January protest detainee Aref Hesar serving 30-month prison sentence in Torbat-e Heydarieh

Hengaw – Friday, September 11, 2026

Aref Hesar, a 22-year-old man from Khaf who was arrested during the January 2026 protests, is serving a two-year-and-six-month prison sentence at Torbat-e Heydarieh Central Prison in Razavi Khorasan province.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Hesar is currently serving his sentence at Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

He was initially sentenced to five years and one day in prison by a lower court. On appeal, his sentence was reduced to two years and six months.

Hesar reported to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison on August 8, 2026, to begin serving his sentence.

He was initially arrested by Iranian security forces in Torbat-e Heydarieh on January 8, 2026, during the protests. Following interrogation, he was transferred to the city’s prison.

After approximately 10 days in detention, Hesar was temporarily released on bail of 500 million tomans pending further judicial proceedings.