Detention and Summons of Dozens of Civil Activists in Khuzestan Ahead of Beheshti's Visit

Ahead of Masoud Beheshti's visit to Khuzestan province, news sources reported the detention and summons of several civil activists in the region. Various reports have indicated that the number of detainees arrested by the Islamic Republic's intelligence forces ranges from 19 to 30 individuals. Saeed Hafezi, a journalist from Khuzestan residing in Europe, announced on social media platform 'X' on Thursday, January 20, that 'more than 19 Arab artists, poets, and social activists' have been detained in Khuzestan and 'around one hundred' have been summoned by the intelligence agencies in the province, citing 'severe beatings' of some detainees based on 'local sources.' The 'Karun Human Rights Organization' website, which monitors events in Khuzestan, reported on Thursday that since the beginning of this month, about 30 Arab citizens have been detained in various cities of the province, including Ahvaz, Shadgan, Ramshir, Shushtar, Khorramshahr, and Susangerd. According to this report, by the evening of Wednesday, January 19, over 100 individuals had been summoned to the intelligence headquarters of the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence in Khuzestan, where officials 'interrogated and threatened' them. Reports indicate that the detainees are cultural and civil activists, with some also working in environmental fields. Among those reported detained are Jabbar Tarfi, Ismail Heydari, Ayoub Chenani, Reza Heydari, Javad Heydari, Ali Sari, Foad Mousavi, Javad Afri, Yasin Silavi, Mohammad Naseri, Ali Koroushat, Ahlam Bandar, Younes Ghorbavi, and Reza Zahiri in Ahvaz. Additionally, the Karun website reported that Falak Amouri and her three children, Khalid, Ali, and Mohammad, were detained in Ramshir, and during the arrest, Khalid Amouri was 'severely beaten' by the agents, and 'while his limbs were broken, he was taken away.' According to reports, Milad Bahri, a media photographer, was also detained in Shadgan. Pressure on civil activists and journalists by the intelligence and judicial bodies of the Islamic Republic has increased in various cities across Iran. Among those recently detained are Mehrdad Aladin, a journalist and documentary filmmaker, and his brother Kourosh Aladin, a colleague of the Persian section of Voice of America, who were arrested by judicial agents of the Islamic Republic in Tehran. Previous reports indicate that Ismail Saeed Mazraeh, a cultural activist, has also been detained, and the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Ahvaz has issued a total of 24 years in prison for four teacher union activists following a complaint from the IRGC intelligence in Khuzestan. The Tehran Workers' Syndicate has called for the release of civil and union activists. The Federation of Journalists has stated that the Iranian government is a 'suppressor of press freedom.' Civil disobedience against compulsory hijab; Sepideh Rashno summoned to prison. The death sentences of three political prisoners were confirmed by the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic. Cecilia Sala, the 'kidnapped' Italian journalist, has been released. Detention of Mehrdad Aladin, journalist and documentary filmmaker in Tehran.