Kurdish political prisoner Mehdi Roshani faces serious charges following re-arrest

Hengaw – Thursday, August 13, 2026

Mehdi (Sikan) Roshani, a Kurdish political prisoner and detainee from the January 2026 protests in Malekshahi, Ilam province, has been charged with “waging war against God” (moharebeh) and “corruption on Earth” (efsad-e fel-arz) following his re-arrest in July.

According to information received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Roshani is currently held in Ilam Central Prison. Despite facing charges that carry the risk of severe punishment, including the death penalty, his case remains at the investigation stage and no indictment has yet been issued.

Roshani was arrested for a second time by Iranian security forces on July 18, 2026, and transferred to Ilam Central Prison. Following his transfer, a new case was opened against him, and Branch 6 of the Investigation Office of the Ilam Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office formally charged him with “waging war against God” and “corruption on Earth.”

Roshani was previously arrested on January 16, 2026, during the protests in Malekshahi and was temporarily released on bail after approximately three months in detention. He was subsequently sentenced by the Ilam Revolutionary Court to three years in prison, which was later reduced to nine months.