Tehran— Turkmen Activist Taher Sarli arrested and transferred to Gonbad-e Kavus Prison

Hengaw– Thursday, August 7, 2025

Taher Sarli, a Turkmen activist, has been arrested once again by security forces in Tehran and subsequently transferred to the Central Prison of Gonbad-e Kavus in Golestan Province.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, 50-year-old Taher Sarli, a resident of Sarli village near Gonbad-e Kavus, was detained in Tehran.

His arrest followed recent public criticism he voiced regarding the systemic deprivation and marginalization of the Turkmen-Sahra region. Following his arrest, he was transferred from Tehran to the prison in Gonbad-e Kavus.

Sarli had previously been detained on January 17, 2024, after being summoned to Branch 5 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Gonbad-e Kavus.

He had earlier faced charges of “disturbing public opinion” and “acting against national security,” for which he was summoned to court.

Taher Sarli holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Islamic Azad University of Shahroud and a master’s degree in history from Azad University of Abhar.