Tag: Shadegan

Continued Arrests of Citizens in Khuzestan: Eight More Detained

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Freedom of Expression, News
Ahmad Zanbouri, ahvaz, Bagher Shavardi, Emad Mazraeh, Hossein Albuobaid, Hossein Shalibavi, Khuzestan province, Ma'leh Shavardi, Mohsen Berihi, Shadegan, Tareq Janami

HRANA News Agency – In the ongoing wave of arrests in Khuzestan Province, eight more citizens—identified as Emad Mazraeh, Hossein Albuobaid, Hossein Shalibavi, Ma’leh Shavardi, Mohsen Berihi, Ahmad Zanbouri, Tareq Janami, and Bagher Shavardi—have been detained by security forces in the cities of Ahvaz and Shadegan in recent days.

  • Identities and Details:
    • Emad Mazraeh was arrested on January 10, and Hossein Albuobaid and Bagher Shavardi were arrested on January 13 in Shadegan. Security forces searched the homes of Mazraeh and Albuobaid and confiscated family members’ phones.
    • On Saturday, January 11, Hossein Shalibavi, Ma’leh Shavardi, Mohsen Berihi, Ahmad Zanbouri, and Tareq Janami were arrested in Ahvaz.

The reasons for these arrests and the current whereabouts of the detainees remain unknown.

Since last week, reports indicate that dozens of individuals have been arrested across Khuzestan Province. HRANA previously identified 30 of the detained individuals.

According to data from the Department of Statistics and Publications of HRA in 2024, Khuzestan Province ranked second in reported human rights violations by Iran’s regime, trailing only Tehran Province.

Milad Bahri Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
HRANA, Khuzestan province, Milad Bahri, Shadegan, میلاد بحری

Milad Bahri, a resident of Shadegan, Khuzestan province, was arrested by security forces on Monday, January 6, 2025, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mr. Bahri was detained by agents of The Ministry of Intelligence in Shadegan. The reasons for his arrest and his current whereabouts remain unknown at this time.

Milad Bahri, a photojournalist from Shadegan, has previously been arrested due to his activities.

According to data collected in 2024 by the Department of Statistics and Publications of HRA, Khuzestan Province ranked second in the number of human rights violations committed by Iran’s regime, following Tehran Province.

Citizen Killed in Direct Shooting by Military Forces

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News, Other
Khuzestan province, Musa Janami, Shadegan

On November 28, 2022, in Shadegan, Khuzestan Province, military forces shot a citizen dead on suspicion of fuel smuggling.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, a citizen identified by HRANA as Musa Janami, age 28, was shot dead by military forces in Shadegan County.

An informed source told HRANA that Janami was carrying empty diesel fuel barrels with a truck, and then military forces opened fire at the vehicle, causing his death.

According to this source, security forces have pressured Janami’s family not to publicize this incident.

 

HRANA’s Daily Review of Protests in Iran

Posted on by A MN
Labor and Guilds, News
Fatemieh Yazd, Fulad Pension Fund, Iran-Iraq war veterans, Khuzestan, Ministry of Education, service workers, Shadegan, Yazd

On Saturday, August 20, and Sunday, August 21, 2022, at least six protests took place in Iran.

Saturday, August 20

A number of educators recruited in the recruiting plan Mehr Afrain gathered in front of the Ministry of Education to protest against their poor living conditions and ask for the implementation of the educators’ classification plan.

A group of service workers of the Ministry of Education gathered before the Ministry in Tehran to demand the job modification and working as educators as the Ministry had previously approved.

 

The residents of Shadegan, Khuzestan Province, demonstrated in front of the Governor’s office in protest against repeated power outages. Reportedly, some of the protestors gathered in the building to protest.

Sunday, August 21,

The pensioners of the Fulad Pension Fund gathered before the building of this fund in Isfahan to protest against not addressing their issues.

A number of citizens who have purchased apartments in a housing project Fatemieh Yazd protested against breaching the contract rules regarding the allocation of housing units.

A number of Iran-Iraq war veterans held a protest in front of Tehran Municipality.

 

Ronak Rezai Arrested and Taken to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Arash Ghaleh-Golab, Khuzestan province, Metropol building collapse, Mohammad Soveylat, Ronak Rezai, Sepidar Prison, Shadegan

Security forces arrested Ronak Rezai, a resident of Abadan and transferred her to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz. Her arrest is related to the recent protests following Abadan’s Metropol building collapse.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Ronak Rezai was arrested in Abadan and jailed in Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz.

The reason for the arrest and the charges are unknown so far.

In recent days,  a number of citizens were arrested during the protests. HRANA has earlier reported the arrest of the journalist and poet Arash Ghaleh-Golab in Abadan and Mohammad Soveylat, age 22, in Shadegan, in Khuzestan Province.

On Monday afternoon, May 23, 2022, a 10-story building which was known as Metropol collapsed in the city of Abadan in Khuzestan Province. Over 30 individuals were killed, injured or trapped in the rubble. Following the collapse, hundreds of citizens in Abadan and several other cities demonstrated against the government and its failure to impose safety standards on the construction which led to the disaster.

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Report on Current Nationwide Protests: Hundreds Arrested; Dozens Killed and Injured

Posted on by A MN
Freedom of Expression, News
ahvaz, Andimeshk, Ardabil, Babaheydar, Borujerd, Cholicheh, Dehdasht, Dezful, Dorud, Farsan, Fashafouyeh, Golpayegan, Hafshejan, Hamidieh, HRANA, HRANA's report on nationwide protests, Izeh, Jarahi Town Mahshahr, Junaqan, Karevan Town, Khorramabad, Mahshahr, Masjed Soleiman, nationwide protests, Neyshabur, Pordanjan, Rasht, Shadegan, Shahrekord, Suq, Surshjan, Susangerd, Yasuj, Yazd

During the last two weeks, triggered by food price hikes, nationwide protests erupted in more than 31 cities across 10 provinces. HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, has recorded 53 demonstrations so far. 

According to HRANA, on Friday, May 6, 2022, following the government’s decision to cut subsidies on essential food items such as dairy products, flour, cooking oil, chicken, and eggs leading to soaring prices, the call for rallying against soaring prices went viral on social media. In the following days, several protests broke out in Khuzestan Province and soon swept through numerous cities across the country.

Prior to these protests, a series of protests and gatherings of teachers, labor workers and the retirees who had lost their pensions due to the government’s risky financial decisions had been sweeping across the country leading to dozens being arrested.

The new rounds of protests sparked initially in Susangerd City and other neighboring cities in Khuzestan Province. In the following days, at least 30 Arab-speaking citizens were arrested by security forces.

Soon after, the protests spread to other cities and provinces. The videos received from citizen journalists indicate that the protestors chanted slogans against inflation as well as the Iranian regime leaders, including President Ebrahim Raeisi and Supreme Leader Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

The map below shows the locations where the protests were.

As the map shows, the protests took place in the following cities: Izeh, Susangerd, Hamidieh, Ahvaz, Mahshahr, Masjed Soleiman, Shadegan, Jarahi Town Mahshahr, Dorud, Andimeshk, Dezful, Shahrekord, Junaqan, Fashafouyeh, Yasuj, Ardabil, Farsan, Khorramabad, Dehdasht, Borujerd, Suq, Yazd, Golpayegan, Cholicheh, Rasht, Neyshabur, Surshjan, Hafshejan, Babaheydar, Karevan Town and Pordanjan.

In total, 53 protests have been recorded. Moreover, 45 times, the attempts to start a protest were foiled due to the heavy presence of police and security forces in the streets. 

The map below shows the locations of 53 protests and the time periods.

During these protests, at least on 22 occasions in 14 cities, the police and security forces used tear gas, warning shots, pellet guns and in some cases heavy weapons against the protestors. In nine cities, tear gas and in 14 cities warning shots were used to scatter the crowds. In eight cities, security forces fired straight toward the crowds. Reportedly, security forces have used pellet guns, Kalashnikov assault rifles and paintball guns to disperse the protestors.

The map below shows the places where crackdowns and unrestrained shootings have been reported.

Since the beginning of the protests on Friday, May 6, the government disrupted the internet in several areas in Ahvaz in an attempt to prevent the protests. In the days that followed, Internet disruption was also reported in at least 10 cities.

In addition to intentional Internet disruption, the press was banned from covering the protests.

According to the reports obtained from local sources, at least 449 individuals were arrested during the protests.

So far, six people have been confirmed dead. These people have been identified as Pishali Ghalebi Hajivand (Dezful), Saadat Hadipour (Hafshejan), Jamshid Mokhtari Junaqani (Junaqan), Omid Soltani (Andimeshk), Hamid Ghasempour (Farsan City), and Behrooz Eslami (Babaheydar). HRANA can only confirm the reports on the death of the first two individuals mentioned above.

From all videos of protests which are circulating on social media, HRANA has verified the authenticity of 30 video reports which compilation you can watch below:

 

Summary Report from the Second Week of Khuzestan Protests; Protests in 41 Cities

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Freedom of Expression
Abadan, Abou Homeyzeh, ahvaz, Behbahan, Bostan, Elhaei, hamidiyeh, Horr, Hoveyzeh, Izeh, Karkheh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Kut Abdullah, Kut Seyed Naeem, Mahshahr, Masjed-e-Soliman, Mollasani, Ramhormoz, Ramshir, Shadegan, Shavur, Sheiban, Shush, Veys Chamran

In the two weeks since their start on the evening of July 15, public rallies in cities throughout Khuzestan over water cuts and provincial officials’ resource mismanagement have spread to at least 41 cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, dozens have been killed and injured during the protests, and hundreds were detained. HRANA has identified a number of victims along with 171 detained citizens in Khuzestan and other parts of Iran. The following report also reveals some of the human rights violators and addresses issues such as internet cuts, the security atmosphere, and reactions since the protests started.

Abstract

Citizens of Khuzestan have held protest rallies in at least 26 cities including Ahvaz, Susangerd, Hamidiyeh, Abadan, Kut Abdollah, Khorramshahr, Mahshahr, Bostan, Mollasani, Shadegan, Hoveyzeh, Abou Homeyzeh, Shavur, Karkheh, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Veys Chamran, Izeh, Behbahan, Masjed-e-Soliman, Sheiban, Ramshir, Elhaei, Ramhormoz and Horr. In many cases, the protests have escalated into violence with the presence of military and security forces.On a number of occasions, police have opened fire and released tear gas towards protesters. HRANA has received videos showing the heavy presence of security forces and special forces vehicles in several cities in Khuzestan province.

Two citizens living in Susangerd emphasized the security climate in the city is very strong and told a HRANA reporter, “Officers with military equipment have been deployed into the streets and have caused terror among the citizens of this city.”

After the protests of the people of Khuzestan, people in the cities of Mashhad, Karaj, Saqqez, Bojnourd, Ardabil, Tabriz, Aligudarz, Bandar Genaveh, Tehran, Robat Karim, Kermanshah, Meybod, Yazdanshahr, and Baharestan of Isfahan also held protest rallies.

In addition to supporting the protests in Khuzestan, the protesters chanted slogans such as “Death to the dictator”, “Shame on Khamenei, leave the country alone”, “Iranians would die, but will not accept humiliation,” “do not be afraid, we are all together,” ” Zealous Iranians, support us,” and “We do not want the Islamic Republic”.

HRANA has received videos showing the continued presence of large numbers of security forces and special forces vehicles in many of above-mentioned cities where mass protests have taken place.

A citizen living in Tehran who was present at the protest rallies in the city told HRANA, “Besides supporting Khuzestan, we are protesting unemployment, high prices, poverty, and the existing problems in the country. We can no longer bear the hardships of life created by unworthy officials. The authorities must address the problems in the society that have filled the tolerance threshold of the people, instead of repressing and detentions.”

In response to the question of “whether anyone has been arrested in connection with the protests in Tehran”, The NAJA police Commander Ashtari clarified, “The leaders have been identified and measures have been taken with judicial coordination.”

In a short conversation with HRANA, a citizen who was present during the Tehran protests reported the arrest of at least 50 citizens after the rally. According to him, the families of the detainees went to the Evin court on Tuesday, July 27, to follow up on the status of the detained members of their families.

According to reports received by HRANA, cellphones and home internet have been cut off in many parts of Khuzestan province, and internet disconnections have been reported in other cities of the country. According to citizens, this disorder has also affected people’s jobs and income besides disrupting communication and limiting access to news.

The global internet watchdog website “Netblocks” earlier confirmed the internet disruptions since the protests took place in Khuzestan saying that “widespread Internet disruptions in Iran have occurred since Thursday, July 15, following popular protests in Khuzestan province and it continues.”

Comments from officials and other reactions

The protests have provoked reactions from many officials, experts and critics, human rights organizations and institutions, artistic figures, and others. Some officials have tried to deny that protests even took place, others have threatened protestors and attributed the rallies to “dissident groups”. Some other officials confirmed the arrests and use of violence against citizens and called for the protesters’ demands to be addressed. In this regard, Qassem Sa’edi, a representative of the people of Azadegan plain confirmed the news of the death of two young men during the protests in Shadegan and Karun counties, and claimed, “The law enforcement and security forces did not move against protesters and shootings came from terrorist groups”!

Waliollah Hayati, the governor’s deputy security chief in Khuzestan, said the protests in the cities of Khuzestan province were “limited” and claimed that the protests ended “peacefully” and that no one was killed in Susangerd. He told IRNA that the news published about killings are “negative and false” and that the publishers would be dealt with.

Fars News Agency that is close to the Revolutionary Guards, in a report on Tuesday, July 20, confirmed the shooting of the military forces and claimed that “the NAJA police shooting is to take care of the protests and the demands of the people of Khuzestan.”

Without giving details, on July 20, the governor of Behbahan confirmed the arrest of a number of people whom he called “norm-breakers” in the city.

In a threatening statement, the Ahvaz prosecutor called the protesting people of Khuzestan “rioters” and threatened that “They will be harshly confronted.”

Ali Shamkhani, secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, confirmed the arrest of the protesters in a post on his social media page, claiming: “he has ordered the security forces to immediately release the detainees if they have not committed any criminal acts.”

The Khuzestan police chief also called the protesters “disturbers of order and security” and threatened them with “decisive confrontation.”

On the other hand, institutions, organizations, and some popular figures issued statements in support of the protesting people.

Iranian Writers’ Association, Theater House, Human Rights Defenders Association, Iranian Music House, more than 600 film artists, Hamedan Teachers’ Union, a number of artists from Fars province, more than 230 lawyers, Amnesty International, A group of political, social, union and human rights activists, the Tehran Teachers’ Union, the Human Rights Watch, and more than one hundred and thirty documentary filmmakers, issued separate statements supporting the protests of the people of Khuzestan and condemning the repression of the protesters.

Names of human rights violators identified in relation to the protests:

The Spreading Justice (human rights violators’ databases) has revealed the names of the eleven main violators of human rights in the protests, citing details of their actions, as are outlined below.

 

Abbas Mohammadi, as the police commander of Aligudarz city in Lorestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July 22 protests by the forces under his command in this city.

Hojat Sefidpoost, as Izeh police chief, is involved in the violent suppression of the July protests by forces under his command in the city.

Seyed Mohammad Akbari Salehi, commander of the Khuzestan police force and a member of the provincial security council, is responsible for the violent repression of the citizens in July protests, by forces under his command.

Valiollah Hayati, as the head of Khuzestan province’s security-law enforcement coordinator with the armed forces (including the police and the Revolutionary Guards) and a member of the provincial security council on behalf of the governor, is responsible for violently suppressing the July protests in this province.

Qassem Soleimani Dashtaki, as the governor and chairman of the provincial security council, is involved in the violent suppression of the July protests of the citizens by the security and law enforcement forces.

Reza Papey, as the police commander of Mahshahr city, is involved in the suppression of the July protests and their murder. He is also responsible for the violent repression of protesters in November 2019.

Yahya Elahi, as the police commander of Lorestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July 22 protests in the city of Aligudarz by the forces under his command.

Fereydoun Bandari, as the acting governor of Mahshahr port in Khuzestan province, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by security and law enforcement forces in this city.

Eskandar Jamashiani, as Shadegan police chief, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by forces under his command.

Seyed Qassem Mousavi, as the police chief of Dasht-e Azadegan, is responsible for the violent suppression of the July protests by the forces under his command in this city, especially in the city of Susangerd.

Hassan Shahvarpour, as the commander of the Khuzestan Provincial Corps (Valiasr Corps), besides in the Khuzestan protests, played a key role in violently suppressing the protesters during the November 2019 protests, and in violating people’s right to freedom, the right to protest, and especially the right to life, in this province. In 2020, the United States placed Hassan Shahvar Pour on its human rights sanctions list for his role in commanding the massacre of protesters in Khuzestan.

Killed citizens of the protests

So far, various reports have named at least 10 people killed in the protests.

HRANA has been able to confirm the death of 6 of them based on confirmed reports and based on its sources. Other names are still under investigation. The confirmed victims are as follows:

Mostafa Naeemavi (Asakereh) from Shadegan, killed on July 16.

Qasem (Naseri) Khediri from Kut Abdollah, who was injured on July 16 and died in hospital on July 17.

Meysam Echresh from the city of Kureh (Taleghani town), who was injured on July 18 and died in hospital on July 21.

Hadi Bahmani from the village of Susan in Izeh, killed on July 22

Omid Azarkhosh from Aligudarz in Lorestan was killed on July 22

Hamzeh (Farzad) Farisat, 32years-old, from Alavi in Ahvaz, killed on July 20

Hrana is still investigating the reports about three murder of other citizens, Issa Baldi from Taleghani town in Mahshahr, Mohammad Chenani from Shus, Hamid Majdam (Jokari) from Chamran, and Amir Mashari (Ebadi) from Mahshahr.

Detained citizens

Although reports from various cities in the country indicate that hundreds have been detained, due to restrictions on the free flow of information in Iran, and the Iranian authorities’ refusal to allow independent civil society organizations to operate inside the country, HRANA has only been able to identify detention of 171.  122 citizens in Khuzestan, 23 in Tabriz, 2 citizens in Urmia, 14 citizens in Tehran, 1 citizen in Ardabil, 3 citizens in Behbahan, 1 citizen in Junqan section of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, and 5 citizens in Kermanshah.

 

The date, place of detention, and the status of these cases are as follows:

  1. 1. Ahmad Asli, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  2. 2. Ahmad Savari, son of Abdol Ali Shamil, arrested on July 20 in Alavi in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  3. 3. Ahmad Mojaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: Unknown
  4. 4. Esmail Jalali, son of Hassan, 40 years old, arrested on July 21 in Susangerd. Latest status: unknown
  5. 5. Ashkan Sa’adat Mehr, arrested on July 24, in Urmia. Latest status: freed
  6. 6. Afshin Hamoudi, arrested on July 26, in Kermanshah. Latest status: unknown
  7. 7. Akbar Gholizadeh, arrested on July 24 in Urmia. Latest status: freed
  8. 8. Omid Saeedi, arrested on July 23, in Tehran. Latest status: imprisoned in quarantine in Greater Tehran Prison
  9. 9. Omid Tusi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  10. 10. Amir Alhaei, son of Khalaf, arrested on July 22 in Elhaei. Latest status: unknown
  11. 11. Amir Sattari, a citizen of Tabriz and a former political prisoner, arrested on July 22 in Tabriz, latest status: Unknown
  12. 12. Ahura Mohammadi, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  13. 13. Olduz Ghasemi, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: she is imprisoned in Tabriz prison, and bail requested.
  14. 14. Ayad Abiat, son of Rahim, arrested in Susangerd, date of arrest: unknown. Latest status: unknown
  15. 15. Ayoub Abboud al-Namnum, a 12-year-old boy, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  16. 16. Arash Sadeghi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran. Last status: freed
  17. 17. Arash Kaykhosravi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran. Latest status: freed
  18. 18. Armin Kiani, from Liqak in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces, arrested in Behbahan. Last status: unknown
  19. 19. Bassem Heydari, 20 years old, arrested in Ahvaz, date of arrest; unknown. Latest status: unknown
  20. 20. Bassem Soleimani, son of Nasser, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  21. 21. Basam Zargani, son of Hamidan and 30 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  22. 22. Behzad Homayouni Arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest Status: Released
  23. 23. Bahman Taybi, arrested in Behbahan Last status: unknown
  24. 24. Behnam Hassani, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  25. 25. Parham Naderi, arrested on July 26 in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  26. 26. Parviz Siabi, Turk (Azerbaijani) activist, arrested on July 25 in Ardabil, latest situation; unknown
  27. 27. Pouran Nazemi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  28. 28. Pouya Naderi, arrested on July 25 during a rally in Kermanshah. Latest status: unknown
  29. 29. Jassem Chaldavi, 35 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan. Latest status: unknown
  30. 30. Jasem Tusi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  31. 31. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  32. 32. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  33. 33. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  34. 34. Jasmian (small name unknown), date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Hamidiyeh. Latest status: Unknown
  35. 35. Jafar Azimzadeh, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  36. 36. Jamil Obaidawi, arrested on July 21 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  37. 37. Javad Jaberi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  38. 38. Javad Dehghan, date of arrest; Unknown. Latest status: He is detained in Tabriz prison and bail is requested
  39. 39. Hamed Hassani, arrested on July 21 in Lordegan. Latest status: unknown
  40. 40. Hamed Khaledi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir. Latest status: unknown
  41. 41. Habib Fadaei, a citizen of Junqan in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Arrested in Junqan district. Last status: unknown
  42. 42. Hassan Saeedi, date of arrest; unknown. place of arrest Ahvaz. latest status: unknown
  43. 43. Hassan Amoori, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  44. 44. Hassan Mohsen Zeidan, arrested on July 21 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  45. 45. Hossein Shomeli, arrested on July 22 in Shavur. Latest status: unknown
  46. 46. Hossein Qarajeh Daghi, date of arrest; unknown. Latest status: He is detained in Tabriz prison and bail requested.
  47. 47. Hossein Manshadavi, son of Abdolreza and 22 years old, date and place of arrest; unknown, latest status: unknown
  48. 48. Hamzeh Afravi, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd. Latest status: unknown
  49. 49. Hamoud Chenani, arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  50. 50. Hamoud Savari, from Ahvaz, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz. Latest status: unknown
  51. 51. Hamoud Shamousi, 18 years old. Arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  52. 52. Hamid Asefi arrested on July 20 in Tehran Last status: Released
  53. 53. Heydar AlBushoke – Arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  54. 54. Khaled Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  55. 55. Khaled Mazraeh, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  56. 56. Khalid Amoori, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  57. 57. Darem Soleimani, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  58. 58. Davood Rahimi, arrested on July 24 arrested in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  59. 59. Dahimawi (first name not verified), arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  60. 60. Dahimawi (first name unknown), arrested on July21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  61. 61. Razi Dahimavi (Dahimi), arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  62. 62. Razi Dahimavi, arrested on July 21 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  63. 63. Rahim Sasani, arrested on July22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; freed
  64. 64. Rasoul Bodaghi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  65. 65. Rasoul Sava’edi, arrested on July22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  66. 66. Reza Savari, 23 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  67. 67. Reza Abiat, arrested on July 23 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  68. 68. Reza Afravi, son of Abbas, 24 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  69. 69. Reza Afravi, son of Abbas, 23 years old and a resident of Alboufari village of Susangerd, date of arrest; Unknown, place of arrest is Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  70. 70. Ra’d Heydari, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  71. 71. Ruhollah Mardani, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  72. 72. Sajad Eshaqi, arrested on July 23 in Mahshahr, latest status: unknown
  73. 73. Sajad Mousavi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  74. 74. Sa’dollah Sasani, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  75. 75. Siamak Kooshi, arrested on Juky 24 in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  76. 76. Seyyed Hassoun Iraqi, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  77. 77. Shahin Barzegar, arrested on 31 July in Tabriz, latest status; unknown
  78. 78. Shahrooz Barzegar, a Turk (Azerbaijani) activist from Tabriz, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: imprisoned in Tabriz prison, bail requested
  79. 79. Sadegh Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  80. 80. Sadegh Abiat, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  81. 81. Saleh Obaidawi, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  82. 82. Salah Khaledi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  83. 83. Samad Ladvandi Nadarli, about 30 years old, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: unknown
  84. 84. Teyban Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  85. 85. Adel Naderi, 40, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  86. 86. Amer Zohairi, son of Khalaf, 18 years old, arrested on July 17 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  87. 87. Abbas Alhaei, Malik’s son, 19 years old, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  88. 88. Abbas Albunasser, 18, arrested on July 23 in Shadegan, latest status: unknown
  89. 89. Abbas Khoin Vahid, 30 years ol, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  90. 90. Abbas Daghaghleh, 26 years old, son of Abdol Zahra, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz, latest status: Unknown
  91. 91. Abbas Zargani, son of Sha’m, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  92. 92. Abbas Sa’edi, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  93. 93. Abbas Savari, son of a Naji, date of arrest; Unknown, arrested in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  94. 94. Abdol Amir Jalali (Abu Yahya), 45 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  95. 95. Abdol Razzaq Vahid, 36 years old, married, arrested on July 22 in Elhaei, latest status: unknown
  96. 96. Abdolreza Soleimani, son of Yaber, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  97. 97. Abdollah Obaidawi, son of Mardav, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  98. 98. Adnan Atabi, 21 years old, from Shavur, arrested on July 25 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  99. 99. Erfan Naderi, arrested on July 26 in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  100. 100. Aziz Atabi, 19 years old, arrested on July 25 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  101. 101. Ali Hassanzadeh, arrested in Tehran Latest status: unknown
  102. 102. Ali Khosraji, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  103. 103. Ali Soleimani Tamimi, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  104. 104. Ali Soleimani, son of Yarollah, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  105. 105. Ali Abdol Hossein Gatafeh, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  106. 106. Ali Obaidavi, 23 years old, arrested on July 22 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  107. 107. Ali Agbi, a resident of Beit Khalaf village, date of arrest; Unknown, place of detention; Shavur, latest status: unknown
  108. 108. Ali Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  109. 109. Ali Ka’b Alhaei, 50 years old, arrested on July 20 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  110. 110. Ali Ka’bi, Heydar’s son, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  111. 111. Ali Mojaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: unknown
  112. 112. Ali Mohsen Zeidan, arrested on July 21 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  113. 113. Ali Mazraeh, son of a Shoai’e, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  114. 114. Emad Abiat, son of Rahim, date of arrest; Unknown, Arrested in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  115. 115. Issa Mazraeh, son of Abdolsadeh, arrested on July 16 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  116. 116. Faraj Obaidai, 40 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  117. 117. Farzad Atabi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  118. 118. Fallah Chaldavi, son of Hassan, 20 years old, married, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  119. 119. Falak Amoori, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  120. 120. Fahad Heydari, son of Rahim, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  121. 121. Faisal Mazraeh, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  122. 122. Qasem Sae’di, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  123. 123. Qasem Savari, son of Mohammad, arrested on July 23 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  124. 124. Qasem Mazraeh, son of Amer, arrested on July 17 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  125. 125. Kamran Norouzi, arrested in Tehran Last status: unknown
  126. 126. Karim Esmailzadeh, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest status: released on bail
  127. 127. Majid Hamidi, 30 years old, resident of Mollasani, date of arrest; Unknown, arrested in Ahvaz, latest status: Uunknown
  128. 128. Malek Chaldavi, 28 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  129. 129. Mubarak Alhaei, son of Vahid, 45 years old, married and father of three children, arrested on July 22 in Alhaei, latest status: unknown
  130. 130. Mojtaba Salehi, son of Mohammad, 18 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  131. 131. Mojtaba Abdoli, arrested on July 23 in Bostan, latest situation; unknown
  132. 132. Majid Mousavi, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  133. 133. Mohsen Abbaspour, arrested on 31 July in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  134. 134. Mohammad al-Bushouka, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  135. 135. Mohammad Pourali, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  136. 136. Mohammad Harizavi, son of Badr, 24 years old, date of arrest: Unknown, arrested in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  137. 137. Mohammad Sakhravi, 23 years old, date of arrest: unknown, place of detention: Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  138. 138. Mohammad Askari, son of Ali, 29 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  139. 139. Mohammad Korushat, date of arrest; Unknown, place of detention; Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  140. 140. Mohammad Ka’bi, son of Fakher, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  141. 141. Mohammad Mujaddam, son of Issa, arrested on July 22 in Chamran, latest status: unknown
  142. 142. Mohammad Mahmoudi, arrested on July 24 during the Tabriz rallies, latest status: released on bail
  143. 143. Mohammad Mardi, arrested on July 24 in Tabriz, latest situation; unknown
  144. 144. Mohammad Niazi, arrested in Tehran on July23, latest status: He is detained in the quarantine of the Greater Tehran Prison.
  145. 145. Mohammad Amoori, arrested on July 21 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  146. 146. Mahmoud Sae’di, arrested on July 22 in Hamidiyeh, latest status: unknown
  147. 147. Muslim Echrash, arrested on July 22 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  148. 148. Mostafa Arfaei, arrested on July 23 in Tehran, latest status: is being held in quarantine in the Greater Tehran Prison.
  149. 149. Mansour Jalali, son of Mohammad, 17 years old, arrested on July 20 in Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  150. 150. Mansour Soleimani, son of Yaber, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  151. 151. Mehdi Hamid, arrested on July 19 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  152. 152. Mehdi Khasraji, son of Majid, arrested on July 22 in Shavur, latest status: unknown
  153. 153. Mehdi Zargani, son of Khalaf, 20 years old, arrested on July 22 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  154. 154. Mehdi Zogheibi, arrested on July 20 in Ramshir, latest status: unknown
  155. 155. Mehdi Mesbah, arrested in Behbahan Last status: unknown
  156. 156. Meysam Savari, arrested on July 20 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  157. 157. Milad Savari, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  158. 158. Milad Obaidavi, 14 years old, arrested on July 19 in Bostan, latest status: unknown
  159. 159. Nader Sadeghian, arrested on July 25 in Tabriz, latest situation; unknown
  160. 160. Nader Abiyat, date of arrest; unknown, place of detention; Susangerd, latest status: unknown
  161. 161. Naser Zargani, son of Sha’lan, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
  162. 162. Narges Mohammadi, arrested on July 20 in Tehran Latest status: Released
  163. 163. Ne’mat Naderi, arrested on July 26 during a rally in Kermanshah, latest status: unknown
  164. 164. Hadi Mohammadi, date of arrest: unknown, latest status: released on a bail
  165. 165. Hashem Motavari, 27 years old, arrested on July 21 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  166. 166. Vahid Abhari, arrested on July 22 in Tabriz, latest situation: unknown
  167. 167. Vahid Mohammadi, date of arrest: unknown, latest situation: He is imprisoned in Tabriz prison and bail requested
  168. 168. Yarollah Soleimani, arrested on July 18 in Khorramshahr, latest status: unknown
  169. 169. Yashar Piri, arrested on July 22 in the city of Khajeh, latest situation; he was freed
  170. 170. Yousef Salahshour, a citizen of Tabriz, arrested on July 25, last status: unknown
  171. 171. Yousef Abiawi, 25 years old, arrested on July 21 in Ahvaz, latest status: unknown
According to confirmed reports and statistics documented by HRANA, public rallies began on the night of Thursday, July 15, in Khuzestan province due to the frequent water cuts and mismanagement of officials. Protests spreaded to other cities in the country, including Mashhad, Karaj, Saqez, Bojnourd, Ardabil, Tabriz, Aligudarz, Bandar Genaveh, Tehran, Robat Karim, Kermanshah, Meybod, Yazdanshahr and Baharestan of Isfahan, and Janqan section in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari.

Citizens of Khuzestan marched rallies in at least 26 cities of Ahvaz, Susangerd, Hamidiyeh, Abadan, Kut Abdollah, Khorramshahr, Bandar Mahshahr, Bostan, Mollasani, Shadegan, Hoveyzeh, Abu Homeyzeh, Shavur, Karkheh, Kut Seyed Naeem, Shush, Veys, Chamran, Izeh, Behbahan, Masjed Soleiman, Sheiban, Ramshir, Alhaei, Ramhormoz, and Hor. In total, 41 cities in the country have staged protest rallies.

To have a better view, see the map of the dispersal of the protests from July 15 to July 26:

HRANA has documented and collected a total of 129 verified videos related to the 13 days of protests, which can be viewed on HRANA’s YouTube channel or in the continuation of this report.

 

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For media interviews, contact Skylar Thompson at [email protected].

 

 

Mass Protests in Khuzestan Continue for Seventh Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
ahvaz, Behbahan, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan province, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Masjed, Ramshir, Shadegan, Shahrui, Soleyman, Yazdanshahr

Today, the cities of Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr, Ramhormoz, and Shadegan, staged protest rallies that were confronted by military forces with arrests, tear gas, and bullets.

 

 

Widespread protests started in Khuzestan province on the night of Thursday, July 15, in response to the resource mismanagement that has led to the water crisis. Protests have been going for the past seven days and have spread to at least 22 cities.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, at least four civilians and one police officer have been confirmed as killed since the start of the protests. HRANA was able to verify the identities of those killed since Thursday as Meysam Echresh from Taleghani in Mahshahr, Mostafa Naeemawi from Shadegan, Ghasem Naseri from Kut Abdollah, and officer Zargham Parast in Mahshahr. According to local sources, a number of additional citizens have been injured during the protests as well.

Disconnections and a severe decrease in Internet speed in some cities of Khuzestan province have been reported on social media. Previously, a resident of Ahvaz told HRANA that the internet of all carriers is disconnected, and people cannot access the internet through phones.

Received videos show the presence of a large number of military forces around Azadi Square in Tehran and the security atmosphere for facing possible protests.

The scope of the violence against the protesting people of Khuzestan have elicited reactions from numerous different sections of society. In a statement, the Tehran Teachers’ Union condemned the suppression of the Khuzestan protests and blamed the government for the resource problems. 330 artists gave a statement which condemned the suppression of protests and expressed solidarity with the protesters.

Several film and television artists gathered in front of the Artists’ House to show their support. The players of the Abadan Oil Industry soccer team, the Iranian Writers Association, and the Iranian Cinema House all issued statements in support of the protesters, and calling on the relevant authorities to address the situation.

Today, videos broadcasted on social networks show people marching in Yazdanshahr in Isfahan in support of the people of Khuzestan. Also, people in Masjed Soleyman, Ramshir, Shahrui village of Behbahan, and Ahvaz in Khuzestan marched and held protest rallies.

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Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan. For media interviews, contact Skylar Thompson at [email protected].

 

Khuzestan Update: IRIB Confirms that Citizen was Shot and Killed During Last Night’s Protests in Izeh

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, Behbahan, IRIB, Izeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan water crisis, Khuzestan water shortages, Shadegan, Susangard, Tehran

The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) confirmed that a citizen was killed during last night’s protests in Izeh, Khuzestan.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Actiists, the IRIB report did not specify the identity of the killed citizen. However, it described his death as a result of a “suspicious” shooting—notably vague phrasing, considering that the overwhelming majority of gunfire throughout the protests has come from government forces.

Widespread protest rallies in Khuzestan started Thursday, July 15, in response to the negligence of officials that led to frequent cuts of drinking water and the drying of Karun River.

The demonstrations against the water cuts and lack of proper resource management continued yesterday into their sixth day. Rallies were held in Susangard, Behbahan, Abadan, Izeh, Ahvaz, Khorramshahr and Shadegan.

Hassan Nabovati, acting governor of Izeh, stated that one police officer was killed and another injured during the protests in Mahshahr last night.

As released videos show, the protests in Izeh were disrupted by violence from military forces. There were reports of military officers spraying tear gas and opening fire at protesters.

Activist Arrests and Tear Gas: Khuzestan Protests Continue Into Sixth Day

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Environment, Freedom of Expression
Abadan, ahvaz, arash kaykhosravi, Arash Sadeghi, Behzad Homayouni, Hamid Asefi, iran protests, Izeh, Jafar Azimzadeh, khorramshahr, Khuzestan, Khuzestan protests, Khuzestan water crisis, Narges Mohammadi, Pooran Nazemi, Rasoul Bodaghi, Ruhollah Mardani, Shadegan, Susangard

Today, July 20, the widespread protests in Khuzestan over the ongoing water crisis continued for a sixth consecutive day. Since the start of the protests on Thursday, provincial authorities have confirmed that at least two civilians have been killed by military forces.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, today’s protests took place in the cities of Izeh, Khorramshahr, Ahvaz, Shadegan, Abadan, Susangard, and Behbahan. HRANA received reports of shootings and internet shutdowns in some areas, as well as a report of the death of a protester, but neither have been confirmed as of this writing.

Today a number of prominent civil activists also gathered in Tehran to voice their support for the protesters in Khuzestan, and were met with violence from security forces. Activists Narges Mohammadi, Arash Sadeghi, Arash Kaykhosravi, Ruhollah Mardani, Jafar Azimzadeh, Rasoul Bodaghi, Pooran Nazemi, Hamid Asefi, and Behzad Homayouni were arrested by security forces in Tehran and taken to an unknown location.

Below is our updated map of the protests of the last five days.

Watch our compilation of footage from the protests.

Read our fact sheet for more info on what is going on in Khuzestan.