Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan: Four arrested in Marivan, including two 17-year-olds, by security forces

Hengaw: Saturday, March 22, 2025

Keyhan Tadberi and Mohammad Ghaderi, both 17-year-old Kurdish teenagers, along with two other Kurdish men—Mohammad Nikpey and Kawa Dastan—have been arrested by Iran’s Intelligence Department in connection with the Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Saturday, March 22, 2025, Keyhan Tadberi (17), Mohammad Nikpey (28), and Kawa Dastan (45), all residents of Ney village in Marivan County, were arrested by security forces. Around the same time, Mohammad Ghaderi (17), also from Ney, was summoned to the Intelligence Department in Marivan and subsequently arrested.

Informed sources have confirmed that the arrests are directly linked to the Newroz festivities taking place in the region.

Hengaw has learned that after his arrest, Keyhan Tadberi was transferred to a detention facility operated by the Intelligence Department in Sanandaj (Sine).

In a related development, five other Kurdish residents of Marivan—Aram Nikpey (38), Mohammad Nikpey (28), Mohammad Eshtak (23), Tahsin Dadras (31, a former political prisoner), and Belal Dadras (36)—were also arrested on Friday, for their participation or involvement in organizing Nowruz celebration.

As of the time of this report, there is no confirmed information regarding the current location or condition of these seven detainees.