Iran’s Repression: Number of Detainees in Abushahr Rises to Over 16
Iranian authorities have continued their sweeping arrest campaign in the city of Abushahr, located in the central part of occupied Ahwaz, with the number of detained citizens rising to more than 16 in recent days.
The arrests were carried out on charges described by the authorities as “security related and espionage for Israel” broad accusations often used to justify political detentions, according to human rights organizations.
On Friday, Iran’s intelligence agency announced the arrest of seven more individuals in Abushahr, accusing them of involvement in “espionage activities” and “disturbing public psychological security and disrupting public opinion,” according to the official statement.
The detainees were reportedly referred to the judiciary affiliated with the regime.
These arrests come amid intensifying security crackdowns in Ahwaz and growing persecution of Ahwazi activists and citizens. Observers believe the Iranian regime is increasingly using “national security” charges as a pretext to silence dissent and intimidate the local population.
Ahwazi and international human rights organizations have condemned the arrests, describing them as “a blatant violation of human rights,” and calling for the immediate release of the detainees and the assurance of their rights to legal defense and fair trial.
The charge of “espionage for Israel” is now widely seen as a political tool used by the regime to justify the suppression of any independent or oppositional activity, particularly in non-Persian majority regions like occupied Ahwaz.
