Iranian authorities arrest three former political prisoners in Tehran

Hengaw | Sunday, February 1, 2026

Iranian authorities have arrested Mehdi Mahmoudian, Abdollah Momeni, and Vida Rabbani, all prominent political activists and former political prisoners, and transferred them to an undisclosed location.

Hengaw Organization for Human Rights has learned that the arrests took place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, in Tehran. Abdollah Momeni, a teacher in Iran’s public education system, was detained along with Mehdi Mahmoudian and Vida Rabbani during separate operations carried out by security forces.

According to information received, the arrests are linked to the activists’ recent political activities, including signing a public statement and giving interviews to Persian-language media calling for the resignation of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and for a referendum aimed at a peaceful transition of power.

No information has been made available regarding the charges against the three activists, the authority responsible for their arrest, or their place of detention.