An Iranian-Norwegian Citizen Arrested by Islamic Republic Security Forces in Sardasht

A Kurdish citizen from Sardasht with dual Iranian-Norwegian nationality has been arrested by the security forces of the Islamic Republic. The human rights organization "Hangaw" reported on Tuesday, July 9, that Hadi Zaheri (Shalmashi), an athlete and bodybuilding coach in Norway, was arrested during his visit to Iran in Sardasht and transferred to an unknown location. According to Hangaw, Hadi Zaheri was summoned to the Sardasht Intelligence Office last week and was interrogated for several hours. He was arrested by the intelligence forces at his family home on the same day. A source close to Hadi Zaheri's family stated that the intelligence forces also confiscated his passport, as well as those of his wife and two children. This Iranian-Norwegian citizen entered Tehran by air last month after 17 years of residence in Norway to visit his family and relatives, and then traveled to Sardasht. According to the report, Hadi Zaheri is an active professional bodybuilding athlete and coach, having won various awards in international competitions. As of the time of this report, there is no precise information available regarding the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. Several human rights activists claim that the Islamic Republic uses false accusations to detain foreign citizens, especially those with dual nationality, to use them as political bargaining chips, effectively taking these citizens hostage. The wife of Ahmadreza Jalali, a dual-national prisoner sentenced to death, described a meeting with the Swedish Foreign Minister as "very disappointing." Australia has issued a warning to its citizens: avoid traveling to Iran. Families of French citizens imprisoned in Iran have sought help from the United Nations. Ghazaleh Sharmeh has urged American lawmakers to do everything possible to secure the release of her father and other hostages.