Follow-up Report: Number of Detainees from Sunday in Mahabad Rises to 11

With the identification of four additional citizens named Othman Jahanifar, Ayoub Rasouli, Ribvar Rasouli, and Rahman Dana, the number of individuals arrested by security forces in Mahabad on Sunday, December 15, has increased to at least 11.

Other detainees from that day include Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, Ghader Kharamanfar, Yousef Ghal, Aram Mabzooleh, and Zaniar Seyed-Ahmadi. Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi was released a few hours after his arrest.

The arrests were carried out by security forces without presenting judicial warrants and involved searches of the detainees’ homes. Following their detention, the individuals were transferred to a security detention facility in Urmia.

As of now, no information has been obtained regarding the reasons for the arrests or the charges brought against these citizens.

Four Citizens Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

Yesterday, December 15, Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, and Ghader Kharamanfar, residents of Mahabad, were arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

The identities of the detainees have been confirmed as Siamand Seyed-Ahmadi, Kamal Masoudi, Jalal Sadafi, and Ghader Kharamanfar.

It is also worth noting that earlier today, three other residents of Mahabad—Yousef Ghal, Aram Mabzooleh, and Zaniar Seyed-Ahmadi—were arrested as well.

As of now, no information has been made available regarding the reasons for the arrests, the detainees’ whereabouts, or the charges against them.

Ayoub Damavandi Sentenced to Over 5 Years in Prison

Ayoub Damavandi, a resident of Piranshahr County, has been sentenced to five years and 15 days in prison by the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, according to Kurdpa.

The report states that Branch 1 of the Revolutionary Court of Mahabad, presided over by Judge Doosti, recently sentenced Mr. Damavandi to five years and 15 days in prison on charges of espionage.

Mr. Damavandi was arrested at his home in Piranshahr on August 1, 2023, by security forces without a judicial warrant and transferred to one of the IRGC Intelligence detention facilities in Urmia.

Ayoub Damavandi, a resident of a village in Piranshahr County, was eventually transferred to Naghadeh Prison one month later after the completion of interrogation procedures.

Solmaz Hassanzadeh Sentenced to One Year in Prison

Solmaz Hassanzadeh, sister of Mohammad Hassanzadeh, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests, has been sentenced to one year in prison by judicial authorities.

According to Kurdpa, the one-year sentence was issued by Branch 101 of Criminal Court Two in Bukan, presided over by Judge Mehdi Fakhri, on the charge of “propaganda against the regime.”

Though cases of this nature typically fall under the jurisdiction of the Revolutionary Court, the lack of such a court in Bukan means security-related cases are first referred to the Revolutionary Court in Mahabad. Once a decision is reached, the case is returned to Bukan’s Criminal Court for sentencing.

On July 30, Solmaz and her father were arrested by security forces while attempting to hold a memorial ceremony for Mohammad’s birthday. The next day, her father, Ahmad Hassanzadeh, was released on a bail of four billion tomans, while Solmaz was released on August 13 after posting a bail of 500 million tomans.

Solmaz Hassanzadeh had previously been detained by security forces at a checkpoint between Bukan and Saqqez on September 27 of last year, and was subsequently released.

Mohammad Hassanzadeh, a 28-year-old Bukan resident, was fatally shot during the 2022 protests and passed away on November 16 of that year.

Taher Katani Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

On September 20, Taher Katani, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location, according to Kolbar News.

This report states that Katani’s arrest occurred on Friday, September 20, by security forces without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

So far, no information has been released regarding the reasons for his arrest, his whereabouts, or the charges against him.

Taher Katani, a native of Laj village, a suburb of Mahabad in West Azerbaijan province, has previously been arrested.

 

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Siavash Soltani Arrested by Security Forces

On September 3, Siavash Soltani, the son of Kobra Shaykheh, who was one of the victims of the 2022 nationwide protests, was arrested by security forces in Mahabad and transferred to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

The report states that early this morning, security forces entered Mr. Soltani’s home without presenting a judicial warrant, arrested him, and transferred him to an undisclosed location. The arrest of this citizen was carried out with violence.

No information is available about the reasons for his arrest or the charges against him.

Kabri Shaykheh, a 59-year-old resident of Mahabad, was shot and killed by security forces on October 5, 2022, during gatherings held after the funeral of Esmaeil Moloudi, another victim of the 2022 nationwide protests.

Teenager Arrested by Security Forces in Mahabad

On September 3, security forces arrested 16-year-old Ramyar Abubakri, a resident of Mahabad, and transferred him to an undisclosed location, according to Kurdpa.

Ramyar is the brother of Zaniar Abubakri, who was killed by regime forces during the 2022 nationwide protests.

The arrest was reportedly carried out without a judicial warrant, using violence, and took place in the family’s home.

As of the time of this report, there is no information regarding the reasons for Ramyar’s arrest, his current location, or the charges against him.

It is worth noting that Zaniar Abubakri, a 22-year-old resident of Mahabad, was shot and killed in this city during the nationwide protests in November 2022.

Although precise statistics on child arrests are not available, the Department of Statistics and Publication of Human Rights Activists in Iran reports that at least 130 individuals under the age of 18 have been detained by security forces. For a detailed analysis of these figures and more information on executions in Iran, please refer to HRANA’s annual report.

Brothers Arrested in Mahabad by Security Forces

On Wednesday, August 14, security forces arrested 13-year-old Mardin Rasoulzadeh and his brother, 22-year-old Ehsan Rasoulzadeh, in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province, and transferred them to an unknown location, according to Kolbar News.

Security forces reportedly apprehended the brothers at their family home without presenting a judicial warrant. The family’s efforts to obtain information about their sons’ whereabouts have so far been unsuccessful, with security agencies refusing to provide any specific details regarding their status.

No information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest, their current location, or the charges against them.

Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad Arrested by Security Forces

On Wednesday, August 14th, Gelavizh Mohammadi-Arshad, a 45-year-old resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in the city and transferred to an unknown location, as reported by Kurdpa.

The arrest occurred in Mahabad without the presentation of a judicial warrant.

As of the time of this report, no information is available regarding the reasons for the arrest, the location of detention, or the charges against her.

Death-Row Political Prisoner Pakhshan Azizi Hit with New Charges

Pakhshan Azizi, a political prisoner sentenced to death and currently held in Evin Prison, is now facing new charges, as reported by Kurdpa.

The report states that Ms. Azizi has been accused of “rioting in prison” in a new case initiated by Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office. This charge is reportedly related to the second round of the 1403 presidential elections.

Earlier this month, Ms. Azizi was sentenced to death by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, on charges including membership in anti-regime groups.

Pakhshan Azizi, a resident of Mahabad, was arrested by security forces in Tehran on August 4, 2023, and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

This political detainee was deprived of the right to access a private lawyer and meet with her family for a long time. Eventually, after four months of interrogation, she was transferred to the women’s ward of this prison.

Ms. Azizi was formally charged in February of 2023 at Evin Courthouse, and her indictment was referred to Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

Azizi had previously faced arrest and judicial confrontations. She was detained by security forces on November 16, 2009, and released on bail after four months.

Reports from the Department of Statistics and Publication of HRA in 2023 indicate a total of 193 cases in which Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Iman Afshari, has been involved in issuing verdicts that infringe upon the human rights of defendants.