HRANA – Ahmad Taj and Ali Shakouri Rad in Tehran; Erfan Arabi, a student in Birjand; Amirmohammad Sarafraz in Bojnurd; and Behzad Abdi in Miandoab were arrested in connection with the recent protests.
Hossein Taj, an attorney, stated regarding the arrest of his brother that he was detained in Tehran on January 11 and is currently being held at Greater Tehran Prison. He has been charged with ‘assembly and collusion against national security’. Meanwhile, Erfan Arabi, a 20-year-old computer engineering student at Islamic Azad University of Birjand, was arrested after being summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence office in Birjand.
A source close to Mr. Arabi’s family confirmed the arrest to HRANA, stating that he is facing charges of propaganda against the state and assembly and collusion to act against national security, and that he was transferred to prison after appearing at the Ministry of Intelligence office in Birjand.
Additionally, Hamshahri Online reported that Ali Shakouri Rad, a member of the Central Council of the Ettehad-e Mellat Party, was arrested by judicial order. According to the report, Shakouri Rad had recently made comments about the protests in an audio file. His remarks drew strong reactions from political figures, including Amir-Hossein Sabeti, a member of parliament, who called for judicial action against him.
The outlet Kurdpa also reported the arrest of two citizens identified as Amir-Mohammad Sarafraz, a resident of Bojnurd, and Behzad Abdi, 25, married and the father of one child, from Miandoab. Mr. Sarafraz was arrested on January 13, and Behzad Abdi was detained in the early hours of today. Their place of detention remains unknown.
It should be noted that demonstrations and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and within two days expanded beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became among the largest in recent years. Following their suppression by law enforcement and security forces, thousands have been killed or injured, and tens of thousands have been arrested or summoned by security agencies.
For further details, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the forty-third day of the protests, published last night.
