Rezvaneh Ahmad khanbeygi

"Rezvaneh Ahmad Khanbeigi" is an Iranian civil rights activist and former political prisoner who has been repeatedly arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for her peaceful civic and political activities. Over the past several years, she has faced multiple criminal cases on charges including "assembly and collusion against national security" and "propaganda against the state." Her case has been documented by human rights organizations as an example of the Iranian authorities' repression of peaceful civil activism.

Ahmad Khanbeigi was first arrested on **January 9, 2019**, when security police detained her in Tehran while she was reportedly writing protest slogans and distributing leaflets. Following interrogation, she was transferred to the women's ward at Evin Prison and released on a 150 million toman bail on **March 2, 2019**.

In March 2019, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court convicted her of **"assembly and collusion to disrupt national security"** and **"propaganda against the state,"** sentencing her to a total of six years' imprisonment. On appeal, the sentence was reduced to **three years and nine months** for the national security charge and **eight months** for propaganda against the state.

While her appeal was still pending, Ahmad Khanbeigi was arrested again on **November 17, 2019**, during the nationwide protests that followed the increase in fuel prices. Approximately twelve agents affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' Sarallah Headquarters reportedly raided her home, searched the premises, confiscated personal belongings, and transferred her to solitary confinement in Ward 2-A of Evin Prison, which is operated by the IRGC Intelligence Organisation. After several weeks of interrogation, she was transferred to the women's ward of Evin Prison.

In a second criminal case, she was tried in February 2020 and convicted again on charges of "assembly and collusion against national security" and " propaganda against the state," receiving a combined sentence of six years' imprisonment. The sentence was upheld on appeal in May 2020. She was eventually released from Evin Prison on July 28, 2021, after serving part of her sentence.

Despite her release, judicial and security pressure against Ahmad Khanbeigi continued. On September 19, 2023, security agents raided the Tehran home of Ahmad Khanbeigi and her husband, Behfar Lalehzari, a lawyer and former political prisoner. After searching the residence and confiscating personal belongings, including their mobile phones, both were arrested.

According to informed sources, the authorities initially intended to arrest Lalehzari only. However, when Ahmad Khanbeigi attempted to prevent his arrest and protested the officers' actions, she was also detained. She was first transferred to the Tehran Security Police detention centre, then held in solitary confinement at Evin Prison, before being transferred to "Qarchak Prison" in Varamin.

At the time of her arrest, Ahmad Khanbeigi suffered from epilepsy and recurrent seizures. Human rights sources reported that she was denied access to her essential medication following her detention. Throughout her imprisonment, additional concerns were raised regarding inadequate medical care despite her documented health conditions, including epilepsy, heart problems, and spinal disc disease.

While serving her latest prison sentence, Ahmad Khanbeigi was granted temporary medical leave from Evin Prison on September 18, 2024, to give birth. During this leave, she gave birth to her daughter. Despite becoming the primary caregiver of an infant, the execution of her prison sentence continued.

On June 29, 2026, Ahmad Khanbeigi returned to "Evin Prison" to serve the remainder of her sentence, accompanied by her daughter Mahfar, who was under two years old. Her return to prison with her young child drew renewed attention from human rights organisations and advocates concerned about the treatment of imprisoned mothers and children in Iran.