Arrest of 169 People in Various Cities Across Iran

HRANA – Media outlets close to security institutions have reported the arrest of seven protesters, including one woman, in the cities of Qom, Talesh, Sabzevar, and Shahreza. At the same time, videos of the “confessions” of two of these citizens have been released, though it is unclear under what conditions these recordings were made. Meanwhile, 162 protesting citizens were arrested by security forces in the cities of Shiraz, Marvdasht, Kovar, Kazerun, Nourabad, Pasargad, Abadeh, Fasa, Darab, and Neyriz.

According to the state broadcaster (IRIB), a female protester was arrested during the protests in Qom. In this report, she is accused of setting fire to a mosque in the city.

Separately, Young Journalists Club, quoting the police commander of Talesh, claimed that a 30-year-old citizen who allegedly set fire to a bank in the city was arrested. At the same time, Fars News Agency reported the arrest of one individual in Sabzevar.

Tasnim News Agency also announced that four citizens were arrested by security forces in the city of Shahreza. According to this outlet, the detainees were accused of setting fire to a mosque and, after case files were formed, were referred to judicial authorities for legal proceedings.

In these reports, videos of the “confessions” of two of the detainees were published, although it remains unclear under what circumstances they were recorded.

In another report, the state broadcaster announced the arrest of 162 citizens by security forces in the cities of Shiraz, Marvdasht, Kovar, Kazerun, Nourabad, Pasargad, Abadeh, Fasa, Darab, and Neyriz.

This report has accused the detained individuals of damaging banks and government centers and property, including municipal buildings.

These reports do not mention the identities of the detainees or their place of detention.

It should be noted that gatherings and strikes by shopkeepers and bazaar merchants began in Tehran on Sunday, December 28, and after two days spread beyond markets and commercial centers. With the participation of students, citizens, and various social groups, these protests became one of the most widespread demonstrations in recent years. For more information, readers can refer to HRANA’s detailed report on the twenty-fourth day of protests, published last night.

Sunni Prisoner Hamzeh Darvish Continues Hunger Strike

HRANA – Hamzeh Darvish, a Sunni prisoner held in Lakan Prison, Rasht, remains on hunger strike. He began his strike on August 2 in protest against authorities’ neglect of his demands.

Three days ago, a source close to his family confirmed the news to HRANA, saying: “Mr. Darvish is currently on the fourteenth day of his hunger strike.”

This Sunni prisoner went on strike on Saturday, August 2, in protest against what he describes as his continued unjust imprisonment, psychological and physical torture, the violation of the principle of separation of crimes, and the authorities’ disregard of his previous requests. He has demanded transfer to the political prisoners’ ward in Ghezel Hesar Prison, Karaj.

In December 2024, Darvish wrote a letter to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Iran, urging attention to his case. Following this action, he was held in solitary confinement with handcuffs and shackles for one month by order of Gilan’s Prosecutor, Mehdi Fallah Miri.

Hamzeh Darvish, a prisoner from Talesh, was previously sentenced to 14 years in prison, later reduced to 10 years and 6 months in August 2024 after he submitted to the court’s ruling. He had already served another long-term prison sentence before this case.

Additionally, following a prison altercation on October 9, 2022, and a complaint filed by the Prisons Organization, a new legal case was opened against him. On May 11, 2020, this Sunni prisoner was transferred from Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj to Lakan Prison in Rasht.

Darvish’s journey through adversity began in 2014 when he was deceived by ISIS forces into traveling to Turkey and later to Syria, as he claims. Following a period of confinement in an ISIS jail, he managed to escape and returned to Iran, where he surrendered himself to security forces.