Nine, including three minors arrested across multiple Iranian cities
Hengaw – Monday, February 2, 2026
At least nine people, including three minors, have been arrested by Iranian government forces in recent days as part of the continuing wave of protest-related detentions across the country. The arrests took place in Masjed Soleyman, Behbahan, Isfahan, Qazvin, Tehran, Chabahar, and Bandar Abbas.
According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the identities of those detained have been verified as Arya Sheikhi-Nasab, Erfan Esfandiari, Amir Mojallal, Hamzeh Kazemi, Hossein Mezinani, Mehdi Mezinani, Taha Balochi, Mohammad Motouri, and Parsa Qasemi.
Details of the arrests by location are as follows.
Masjed Soleyman and Behbahan
In Masjed Soleyman, Arya Sheikhi-Nasab, a 29-year-old Lor civil activist originally from the city and currently residing in Tehran, was arrested by government intelligence forces on January 25, 2026. He has previously been detained in connection with the “Woman, Life, Freedom” movement. He was later transferred to Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz on January 29 and has been allowed only one brief phone call with his family. No information has been provided regarding the charges against him.
In Behbahan, Parsa Ghasemi, a 17-year-old Lor minor, was arrested during protests on the evening of January 6, 2026. No information about his fate or whereabouts has since been released. Reports indicate this is the fifth time over the past two years that he has been detained by government authorities.
Isfahan, Qazvin, and Tehran
In Isfahan, 17-year-old Erfan Esfandiari was arrested in the early morning hours of January 18, 2026, when government agents in plain clothes raided his residence and severely beat him before taking him to an undisclosed location. Despite repeated follow-up by his family, authorities have refused to provide any information regarding his condition or place of detention.
In Qazvin, Hamzeh Kazemi, a 38-year-old billiards coach, was violently arrested on January 10, 2026, when government forces raided a friend’s home where he was present. He is being held in Chubin Dar Prison in Qazvin and has been subjected to torture despite visible injuries. He had previously been identified by authorities during the December protests in the city.
Two brothers — Hossein Mezinani, 40, a graduate of Khajeh Nasir University, musician, and mountaineer, and Mehdi Mezinani — were arrested by government forces on January 10, 2026, in Tehran and taken to an undisclosed location. Hossein Mezinani had previously been imprisoned following the 2009 protests. The brothers are sons of Mohammad Mezinani, who was killed in the Iran–Iraq war. No information has been released about their status.
Amir Mojallal, a 22-year-old Gilak mechanic from Rasht residing in Tehran, was arrested at his home on January 2, 2026. His fate and whereabouts remain unknown.
Chabahar and Bandar Abbas
Taha Balochi, a 16-year-old Baloch minor from Sarmich village in the Espakeh district and a resident of Chabahar, was arrested by government intelligence forces after Friday prayers on January 9, 2026.
According to the Rasad Balochistan news outlet, he had only recorded video footage of the city environment prior to his arrest. Sources report that he was subjected to severe beatings during the first two days of detention.
He is currently being held in Chabahar Prison in a state of legal uncertainty, and his case has reportedly been referred to Zahedan.
On the same day in Bandar Abbas, Mohammad Motouri, an Arab satirist and social media blogger from Khorramshahr, was arrested during protest gatherings by government forces and transferred to an undisclosed location. He is known for publishing critical commentary on economic and political conditions. No information about his fate has been made public since his arrest.
