Two Individuals Detained in Zahedan

On Monday, November 13, Mesbah Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh and Abdolmatin Esmaeil Zahi Shah-Baksh were taken into custody by security forces in Zahedan and subsequently moved to an undisclosed facility, according to Haal Vsh.

Mesbah, 20 years old, and Abdolmatin, 21 years old, were reportedly apprehended on the street in Zahedan. The grounds for their detention, their current location, and the specific allegations against them remain unknown as of now.

Mahnaz Tarah Arrested in Tehran

Security forces in Tehran detained Mahnaz Tarah on November 13, transferring her to Evin Courthouse. Reports indicate Tarah was violently apprehended in the streets, and her companion, Farzin Rezaie Roshan, was reportedly assaulted during the arrest.

The motive behind Tarah’s arrest remains unclear. Notably, the residence of Rezaie Roshan, a former political prisoner, was subjected to a search by agents in September.

Tarah, who has previously encountered security and judicial challenges, was granted amnesty in February of this year, leading to her release from prison under a “general pardon and commutation” directive.

Kamyab Raei Arrested and Detained in Unspecified Location

On November 8, 2023, security forces apprehended Kamyab Raei, taking him to an undisclosed location.

A source with ties to his family reported Raei’s arrest at his residence. During the operation, the agents conducted a search of his house and seized some of his belongings. The motives behind Raei’s arrest, his current location, and the specific allegations against him remain unknown at this time.

Makki Grand Mosque Staff Member Arrested in Zahedan

On the evening of November 6, Abubakr Tohidi, a member of the camera crew at the Makki Grand Mosque, was detained by security forces in Zahedan and taken to an undisclosed location, according to a report by Haal Vsh.

Tohidi was reportedly apprehended at a police checkpoint in Zahedan. The grounds for his arrest, his current location, and the charges against him remain undisclosed at this time.

Student Parastoo Faridi Arrested in Tabriz

On November 4, 2023, Parastoo Faridi, a student at the University of Tabriz, was apprehended by security forces and subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Faridi was detained at her father’s residence in Tabriz. During the apprehension, intelligence agents conducted a search of their home and seized some of her personal belongings.

Parastoo Faridi is pursuing her studies in industrial engineering at the University of Tabriz.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Now is definitely not the time to stop reading!

UNGA-78 Side Event Highlights The Ongoing Persecution of Minorities in Iran

NEW YORK, NY – An event titled “One Year of ‘Woman, Life, Freedom’: The Ongoing Persecution of Minorities in the Islamic Republic of Iran” hosted by HRA in partnership with OutRight International was held yesterday in New York, at Scandinavia House. The gathering, in the margins of the 78th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA-78), addressed the ongoing human rights situation in Iran.

The event was a reminder of the challenges faced by minorities in Iran, especially in the wake of the “Woman, Life, Freedom” protests. The demonstrations, which began a year ago following the tragic death in detention of Zhina Mahsa Amini, have drawn attention to the Iranian authorities’ excessive use of force and rampant human rights violations.

Independent journalist, Deepa Parent, expertly moderated the session. Opening remarks were courageously delivered by Iranian human rights activists, who, despite the risks, provided virtual comments directly from within Iran.

Dr. Javaid Rehman, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, offered insightful keynote remarks that outlined the challenges and potential paths forward for improving human rights in the country.

Skylar Thompson, representing Human Rights Activists (HRA) presented three key areas the international community can urgently address the cycle of impunity in Iran including through continuing to support UN-led investigations including through the renewal of the FFMI mandate, the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Iran and steadfast support for resolutions on Iran. Second, she added the need for pursuing international pathways to justice notably through the use of universal jurisdiction in light of the unwillingness to investigate violations domestically. She concluded that the continued and united condemnation against violations of human rights and international law are essential because as she stated, “silence is complicity.”

Other panelists, including Simin Fahendej from the Baha’i International Community (BIC) and Awin Mostafazade from Kurdpa, provided rich context to the discussion, shedding light on the depth and breadth of discrimination that various minority groups encounter daily.

As the event concluded, the consensus was clear: the international community must redouble its efforts to address the plight of minorities in Iran. The event, which was open to the media, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on all who attended.

Watch the event here:

Four Sunni Religious Students Detained in Zahedan

On October 26, 2023, reports emerged that security forces apprehended four Sunni clerical students from the Makki Grand Mosque of Zahedan, taking them to an undisclosed location, according to Haal Vsh.

The arrests occurred shortly after the individuals had left the Mosque, and they were reportedly taken into custody by plainclothes agents.

As of now, the identities of these students, their current locations, and the specific charges against them remain undisclosed. The situation is being closely monitored for further developments.

Naser Razmjoo Arrested in Ardabil, Current Charges Unknown

On Saturday, October 21, security forces apprehended Naser Razmjoo (Razmju) in Ardabil, subsequently relocating him to the Ministry of Intelligence detention facility in Tabriz.

Despite the circumstances surrounding his arrest, Razmjoo managed to contact his family, notifying them of his detention.
As of now, the reasons behind Razmjoo’s arrest and the allegations against him remain undisclosed.

Lawyer Naser Sargeran Arrested

On October 11, 2023, security forces apprehended Naser Sargeran, a lawyer living with a visual impairment, in Saqqez, subsequently relocating him to the Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility in Sanandaj.

According to a report by Kurdpa, Sargeran was taken into custody at his residence in Saqqez. It’s important to note that in addition to his legal profession, Sargeran also serves as a university lecturer and is an advocate for disability rights.

The specific reasons behind this arrest, as well as any charges that may have been filed against him, remain unknown at this juncture.

Eghbal Majidi Detained in Sanandaj

In a recent development, on October 14, 2023, Eghbal Majidi was apprehended by security forces in Sanandaj. According to reports from Kurdpa, he was subsequently taken to an undisclosed location.

Majidi’s arrest took place at his workplace, and it is worth noting that the arresting agents did not present an arrest warrant. They also conducted searches at both his workplace and residence.

At this time, the exact grounds for his arrest, the specific allegations against him, and his current whereabouts remain shrouded in uncertainty.