Two Kurdish men arrested during Newroz celebrations jailed to serve prison sentences

Hengaw – Saturday, December 27, 2025

Two Kurdish men from Marivan, Mohammad Nikpey and Mohammad Eshtak, have been transferred to the city’s central prison to serve their sentences. They were collectively sentenced to six months in prison by the Iranian judiciary for participating in Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Nikpey (28) and Eshtak (23), both residents of the village of Ney in Marivan, were arrested on Saturday, December 27, 2025, and transferred to Marivan Central Prison to begin serving their prison terms.

Recently, the Marivan Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to three months in prison on the charge of “propaganda against the state.” The ruling was issued solely in connection with their participation in Newroz celebrations in the Sardosh area of Marivan.

An informed source told Hengaw that the judicial process was carried out in violation of due legal procedure and in the absence of the defendants. The source added that the two men were subjected to torture and severe beatings during detention, resulting in rib fractures.

Nikpey and Eshtak were initially arrested on March 21, 2025, during Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan by Iranian government forces.