Sadegh Saeedinia jailed and assets seized in Iran

Sadegh Saeedinia, manager of the Saeedinia café chain, has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison and has had his assets confiscated by the Iranian state. The legal action follows his support for the January 2026 protests against the Islamic Republic, which included social media posts and encouraging staff to participate in strikes by shutting down businesses.

Saeedinia was convicted of charges including “propaganda against national security” and supporting hostile groups. In addition to his prison sentence, he faces a two-year ban from the café industry upon his release. The judiciary has labeled him an “instigator” of protests in Qom.

The crackdown has extended to his family; his father, Mohammad Saeedinia, has also faced legal action resulting in the closure of their establishments. The state claims Mohammad’s assets are equivalent to financial losses incurred during the unrest. This case reflects a broader trend in Iran of using property confiscation as a tool to suppress dissent and assert political control.