Arrest

Zahed Khaledian, a Kurdish shopkeeper from Qorveh, Kurdistan Province, was arrested at his workplace on 23 January 2025 by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in connection with the general strike in protest at the death sentences of Kurdish female political prisoners Pakhshan Azizi and Verisheh (Wirishe) Moradi.

Defendant’s Rights

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

Despite his family’s repeated attempts to obtain information about his fate, security and judicial authorities have refused to provide any clarification regarding his situation.

Current Status

Khaledian is being held in Qorveh Prison.

Additional Information

In early February 2025, Nasim Vakili, Khaledian’s wife, was summoned to the Ministry of Intelligence’s office in Qorveh, where she was interrogated and threatened for several hours.