Urmia: 12 Kurdish children summoned and threatened by IRGC Intelligence Forces

Hengaw: Friday, March 28, 2025

12 Kurdish children from Urmia—identified as Matin Jafari, Pejman Jafari, Sina Khaliani, Yousef Qalandari, Yousef Alirezaei, Milad Abdilzadeh, Matin Abdilzadeh, Jihad Alirezaei, Faisal Alirezaei, Mani Tavareh, Farzin Khobi, and Akam Qorbantaj—were summoned and threatened by the intelligence unit in Ziweh-Margavar military base in Urmia in connection with the Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan. All of these individuals are under the age of 18.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Thursday, March 27, 2025, these twelve children, residents of the village of Nanas, a rural district of Urmia, were summoned and intimidated by the intelligence forces of the military base in Ziweh Margavar.

Sources familiar with the matter stated that the summons were related to their participation in the Newroz celebrations, which coincided with the anniversary of Imam Ali’s martyrdom. Upon reporting to the security entity, they were subjected to threats and intimidation. After several hours of interrogation and coercion, they were released upon signing written commitments.