Teacher Vahid Qasemi and his mother Mahnaz Haddad arrested in Fariman
Hengaw – Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Vahid Qasemi, from Fariman in Razavi Khorasan Province, and his mother, Mahnaz Haddad Kakhki — both teachers — have been arrested and transferred to Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad, according to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights.
Qasemi was arrested on February 21, 2026, by agents affiliated with Iran’s Law Enforcement Intelligence Organization (Faraja). He was detained at his workplace during teaching hours. Qasemi is a biology teacher at Shahid Beheshti High School in Fariman and a married father of one.
The following day, his mother, Mahnaz Haddad Kakhki, 53, an elementary school teacher, was arrested at the Fariman courthouse while attempting to obtain information about her son’s situation. She was subsequently transferred to Vakilabad Prison.
According to informed sources, the charges against Vahid Qasemi include “encouraging participation in protests,” “propaganda against the state,” “insulting the Supreme Leader,” and “insulting sacred beliefs.” Mahnaz Haddad Kakhki has been charged with “propaganda against the state."
