Artist Zahra Arefimehr arrested following court hearing

Hengaw – Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Zahra Arefimehr, a teacher, writer, and painter from Sabzevar, was arrested and transferred to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison following a hearing at the Revolutionary Court in Sabzevar. She was denied access to legal counsel during the proceedings.

According to information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a hearing on the charges against Arefimehr was held on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the Sabzevar Revolutionary Court. Facing charges of “propaganda against the state” and “disturbing public opinion,” she was forced to defend herself without the presence of a lawyer. Government forces arrested her immediately after the session concluded and transferred her to Torbat-e Heydarieh Prison.

An informed source told Hengaw that Iranian judicial authorities have cited Arefimehr’s online activities as the basis for the charges against her, including the “publication of posts and images related to individuals killed during the 2026 protests.”