Iran arrests seventeen people, including five Baloch, in multiple cities

Hengaw — Monday, February 1, 2026

At least seventeen people, including five Baloch, have been arrested by Iranian government forces across several cities in Iran. Many of those arrested have been transferred to undisclosed locations, and their fate remains unknown.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, those arrested include one injured detainee, five Baloch, three Turks, and two Gilaks. Among them are at least one 17-year-old child and one woman. Details of the arrests are as follows.

Rey and Lahijan:

Amir Mojallal, a 22-year-old Gilak from Rasht, was arrested after Iranian government forces raided his workplace, a mechanical repair shop in the city of Rey, on Saturday, January 31, 2026. He was transferred to an undisclosed location.

Behnam Khanbabai, a Gilak from the village of Lafemjan in Lahijan County, was arrested by Iranian government forces in recent days. He had previously been detained during the Jin, Jiyan, Azadi movement and is the uncle of Mani Safarpour, an 18-year-old who was killed during recent protests.

Maragheh, Astara, and Tabriz:

Sahand Abbasnia, a Turk, a student at Tabriz Art University, and from Maragheh, was arrested by Iranian government forces in Maragheh and transferred to an undisclosed location. His arrest took place on Wednesday, January 22, 2026.

Amirmehdi Rajabi, a Turk, rapper, and artist from Astara known by the stage name “Bangard,” was arrested after being summoned by phone to the Astara Intelligence Office on Monday, January 20, 2026. Reports indicate that he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture in an attempt to extract forced confessions, including allegations related to the production of Molotov cocktails.

Rajabi has previously been arrested. In 2023, he was detained over the publication of a video in which he appeared wearing the jersey of the Esteghlal football club and was sentenced to three additional months of compulsory service and a monetary fine. He was later released after signing a written pledge.

Ahmadreza Afsharinnejad, a Turk, a final-year student at Tabriz Islamic Art University, and from Takab, was arrested while leaving his workplace near Tabriz Bazaar and transferred to Tabriz Prison on Friday, January 9, 2026.

Iranshahr and Yazd (Baloch people):

Mohammad Amer Dadafarin, a 21-year-old from Iranshahr and the son of political activist Fariba Baloch, was abducted by Iranian security forces in Iranshahr on Thursday, January 29, 2026. According to reports received, he was subjected to twelve hours of severe physical and psychological torture and was later released in an injured and bloodied condition in front of his home. The abuse was reportedly linked to his mother’s activities at the European Parliament. He had previously been detained in June 2023 for forty-two days in Zahedan Prison along with his uncle, Mohammad Molazahi.

Mohammad Ahurani, a 17-year-old student, Amirhossein Kadkhodaei, 19, and Fasih Borhanzahi, a 31-year-old woman, were arrested during protests in Iranshahr on the evening of Thursday, January 9, 2026. Reports indicate that Ahurani was shot in the leg during his arrest and was detained without receiving medical treatment. All three were transferred to undisclosed locations.

Qader Ejbari, a Baloch laborer from the village of Chah Ahmad near Zahedan, was arrested without a judicial warrant after Iranian government forces raided his workplace in Yazd on Monday, January 6, 2026. Twenty-six days after his arrest, no information has been made available regarding his fate. According to Haalvsh, he has only been able to make one brief phone call with his family.

Tehran, Ahvaz, Javersian, and Marvdasht:

Ali Cheraghi, a 52-year-old from Tehran, a nature tour leader, mountaineer, and child-rights activist, was arrested after Iranian government forces raided his home in Tehran on Wednesday, January 29, 2026. He was transferred to an undisclosed location.

Mehdi Ramzdan, a 23-year-old kickboxing athlete from Ahvaz, was arrested by Intelligence Ministry forces in the city on the same day and transferred to an undisclosed location. Four days after his arrest, no information has been released regarding his fate or place of detention.

Fariborz Heydari, a 42-year-old from Tehran and a wildlife photographer, was arrested by Iranian government forces in the Tehranpars area of Tehran on Tuesday, January 28, 2026. Several days after his arrest, his place of detention remains unknown.

Rasul Doregard, 24, and Saman Doregard, 20, two brothers, were arrested during a raid by IRGC Intelligence Protection forces on their family home in the Khavaran-Atabak area of Tehran in the early hours of Saturday, January 11, 2026. Their fate remains unknown.

Mohsen Khodaei, a physical education teacher from the city of Javersian in Markazi Province, was arrested outside his home by Iranian government forces on Thursday, January 9, 2026. Twenty-four days after his arrest, no information has been made available regarding his fate.

According to reports received from Marvdasht, Saeed Zarei Kordshuli has been subjected to severe pressure and torture in an attempt to extract a forced confession related to the killing of a Basij member, raising concerns over the possible issuance of heavy sentences against him.