Human rights lawyer Astareh Ansari arrested in Shiraz
Hengaw – Monday, May 4, 2026
Astareh Ansari, a lawyer and human rights defender, has been arrested following a raid by government forces on her home in Shiraz and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Based on information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, security forces stormed her family residence on the evening of Sunday, May 3, 2026, and detained her without presenting a warrant.
Authorities have not disclosed the reasons for her arrest, any charges against her, or the detaining body. Efforts by her family to obtain information about her whereabouts and condition have so far been unsuccessful.
Ansari, who has represented numerous political and security-related cases, was previously arrested by security forces during the Woman, Life, Freedom (Jin, Jiyan, Azadi) movement.
