Seventeen Sunni Arab residents, including 17-year-old, arrested by Iranian security forces in Ahvaz
Hengaw – Saturday, September 12, 2026
At least 17 Sunni Arab residents, including a 17-year-old, have been arrested by Iranian security forces in Ahvaz in two separate operations.
According to information obtained by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Reza Savari, Khaled Gharbavi, Jafar Cheldavi, Loghman Batrani, Kamal Batrani, Mostafa Cheldavi, Ali Cheldavi, Ebrahim Hamdani and Hadi Beit Sheikh Ahmad (Abu Kamal), 55, were arrested on September 10, 2026, during a raid by Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence forces on the village of Aboudeh, near Ahvaz. All nine are married and reside in Ahvaz. They were transferred to an undisclosed location.
The arrests were related to the men’s religious beliefs and that all nine were detained while visiting a friend’s home.
In a separate operation on September 4, Intelligence Ministry forces arrested Razi Heydari, 50; Hossein Heydari, 29; Abdolali Asakereh, 30; Majid Sharifi (Savari), 44; Arkan Sharifi, 17; Lafteh Heydari, 36; Hamzeh Sayahi, 34; and Mohammad Savari, in the Kuy-e Mashali neighborhood of Ahvaz.
Sources familiar with the case said the eight had gathered at Sharifi’s home when Intelligence Ministry forces surrounded the residence. The forces entered the home, severely beat the group and arrested them without presenting a warrant. They were blindfolded and taken to an undisclosed location.
During the raid, security forces thoroughly searched Sharifi’s home and confiscated the mobile phones of all those arrested. They also seized Sharifi’s vehicle. Sharifi has previously been summoned, arrested and imprisoned by Iranian authorities.
On September 9, several of the detainees were transferred to the quarantine section of Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz. Sharifi, however, remains held at an Intelligence Ministry detention facility.
