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 facility, the judge has reportedly refused to authorize his transfer to a hospital.
In a separate case, Branch 2 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced journalist Omid Faraghat to 10 years and one day in prison and permanently barred him from government and public-sector employment for “media and propaganda activities by producing content and publishing false news online contrary to national security,” according to his cousin, Mohammed Faraghat, who confirmed the details to CPJ, and Mashgh-e Solh, an Iranian news website.
IranWire, an independent news outlet covering Iran, reported on October 28, citing the Khabaraneh Telegram news channel run by journalist and former political prisoner Mehdi Mahmoudian, that Faraghat was sentenced under Article 4 of Iran’s 2025 law intensifying punishments for espionage and cooperation with Israel and hostile states. The law also criminalizes certain political, cultural, and media activities, including publishing information authorities deem contrary to national security.
Mohammed Faraghat told CPJ that the sentence had not yet been enforced and that the family had challenged the ruling. He said the appeal deadline had been reduced from 20 days to 10 days under the legislation.
Faraghat was arrested on June 29, 2026, after being summoned by security police in Karaj, west of Tehran, and has since been held at Karaj Central Prison. He was initially accused of “disturbing public opinion” and “acting against national security.”
CPJ emailed Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York requesting comment but did not receive a response before publication.
This content originally appeared on Committee to Protect Journalists and was authored by CPJ Staff.