Arrest of Three Civil Activists in Ardabil, Urmia, and Rasht

Unofficial news sources have reported the arrest of three civil activists in the cities of Urmia, Ardabil, and Rasht on Tuesday, February 6. The reason for the arrest of these citizens has not been disclosed. According to reports published on social media, Salar Taher Afshar, a resident of Urmia, was arrested on Tuesday morning, February 6, by intelligence agents of the IRGC in West Azerbaijan province 'along with beatings.' There is no information available about his place of detention. Reports also indicate the arrest of Morteza Parvin, a civil activist and former political prisoner, in Ardabil, along with the seizure of some of his personal belongings. There is no information available about the arresting authority, the reason for his arrest, or his place of detention. Additionally, some news sources reported that Vadood Asadi, a national activist and former political prisoner, was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon by intelligence agents at his home in Rasht, the capital of Gilan province. The reason for Vadood Asadi's arrest is also unclear. However, this former student activist had been summoned to the Third Branch of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Rasht in early September without any charges mentioned. Pressure on civil and political activists in Iran has increased in recent months. According to reports from human rights sources, at least 152 people have been arrested by intelligence agencies in Iran in the first month of the new Gregorian year, including 12 women and one child.