Hengaw: At Least 168 People Arrested in Iran Last Month

The human rights organization 'Hengaw' has reported that at least 168 people were arrested in Iran last month, marking a 57% increase compared to the previous month. According to the report published on July 1st, the highest number of arrests, 127 individuals, occurred from June 1st to June 30th, involving Kurdish and Baluch citizens. The report states that in the past thirty days, security forces have arrested or abducted at least '77 Kurdish citizens, 50 Baluch citizens, 25 women, 16 children, and 7 teachers and students.' It notes that 15 of the arrested women are Kurdish, and all 16 children arrested are also Kurdish and Baluch. Recently, the Kurdistan Human Rights Association reported that at least 490 Kurdish citizens were arrested in the first five months of this year. In another section of the report, Hengaw highlighted the ongoing arrests of followers of religious minorities last month, reporting the detention of at least five citizens, including four Baluch religious activists and one Baha'i citizen. Hengaw also mentioned the arrest of at least four students last month, naming them as Pedram Moieni, Maedeh Adami Makri, Armita Paveer, and Reyhaneh Khorasani. According to the report, government agents have also arrested at least three teachers named Asghar Mirzadegan, Mohammad Tahmasbi, and Mahmoud Malaki in the past thirty days. Hengaw further reported the arrest of at least four media activists in Tehran, Rasht, and Javanrud last month. In addition to the increasing number of arrests in recent months in Iran, the number of executions has also seen a significant rise. Human rights organizations have repeatedly expressed concern over the unprecedented increase in executions in Iran in recent months and have called for international community action regarding human rights violations by the Iranian government. The report also mentions the arrest of two Baluch citizens for congratulating Mawlavi Abdulhamid on Eid al-Adha, the serious risk of execution for Mujahid Korkor, and warnings from Amnesty International. Narges Mohammadi has warned about the repetition of events from July 9, and Taghi Rahmani stated that the government aims to stifle university voices. The ongoing detention of protesters continues, with Armita Paveer arrested and transferred to an unknown location. A new case has been opened against a jailed lawyer in Evin, with the charge being the dissemination of information about pressures and threats against imprisoned protesters. The government's news agency responded to the recent arrests in Zahedan, stating that there would be 'decisive action' against those spreading 'rumors' aimed at creating 'chaos.'