At least 1800 people have been arrested during protests in 10 provinces of Iran

According to reports, at least 1800 people have been arrested in the past nine days during gatherings in the provinces of Tehran, Markazi, Kerman, Golestan, West Azerbaijan, Gilan, Alborz, Ardabil, Isfahan, and Razavi Khorasan. Meanwhile, judicial officials in other provinces of Iran have also reported the arrest of several demonstrators without mentioning the number. While reports indicate that gatherings have taken place in about 100 cities across Iran in recent days, only officials from a few provinces have announced the number of detainees in these provinces. Several Telegram channels and the website of the International Human Rights Campaign have reported that security forces have arrested more than forty students and student union activists across the country in recent days. Ghasem Abdollahi, the head of the judiciary in Markazi province, announced on Thursday, January 14, that 396 people were arrested in this province on the 8th and 9th of January. According to Mr. Abdollahi, 294 of these individuals were sent to prison. Ali Asghar Tahmasbi, the political, security, and social deputy of Golestan province, also announced that 150 people, whom he referred to as 'agents' of the gatherings, were arrested in this province. The Student News Agency, affiliated with the Student Basij, reported on January 13 that 120 demonstrators were arrested in Rasht. Alireza Radfar, the political deputy of West Azerbaijan province, also reported the arrest of 30 individuals in this province during recent gatherings. Mohammad Qayoumi, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Nazarabad County in Alborz province, reported the arrest of six individuals whom he referred to as 'instigators' of the gathering in this county. Rahmatollah Farahmandzadeh, the governor of Mamassani County in Fars province, also reported the arrest of 9 individuals in the gatherings in this city. Additionally, according to ILNA news agency, Ali-Asghar Nasrabakht, the deputy governor of Tehran, announced that 450 people were arrested in recent gatherings in Tehran. Ali Ta'ali, the governor of Hamadan, also reported the arrest of 150 protesters. According to Fars news agency, he stated that most of the detainees are aged between 17 and 25. Gholamali Abouhamzeh, the commander of the IRGC in Kerman, also announced that more than 80 protesters were arrested and handed over to 'relevant authorities.' Haji Reza Shakeri, the prosecutor of Karaj, also announced that 20 individuals who were referred to as 'leaders' of the recent gatherings were arrested. He stated that they would not provide statistics on the total number of detainees 'for now.' Hassan Heydari, the prosecutor of Mashhad, also announced that 138 people were arrested during recent gatherings in this city. Mohammad Takbirgo, the prosecutor of Kashan, reported on January 10 that 60 protesters were arrested in this county. Nasser Atabati, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Ardabil province, announced the arrest of 40 individuals following the recent gatherings and protests in this province. Abdullahzadeh Pashaki, the police commander of Robat Karim County, also reported the arrest of 11 individuals during gatherings in Parand County on January 11. Meanwhile, the Isfahan Broadcasting and Television reported that 100 people were arrested during gatherings on Tuesday in this city. Hossein Zolfaqari, the deputy interior minister, previously announced that most of the detainees from the recent gatherings are under 25 years old. Meanwhile, Masoumeh Ebtekar, the vice president for women and family affairs, pointed out that 'a significant number of the detainees' are young people, adding that 'we need deep intergenerational dialogue. We definitely need to hear the voices of teenagers and young people because we have not provided enough opportunity and space to hear the voices of the generations of the 70s and 80s, neither in families nor in society.' According to official statistics, at least 22 people have also been killed during the recent gatherings.