Iran arrests two more environmental activists in Sanandaj, bringing total to three

Hengaw - Saturday, December 27, 2025

Iranian government forces arrested two Kurdish citizens from Sanandaj, Sabah Salehi and Saber Salehi, in connection with gatherings held under the name of the “Zagrosaneh” campaign. With these arrests, the number of detainees in Sanandaj linked to the campaign has risen to three.

Information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights indicates that Sabah Salehi and Saber Salehi, both from Sanandaj, were arrested in the city on Saturday, December 27, 2025.

Hengaw had previously reported that Ramin Salehi, a 39-year-old environmental activist and cousin of Sabah Salehi, was arrested at his workplace for participating in the same event, without the presentation of a warrant.

Sources say the arrests were carried out by agents of the Intelligence Department and were linked to participation in a “Zagrosaneh” campaign event held the previous day in Qaleh Hasanabad, Sanandaj.

The “Zagrosaneh” campaign is an annual environmental initiative organized by civic associations, including the Sabz Chia association, aimed at raising public awareness and promoting a culture of protecting the Zagros nature. The campaign is held in response to wide-ranging threats, including deliberate fires, changes in forest land use, mining expansion, dam construction, and unsustainable exploitation of natural resources, and is carried out with voluntary public participation.

In a separate incident, Iranian government forces arrested Shirko Kanisanani, a photographer and environmental activist from Marivan and a member of the “Sabz Chia” environmental association, after he returned from a “Zagrosaneh” campaign event held in the village of “Ney” in Marivan County, on Tuesday, December 23, 2025.

No precise information is available regarding the reasons for the arrests, the detainees’ place of custody, or their current status.