The Number of 'Detained' at the Qaleh Babak Gathering Exceeds 50

According to various news and human rights websites, the number of civil activists detained in recent days ahead of the annual gathering at Qaleh Babak in East Azerbaijan province, northwest Iran, has reached 'over 50'. The website 'Hrana', which reports on human rights issues, stated that 'widespread arrests have occurred particularly in the provinces of Azerbaijan and Ardabil'. Radio Farda has been unable to independently verify these arrests. 'Qaleh Babak' is a fortress from the Sassanid era located on a mountain near the city of Kalibar in East Azerbaijan province. In recent years, a number of Turkish and Azerbaijani activists have gathered at this fortress in mid-July to celebrate and express their social and ethnic demands. In recent weeks, several news websites reported that civil activists in the region have been detained, summoned, or threatened. Additionally, reports have emerged in the past two days about the establishment of multiple checkpoints leading to this fortress. Hrana reported that the latest arrests occurred on Thursday, with 12 individuals detained in the cities of Ardabil, Ahar, Tabriz, Khalkhal, and Meshkinshahr, stating that these individuals were 'arrested by intelligence officers and transferred to an unknown location'. According to the same report, Suleiman Kazemi, Mehdi Doostdar, Milad Akbari, Abbas Khodayari, and Sina Arshadi are among the latest detainees from various cities. On the other hand, social media users have shared images and videos claiming that traditional celebrations and ceremonies were held on Thursday and Friday evenings at Qaleh Babak and its surrounding area. Hrana also reported that several of the detainees from recent weeks have been released in the past few days. The annual gathering at Qaleh Babak has previously been accompanied by arrests, and a few weeks ago, the East Azerbaijan Appeals Court issued a final ruling against three of last year's detainees. According to the ruling, Morteza Parvin, Milad Akbari, and Akbar Jahangiri were sentenced to 'pay a monetary fine in lieu of a four-month prison sentence' and '40 lashes' for 'disturbing public order'.