Temporary Release of Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh, Sister of a Victim Advocate; Released from Urmia Prison After Eight Days of Hunger Strike

Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh, from a family of advocates for justice and sister of Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh, a victim of the nationwide protests of 2022 in Boukan, was temporarily released from Urmia prison on Tuesday, August 23, after posting a bail of 500 million tomans until the conclusion of legal proceedings. According to the Kurdpa news agency, Solmaz's temporary release came after fourteen days of detention and eight days of hunger strike in solitary confinement in Urmia. Reports indicate that Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh was arrested on August 9, 2023, while attempting to hold a ceremony with her father to commemorate the birthday of Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh. Ahmad Hassan-Zadeh was released a day later after posting a bail of four billion tomans, but Solmaz was transferred to Urmia prison. Solmaz began her hunger strike on Tuesday, August 16, in protest against her continued detention, uncertainty about her situation, and deprivation of contact and visitation with her family. On Sunday, August 21, her parents were summoned to the Boukan Intelligence Office and threatened, being told, 'This time is different from previous occasions, and you will not escape easily, so give it up.' Previously, the family of Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh had been summoned to the Boukan Intelligence Office on September 5, 2023, and interrogated. Additionally, Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh had been arrested by security forces at a checkpoint between Boukan and Saqez on October 27 of the previous year and was released shortly after. Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh, a 28-year-old citizen from Boukan, was shot during the nationwide protests of 2022 and lost his life on November 16 of that year. Voice of America had previously reported that this protester had been shot multiple times with pellet and paintball guns in the days leading up to his death, losing vision in one eye.