A Human Rights Organization: 162 Kurdish Citizens Arrested This September

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported on Sunday in its monthly report regarding the human rights situation of Iranian Kurdish citizens that at least 162 individuals were arrested in September. According to the report, six of the detainees were sent to prison to serve their sentences, 14 were temporarily released on bail or bond, and the rest remain in detention centers or prisons, with some of their fates unknown. These individuals were arrested by the security agencies of the Islamic Republic based on political charges in five provinces: West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, Kermanshah, Ilam, and Tehran. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network stated that revolutionary and public courts in Tehran, Saqqez, Sanandaj, Piranshahr, and Mahabad issued prison sentences for at least 19 citizens and civil activists in September. The killing of a merchant from Javanrud named Pouya Babaei 'due to torture in a police detention center' in Kermanshah on suspicion of smuggling, the killing of Hamid Bagheri from Islamabad-e Gharb 'by gunfire from security forces' in Golshahr, Karaj, and the execution of four individuals on charges of 'premeditated murder' and drug-related crimes are major human rights violations according to this human rights organization's monthly report. Additionally, at least six kolbars (porters) were injured due to gunfire from Iranian border guards in the border areas of Baneh, Sardasht, and Chaldoran, and at least six workers lost their lives due to work accidents in the cities of Sanandaj, Piranshahr, Baneh, Boukan, and Mahabad. The report also noted that at least two women were killed by family members in the cities of Ravansar and Sarpol-e Zahab. On September 16, coinciding with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, government and military forces of the Islamic Republic prevented the commemoration ceremonies in over 15 cities in Kurdish regions. On the same day, Amjad Amini, Mahsa's father, was detained for several hours. This occurred while the first court session for Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer for Mahsa's family, on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' was held on September 28 in Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran. On the anniversary of Mahsa's death, a mentally disabled citizen named Fardin Jafari was shot by the Revolutionary Guards and 'has been in a coma since then.' On the same day, at least two other Kurdish citizens were injured by gunfire from government forces in Sanandaj and Mahabad, and several others were arrested. According to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network, over 500 Kurdish citizens and activists were threatened by intelligence and government agencies of the Islamic Republic after being summoned, warning them that they had no right to participate in the memorial ceremonies for the victims of the protests against Mahsa's death. The report highlighted the deaths and injuries of 85 kolbars in six months, the Islamic Republic's efforts to prevent the commemoration of the victims of the protests, and the condemnation of the UN experts regarding the intensified repression of protesters on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini. Efforts to prevent the commemoration of Mahsa Amini include the possibility of 'house arrest' for Mahsa's father and restrictions on access to the cemetery. A fact-finding committee expressed severe concern over the increase in the repression of women and 'government revenge' in Iran. The uncertain status of a Bukani protester 10 months after his arrest, Osman Mama, who 'probably' died under torture, was also noted. Several labor and teacher activists were arrested in various cities in Iran. Protests over living conditions occurred in Kermanshah and Kurdistan, with retirees stating that the government's actions have resulted in the plundering of the people's money. On the anniversary of Mahsa, merchants went on strike in at least three provinces. Two members of Sarina Saeedi's family were arrested in Sanandaj, and the U.S. stated that the 'regime' cannot intimidate the people of Iran. The widespread deployment of government forces on the anniversary of Mahsa indicates that 'the revolution is under the surface of the city.'