Following protests by residents of several villages in Hashtroud County, East Azerbaijan Province, against the damages caused by sand washing workshops, at least five farmers were arrested. The website 'Human Rights in Iran' reported on Thursday, May 24, the identities of the detainees as Rahmat Saeidi, Jafar Sharifi, Davood Sharifi, Hadi Sharifi, and Aqil Talebi, from the villages of Khodjaavighour, Bayat, Lameshan, and Khorasanlou around Hashtroud County. According to HRANA, the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran, the detainees have been transferred to Hashtroud prison. No news has been published regarding their charges. The villagers believe that the activities of the sand washing workshops have changed the depth of the local 'Gharangou' river and caused damage to agricultural lands, leading them to hold recent protests. Sand and gravel extraction from riverbeds, despite having consequences such as riverbank collapses and endangering surrounding agricultural lands, is recognized as a lucrative activity and has intensified in Iran over the past decades. The governor of Hashtroud, Alireza Tori, announced in Farvardin 1401 (April 2022) that any unauthorized sand extraction from the rivers of this county is prohibited and stated that such operations harm farmers along the river. Agricultural experts believe that the high quality of sand and gravel found in riverbeds has made them desirable as valuable construction materials. Nevertheless, protests against the damages caused by such profitable activities often lead to the arrest of protesters. Recently, the criminal court in Savadkuh, Mazandaran Province, sentenced two villagers to six months in prison each for their attempts to prevent 'mountain grabbing by mining companies.' The destruction of oak forests and 'mountain grabbing' under the pretext of sand and gravel extraction has also been reported. Water scarcity, land subsidence, and the risk of the Caspian Sea's destruction; the dire environmental situation during Ebrahim Raisi's presidency. The entry of sewage into the Caspian Sea; sturgeon fish are at risk of extinction.
Confrontation with Protesters Against Sand and Gravel Extraction from River in Hashtroud; At Least Five Farmers Arrested
In Hashtroud County, five farmers were arrested after protesting against the environmental damages caused by sand washing workshops. The protests highlight the conflict between local agricultural interests and lucrative extraction activities, raising concerns about environmental degradation. This incident reflects ongoing tensions in Iran regarding resource management and human rights.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Farmers protested against sand extraction in Hashtroud, resulting in at least five arrests.
- Iranian authorities arrest Rahmat Saeidi, Jafar Sharifi, Davood Sharifi, Hadi Sharifi, Aqil Talebi
- Residents of Hashtroud County protest Iranian authorities
- Alireza Tori announce Residents of Hashtroud County
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The arrests of farmers indicate a significant response to local protests against environmental exploitation.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →
Translation confidence: 85%