Security Situation in Kurdish Regions of Iran; Arrests Continue

According to local sources from Kurdistan province, security agencies in the Islamic Republic have carried out widespread arrests on the eve of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death while in custody of the morality police. Accordingly, with the arrest of a Kurdish citizen in Divandareh, the number of recent detainees in this city has reached six. The Hengaw Human Rights Organization reported that the arrested individual is named Milad Pirani and was detained on Wednesday, September 21, by the intelligence agency forces. According to this human rights organization, this arrest was made 'without any judicial document' and 'through the use of violence.' Analysts believe that the aim of the security forces with these arrests is to prevent any protests on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and to obstruct the commemoration ceremony by Amini's family. In this context, Amjad Amini, Mahsa Amini's father, in an audio file sent to VOA, mentioned efforts to hold a memorial ceremony if the government does not intervene. He stated in this audio message that if the Islamic Republic does not impose the restrictions of last year, 'given the calls and requests from the public,' the memorial for his daughter will be held on Sunday, September 25. Meanwhile, reports indicate that the security atmosphere in Kurdish cities is intensifying. In this regard, the Hengaw Human Rights Organization wrote on Thursday, September 22: 'The atmosphere in Kurdish cities, including Saqqez, the birthplace of Zhina Amini, has become security-oriented.' Reports show that in the days leading up to the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and the beginning of the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, several citizens and civil activists have been arrested, and the Islamic Republic's agents have increased pressure on the families of the victims seeking justice. Accordingly, human rights sources recently reported that Mina Soltani, the mother of Shahrivar Mohammadi, a protester who died during the nationwide 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests in Boukan, was arrested. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network announced that government agents stormed the home of Shahrivar Mohammadi's mother on the evening of Wednesday, September 21, detaining her without a judicial order. The message from Mahsa Amini's father: If the government does not intervene, we will hold the memorial ceremony on Sunday. The security atmosphere in Kurdish cities is intensifying ahead of the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death; 14 teachers have been summoned, and a mother seeking justice has been arrested. Mahsa Amini's father: The judiciary has not yet responded to the family regarding the case; we will hold the memorial ceremony. Amnesty International on the second anniversary of the nationwide protests: Impunity for 'perpetrators of international crimes' continues in the Islamic Republic. Intensified government pressures on the anniversary of Mahsa Amini and the nationwide protests of 2022; two more citizens arrested in Kurdistan.