Extension of Farhad Hosseini's Detention; Status of Seven Detainees in Tabriz Still Unclear

The Azerbaijani Political Prisoners Defense Association (ADAP) reported, citing relatives of Farhad Hosseini, a human rights activist, that his detention has been extended by the Ninth Branch of the General and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office of Zanjan. Meanwhile, the status of seven detainees arrested in recent days in Tabriz remains unknown. Mr. Hosseini, 28 years old, was arrested by the Zanjan Revolutionary Guards at his home on Tuesday, September 19. According to ADAP, this detained human rights activist was taken to the Zanjan General and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office on Wednesday, September 20, for the clarification of charges, but his family members were unable to meet with him despite being present at the prosecutor's office. The report states that the Zanjan Revolutionary Guards Intelligence is responsible for interrogating Farhad Hosseini, and he will remain in the detention center of this military institution until the completion of preliminary investigations. This master's student in management at Zanjan Azad University has collaborated with provincial media in Zanjan, including the publication 'Bayram,' writing articles in cultural and social fields. ADAP noted that he has also been involved in cultural and literary centers in Zanjan and has taught Turkish language and literature at the 'Imam Cultural Center' in Zanjan for several terms. ADAP also reported that Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, Araz Ebrahimnejad, Javad Soodbar, Ali Babaei, Davood Shiri, Amir Hossein Aghaei, and Mehran Ghaderi were arrested in Tabriz, and Mina Alikhani was arrested in Zanjan on September 22 and 23. According to this report, these arrests occurred on the anniversary of the 2022 protest movement following the death of Mahsa Amini in the custody of the morality police and protests against the 'drying of Lake Urmia.' Reports indicate that Mina Alikhani was released on bail of 50 million tomans after two days of detention. However, no news has been published regarding the status of other detainees, including the reasons and places of their detention. ADAP also reported that 'Babak Rahmati, an Azerbaijani civil activist in the city of Bonab, has been detained since September 25 and is in an unknown location.' No information has been released regarding the charges against Mr. Rahmati. According to this report, the family of Peyman Ebrahimi, who was arrested on September 25 in Tabriz, has expressed ignorance about his whereabouts and fate, and their repeated inquiries to judicial authorities have been fruitless. Mr. Ebrahimi has had only a ten-second phone call with his family since his arrest. In recent weeks, several civil and trade activists and some members of families seeking justice have been arrested by the Iranian government authorities. The return of Keyvan Mohtadi from solitary confinement to the general ward of Evin Prison, increased pressures on families seeking justice, and the continued detention of citizens are notable. Khalid Pirzadeh, a political activist, has been re-arrested and transferred to an unknown location. Yasamin Hashedari has been released; her mother was told they would work with her for another week. Mahdi Yarahee has been held in quarantine at Evin for three weeks; Mustafa Nili stated this is illegal. Three new cases have been opened against Zartosht Ahmadinejad; Jafar Ebrahimi has broken his hunger strike. Summons and arrests of dozens of civil activists and pressure on justice seekers continue. Several labor and teacher activists have been arrested in various cities in Iran. UN experts condemned the intensification of repression against protesters on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini.