Name

Identifying information

Reasons

Date of listing

▼M14

1.

AHMADI-MOQADDAM Esmail

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 1961

Gender: male

Director of the University and the Higher National Defence Research Institute since 20 September 2021. Former Senior Advisor for Security Affairs to the Chief of the Armed Forces General Staff. Chief of Iran’s National Police from 2005 until early 2015. Also Head of the Iranian Cyber Police (EU-listed) from January 2011 until early 2015. Forces under his command led brutal attacks on peaceful protests and a violent night-time attack on the dormitories of Tehran University on 15 June 2009. Former head of Iran’s Headquarters in support of the Yemeni People.

12.4.2011

▼M11

2.

ALLAHKARAM Hossein

POB: Najafabad (Iran)

DOB: 1945

Gender: male

Head of Ansar-e Hezbollah Coordination Council and former general in the IRGC. He co-founded Ansar-e Hezbollah. This paramilitary force was responsible for extreme violence during crackdown against students and universities in 1999, 2002 and 2009.

He maintains his senior role in an organisation which is ready to commit human rights violations against the public, including promoting aggression against women for their choice of clothing.

12.4.2011

3.

ARAGHI (ERAGHI) Abdollah

Gender: male

Title: Brigadier-General

Brigadier-General in the IRGC. Head of the Security Department of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Former Deputy Head of IRGC's Ground Forces. He had a direct and personal responsibility in the crackdown of protests all through the summer of 2009.

12.4.2011

▼M13

4.

FAZLI Ali

Gender: male

Title: Brigadier-General

Former Chief of the Imam Hossein Cadet College (2018-June 2020). Former deputy Commander of the Basij (2009-2018), Head of the IRGC’s Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, Tehran Province (until February 2010). The Seyyed al-Shohada Corps is in charge of security in Tehran province and played a key role in the brutal repression of protesters in 2009.

12.4.2011

▼M7 —————

▼M11

6.

JAFARI Mohammad-Ali (a.k.a. ‘Aziz Jafari’)

POB: Yazd (Iran)

DOB: 1.9.1957

Gender: male

Director of the Hazrat-e Baqiatollah Social and Cultural Base. Former Commander of the IRGC (September 2007 - April 2019). IRGC and the Sarollah Base commanded by General Mohammad-Ali (Aziz) Jafari have played a key role in illegally interfering with the 2009 Presidential Elections, arresting and detaining political activists, as well as clashing with protestors in the streets.

12.4.2011

7.

KHALILI Ali

Gender: male

IRGC General, in a senior role within the Sarollah Base. He signed a letter sent to the Ministry of Health June 26, 2009 forbidding the submission of documents or medical records to anyone injured or hospitalized during post-elections events.

12.4.2011

▼M13

8.

MOTLAGH Bahram Hosseini

Gender: male

Member of the teaching staff of Imam Hossein University (Guardians of the Revolution). Former Head of the Army Command and General Staff College (DAFOOS). Former Head of the IRGC’s Seyyed al-Shohada Corps, Tehran Province. The Seyyed al-Shohada Corps played a key role in organising the repression of protests in 2009.

12.4.2011

▼M11

9.

NAQDI Mohammad-Reza

POB: Najaf (Iraq)

DOB: Circa 1952

Gender: male

Title: Brigadier-General

Deputy Coordinator of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Former Deputy Chief of the IRGC for cultural and social affairs. Former Commander of the Basij (2009‐2016). As commander of the IRGC's Basij Forces, Naqdi was responsible for or complicit in Basij abuses occurring in late 2009, including the violent response to the December 2009 Ashura Day protests, which resulted in up to 15 deaths and the arrests of hundreds of protesters. Prior to his appointment as commander of the Basij in October 2009, Naqdi was the head of the intelligence unit of the Basij responsible for interrogating those arrested during the post‐election crackdown.

12.4.2011

10.

RADAN Ahmad-Reza

POB: Isfahan (Iran)

DOB: 1963

Gender: male

Head of the Centre for Strategic Studies of the Iranian Law Enforcement Force, a body linked to the National Police. Deputy Chief of Iran's National Police until June 2014. As Deputy Chief of National Police from 2008, Radan was responsible for beatings, murder, and arbitrary arrests and detentions against protestors that were committed by the police forces. Currently IRGC commander in charge of training Iraqi ‘anti-terrorist’ forces.

12.4.2011

▼M13

11.

RAJABZADEH Azizollah

Gender: male

Commander of the Urban Order Headquarters since 2014. Former Head of Tehran Disaster Mitigation Organisation (2010-2013). As Head of Tehran Police until January 2010, he was responsible for violent police attacks on protesters and students. As Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces in the Greater Tehran, he was the highest ranking accused in the case of abuses in Kahrizak Detention Centre in December 2009.

12.4.2011

▼M11

12.

SAJEDI-NIA Hossein

Gender: male

Police Operations Deputy Commander. Former head of Tehran Police, former Deputy Chief of Iran's National Police responsible for Police Operations. He is in charge of coordinating, for the Ministry of Interior, repression operations in the Iranian capital.

12.4.2011

13.

TAEB Hossein

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 1963

Gender: male

Head of the IRGC intelligence organisation since October 2009. His responsibilities were expanded in May 2019 with the merging the Office of the Deputy of Strategic Intelligence of the IRGC and the IRGC's Intelligence Organization. Commander of the Basij until October 2009. Forces under his command participated in mass beatings, murders, detentions and tortures of peaceful protestors.

12.4.2011

14.

SHARIATI Seyeed Hassan

Gender: male

Advisor and Member of the 28th Section of the Supreme Court. Head of Mashhad Judiciary until September 2014. Trials under his supervision have been conducted summarily and inside closed sessions, without adherence to basic rights of the accused, and with reliance on confessions extracted under pressure and torture. As execution rulings were issued en masse, death sentences were issued without proper observance of fair hearing procedures.

12.4.2011

▼M13

15.

DORRI-NADJAFABADI Ghorban-Ali

POB: Najafabad (Iran)

DOB: 3.12.1950

Gender: male

Member of the Assembly of Experts and representative of the Supreme Leader in Markazi (‘Central’) Province and Head of the Supreme Administrative Court. Prosecutor General of Iran until September 2009, as well as former Intelligence Minister under Khatami presidency. As Prosecutor General of Iran, he ordered and supervised the show trials following the first post-election protests, where the accused were denied their rights and access to an attorney.

12.4.2011

▼M13 —————

▼M11

17.

SOLTANI Hodjatoleslam Seyed Mohammad

Gender: male

Head of the Organisation for Islamic Propaganda in the province of Khorasan- Razavi. Judge, Mashhad Revolutionary Court until 2013. Trials under his jurisdiction have been conducted summarily and inside closed session, without adherence to basic rights of the accused. As execution rulings were issued en masse, death sentences were issued without proper observance of fair hearing procedures.

12.4.2011

18.

HEYDARIFAR Ali-Akbar

Gender: male

Former judge, Tehran Revolutionary Court. He participated in protesters trials. He was questioned by the judiciary about Kahrizak abuses. He was instrumental in issuing detention orders to consign detainees to Kahrizak Detention Centre in 2009. In November 2014, his role in the deaths of detainees was officially recognised by the Iranian authorities.

12.4.2011

▼M13

19.

JAFARI-DOLATABADI Abbas

POB: Yazd (Iran)

DOB: 1953

Gender: male

Advisor to the Supreme Disciplinary Court of judges since 29 April 2019. Former Prosecutor General of Tehran (August 2009-April 2019). Dolatabadi’s office indicted a large number of protesters, including individuals who took part in the December 2009 Ashura Day protests. He ordered the closure of Karroubi’s office in September 2009 and the arrest of several reformist politicians, and he banned two reformist political parties in June 2010. His office charged protesters with ‘Muharebeh’, or ‘enmity against God’, which carries the death penalty, and denied due process to those facing the death penalty. His office also targeted and arrested reformists, human rights activists and members of the media, as part of a broad crackdown on the political opposition.

In October 2018 he announced to the media that four detained Iranian environmental activists were to be charged with ‘sowing corruption on earth’, a charge which carries the death penalty.

12.4.2011

▼M14

20.

MOGHISSEH Mohammad (a.k.a. NASSERIAN)

Gender: male

Judge at the Supreme Court since November 2020. Former head of Tehran Revolutionary Court, branch 28. Also considered responsible for condemnations of members of the Baha’i community. He has dealt with post-election cases. He issued long prison sentences during unfair trials of social and political activists and journalists, and several death sentences for protesters and social and political activists.

12.4.2011

21.

MOHSENI-EJEI Gholam-Hossein

POB: Ejiyeh (Iran)

DOB: circa 1956

Gender: male

Chief of Justice since July 2021. Member of the Expediency Council. Prosecutor General of Iran from September 2009 until 2014. Former Deputy Head of the Judiciary (2014 until July 2021) and spokesperson of the Judiciary (2010-2019). Intelligence Minister from 2005 until 2009. While he was Intelligence Minister during the 2009 elections, intelligence agents under his command were responsible for the detention and torture of, and the extraction of false confessions under pressure from, hundreds of activists, journalists, dissidents and reformist politicians. In addition, political figures were coerced into making false confessions under unbearable interrogation, which included torture, abuse, blackmail and the threatening of family members.

12.4.2011

22.

MORTAZAVI Said (a.k.a. MORTAZAVI Saeed)

POB: Meybod, Yazd (Iran)

DOB: 1967

Gender: male

Head of the Welfare System from 2011 to 2013. Prosecutor General of Tehran until August 2009. As Prosecutor General of Tehran, he issued a blanket order used for the detention of hundreds of activists, journalists and students. In January 2010, a parliamentary investigation held him directly responsible for the detention of three prisoners who subsequently died in custody. He was suspended from office in August 2010 after an investigation by the Iranian judiciary into his role in the deaths of the three men detained on his orders following the election.

In November 2014, his role in the deaths of detainees was officially recognised by the Iranian authorities. He was acquitted by an Iranian Court on 19 August 2015, on charges connected to the torture and deaths of three young men at the Kahrizak detention centre in 2009. Sentenced to prison in 2017 and released in September 2019. In August 2021, Iran’s Supreme Court issued a ruling in full support of Said Mortazavi, overturning his earlier two-year jail sentence.

12.4.2011

▼M11

23.

PIR-ABASSI Abbas

Gender: male

Magistrate of a Criminal chamber. Former Judge, Tehran Revolutionary Court, branch 26. He was in charge of post‐election cases. He issued long prison sentences during unfair trials against human rights activists and issued several death sentences for protesters.

12.4.2011

24.

MORTAZAVI Amir

Gender: male

Deputy head of the Unit for Social Affairs and Crime Prevention at the judiciary in the province of Khorasan‐Razavi. Deputy Prosecutor of Mashhad until at least 2015. Trials under his prosecution have been conducted summarily and inside closed session, without adherence to basic rights of the accused. As execution rulings were issued en masse, death sentences were issued without proper observance of fair hearing procedures.

12.4.2011

▼M14

25.

SALAVATI Abdolghassem

Gender: male

Judge of the Special Court for Financial Crimes, branch 4 since 2019. Former Head of Tehran Revolutionary Court, branch 15. Committing Judge in the Tehran Tribunal. In charge of the post-election cases, he was the Judge presiding over the ‘show trials’ in summer 2009, he condemned to death two monarchists that appeared in the show trials. He has sentenced more than a hundred political prisoners, human rights activists and demonstrators to lengthy prison sentences.

In 2018, reports showed that he continued to hand down similar sentences without proper observance of fair hearing procedures.

12.4.2011

▼M11

26.

SHARIFI Malek Adjar (aka: SHARIFI Malek Ajdar)

Gender: male

Judge at the Supreme Court, head of the 43rd section. Former Head of East Azerbaidjan Judiciary. He was responsible for Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani's trial.

12.4.2011

▼M14 —————

▼M14

28.

YASAGHI Ali-Akbar

Gender: male

Judge at the Supreme Court, head of the 13th section. Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Setad-e Dieh Foundation. Chief Judge, Mashhad Revolutionary Court (2001-2011). Trials under his jurisdiction have been conducted summarily and in closed sessions, without adherence to basic rights of the accused. As execution rulings were issued en masse (up to 550 between summer 2009 and summer 2011), death sentences were issued without proper observance of fair hearing procedures.

12.4.2011

▼M11

29.

BOZORGNIA Mostafa

Gender: male

Head of ward 350 of Evin Prison. He unleashed on a number of occasions disproportionate violence upon prisoners.

12.4.2011

▼M14

30.

ESMAILI Gholam-Hossein (a.k.a. ESMAILI Gholam Hossein)

Gender: male

Chief of Staff of Iranian President Raisi since August 2021. Judiciary spokesman from April 2019 until July 2021. Former head of the Tehran Judiciary. Former Head of Iran’s Prisons Organisation. In this capacity, he was complicit in the massive detention of political protesters and covering up of abuses performed in the jailing system.

12.4.2011

▼M11

31.

SEDAQAT (a.k.a. Sedaghat) Farajollah

Gender: male

Assistant Secretary of the General Prison Administration in Tehran. Head of Evin's prison, Tehran until October 2010 during which time torture took place. He was warden, and threatened and exerted pressure on prisoners numerous times.

12.4.2011

32.

ZANJIREI Mohammad‐Ali

Gender: male

As Senior advisor to Head, and Deputy Head of Iran's Prisons Organisation, responsible for serious human rights violations against prisoners. Administered a system in which prisoners suffered abuse, torture and inhuman/degrading treatment and were accommodated in very poor living conditions.

12.4.2011

▼M14

33.

ABBASZADEH-MESHKINI Mahmoud

Gender: male

Member of Parliament (since February 2020) and Speaker of the Parliament’s Committee for National Security and Foreign Affairs. Former Advisor to Iran’s High Council for Human Rights (until 2019). Former secretary of the High Council for Human Rights. Former Governor of Ilam Province. Former Political Director of the Interior Ministry. As Head of the Article 10 Committee of the Law on Activities of Political Parties and Groups, he was in charge of authorising demonstrations and other public events and registering political parties.

In 2010, he suspended the activities of two reformist political parties linked to Mousavi – the Islamic Iran Participation Front and the Islamic Revolution Mujahedeen Organisation. From 2009 onwards, he has consistently and continuously prohibited all non-governmental gatherings, therefore denying a constitutional right to protest and leading to many arrests of peaceful demonstrators in contravention of the right to freedom of assembly.

In 2009, he also denied the opposition a permit for a ceremony to mourn people killed in protests over the Presidential elections.

10.10.2011

▼M13

34.

AKBARSHAHI Ali-Reza

Gender: male

Former Director-General of Iran’s Drug Control Headquarters (a.k.a. Anti-Narcotics Headquarters). Former Commander of Tehran Police. Under his leadership, the police force was responsible for the use of extrajudicial force on suspects during arrest and pre-trial detention. The Tehran police were also implicated in raids on Tehran university dorms in June 2009 when, according to an Iranian Majlis commission, more than 100 students were injured by the police and Basiji. Until 2018, head of the railway police.

10.10.2011

▼M14

35.

AKHARIAN Hassan

Gender: male

Head of Ward 5 and in charge of solitary confinement in EU-listed Rajaee Shahr Prison since 2015; formerly Keeper of Ward 1 of Rajaee Shahr Prison, Karadj until July 2010. Several former detainees have denounced his use of torture, as well as orders he gave to prevent inmates receiving medical assistance. According to a transcript of one reported detainee in the Rajaee Shahr Prison, wardens all beat him severely, with Akharian’s full knowledge. There is also at least one reported case of ill treatment and the death of a detainee, Mohsen Beikvand, under Akharian’s wardenship. Beikvand died in September 2010. Other prisoners claim credibly that he was killed on the instructions of Hassan Akharian.

10.10.2011

36.

AVAEE Seyyed Ali-Reza (a.k.a. AVAEE Seyyed Alireza, AVAIE Alireza)

POB: Dezful (Iran)

DOB: 20.5.1956

Gender: male

Minister of Justice until 25 August 2021. Former Director of the special investigations office. Deputy Minister of the Interior and Head of the Public Register until July 2016. Advisor to the Disciplinary Court for Judges in April 2014. Former President of the Tehran Judiciary. As President of the Tehran Judiciary, he has been responsible for human rights violations, arbitrary arrests, denials of prisoners’ rights and a high number of executions.

10.10.2011

▼M11

37.

BANESHI Jaber

Gender: male

Head of Branch 22 of the Appeals Court of Shiraz from November 2011. Prosecutor of Shiraz until October 2011. Prosecutor during the Shiraz bombing case in 2008, which was used by the regime to sentence to death other unconnected persons. He has pursued capital charges and other severe penalties against minorities, such as to constitute, inter alia, a violation of their human rights to fair trial and freedom from arbitrary detention.

10.10.2011

▼M14 —————

▼M13

39.

GANJI Mostafa Barzegar

Gender: male

General Director of Inspection Supervision and Performance Evaluation of Courts since June 2020. Former Prosecutor General of Qom (2008-2017) and former Head of the Directorate-General for prisons. He was responsible for the arbitrary detention and maltreatment of dozens of offenders in Qom. He was complicit in a grave violation of the right to due process, contributing to the excessive and increasing use of the death penalty and a sharp increase in executions in 2009/2010.

10.10.2011

40.

HABIBI Mohammad Reza

Gender: male

Chief Justice of Isfahan. Former Attorney General of Isfahan. Former Head of the Ministry of Justice office in Yazd. Former Deputy Prosecutor of Isfahan. Complicit in proceedings denying defendants a fair trial – such as Abdollah Fathi, executed in May 2011 after his right to be heard and mental health issues were ignored by Habibi during his trial in March 2010. He was, therefore, complicit in a grave violation of the right to due process, contributing to a sharp increase in executions in 2011.

10.10.2011

▼M14 —————

▼M6 —————

▼M11

43.

JAVANI Yadollah

Gender: male

IRGC deputy commander for political affairs. Has made numerous attempts to suppress free speech and free discourse through his public statements supporting the arrest and punishment of protesters and dissenters. One of the first high‐ranking officials to demand in 2009 Moussavi, Karroubi and Khatami's arrest. Has supported the use of techniques that breach rights to a fair trial including public confessions and he has released the contents of interrogations before trial. Evidence also indicates that he has condoned the use of violence against protesters and as an integral member of the IRGC he is highly likely to have been aware of the use of harsh interrogation techniques to force confessions.

10.10.2011

▼M13

44.

JAZAYERI Massoud

Gender: male

Title: Brigadier-General

Cultural advisor to the Joint Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces since April 2018. Within the joint military staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, Brigadier-General Massoud Jazayeri was the Deputy Chief of Staff for cultural and media affairs (a.k.a. State Defence Publicity HQ). He actively collaborated in the repression of 2009 protests as Deputy Chief of Staff. He warned in a Kayhan interview that many protesters inside and outside Iran had been identified and would be dealt with at the right time.

He has openly called for the suppression of foreign mass media outlets and the Iranian opposition. In 2010, he asked the government to pass tougher laws against Iranians who cooperate with foreign media sources.

10.10.2011

45.

JOKAR Mohammad Saleh

POB: Yazd (Iran)

DOB: 1957

Gender: male

Member of Parliament for the Province of Yazd. Former Deputy for Parliamentary Affairs of the Revolutionary Guards. From 2011 to 2016, parliamentary deputy for the Province of Yazd and Member of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy. Former Commander of Student Basij Forces. In this role, he was actively involved in suppressing protests and indoctrinating children and young people with a view to continuing suppression of free speech and dissent. As Member of the Parliamentary Committee for National Security and Foreign Policy, he publically supported the suppression of opposition to the government.

10.10.2011

▼M14

46.

KAMALIAN Behrouz (a.k.a. Hackers Brain, Behrooz_Ice)

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 1983

Gender: male

Head of the ‘Ashiyaneh’ cyber group linked with the Iranian regime. The ‘Ashiyaneh’ Digital Security, founded by Behrouz Kamalian, is responsible for intensive cyber attacks both on domestic opponents and reformists and foreign institutions. Kamalian’s ‘Ashiyaneh’ organisation’s work has assisted the regime’s crackdown against the opposition, which has involved numerous serious human rights violations in 2009. Both Kamalian and the ‘Ashiyaneh’ cyber group have continued their activities until at least December 2021.

10.10.2011

47.

KHALILOLLAHI Moussa (a.k.a. KHALILOLLAHI Mousa, ELAHI Mousa Khalil)

POB: Tabriz (Iran)

DOB: 1963

Gender: male

Chief of Justice of East Azerbaijan province. Former prosecutor of Tabriz from 2010 to 2019. He was involved in Sakineh Mohammadi-Ashtiani’s case and is complicit in grave violations of the right to due process.

10.10.2011

▼M13

48.

MAHSOULI Sadeq (a.k.a. MAHSULI Sadeq)

POB: Oroumieh (Iran)

DOB: 1959/1960

Gender: male

Deputy Secretary-General of the Paydari Front (Front of Islamic Stability). Former Advisor to Former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, former member of the Expediency Council and former Deputy Chief of the Perseverance Front. Minister of Welfare and Social Security between 2009 and 2011. Minister of the Interior until August 2009. As Minister of the Interior, Mahsouli had authority over all police forces, interior ministry security agents, and plain-clothes agents. The forces under his direction were responsible for attacks on the dormitories of Tehran University on 14 June 2009 and the torture of students in the basement of the Ministry (the notorious basement level 4). Other protestors were severely abused at the Kahrizak Detention Centre, which was operated by police under Mahsouli’s control.

10.10.2011

▼M11

49.

MALEKI Mojtaba

Gender: male

Deputy head of the Ministry of Justice in the Khorasan Razavi province. Former prosecutor of Kermanshah. Has played a role in the high number of death sentences being passed in Iran, including prosecuting the cases of seven prisoners convicted of drug trafficking who were hanged on the same day on 3 January 2010 in Kermanshah's central prison.

10.10.2011

50.

OMIDI Mehrdad (aka: Reza; OMIDI Reza)

Gender: male

Head of section VI of the police, investigation department. Former Head of the Intelligence Services within the Iranian Police. Former Head of the Computer Crimes Unit of the Iranian Police. He was responsible for thousands of investigations and indictments of reformists and political opponents using the Internet. He was thus responsible for grave human rights violations in the repression of persons who speak out in defence of their legitimate rights, including freedom of expression during and after the 2009 Green Movement.

10.10.2011

51.

SALARKIA Mahmoud

Gender: male

Former director of Tehran Football Club ‘Persepolis’

Former Head of the Petrol and Transport commission of the City of Tehran. Deputy to the Prosecutor-General of Tehran for Prison Affairs during the crackdown of 2009. As Deputy to the Prosecutor-General of Tehran for Prison Affairs he was directly responsible for many of the arrest warrants against innocent, peaceful protesters and activists. Many reports from human rights defenders show that virtually all those arrested were, on his instruction, held incommunicado without access to their lawyer or families, and without charge, for varying lengths of time, often in conditions amounting to enforced disappearance. Their families have often not been notified of the arrest. He is currently working as a lawyer.

10.10.2011

52.

KHODAEI SOURI Hojatollah

POB: Selseleh (Iran)

DOB: 1964

Gender: male

Member of the National Security and Foreign policy Committee. Parliamentary deputy for Lorestan Province. Member of the Parliamentary Commission for Foreign and Security Policy. Head of Evin prison until 2012. Torture was a common practice in Evin prison while Souri was its head. In Ward 209, many activists were held for their peaceful activities in opposition to the ruling government.

10.10.2011

▼M14

53.

TALA Hossein (a.k.a. TALA Hosseyn)

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 1969

Gender: male

Mayor of Eslamshahr until 2020. Former Iranian MP. Former Governor-General (‘Farmandar’) of Tehran Province until September 2010, he was responsible for the intervention of police forces and therefore for the repression of demonstrations. He received a prize in December 2010 for his role in the post-election repression.

10.10.2011

▼M13

54.

TAMADDON Morteza (a.k.a. TAMADON Morteza)

POB: Shahr Kord-Isfahan (Iran)

DOB: 1959

Gender: male

Former Head of Tehran provincial Public Security Council. Former IRGC Governor-General of Tehran Province. In his capacity as Governor and Head of Tehran provincial Public Security Council, he bore overall responsibility for all repressive activities undertaken by the IRGC in Tehran Province, including cracking down on political protests since June 2009. Currently board member at Khajeh Nasireddin Tusi University of Technology.

10.10.2011

▼M14

55.

ZEBHI Hossein

Gender: male

First Deputy Advisor to the Judiciary and Judge of the Supreme Court (head of Branch 41 of the Supreme Court, dealing in particular with security offences and drugs). Deputy to the Prosecutor-General of Iran (2007-2015). In this role, he was responsible for judicial cases brought after the post-election protests in 2009, which were conducted in contravention of human rights. Also in this role, he has condoned excessive punishments for drug offences.

10.10.2011

56.

BAHRAMI Mohammad-Kazem

Gender: male

Head of the administrative justice court until April 2021. He was complicit in the repression of peaceful demonstrators in 2009 as head of the judiciary branch of the armed forces.

10.10.2011

▼M11

57.

HAJMOHAM-MADI Aziz (a.k.a. Aziz Hajmohammadi, Noorollah Azizmohammadi)

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 1948

Gender: male

Judge at the Tehran Provincial Criminal Court. Working for the judiciary since 1971, he was involved in several trials of demonstrators, inter alia, that of Abdol-Reza Ghanbari, a teacher arrested in January 2010 and sentenced to death for his political activities.

10.10.2011

58.

BAGHERI Mohammad‐Bagher

Gender: male

Judge at the Supreme court since December 2015. Former vice-chairman of the judiciary administration of South Khorasan province, in charge of crime prevention. In addition to his acknowledging, in June 2011, 140 executions for capital offences between March 2010 and March 2011, about 100 other executions are reported to have taken place in the same period and in the same province of South Khorasan without either the families or the lawyers being notified. He was, therefore, complicit in a grave violation of the right to due process, contributing to a high number of death sentences.

10.10.2011

59.

BAKHTIARI Seyyed Morteza

POB: Mashhad (Iran)

DOB: 1952

Gender: male

President of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundation (since July 2019). Former deputy custodian of Imam Reza shrine. Former Official of the Special Clerical Tribunal. Former Minister of Justice from 2009 to 2013. During his time as Minister of Justice, prison conditions within Iran fell well below accepted international standards, and there was widespread mistreatment of prisoners. In addition, he played a key role in threatening and harassing the Iranian diaspora by announcing the establishment of a special court to deal specifically with Iranians who live outside the country. He also oversaw a sharp increase in the number of executions in Iran, including secret executions not announced by the government, and executions for drug-related offences.

10.10.2011

▼M14

60.

HOSSEINI Dr Mohammad (a.k.a. HOSSEYNI Dr Seyyed Mohammad; Seyed, Sayyed and Sayyid)

POB: Rafsanjan, Kerman (Iran)

DOB: 23.7.1961

Gender: male

Vice-president for parliamentary affairs under President Raisi since August 2021. Former advisor to President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and spokesperson for YEKTA, a hard-line political faction. Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance (2009-2013). Ex-IRGC, he was complicit in the repression of journalists.

10.10.2011

▼M11

61.

MOSLEHI Heydar (Aka: MOSLEHI Heidar; MOSLEHI Haidar)

POB: Isfahan (Iran)

DOB: 1956

Gender: male

Representative of the Ideological-Political Bureau of the Commander in Chief of Iran's Armed Forces (since 2018). Former advisor of Supreme Jurisprudence in the IRGC. Head of the organisation for publications on the role of the clergy at war. Former Minister of Intelligence (2009-2013). Under his leadership, the Ministry of Intelligence continued the practices of widespread arbitrary detention and persecution of protesters and dissidents. The Ministry of Intelligence runs Ward 209 of Evin Prison, where many activists have been held on account of their peaceful activities in opposition to the government in power. Interrogators from the Ministry of Intelligence have subjected prisoners in Ward 209 to beatings and mental and sexual abuse.

10.10.2011

▼M14

62.

ZARGHAMI Ezzatollah

POB: Dezful (Iran)

DOB: 22.7.1959

Gender: male

Minister of Culture, Crafts and Tourism since 25 August 2021. Member of the Supreme Cyberspace Council and Cultural Revolution Council since 2014. Former Head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) until November 2014. Under his tenure at IRIB, He was responsible for all programming decisions. IRIB has broadcast forced confessions of detainees and a series of ‘show trials’ in August 2009 and December 2011. These constitute a clear violation of international provisions on fair trial and the right to due process.

23.3.2012

▼M13

63.

TAGHIPOUR Reza

POB: Maragheh (Iran)

DOB: 1957

Gender: male

Member of the 11th Iranian parliament (Tehran constituency). Member of the Supreme Cyberspace Council. Former Member of the City Council of Teheran. Former Minister for Information and Communications (2009-2012).

As Minister for Information, he was one of the top officials in charge of censorship and control of internet activities and also all types of communications (in particular mobile phones). During interrogations of political detainees, the interrogators make use of the detainees’ personal data, mail and communications. On several occasions following the 2009 presidential election and during street demonstrations, mobile lines and text messaging were blocked, satellite TV channels were jammed and the internet locally suspended or at least slowed down.

23.3.2012

▼M14

64.

KAZEMI Toraj

Gender: male

Chief of the Greater Tehran division of the EU-designated Cyber Police until June 2020. In this capacity, he announced a campaign for the recruitment of government hackers in order to achieve better control of information on the internet and attack ‘dangerous’ sites.

23.3.2012

65.

LARIJANI Sadeq

POB: Najaf (Iraq)

DOB: 1960 or August 1961

Gender: male

Head of the Expediency Council since 29 December 2018. Former member of the Guardian Council (until September 2021). Former Head of the Judiciary (2009-2019). The Head of the Judiciary is required to consent to and sign off every qisas (retribution), hodoud (crimes against God) and ta’zirat (crimes against the state) punishment. This includes sentences carrying the death penalty, floggings and amputations. In this regard, he has personally signed off numerous death penalty sentences, contravening international standards, including stoning, executions by suspension strangulation, execution of juveniles, and public executions such as those where prisoners have been hanged from bridges in front of crowds of thousands. Therefore, he has contributed to a high number of executions. He has also permitted corporal punishment sentences such as amputations and the dripping of acid into the eyes of the convicted. Since Sadeq Larijani took office, arbitrary arrests of political prisoners, human rights defenders and minorities have increased markedly. Sadeq Larijani also bears responsibility for systemic failures in the Iranian judicial process with respect to the right to a fair trial.

23.3.2012

▼M13

66.

MIRHEJAZI Ali

Gender: male

Part of the Supreme Leader’s inner circle, one of those responsible for planning the suppression of protests, which has been implemented since 2009, and associated with those responsible for supressing the protests.

He was also responsible for planning the suppression of public unrest in December 2017/2018 and November 2019.

23.3.2012

67.

SAEEDI Ali

Gender: male

Head of the Supreme Leader’s political ideology bureau. Former representative of the Supreme Leader for the Pasdaran (1995-2020) after spending his whole career within the institution of the military, and specifically in the Pasdaran intelligence service. This official role made him the key figure in the transmission of orders emanating from the Office of the Supreme Leader to the Pasdaran’s repression apparatus.

23.3.2012

▼M11

68.

RAMIN Mohammad-Ali

POB: Dezful (Iran)

DOB: 1954

Gender: male

Secretary-general of the World Holocaust Foundation, established at the International Conference to Review the Global Vision of the Holocaust in 2006, which Ramin was responsible for organising on behalf of the Iranian Government. Main figure responsible for censorship as Vice‐Minister in charge of the Press up to December 2013, being directly responsible for the closure of many reforming newspapers (Etemad, Etemad-e Melli, Shargh, etc.), closure of the Independent Press Syndicate and the intimidation or arrest of journalists.

23.3.2012

▼M14

69.

MORTAZAVI Seyyed Solat

POB: Farsan, Tchar Mahal-o-Bakhtiari (South) – (Iran)

DOB: 1967

Gender: male

Since 5 September 2021, Vice-President for Executive Affairs of Iran and Head of the Presidential Office. Head of the real estate branch of the Mostazafan Foundation, which was directly run by Supreme Leader Khamenei from 16 September 2019 until September 2021. Until November 2019, Director of the Tehran branch of the Foundation Astan Qods Razavi. Former mayor of the second largest city of Iran, Mashhad, where public executions are regularly carried out. Former Deputy Interior Minister for Political Affairs, appointed in 2009. In that capacity, he was responsible for directing the repression of persons who spoke up in defence of their legitimate rights, including freedom of expression. Later appointed as Head of the Iranian Election Committee for the parliamentarian elections in 2012 and for the presidential elections in 2013.

23.3.2012

▼M6 —————

▼M7 —————

▼M6 —————

▼M13

73.

FARHADI Ali

Gender: male

Deputy Head of Inspectorate of Legal Affairs and Public Inspection of the Ministry of Justice of Tehran. Former prosecutor of Karaj. Responsible for grave violations of human rights, including prosecuting trials in which the death penalty was handed down. There were a high number of executions in Karaj region during his time as prosecutor.

23.3.2012

▼M14

74.

REZVANMA-NESH Ali

Gender: male

Deputy prosecutor in the province of Karaj, region of Alborz in the period 2010-2016. Responsible for grave violations of human rights, including involvement in the execution of a juvenile.

23.3.2012

▼M11

75.

RAMEZANI Gholamhossein

Gender: male

Since 2011 Chief of the Intelligence of the Ministry of Defence; from November 2009 to March 2011: Commander of Intelligence of the Pasdaran; from March 2008 to November 2009: Deputy Commander of Intelligence of the Pasdaran; from April 2006 to March 2008: Head of Protection and Intelligence of the Pasdaran. Involved in the suppression of freedom of expression, including by being associated with those responsible for the arrests of bloggers/journalists in 2004, and reported to have had a role in the suppression of the post-election protests in 2009.

23.3.2012

76.

SADEGHI Mohamed

Gender: male

Colonel and Deputy of IRGC technical and cyber intelligence and in charge of the centre of analysis and fight against organised crime within the Pasdaran. Responsible for the arrests and torture of bloggers/journalists.

23.3.2012

77.

JAFARI Reza

DOB: 1967

Gender: male

Advisor to the Disciplinary Court for Judges since 2012. Member of the ‘Committee for Determining Criminal Web Content’, a body responsible for web sites and social media censorship. Former Head of special prosecution of cyber crime between 2007 and 2012. Was responsible for the repression of freedom of expression, including through the arrest, detention and prosecution of bloggers and journalists. Persons arrested on suspicion of cyber crime were mistreated and the subject of an unfair judicial process.

23.3.2012

78.

RESHTE-AHMADI Bahram

Gender: male

Judge of an ordinary court of northern Tehran. Former Supervisor of Public Prosecution Office in Tehran. Deputy Head of the Office of Prison Affairs of Tehran Province. Former Deputy Prosecutor in Tehran until 2013. He ran Evin prosecution centre. Was responsible for the denial of rights, including visits and other prisoner's rights, to human rights defenders and political prisoners.

23.3.2012

▼M14

79.

RASHIDI AGHDAM Ali Ashraf

Gender: male

Deputy Director of Health, Correction and Education of Tehran Prisons. Former head of Evin Prison (2012-2015). During his tenure, conditions in the prison deteriorated and reports referenced intensified ill-treatment of prisoners. In October 2012, nine female prisoners went on hunger strike in protest of the violation of their rights and violent treatment by prison guards.

12.3.2013

80.

KIASATI Morteza

Gender: male

Judge of branch 54 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran and of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court, Branch 4; imposed death sentences on four Arab political prisoners, Taha Heidarian, Abbas Heidarian, Abd al-Rahman Heidarian (three brothers) and Ali Sharifi. They were arrested, tortured and hanged without due process. These cases and the lack of due process were referenced in a report dated 13 September 2012 by the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, the UN Secretary General’s report on Iran of 22 August 2012.

12.3.2013

▼M11

81.

MOUSSAVI Seyed Mohammad Bagher

Gender: male

Ahwaz Revolutionary Court judge, Branch 2, imposed death sentences on five Ahwazi Arabs, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Hashem Sha'bani Amouri, Hadi Rashedi, Sayed Jaber Alboshoka, Sayed Mokhtar Alboshoka, on 17 March 2012 for ‘activities against national security’ and ‘enmity against God’. The sentences were upheld by Iran's Supreme Court on 9 January 2013. The five were arrested without charge for over a year, tortured and sentenced without due process.

12.3.2013

▼M13

82.

SARAFRAZ Mohammad (Dr.) (a.k.a. Haj-agha Sarafraz)

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: circa 1963

Place of residence: Tehran

Gender: male

Former member of the Supreme Cyberspace Council. Former President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) (2014-2016). Former Head of IRIB World Service and Press TV, responsible for all programming decisions. Closely associated with the state security apparatus. Under his direction, Press TV, along with IRIB, has worked with the Iranian security services and prosecutors to broadcast forced confessions of detainees, including that of Iranian-Canadian journalist and film-maker Maziar Bahari, in the weekly programme ‘Iran Today’. Independent broadcast regulator OFCOM fined Press TV in the UK GBP 100 000 for broadcasting Bahari’s confession in 2011, which was filmed in prison whilst Bahari was under duress. Sarafraz is therefore associated with violating the right to due process and fair trial.

12.3.2013

▼M14

83.

JAFARI Asadollah

Gender: male

Currently Attorney General in Isfahan. In this position, he ordered violent reactions against protesters who took to the streets in November 2021 to protest against water shortages. According to some reports, Jafari has announced the formation of a special office to investigate the arrested protesters.

As former Prosecutor of Mazandaran Province, Jafari recommended the imposition of the death penalty in cases he has prosecuted, which has resulted in many executions including public executions, and in circumstances where the imposition of the death penalty is contrary to international human rights, including by being disproportionate and excessive punishment. Jafari has also been responsible for illegal arrests and violations of the rights of Baha’i detainees from initial arrest to keeping them in solitary confinement in the Intelligence Detention Centre.

12.3.2013

▼M13

84.

EMADI Hamid Reza (a.k.a. Hamidreza Emadi)

POB: Hamedan (Iran)

DOB: circa 1973

Place of residence: Tehran

Place of work: Press TV HQ, Tehran

Gender: male

Press TV Newsroom Director. Former Press TV Senior Producer.

Responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees, including journalists, political activists and persons belonging to Kurdish and Arab minorities, violating internationally recognised rights to a fair trial and due process. Independent broadcast regulator OFCOM fined Press TV in the UK GBP 100 000 for broadcasting the forced confession of Iranian-Canadian journalist and film-maker Maziar Bahari in 2011, which was filmed in prison whilst Bahari was under duress. NGOs have reported further instances of forced televised confessions by Press TV. Emadi is therefore associated with violating the right to due process and fair trial.

12.3.2013

▼M11

85.

HAMLBAR Rahim

Gender: male

Judge of Branch 1 of Tabriz Revolutionary Court. Responsible for heavy sentences against Azeri ethnic minority and workers' rights activists, accusing them of spying, acts against national security, propaganda against the Iranian regime and insulting the leader of Iran. A high profile case involved 20 volunteer earthquake relief workers (following an earthquake in Iran in August 2012) to whom he gave prison sentences for their attempts to assist earthquake victims. The court found the workers guilty of ‘collaboration in assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security.’

12.3.2013

▼M13

86.

MUSAVI-TABAR Seyyed Reza

POB: Jahrom (Iran)

DOB: 1964

Gender: male

Former head of the Revolutionary Prosecution of Shiraz. Responsible for illegal arrests and ill treatment of political activists, journalists, human rights defenders, Baha’is and prisoners of conscience, who were harassed, tortured, interrogated and denied access to lawyers and due process. Musavi-Tabar signed judicial orders in the notorious No 100 Detention Centre (a male prison), including an order to detain female Baha’i prisoner Raha Sabet for three years in solitary confinement.

12.3.2013

87.

KHORAMABADI Abdolsamad

Gender: male

Deputy Director for Judicial Oversight (since 13 October 2018). Former head of the ‘Commission to Determine the Instances of Criminal Content’, a governmental organisation in charge of online censorship and cyber crime. Under his leadership, the Commission defined ‘cyber crime’ by a number of vague categories that criminalise creation and publication of content deemed inappropriate by the regime. He was responsible for repression and the blocking of numerous opposition sites, electronic newspapers, blogs, sites of human rights NGOs and of Google and Gmail since September 2012. He and the Commission actively contributed to the death in detention of the blogger Sattar Beheshti in November 2012. Thus the Commission he was heading is directly responsible for systemic violations of human rights, in particular by banning and filtering websites to the general public, and occasionally disabling internet access altogether.

12.3.2013

▼M12

88.

SOLEIMANI Gholamreza

POB: Farsan (Iran)

DOB: 1343 (Iranian Hijri calendar), 1964 or 1965 (Gregorian calendar)

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Head of the Basij Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Gholamreza Soleimani is the Head of the Basij Organisation. The Basij Organisation used lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests in Iran, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians in many cities across the country. As Head of the Basij Organisation, Gholamreza Soleimani bears responsibility for the violent suppression of the protests and serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

89.

SALAMI Hossein (a.k.a. SALAMI Hussain)

POB: Vaneshan, Golpayegan (Iran)

DOB: 1339 (Iranian Hijri calendar) 1960 or 1961 (Gregorian calendar)

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard

Corps (IRGC)

Rank: Major General

Hossein Salami has been the Commander in Chief of the IRGC since April 2019, which includes the Basij militia, and is a member of the National Security Council. The IRGC’s regular forces and the Basij militia used lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests in Iran, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians in many cities across the country. As a member of the National Security Council, Hossein Salami took part in the sessions that resulted in the orders to use lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests. Hossein Salami therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

90.

KARAMI Hassan

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Commander of the Special Units of the Iranian police force

Hassan Karami is the Commander of the Special Units of the Iranian police force. The Special Units used lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests in Iran, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians in many cities across the country. As the Commander of the Special Units, which have caused the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians, Hassan Karami bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

91.

PAKPOUR Mohammad (a.k.a. PAKPUR Mohammad)

POB: Arak (Iran)

DOB: 1340 (Iranian Hijri calendar), 1961 (Gregorian calendar)

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Commander in Chief of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Ground Forces

Rank: Brigadier General

Mohammad Pakpour has been Commander in Chief of the IRGC Ground Forces since March 2010. The IRGC’s Ground Forces used lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests in Iran, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians in many cities across the country. As Commander in Chief of the IRGC’s Ground Forces, which have used lethal force against unarmed protesters and other civilians, Mohammad Pakpour bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

92.

ASHTARI Hossein

POB: Isfahan (a.k.a. Esfahan, Ispahan)

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Commander in Chief of the Iranian police force

Hossein Ashtari has been the Commander in Chief of the Iranian police force since March 2015 and is a member of the National Security Council. The police force includes the Emdad Units and the Special Units. Iran’s ordinary police force, the Emdad Units and the Special Units used lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests in Iran, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians in many cities across the country. As a member of the National Security Council, Hossein Ashtari took part in the sessions that resulted in the orders to use lethal force to suppress the November 2019 protests. Hossein Ashtari therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

93.

ZIAEI Gholamreza

Gender: male

Position: Former Director of Evin Prison; former Director of other detention centres

Between July 2019 and June 2020, Gholamreza Ziaei was the Director of Evin Prison, where already harsh conditions for detainees further deteriorated during his tenure. Female prisoners were denied phone contact with their children. Political prisoners were denied weekly visits by relatives, which were only allowed every two months. During the 2009 protests, Ziaei was in charge of the Kahrizak Detention Center, where at least five detainees, who had been arrested in connection with Tehran’s 2009 mass street protests, died after being tortured. From 2017 to 2019, before taking charge of Evin Prison in Tehran, Ziaei was the director of Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj, west of Tehran, where there have been numerous protests by political prisoners against abuse and inhumane living conditions.

12.4.2021

94.

SHAHVARPOUR Hassan

POB: Safi Abad, south of Dezful, Khuzestan (Iran)

Gender: male

Passport number: 2001624001 (national ID number)

Position: Islamic Revolutionary Guard

Corps (IRGC) Commander of Khuzestan Province Vali Asr Corps

Rank: Brigadier General

As the Commander of the IRGC in Khuzestan since 2009, Hassan Shahvarpour is responsible for commanding the forces which used machine guns against protesters and other civilians in the city of Mahshahr during the November 2019 protests. Under his command, 148 people were killed by the IRGC by heavy machine gun fire from armoured vehicles encircling fleeing protesters hiding in nearby marshes.

12.4.2021

▼M14

95.

VASEGHI Leyla (a.k.a. VASEQI Layla, VASEGHI Leila, VASEGHI Layla)

POB: Sari, Mazandaran Province (Iran)

DOB: 1352 (Iranian Hijri calendar), 1972 or 1973 (Gregorian calendar)

Gender: female

Position: Former governor of Shahr-e Qods and Head of the City Security Council

As the governor of Shahr-e Qods and Head of the City Security Council from September 2019 until November 2021, Leyla Vaseghi ordered the police and other armed forces to use lethal means during the November 2019 protests, causing the deaths of and injuries to unarmed protesters and other civilians. As the governor of Shahr-e Qods and Head of the City Security Council, Leyla Vaseghi bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.4.2021

▼M15

96.

ROSTAMI CHESHMEH GACHI Mohammed (a.k.a. ROSTAMI Mohammad)

محمد گچی چشمه رستمی

(a.k.a. محمد رستمی)

POB: Kermanshah (Iran)

DOB: 1976 or 1977

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

National ID No.: 111936 (Iran)

Identification No.: 13821 (Iran)

Position: Head of Iran’s Morality Police

Mohammad Rostami Cheshmeh Gachi is the head of Iran’s Morality Police. He was head of the Kermanshah Public Security Police from early 2014 until early 2019 and held senior positions in the Iranian intelligence police.

The Morality Police is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and is a special police unit which enforces the strict dress rules for women, including compulsory wearing of a headscarf. The Morality Police has used unlawful force against women for not complying with Iranian hijab laws, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive violence and torture.

On 13 September 2022, the Morality Police arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and to her death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to that incident and has been widely documented.

As head of Iran’s Morality Police, Rostami is responsible for the Morality Police’s actions. He therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

97.

RAHIMI Hossein

حسین رحیمی

POB: Dodhak village, Mahalat, Central province (Iran)

DOB: 1964

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Position: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Tehran

Brigadier General Hossein Rahimi has been the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Tehran since 7 August 2017.

The LEF’s response to the September 2022 protests in Tehran was particularly harsh. The LEF’s excessive use of violence to repress those protests resulted in the deaths of multiple people.

As head of the LEF in Tehran, Rahimi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

98.

ABDI Abbas

عبدى عباس

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Position: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Divandarreh

Colonel Abbas Abdi is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the district of Divandarreh.

The LEF’s response to the September 2022 protests in Divandarreh was particularly harsh. The LEF’s excessive use of violence to repress those protests resulted in the deaths of multiple people.

As head of the LEF in Divandarreh, Abdi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

99.

MIRZAEI Haj Ahmad (a.k.a. MIRZAEI Hajahmad; MIRZAYI Hajj Ahmad)

حاج احمد میرزایی

POB: Tehran (Iran)

DOB: 9 February 1957

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Identification No.: 4268935215 (Iran)

Rank: Colonel

Position: Head of Iran’s Morality Police in Tehran

Colonel Haj Ahmed Mirzaei has been the head of the Tehran branch of Iran’s Morality Police since 2018.

The Morality Police is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and is a special police unit which enforces the strict dress rules for women, including compulsory wearing of a headscarf. The Morality Police has used unlawful force against women for not complying with Iranian hijab laws, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive violence and torture.

On 13 September 2022, the Morality Police arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and to her death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to that incident and has been widely documented.

As head of the Morality Police in Tehran, Mirzaei is responsible for the Morality Police’s actions in Tehran, including in its headquarters where Amini was beaten and mistreated. He therefore bears responsibility for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

100.

ZAREPOUR Issa

عیسی زارع پور

POB: Eslamabad-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province (Iran)

DOB: 1980

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Minister of Information and Communications Technology

Issa Zarepour has been the Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology since 25 August 2021.

In his position, he played a key role in the Iranian government’s decision to systematically violate the Iranian people’s freedom of opinion and expression by imposing restrictions on internet access during the protests that followed the death of 22-year old Mahsa Amini on 16 September 2022.

That action further diminished the already very limited space for civil society actors in Iran, including human rights defenders, to gather objective information and communicate, both amongst themselves and with the outside world.

The internet blackout had negative consequences for the enjoyment of human rights in Iran, both directly (namely the impact on freedom of opinion and expression and availability of objective information) and indirectly (namely the increased chance of human rights violations not being documented thereby negatively impacting accountability for human rights violations).

As Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Zarepour is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

101.

SEPEHR Mohammad-Hossein

محمدحسین سپهر

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Commander of the Iranian Central Training Base of the General Staff of the Armed Forces

Mohammad-Hossein Sepehr is the Commander of the Central Training Base of the General Staff of the Armed Forces in Tehran. He is a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Basij Resistance Force (a volunteer paramilitary organisation operating under the IRGC with branches throughout Iran).

Sepehr oversees anti-protest training for Iranian security forces and supports a repressive line towards protesters.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

102.

SAFARI Sayd Ali

صفرى سید علی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Position: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Saqqez

Colonel Sayd Ali Safari is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Saqqez.

The LEF’s response to the September 2022 protests in Saqqez was particularly harsh. The LEF’s excessive use of violence to repress the protests resulted in the deaths of multiple people.

As head of the LEF in Saqqez, Safari is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

103.

ADYANI Seyed Alireza (a.k.a. ADIANI Hojjat al-Islam Seyyed Alireza)

ادیانی سید علیرضا

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Head of the ideological-political office of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF)

Seyed Alireza Adyani is the head of the ideological-political office of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF).

Adyani is responsible for defining and implementing rules of engagement for police forces. He stated that the LEF needs to be ‘practical’ and ‘effective’ when dealing with adversaries and cheered the Morality Police for doing its job ‘intensely’.

The LEF has used massive brutality against protesters, including those protesting after Mahsa Amini’s death.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

104.

AZADI Ali

آزادى علی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Second Brigadier General

Function: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Kurdistan

Second Brigadier General Ali Azadi has been the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Kurdistan since 2019.

During the repression of the September 2022 protests, forces under his command in Kurdistan shot protesters and killed and injured multiple people.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

105.

SHALIKAR Mohammed Zaman

شالیکار محمد زمان

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Babol, Mazandaran

Colonel Mohammed Zaman Shalikar has been the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Babol, Mazandaran since 2021.

During demonstrations following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, forces under his command shot, injured and killed protesters in Babol, Mazandaran.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

106.

HEIDARI Salman

حیدرى سلمان

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: Head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Bukan

Colonel Salman Heidari is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Bukan.

The LEF’s response to the September 2022 protests in Bukan was particularly harsh. The LEF’s excessive use of violence to repress the protests resulted in the death of at least one child and in injuries to multiple people.

As head of the LEF in Bukan, Heidari is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

▼M16

107.

VAHIDI Ahmad

وحیدى احمد

POB: Shiraz (Iran)

DOB: 27 July 1958

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Position: Minister of Interior

Ahmad Vahidi has been the Iranian Minister of Interior since 25 August 2021. As such, he is responsible for Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF).

Since he took office, an unprecedented number of military and security officials have been appointed to provincial governorships who play key roles in coordinating crowd-control activities by police special forces, the Basij militia and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

Blatant and severe human rights violations by the LEF, such as the indiscriminate shooting with live ammunition at peaceful protesters, including children, have been widely documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started in mid-September 2022. Over 70 protesters died and hundreds were seriously injured, including children. Since the beginning of the demonstrations, police forces have also arbitrarily detained numerous human rights defenders and journalists. Vahidi has also publicly advocated for a harsh approach towards persons participating in the demonstrations.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

▼M17

108.

ABNOUSH Salar

سالار آبنوش

DOB: 2.5.1962

POB: Hamedan, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Deputy Commander of the Basij Resistance Force

Salar Abnoush is the Deputy Commander of the Basij Resistance Force (EU-listed).

The Basij is a volunteer paramilitary organisation operating under the IRGC with branches throughout Iran. It is charged with channelling popular support for the Iranian regime.

The Basij is notorious for its recruitment of volunteers, many of them teenage children, and for human wave attacks during the Iran-Iraq war. After the contested 2009 Iranian presidential elections, the Basij brutally quashed protests and attacked student dormitories. The Basij has two missions: to provide defensive military training to protect the regime against foreign invasion, and to suppress domestic anti-regime activity through street violence and intimidation.

The Basij is one of the forces ordered by the government to quell the September/October 2022 protests. It injured and killed several protesters. Sources indicate that Basij members under Salar Abnoush’s command have committed serious human rights violations in Iran. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

109.

REZAEI Qasem (a.k.a. REZAEI Ghasem)

رضایی قاسم

DOB: 27.9.1961

POB: Abhar, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

National ID No: D10005996 (Iran)

Function: Deputy Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF)

Qasem Rezaei is the Deputy Commander of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF).

He directly supervised acts of violence against detainees, including torture and beatings. He justified the actions of the security forces in the wake of the deadly use of force against Iranian protesters and called for continued violence against protesters in May 2022.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

110.

AMANOLLAHI Manouchehr (a.k.a. AMANOLLAHI BAHARVAND Manouchehr)

منوچهر امن اللهي

DOB: March 1965 or 1966

POB: Khorramabad, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari

Manouchehr Amanollahi is the Commander of the EU-listed Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) in the province of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

During his tenure, the LEF suppressed protests in 2021 in the province in response to a lack of water, and in 2022 in response to food rationing. LEF units under Amanollahi’s command used live ammunition against protestors when suppressing the protests, resulting in multiple deaths. As an advisor to LEF leadership, Amanollahi was also involved in the LEF’s response to nationwide protests in November 2019, which resulted in the deaths of hundreds of protestors.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

111.

HEIDARI Kiyumars (a.k.a. HEYDARI Kioumars, HEYDARI Amir Kyomarth)

حیدرى کیومرث

DOB: 1964

POB: Kermanshah, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier-General

Function: Commander of the Iranian Army Ground Forces

Brigadier-General Kiyumars Heidari is the Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces and directly reports to the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

He has publicly admitted to his and his force’s involvement in the violent response to the November 2019 protests, which led to the death of hundreds of protesters. Blatant and severe human rights violations by the forces, such as indiscriminate shooting with live ammunition at peaceful protesters – including children – have been widely documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started mid-September 2022. Over 70 protesters died and hundreds were seriously injured. Army Ground Forces, which are under the control of Heidari, have been involved in suppressing the protests and have killed at least one person. Heidari himself stated that his forces have been used to deal with the 2022 protests.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

112.

MAJID Vahid Mohammad Naser

وحید مجید

DOB: 15.8.1964

POB: Isfahan, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

National ID No: 3874409929 (Iran)

Function: Head of the Iranian Cyber Police

Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid is head of the Iranian Cyber Police (EU-listed).

The Iranian Cyber Police influences and restricts internet access in Iran and arbitrarily arrests people for expressing online criticism of the Iranian regime. The Cyber Police is engaged in a nationwide series of arrests and prosecutions. It lends support to the Iranian regime in its violent response to nationwide protests against people who speak up in defence of their legitimate rights.

In his function as Head of the Iranian Cyber Police, Vahid Mohammad Naser Majid is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

113.

NEJAT Hossein (a.k.a. ZIBAYINEJAD Mohammad-Hossein)

حسین نجات

DOB: 1955

POB: Shiraz, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier-General

Function: Deputy Commander of Sarallah (a.k.a. Tharullah, Thar-Allah, Tharallah, Tharallollah)

Brigadier-General Hossein Nejat has been the Deputy Commander of Sarallah, an IRGC-linked, Tehran-based dedicated security apparatus of the Iranian state since 21 June 2020.

Sarallah is essential to Tehran’s security, as the headquarters is responsible for protecting the capital and governmental institutions against any threats such as coups or anti-government protests.

Sarallah troops under the direct command of Nejat are tasked with quelling anti-government protests, including the violent suppressing of peaceful protests in 2022.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

114.

MAROUFI Hossein

حسین معروفی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: General

Function: Deputy Head of Mobilisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Sistan and Baluchestan province

General Sardar Hossein Maroufi is the Deputy Head of Mobilisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in the Sistan and Baluchestan province. As such, he is a leading IRGC member in this province.

The Sistan and Baluchestan province has seen some of the most violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including IRGC forces, during the 2022 protest wave. On 30 September 2022, the province capital Zahedan witnessed ‘bloody Friday’, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming around Friday prayer. It is estimated that at least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against participants in later protests has continued.

Sardar Hossein Maroufi is among those responsible for the IRGC’s violence against protestors in Sistan and Baluchestan province, in particular around ‘bloody Friday’.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

115.

ABSALAN Parviz

آبسالان پرویز

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: General

Function: Deputy Head of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan province

General Parviz Absalan is the Deputy Head of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The IRGC is a central element of the Iranian security forces in that province, where it is also called the ‘Salman army’.

The security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province have been using brutal violence against peaceful protestors in the round of protests in the autumn of 2022, including against children.

As Deputy Head of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Parviz Absalan is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

116.

SHAFAHI Ahmad (a.k.a. SHAFAI Ahmad)

احمد شفاهی

DOB: 21.5.1968

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: commander and public relations officer of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Brigadier General Ahmad Shafahi is a commander of the IRGC in Sistan and Baluchestan province, and is responsible for public relations. The IRGC is a central element of the Iranian security forces in that province, where it is also called the ‘Salman army’.

The security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province have been using brutal violence against peaceful protestors in the round of protests in the autumn of 2022, including against children.

As commander of the IRGC in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Sardar Ahmed Shafahi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

117.

KOCHZAEI Ebrahim (a.k.a. KOCHZAI Ebrahim, KOUCHAKZAEI Ebrahim)

کوچزایی ابراهیم

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Colonel Ebrahim Kochzaei is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Chabahar in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

The security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province, including in Chabahar, have been using brutal violence against peaceful protestors in the round of protests in the autumn of 2022, including against children.

Kochzaei is also named as the perpetrator of the rape of a 15-year old girl in September 2022, who was held in police custody in Chabahar.

Ebrahim Kochzaei is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

118.

TAHERI Ahmad

طاهرى احمد

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier-General

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Brigadier-General Ahmed Taheri is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran.

The security forces in Sistan and Baluchestan province have been using brutal violence against peaceful protestors in the round of protests in the autumn of 2022, including against children.

As the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Ahmed Taheri is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

119.

HOSSEINI Seyed Sadegh

سید صادق حسینی

DOB: 1963 or 1964

POB: Dehloran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: General

Function: head of the IRGC in Kurdistan province

General Seyed Sadegh Hosseini is the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Kurdistan province.

Kurdistan province has seen severe violence by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, against the 2022 protest wave. Moreover, the IRGC uses Kurdistan province as a base to conduct military operations against Iraqi Kurdistan, which led to the death of more than a dozen non-combatants.

Seyed Sadegh Hosseini is among those responsible for the IRGC violence against protestors in Kurdistan province. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

120.

RAJABPOUR Sereng Hossein

رجبپور سرنگ حسین

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: commander of the Beit al-Maqdis force (IRGC in Kurdistan) in the city of Sanandaj

Colonel Sereng Hossein Rajabpour is the commander of the Beit al-Maqdis force (IRGC in Kurdistan) in the city of Sanandaj in the province of Kurdistan.

Kurdistan province has seen severe violence by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, against the 2022 protest wave, especially in the city of Sanandaj.

Sereng Hossein Rajabpour is among those responsible for the violence against protestors in Kurdistan province. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

121.

ASL Gholamhossein Mohammadi

اصل غلامحسین محمدى

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: head of the IRGC in Ardabil province

Gholamhossein Mohammadi Asl is the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Ardabil province – a province with an Azeri ethnic minority.

Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, committed serious human rights violations in Ardabil province during the 2022 protests. Reports show that an Iranian schoolgirl named Asra Panahi was beaten to death by security forces for refusing to sing the pro-regime anthem.

Gholamhossein Mohammadi Asl is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

122.

ABDI Shakar

عبدى شکار

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: deputy head of the IRGC in Ardabil province

Colonel Shakar Abdi is the deputy head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Ardabil province – a province with an Azeri ethnic minority.

Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, committed serious human rights violations in Ardabil province during the 2022 protests. Reports show that an Iranian schoolgirl named Asra Panahi was beaten to death by security forces for refusing to sing the pro-regime anthem.

Shakar Abdi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

123.

HASSANZADEH Hasan

حسنزاده حسن

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: head of the IRGC in Tehran province

Brigadier General Hasan Hassanzadeh is the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Tehran province.

Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, committed serious human rights violations in Tehran province during the 2022 protests.

Hasan Hassanzadeh is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

124.

AGHAEI Morteza Mir (a.k.a. MIRAGHAEI Morteza)

آقایی مرتضا میر

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: head of the Basij in the city of Sanandaj

Colonel Morteza Mir Aghaei is the head of the Basij in the city of Sanandaj in the province of Kurdistan.

Iranian security forces, including the IRGC and its Basij, committed serious human rights violations in Sanandaj during the 2022 protests.

Morteza Mir Aghaei is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

125.

MOHAMMADIAN Abbas-Ali

محمدیان عباس-علی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Alborz (Karaj) province

Abbas-Ali Mohammadian has been the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Alborz (Karaj) province since 2017.

Alborz (Karaj) is a province where major demonstrations have been taking place since September 2022 that have been met with excessive police violence. Security forces have frequently shot directly at peaceful protestors, leading to many deaths, including of children.

As head of the LEF in Alborz (Karaj) province, Abbas-Ali Mohammadian is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

126.

JAHANBAKHSH Rahim

جهانبخش رحیم

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier-General

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in West Azerbaijan province

Brigadier-General Rahim Jahanbakhsh is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in West Azerbaijan province.

West Azerbaijan is a province where major demonstrations have been taking place since September 2022 that have been met with excessive police violence.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

127.

SHEIKHNEJAD Hassan

شیخنژاد حسن

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Urumeh (a.k.a. Ouroumieh), the capital of West Azerbaijan province.

Colonel Hassan Sheikhnejad is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Urumeh, the capital of West Azerbaijan province.

In Urumeh, Iranian security forces committed serious human rights violations during the 2022 protests.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

128.

SAADATI Mahmoud

سعادتی محمود

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Colonel Mahmoud Saadati is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

In Zahedan, Iranian security forces committed serious human rights violations during the 2022 protests.

Mahmoud Saadati is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

129.

MIRZAI Morteza

میرزاى مرتضا

POB: Khorram Abad, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier-General

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Mazandaran province.

Brigadier-General Morteza Mirzai is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Mazandaran province.

In Mazandaran province, Iranian security forces committed serious human rights violations during the 2022 protests.

Morteza Mirzai is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

130.

MALIKI Azizullah

عزیزالله ملکی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: General

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Gilan province

General Azizullah Maliki is the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Gilan province.

In 2022, Azizullah Maliki directed the violent crackdown against the protests in Gilan province. He was vocal in the media, vehemently defending the violent reaction of the security forces to the protests in September and October 2022.

As head of the LEF in Gilan province, Azizullah Maliki is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

131.

MORADI Ali-Reza

مرادى علی-رضا

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Sanandaj

Ali-Reza Moradi has been the head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the city of Sanandaj in Kurdistan province since December 2018.

In that position, Ali-Reza Moradi reports to the general staff of the armed forces in Iran, directly under the authority of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Moradi has been responsible for the mass arrest of protesters and ordered the use of lethal weapons against unarmed protesters during the November 2019 nationwide protests in Sanandaj, which resulted in the death of at least two protesters.

Blatant and severe human rights violations by the police forces in Sanandaj, such as the indiscriminate shooting with live ammunition at peaceful protesters –including children, have been documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started mid-September 2022.

Moradi has also publicly advocated a harsh approach towards persons participating in the demonstrations. Since the beginning of the 2022 demonstrations, police forces have arbitrarily detained numerous human rights defenders and journalists.

Ali-Reza Moradi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

132.

RAFIEI Enayatollah

رفیعی عنایاتولله

DOB: 1970

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Captain

Function: commander of the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini

Captain Enayatollah Rafiei is a member of the Morality Police (EU-listed), an Islamic religious police that is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF). He is the commander of the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini.

On 13 September 2022, Rafiei and three other members of his squad arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to this incident and has been widely documented.

As commander of the squad, Captain Enayatollah Rafiei is responsible for Amini’s death and is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

133.

KHOSHNAMVAND Ali

خوشناموند علی

DOB: 1995

POB: Khoshnamvand, (Khushnamvand) in the Kouhdasht district of Lorestan province in western Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Sergeant

Function: Member of the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini

Sergeant Ali Khoshnamvand is a member of the Morality Police (EU-listed), an Islamic religious police that is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF). He is one of the officers in the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini.

On 13 September 2022, Khoshnamvand and three other members of a squad arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to this incident and has been widely documented.

As one of the officers who arrested Amini, Sergeant Ali Khoshnamvand is responsible for Amini’s death and is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

134.

GHORBAN-HOSSEINI Fatemeh

قربان-حسینی فاطمه

DOB: 1995

POB: Teheran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: female

Function: Member of the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini

Fatemeh Ghorban-Hosseini is a member of the Morality Police (EU-listed), an Islamic religious police that is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF). She is one of the officers in the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini.

On 13 September 2022, Ghorban-Hosseini and three other members of a squad arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to this incident and has been widely documented.

As one of the officers who arrested Amini, Fatemeh Ghorban-Hosseini is responsible for Amini’s death and is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

135.

SAFARI Parastou

سفرى پرستو

DOB: 1986

POB: Kermanshah, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: female

Function: Member of the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini

Parastou Safari is a member of the Morality Police (EU-listed), an Islamic religious police that is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF). She is one of the officers in the squad that arrested Mahsa Amini.

On 13 September 2022, Safari and three other members of a squad arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to this incident and has been widely documented.

As one of the officers who arrested Amini, Parastou Safari is responsible for Amini’s death and is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

▼M18

136.

JEBELLI Peyman

پیمان جبلی

DOB: 25.1.1967

POB: Tehran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)

Peyman Jebelli is the Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which is notorious for being a regime mouthpiece.

IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced ‘confessions’ of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These ‘confessions’ are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash. As Director of IRIB, Jebelli is responsible for IRIB’s actions and news content.

12.12.2022

Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests, Jebelli continues to act in his position. His appointment as director of Iran’s main official news source was authorised by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and indicates ideological proximity to the regime.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

137.

REZVANI Ali

رضوانی علی

DOB: 1984

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reporter and news anchor/presenter on political and security affairs

Ali Rezvani is a reporter for Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and news anchor/presenter on IRIB’s nightly 20.30 news programme.

IRIB is a state-controlled Iranian media organisation and tasked with spreading government information. IRIB’s nightly 20.30 news broadcast, which airs on Channel 2, is the country’s leading news programme and considered to be IRIB’s primary platform for implementing the agendas of security forces, including the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Documented cases show that the 20.30 news airs forced confessions.

12.12.2022

In his capacity as IRIB reporter, Ali Rezvani participates in interrogations leading to forced confessions, thereby directly engaging in and facilitating serious human rights violations. In his capacity as news anchor of the 20.30 news, Rezvani promotes the Iranian security forces’ agenda, which condones serious human rights violations such as torture and arbitrary arrests and detention. Rezvani also peddles propaganda against critics in order to intimidate them and to justify and encourage their ill-treatment, thereby violating their right to free expression.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

138.

ZABIHPOUR Ameneh Sadat

ذبیح پور آمنه سادات

DOB: 7.8.1984

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: female

Function: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) reporter and head of the foreign Persian-language media group at IRIB

Passport no: 09324611

Ameneh Sadat Zabihpour is the head of the foreign Persian-language media group at IRIB, which is notorious for being a regime mouthpiece.

IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced ‘confessions’ of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These ‘confessions’ are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash.

Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests, Zabihpour continues to act in her position. She has interrogated critics of the regime and produced forced confession videos.

She is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

139.

KHATAMI Seyyed Ahmad

خاتمی سید احمد

DOB: 8.5.1960

POB: Semnan, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Friday-prayer imam, member of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership

Seyyed Ahmad Khatami is a hard-line cleric and an influential Friday-prayer imam in Tehran. Khatami is also a member of the Assembly of Experts for the Leadership, an Iranian entity that is itself implicated in human rights violations for its neglect in upholding constitutional provisions.

As a cleric close to the state authorities and with a large audience, he leverages his position to verbally attack and incite violence against protesters. He not only defends the repressive actions of the security forces of Iran but has also on several occasions urged for even harsher treatment of protesters, including the death sentence.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

140.

MIRAHMADI Seyyed Majid

مجید سید میراحمدى

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Deputy Minister of Interior of Iran

Brigadier General Seyyed Majid Mirahmadi is Iran’s Deputy Minister of Interior, responsible for overseeing Iran’s security and police forces, actors that are involved in serious human rights violations in Iran.

Iran’s security and police forces are violently clamping down on protests, shooting directly at peaceful protesters and arbitrarily arresting people with total disregard for their human rights.

In his statements, Mirahmadi refers to the protests as riots that have to end, and criminalises and threatens those participating in peaceful protests. He is also personally whitewashing the serious human rights violations committed by forces under his authority, – for example, by claiming that 16-year-old protester Nika Shakrami committed suicide. Reports indicate that it is very likely that she died at the hands of security forces.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

141.

MOUSAVI Sayyed Abdolrahim

موسوى سید عبدالرحیم

DOB: 1959/1960

POB: Qom, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Major General

Function: Commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army

Major General Sayyed Abdolrahim Mousavi is the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Army. In this capacity, he bears responsibility for the Iranian Army’s involvement in the regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests.

On several occasions, Mousavi described the protests in Iran as riots organised and planned by the enemies of Iran, thereby framing the protests as a national security threat. He used threatening language directed at participants in the protest movement. He also praised the Iranian security forces’ violent response to protesters, describing it as an effective way to neutralise Iran’s enemies.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

142.

BORMAHANI Mohsen

محسن برمهانی

DOB: 24.5.1979

POB: Neishabur, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Passport no: A54062245 (Iran), expires 12.7.2026

National ID no: 1063893488 (Iran)

Function: Deputy Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)

Mohsen Bormahani is the Deputy Director of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which acts as a regime mouthpiece.

In his position, Bormahani holds responsibility for IRIB content. IRIB severely restricts and denies the free flow of information to the Iranian people. Furthermore, IRIB is actively involved in organising and broadcasting forced ‘confessions’ of regime critics, obtained through intimidation and severe violence. These ‘confessions’ are often aired following public protests, or prior to an execution as a means of reducing public backlash.

Whereas several high-profile state broadcasting personnel have resigned recently and disavowed the Iranian regime’s violent response to the 2022 protests in Iran, Bormahani continues to act in his position as Deputy Director and in recent statements has defended the regime.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

143.

JOKAR Morteza

جوکار مرتضا

(a.k.a. JOWKAR Morteza)

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: deputy head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Colonel Morteza Jokar is the deputy head of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in Sistan and Baluchestan province.

In this function, he is responsible for directing the violent crackdown on civilian protesters in Sistan and Baluchestan province following the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. Forces under his command are responsible for firing live ammunition at protesters during the 30 September 2022 massacre in Zahedan and the 4 November 2022 massacre in Khash, in which dozens of people were killed and wounded. Other violent crackdowns on protests in other provincial cities (Saravan, Chabahar, Iranshahr, Rask, Sarbaz and others) also took place under his control during the autumn of 2022.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

144.

SOURI Majid

سورى مجید

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Lorestan province

Colonel Majid Souri is the Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Lorestan province.

He is responsible for the security forces’ violent repression of protests in 2022, especially in the city of Khorramabad, where people gathered to mourn the death of Nika Shakrami, an Iranian teenager who disappeared soon after Mahsa Amini’s death.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

145.

KARIMI Mohsen

کریمی محصن

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Markazi province

Brigadier General Mohsen Karimi is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Markazi province.

He is responsible for the security forces’ violent repression of protests in 2022, which also led to the death of 19-year-old Mehrshad Shahidi in an IRGC detention centre in Arak.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

146.

HEYDARNIA Alireza

حیدرنیا علیرضا

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Alborz province

Brigadier General Alireza Heydarnia is the Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Alborz province.

The IRGC is responsible for the violent repression of protesters, in particular in the city of Karaj, Alborz, in 2022. In that city, security forces cracked down on protesters on the occasion of rallies to honour the victims of the protests on the 40th day after their death. On 17 October 2022, security forces in Karaj abducted from hospital and repeatedly raped Armita Abbasi, a 20-year-old girl.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

147.

GARSHASBI Amanollah

گرشاسبی امانالله

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Sistan and Baluchestan province

Brigadier General Amanollah Garshasbi is the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in Sistan and Baluchestan province. The Salaman provincial corps is under his command.

Sistan and Baluchestan province have seen some of the most violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. On 30 September 2022, the province capital Zahedan witnessed ‘bloody Friday’, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming in Zahedan around Friday prayer. It is estimated that at least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against participants in protests has continued.

Garshasbi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

148.

REYHANI Bahman

بهمن ریحانی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the West of Iran, responsible for Kermanshah province.

Brigadier General Bahman Reyhani is the deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in the West of Iran, responsible for Kermanshah province. The Hazrat Nabi Akram provincial corps is under his command.

Kermanshah province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. Reyhani is among those responsible for the IRGC violence against protestors in Kermanshah province.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

149.

SHAHSAVARI Habib

شهسوارى حبیب

DOB: 1963/1964

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Shohada provincial corps in West Azerbaijan province

Brigadier General Habib Shahsavari is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Shohada ground troops corps for the province of West Azerbaijan.

IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in the West Azerbaijan towns of Piranshahr, Mahabad and Bukan. IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations. According to NGO estimates, IRGC operations in the towns of Mahabad and Bukan killed four and 12 people respectively.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

150.

ABDOLLAHPOUR Mohammad

عبدللاهپور محمد

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds provincial corps in Gilan province

Brigadier General Mohammad Abdollahpour is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds provincial corps in Gilan province.

Gilan province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including by IRGC forces under Abdollahpour’s command, during the 2022 protests.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

151.

MOSLEMI Siavash

مسلمی سیاوش

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Karbala provincial corps in Mazandaran province

Brigadier General Siavash Moslemi has been the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Karbala provincial corps in Mazandaran province since June 2020.

In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters and in those operations used disproportionate force. As commander of the troops engaged, Moslemi is among those responsible for violence against protesters.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

152.

ZULQADR Ahmad

ذوالقدر احمد

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Seyyed al-Shohada provincial corps in Tehran province

Brigadier General Ahmad Zulqadr has been the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Seyyed al-Shohada provincial corps in Tehran province since November 2020. He is also the deputy commander of the IRGC corps in Tehran city.

According to media reports, Zulqadr was chosen for the post especially because of his expertise in suppressing protests. In 2022, repression against protesters in Tehran was particularly violent.

As commander of IRGC troops engaged in said violence against protesters, he is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

153.

KASHKOULI Morteza

کشکولی مرتضی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hazrat Abulfazl provincial corps in Lorestan province

Brigadier General Morteza Kashkouli is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hazrat Abulfazl provincial corps in Lorestan province.

In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, operations were conducted in the town of Khorramabad in Lorestan. IRGC troops used disproportionate force in these operations, using live ammunition against protesters.

As commander of those IRGC forces, Kashkouli is among those responsible for said violence. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

154.

BAYAT Isa

بیات عیسی

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Colonel

Function: Commander of the 364th Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigade (Shahid Nasirzadeh) in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province

Colonel Isa Bayat has been the commander of the 364th Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) brigade (Shahid Nasirzadeh) in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan province, since June 2022.

In 2022, IRGC troops under his command conducted military operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in Mahabad, using disproportionate force and leading to the killing of four people.

As commander of an IRGC unit conducting said operations, Bayat is responsible for violence against protesters. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

155.

ASANLOO Mohammad Taghi

آصانلو محمد تقی

POB: Zanjan province, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada regional headquarters in Northwest Iran

Brigadier General Mohammad Taghi Asanloo is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada regional headquarters in Northwest Iran, responsible for the provinces of Kordestan and West Azerbaijan.

Hamzeh Seyed Al-Shohada headquarters has the specific mission of suppressing unrest in the Kurdish regions in Northwest Iran. In 2022, under Asanloo’s command, IRGC troops in this area conducted military operations against protesters in the Kurdish region of Iran. In particular, from 15 November 2022, IRGC troops under Asanloo’s command conducted such operations against protesters in the towns of Piranshahr, Mahabad and Bukan.

IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations. According to NGO estimates, IRGC operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions have led to the killing of 42 people since 15 November 2022.

As commander of IRGC troops in the region, Asanloo is responsible for violence against protesters conducted by his troops. He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

▼M19

156.

SAJJADI Seyed Hamid Hazaveh

هزاوه حمید سید سجادى

DOB: 21.3.1969

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Iranian Minister of Sports and Youth

Hamid Sajjadi is Iran’s Minister of Sports and Youth.

He is responsible for pressuring Iran’s athletes into silence and for preventing them from speaking out internationally against repression in Iran. He was personally involved in the case of Elnaz Rekabi, an Iranian athlete climber who competed without hijab at the Asian Championship rock climbing competition in Seoul in the autumn of 2022. After her competition, Rekabi was tricked into entering the Iranian embassy building in Seoul, where her passport and mobile phone were confiscated on the orders of the authorities in Tehran. Upon her likely forced arrival in Tehran, she was interrogated by two of Iran’s political and sports institutions and met with Sajjadi. In this meeting, she was coerced into making a statement apologising for competing without a hijab and was threatened with the confiscation of family land. In December 2022, it became clear that Elnaz Rekabi’s family home in Zanjan had been demolished.

Hamid Sajjadi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

157.

GOLPAYEGANI Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi

گلپایگانی سید محمد صالح هاشمی

DOB: 1967

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: Head of the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil (Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice)

Associated entities: Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil (Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice), Morality Police

Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani has been the head of the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil (also known as the Office or Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice) since 25 August 2021. The Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil is a government institution which is responsible for determining and enforcing excessively strict behavioural models in society.

In 2022, the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil was instrumental in setting new and stricter morality codes for women that are in clear violation of their human rights. Additionally, the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil plays a central role in setting up the monitoring and often brutal sanctioning of women and men who do not respect these codes. These strict codes are subsequently brutally enforced by the EU-listed Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) (and specifically its Morality Police).

As the head of the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil, Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi Golpayegani is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

158.

ASGARI Hassan

حسن عسگرى

a.k.a. ASKARI Hassan

حسن عسکرى

POB: Bijar, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: governor of Sanandaj, Kurdistan province

Associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Hassan Asgari is the governor of the city of Sanandaj in Iran’s Kurdistan province and a former Commander of the local Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces.

As governor of Sanandaj, he is responsible for the violent and brutal response in that city to the protests following the death of the young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in September 2022. When a 16-year-old protester was reportedly killed by security forces in Sanandaj, Asgari and other officials stated that she died of a drug overdose, potentially by suicide. Providing false alternative causes of death for protesters killed by security forces is a common tactic used by Iranian officials to evade accountability for their human rights abuses.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

159.

KHIABANI Hossein Modarres

مدرس حسین خیابانی

DOB: March 1968/1969

POB: Tehran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: former governor of Sistan and Baluchestan province

Hossein Modarres Khiabani was the governor of Iran’s Sistan and Baluchestan province from September 2021 to December 2022 and was responsible for overseeing Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the province.

During his time as governor, the LEF and other security forces cracked down on various protests and used excessive violence against protesters. There is wide evidence of the use of disproportionate force that led to the killing of at least 66 people in the city of Zahedan in Sistan and Baluchestan province on 30 September 2022.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

160.

KOUSHA Esmaeil Zarei

کوشا اسماعیل زارعی

a.k.a. KOSHA Ismail

کشا یسمیل

DOB: 1978

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: governor of Kurdistan province

Esmaeil Zarei Kousha is the governor of Iran’s Kurdistan province and responsible for overseeing Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) in the province.

As such, he is responsible for the brutal response and excessive use of violence by the LEF and security forces to the protests held in Kurdistan following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in September 2022.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

161.

KOWSARI Mohammad Esmail

اسماعیل محمد کوثرى

DOB: 3.5.1955

POB: Tehran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: member of the Iranian Parliament

Mohammad Esmail Kowsari has been a member of the Iranian Parliament (‘MP’) since 2020. He is a hard-line lawmaker and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) member. Before becoming an MP, Kowsari was the commander of the IRGC’s Sarallah headquarters in Tehran from 2017 to 2020.

During the 2022/2023 protests, he has repeatedly threatened security forces with consequences if they do not fulfil their duty and crack down on protests. He has also called for more military action against peaceful protests. As an MP, he has urged the Iranian judiciary to sentence protestors to death.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

162.

MIRSALIM Mostafa

میرسلیم مستفا

a.k.a. MIR-SALIM Mostafa; MIRSALIM Sayyid Mostafa Agha

میر-سالم مستفا

میرسلیم سید مستفا آقا

DOB: 9.6.1947

POB: Tehran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Passport no: Q5956077 (Iran)

Function: member of the Iranian Parliament

Mostafa Mirsalim is a member of the Iranian Parliament.

During the 2022/2023 protests, he has been particularly vocal in his support for the death penalty for arrested protesters, using the parliament as a platform to vehemently promote and call for their executions. He has called for protestors to be executed in a matter of days after their arrest. He also frequently attacks the free press and is in favour of restricting social media.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

163.

NAGHDALI Mohammad Taghi

تقی محمد نقدعلی

DOB: 6.6.1972

POB: Khomeinishahr- Isfahan, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: member of the Iranian Parliament

Mohammad Taghi Naghdali is a member of the Iranian Parliament and member of the Parliament’s legal commission.

During the 2022/2023 protests, he has been particularly vocal in his support for the death penalty for arrested protesters, using the parliament as a platform to vehemently promote and call for their executions. He also frequently attacks the free press and is involved in drafting laws to restrict the free flow of information.

He is therefore responsible for serious human right violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

164.

GHAZANFARABADI Mousa

موسا غضنفرآبادى

DOB: 1966

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: member of the Iranian Parliament; head of the Parliament’s legal and judicial commission

Mousa Ghazanfarabadi is a member of the Iranian Parliament and the head of the Parliament’s legal and judicial commission. As such, he is responsible for the judicial and legal review of the proposed ministerial plans in Parliament, the review and approval of plans related to criminal law as well as investigating the performance of the country's officials and managers from a judicial and legal point of view.

He has not condemned the serious human rights violations of Iranian officials during the 2022/2023 protests. On the contrary, he has personally stated that women who violate hijab rules should be deprived of social rights and has argued for the use of force when dealing with them. He is also whitewashing the crimes committed by Iranian forces by defending the government’s version of events surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini.

He is therefore responsible for serious human right violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

165.

NOROOZI Ahmad

نوروزى احمد

a.k.a. NOROUZI Ahmad; NEWROUZI Ahmad; NAWROUZI Ahmad

DOB: 1988

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) World Service; CEO of Press TV

Associated entities: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB); Press TV

Ahmad Noroozi is the head of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) World Service and the CEO of Press TV, the main pro-government English language channel that oversees IRIB’s foreign-language outlets.

IRIB is the Iranian state-run media corporation and has broadcast hundreds of forced confessions by Iranian, dual-national and international detainees in Iran. IRIB and its subsidiaries act as a critical tool in the Iranian government’s mass suppression and censorship campaign against its own people. IRIB has produced and recently broadcast interviews of individuals being forced to confess that their relatives were not killed by Iranian authorities during nationwide protests but died due to accidental, unrelated causes.

Press TV is responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees, including journalists, political activists and persons belonging to the Kurdish and Arab minorities, violating internationally recognised rights to a fair trial and due process.

In his capacity as head of IRIB and as CEO of Press TV, Ahmad Noroozi is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

166.

POURANVARI Youssef

یوسف پورانوارى

a.k.a. POURANVARI Youssuf

DOB: 26.5.1983

POB: Tehran, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

National ID no: 0492699836 (Iran)

Function: director of the Programs and Scheduling Department at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) foreign-language flagship channel

Associated entities: Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)

Youssef Pouranvari is the director of the Programs and Scheduling Department at the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) foreign-language flagship channel.

As the Government of Iran’s state-run media conglomerate, IRIB has a monopoly on television and radio services in Iran and plays a central role in restricting the exercise of the right to freedom of expression and impeding the free flow of information in Iran through censorship activities. IRIB produces, sponsors, and spreads government propaganda both in Iran and internationally. Furthermore, IRIB regularly broadcasts false and baseless accusations against Iranian citizens, dual nationals, and foreigners, and uses falsified news to misinform and falsely incriminate perceived enemies of the regime. IRIB also cooperates extensively with security and intelligence agencies, including Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), to obtain and publicly disseminate forced confessions from Iranians, dual-nationals and foreign detainees. Testimonies and other evidence point to the use of torture, both physical and psychological; threats against family members; and degrading treatment to extract forced confessions. Since 2009, IRIB programmes have broadcast hundreds of forced confessions as well as defamatory content against hundreds more. IRIB uses forced confessions in particular to frame dual nationals and foreigners as spies, demonise human rights activists, and legitimise repression against religious minority groups such as the Baha’i community.

In his capacity as director of the Programs and Scheduling Department at the IRIB foreign-language flagship channel, Youssef Pouranvari contributes to the repression of peaceful demonstrators, journalists, human rights defenders, students or other persons who speak up in defence of their legitimate rights.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

167.

KADEM Ahmad

کادم احمد

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) regional headquarters Karbala

Brigadier General Ahmad Kadem is the head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Operational Base (regional headquarters) Karbala, which commands IRGC troops in the provinces of Khusestan, Lorestan and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

During the 2022 protests, IRGC troops under his command conducted operations against protesters, in particular in the Khusestan and Lorestan regions, including in the towns of Khorramabad (Lorestan) and Izeh (Khusestan). IRGC troops used disproportionate force in these operations, using live ammunition against protesters. As overall commander of the IRGC troops in these regions, Kadem is responsible for violence against protesters conducted by those troops.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

168.

AZIMI Mohammad Nazar

نظر محمد عظیمی,

a.k.a. AZIMI Mohammadnazar

عظیمی موهاممادنازار

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Function: commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters Najaf Al-Ashraf

Brigadier General Mohammad Nazar Azimi is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters Najaf Al-Ashraf, which commands IRGC troops in the provinces of Kermanshah, Hamedan and Ilam.

During the 2022 protests, Kermanshah province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC. As commander of the regional IRGC headquarters for the IRGC troops engaged in this region, he is responsible for the IRGC violence against protestors in Kermanshah province.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

169.

NILFRUSHAN Abbas Mortaza

نیلفروشان عباس مرتاضا

a.k.a. NILFOROUSHAN Abbas; NILFOROUSHAN DARDASHTI Abbas; NILFOROUSHAN DARDASHTI Abbas; NILFOROUSHAN Abbas; NILFRUSHAN DARDASHTI Abbas Mortaza

نیلفروشان دردشتی عباس

DOB: 23.8.1966

POB: Isfahan, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Passport no: P46631463 (Iran)

Function: deputy commander for operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Abbas Nilfrushan is the deputy commander for operations of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and responsible for the IRGC Operations Command, one of the security organisations directly in charge of protest suppression.

In this capacity, he has framed the 2022 civil grassroots protest movement as a terrorist movement and a direct security threat to Iran, thereby legitimising the harsh response to the peaceful protests.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

170.

MOEIN Moslem

مسلم معین

DOB: 22.9.1985

POB: Eslamabad, Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

National ID no: 3341588477 (Iran)

Address: Part 7, Block 25, Ground Floor, 16th Street, Sarvestan Street, Chaghamirza Phase 2 Shahid Mehrabi, Kermanshah, Iran

Function: head of the Basji Resistance Force (Basij) Cyberspace Headquarters

Moslem Moein is a senior official in the EU-listed Basij Resistance Force (Basij), the infamous volunteer paramilitary organisation operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with branches throughout Iran.

The Basij has played a key role in the regime’s deadly crackdown on the protests that have swept the country since September 2022. As chief of the Basij Cyberspace Headquarters, Moein oversees efforts to control and censor Iranians’ online activities. He has spoken publicly about the Basij’s priority of monitoring Iranians’ use of the internet. Additionally, Moein has advocated for the development of Iran’s national intranet, which could allow the regime to disconnect Iran from the global internet. The Iranian government continues to filter and block the free flow of information in Iran.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

171.

KARAMI Mohammad

محمد کرمی

DOB: 27.1.1966

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Rank: Brigadier General

Passport no: K50849392 (Iran), expires 23.9.2024

Function: Commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) headquarters Quds for Sistan and Baluchestan province and Kerman province

Brigadier General Mohammad Karami is the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) headquarters Quds, which commands IRGC troops in Sistan and Baluchestan province and Kerman province.

Sistan and Baluchestan province has seen some of the most violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. On 30 September 2022, the provincial capital Zahedan witnessed ‘bloody Friday’, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming in Zahedan around Friday prayer, using live ammunition. At least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against participants in later protests has continued. As commander of the regional IRGC headquarters for the IRGC troops engaged in this region, Karami is responsible for the IRGC’s violence against protestors in Sistan and Baluchestan province, in particular around ‘bloody Friday’.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

172.

JAVIDAN Ali Akbar

جاویدان علی اکبر

DOB: 21.3.1967

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) in Kermanshah province

Ali Akbar Javidan has been the commander of the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) in Kermanshah province since June 2019.

In this capacity, he is responsible for ordering the violent reaction of the LEF to the 2022 protests in Kermanshah. He is also responsible for ensuring the LEF’s strict implementation of morality policies that severely violate human rights, including through the active repression of women who do not comply with headscarf codes. He is also responsible for the LEF’s arrests of women during the July 2022 protests. He is responsible for violence, discrimination, cruel and degrading behaviour, and arbitrary detention of women.

He is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

173.

AZARPENDAR Abbas

آذرپندار عباس

POB: Iran

Nationality: Iranian

Gender: male

Function: CEO of Radis Vira Tejarat Co; regional manager in Iran for Tiandy Technologies

Abbas Azarpendar is the CEO of Radis Vira Tejarat Co, which is a key intermediary in Iran, providing some of the most advanced surveillance equipment to the Iranian government.

During the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in mid-September 2022, Radis Vira Tejarat Co’s equipment has been used by the Iranian security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its Basij and the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF), to brutally suppress the nationwide protests, leading to the torture or death of at least 516 protestors, including at least 70 children.

Azarpendar is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

Name

Identifying information

Reasons

Date of listing

▼M13

1.

Cyber Police

Location: Tehran (Iran)

Website:http://www.cyberpolice.ir

The Iranian Cyber Police, founded in January 2011, is a unit of the Islamic Republic of Iran Police, headed by Vahid Majid. From the time of its inception until early 2015 it was headed by Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam (listed). Ahmadi-Moqaddam underlined that the Cyber Police would take on anti-revolutionary and dissident groups who used internet-based social networks in 2009 to trigger protests against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. In January 2012, the Cyber Police issued new guidelines for internet cafés, requiring users to provide personal information that would be kept by café owners for six months, as well as a record of the websites they visited. The rules also require café owners to install closed-circuit television cameras and maintain the recordings for six months. These new rules may create a logbook that authorities can use to track down activists or whoever is deemed a threat to national security.

In June 2012, Iranian media reported that the Cyber Police would be launching a crackdown on virtual private networks (VPNs). On 30 October 2012, the Cyber Police arrested the blogger Sattar Beheshti without a warrant for ‘actions against national security on social networks and Facebook’. Beheshti had criticised the Iranian government in his blog. Beheshti was found dead in his prison cell on 3 November 2012, and is believed to have been tortured to death by the Cyber Police authorities. The Cyber Police is responsible for many arrests of Telegram Group Administrators in connection with the nationwide protests of November 2019.

12.3.2013

▼M12

2.

Evin Prison

Address: Tehran Province, Tehran, District 2, Dasht-e Behesht (Iran)

Evin Prison is a detention centre where political prisoners have been held and severe human rights abuses, including torture, have repeatedly taken place over the past years and decades. November 2019 protesters were, and at least to some extent still are, detained in Evin Prison as political prisoners. Prisoners in Evin Prison are being deprived of basic procedural rights, and are sometimes held in solitary confinement or overcrowded cells with poor hygienic conditions. There are detailed reports of physical and psychological torture. Detainees are denied contact with family and lawyers as well as adequate health treatment.

12.4.2021

3.

Fashafouyeh Prison (a.k.a. Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary, Hasanabad-e Qom Prison, Greater Tehran Prison)

Address: Tehran Province, Hasanabad, Bijin Industrial Zone, Tehran, Qom Old Road (Iran)

Telephone: +98 21 5625 8050

Fashafouyeh Prison is a detention centre designated originally to detain offenders of drug-related crimes, recently also holding political prisoners and, in some cases, forcing them to share cells with drug addicts. The living and hygienic conditions are very poor, lacking basic needs like clean drinking water. During the November 2019 protests, several protesters were detained in Fashafouyeh Prison, including minors. Reports indicate that November 2019 protesters were subjected to torture and inhumane treatment at Fashafouyeh Prison, e.g. by deliberately wounding them with boiling water and through denial of medical treatment. According to an Amnesty International report on the crackdown of the November 2019 protests, children as young as 15 have been detained alongside adults in Fashafouyeh Prison. Three November 2019 protesters who are currently being held in Fashafouyeh Prison were sentenced to death by a court in Tehran.

12.4.2021

4.

Rajaee Shahr Prison (a.k.a. Rajai Shahr Prison, Rajaishahr, Raja’i Shahr, Reja’i Shahr, Rajayi Shahr, Gorhardasht Prison, Gohar Dasht Prison)

Address: Alborz Province, Karaj, Gohardasht, Moazzen Blvd (Iran)

Telephone: +98 26 3448 9826

Rajaee Shahr Prison has been known for the deprivation of human rights, including severe physical and psychological torture of political prisoners and prisoners of conscience as well as mass executions without fair trial, ever since the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Hundreds of detainees, including children, were severely mistreated in Rajaee Shahr Prison in the aftermath of the November 2019 protests. There are credible reports about numerous cases of torture and other forms of cruel punishment, including cases involving minors.

12.4.2021

▼M15

5.

Iran’s Morality Police

(a.k.a. Gasht-e-Ershad; Islamic Guidance Patrol; Guidance Patrols)

غشتى إرشاد

Address: Vozara Street, corner of 25th Street, District 6, Tehran (Iran)

The Morality Police is part of Iran’s Law Enforcement Forces (LEF) and is a special police unit which enforces the strict dress rules for women, including compulsory wearing of a headscarf. The Morality Police has used unlawful force against women for not complying with Iranian hijab laws, sexual and gender-based violence, arbitrary arrests and detentions, excessive violence and torture.

On 13 September 2022, the Morality Police arbitrarily arrested 22-year old Mahsa Amini in Tehran, allegedly for wearing a hijab improperly. She was subsequently taken to the Morality Police’s headquarters for an ‘educational and orientation class’. According to reliable reports and witnesses, she was brutally beaten and mistreated in custody, which led to her hospitalisation and to her death on 16 September 2022. The Morality Police’s abusive behaviour is not confined to that incident and has been widely documented.

The Morality Police is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

6.

Basij Resistance Force

(a.k.a. Basij-e Mostazafan)

بسیج مستضعفین

The Basij Resistance Force is a volunteer paramilitary organisation operating under the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) with branches throughout Iran.

The security forces’ response to the September 2022 protests in Iran was particularly harsh, resulting in the deaths of multiple people. The Basij Resistance Force was one of the forces ordered by the government to quell those protests. It injured and killed several protesters.

The Basij Resistance Force is directly responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

7.

Cyber Defence Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (CDC)

قرارگاه دفاع سایبرى

Address: Tehran (Iran)

Telephone: +98 26 3448 9826

The Cyber Defence Command of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (CDC) monitors websites, e-mails and online activities of individuals deemed to be political opponents.

During the September 2022 protests in Iran, the CDC took an active role in the Iranian government’s repressive policies, including by identifying and arresting protesters.

The CDC is directly responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

8.

Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) (a.k.a. NAJA; FARAJA)

فرماندهی انتظامی جمهورى اسلامی ایران

Address: Tehran (Iran)

The Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) is a uniformed police force.

The LEF’s blatant and severe human rights violations, such as the indiscriminate shooting with live ammunition at peaceful protesters, including children, have been widely documented since protests surrounding the death of Mahsa Amini started in mid-September 2022. Over 70 protesters have died and hundreds were seriously injured, including children. Since the beginning of the demonstrations, police forces have also arbitrarily detained numerous human rights defenders and journalists.

The LEF is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

17.10.2022

▼M17

9.

The Basij Cooperative Foundation (a.k.a. Bonyad-eh Ta’avon-eh Basij)

بنیاد تعاون بسیج

Address: Tehran, Iran

Type of entity: Foundation/Corporation Network

Other associated entities: IRGC, Basij Resistance Force

The Basij Cooperative Foundation (BCF) is one of the affiliates of the Basij Resistance Force (EU-listed).

The BCF was established in 1996 and its mission includes promoting and supporting the Basij. The activities of the BCF include the funding of the Basij Resistance Force (EU-listed).

Therefore, the BCF is associated with the Basij Resistance Force, an entity responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

10.

Press TV

پرس تو

Address: 4 East 2nd St., Farhang Blvd., Saadat Abad, 19977-66411 Tehran, Iran

Telephone number: Tel. +98 21 230 66 660

Email: Presstv@presstv.ir

Type of entity: State Television Broadcaster

Press TV is responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees, including journalists, political activists, persons belonging to Kurdish and Arab minorities, violating internationally recognised rights to a fair trial and due process.

Therefore, Press TV is responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

14.11.2022

11.

Arvan Cloud (a.k.a. Abr Arvan; Noyan Abr Arvan Co.; Arwan Company; Arvancloud)

آرون کلود

Address: Zafar St. Africa Blvd., Tehran, Iran

Type of entity: Private Company

Other associated entities: IRGC, Iranian Ministry of Information and Communications Technology

Arvan Cloud is an Iranian IT company supporting the Iranian government’s efforts to control access to the Iranian intranet. Since 2020, it is a major partner in the project of the Iranian government, in general, and the Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology, in particular, to set up a separate, Iranian version of the internet. Such a national intranet with connecting points to the global internet will help to control the flow of information between the Iranian intranet and the global internet.

As such, Arvan Cloud is involved in censorship and efforts of the Iranian government to shut down the internet in response to recent protests in Iran. Arvan Cloud is also associated with persons responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, notably the EU-listed Iranian Minister of Information and Communications Technology.

14.11.2022

▼M18

12.

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)

سازمان صدا و سيماى جمهورى اسلامی ايران

Address: Jamejam Street, Valiasr Avenue, 19395- 3333 Tehran, Iran

Type of entity: state-owned broadcasting company

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is a state-owned broadcasting company notorious for being a regime mouthpiece.

IRIB is responsible for producing and broadcasting the forced confessions of detainees, including journalists, political activists, and persons belonging to Kurdish and Arab minorities, thereby violating internationally recognised rights to a fair trial and due process.

IRIB is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

12.12.2022

▼M19

13.

Ravin Academy

آکادمی راوین

Place of registration: Tehran, Iran

Date of registration: 2019

Registration number: 49135

Principal place of business: Second Floor, No. 36, Naqdi Street, North Sohrevardi Street, Shahid Ghandi-Niloufar Neighborhood, Tehran, Iran

Ravin Academy is an Iran-based cyber security company which provides cyber security education and training in both defensive and offensive fields as well as hacker training.

In addition, Ravin Academy operates on behalf of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS) and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and supports them in recruiting hackers.

Hackers trained at the Ravin Academy have been involved in directly disrupting the communication of those protesting against the Iranian regime, thereby repressing the protests.

Therefore, Ravin Academy is responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

14.

Samane Gostar Sahab Pardaz Private Limited Company

شرکت سامان گستر سحاب پرداز با مسئولیت محدود

a.k.a Sahab Pardaz

سحاب پرداز

Place of registration: Tehran, Iran

Principal place of business:

Tehran, No. 22, Khorramshahr Street

Tehran, North Shohvardi Street, Korramshahr Street, Number 24, Floor 1

Samane Gostar Sahab Pardaz Private Limited Company is an Iran-based company providing social-media filtering services.

It is engaged in censorship and surveillance activities for the Government of Iran, including during the 2022 protests, that prohibit, limit or penalise the exercise of freedom of expression or assembly by citizens of Iran, or that limit access to print or broadcast media.

Samane Gostar Sahab Pardaz Private Limited Company is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

15.

Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA)

ارتباطات و مقررات تنظیم سازمان رادیویی

a.k.a. Communication Regulation Authority (CRA)

Place of registration: Tehran, Iran

Associated entity: Iranian Ministry for Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

The Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA) is under the authority of the Iranian Ministry for Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The CRA enforces the Iranian government’s requirements to filter internet content through a spyware called SIAM.

During the 2022 protests, the CRA used its control of internet access and mobile phones to track protestors and create a detailed picture of dissidents’ and protesters’ activities for the authorities to use at their will. The CRA is therefore responsible for supporting the repression of peaceful demonstrators, journalists, human rights defenders, students or other persons who speak up in defence of their legitimate rights.

The CRA is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

16.

Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil

ستاد امر به معروف و نهی از منکر

a.k.a. Office for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil; Headquarters for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice; Setad-PV

ستاد پو

Type of entity: government institution

Place of registration: Iran

Principal place of business: Iran

Associated individuals: GOLPAYEGANI Seyyed Mohammed Saleh Hashemi, head of the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil

Other associated entities: Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF)

The Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil is a government institution, responsible for determining and enforcing excessively strict behavioural models in society.

In 2022, the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil was instrumental in setting new and stricter morality codes for women that are in clear violation of their human rights. Additionally, the Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil plays a central role in setting up the monitoring and often brutal sanctioning of women and men who do not respect these codes. These strict codes are subsequently brutally enforced by the EU-listed Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) (and specifically its Morality Police).

The Headquarters for Enjoining Right and Forbidding Evil is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

17.

Imen Sanat Zaman Fara Company

شرکت ایمن صنعت زمان فرا

Address: Shahrak-e-Jafar Abad-e-Jangal Rd, Naseriyeh, Tehran, Iran;

Number 16, Kolezar alley, Farsian Street, Shahid Rezaiee Street, Azadegan Autobahn, Tehran, Iran;

Number 16, Gholshan 14, Golestan Boulevard, Negarestan Boulevard, Sham Abad, Tehran, Iran

Type of entity: private company

Place of registration: Iran

Date of registration: 2010

National ID no: 103201991293 (Iran)

Business registration no: 369541 (Iran)

Principal place of business: Iran

Associated individuals: Mohammad Zandi Aliabadi, chairman of the Board of directors;

Hossein Zandi Aliabadi, Vice chairman of the Board of directors;

Fatemeh Haghshenas, CEO

Other associated entities: Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF)

Imen Sanat Zaman Fara Company is an Iranian company manufacturing and importing security equipment for Iranian security forces.

Its equipment is used by Iranian security forces to violently suppress peaceful protests, including the protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in 2022, leading to the torture or death of at least 516 protestors, including at least 70 children.

Imen Sanat Zaman Fara Company is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

18.

Iranian Special Police Forces

نیروى ویژه پاد وحشت

a.k.a. NOPO; Iran’s Counter-Terror Special Forces; Niroo-ye Vizhe Pasdar-e Velayat; Supreme Leader's Guardian Special Forces; Provincial Special Forces; Special Counter-Terrorism Force

Address: Iran

Type of entity: police force

Place of registration: Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Associated individuals: Mohsen Ebrahimi (Commander)

Other associated entities: Iran’s Special Unit Forces, Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF)

The Iranian Special Police Forces (NOPO) are a subdivision of Iran’s Special Unit Forces and the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF). NOPO is a highly trained, specialised unit often called upon to dissolve protests.

During the 2022 protests following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, NOPO used excessive violence and lethal force against unarmed protestors, including women and children, e.g. by firing automatic weapons at protestors.

The Iranian Special Police Forces (NOPO) are therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

19.

Radis Vira Tejarat Co

شرکت رادیس ویرا تجارت

Address: Tehran, Pasdaran St., West Gilan St., No. 5, Unit 1, Corner of Mohed Dou Alley

Type of entity: physical security provider, private enterprise

Principal place of business: Iran

Associated individuals: Abbas Azarpendar, CEO of Radis Vira Tejarat Co and regional manager in Iran for Tiandy Technologies

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF) (customers), Pars Ertebat Afzar Co (distributor)

Radis Vira Tejarat Co is the Iranian representative of the company Tiandy Technologies. The close ties between the companies are illustrated by the fact that the CEO of Radis Vira Tejarat Co, Abbas Azarpendar, is also regional manager in Iran for Tiandy Technologies. Radis Vira Tejarat Co is a key intermediary in Iran providing some of the most advanced surveillance equipment to the Iranian government.

During the protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in mid-September 2022, its equipment has been used by the Iranian security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), its Basij and the Law Enforcement Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran (LEF), to brutally suppress the nationwide protests, leading to the torture or death of at least 516 protestors, including at least 70 children.

Radis Vira Tejarat Co is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

20.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Shohada in West Azerbaijan

شهداء

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: West Azerbaijan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: West Azerbaijan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Shohada operates in the province of West-Azerbaijan.

EU-listed Brigadier General Habib Shahsavari is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, the IRGC Regional Corps Shohada conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, commencing 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in the West Azerbaijan towns of Piranshahr, Mahabad and Bukan. IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations. IRGC operations in the towns of Mahabad and Bukan have killed at least four and 12 people, respectively, since 15 November 2022.

The IRGC Regional Corps Shohada is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

21.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Hazrat Nabi Akram in Kermanshah

حضرت نبی اکرم

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Kermanshah, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Kermanshah, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Hazrat Nabi Akram operates in the province of Kermanshah.

EU-listed Brigadier General Bahman Reyhani is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, Kermanshah province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC.

The IRGC Regional Corps Hazrat Nabi Akram is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

22.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Quds in Gilan

قدس

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Gilan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Gilan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Quds operates in the province of Gilan.

EU-listed Brigadier General Mohammad Abdollahpour is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, Gilan province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC.

The IRGC Regional Corps Quds is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

23.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Karbala in Mazandaran

کربلاى

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Mazandaran, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Mazandaran, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Karbala operates in the province of Mazandaran.

EU-listed Brigadier General Siavash Moslemi is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, the entity conducted operations against protesters in Mazandaran province. In those operations, it used disproportionate force and violence against protesters.

The IRGC Regional Corps Karbala is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

24.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Seyyed al-Shohada in Tehran province

الشهداء سید

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Tehran, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Tehran, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Seyyed al-Shohada operates in the province of Tehran.

EU-listed Brigadier General Ahmad Zulqadr is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, the violent repression of protests in Tehran province by Iranian security forces, including by the IRGC, has been particularly strong and excessive.

The IRGC Regional Corps Seyyed al-Shohada is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

25.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Operational Base Karbala

کربلا

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Southwest Iran (provinces of Khusestan, Lorestan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad)

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Operational Base (regional headquarters) Karbala operates in Southwest Iran, covering the provinces of Khusestan, Lorestan, and Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad.

EU-listed Brigadier General Ahmad Kadem is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, the entity conducted operations against protesters, in particular in the provinces of Khusestan and Lorestan, including in the town of Khorramabad in Lorestan. During those operations, IRGC troops used disproportionate force, using live ammunition against protesters.

The IRGC Operational Base Karbala is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

26.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Operational Base Quds

قدس

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Operational Base Quds is the IRGC’s regional headquarters in the southeast of Iran and oversees Kerman province and Sistan and Baluchestan province.

EU-listed Brigadier General Mohammad Karami is the commander of this entity.

Sistan and Baluchestan province has seen some of the most violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. On 30 September 2022, the provincial capital Zahedan witnessed ‘bloody Friday’, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming in Zahedan around Friday prayer, using live ammunition. At least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against participants in later protests has continued.

The IRGC Operational Base Quds is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

27.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Operational Base Najaf-e-Ashraf

الاشرف نجف

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Operational Base (regional headquarters) Najaf-e-Ashraf oversees the provinces of Kermanshah, Hamedan and Ilam.

EU-listed Brigadier General Mohammad Nazar Azimi is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, Kermanshah province has seen violent crackdowns by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC.

The IRGC Operational Base Najaf-e-Ashraf is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

28.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Valiasr in Khuzestan

عصر ولی

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Khuzestan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Khuzestan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Valiasr operates in the province of Khuzestan.

EU-listed Brigadier General Hassan Shahvarpour is the commander of this entity.

The IRGC Regional Corps Valiasr is responsible for massacres of protesters in Khuzestan in November 2020. In addition, in the course of the 2022 protests in Iran, it has conducted operations against protesters in particular in the town of Izeh. IRGC troops have used disproportionate force in these operations, leading to the killing of protesters.

The IRGC Regional Corps Valiasr is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

29.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Hazrat Abufazl in Lorestan

حضرت ابوالفضل

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Lorestan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Lorestan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Hazrat Abufazl operates in the province of Lorestan.

During the 2022 protests, it conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, operations were conducted in the town of Khorramabad in Lorestan. IRGC troops used disproportionate force in these operations, using live ammunition against protesters.

The IRGC Regional Corps Hazrat Abufazl is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

30.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Beit-al-Moqadas in Kurdistan

المقدس بيت

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Kurdistan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Kurdistan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Beit-al-Moqadas operates in the province of Kurdistan.

EU-listed Brigadier General Sadegh Hosseini is the commander of this entity.

During the 2022 protests, this entity conducted operations against protesters in the Kurdish regions of Iran. In particular, commencing 15 November 2022, such operations were conducted against protesters in the Kurdistan towns and West Azerbaijan towns of Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Saqqez. IRGC troops used disproportionate force in these operations. IRGC operations in the towns of Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Saqqez have killed at least seven, two and two people, respectively, since 15 November 2022.

The IRGC Regional Corps Beit-al-Moqadas is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023

31.

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Salaman in Sistan and Baluchestan

سلمان

سپاه پاسداران انقلاب اسلامی

Address: Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

Type of entity: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military unit

Place of registration: Sistan and Baluchestan, Iran

Principal place of activity: Iran

Other associated entities: Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Regional Corps Salaman oversees the province of Sistan and Baluchestan.

EU-listed Brigadier General Amanollah Garshasbi is the commander of this entity.

Sistan and Baluchestan has seen some of the most violent crackdown by Iranian security forces, including the IRGC, during the 2022 protests. On 30 September 2022, the provincial capital Zahedan witnessed ‘bloody Friday’, when security forces opened fire on a protest forming in Zahedan around Friday prayer, using live ammunition. At least 70 protestors were shot and killed. Since then, violence against protesters has continued.

The IRGC Regional Corps Salaman is therefore responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran.

23.1.2023