Iranian security forces arbitrarily arrest Arab civil activists Maki Heidari and Aqil Helichi in Ahvaz

Hengaw – Monday, October 13, 2025

Iranian security forces have arrested two Arab civil activists, Maki Heidari and Aqil Helichi, in Ahvaz and transferred them to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the two activists—both residents of the Malashieh district of Ahvaz—were detained at their homes on Monday, October 6, 2025. Since their arrest, their families have been denied any information about their fate or whereabouts.

Reports indicate that their arrests are linked to their expressions of solidarity with the families of Ali Mojaddam, Mohammadreza Moghaddam, Moein Khanfari, Habib Deris, Adnan Ghabishavi, and Salem Mousavi—six Arab political prisoners executed in Sepidar Prison, Ahvaz, on Saturday, October 4, 2025.

In recent days, Iranian authorities have intensified pressure on Arab activists, artists, and community figures across Ahvaz, Susangerd, Shadegan, Shushtar, and Kut Abdollah, summoning and threatening individuals on accusations of “spreading provocative content” and “propaganda against the state.”