Medical researchers Kajal Mobaraki and Jamal Ahmadzadeh remain in legal limbo in Urmia

Hengaw – Tuesday, August 4, 2026

Iranian authorities have held medical researcher Kajal Mobaraki and her husband, Jamal Ahmadzadeh, in legal limbo at Urmia Central Prison for more than a month following their arrest. Mobaraki, 40, is from Dehgolan (Dewlan), while Ahmadzadeh is from Mahabad. Both are researchers at Urmia University of Medical Sciences.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the couple has been denied access to the lawyer of their choosing and has yet to receive any legal determination regarding their case despite more than a month in detention.

An informed source told Hengaw that Mobaraki and Ahmadzadeh, who live in Urmia, were arrested by Iranian security forces more than a month ago and transferred to Urmia Central Prison. Authorities have not disclosed the reasons for their arrest, the agency responsible for their detention, or any charges against them.

The couple has published dozens of medical and scientific papers in academic journals.

Mobaraki's brother, Ayoub Mobaraki, was killed in 2024 while a member of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).