At least eight Kurds, including two minors, arrested across multiple cities
Hengaw – Wednesday, February 4, 2026
At least eight Kurds, including two minors aged 16 and 17, have been arrested by Iranian government forces in the cities of Asman Abad, Sanandaj, Bijar, and Mahabad amid the continuing wave of detentions linked to recent protests.
According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the detainees have been identified as Hawre Faraji, Barzan Safari, Yadgar (surname unknown), Mehdi Qaderi, Saeed Kalhor, Kasra Qadrbeigi, Shahriar Eskoui, and Shahrokh Aminpour. Most have been transferred to undisclosed locations, and no official information has been released regarding their legal status or charges. Further details are as follows:
Asman Abad
Kasra Qadrbeigi, a 16-year-old minor from Asman Abad in Chardavol County, Ilam Province, was arrested by government forces on the evening of February 3, 2026, and taken to an undisclosed location.
Sanandaj and Bijar
Mehdi Qaderi, 32, a resident of Sanandaj and father of two children, was arrested without a court warrant by government forces on February 3, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location.
On the evening of February 2, 2026, Hawre Faraji, Barzan Safari, and Yadgar (surname unknown) were pursued and shot at by government forces in Sanandaj before being violently arrested and taken away. Reports state they were subjected to beating and excessive force during arrest.
On the same day, Shahriar Eskoui, a former political prisoner from Sanandaj, was arrested by government intelligence forces in the city and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Saeed Kalhor, a 17-year-old minor from Bijar, was arrested by government forces on January 21, 2026, and transferred to the Sanandaj Juvenile Correction and Rehabilitation Center. More than two weeks later, his family remains without clear information regarding his case status or condition despite repeated inquiries.
Mahabad
Shahrokh Aminpour, a resident of Gardi Yaqub village in Mahabad County, was arrested by government forces on February 2, 2026, without presentation of a warrant and taken to an undisclosed location.
