Iranian Authorities Arrest Prominent Kurdish Singer in Ilam for Participating in Nawroz Festival

Hengaw; Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Mohammad Abbaszadeh, a Kurdish singer previously detained during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' Movement and sentenced to imprisonment, has been apprehended by Iranian security forces for his involvement in the Nawroz celebrations.

According to a report received by the Hengaw organization for Human Rights on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, 35-year-old Kurdish singer Mohammad Abbaszadeh, from Ilam, was detained by Iranian security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

Sources affiliated with Hengaw stated that Abbaszadeh was detained upon returning from the Nawroz ceremony on the streets of Shuhan city, in Ilam province. At the time of reporting, precise information regarding Abbaszadeh's whereabouts and custody status was unavailable.

It is important to note that Abbaszadeh was previously arrested at his residence on October 19, 2022, for performing the song 'Jin, Jian, Azadi (Woman, Life, Freedom).' He was released on bail on November 3, 2022, after posting bail of 800 million Tomans.

Abbaszadeh was sentenced to two years of imprisonment by Branch 103 of the criminal court and Branch One of the revolutionary court in Ilam for singing the mentioned song. This verdict was later appealed, resulting in two years of suspended confinement, a two-year travel ban, and a monetary fine in February 2023.

Additionally, Mohammad Abbaszadeh was convicted by Branch 101 of the Criminal Court in Ilam in April 2023 for engaging in a 'smear campaign' by criticizing chemical attacks on schools on social media. He was sentenced to one year of suspended imprisonment and a monetary fine of 24 million Iranian tomans.