141 Individuals Arrested in May 2024 by Iranian Security Forces

Hengaw: Sunday, June 2, 2024

According to data compiled by the Statistics and Documents Center of the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, a total of 141 individuals were arrested by security forces throughout Iran in May 2024. The highest number of arrests was among Kurds, with 80 cases recorded.

Breakdown by nationality and gender:
    •    Kurds: 80 cases
    •    Balochs: 18 cases
    •    Turks: 11 cases
    •    Women: 14 cases
    •    Children: 3 case

These individuals were either detained or abducted by the security forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran during April.

Geographical Distribution of Arrests:
- West Azerbaijan (Urmia) Province: 58 cases (57 Kurds and 1 Turk)
- Sistan and Baluchistan Province: 18 cases
- Kurdistan (Sanandaj) Province: 12 cases
- East Azerbaijan Province: 10 cases
- Kermanshah (Kermashan) Province: 7 cases
- Gilan Province: 6 cases
- Tehran Province: 5 cases
- Kerman Province: 4 cases (3 Balochs and 1 Persian)
- Razavi Khorasan Province: 3 cases (2 Persians and 1 Kurd)
- Ilam, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, and Qazvin Provinces: 3 cases each
- Lorestan, Mazandaran, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Ardabil, and Isfahan Provinces: 1 case each

Over 70% of those detained were Kurds and Balochs

According to Hengaw's statistics, Kurds accounted for 57% of all arrests, with 80 individuals detained in May. Additionally, 18 Balochs were arrested, representing 13% of the total arrests, along with 11 Turks.
 

Detention of Religious MinoritiesIn May

The report highlights an increase in the arrests of religious minorities in May. Twelve Sunni activists were detained, including four Kurdish activists: Hossein Alimoradi (Sanandaj), Hadi Yusefpour (Piranshahr), Abdullah Barzgar (Sardasht), and Nabi Veisi (Javanrud). Eight Baloch religious activists were also arrested: Abdul Ahad, Hadi Naroi (17 years old), Owais, Rafiullah, Walid, Saeed Siahi (16 years old), Mohibullah, and Zahid from Chabahar, Rask, and Iranshahr. 

Additionally, three Baha'i activists were detained: Sepideh Rashidi (Ahvaz), Nazila Khanipour, and her son Wasal Heravi (Rasht).
 

Arrest of 14 women activists and 3 children in May 2024

According to statistics recorded by Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Center, In May, at least 14 women activists were arrested, accounting for 10% of the total detainees. The detained women include:

1. Matahera Gunei (Tehran)
2. Samia Qaderpour (Piranshahr)
3. Farangis Fathi (Malekan)
4. Akram Kokhian (Malekan)
5. Sosan Hassanzadeh (Bukan)
6. Afsana Shahi (Bukan)
7. Marzieh Momeni (Mashhad)
8. Sudabah Wahabi (Chalus)
9. Sepideh Rashidi (Ahvaz)
10. Sama Amoushahi (Isfahan)
11. Nazila Khanipour (Rasht)
12. Maryam Mahmoodabadi (Sirjan)
13. Hetav Akrami (Takab)
14. Zahra Nabizadeh (Mahabad)

At least three children under 18 were also detained: Mobeen Shekhapour (16, Mahabad), Saeed Sepahi (16, Chabahar), and Hadi Naroi (17, Iranshahr).

 
Arrest of Teachers, Students:

Security forces increased pressure on educational professionals, arresting at least 3 students and 2 teachers or university professors. The detained educators include:

 1. Mohammad Saeedi Abul Hasaghi from Lordegan
 2. Sadegh Ziba Kalam from Tehran

The detained students are:

 1. Matahera Gunei (Tehran)
 2. Mohammad Davari (Dehdasht)
 3. Arman Moradi (Divandarreh)
 
Arrest of Media Activists:

At least 7 journalists and media activists were arrested in May, including:

 1. Mohammad Sarani (Zahedan)
 2. Hajar Mahmoudi (Piranshahr)
 3. Delshad Shadab (Oshnovieh)
 4. Basit Qadirzadeh (Oshnovieh)
 5. Taher Hajipour (Oshnovieh)
 6. Sami' Mahmoudi Aghdam (Oshnovieh)
 7.Hassan Abbasi (Bandar Abbas)
 8. Hajar Rahimi (Mahabad)

 
Arrest of Artists and writers:

In May, at least 5 singers were arrested: Hadi Laweh from Oshnovieh; Barzin Jafari from Gilan- e Gharb; Wafa Ahmadpour and Daniyal Moghadam from Tehran, and Kamiar Bammad from Tehran. 

Additionally, poet Jamshid Azizi from Astara was arrested and transferred to prison to serve his sentence.
 

The identities of all these 141 cases have been recorded in the Statistics and Documents Center of the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights. The use of these statistics is permitted with proper source attribution.