Kermanshah – Kurdish truck driver Shahab Darabi sentenced to three years in prison

Hengaw – Sunday, August 24, 2025

Iranian authorities have sentenced Shahab Darabi, a Kurdish man from Eslamabad-e Gharb (Shabad), to three years and one day in prison. The  driver, who is also active on social media, has previously been detained for criticizing elections and supporting labor protests.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the Revolutionary Court in Eslamabad-e Gharb issued the latest prison sentence in connection with his participation in the nationwide truck drivers’ strike in June 2025 and for posts on Instagram expressing support for the strike.

Darabi was arrested on May 27, 2025, at his home in Eslamabad-e Gharb. Sources reported that security forces carried out the arrest with intimidation and physical violence. He was released on bail on June 2, 2025, after spending several days in custody. Shortly before the arrest, he had publicly voiced support for the strike on social media.

The Kurdish driver had also been detained earlier, on February 28, 2024, in Shabad after publishing posts critical of the elections. He was subsequently released, reflecting a broader pattern of repeated arrests in connection with his peaceful expression.

Also known by his nickname “Yuz Asia” (Asian Cheetah), Darabi is active as a social media influencer in addition to working as a truck driver.