Iman Afshari

Last updated

2026-05-05

ID: sj37154

Last updated: 2026-05-05

Description of Violations:

Iman Afshari

July 24, 2024 (3 Mordad 1403): Pakhshan Azizi, a political defendant held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups. (HRANA – Pakhshan Azizi sentenced to death) August 31, 2024 (10 Shahrivar 1403): Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a resident of Tehran, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda in favor of Israel, four years for insulting religious sanctities, one year for propaganda against the regime, and two years for spreading falsehoods, along with a fine of 500 million rials. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment, namely five years of imprisonment, is enforceable. (HRANA – Hossein Shanbehzadeh sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine) September 19, 2024 (28 Shahrivar 1403): Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, political prisoners, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over ...

July 24, 2024 (3 Mordad 1403): Pakhshan Azizi, a political defendant held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups. (HRANA – Pakhshan Azizi sentenced to death) August 31, 2024 (10 Shahrivar 1403): Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a resident of Tehran, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda in favor of Israel, four years for insulting religious sanctities, one year for propaganda against the regime, and two years for spreading falsehoods, along with a fine of 500 million rials. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment, namely five years of imprisonment, is enforceable. (HRANA – Hossein Shanbehzadeh sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine) September 19, 2024 (28 Shahrivar 1403): Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, political prisoners, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over ...

July 24, 2024 (3 Mordad 1403): Pakhshan Azizi, a political defendant held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups. (HRANA – Pakhshan Azizi sentenced to death) August 31, 2024 (10 Shahrivar 1403): Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a resident of Tehran, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda in favor of Israel, four years for insulting religious sanctities, one year for propaganda against the regime, and two years for spreading falsehoods, along with a fine of 500 million rials. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment, namely five years of imprisonment, is enforceable. (HRANA – Hossein Shanbehzadeh sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine) September 19, 2024 (28 Shahrivar 1403): Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, political prisoners, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over ...

Full name:

  • Iman Afshari

Current Position:

  • Branch 26 of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran

Birthdate:

  • Certainty: Approximated

    Min: 1964-03-21

    Max: 1969-03-20

Birth Place:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Unknown

    Province: Unknown

    Country: Iran

Basic Information

Previous names:

  • Unknown

Nicknames:

  • Unknown

Other spelling of names:

  • Eiman Afshari, Iman Afshary, Eiman Afshary, Imaan Afshari, Imaan Afshary

Marital Status:

  • Unknown

Spouse names:

  • Unknown

Children Names:

  • Unknown
Physical Information

Height

  • (Unknown) cm

Weight

  • (Unknown) kg

Eye Color:

  • Unknown

Hair Color:

  • Unknown

Unique Physical Identifier:

  • Unknown
Residency and Travel

Current Residency Location:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Tehran

    Province: Tehran

    Country: Iran

Additional Residency:

  • Unknown

Additional Citizenship:

  • Unknown

Last Travel Outside Iran:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Unknown

    Province: Unknown

    Country: Unknown

Last Travel Outside Iran Date:

  • Certainty:

Education

Degree:

  • Unknown

Educational Institution:

Major:

  • Unknown
Violation and victims

Individual Victims:

Group Victims:

Violation Types:

Legal Review

Legal review on Iman Afshari's profileBy Brian Currin, 2021Iman Afshari, as a judge and head of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, has, according to the profile published by HRAI, been directly involved in the suppression of political...

Reports

Reports:

  • Title: Prosecuting artist
  • Description: Sentencing Mohammad Rasoulof, movie director, to one year imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: Radio Farda
  • Title: Sentencing artist
  • Description: Sentencing Mohammad Rasoulof, movie director, to one year imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: DW Persian
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khanbeigi one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to six years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: Sentencing civil activist
  • Description: Sentencing Azam Khezri Javadi, Nejat Bahrami and Rasoul Talebi-Moghadam to prohibition of smartphones by Iman Afshari
  • Source: Iran Wire
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Amir-Mohammad Sharifi one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 3 months imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Ali Bikas one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 10 years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: Sentencing political activist
  • Description: Sentencing Samira Hadian political activist and protester in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 8 years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
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Individual Violator

ID: sj37154

Last updated

2026-05-05

Full name:

  • Iman Afshari

Current Position:

  • Branch 26 of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran

Birthdate:

  • Certainty: Approximated

    Min: 1964-03-21

    Max: 1969-03-20

Birth Place:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Unknown

    Province: Unknown

    Country: Iran

Basic Information

Previous names:

  • Unknown

Nicknames:

  • Unknown

Other spelling of names:

  • Eiman Afshari, Iman Afshary, Eiman Afshary, Imaan Afshari, Imaan Afshary

Marital Status:

  • Unknown

Spouse names:

  • Unknown

Children Names:

  • Unknown
Physical Information

Height

  • (Unknown) cm

Weight

  • (Unknown) kg

Eye Color:

  • Unknown

Hair Color:

  • Unknown

Unique Physical Identifier:

  • Unknown
Work History

Affiliation:

Current Position:

Employment City:

Work History:

  • At least from December 2018 - Present Judge and head of Branch 26 of Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran
Residency and Travel

Current Residency Location:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Tehran

    Province: Tehran

    Country: Iran

Additional Residency:

  • Unknown

Additional Citizenship:

  • Unknown

Last Travel Outside Iran:

  • Street Address: Unknown

    City: Unknown

    Province: Unknown

    Country: Unknown

Last Travel Outside Iran Date:

  • Certainty:

Education

Degree:

  • Unknown

Educational Institution:

Major:

  • Unknown
Violation and victims

Individual Victims:

Legal Review
Legal review on Iman Afshari's profile
By Brian Currin, 2021

Iman Afshari, as a judge and head of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, has, according to the profile published by HRAI, been directly involved in the suppression of political activists, artists and women, as well as the violation of citizens' social freedoms and the issuance of unjust prison sentences.

Freedom of expression

Iman Afshari, as a judge of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, has played a direct role in violating the right to freedom of expression of artists and journalists. 

Examples of these violations have been published by HRAI in the profile of Iman Afshari (arts and culture) which are easily accessible.  

Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is unequivocal on the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right, it records, includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

It is relevant to mention that The Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape launched on 10 November a Manifesto on the Freedom of Expression of Arts and Culture. 

The Manifesto succinctly sums up the importance of artistic creation and cultural industry for democratic societies as well as the protection of the freedom of expression, which Article 10 of the European convention on human rights extends to the freedom of artistic expression. The freedom of speech is also the freedom to create. The power of art to communicate and open up new perspectives and ideas makes the artist, artistic mobility and artistic freedom strategic resources for society, helping to overcome fragmentation and addressing today's global challenges.

The fact that these freedoms are severely curtailed in the Islamic Republic of Iran by Iman Afshari and many others, is an indictment on the Republic’s political leadership and its stated commitment to promoting and protecting universal human rights.  

 Women

Iman Afshari has also been instrumental in suppressing the rights of women and women activists, especially those who oppose the compulsory hijab. He sentenced three opponents of the compulsory hijab to a total of 58 years in prison.

In September 2019, Afshari sentenced Fereshteh Didani –women’s rights activist and opponent of compulsory Hijab– to 30 years in prison on charges of "conspiracy against national security, propaganda against the regime, inciting moral corruption, insulting the supreme leader." From what I have been informed those charges are without merit and spurious.  

Besides the human rights implications with regard to the rights of women, these sentences are outrageously excessive and would be totally unjustified in a free and democratic society. 

The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), adopted in 1979 by the UN General Assembly, is often described as an international bill of rights for women.  It defines what constitutes discrimination against women and sets up an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
 
 The Convention defines discrimination against women as "...any distinction, exclusion or restriction made on the basis of sex which has the effect or purpose of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise by women, irrespective of their marital status, on a basis of equality of men and women, of human rights and fundamental freedoms in the political, economic, social, cultural, civil or any other field."

Iman Afshari, as a judge and head of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran has no regard whatsoever for these universal values, norms and standards.

Intimidation of Civil, Political and Human Rights Activists

Iman Afshari has also been directly involved in the trial of many civil, political and human rights activists and the issuance of unjust sentences against them.

One of many examples to be found in his profile published by HRAI is the 6-year prison sentence imposed for participating in a Labor Day rally on May 1, 2019, on charges of "Gathering and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime”. 

This abuse of judicial power and due process of law to suppress and imprison laudable human rights activists is an irony of note and should be condemned by the international community at large. 

Workers

Iman Afshari, as the head and judge of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, was directly involved in the trial and sentencing of labor activists to prison.

My review under the previous heading is equally relevant to labor activists. 

Brian Currin
Feb, 2021

Reports

Reports:

  • Title: Prosecuting artist
  • Description: Sentencing Mohammad Rasoulof, movie director, to one year imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: Radio Farda
  • Title: Sentencing artist
  • Description: Sentencing Mohammad Rasoulof, movie director, to one year imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: DW Persian
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Rezvaneh Ahmad-Khanbeigi one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to six years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: Sentencing civil activist
  • Description: Sentencing Azam Khezri Javadi, Nejat Bahrami and Rasoul Talebi-Moghadam to prohibition of smartphones by Iman Afshari
  • Source: Iran Wire
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Amir-Mohammad Sharifi one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 3 months imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: November 2019 Iranian Protests
  • Description: Sentencing Ali Bikas one of the protesters in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 10 years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
  • Title: Sentencing political activist
  • Description: Sentencing Samira Hadian political activist and protester in November 2019 Iranian Protests to 8 years imprisonment by Iman Afshari
  • Source: HRANA
Documents
Tags

Description of Violations:

Date: 2025-01-13

July 24, 2024 (3 Mordad 1403): Pakhshan Azizi, a political defendant held in Evin Prison, was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups. (HRANA – Pakhshan Azizi sentenced to death) 

August 31, 2024 (10 Shahrivar 1403): Hossein Shanbehzadeh, a resident of Tehran, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years of imprisonment on the charge of propaganda in favor of Israel, four years for insulting religious sanctities, one year for propaganda against the regime, and two years for spreading falsehoods, along with a fine of 500 million rials. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the severest punishment, namely five years of imprisonment, is enforceable. (HRANA – Hossein Shanbehzadeh sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine) 

September 19, 2024 (28 Shahrivar 1403): Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani, political prisoners, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. The charges against them included baghi (armed rebellion), moharebeh (enmity against God), efsad-e fel-arz (corruption on earth), membership in the Mojahedin, gathering classified information, and assembly and collusion against national security. (HRANA – Behrouz Ehsani and Mehdi Hassani sentenced to death) 

September 11, 2024 (21 Shahrivar 1403): Esmail Gerami, a labor activist held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to one year of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of propaganda against the regime through participation in retirees’ gatherings. (HRANA – Revolutionary Court sentences Esmail Gerami to one year in prison) 

December 1, 2024 (10 Azar 1403): Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced six political prisoners—Akbar Daneshvar Kar, Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi, Babak Alipour, Pouya Ghabadi Bistouni, Vahid Bani Amerian, and Seyed Abolhassan Montazer—to death on the charge of baghi (armed rebellion) through membership in opposition groups. Additionally, these individuals, along with Seyed Ali Taghavi Sangdehi and Seyed Mojtaba Taghavi Sangdehi, were collectively sentenced to more than 54 years of discretionary imprisonment and 20 years of internal exile (nafye balad). 

Details of the sentences are as follows: 

  1.  Akbar Daneshvar Kar: sentenced to death for baghi; five years of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security; and ten years of imprisonment for forming illegal groups. 
  2.  Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi: sentenced to death for baghi; five years of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security; and ten years of imprisonment for forming illegal groups. 
  3.  Babak Alipour: sentenced to death for baghi; five years of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security; and 20 years of internal exile to Khash County for destruction of public property. 
  4.  Pouya Ghabadi Bistouni: sentenced to death for baghi; and one year of imprisonment for illegal border crossing. 
  5.  Vahid Bani Amerian: sentenced to death for baghi; and five years of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security. 
  6.  Seyed Abolhassan Montazer: sentenced to death for baghi; and five years of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security. 
  7.  Seyed Ali Taghavi Sangdehi: sentenced to two years of imprisonment for membership in opposition groups. 
  8.  Seyed Mojtaba Taghavi Sangdehi: sentenced to three years and seven months of imprisonment for assembly and collusion against national security, and three years of imprisonment for membership in opposition groups. 

December 25, 2024 (4 Dey 1403): Zeinab Zaman, a resident of Tehran, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to six months of imprisonment, a fine of 500 million rials, and social deprivations. Her prison sentence was suspended for a period of five years. (HRANA – Zeinab Zaman sentenced to imprisonment and a fine)
 
March 5, 2025 (15 Esfand 1403): The sentence of 74 lashes against Mehdi Yarrahi, a singer and composer, was carried out at Branch 4 of the Enforcement of Judgments Office of the Moral Security Prosecutor’s Office in Tehran. Mr. Yarrahi had previously been sentenced on September 26, 2023 (4 Mehr 1402) at the preliminary stage by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to two years and eight months of discretionary imprisonment and 74 lashes on charges including propaganda against the regime, encouraging corruption, producing and disseminating content contrary to public morality and chastity, and inciting individuals to commit crimes against chastity through computer systems.
 
March–April 2026 (Farvardin 1405): Six political prisoners who had previously been sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, were executed. Seyed Abolhassan Montazer and Vahid Bani Amerian were executed on April 4, 2026 (15 Farvardin 1405); Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghabadi were executed on March 31, 2026 (11 Farvardin 1405); and Akbar Daneshvar Kar and Seyed Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi were executed on March 30, 2026 (10 Farvardin 1405) in Ghezel Hesar Prison.
 
These individuals had initially been sentenced to death in December 2024 (Azar 1403) on the charge of baghi through membership in opposition groups. The ruling was overturned by the Supreme Court in July 2025 (Tir 1404), and the case was referred to a parallel branch. Subsequently, in late November 2025 (late Aban 1404), they were retried in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. Ultimately, on December 7, 2025 (16 Azar 1404), death sentences were reissued and formally communicated to their lawyers. (HRANA – Bodies of six executed political prisoners have not been returned to their families)
 
March–April 2026 (Farvardin 1405): Mohammadreza Majidi Asl, Bita Hemmati, Behrouz Zamaninejad, and Kourosh Zamaninejad, detainees from the January 2026 protests, were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to death, five years of imprisonment, and confiscation of all property. Amir Hemmati, the fifth defendant in the case, was sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment. These individuals were sentenced to death on the charge of “operational action in favor of the hostile government of the United States and hostile groups.” (HRANA – Tehran Revolutionary Court issues death sentences for four detainees of the January 2026 protests)

 April 26, 2026 (6 Ordibehesht 1405): Ehsan Hosseinipour Hessarloo, Matin Mohammadi, Erfan Amiri, and Maryam Hedayvand, four individuals arrested during the Dey 1404 (December 2025–January 2026) protests, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. These sentences were issued in connection with the case of the arson attack on the “Seyed al-Shohada” mosque in Pakdasht County. According to information received by HRANA, the description of the charges includes instances such as presence at protest gatherings on January 8, 2026 (18 Dey 1404) in Pakdasht and throwing Molotov cocktails into the mosque. A significant portion of the case evidence has been compiled based on attributed confessions by the defendants—whose conditions of extraction remain unclear—reports by case officers, and images reportedly obtained from the location’s surveillance cameras. (HRANA – Dey 1404 protests; four defendants, including one woman, sentenced to death) 
 

Description of Violations:

Date: 2024-08-14

Iman Afshari, as a judge and head of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, has been directly involved in the suppression of political activists, artists, and women, as well as the violation of citizens' social freedoms and the issuance of unjust prison sentences.

Freedom of expression

Iman Afshari, as a judge of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, has played a direct role in violating the right to freedom of expression of artists and journalists. 

For example, in July 2019, Afshari sentenced artist and movie director Mohammad Rasoulof to one year in prison, a two-year international travel ban, and a two-year ban from political and social activities on charges such as "propaganda against the regime." Confirming the reason for his conviction because of the issues he addressed in his films on July 20, 2019, Rasoulof stated “During the trial, more emphasis was placed on the movies 'Goodbye', 'Manuscripts Don’t Burn,' and 'Lerd '”

In September 2017, Rasoulof was arrested and his passport was confiscated, at the airport while returning from a trip to Iran. 

In January 2020, Iman Afshari also sentenced political activist Reza Mehregan to seven years in prison, 74 lashes, and 2 years in exile for signing a letter requesting the resignation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Donya Hosseini was transferred to Evin Prison on Sunday, Bahman 26, 1404 (February 15, 2026), to serve her sentence. In Aban 1404 (October/November 2025), Ms. Hosseini was sentenced by Branch 36 of the Tehran Province Court of Appeals, presided over by Judge Khojasteh, to three years and six months of discretionary imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda against the state in support of strengthening and consolidating the Israeli regime.” This sentence had previously been issued at the preliminary stage by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari.

Right to life

Iman Afshari sentenced political activist and dual Iranian-Swedish citizen Habib Farajollah Chaab known as Habib Asiod to death after being arrested in Turkey and transferred to Iran in ambiguous circumstances on charges of "Spreading corruption on earth". This sentence was finally executed on May 6, 2023, Came.

Women

Iman Afshari has also been instrumental in suppressing the rights of women and women activists, especially those who oppose the compulsory hijab. He sentenced three opponents of the compulsory hijab to a total of 58 years in prison.

In September 2019, Afshari sentenced Fereshteh Didani –women’s rights activist and opponent of compulsory Hijab– to 30 years in prison on charges of "conspiracy against national security, propaganda against the regime, inciting moral corruption, insulting the supreme leader, and insulting Khomeini."

Saba Kordafshari, another women activist who opposed compulsory hijab, was also sentenced by Iman Afshari to 24 years in prison on charges of "spreading moral corruption by unveiling and walking without hijab”, “propaganda against the regime through connection to opposition groups”, and “gathering and collusion against the regime through connection to foreign media", 

In December 2019, Iman Afshari also sentenced Raheleh Ahmadi, Saba Kordafshari's mother, to 4 years and 2 months of imprisonment on charges of "propaganda against the regime”, “ gathering and collusion against national security through collaboration with opposing media" and “propaganda against the regime”.

Esrin Darakale, Nahid Shaghaghi, Maryam Mohammadi, and Akram Nasrian, women’s rights activists and members of the Iranian Women's Voice Association, were also each sentenced to four years of imprisonment by Iman Afshari. The charges against the four included “gathering and collusion”, “propaganda against the regime”, and “pretention of ‘Haram’ act by unveiling”

Guilds

Iman Afshari has also been directly involved in the trial of many civil, political and human rights activists and the issuance of unjust sentences against them.

for example, In June 2020, he sentenced Sakineh Parvaneh, a political activist, to 5 years in prison and a 2 years ban from any political activity and membership in political groups on charges of "membership in a group opposed to the regime with the aim of disrupting national security." The sentence was issued for Sakineh Parvaneh, while she was beaten in April 2020 while being transferred from Evin Prison to Qarchak Prison.

in May 2020, Afshari sentenced Keyvan Samimi, editor-in-chief of Iran Farda and a human rights activist,  to 6 years in prison for participating in a Labor Day rally on May 1, 2019, on charges of "Gathering and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime”. The trial was held in absence of Mr. Samimi or his lawyer. According to Samimi the basis of the charges were “establishment of illegal party of Iranian Peoples’ Freedom”, “being chief editor of Iran-Farda”, “uploading materials that is aligned with the “great devil” (United States) in the social media”, “public speeches and inciting the audience”, “supporting political prisoners”, and “presence at the illegal Labor Day rally”

In august 2020, Nejat Bahrami, teacher, journalist and former Deputy Minister of Public Relations of the Ministry of Education, was sentenced by Afshari to 1 year in prison, 2 years ban from social activities and 2 years ban on the use of smartphones on charges of "propaganda against the regime.”

Anisha Asadollahi, a civil activist, was sentenced to one 1 year in prison and 74 lashes in October 2019, for charges of “disrupting public order” by participating in Labor Day rally May 1st, 2019. 

Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi, a civil activist, was sentenced to 4 years and 5 months in prison in March 2019, for writing slogans on walls and on charges of “gathering and collusion against national security” and “propaganda against the regime”. 

Afshari also sentenced political activist Abolfazl Ghadyani to 3 years in prison in March 2019 on charges of "insulting the leadership and propaganda against the regime." (Picture of the sentence)

Workers

Iman Afshari, as the head and judge of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, was directly involved in the trial and sentencing of labor activists to prison.

In March 2019, Afshari sentenced labor activist Behnam Ebrahimzadeh to 6 years in prison and reading and transcribing three books related to so called “values of the revolution” for "propaganda against the regime and membership in illegal groups and gangs".Ebrahimzadeh himself stated that the main reasons for his conviction were his posts on social media, his activities during the Sarpol Zahab earthquake in November 2017, and his participation in the workers' rallies of Haft Tappeh Company. He also mentioned that the court has restrain his lawyer from being involved in his case handling. 

Rasoul Taleb Moghaddam, a labor activist and a member of the Tehran Bus Company Syndicate, was  sentenced to 2 years in prison by Iman Afshari in August 2019 for participating in a Labor Day rally on the same year on charges of "propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order." He was sentenced to 74 lashes, 2 years in exile, 2 years of deprivation of membership in groups, and 2 years ban from smartphone use.

Iman Afshari also sentenced Azam Khezri Javadi, a member of the Free Trade Union of Iran and a member of the founding board of the Social Security Retirees Workers' Council, to seven years in prison in August 2019 for participating in this year's Labor Day rally on charges of "propaganda against the regime and disturbing public order." She was sentenced to 74 lashes and banned from using a smartphone.
On Bahman 14, 1404 (February 3, 2026), HRANA reported that a sentence of eight months in prison and a two-year ban on online activity had been issued against Zhaleh Rouhzad. The sentence against this teachers’ union activist was issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Iman Afshari. 

Ethnic minorities

Iman Afshari has played a role in suppressing the rights of ethnic minorities. He has issued several convictions against ethnic activists.

For example, in December 2019, Afshari sentenced Siamak Mirzaei, an ethnic Turkic activist, to one 1 in prison, 2 years ban on international travel, and a ban on political and social activities on charges of "propaganda against the regime." The sentence was issued while Siamak Mirzaei had finished serving his previous sentence of 3 years of imprisonment and was serving 1 exile sentence at the time issuance of the new sentence.

The right to social liberties

Iman Afshari, as the head of Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran, also had a direct role in suppressing and restricting the social freedoms of citizens, especially the right to protest and the right to assemble. He tried and issued imprisonment sentences for a number of protesters of November 2020 protests, as well as protesters of January 2020 protest against the downing of the Ukrainian plane which was shot by IRGC. 

For example, In March 2020, Afshari sentenced, Ali Bikas that was arrested in relation to November 2019 protests, to ten years in prison and 3 months serving in Basij force. For charges of “gathering and collusion against national security”, “disturbing public peace and order”, and “creating chaos by screaming”. Ali bikas has reacted to this sentence by saying “I only was protesting on the street; I have not committed any crime and I do not accept any of these charges”

In March 2020, afshair also sentenced Morteza Bakhshizai to 6 months in prison solely for participating in protests over the downing of a Ukrainian plane that was shot by IRGC. 

Afsahri sentenced Samira Hadian to 8 years and Maliheh Jafari to 6 months in prison for participating in the November 2019 protests. 

Ali Nourizad son of Mohammad Nourizad, political and civil activist, was sentenced to 4 years and 2 months in prison in May 2020, for attending the protests against the downing of the Ukrainian plane by IRGC in January 2020. Charges against him included “gathering and collusion against national security”, “insulting the supreme leader”, and “propaganda against the regime”.

Description of Violations:

Date: 2020-08-15

June 7, 2024 (18 Khordad 1403): Joseph Shahbazian, Salar Eshragi Moghadam, Farhad Khazaei, Somayeh Sadegh, Masoumeh Ghasemi, Mina Khajavi Ghomi, and Maliheh Nazari were sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 28 years in prison, fines, deprivation of social rights, and a travel ban. (HRANA - Seven Christian citizens sentenced to a total of 28 years in prison and fines)

October 23, 2022 (1 Aban 1401): Rasoul Bodaqi, Mohammad Habibi, and Jafar Ebrahimi, teachers' union activists, were sentenced by the Tehran Revolutionary Court to a total of 15 years and 1 month in prison and additional punishments. The sentences are as follows: Rasoul Bodaqi was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months for "assembly and collusion," and 1 year for "propaganda against the regime." Jafar Ebrahimi was sentenced to 4 years for "assembly and collusion" and 1 year for "propaganda against the regime." Mohammad Habibi was sentenced to 3 years and 7 months for "assembly and collusion" and 1 year for "propaganda against the regime." (HRANA - Three teachers' union activists sentenced to a total of 15 years and 1 month in prison)

December 31, 2022 (10 Dey 1401): Vida Rabbani, a journalist, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 6 years in prison for "assembly and collusion against national security" and 15 months in prison for "propaganda against the regime." (HRANA - Vida Rabbani, journalist, sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison)

January 8, 2023 (19 Dey 1401): Leila Mansour, a women's rights activist, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 1 year in prison, 50 lashes, a 2-year travel ban, a ban on residing in Tehran Province, and other additional punishments. (HRANA - Leila Mansour sentenced to prison, flogging, and a ban on residing in Tehran Province)

April 12, 2023 (24 Farvardin 1402): Golrokh Iraee was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 6 years in prison for "assembly and collusion," 1 year for "propaganda against the regime," and additional punishments including a 2-year travel ban, a 2-year ban on presence in Tehran, a 2-year ban on participation in parties, groups, and gatherings, and confiscation of her mobile phone. A source close to Iraee's family told HRANA, "While the maximum penalty for the charge of assembly and collusion is 5 years according to the Islamic Republic's Penal Code, Judge Afshari sentenced Golrokh to 6 years for this charge, citing the repetition of the crime in her previous cases, despite her not having been convicted of assembly and collusion in any of her previous cases." (HRANA - Golrokh Iraee sentenced to 7 years in prison and additional punishments)

July 5, 2023 (14 Tir 1402): Shadi Shahidzadeh, Mansour Amini, Valiollah Ghadamian, and Ataollah Zafar, Baha'i citizens, were each sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 5 years in prison for "membership in illegal groups with the intention of disrupting national security." (HRANA - Four Baha'i citizens each sentenced to 5 years in prison)

November 29, 2023 (9 Azar 1402): Zahra Safaei, Parastoo Moeini, Mohammadmasoud Moeini, and Kamran Rezaei-Far were each sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 5 years in prison. Another defendant, Teymour Rezaeian, was sentenced to a fine of 50 million tomans. (HRANA - Five citizens sentenced to a total of 20 years in prison and fines)

December 27, 2023 (6 Dey 1402): Iman Afshari visited the women's ward of Evin Prison, leading to protests from political prisoners regarding the unresolved status of their cases. Several protesting prisoners were subsequently denied contact and threatened with exile by prison authorities. (HRANA - Judge Iman Afshari's visit to the women's ward of Evin Prison; protests by political prisoners over unresolved cases)

January 5, 2024 (16 Dey 1402): Mohsen Mazloom, Pejman Fatahi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hojir Faramarzi, four members of a Kurdish opposition party, were sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari. According to Johanna Taimssi, the wife of Mohsen Mazloom, these citizens were subjected to "pressure, harassment, and torture" during their detention. They were executed at dawn on January 28, 2024 (9 Bahman 1402) in Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj. (HRANA - Four individuals arrested in Somay Baradust region sentenced to death) (HRANA - Mohsen Mazloom, Pejman Fatahi, Vafa Azarbar, and Hojir Faramarzi executed)

February 10, 2024 (21 Bahman 1402): Shahab Nadeali Jouzani (Shahab Nadeali), a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to death for "armed rebellion (Baghi) through membership in opposition groups" and 5 years in prison for "assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security." (HRANA - Shahab Nadeali sentenced to death for "armed rebellion")

February 10, 2024 (21 Bahman 1402): Saeed Azizi, a political prisoner and dual Iranian-Swedish national held in Evin Prison, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to 5 years in prison. (HRANA - Saeed Azizi, Iranian-Swedish citizen, sentenced to 5 years in prison)

February 15, 2024 (27 Bahman 1402): Marzieh Farsi and Forough Taghipour, two political prisoners held in Evin Prison, were sentenced in absentia by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to 15 years in prison each. (HRANA - Marzieh Farsi and Forough Taghipour each sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Revolutionary Court)

February 21, 2024 (2 Esfand 1402): Ali Ramazani, a researcher at Amirkabir University of Technology, a member of Iran's National Microelectronics Olympiad team, and a medalist in the International Microelectronics Olympiad, was sentenced by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, to a total of 3 years and 7 months in prison. (HRANA - Ali Ramazani, International Microelectronics Olympiad medalist, sentenced to 3 years and 7 months in prison)

July 2024 (Tir 1403): Seyed Mohammad Taghavi, 57 years old, was transferred to one of the solitary confinement cells in Ward 209 of Evin Prison by order of Judge Iman Afshari, head of Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court. He was arrested on February 23, 2024 (4 Esfand 1402) in a joint case along with six other political prisoners. A knowledgeable source stated that the charge against six of the defendants in the case is "armed rebellion (Baghi)." (HRANA - Continued detention and unresolved status of seven political prisoners in Evin Prison)