Continued Uncertainty Surrounding the Situation of Rouhollah Rasouli, 15-Year-Old Detained in Golestan Province

The Committee for the Follow-up of the Situation of Detainees reported that more than two weeks have passed since the detention of Rouhollah Rasouli, a 15-year-old boy, by intelligence agents in Gorgan, and he remains in an uncertain situation. The HRANA news agency previously announced that this Baluch teenager was arrested due to his media activities and accused of collaborating with foreign networks. Rouhollah Rasouli, a resident of Fandarsak in Golestan Province, was detained on May 1 and transferred to an unknown location. The Baluch Activists Campaign cited the reason for the detention of this young citizen journalist as the publication of clips featuring Molavi Gorgij. Molavi Gorgij, a Sunni cleric from Azadshahr in Golestan Province, is considered a critic of the government and has repeatedly criticized the 'violent crackdown' on protesters and executions in recent months. According to the Baluch Activists Campaign, agents from the Golestan Intelligence Department had previously detained another media activist named 'Mohammad Reza Hasan-Zahi' on charges of 'collecting and sending distorted and fake news from Golestan Province, especially Galikesh.' Galikesh County in Golestan Province is the residence and speaking location of Molavi Mohammad Hossein Gorgij. Recent reports from Amnesty International indicate flogging and sexual violence against detained children. The continuation of 'Protest Fridays' in Sistan and Baluchestan with slogans against Khamenei and the IRGC has been observed. Protests against the dismissal of the Sunni cleric from the Friday prayer leadership in Azadshahr have continued for the second week. The former Friday prayer leader of Azadshahr has been summoned to the governor's office; the atmosphere in Galikesh is described as 'security-oriented.'