Four Kurdish shopkeepers in Sanandaj arrested for participating in Kurdistan Strike

Hengaw: Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Four Kurds from Sanandaj (Sine) have been arrested by security forces for their participation in widespread strike held on January 22, protesting the death sentences of Pakhshan Azizi and Varisheh Moradi. The detainees—identified as Mohammad Seyfpanahi, Sina Rezaei, Mohammad Atlasi, and Omid Mohammadi—have been transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to reports received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Mohammad Seyfpanahi and Sina Rezaei, both shoe shopkeepers, were arrested in front of their shops. Meanwhile, Mohammad Atlasi and Omid Mohammadi, a 33-year-old Bazaar merchant, were also apprehended by security forces. Witnesses report that the arrests were carried out with significant violence and physical assault by the authorities.

The arrests are linked to the detainees’ involvement in the widespread market strike across Sanandaj. These strikes were organized in protest against the upholding of death sentences for Varisheh Moradi and Pakhshan Azizi.

Families of the detainees have made unsuccessful attempts to obtain information about their loved ones’ whereabouts and current conditions.

As of the publication of this report, no details regarding the charges against the detainees, their locations, or their treatment in custody have been disclosed by authorities.