Kurdish man from Iraqi Kurdistan tortured in Iran after travelling for medical supplies, accused of ‘espionage’

Hengaw – Sunday, November 2, 2025

A Kurdish citizen from the Seyyed Sadiq district in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, identified as Karwan, has been released after four months of detention and torture in Tehran, where he was held on politically motivated accusations of “espionage” related to Israel.

According to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Karwan, approximately 45 years old and from the village of Shane-dar in Seyyed Sadiq, was arrested in Tehran by Iranian security forces shortly after the twelve-day war between Iran and Israel. He was detained without legal justification and subjected to prolonged physical and psychological torture in an effort to force a false confession.

Karwan managed to inform his family of his situation only after fifteen days in detention through an acquaintance. His brother then travelled to Tehran and, after persistent efforts, was eventually allowed a brief visit.

He was released earlier this month and has returned to Seyyed Sadiq in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq after enduring four months of detention accompanied by torture.

In a video published on social media, Karwan stated that he had travelled to Tehran to purchase medical and hygiene supplies when he was arrested on 26 June 2025 without any explanation.