Iran arrests five protesters in Asadabad amid ongoing crackdown

Hengaw – Friday, January 2, 2026

State repressive forces have arrested five protesters in Asadabad, Hamedan Province, amid an ongoing crackdown on public demonstrations. The detainees have been identified as Mohammad Hossein Shafiqian and Yousef Morseli, two Kurdish men; Alireza Nouri and Amir Farhadi, two Turkish men; and Sam Forough, a Persian man from Asadabad.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, government forces carried out coordinated raids on residential homes in Asadabad, during which the five men were violently arrested.

The arrests were carried out without the presentation of warrants and involved intimidation and the use of force. Following their detention, all five individuals were transferred to undisclosed locations, and their families have been denied information regarding their whereabouts.

Authorities have not disclosed the reasons for the arrests, the charges against the detainees, or their current condition.