Arrest of at Least 4 Kurdish Citizens in Oshnaviyeh; Charges Against Detainees Unclear

Human rights sources have reported the arrest of at least four Kurdish citizens from Oshnaviyeh, West Azerbaijan province, in recent days. According to the Hengaw Human Rights Organization, agents of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence violently arrested Amir Rahmani, Fakhr al-Din Ahmadi, Shahram Shahi, and Rahim Salamat in the early hours of Monday, March 18, without presenting any warrants. The HRANA news agency, associated with human rights activists in Iran, also reported that Amir Rahmani has been transferred to one of the security detention centers in Urmia, and a 15-day detention order has been issued for him. There has been no news regarding the charges against the detainees or the whereabouts of Fakhr al-Din Ahmadi, Shahram Shahi, and Rahim Salamat. Meanwhile, Hengaw reported that the health condition of Fakhr al-Din Ahmadi is described as poor due to having metal plates in his body. Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Iran, emphasized in a report to the UN Human Rights Council on Monday that detainees have repeatedly been deprived of their right to access a lawyer, and lawyers have not been allowed to defend their clients. He also reported a 43% increase in executions last year and the ongoing concerning human rights situation in the Islamic Republic. The final report by Javaid Rehman to the UN Human Rights Council highlights the alarming human rights situation and the 43% increase in executions in Iran. A citizen from Sanandaj was sentenced to 40 lashes for 'insulting a government agent.' The continued detention of four political prisoners in Sanandaj has led to deprivation of their right to access a lawyer and family visits.