeh, Mahabad and Bukan prisons to serve sentences.

Sentences

In August, Iranian courts sentenced at least five people to prison terms ranging from six months to eight years and 10 months.

  • Executions
  • Femicide
  • Kolbars and tradesmen
  • Detentions and arrests
  • Sentences
NameFromCharged withExecution dateExecution locationExplanation
1Reza (Gholamreza) RasaeiSahnehInvolvement in intentional murder, involvement in the intentional infliction of non-fatal injuries, demonstrating strength with a knife, disrupting public order by creating chaos and commotion6 AugDizel Abad Prison, Kermanshah35 years old, executed without informing his family or lawyer, and without the right to a final visit
2Foroud GeravandKuhdashtDrugs, premeditated murder7 AugGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj50 years old, arrested and sentenced to death in 2015
3Mohammad GholamiKuhdashtDrugs7 AugGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
4Esmaeil SharafiKuhdashtDrugs7 AugGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
5Shahab MalekiHarsinDrugs7 AugGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj
6Nasser GeravandKuhdashtDrugs10 AugParsiloun Prison in Khorramabad
7Peyman Allah-VeysiSanandajPremeditated murder15 AugSanandaj Central Prison37 years old, arrested 5 years ago
8Nasser ShafieiTakabPremeditated murder15 AugKaraj Central PenitentiaryResident of Tehran, arrested and sentenced to death about 4 years ago on the charge of “premeditated murder” of his wife
9Reza Zard-KouhiSabzevarDrugs15 AugSabzevar Prison31 years old
10Mohammad KaramizadehKuhdashtPremeditated murder19 AugGhezel Hesar Prison in Karaj37-year-old father of one, arrested and sentenced to death in 2014, his death sentence was commuted to 30 years in prison in 2018
11Mohammad DaghestaniOrumiyehDrugs21 AugMidandoab Central Prison
12Mohammad Khaled JahangiriOrumiyehDrugs22 AugTabriz Central PrisonFather of 2 children from the village of Balu in Orumiyeh
13Meysam Hossein-KhaniKuhdashtPremeditated murder28 AugParsiloun Prison in KhorramabadArrested 3 years ago
14Sirvan AboubakriSardashtPremeditated murder29 AugMahabad Central PrisonFather of one from the village of Baveh in Sardasht
NameIncident locationIncident dateExplanation
1Mobina ZeynivandGorz-e Langar village, Darreh Shahr, Ilam26 AugA 56-year-old man killed his 18-year-old daughter and surrendered to judicial authorities, mentioning “family disputes” as the reason for the murder. It is said that she was killed because of her attempt to marry the person she loved.
NameFromIncident locationIncident dateDead/InjuredExplanation
1Rizgar KhalkaniSardashtBaneh8 AugInjuredShot by border guards
2Hawreh MoradiSaqqezBaneh8 AugInjuredShot by border guards
3Diako FattahiSaqqezBaneh8 AugInjuredShot by border guards
4Kamal DastvanehSaqqezBaneh8 AugInjuredShot by border guards
5Kamal (surname unknown)SaqqezBaneh8 AugInjuredShot by border guards
6Ali RasouliMahabadSardasht11 AugKilledShot by border guards
7Mokhtar AbdollahiBanehBaneh12 AugInjuredShot by security forces
8Mahmoud (surname unknown)BanehBaneh18 AugInjuredShot by security forces
9Hamid AhmadiDivandarrehBaneh18 AugInjuredShot by border guards
10Salah FarajiBanehBaneh20 AugInjuredShot by border guards
11Kiyoumars of RastkhanehMarivanMarivan21 AugInjuredFell from height
12Asaad EspandarSardashtBaneh30 AugKilledShot by border guards
NameFromDetention locationDetention dateActivityLocation held and latest status
1Rebwar (Reza) YasamaniNaqadehNaqadeh1 AugCivilian
2Taha RasoulianPiranshahrPiranshahr3 AugCivil rights activistTaken to Naqadeh prison to serve three years and seven months
3Sorayya GheytaranPiranshahrPiranshahr3 AugCivilianTaken to Orumiyeh prison to serve nine months
4Edris MoradiRavansarRavansar3 AugFormer political prisoner
5Maryam RostamiIlamIlam5 AugCivilian
6Saman MirzaeiSanandajSanandaj8 AugCivilian
7Mohsen AjiPiranshahrPiranshahr11 AugCivilian
8Salam KhezrnezhadPiranshahrPiranshahr12 AugCivilian
9Rahman GhaderiPiranshahrPiranshahr12 AugCivilian
10Samad ShaboeiOshnaviehOrumiyeh12 AugCivilian
11Arya YousefiBukanOrumiyeh13 Aug18-year-old civilian, the son of former political prisoner Fatemeh Dadvand
12Galawezh Mohammadi-ArshadMahabadMahabad14 AugCivilian
13Mokhtar AsadiSanandajSanandaj18 AugKurdistan Teachers’ Union Activist
14Omid FarajiMarivanMarivan18 AugCivilian
15Soleyman SalekMahabadMahabad24 Aug71-year-old civilianTaken to Mahabad prison to serve 10 years
16Ali BahramiMarivanMarivan25 AugImam of Ney village in MarivanArrested after returning from Iraqi Kurdistan, released a few hours later
17Matin HassaniBukanBukan26 AugProtester who suffered eye damage during the 2019 protestsTaken to Bukan prison to serve 31 months
NameResident ofCharged withDate sentencedIssuing courtSentenceExplanation
1Hekmat AmiriDehgolanPropaganda against the state, collaboration with hostile groupsEarly AugIslamic Revolutionary Court in Dehgolan6 months imprisonment and 36 months suspended imprisonment
2Mozhgan KavousiKelardasht, MazandaranAssembly and collusion against the security of the country, insulting the leader, propaganda against the stateMid AugBranch Two of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Sari1 year imprisonment in the form of open sentence
3Mashallah KaramiKarajacquiring wealth through illegitimate means, involvement in money laundering, fines and confiscation of property17 AugBranch 102 of Criminal Court Two in Nazarabad, Karaj8 years and 10 months imprisonment and supplementary punishments
4Abdollah SharifzadehSaqqezPropaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran in favor of a Kurdish opposition party of the Iranian government17 AugBranch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Saqqez10 months imprisonment
5Saber Khoda-MoradiSaqqezPropaganda against the state Late AugSpecial Clerical Court in Hamadan15 months imprisonment