Omar Ahmad, known as 'Rasoka,' arrested along with four media colleagues in Sardasht

Hengaw — Sunday, December 7, 2025

Iranian intelligence forces arrested Omar Ahmad, known as “Rasoka,” a prominent Kurdish media worker from Qaladze in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. He is a presenter for Ava TV, and was taken into custody along with four other videographers and colleagues from the same network. The identities of the four colleagues remain under investigation.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Ahmad and four of his colleagues were arrested on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, while covering the second day of the “Beyt and Heyran” festival in Sardasht.

Beyt and Heyran is a traditional Kurdish cultural festival featuring music, oral poetry, and local performances.

The arrest took place during their media coverage of the event. The individuals were detained by the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and transferred to an undisclosed location.

No explanation has been provided by the Iranian authorities, and questions remain regarding the reasons for the arrests and the charges against those detained.