Protest detainee Samira Bayat remains in legal limbo 106 days after arrest

Hengaw – Sunday, May 10, 2026

Samira Bayat, a 35-year-old resident of Mashhad arrested during protests in January 2026, has remained in legal limbo for 106 days at the women’s ward of Vakilabad Prison in the city. She has been denied access to legal counsel throughout her detention.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Bayat, who worked as a cashier at a restaurant in Mashhad, was arrested by government forces on Friday, January 23, 2026.

Informed sources told Hengaw that Bayat is the sole provider for her family. Her prolonged detention and ongoing legal uncertainty have not only subjected her to severe psychological and physical pressure, but have also left the family under her care facing serious financial hardship and insecurity.

Authorities have not disclosed any precise information regarding the charges against her or the status of her judicial proceedings. During the entire period of her detention, she has been deprived of basic rights afforded to political detainees, including access to a fair trial and the right to legal representation.