At least 34 Kurds arbitrarily detained across Iran

Hengaw – Friday, January 23, 2026

At least 34 Kurds, including three women and one follower of the Yarsan faith, have been arbitrarily arrested by Iranian government forces in a sweeping crackdown following the outbreak of recent protests. The arrests took place across the cities of Ilam, Abdanan, Sanandaj, Dehgolan, Javanrud, Qorveh, Saqqez, Saheb, Oshnavieh, Urmia, and Tehran.

In most cases, authorities have refused to disclose the detainees’ whereabouts, legal status, or the charges brought against them.

Ilam and Abdanan

Vahid Latifnejad, a civil rights activist from Ilam, was arrested and taken to an undisclosed location on January 17. More than a week later, his family remains without any information about his condition or whereabouts.

That same day, Mohsen Bavir, a café owner from Abdanan, was detained and transferred to an unknown location. One day later, his café, Gol Café, was set on fire by individuals linked to government authorities, causing damages estimated at 700 million tomans.

Yazdan Azizi, also from Ilam, was arrested on January 10. His fate and place of detention remain unknown.
Sanandaj

Haibat Moeid, a 41-year-old engineer from Sanandaj, was detained on December 27 and transferred to an unknown location. After 26 days, no information has been provided regarding his charges, health status, or place of detention.

Setayesh Sarabi, a resident of Sanandaj, was violently arrested by IRGC intelligence agents on January 9.

Dehgolan

At least six residents of Dehgolan—Hossein Amiri Hosseini, Saman Tahmasbi, Yadollah Sarmasti, Yasin Fathi, Erfan Majidi, and Saber Ghadari—were arrested. More than two weeks later, authorities have provided no information regarding their legal status, detention sites, or well-being.

Javanrud

Danial Bahrami, a 21-year-old hairdresser from Javanrud, was arrested for posting videos in support of protests and strikes on January 10. His family remains without any information about his whereabouts more than two weeks later.

Qorveh

Zahed Khaledian and Vahed Khaledian, two brothers and former political prisoners from Qorveh, were arrested on January 11. Their fate and location remain unknown.

Saqqez and Saheb

Hamed Delavari from Saqqez, along with Arian Osmani and Hazhir Shanazi from Saheb, was detained on January 21 and transferred to unknown locations. Hamed Delavari was later moved to Sanandaj. 
Sources noted that Arian Osmani is a professional kickboxing athlete and provincial champion.

In recent days, Farhad Mahmoudi, Farzam Mohammadi, and Hiva Tataei, all from Saqqez, were also arrested. According to sources close to the families, Farzam Mohammadi has been subjected to torture while in detention.

Oshnavieh

Elham Omidian, originally from Oshnavieh and a resident of Germany, was arrested after returning to Iran to visit her family. Several days after her arrest, her whereabouts remain unknown. Sources said her family has only been allowed to see her once in court, without permission to speak with her.

Urmia

Ashkan Kalaki, from the village of Jolqeran in the Sumay-ye Beradust District, was arrested. After more than a week, authorities have provided no information regarding his status or location.

Tehran

Ali Asghar Ahmadpanah, a 19-year-old Kurdish man from Bijar, was arrested during protests in Tehran on January 8 and transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. He suffers from epileptic seizures and requires daily medication, yet has been denied access to medical care since his detention.

That same day, Sina Kiani, a 21-year-old from Kermanshah and a follower of the Yarsan faith, was arrested in Tehran without a warrant. After 17 days, his family reported that his forced confessions had been broadcast on state media, heightening concerns about torture and psychological pressure.