08 February 2026 :

February 7, 2026 - IRAN. Hrana Report on Day 42 of the Protests: 6,961 confirmed deaths, 11,630 under review

Wave of Arrests and Intensified Security Crackdowns

According to the latest aggregated data compiled by HRANA up to the end of the 42nd day since the beginning of the protests, a total of 675 protest-related incidents have been recorded across 210 cities in 31 provinces. Based on these figures, the total number of confirmed fatalities has been reported as 6,961, of whom 6,507 are registered as “protesters,” and 178 are among the fatalities categorized as children under the age of 18. Additionally, 214 members of government-affiliated forces and 62 individuals listed under the category of “non-civilian, non-protester” have been reported. The number of cases listed as “under investigation” has been announced as 11,630. During the same period, the number of injured civilians reached 11,021, total arrests amounted to 51,465, student arrests numbered 112, forced confessions totalled 311, and summonses reached 11,048.
On the 42nd day, repression continued in various forms: the continuation and expansion of security and judicial crackdowns against protesters and their supporters, ranging from political activists and journalists to medical staff, students, adolescents, and citizens in various cities. At the same time, reports emerged of raids on homes, seizure of communication devices, blocking of bank accounts, fabrication of cases and the filing of serious charges, as well as the killing of a wanted protester during an attempted arrest.

Chain arrests and charges against political activists and other citizens
As part of the ongoing arrests linked to the protests, Ghorban Behzadian-Nejad, a senior advisor to Mir-Hossein Mousavi and one of the signatories of the 17-person statement, was arrested in Tehran. Reports also recalled that Abdollah Momeni, Mehdi Mahmoudian, and Vida Rabbani, other signatories of the same statement, had previously been arrested.
At the same time, the East Azerbaijan General Directorate of Intelligence announced the arrest of 48 citizens in connection with the nationwide protests, stating that these arrests took place in cities including Tabriz, Sahand, Miyaneh, Basmenj, and Jolfa. Separately, official media also reported the arrest of more than 17 citizens linked to the protests in the provinces of Alborz, Kermanshah, and Kurdistan.
Reports also documented mass arrests in various other locations. One report on the arrest of three citizens stated that Mohammad Hadi Mahimeni was arrested in Gorgan, Omar Mohajer in Chabahar, and Raheleh Moini in Tehran. The same report noted that Raheleh Moini is being held in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, while Mohammad Hadi Mahimeni is detained in Gorgan Prison.
Another report announced the arrest of at least six citizens, including a minor: Mani Vafadar (a 17-year-old adolescent) in Bojnurd; Fardin Javanbakht and Hamed Karimkhah in Bushehr; and Jaber Taqvaei, Saeed Javanbakht, and Ali Taqvaei in Yasuj. According to the published information, Mani Vafadar, following his arrest in Bojnurd, is currently being held at the Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center in that city. Further details regarding the timing of some arrests indicate that Fardin Javanbakht and Hamed Karimkhah were arrested on 16 Bahman in Bushehr, while Jaber Taqvaei, Saeed Javanbakht, and Ali Taqvaei were arrested on January 9 in Yasuj.
Meanwhile, reports also emerged of scattered arrests in several other cities. Among the names mentioned were Ali Shaeri, Mohammad Shakeri, and Ali Babari (in Esfarayen); Yaser Ghaffarnezhad (in Yasuj); Aref Khanzadeh (in Bojnord); Shahab Naderi (in Kermanshah); and Arshia Amin Javaheri (a student in Isfahan). The report also mentioned the arrests of Dana Rasoulpour and Hejar Bariki. Additional explanations stated that the identities and places of residence of some of these individuals, among them Ali Shaeri, Mohammad Shakeri, and Ali Babari (residents of Esfarayen), and Yaser Ghaffarnezhad (a resident of Yasuj), have been confirmed.
Additionally, official media reported on the holding of a court session for Mohammadreza Tabari, one of those arrested during the recent protests. One of the charges brought against him was cited as “enmity against God through armed action,” indicating that the process of case-building against some detainees is being steered toward more severe charges.

“Pressure on media and journalists”: home searches, phone confiscation, and bank account freezes
As the wave of security crackdowns on the media continues, reports indicate that security forces searched the home of Azadeh Mokhtari (a journalist), confiscated her mobile phone and identification documents, and barred her from using social media platforms.
In another report, Kianoush Darvishi (a journalist) stated that following a summons to the Cyber Police (FATA), his bank accounts were frozen. According to his account, the accounts were blocked without the case being referred to a court and solely based on a letter from the Cyber Police. The reason for his summons was reportedly attributed to publishing an “Instagram story of corpses.”
Reports also emerged of continued pressure on other media activists. Among them, it was noted that during a search of the home of Yalda Moaiery (a photographer), some of his electronic equipment was confiscated. The continued detention of several others in different cities was also reported, including Pedram Alamdari and Somayeh Heydari in Tabriz, Hassan Abbasi in Bandar Abbas, and Artin Ghazanfari in Mashhad.
Within the same context, the Iranian Writers’ Association expressed concern over the situation of two of its imprisoned members, Yousef Ansari and Ali Asadollahi, warning about their continued detention and the handling of their cases.

“Pressure on medical staff”: arrests of Medical Council members and crackdowns on protesting healthcare workers
Pressure and threats by security forces against medical staff continue. Mohammad Raiszadeh, head of the Iranian Medical Council Organization, announced that 33 members of the organization have been arrested in connection with the protests. He stated that so far 11 detained members in cities including Shiraz, Ardabil, Qazvin, Golestan Province, and Tehran have been released, but according to the latest figures, 23 individuals remain in detention.
Reports have also emerged regarding the arrest of healthcare workers. Among them is the arrest of Saber Dehghan (a neurosurgeon in Sirjan), who, according to reports, was arrested on January 2 while treating protest-injured patients at a hospital, following an altercation with security agents. At the time of this report, no clear information has been published regarding his condition or the charges against him.
Alongside these cases, numerous reports continue to highlight concerns among medical staff and accounts related to security pressures affecting the treatment of the injured, a trend that could further restrict safe access to medical services for those wounded during the protests.

“Seizure of assets and blocking of communications”: targeting well-known figures and symbolic repression
As part of the continued measures against prominent figures, reports indicate that the assets, bank accounts, and mobile phone line of Voria Ghafouri (former football player and coach of Esteghlal) have been seized and blocked. The same report also refers to the sealing of two cafés owned by him in Tehran, known as Cafe Voria, cafés that had been closed during the peak days of the protests (January 8 and 9). These actions were reported despite the fact that Ghafouri had previously expressed support for protesters on social media in response to the crackdowns.

“Death during arrest”: killing of Sadegh Ashtari and arrest of co-defendants
In another report, IRIB announced the killing of Sadegh Ashtari, one of the citizens wanted in connection with the Tehranpars protests, during his arrest following gunfire by security forces. It was also stated that 15 individuals described as his “co-defendants” were arrested. The release of a related video, without clear details regarding the circumstances of its recording, has been raised amid increasing reports of forced confessions and coerced videos in protest-related cases.

Market stagnation and the persistence of social anxiety
In the economic sphere as well, reports indicate that markets in many areas have not returned to normal conditions. A report on the Alaeddin and Chaharsoo shopping centers (among the main hubs for mobile phones and accessories) notes that despite shops being open, the market remains stagnant. Foot traffic is largely limited to shopkeepers, and the sound of customers is rarely heard in the corridors. The report also points to a heavy security presence, with agents visible around and inside the malls, and describes an intensified sense of anxiety within the business environment.

Statistics
- Total recorded protest-related incidents: 675
- Number of cities: 210
- Number of provinces: 31
- Injured civilians: 11,021
- Total arrests: 51,465
- Student arrests: 112
- Forced confessions: 311
- Summonses: 11,048
- Total protesters killed: 6,507
- Including minors: 178
- Military/government forces: 214
- Non-civilian, non-protester: 62
- Total confirmed fatalities: 6,961
- Cases under investigation: 11,630

Summary
Day 42 unfolded with systematic repression remaining the dominant trend, reflected in widespread and scattered arrests, intensified pressure on key social groups, including journalists, writers, medical staff, and students, and the expanded use of control measures such as home searches, confiscation of phones and identity documents, restrictions on online activity, bank account freezes, and case-building involving severe charges. Alongside these developments, the reported killing of a wanted protester during arrest and the persistence of a heavy security presence in public and economic spaces underscore a deepening crisis and the escalating human and social costs of the protests.

https://www.en-hrana.org/day-42-of-protests-wave-of-arrests-and-intensified-security-crackdowns/