Increased Pressures Ahead of Mahsa Amini Anniversary; 5 Citizens Arrested in Tehran and Tabriz

Continuing pressures on civil activists ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death, two citizens in Tabriz and three family members in Tehran were arrested. According to a report by the news agency of the Human Rights Activists in Iran on Thursday, September 14, Amir Hossein Aghaei and Mohammad Reza Mohammadi, two residents of Tabriz, were arrested by the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic and transferred to an unknown location. The report states that these two citizens were arrested on Wednesday, and there is no information available regarding the reasons for their arrest or the charges against them. Mohammad Reza Mohammadi is identified in this report as a master's student in international law who has a history of arrest during the nationwide protests of 2022 and was released on bail. Hahrana also reported, citing an informed source, that the intelligence forces of the Islamic Republic arrested Zahra Safaei, Parastoo Moieni, and Mohammad Masoud Moieni, all members of the same family, at their home in Tehran and transferred them to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. There is also no information available regarding the reasons for the arrest of these three citizens, who have previously been arrested and imprisoned. Simultaneously with these arrests, Narges Mohammadi, a political prisoner and human rights defender, stated in a message from Evin Prison that the arrests, torture, killings, and executions of young people in the streets and prisons have caused the Islamic Republic to face 'misery, disgust, and terrifying instability.' As the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death in the custody of the morality police approaches, pressure on civil and political activists and also on families seeking justice has increased, and several of them have been arrested. Among them, Armin Rostami, the brother of Ayda Rostami, one of the victims of the 2022 protests, was arrested on Wednesday, September 13. However, Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, informed the Persian section of Voice of America about the upcoming anniversary ceremony for his daughter, stating: 'To honor the name and memory of the martyr and innocent Zhina (Mahsa) and to bring peace to the family and relatives and all her supporters, we intend to hold the anniversary ceremony this year. However, given the circumstances, we cannot officially invite people to the ceremony or tell them not to participate.' Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, also previously stated in response to a question from the Persian section of Voice of America that the Islamic Republic has not learned from recent protests. Earlier, John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator for the National Security Council at the White House, stated: 'After the killing of Mahsa Amini and the public protests, the people of Iran should now be able to make decisions for themselves and women should be able to choose their own dress.'