Mother and sister of slain protester Behnam Darvishi arrested at Nahavand cemetery

Hengaw – Monday, March 23, 2026

In the lead-up to Newroz, Iranian government forces arrested Afsaneh Roozbehani and Behnoosh Darvishi, the mother and sister of slain protester Behnam Darvishi, during a raid at his gravesite in Nahavand.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the two women were detained on Thursday, March 19, 2026, while holding a memorial ceremony at Behnam Darvishi’s grave.

Informed sources state that the arrests were carried out with the use of violence, after which they were transferred to Noshijan Prison in Malayer.

Five days after their arrest, no precise information has been made available regarding the charges against them, their health condition, or the conditions of their detention.

Behnam Darvishi, a native of Nahavand, was killed on Friday, January 8, 2026, in the Tehranpars district of Tehran after being shot by government forces during the protests.