January protest detainee Omid Yousefi sentenced to four years in prison in Karaj

Hengaw – Tuesday, September 1, 2026

Omid Yousefi, who was arrested in Alborz province in connection with the January 2026 protests, has been sentenced to four years in prison by the Iranian judiciary.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Yousefi, a 35-year-old wrestler and athlete from Shahin Villa (Sufiabad) in Karaj, was sentenced to four years in prison on charges including possession of a weapon and leading protests.

Yousefi was identified through surveillance footage recorded during protests in the Gohardasht area of Karaj on January 8 and 9, 2026. He was arrested on January 13 when Iranian security forces raided his home. Security forces used physical violence during the arrest.

Following the completion of his interrogation, Yousefi was transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj, where he is currently serving his sentence.