At least 12 children arrested in five Iranian cities amid ongoing crackdown
Hengaw – Tuesday, February 17, 2026
At least twelve children have been arrested by Iranian government forces in the cities of Chabahar, Yazd, Malekshahi, Yasuj, and Neyshabur amid the continuing crackdown linked to the recent protests. With these cases, Hengaw has so far verified the identities of 250 children detained during the recent protests.
Based on reports received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the detainees include two Baloch children, one Kurdish child, and eight Lor children. All remain in a state of uncertainty.
Siavash Taqiabadi, 17, was arrested in Neyshabur on January 8, 2026, and transferred to Neyshabur Prison. According to informed sources, he was subjected to torture in an effort to extract forced confessions and build a serious case against him.
Saman Sheikhi, a 17-year-old Kurdish child, was arrested in Malekshahi on February 16, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Ramin Alizehi, a 17-year-old Baloch child from Zahedan, was arrested at a coffeehouse in Yazd on January 15, 2026, and transferred to the city’s Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center.
Taha Balochi, a 16-year-old Baloch child from the village of Sarmich in Espakeh, Sistan and Baluchestan Province, was arrested while working at his kiosk in Chabahar on January 9, 2026, and transferred to Chabahar Prison.
Amirsam Heydarian, Amirhossein Raznahan, Arsam Safaei, Ilya Nekouifar, Amirali Delrooz, Amirhomayoun Romina, Abolfazl Kenari, and Aliabbas Shamsaei Moqadam, eight Lor children under the age of 17, were arrested by IRGC Intelligence forces in Yasuj on February 14, 2026, and transferred to undisclosed locations.
Informed sources state that the children were interrogated following their arrests and that legal cases have been filed against them.
Intelligence Organization of IRGC Sepah Fath of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province issued a statement claiming, without disclosing the identities of the accused, that the children were part of an eight-member group allegedly attempting to prepare and distribute incendiary materials and Molotov cocktails and were subsequently identified and arrested.
Authorities have not disclosed the charges against these children or their current whereabouts and legal status.
