Wave of arrests targets at least 16 Kurdish people across multiple cities

Hengaw — Monday, February 2, 2026

At least 16 Kurdish people, including a 16-year-old child and two women, have been arrested in recent days across Kamyaran, Dehgolan (Dewlan), Bijar, Bukan, Piranshahr, Miandoab, Tehran, Dehloran, Asman Abad, Ilam, and Kuhdasht, according to information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, amid an ongoing wave of security crackdowns.

Kamyaran, Dehgolan (Dewlan), and Bijar

Milad Ebrahimi and his brother Hamed Ebrahimi, both Kurdish men from Kamyaran, were arrested by Iranian government forces on Sunday, February 1, and transferred to an undisclosed location. Reports indicate that the arrests were carried out violently and without the presentation of a warrant. No information has been made available regarding the reasons for their arrest or any charges against them.

Omid Allahmoradi, a 21-year-old Kurdish laborer from Bijar, was arrested near his family home on Sunday, January 11, and taken to an undisclosed location. His fate remains unknown.

Amir Hossein Varmaqani, a Kurdish man from Dehgolan (Dewlan), was arrested in recent days by agents of Iran’s Intelligence Department and transferred to the agency’s detention facility in the city. No information has been disclosed regarding his whereabouts, legal status, or any charges against him.

Bukan, Miandoab, and Piranshahr

Sardar Rahimi, a 20-year-old Kurdish man from the village of Gavmish Goli in Miandoab, was violently arrested at his family home on Monday, February 2, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Azad Rasoulifard, 45, and Rahim Shilani,50, both Kurdish men from Bukan and fathers of children, were arrested by security forces on Friday, January 30, without judicial warrants and taken to an undisclosed location. No charges have been announced.

Masoud Khezri, a 33-year-old Kurdish man from Bukan and a former political prisoner, was arrested during a violent raid by IRGC Intelligence forces on his home in the city’s ring-road area on Wednesday, January 29, and transferred to Bukan Prison. According to informed sources, his case has since been referred to court.

Saadi Irani, a Kurdish man from Piranshahr, was arrested during a security raid carried out without a judicial warrant on Saturday, January 18, and taken to an undisclosed location. Sixteen days later, no information has been made available regarding his fate.

Dehloran, Asman Abad, and Ilam

Reza Sheikhizadeh, a young Kurdish man from Dehloran, was arrested by security forces on the evening of Friday, January 30, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

Mashallah Soltanian, a Kurdish man from Asman Abad in Ilam Province, was arrested on Thursday, January 29, and later transferred to Ilam Central Prison after reportedly being subjected to severe torture.

Farhad Nasiri, a Kurdish man from Ilam, was arrested by Iranian government forces in the Sabzi-Abad area of the city on Monday, January 26. No information has been made available regarding his fate or current whereabouts.

Zahra Nazari, a 34-year-old Kurdish woman residing in Ilam, was arrested during a raid by government forces on a sports club on Tuesday, January 27.

Reports indicate that security forces erased the venue’s CCTV footage before taking her away without presenting a judicial warrant. Her whereabouts remain unknown.

Milad Esmaili, a Kurdish man from Ilam, was arrested by government forces on Saturday, January 17, and transferred to an undisclosed location. Seventeen days after his arrest, no information has been provided about his fate.

Kuhdasht and Tehran

Amir Ali Niazi, a 16-year-old Kurdish child from Kuhdasht in Lorestan Province, was arrested during a violent raid on his family home on Monday, January 26, and transferred to an undisclosed location.

According to reports, he has been accused of participating in January protests. No information has been made available regarding his condition or legal status.

Jalil Jafakesh, a Kurdish man from Sarpol-e Zahab, was arrested during public protests in Tehran on Friday, January 9. Twenty-five days later, his fate remains unknown, and efforts by his family to obtain information have so far been unsuccessful.