Baneh Prison: Hoshyar Shabani Released on 2.4 Billion Toman Bail After 53 Days of Arbitrary Detention
October 12, 2025; Hoshyar Shabani, a civil activist and political prisoner, was temporarily released from Baneh Prison on Saturday, October 11, 2025, after 53 days of arbitrary detention, upon posting a bail of 2.4 billion Tomans. Kurdpa previously reported that on October 4, 2025, after being held for 46 days in a security detention center in Sanandaj, he was transferred to Baneh Prison following the completion of his interrogation, where security and judicial authorities initially requested a 3 billion Toman bail for his temporary release.
An informed source, in an interview with Kurdpa, confirmed the news of his temporary release and stated that although security and judicial institutions sought to exert further pressure by keeping him in legal limbo at Baneh Prison, the persistent efforts of his family, particularly his mother, eventually changed the course. According to the source, Hoshyar Shabani’s mother informed officials that if her son were not released, she would set up a tent in front of the court and refuse to leave. Following these efforts, his temporary release was granted with a bail of 2.4 billion Tomans, a reduction from the previously set 3 billion Tomans. The source added that throughout his 53-day arbitrary detention, his mother continuously followed up on his case status at security and judicial centers.
Throughout his detention, Hoshyar Shabani was deprived of the right to visitation and access to a lawyer, managed only a single few-second phone call during the early days of his arrest. Furthermore, security officials refused to provide any information regarding his health, specifically concerning the injuries he sustained during his arrest.
According to reliable information obtained by Kurdpa, Mr. Shabani was shot by Intelligence Department security forces during his arrest, sustaining three bullet wounds to his leg muscle.
On September 10, 2025, Kurdpa reported that after 22 days of arbitrary detention of Hoshyar Shabani and Omid Ahmadpour, no information was available regarding their fate or whereabouts, and they were denied all visitation and legal counsel rights.
The Arrest of Hoshyar Shabani and Omid Ahmadpour:
On Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Hoshyar Shabani, a former political prisoner from Baneh, was shot and violently arrested by security forces. On the same day, Omid Ahmadpour was also arbitrarily arrested without a warrant, solely because Shabani was using his vehicle at the time of the incident.
Hoshyar Shabani has faced years of systemic violence, including frequent arrests, security case-building, torture, and raids on his home.
Prior Security Pressures and Legal Record:
July 2025: Security forces conducted multiple raids on his home and relatives' properties to arrest him.
2023 Case: He was summoned on charges of "propaganda against the regime" after security forces failed to arrest him during a home raid.
2021 Case: Arrested without a warrant and held for 81 days. He suffered stomach bleeding due to torture and was hospitalized under tight security. He was later sentenced to one year of discretionary imprisonment, with eight months suspended for five years.
2017–2019: He faced multiple arrests and imprisonments for his civil activities, including support for Kolbars and participation in market strikes.
Hoshyar Shabani, 31, is a well-known civil activist in Baneh who has been repeatedly targeted for his involvement in local advocacy campaigns.
