Former political prisoner Dariush Rafiee Taghanki arrested after months in hiding

Hengaw – Saturday, May 2, 2026

Dariush Rafiee Taghanki, a 28-year-old former political prisoner and a member of the Qashqai Turk community from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, has been arrested by government forces after approximately four months in hiding.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, he was arrested during a raid by government forces on Thursday, April 30, 2026, and transferred to an undisclosed location. He had been living in hiding since early January 2026 due to ongoing security pressure.

He had previously released a video stating that government forces raided his family home in the city of Taqanak, near Shahrekord, on the evening of February 8, 2026. During the raid, officers used tear gas inside the house, created an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, and subjected his family members to violent treatment. The agents also searched the home and confiscated personal belongings, including laptops and mobile phones belonging to family members.

Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the arresting body, his place of detention, or the charges against this former political prisoner.