Saqqez – Five Kurds, including a lawyer and a village head, arrested over protest against destructive gold mining activities

Hengaw – Tuesday, July 22, 2025

At least five Kurds have been arrested by security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, following an order issued by the Saqqez Public Prosecutor, for protesting the destructive operations of a gold mining company in the village of Mirgeh Nakhshineh, located in the city of Saqqez. The identities of three of the detainees have been confirmed as Latif Moradi, the village head (dehyar), Mozaffar Moradi, a lawyer, and his brother Behzad Moradi.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Monday, July 21, 2025, the three men—residents of Mirgeh Nakhshineh—were arrested by officers from the Miradeh police station. Two additional individuals were also detained, though their identities remain unconfirmed at this time.

A reliable source informed Hengaw that the arrests were directly linked to the group’s protest against the gold mining company’s destruction of orchards, roads, and surrounding mountains near Mirgeh Nakhshineh.

Earlier, a group of residents from Kurdistan had signed a petition calling for the immediate suspension of gold mining activities in Saqqez due to the severe environmental risks. Additionally, since the beginning of this year, a grassroots campaign has been launched demanding a halt to operations at the Saqqez gold mine and refinery.