HRANA News Agency – In recent days, security and law enforcement forces have arrested 13 citizens in the cities of Astara, Urmia, Mahabad, and Rudsar, with some transferred to undisclosed locations.
According to Mehr News Agency, Jalaleddin Javanmardi, the police chief of Rudsar, announced today the arrest of five individuals in the city. He stated that the arrests were made over allegations of “collaborating with Israel on social media,” “insulting religious sanctities,” and “disturbing public opinion.”
Javanmardi, detailing the case, said that the police acted in response to online posts insulting religious sanctities and deceased IRGC commanders, sharing pro-Israel clips, and publishing offensive content against Iranian officials.
He added that the detainees include a 52-year-old woman and four men aged 31, 39, 40, and 41, who were arrested in Rahimabad, Kelachay, and the central district of Rudsar County. All were transferred to a police station and referred to the judiciary after case files were opened.
ILNA also reported the arrest of four citizens in Astara, quoting the city’s police chief, Morteza Ahadi. Ahadi said the arrests took place on Friday, June 27, on charges such as “espionage” and “propaganda against the regime.”
He added that the detainees, two men and two women from western provinces, were arrested along with digital evidence. Their phones allegedly contained photos and videos from Astara and other cities, which were reportedly sent to opposition networks. They had also applied for asylum in European countries.
On June 25, 2025, security forces arrested a citizen in Urmia. Kurdpa identified the individual as Alireza Khaledi, 22, a resident of Hasanabad village in the Sumay Baradost region. Security agents reportedly detained Mr. Khaledi without presenting a judicial warrant and transferred him to an undisclosed location.
Reports also indicate that on June 24, another citizen was arrested in Urmia by security forces. Kolbar News identified him as Bakhtiar Azizi, a resident of the Dizaj area. According to the report, security agents also arrested him without a court order. On the same day, two more individuals—Afshin Azizi and Kako Azizi—were also detained in Urmia.
Kolbar News further reported the arrests of two additional citizens about ten days ago. Authorities transferred both to an undisclosed location. They were identified as Hazhar Asadpour, 27, an employee of the Red Crescent, and Keyvan Ashtab, 29, an emergency medical technician at Mahabad Hospital.
As of now, there is no information regarding the whereabouts or charges against these individuals.
