Five Civil Activists Arrested in East and West Azerbaijan, Ardabil, and Gilan Provinces

News sources have reported the arrest of five civil activists in the cities of Urmia, Tabriz, Ardabil, Rasht, and Bonab by the Islamic Republic's intelligence agencies on Tuesday, February 6. The reason for the arrest of these citizens is unclear. According to unofficial reports, Salar Taher Afshar was arrested in Urmia, Morteza Parvin in Ardabil, Vadood Asadi and Saeed Minaei in Rasht, and Ayaz Seyfkhah in Tabriz simultaneously on Tuesday. Reports published on social media indicate that Salar Taher Afshar, a resident of Urmia, was arrested on the morning of February 6 by agents of the IRGC intelligence in West Azerbaijan province 'along with beatings.' Furthermore, reports indicate the arrest of Morteza Parvin, a civil activist and former political prisoner, in Ardabil, along with the seizure of some of his personal belongings. There is no information available regarding the reason for his arrest, the detaining agency, or his place of custody. Additionally, some news sources have reported that Vadood Asadi, a national activist and former political prisoner, was also arrested on Tuesday afternoon by intelligence agents at his home in Rasht, Gilan province. The reasons for the arrests of these citizens, the charges against them, and the detaining agencies are unclear, and it is unknown in which detention centers they are being held. The Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners has also reported that simultaneously with these individuals, Bagher Hajizadeh was arrested in Tabriz and Kamal Noori in Islamshahr, Tehran. Pressure on civil and political activists in Iran has increased in recent months. According to reports from human rights sources, at least 152 people have been arrested by intelligence agencies in Iran in the first month of the new Gregorian year, including 12 women and one child. The judiciary considers the arrest of a journalist and the inspection of a media building unrelated 'to media activities.'