The issuance of a heavy sentence against Bahareh Aghaei after seven months of detention, the continued imprisonment of several attorneys, and security-related actions against at least 135 lawyers across 14 provinces indicate a growing pattern of organized pressure on the independence of the legal profession.
According to the Iran Human Rights Center, between September 2025 and September 2026, at least 135 attorneys, including Bahareh Aghaei, faced arrest, summonses, criminal cases, prison sentences, travel bans, or restrictions on their professional activities in 14 provinces. The identities of 60 lawyers have been confirmed, while information regarding at least 75 others has been recorded without public disclosure of their names.
The arrest of 34 identified lawyers and prison sentences issued against at least 11 attorneys represent only part of this trend. Available information suggests that many of these actions were connected to defending political prisoners, supporting protesters, assisting families seeking justice, publishing critical commentary, or informing the public about the performance of the judiciary.
Among those affected are Bahareh Aghaei, Mohammad Najafi, Taher Naqavi, Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi, Javad Alikordi, Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, and Ebrahim Parsamehr. Reports indicate that they remain imprisoned, detained, or that their status remains unclear. The 20-year prison sentence imposed on Bahareh Aghaei is considered one of the harshest sentences handed to a lawyer during the past year.
Bahareh Aghaei: Imprisoned Lawyer Sentenced to 20 Years
Bahareh Aghaei, a lawyer and international law student at the University of Tehran, was among those arrested following the January 2026 protests. News of her 20-year prison sentence was published on October 7, 2026, after more than seven months of detention in Qarchak Prison in Varamin.
According to published information, the accusations against her relate to support for protests, participation in gatherings, social media activity, and assistance to families seeking justice and relatives of those killed during protests. “Propaganda against the state” has also been cited among the charges.
Despite the announcement of the sentence, details regarding the breakdown of penalties, specific charges, the court branch that issued the ruling, and the amount of time to be served have not been publicly disclosed.
This lack of transparency raises serious questions regarding due process, access to a lawyer of her choosing, full access to case materials, and adequate opportunities to prepare a defense.
Night Raid on Her Home and Two Weeks Without Information
On the evening of April 4, 2026, at approximately 10 p.m., ten officers, including one woman and nine men, entered Aghaei’s home. They searched the residence and confiscated mobile phones and electronic devices belonging to family members.
After her arrest, her family and associates reportedly had no information about her whereabouts or condition for nearly two weeks. Such incommunicado detention raises concerns regarding interrogation practices and denial of defense rights.
She was later transferred to Qarchak Prison and reportedly spent at least 15 days in solitary confinement. Her pretrial detention continued for more than seven months before the sentencing announcement.
The report argues that detaining a lawyer in solitary confinement, preventing family contact, and confiscating professional devices may jeopardize the confidentiality of attorney-client communications.
Activities Attributed to Bahareh Aghaei
During the January 2026 protests, Aghaei reportedly posted messages and stories on social media expressing support for the demonstrations. Authorities also alleged that she encouraged citizens to participate in protests.
She reportedly assisted families seeking justice and relatives of individuals killed during demonstrations. The report notes that providing legal or humanitarian support to such families has previously led to legal cases against lawyers and civil society activists.
Her participation in a memorial ceremony for Sepahr Shokri was also cited in her case. According to available information, she chanted slogans during the event, and security personnel photographed and filmed her.
The report argues that many of the activities cited in her case fall within the scope of freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, professional legal work, and support for affected families.
Other Lawyers Mentioned
Mohammad Najafi
Human rights lawyer Mohammad Najafi remains imprisoned in Evin Prison. He became widely known after pursuing the case of Vahid Heydari, who died under disputed circumstances following the 2018 protests in Arak.
Multiple cases have been filed against him, resulting in cumulative sentences exceeding 24 years of imprisonment, 74 lashes, and financial penalties. His law license has also been permanently revoked.
Taher Naqavi
Taher Naqavi was arrested on February 5, 2024, and transferred to Evin Prison. His sentence of four years in prison, a two-year travel ban, and two years of deprivation of social rights has been upheld on appeal. His law license was suspended in October 2025.
The report states that he suffers from serious prostate, spinal, and gastrointestinal health problems and has faced delays in receiving specialized medical treatment.
Seyed Mehdi Karimi Farsi
Karimi Farsi was transferred to Evin Prison on January 4, 2026, to serve a one-year sentence for “propaganda against the state.” As of the report’s publication, no reliable information regarding his release or any change in status had been reported.
Javad Alikordi
Lawyer and university professor Javad Alikordi has been detained since December 12, 2025. He was sentenced to 18 years in prison, permanent disbarment, two years of internal exile to Saravan, and a two-year travel ban.
He reportedly spent approximately four months in solitary confinement before being transferred to Ward 6.1 of Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad.
Hamid Rahmani Manshadi
Hamid Rahmani Manshadi, a lawyer, researcher, and law professor at Yazd University, was arrested in September 2026 after responding to a judicial summons.
According to the report, his whereabouts remain unknown, his family has been denied visitation, and he has not been granted access to legal counsel.
Ebrahim Parsamehr
Lawyer Ebrahim Parsamehr from Ahvaz was arrested on June 14, 2025, and transferred to Sheiban Prison. Charges reportedly included online activity, “propaganda against the state,” “spreading false information,” and “communication with a hostile country.”
The report notes uncertainty regarding his current status as of October 2026.
Collective Conviction of Eight Lawyers in Gilan
Eight lawyers in Gilan Province, along with another defendant, were tried in a joint case. Together, they received prison sentences totaling 14 years, 7 months, and 15 days.
Each defendant was sentenced to seven months and fifteen days for “propaganda against the state” and twelve months for “insulting the Supreme Leader and the founder of the Islamic Republic.” Additional charges of “insulting religious sanctities” remain under review.
January 2026: Peak Period of Pressure on Lawyers
The report describes January 2026 as one of the most severe periods of pressure on the legal community. During that month alone, at least 16 identified lawyers were arrested or subjected to security and judicial measures.
More than 40 lawyers were reportedly summoned in East Azerbaijan Province, while approximately 20 lawyers in Fars Province faced legal cases and 12 were arrested.
Common grounds cited in these cases included criticism of the judiciary, defense of protesters, contact with families seeking justice, reporting on prisoners, and representing political defendants or death-row inmates.
Measures reportedly included prolonged pretrial detention, solitary confinement, suspension or revocation of law licenses, travel bans, internal exile, confiscation of electronic devices, and the filing of new cases while lawyers were already imprisoned.
Legal Review Under Domestic Law
The report argues that even under Iran’s own legal framework, questions remain regarding transparency, the court responsible for issuing the verdict, the specific charges, the calculation of the 20-year sentence, and access to legal representation.
It cites provisions of Iran’s Constitution and Criminal Procedure Code concerning personal rights, prompt notification of charges, the presumption of innocence, the right to counsel, and the protection of detainees’ dignity.
Human Rights Concerns
The report concludes that Bahareh Aghaei’s prolonged detention, two weeks without family contact, solitary confinement, confiscation of family electronic devices, and severe prison sentence for allegedly peaceful activities raise significant human rights concerns.
It references provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights relating to protection from arbitrary detention, fair trial guarantees, freedom of expression, and humane treatment. It also cites United Nations principles concerning the independence and security of lawyers in the performance of their professional duties.
See also the below articles:
- Sudden Cancellation of Shahin Zoughi-Tabar’s Prison Visit Raises Human Rights Concerns
- Mohsen Babaeian and Borzou Rezaei Sentenced to Death
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