Arrests of Zahra Sharif Kazemi, Khosrow Azarpayk, and Araz Irani

A source from Voice of America reported the arrest of Zahra Sharif Kazemi, a social media activist; a lawyer announced that Khosrow Azarpayk, a daf player, was arrested in Tehran, and Araz Irani, a civil activist, was also arrested in Tabriz. A source close to Zahra Sharif Kazemi stated that this civil activist was arrested about two months ago and is being held in Evin prison, adding that 'unfortunately, her family has not yet shown a willingness to inform the public.' According to the informed source, Zahra Sharif Kazemi, a civil activist who operated under a pseudonym on social media, was arrested in early December after being identified by agents of an intelligence agency of the Islamic Republic, and her accounts on X and Instagram were seized by government agents. Based on information received by the Persian section of Voice of America, Zahra Sharif Kazemi, approximately 35 years old, is facing charges of 'assembly and collusion and propaganda against the regime.' The source stated that the cyber forces of the Islamic Republic's intelligence agencies approach users under the guise of government opposition through 'casting a net on social media' to identify them. Previously, Amir Hossein Mousavi and his wife, Shabnam Hosseinzadeh, were arrested in Tehran using this method, and Reza Shafakhah, Mousavi's lawyer, told Voice of America that he, who operated under the pseudonym James Beidin on X, was identified by an agent of the Islamic Republic in Canada. Additionally, Amir Reisiian, a lawyer, announced on X on Tuesday, February 30, that Khosrow Azarpayk, a daf player, was arrested on Monday, February 29, on charges of 'insulting Bashar al-Assad' in one of Tehran's streets. A video of Mr. Azarpayk in the metro shows him playing the daf and stating, 'They took our money, the people of Iran, and put it in Bashar al-Assad's pocket; it was all wasted.' He also mentions playing the daf in protest against 'the foreign favoritism of the clerics' and sings the song 'Ey Iran.' Furthermore, videos released of Araz Irani, a civil activist from Tabriz, indicate his arrest by government agents. Mr. Irani, a monarchist activist, was arrested after agents visited his home; in two videos recorded before his arrest, he states that the visiting agent threatened him with arrest, entered the building without permission, and cut off the electricity to his home from the hallway. He has asked everyone to be his voice in these videos. Additionally, Ali Sharifzadeh, lawyer for Reza Mohammad Hosseini, wrote on X on Tuesday that this political prisoner 'called from Qezel Hesar prison' and said that 'after 10 days in solitary confinement and a hunger strike, he returned to the general ward and was beaten in solitary confinement.' This lawyer added, 'Why is this kind of treatment being given to a prisoner who is far from society and family? How long must we witness such inhumane behavior?' According to a previous report from Voice of America, Arsham Rezai, Reza Mohammad Hosseini, and Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, three political prisoners who protested against executions and violence by chanting in the prison yard during the government celebrations of the 57 Revolution victory, were taken to solitary confinement by Qezel Hesar prison officials and went on hunger strike in protest of this action.