Widespread Arrests on the Anniversary of Mahsa Amini

Human rights organizations reported that from September 1 to September 17, at least 213 citizens, whose identities have been fully verified, were arrested across Iran by the government agencies of the Islamic Republic. The statistics center and documentation organization Hengaw, which covers news related to Kurdish regions, announced that of these detainees, 131, equivalent to 61.5%, were Kurdish citizens residing in various cities of Iran. Hengaw also reported the arrest of at least 12 citizens in the past week by government agents of the Islamic Republic. According to this report, Leila Naqdi-Pary, Nima Rezaei, Ali Nourani, Alireza Fazeli, and Mahnaz Tarah, five citizens residing in Tehran, Houshmand Rouzbehan and Ford Bahamin, Baha'i citizens residing in Isfahan, Danial Mehrshadi from Hashtgerd, Asghar Nikoukar, an artist from Zarqan in Fars province, Sheida Saberi from Yasuj, Sajad Yaqoubi from Shanderman, and Hamid Reza Najafi from Arak were arrested by government forces. According to Hengaw, on Sunday, September 17, 2023, Leila Naqdi-Pary, a board member of the Iranian Cinema Designers Association and a set designer in Tehran, was arrested. On the same day, Hamid Reza Najafi, 41 years old and residing in Arak, was arrested after being summoned to the public and revolutionary prosecutor's office of this city. He had previously been sentenced by the judiciary of the Islamic Republic to four months in prison and a monetary fine for 'spreading falsehoods.' A citizen named Nima Rezaei, 31 years old and residing in Tehran, was also arrested by government forces on one of the streets of the city. According to Hengaw, Nima Rezaei was severely beaten during his arrest, and due to a chronic neurological illness, his detention raises serious concerns for his family. On Saturday, September 16, 2023, there were also reports of the arrest of two Baha'i citizens named Houshmand Rouzbehan and Ford Bahamin, residing in Baharestan, Isfahan province, by government forces. Additionally, it is reported that Danial Mehrshadi from Hashtgerd, Isfahan was arrested during popular protests in Tehran, and his fate remains unknown. The widespread arrests on September 16 ultimately reached artists as well, with Ali Nourani, a director, writer, and theater actor, being arrested during a government raid on his home in Amirabad, Tehran. During the arrests on that Saturday, two other citizens named Alireza Fazeli (Farhad Omidi) and Mahnaz Tarah, residents of Tehran, were also arrested. These two citizens had previously been arrested due to their activities. According to Hengaw, Sheida Saberi, a women's and children's rights activist, was also arrested by government forces in Yasuj and transferred to an unknown location. Last year in October, she was arrested while marching with a protest sign in the streets of Yasuj and was released after about two weeks on bail. Earlier, on Friday, September 15, Sajad Yaqoubi, a theater actor from Shanderman, Masal in Gilan province, was arrested by the government forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran and transferred to an unknown location. Additionally, last week, on Sunday, September 10, Asghar Nikoukar, a musician from Zarqan in Fars province, was arrested by government forces, and there is still no information about his fate. Protests in dozens of cities in Iran; agents arrested dozens. Keyvan Mohtadi returned from solitary confinement to the general ward of Evin prison. Protests continue in Iran despite repression; protesters in Hamadan shouted 'Death to the Islamic Republic.' Continued pressure from the government on artists; Leila Naqdi-Pary was arrested and transferred to an unknown location. Dozens arrested across Iran on the anniversary of Mahsa; agents attacked 'protesters in Hamadan' on Sunday. Protests continue in various regions of Iran on the anniversary of Mahsa with the slogan 'We will take back Iran.'