According to the Telegram channel Moj, the Revolutionary Court in Ahwaz, located in the Kianpars neighborhood, summoned nine Arab citizens, all women, on September 20, 2026, to hear their defenses. After the session, the judge informed these citizens that each would receive a five-year prison sentence; however, if they complete a mandatory one-year “ideological or political reform” course, their sentence would be reduced to one year. These initial sentences are subject to appeal after being issued.
A former prisoner who completed this reform course and spoke with the Telegram channel reported that the mandatory courses are held at the Ja’far al-Sadiq Institute, affiliated with the IRGC, located on 24 Meter Street in Ahwaz. According to this report, in recent years, the Revolutionary Court has required defendants in religious and ideological cases to participate in these courses, and those who refuse must serve their full initial sentences.
The nine citizens were arrested over a year and a half ago for their activities on social media and for publishing content opposing the Iranian government. After being transferred to intelligence detention centers, they endured physical and psychological pressures for several months before being released on bail pending trial.
The charges against these Arab citizens include “membership in a group or organization,” “propaganda against the Iranian government,” and “gathering and colluding to commit a crime against internal or external security.”
The names of these nine women are as follows:
- Saeedeh Heydari Rad, daughter of Ghanem, residing in Ahwaz, Koy-e Siyahi
- Amal Dahimawi, daughter of Ashour, residing in the Malashieh area of Ahwaz
- Kowsar Asakereh, daughter of Abdul Imam, from Bushehr, Asaluyeh, village of Bostanu
- Ayat Mohammadi, daughter of Ali, residing in Hamidiyeh
- Fatemeh Savari, daughter of Saad, residing in Koy-e Alavi Ahwaz
- Khadijeh Havali, daughter of Salman, residing in Malasani North Ahwaz
- Eftekhar Rostamizadeh, daughter of Hamadi, residing in Fallahiyeh (Shadgan)
- Seyedeh Fatemeh Hosseini, daughter of Seyed Hassan, residing in Koy-e Kian Ahwaz
- Ameneh Bit Siyah, daughter of Hossein, residing in Koy-e Mandali Ahwaz
An informed source regarding this case stated that these women were only in contact with each other in a WhatsApp group, discussing daily matters, and had no other activities. According to this source, the charges against them are merely fabricated and serve as a tool for further pressure and repression.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization condemns the issuance of these sentences and the judicial process against the nine Arab women, deeming it contrary to the rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and association, as well as the principles of fair trial. The organization also denounces the use of mandatory ideological courses as a substitute for part of the prison sentence and the physical and psychological pressures during detention, calling for the annulment of these sentences, respect for the legal rights of the defendants, and an end to security and judicial actions against citizens due to their civil activities and expression of views.
