Iran cracks down on protest supporters, seizing businessman’s assets and sentencing teacher

Iranian authorities have intensified actions against individuals linked to the widespread protests that began in December 2023. In the Caspian port city of Noshahr, the head of the local judiciary ordered the seizure and sealing of all assets and bank accounts belonging to businessman and entrepreneur Mohammad Saadiyan, alleging he encouraged citizens to join the demonstrations.

Separately, the Revolutionary Court in Ilam sentenced retired teacher Ahmad Alizadeh to two years in prison, a one‑year travel ban, passport cancellation and over 1,080 hours of unpaid public service for alleged propaganda against the regime and insults to the system’s founder and leader. Both cases are part of a broader government effort to suppress dissent and recover alleged damages from protest participants.