As a new wave of arrests of Kurdish citizens continues, security forces have arrested three Kurdish men – Zaher Ghorbani, Shakhawan Khavari, and Farzin Khediripour – in Miandoab, Marivan, and Mahabad.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Ministry of Intelligence forces raided Ghorbani’s family home in the village of Gavmish Goli in Miandoab County, West Azerbaijan Province, on 14 August, intending to arrest him.
As he was not there, the forces arrested his father, Loghman Ghorbani, and said he would not be released until his son reported to the Intelligence Ministry office in Miandoab.
Ghorbani reported to the office on 16 August and was arrested. His father was reportedly released afterwards.
On 17 August, security forces arrested Khavari at his family home in the village of Ney in Marivan County, Kurdistan Province.
The following day, Ministry of Intelligence forces arrested Khediripour at his workplace in Mahabad, West Azerbaijan Province.
The three men were arrested without warrants. At the time of writing, no information was available regarding the reasons for their arrests or the charges brought against them.
Despite repeated enquiries by their families about their status, the security and judicial authorities have continued to refuse to respond or provide any information.
According to figures compiled by KHRN, Ministry of Intelligence forces and the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have arrested at least 29 Kurdish citizens in Bukan, Mahabad, Oshnavieh, Orumiyeh, Marivan, Sanandaj, Kamyaran and Piranshahr since 23 July.
