December Protests – At least 18 Kurds arrested in multiple cities

Hengaw – Friday, January 9, 2026

As the recent wave of arrests continues, at least 18 Kurdish individuals have been detained by forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran across multiple cities, including Malekshahi, Gilan-e Gharb, Abdanan, Qasr-e Shirin, Darreh Shahr, Divandarreh, Sabzevar, and Sonqor. All detainees were transferred to undisclosed locations.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, nine residents of Abdanan, Ilam Province, were arrested by government forces on Thursday, January 8, 2026. Those detained have been identified as Ahmad Zeini, a nurse; Mostafa Saffar, a shopkeeper; Rahmat Rashidi, a café owner; as well as Arman Pirani, Ali Ahmadi, Amir Hossein Khanmohammadi, Ashkan Sabzi, Rahman Karami, and Aref Mirzaei.

On the same day, three additional individuals—Jasem Tandar from Malekshahi, Navid Najafi from Gilan-e Gharb in Kermanshah Province, and Vahid Shadman, a photographer and head of the Qasr-e Shirin Photographers Association—were also arrested.

Earlier, four individuals were detained by government forces on Wednesday, January 7. They have been identified as Behnam Bolandbakht from Gilan-e Gharb, Salam Aref Khanlari from Darreh Shahr, Mardin Moradi from Divandarreh, and Ahmadreza Farhadi Topkanlou, a 23-year-old resident of Sabzevar.

In a related development, Moslem Kamyab from Sonqor was arrested on Tuesday, January 6, followed by the arrest of his brother Mohsen Kamyab on Monday, January 5, after government forces raided their home without presenting a warrant and carried out the arrests using force.

No precise information has been released regarding the whereabouts, conditions of detention, or charges against the detainees.