Two Family Members of Deceased Protester Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh Arrested in Boukan

As the anniversary of Mahsa (Zhina) Amini's death in custody approaches and pressure on grieving families intensifies, human rights sources reported the arrest of Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh's father and sister, victims of last year's nationwide protests. According to the Hrana news agency, Ahmad Hassan-Zadeh, 56, and Solmaz Hassan-Zadeh, 29, were arrested on Tuesday, September 5, after being summoned to the Boukan Intelligence Office. No information has been released regarding the reasons for their arrest, charges, or their place of detention. Mohammad Hassan-Zadeh, 28, was shot and killed during protests in Boukan on November 16, 2022, just a week before his wedding. Voice of America previously reported that this protester had been shot multiple times with pellet and paintball guns in the days leading up to his death, losing sight in one eye. During the crackdown on last year's nationwide protests, over five hundred people were killed, and thousands were injured or arrested. In addition to the two members of the Hassan-Zadeh family, Safa Aili, Mahsa Amini's uncle, was also arrested on September 4. Farzaneh Barzkar, the mother of Erfan Rezaei Novayi, another deceased protester in Amol, was recently arrested by security forces. Safa Aili's arrest continues the pressure on grieving families. A joint case has been opened for the two arrested protesters; lawyer Yarahai stated that his client's spirit is 'very good.' Exclusive reports indicate that Amjad Amini stated Mahsa is 'the daughter of Iran' and that they will hold a memorial for 'that innocent one.' Rada Fatehi, sister of one of the protest victims, remarked that the arrests are a 'sign of the Islamic Republic's impotence.'