The fate of Bardin (Hamzeh) Jafari, a Kurdish artist from Gilan-e Gharb, Kermanshah Province, who was arrested four days ago without official charges, remains unknown.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Jafari was arrested during a raid on his home in Gilan-e Gharb on 3 May by armed officers of the Intelligence Organisation the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The artist was arrested without a warrant and taken to a security detention facility in Kermanshah, Kermanshah Province.
Jafari’s arrest is believed to be linked to his musical performance at the Newroz (also known as Nowruz in Persian) celebrations in Gilan-e Gharb.
Despite threats and efforts by security forces and the government, the event attracted a crowd of over 30,000, during which Jafari performed several patriotic Kurdish songs.
In recent weeks, IRGC Intelligence and Ministry of Intelligence agents have arrested dozens of people across various cities in Kurdistan, including activists and artists, for participating in or organising Newroz celebrations.
