At least ten arrested across Iran amid ongoing crackdown

Hengaw – Saturday, February 21, 2026

Iranian government forces have arrested at least ten people in the cities of Joveyn, Ahvaz, Mashhad, Jowayin, Dehdasht, Aran va Bidgol, and Qazvin, according to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.

The detainees remain in a state of uncertainty, and reliable information about their legal status and whereabouts remains largely unavailable.

Their identities are as follows:

Tehran

Behnam Ohadi, a psychologist, and Mohammad Shaeri, both residents of Tehran, were arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by government forces and transferred to Great Tehran Penitentiary. Informed sources state that they were detained after attending memorial ceremonies marking the 40th day for several victims of the recent protests at Behesht Zahra Cemetery.

Babak Moradifar, a political activist residing in Tehran, was arrested on Friday, January 9, 2026, during a raid by Intelligence Ministry agents on his home. He remains in prolonged detention at Great Tehran Penitentiary.

For ten days following his arrest, his family had no information about his whereabouts until he briefly contacted them to confirm that he was being held in Evin Prison. Authorities later stated that his case was under review in Branch Two of the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office. After approximately forty days in detention, he was transferred to the Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office and charged with “communication with foreign networks,” “propaganda against the state,” and “assembly and collusion.” He was subsequently returned to Great Tehran Penitentiary without access to legal counsel or an effective defense.

Ahvaz

Hassan Batrani, a 32-year-old Arab resident of the Alavi neighborhood (Hay al-Thawra) in Ahvaz and a former political prisoner, was arrested on Thursday, February 19, 2026, by Intelligence Ministry forces on a street in the city.

Batrani had previously been arrested in December 2017 and March 2019, along with his brother Basem Batrani, on charges of “acting against national security” and “links with opposition groups.” He served more than 30 months in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz.

Mashhad and Joveyn

Amirhossein Nezami, a resident of Mashhad, was arrested on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, by government forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. No information about his condition has been made public.

Ali-Akbar Behloul, a resident of Joveyn County in Razavi Khorasan Province, was arrested on the evening of Tuesday, February 17, 2026, during a violent raid by plainclothes Intelligence Ministry agents on his home and taken to an unknown location.

Mojtaba Azhdi, from Neqab in Joveyn, was arrested during the January 2026 protests and transferred to Joveyn Prison. He is currently being held in Mashhad Prison in a state of uncertainty. A former political prisoner from the 2022 protests, Azhdi sustained injuries to his eye and leg during the recent protests and requires urgent medical treatment.

Dehdasht

Radmehr Forouhar, a Lor resident of Dehdasht in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province, was arrested on Friday, January 9, 2026, during protests in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location. More than one month later, no information has been made available regarding his fate.

Aran va Bidgol

Mohammadreza Bastani, a worker and father of two from Aran va Bidgol in Isfahan Province, was arrested on Thursday, January 8, 2026, during protests in the city and taken to an undisclosed location.

Qazvin

Mojtaba Bidgoli, 35, a resident of Qazvin, was arrested during protests in January 2026 and transferred to an undisclosed location. No information has been released regarding his whereabouts or condition.