79 arrested by security forces of Islamic Republic of Iran in April 2025

Hengaw: Sunday, May 4, 2025

According to data compiled by the Statistics and Documents Center of Hengaw Organization for Human Right, at least 79 people, whose full identities have been verified, were arrested across Iran in April 2025. This marks a 41% decrease—equivalent to 55 fewer cases—compared to April 2024, when at least 134 arrests were recorded.

Among those arrested last month were at least eight women activists, four minors, 35 Baloch, and 21 Kurds. The highest number of arrests was reported in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, with 35 cases.


Geographical distribution of arrests:

The highest number of arrests was recorded in Sistan and Baluchestan with 35 cases, followed by Kurdistan (Sanandaj) with 9 cases, and Tehran with 8.

• Sistan and Baluchestan: 35
• Kurdistan (Sanandaj): 9
• Tehran: 8 (5 Persian, 3 Kurdish, Lor, and Turks)
• West Azerbaijan (Urmia): 7 (6 Kurdish, 1 Turk)
• Razavi Khorasan: 5
• Khuzestan: 3 (2 Lor, 1 Arab)
• Gilan and Ilam: 2 each
• Mazandaran: 2 (both Kurds)
• Kermanshah, Qom, Alborz, and Isfahan: 1 each
• Hamadan: 1 (Kurds)
• Fars: 1 (Qashqai)


Breakdown of arrested by national and ethnic minorities

Hengaw’s data shows that at least 35 Balochs—44% of all cases—were arrested in April. Additionally, 21 Kurds (26.5%) were also among those detained.
• Baloch: 35
• Kurd: 21
• Persian (Fars): 14
• Lor: 3
• Gilak: 2
• Turk: 2
• Arab: 1
• Qashqai: 1

Arrests of religious minority

The Iranian government continued its crackdown on religious minorities in April, with at least eight people arrested:

Bahaʼí activists:
1. Farideh Moradi – Mashhad
2. Golnoush Nasiri – Mashhad

Christian convert:
1. Lida Alksani – Tehran

Sunni Muslim activists:
1. Mamousta Loqman Amini – Javanrud
2. Mamousta Ayat Gholami – Kermanshah

Yemeni (Yamani) movement followers:
1. Reyhaneh Darat – Torbat Heydarieh
2. Rasoul Darat – Torbat Heydarieh

Shia dissident cleric:
1. Mohammad Javad Mohaqeq Yazdi – Qom


Arrest of at least 4 children in April 2025

At least four boys under the age of 18 were arrested by security forces of Islamic Republic of Iran last month, representing 5% of the total arrests in April. The youngest was just 15 years old.

Three of the minors were Baloch and one was Kurdish. Their names are:
1. Adel Safarzai, 16 – Zahedan
2. Hassan Nasiri Motlagh, 15 – Zahedan
3. (First name unknown) Shahbakhsh, 16 – Zahedan
4. Ehsan Hamzehzadeh, 17 – Bukan

8 Women activists arrested in April 2025

At least eight women activists were arrested in April, comprising 10% of all recorded arrests.
Four were arrested in Tehran. Their names are as follows:

Tehran:
1. Zhila Zehtab Moghaddam
2. Azar Zangouli
3. Lida Alksani
4. Somayeh Rashidi

Mashhad:
5. Farideh Moradi
6. Golnoush Nasiri

Sanandaj:
7. Srveh Pourmohammadi

Torbat- e Heydarieh:
8. Reyhaneh Darat


Arrest of teachers and a students in April 2025

In April, at least one teacher and one student were arrested:
• Teacher: Asghar Amirzadegan – Firouzabad
• Student: Amirhossein Bagheri – Najafabad


Arrests of media activists in April 2025

At least two media activists were arrested last month:
• Nariman Randani – Saqqez
• Hossein Gowhari – Miandoab


Arrest of artist and writers

At least one singer, Hassan Ahmadi from Maku, was arrested by government forces in April. No arrests of writers were recorded.


The identities of all 79 individuals have been confirmed and documented by Hengaw’s Statistics and Documentation Center. Reproduction of this data is permitted with proper citation. These figures include only cases where full identity verification was possible.