Erfan Haj-Bonyan Dehaghani, Detained During January Protests, Sentenced to 11 Years in Prison

Breathing in Confinement, Saturday, 12 September 2026: Erfan Haj-Bonyan Dehaghani, 26, who was detained during the January protests, has been sentenced by Branch Five of the Isfahan Revolutionary Court to a total of 11 years’ imprisonment. Under the rules governing the consolidation of sentences, the enforceable sentence is 10 years in prison.

According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, a verdict issued on 11 August sentenced Erfan Haj-Bonyan Dehaghani to one year in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the state” and 10 years in prison on a charge relating to the possession of 6.10 grams of hallucinogenic mushrooms.

With regard to the charge of propaganda against the state, participation in protest gatherings, chanting slogans on 8 January, wearing clothing bearing a symbol and wording cited by the court, as well as activity on social media and possession of hallucinogenic substances, were included in the case as evidence, reportedly under pressure from security agencies.

Under the terms of the verdict and the rules governing the consolidation of sentences, the most severe punishment—10 years’ imprisonment—will be enforceable.

Human rights sources have criticised the proceedings in Erfan Haj-Bonyan Dehaghani’s case, describing the imposition of such sentences as inconsistent with the requirements of a fair trial. They have stated that the process of building the case and bringing some of the charges against the prisoner was influenced by pressure from security agencies. This is despite the fact that the presumption of innocence, effective access to legal counsel, the ability to present a defence freely and independently, and the right to have a case heard by an impartial court are fundamental requirements of a fair trial.

Erfan Haj-Bonyan Dehaghani was arrested during the January protests. According to published reports, following his arrest by forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Intelligence Organisation in Isfahan, he spent a period in pretrial detention and subsequently remained imprisoned because he was unable to provide the substantial bail set for his release.

His continued imprisonment comes amid ongoing human rights concerns over the imposition of lengthy prison sentences on individuals detained during the protests, particularly in cases involving political and security-related charges, and their right to a fair trial in Iran.