Arrest of Nina Golestani and Abdollah Ahmadzadeh; Cultural Activists in Rasht and Saqqez

On Wednesday, March 13, security forces of the Islamic Republic arrested Nina Golestani, a writer from Rasht, and Abdollah Ahmadzadeh, a Kurdish cultural activist in Saqqez. According to the human rights organization "Hengaw," Nina Golestani was transferred to Lakan Prison in Rasht after her arrest by the forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence organization. Reports indicate that the agents initially introduced themselves as employees of the electricity department and then presented an arrest warrant, proceeding with her detention without any formal summons. Jawad Sajadi Rad, Golestani's husband, announced on his Instagram page that despite the setting of bail, judicial authorities prevented the release of this writer, citing "insufficient bail amount" and "the need for re-explanation of charges" as reasons. Golestani had previously been arrested in November of last year and subsequently sentenced by the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasakhi, to 3 years and 6 months in prison for "collusion and conspiracy" and 7 months and 16 days for "propaganda against the regime." This writer was detained on November 20 of that year while returning home in Rasht, and her mobile phone and laptop were confiscated after a search of her home. Hengaw also reported on the arrest of Abdollah Rybaz Ahmadzadeh, a Kurdish cultural activist and member of the "Halabcheh" cultural association in Saqqez, stating that he has been transferred to an unknown location. Mr. Ahmadzadeh is 45 years old and a father of two children. According to informed sources, after Ahmadzadeh's arrest, security forces searched the home of this cultural activist. He has been active for years in commemorating the anniversary of the chemical attack on Halabcheh. There is currently no detailed information on the reasons for his arrest and the charges against him. So far, official authorities have not commented on these arrests. The rejection of Navid Mihan Doust's request for conditional release in the appeals court, the prevention of Kazem Ali Nejad's surgery by Evin prison officials, the punitive transfer of Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb to solitary confinement in Qezel Hesar prison, and the arrest of four women activists for participating in the March 8 ceremony in Sanandaj and Dehgolan.