Ahmad Tamouei is a Kurdish political activist from Salmas, West Azerbaijan Province.

He was previously arrested by the Intelligence Organisation of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province, in November 2007.

In February 2008, Branch One of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Mahabad sentenced him to 15 years in prison and exile to Orumiyeh Central Prison on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh).

He was released from Orumiyeh Central Prison in 2021 after serving 14 years in prison, during which he was denied conditional release and furlough.

Arrest

Tamouei was arrested violently and without a warrant by IRGC forces at a checkpoint on Kargar-e Jonoubi Street in Tehran at dawn on 23 February 2026.

After his arrest, he was transferred to a security detention facility, where he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture by IRGC forces for one day.

On 24 February 2026, he was transferred to Ward 2A of Evin Prison in Tehran.

Following the outbreak of war, he and several other detained citizens were transferred from Ward 2A to a secret security detention facility in eastern Tehran, before being moved to Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary on 4 March 2026.

Defendant’s Rights

Tamouei was arrested without a warrant and has since been denied access to legal representation and family visits.

He was also subjected to physical torture while being held in a security detention facility in Tehran.

Current Status

Tamouei was transferred to Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary on 4 March 2026.

Notes:

1. Article 279 of the Islamic Penal Code: “Moharebeh (enmity against God) is defined as drawing a weapon with the intention of killing, stealing from, or intimidating people in a way that causes insecurity in the environment.” According to Article 282 of the Islamic Penal Code, “if a person commits the crime of moharebeh, they will be sentenced to crucifixion, execution, amputation of the right hand and left foot, or exile, at the discretion of the judge.”