According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, Mehran Qarehbaghi, a political prisoner from Behbahan, who was transferred to the Ahwaz Intelligence Department detention center in February 2026, was returned several days ago to Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
A source close to the prisoner’s family stated that following his transfer from the Intelligence Department detention facility back to Sheiban Prison, Qarehbaghi is now serving his prison sentence.
This political prisoner faced a new case while already incarcerated in March 2025. The charges brought against him include “forming a group with the aim of disrupting national security,” “propaganda against the state,” and “assembly and collusion.” According to reports, the investigating authority in this case was the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
According to these reports, on March 13, 2025, Mehran Qarehbaghi was taken out of Sheiban Prison under the pretext of being transferred to a hospital and was moved to one of the IRGC Intelligence detention facilities in Ahwaz. According to informed sources, he was subjected to interrogation and physical assault there before being returned to prison. Following this process, a new case was opened against him.
He had also submitted a request to the Supreme Court for the consolidation of his sentences late last year, but has not yet received a response.
According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), as part of his previous legal cases, Mehran Qarehbaghi was sentenced on September 20, 2023, by Branch 102 of the Criminal Court Two in Behbahan to three years and six months in prison on the charge of “damaging public property” (setting fire to the Behbahan women’s seminary), and to 45 lashes for “disturbing public order.” Two years of the prison sentence were suspended for five years.
Additionally, in early May 2023, he was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Ma’shour (Mahshahr) in another case to six years and three months in prison for “membership in groups opposing the state,” one year and four months for “propaganda against the state,” and two years and six months for “insulting the Supreme Leader.” The combined sentence amounted to 10 years and one month of imprisonment, along with additional penalties.
Mehran Qarehbaghi is 33 years old and originally from Tileh-Kuhi village in Behbahan County, located in the Ahwaz region (Khuzestan).
