Security forces arrest couple Sara Shamsaei and Hossein Ghashghaei

Hengaw – Saturday, September 12, 2026

Iranian security forces have arrested Hossein Ghashghaei and his wife, Sara Shamsaei, who had been living in hiding since the January 2026 protests.

Based on information received by Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Shamsaei and Ghashghaei were arrested at their residence in Lahijan on Thursday, September 10, 2026.

Their attorney, Samin Cheraghi, announced the arrests on X on Saturday, September 12, stating that both had been transferred to Zarandieh, where their case was opened, despite living in Lahijan, hundreds of kilometers away.

The couple face charges of “inciting and provoking people to wage war and kill one another with the intent of disrupting national security,” “propaganda against the state,” “spreading falsehoods with the intent of disturbing public opinion,” and “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Security forces had visited Ghashghaei’s father’s home several times in recent weeks in attempts to arrest him.

Last month, the couple received a summons requiring them to appear before Branch 1 of the Zarandieh Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office within five days. They did not appear in response to the summons.

Ghashghaei’s bank accounts and the couple’s SIM cards have been blocked since January 2026.