According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, the Iran’s Revolutionary Court, located in the Kianpars district of Ahwaz, summoned nine Arab citizens—all women—on September 20, 2026, and heard their defenses. Following the hearing, the judge informed the women that each would be sentenced to five years in prison. However, their sentences would reportedly be reduced to one year if they completed a mandatory one-year “ideological and political re-education” course. These initial verdicts can be appealed following formal notification.
According to a former prisoner who completed such a course and spoke with the Telegram channel that reported the case, the mandatory courses are held at the Jafar al-Sadiq Institute, affiliated with IRGC Intelligence, on 24 Metri Street in Ahwaz. According to the report, in recent years the Revolutionary Court has required defendants in religious and ideological cases to participate in these courses. Those who refuse to attend are required to serve their full original prison sentences.
The nine women were arrested more than a year and a half ago by security forces over their activities on social media and the publication of material critical of the Islamic Republic. Following their transfer to Ministry of Intelligence detention facilities, they were reportedly subjected to physical and psychological pressure for several months before being released on bail pending the completion of judicial proceedings.
The charges brought against the nine Arab citizens include “membership in a group or association,” “propaganda against the Islamic Republic,” and “assembly and collusion to commit crimes against internal or external security.”
The nine women are:
- Saeedeh Heydari-Rad, resident of Sayahi district, Ahwaz
- Amal Dahimawi, resident of Mollashieh, Ahwaz
- Kosar Asakereh, from Bastano village, Asaluyeh, Bushehr Province
- Ayat Mohammadi, resident of Hamidiyeh
- Fatemeh Sawari, resident of Alavi district, Ahwaz
- Khadijeh Hawali, resident of Malathani, north of Ahwaz
- Eftekhār Rostamzadeh, resident of Fallahieh (Shadegan)
- Seyedeh Fatemeh Hosseini, resident of Kian district, Ahwaz
- Ameneh Beit-Sayah, resident of Mandali district, Ahwaz
An informed source familiar with the case told the Karoon Human Rights Organization that the nine women were connected only through a WhatsApp group, where they discussed everyday matters, and that they had engaged in no other activities. According to the source, the charges brought against them amount to case-building and are being used as a means of exerting further pressure and repression.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization condemns the sentences and judicial proceedings against the nine Arab women and considers them incompatible with the rights to freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association, and the principles of a fair trial. The organization also condemns the use of mandatory ideological courses as an alternative to part of a prison sentence, as well as the reported physical and psychological pressure during detention. It calls for the annulment of these sentences, full respect for the defendants’ legal rights, and an end to security and judicial measures against citizens on the basis of their civil activities and expression of their views.
