Government forces arrest Arab religious activists Reza Betarani and Mohammad Neysi

Hengaw — Monday, December 8, 2025

Reza Betarani and Mohammad Neysi, two Arab religious activists, were arrested by Iranian government forces in Ahvaz and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the arrests took place on Monday, December 8, 2025, when both men, who are married and residents of Ahvaz, were detained and taken to an unknown location.

The Karun Human Rights Organization reported that the families’ efforts to obtain information about the fate and whereabouts of Betarani and Neysi have so far been unsuccessful.

Betarani had previously served a two-year prison sentence.

No information has been released regarding the reasons for the arrests, the charges that may have been brought against Betarani and Neysi, or the circumstances and location of their detention, leaving their legal status and current situation unclear.