HRANA – During the nationwide protests, at least 22 citizens were arrested in the cities of Kerman, Tehran, Semnan, and Lumar in Ilam Province. Additionally, a video containing forced confessions from five of these citizens has been released, though it is unclear under what conditions the footage was recorded. Meanwhile, Abdolreza Ghandehari, a teacher, and Mohsen Baveri were arrested in recent days in the cities of Neyshabur and Abdanan. Furthermore, the IRGC Intelligence announced the arrest or summoning of at least 735 individuals across the country.
According to Mehr News Agency, two citizens were arrested in connection with the protests in Kerman. This media outlet claimed that one of them was the main figure involved in cooperation with Mossad and was arrested in Kerman by agents of the IRGC Intelligence Organization.
Channels close to security institutions also reported the arrest of three individuals in Semnan. According to these reports, the arrests were carried out in connection with the nationwide protests, and the detainees have been accused of cooperating with Mossad.
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) also announced that 16 citizens were arrested in Tehran by agents of The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility. These individuals were accused of damaging public property. The Ministry of Intelligence further claimed that “40 firearms, a number of homemade bombs, and a large quantity of alcoholic beverages” were discovered in their possession.
Separately, Tasnim News Agency, citing the IRGC Intelligence, reported that at least 735 individuals have been arrested or summoned nationwide.
The IRGC Intelligence described these arrests and summonses under charges such as “elements linked to anti-security networks and members of networks cooperating with foreign intelligence services.” The organization also claimed that 46 of these individuals were members of foreign intelligence services and alleged that 743 unauthorized military and hunting weapons were confiscated from them. This security-affiliated media outlet further reported that one citizen from Lumar in Ilam Province was arrested by security forces.
These reports have also included videos of forced confessions from five individuals, with no information available regarding the conditions under which the recordings were made.
In addition, Abdolreza Ghandehari, a teacher from Neyshabur, was arrested in that city. According to reports by a teachers’ union channel, Mr. Ghandehari was arrested on January 17 during the nationwide protests in Neyshabur. Since then, he has had no contact with his family, and no information has been obtained regarding his condition or place of detention, raising serious concerns among his family. Abdolreza Ghandehari has previously faced judicial action due to his activities.
Kurdpa News Agency also reported on the continued detention and lack of information regarding a citizen named Mohsen Baveri from Abdanan. According to this report, he was arrested on January 17 in Abdanan, and no information has since been made available about his condition. Despite the family’s follow-ups with judicial authorities, officials have refused to provide clear answers regarding his fate, further intensifying the concerns of his family and relatives.
As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the charges against these individuals or their place of detention.
It should be noted that protests and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days spread beyond bazaars and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests turned into one of the most widespread movements in recent years. For more information, readers may refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-sixth day of the protests, published last night.
