141 people arrested by Iranian security forces in May 2024

Hengaw: Sunday, June 2, 2024

According to the Statistics and Documents Center of the human rights organization Hengaw, a total of 141 people were arrested by security forces throughout Iran in May 2024. Most of the arrests were among Kurds, with 80 cases registered.

Breakdown by nationality and gender:
• Kurds: 80 cases
• Baloch: 18 cases
• Turks: 11 cases
• Women: 14 cases
• Children: 3 cases

These individuals were either arrested or abducted by the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran in April.

Geographical distribution of arrests:
– West Azerbaijan Province (Urmia): 58 cases (57 Kurds and 1 Turk)
– Sistan and Baluchestan Province: 18 cases
– Kurdistan Province (Sanandaj): 12 cases
– East Azerbaijan Province: 10 cases
– Kermanshah Province (Kermashan): 7 cases
– Gilan Province: 6 cases
– Tehran Province: 5 cases
– Kerman Province: 4 cases (3 Baluchis and 1 Persian)
– Razavi Khorasan Province: 3 cases (2 Persians and 1 Kurd)
– Ilam, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad provinces and Qazvin provinces: 3 cases each
– Provinces of Lorestan, Mazandaran, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Ardabil and Isfahan: 1 case each

Over 70% of the detainees were Kurds and Baluchis

According to Hengaw statistics, 57% of all arrests were Kurds, with 80 people arrested in May alone. In addition, 18 Balochs were arrested, representing 13% of all arrests, and 11 Turks.

Imprisonment of religious minoritiesIn May

The report highlights that there was an increase in arrests of religious minorities in May. Twelve Sunni activists were arrested, including four Kurdish activists: Hossein Alimoradi (Sanandaj), Hadi Yusefpour (Piranshahr), Abdullah Barzgar (Sardasht) and Nabi Veisi (Javanrud). Eight Baloch religious activists were also arrested: Abdul Ahad, Hadi Naroi (17 years old), Owais, Rafiullah, Walid, Saeed Siahi (16 years old), Mohibullah and Zahid from Chabahar, Rask and Iranshahr.

In addition, three Baha’i activists were arrested: Sepideh Rashidi (Ahvaz), Nazila Khanipour and her son Wasal Heravi (Rasht).

Arrest of 14 activists and 3 children in May 2024

According to the Hengaw Statistics and Documentation Center, at least 14 female activists were arrested in May, representing 10% of all detainees. The women arrested include:

1. Matahera Gunei (Tehran)
2. Samia Qaderpour (Piranshahr)
3. Farangis Fathi (Malekan)
4. Akram Kochian (Malekan)
5. Sosan Hassanzadeh (Bukan)
6. Afsana Shahi (Bukan)
7. Marzieh Momeni (Mashhad)
8. Sudabah Wahabi (Chalus)
9. Sepideh Rashidi (Ahvaz)
10. Sama Amoushahi (Isfahan)
11. Nazila Khanipour (Rasht)
12. Maryam Mahmoodabadi (Sirjan)
13. Hetav Akrami (Takab)
14. Zahra Nabizadeh (Mahabad)

In addition, at least three children under the age of 18 were arrested: Mobeen Shekhapour (16, Mahabad), Saeed Sepahi (16, Chabahar) and Hadi Naroi (17, Iranshahr).

Arrest of teachers and students:

Security forces increased pressure on teachers and arrested at least three students and two teachers or university professors. The teachers arrested include:

1. Mohammad Saeedi Abul Hasaghi from Lordegan
2. Sadegh Ziba Kalam from Tehran

The detained students are:

1. Matahera Gunei (Tehran)
2. Mohammad Davari (Dehdasht)
3. Arman Moradi (Divandarreh)



Arrest of media activists:

At least seven journalists and media activists were arrested in May, including:

1. Mohammad Sarani (Zahedan)
2. Hajar Mahmoudi (Piranshahr)
3. Delshad Shadab (Oshnovieh)
4. Basit Qadirzadeh (Oshnovieh)
5. Taher Hajipour (Oshnovieh)
6. Sami’ Mahmoudi Aghdam (Oshnovieh)
7. Hassan Abbasi (Bandar Abbas)
8. Hajar Rahimi (Mahabad)

Arrest of artists and writers:

In May, at least five singers were arrested: Hadi Laweh from Oshnovieh, Barzin Jafari from Gilan-e Gharb, Wafa Ahmadpour and Daniyal Moghadam from Tehran, and Kamiar Bammad from Tehran.

In addition, the poet Jamshid Azizi from Astara was arrested and taken to prison to serve his sentence.

The identities of all 141 cases were recorded in the Statistics and Documents Center of the human rights organization Hengaw. The use of these statistics is permitted with appropriate attribution.