Authorities detain family members during memorial for Abolfazl Paydar, killed during protests

Hengaw – Saturday, May 9, 2026

Iranian authorities have arrested at least three relatives of Abolfazl Paydar, who was killed during the protests earlier this year in Sabzevar, during a memorial gathering held to mark his birthday.

Based on information obtained by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Iranian government forces raided the venue of a planned gathering for Abolfazl Paydar in Sabzevar on Monday, May 5, 2026, preventing the ceremony from taking place and violently arresting several attendees.

The identities of three of those detained have been confirmed as Farzaneh Parvaneh, Amirhossein Paydar, and Saeed Parvaneh, respectively the mother, sister, and uncle of Abolfazl Paydar. They were transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Central Prison following their arrests.

Reports indicate that the detainees have been denied access to legal counsel and transparent judicial proceedings during the four days since their arrest.