Bail Possible for 10 Detainees in Gilan; Continued Arrests in Iran

As nationwide arrests continue, judicial officials in Gilan province announced on Saturday, August 19, the possibility of issuing bail for 10 detainees. According to the 'Bidar Zani' website, a media outlet of a group of women's rights activists, approximately four days after the arrest of several women's rights activists and political activists in Gilan, the provincial prosecutor's office stated that bail would be issued for all detainees except for Jaleh Jahvari and Forough Sami'nia. Meanwhile, Forough Sami'nia is the only detainee in this case who has been deprived of phone contact, raising concerns about her health. These 13 individuals were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday, August 16 and 17, in the cities of Rasht, Lahijan, Fuman, and Bandar Anzali, with charges of 'conspiracy against national security' and 'propaganda against the regime.' The names of the detainees include Jaleh Jahvari, Forough Sami'nia, Matin Yazdani, Yasmin Hashedari, Negin Rezaei, Zahra Dadras, Zohreh Dadras, Vaheeda Khushsirat, Shiva Shahsiah, Sara Jahani, Azadeh Chavoshian, Mahsa Basir Tavana, and Hooman Taheri. Furthermore, on the eve of the anniversary of the death of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini while in custody of the morality police, and the recent arrest of at least 14 citizens, the Mothers of Laleh Park issued a statement demanding the release of all recent detainees and political prisoners. According to human rights sources, some of these 14 citizens are former detainees from nationwide protests and families seeking justice. According to the Hengaw human rights organization, Ziba Gholichkhani, a Kurdish civil activist, was arrested on Thursday, August 17, in Bijar and transferred to Sanandaj prison. The report states that Ziba Gholichkhani, a mother of two and an employee of the Bijar gas company, was also arrested during last year's nationwide protests. Hengaw also reported the violent arrest of Formisk Babaei, a citizen from Paveh, on Thursday, August 17, and his transfer to the intelligence department's detention center. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network also reported the arrest of five citizens in the cities of Piranshahr and Oshnavieh in recent days. The names of the detainees are Hossein Mahmoudpour, Hamzeh Ghanei, Omar Hosseinzadeh, Heidi Abdolbakht, and Najm al-Din Eisa Zadeh. According to the report, the detainees are residents of the villages of Piranshahr and Oshnavieh. Additionally, according to Hengaw, two brothers named Hesam and Sirvan Karami, from families seeking justice in Kamyaran, were also arrested. The report indicates that Sirvan Karami was released after severe beating, but Hesam Karami remains in custody. Hengaw also reported the arrest of four citizens in Tabriz during a football match between Tractor Sazi and Persepolis. The names of these citizens are Ebrahim Rezaei, Abdollah Ansari, Karim Esmailzadeh, and Mahdi Nasirzad. Ebrahim Rezaei has been transferred to Tabriz Central Prison. According to the Hengaw human rights organization, Aryan Koohkhai, a 23-year-old from Ilam, was also arrested again last week and transferred to Ilam Central Prison. The report states that Aryan Koohkhai was arrested during last year's nationwide protests and faced charges such as 'forming a criminal group,' 'disturbing public order,' and 'insulting the sacred.' In most cases, there has been no information released from the detaining authority regarding the charges and the location of the detainees. In response to the new wave of arrests, the Mothers of Laleh Park condemned the 'deprivations,' 'arrests,' and 'harassment' in a statement, demanding the unconditional release of all recent detainees and political prisoners. They called on all 'freedom-seeking' people in Iran and the world not to remain silent against 'repression, injustice, discrimination, and crime.' The Mothers of Laleh Park also emphasized the 'separation of religion from government' and demanded the right to freedom of dress and 'the right to control one's body unconditionally.' The number of detainees in Gilan cities has increased to thirteen. Maryam Abbasi-Nikoo has been accused of 'sabb al-nabi'; a mother who was arrested instead of her daughter faces the risk of punishment. The Ministry of Intelligence of the Islamic Republic claims that the detainees in Gilan intended 'subversive actions.' Exclusive: Details of the 'case-building' by the IRGC intelligence for six civil activists.