Reports related to arrests and political prisoners
U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer, a Republican, called the Islamic Republic's proposal to lift sanctions for nuclear talks "ridiculous" and stressed that the Trump administration aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons while preferring a peaceful resolution.
The family of political prisoner Manouchehr Bakhtiar, a supporter of the monarchy, has denied claims that his recent critical message was issued under duress, stating that it is genuine. In a new statement, Saba Bakhtiar, the sister of Manouchehr Bakhtiar, affirmed that the audio message attributed to her brother is real and not coerced.
Based on information received by Iran International, the case of Maryam (Mahtab) Hedavand, a death-sentenced protester detained during the Dey 1404 protests, has been referred to the Supreme Court; she remains in Evin Prison without the right to choose her own lawyer or for her lawyer to access her judicial file.
Artin Salari, a 20-year-old resident of Nurabad Memesani, has been charged with *moharebeh* (waging war against God) following protests in December. Local sources report that several citizens in Nurabad Memesani have received severe sentences in recent weeks.
The Supreme Court of Iran has upheld the death sentence for Mohammad Abbasi and a 25-year prison sentence for his daughter Fatemeh Abbasi, both detained during the December 2021 protests in Malard. Mohammad Abbasi is being held in Qezel-Hesar Prison in Karaj, while Fatemeh Abbasi is in Evin Prison.
Mohammad Reza Hosseini, a 29-year-old resident of Kerman, was arrested on January 13, 2026, during a raid by approximately thirty government forces and transferred to solitary confinement without a judicial warrant. He faces serious charges including organizing protests, arson, collusion with Israel, and conspiracy against the regime.
On April 26, 2026, the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced four December 2025 protest detainees, including one woman named Maryam Hedavand, to death. The convicted individuals are Ehsan Hosseinipour Hasarloo, Matin Mohammadi, and Arfan Amiri.
Abolfazl Ghadyani, a political prisoner at Evin Prison, stated in a message that the leaders of the Islamic Republic are responsible for the war, destruction, and death in Iran. The interview was conducted by Morteza Kazemian, a member of the Iran International editorial board.
The Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic announced the arrest of four individuals in Kerman's Azadi Square on charges of involvement in a shooting that occurred on April 4, 2026, which injured two men and a young girl.
On Sunday, the sixth of Ordibehesht, Tasnim News Agency reported that four individuals were arrested by IRGC security forces and law enforcement command for allegedly shooting at a government gathering in Kerman, resulting in the injury of two men and a young girl.
A shooting occurred at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, with new video footage capturing red carpet moments following the incident. Location details and casualty numbers were not specified in the article.
More than 250 people were arrested across various provinces of Iran in the past 24 hours, according to media outlets affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
