New York, October 28, 2026—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Iranian authorities to overturn the convictions and immediately release journalists
Artin Ghazanfari
and
Omid Faraghat
. The two were sentenced to 26 and 10 years under Iran’s sweeping
espionage law
, which also criminalizes routine media activities.
“Iranian authorities are using espionage and national security laws to punish journalists for their work, handing down prison sentences that could take decades of their lives,” said Sara Qudah, CPJ’s regional director. “These sentences send a chilling message to every journalist in Iran. Authorities must overturn both convictions, immediately release Artin Ghazanfari and Omid Faraghat, and ensure Ghazanfari receives the medical care he urgently needs.”
Ghazanfari, a Bahá’í photojournalist held at Greater Tehran Prison, was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati,
according to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA)
, run by the U.S.-based organization Human Rights Activists in Iran. The verdict was
communicated
to him on October 26.
HRANA
reported on October 28
, citing a source close to Ghazanfari’s family, that he
received 20 years
for “media activities,” five years for “assembly and collusion,” and one year for “propaganda against the state.” The source noted that the judge used Iran’s law on severe espionage punishments to hand down the 20-year term, bypassing the first charge’s standard 10-year maximum sentence. If the verdict is upheld, the longest individual sentence of 20 years could be enforced.
Ghazanfari was
arrested
at his home in Tehran on January 19, 2026. Security agents searched his home and workplace, and confiscated electronic devices, books, and professional equipment.
HRANA
reported
that Ghazanfari
suffers
from
heart failure, high blood pressure
, and asthma. Despite prison doctors recommending specialized treatment outside the facil
