Uncertainty Surrounding the Detention of Protesters in Khuzestan

Exclusive report - Since the protests began in Khuzestan province on April 8, dozens have been detained in the region, yet Iranian officials have not provided information regarding the exact number or the status of those detained. Reports indicate that, two weeks later, the whereabouts of some detainees remain unknown. Families of several recent detainees have told Radio Farda that they have repeatedly approached responsible authorities to inquire about their status, but judicial officials have not responded regarding their conditions or charges. Ramadan Naseri reports the detention of six of his relatives during the protests: 'During these demonstrations, many citizens were arrested in various cities, including Aziz Naseri, Asad Naseri, Saeed Naseri, Mohammad Naseri, Nasser Naseri, and Fard Naseri, who are my cousins. About 20 people were arrested just from our neighborhood, and we have no news of them so far. Most of these individuals were arrested by the police but were handed over to the IRGC intelligence.' The protests in Khuzestan were sparked by the airing of a segment titled 'See and Build' during the Nowruz program 'Kolah Ghermezi,' which depicted a child representing Iran's ethnicities but omitted Arab attire. This led to protests and marches in various cities in Khuzestan, including Ahvaz, Abadan, Hamidiyeh, Khorramshahr, and Mahshahr, resulting in clashes between protesters and security forces, injuries to several citizens, and the detention of hundreds. Walid Mahavi told Radio Farda that two of his relatives are still detained: 'On April 9, Khalid Mahavi and Mahmoud Bit-Siyah were arrested and transferred to an unknown location. Their families have visited the Sheiban and Sepidar prisons and the news headquarters but have received no information about them. These arrests took place in the central market by intelligence agents. Khadijeh Nisi and Aisha Nisi are also among the detainees whose status is unknown.' According to released videos, protesters held placards in English, Persian, and Arabic. Some wore Arab clothing and danced while singing Arabic songs. Karim Dahimi, a human rights activist in the UK, states that currently over 400 citizens from Khuzestan are detained, but Radio Farda cannot independently verify the number of these detentions: 'Since the protests began in Khuzestan, unfortunately, the number of arrests has increased, and several civil activists have also been detained. Most detainees are held in poor conditions in Ahvaz central prison, and families have no information about their legal proceedings or charges. No reports of their release have been published, and it is even unclear in which prisons some of these individuals are held. Only those detainees who managed to contact their families are in Sheiban and Sepidar prisons.' In addition to those arrested during the recent protests, reports received by Radio Farda indicate that these detentions continue, and in recent days, several civil activists and writers have also been arrested in the province. Amjad Mazraeh, a cousin of Nasser Mazraeh, one of the individuals arrested two days ago, stated: 'Nasser Mazraeh is a writer and has done nothing to warrant his arrest. He was abducted from the street along with Tawfiq Fallahieh, Hadi Jalali, and Hossein Estedad, all of whom are intellectuals, and their status is unknown.' Khuzestani protesters and Ali Sari, a representative from Ahvaz in the Islamic Consultative Assembly, have called for an apology from the Islamic Republic's state television. State television has not responded to this issue, but Mohammad Zareian, the producer of the 'See and Build' program, announced in response to the protests that the map of Iran would be completed during the airing of this program, and an Arab-dressed puppet would also be added. Abolhassan Hassanzadeh, the Friday prayer leader of Ahvaz, emphasized that this occurred 'unintentionally' on state television. In recent years, similar gatherings have been held in protest against the Iranian government's approach to Khuzestan. Issues such as the right to education in one's mother tongue, unemployment, and environmental problems have been among the grievances raised by Khuzestani citizens over the years.