Sixteen Kurdish residents of Mahabad sentenced to more than 77 years in prison

Hengaw – Sunday, August 16, 2026

At least 16 Kurdish residents of Mahabad who were arrested in late 2024 have been sentenced to a combined 77 years and nine months in prison by Branch 1 of the Mahabad Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Ahad Siami.

According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, the 16 were tried and sentenced on charges including “assembly and collusion,” “membership in the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK),” “propaganda against the state,” and social media activity in support of opposition parties.

According to the court ruling, Abdullah Houshmand and Abdulrahman Qoveh were each sentenced to seven years and one month in prison.

Abdullah Qoveh, Qader Kharamanfar, Jalal Sadafi, Ali Maroufi, Aram Mabzouleh, Yousef Tal, Rebwar Rasouli, Ayoub Rasouli, Osman Jahanifar, Rahman Dana, Salar Shamsborhan and Zanyar Seyedahmadi were each sentenced to five years in prison.

In the same case, Nazanin Elyasi (Golaleh) was sentenced to two years in prison, while Kamal Masoudi received a five-month prison sentence.

The 16 were arrested by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mahabad between October and December 2024 and transferred to an Intelligence Ministry detention facility in Urmia for interrogation.

They were denied access to legal counsel, telephone calls and family visits during their detention.