The arrest of eight protesters in Tabriz, Ardabil, and Mianeh by Iranian government forces

Hengaw, Sunday, August 27, 2023
 

Turkish activists Zuleikha Ghazizadeh, Mehrdad Sheykhi, Habib Negahban, Mohammad Sheikh Al-Islami, Shahin Barzegar, Iraj Shirzad, Peyman Ebrahimi Dinvar, and Mohsen Ebrahimi Dinvar have been detained by Iranian government forces in the cities of Tabriz, Ardabil, and Mianeh.

According to the report received by the Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights, on Sunday, August 27, 2023, Iranian government forces arrested several individuals, including Zuleikha Ghazizadeh, Shahin Barzegar, and Mohsen Ebrahimi Dinvar from Tabriz, Mehrdad Sheykhi and Habib Negahban from Ardabil, as well as Iraj Shirzad. Additionally, Mohammad Sheikh Al-Islami, a prominent poet and civil activist from the city of Mianeh, was also taken into custody.
 

Yesterday, Peyman Ebrahimi Dinvar was apprehended in Tabriz by Iranian government forces.
 

It has been reported that these Turkish residents were arrested in connection with the widespread protests against the desiccation of Lake Urmia and the government agencies' failure to address the lake's condition.
 

So far, detailed information regarding the charges levelled against Zuleikha Ghazizadeh, Mehrdad Sheykhi, Habib Negahban, Mohammad Sheikh Al-Islami, Shahin Barzegar, Iraj Shirzad, Peyman Ebrahimi Dinvar, and Mohsen Ebrahimi Dinvar, as well as their whereabouts and custodial status, remains unavailable.