Majid Sharifi, a Sunni Arab citizen, remains detained at the Ahvaz Intelligence Department detention center despite suffering from kidney failure; meanwhile, at least seven other detainees from the Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood have been transferred to the quarantine ward of Sheyban Prison.
Iran Human Rights Society, Wednesday, September 16, 2026– Majid Sharifi (Savari), a Sunni Arab citizen, remains detained in the Ahvaz Intelligence Department’s detention center despite reportedly suffering from kidney failure. Nearly two weeks after his arrest, concerns regarding his physical condition continue to intensify. At the same time, at least seven other detainees from Ahvaz’s Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood have been transferred to the quarantine ward of Sheyban Prison.
Continued Detention of Majid Sharifi Despite Kidney Disease
Majid Sharifi was arrested on September 4, 2026, during a raid conducted by Intelligence Department personnel on his residence in the Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood of Ahvaz. According to reports, security forces entered the home without presenting a judicial warrant and allegedly assaulted several individuals present during the operation.
During the raid, mobile phones belonging to those present were confiscated, and detainees were reportedly removed from the premises while blindfolded. Majid Sharifi’s personal vehicle also remains impounded by authorities.
Nearly two weeks after his arrest, his physical condition has become a matter of serious concern for his family. Sharifi reportedly suffers from kidney failure, and sources close to the family have expressed alarm about the impact of continued detention and interrogation on his health.
As of the date of this report, no information has been released regarding his access to medical treatment, medication, or specialized healthcare. Authorities have likewise provided no explanation concerning his medical condition or detention circumstances.
Transfer of Seven Detainees to Sheyban Prison
According to available information, seven individuals detained in connection with this case, including Majid Sharifi’s 17-year-old son, Arkan Sharifi, have been transferred to the quarantine ward of Sheyban Prison in Ahvaz.
Those reportedly transferred include:
- Arkan Sharifi
- Razi Heidari
- Hossein Heidari
- Abdolhadi Asakereh
- Lafteh Heidari
- Hamzeh Sayahi
- Mohammad Savari
While these detainees have been transferred to Sheyban Prison, Majid Sharifi continues to be held in the Intelligence Department’s detention center.
Among the identified detainees in this case are Majid Sharifi (44), Arkan Sharifi (17), Lafteh Heidari (36), Razi Heidari (50), Hossein Heidari (29), and Abdolhadi Asakereh (30).
Arrest During a Gathering in Kuye Mash’ali
According to available reports, the detainees had gathered at a friend’s home in Ahvaz’s Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood for a social event when Intelligence Department forces surrounded the residence and entered the property.
At least ten individuals were reportedly arrested during the operation.
Sources further indicate that several detainees were physically assaulted during their arrest. However, no detailed information regarding the extent of any injuries has been made public.
As of this report, no formal charges have been announced against the detainees, and it remains unclear which judicial authority is responsible for handling their case.
Escalating Pressure on Arab and Sunni Citizens in Ahvaz
The detention of Majid Sharifi and the other individuals from the Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood has occurred amid broader reports of increasing security pressure on Arab and Sunni citizens in Ahvaz and other parts of Khuzestan Province.
Recent reports indicate that 11 Arab citizens were arrested in separate incidents. In another case, known as the “Aboudeh” case, detainees were reportedly transferred to undisclosed locations, and little information has been released regarding their whereabouts or condition.
Observers have noted similarities between these events and previous incidents involving the detention of Sunni Arab citizens in Ahvaz’s Kuye Mandali neighborhood.
The recurrence of arrests, transfers to undisclosed locations, and the lack of transparent information regarding charges and judicial proceedings have intensified concerns among families regarding the safety and future of those detained.
The Situation of Lafteh Heidari
Alongside concerns regarding Majid Sharifi, attention has also focused on the circumstances of Lafteh Heidari, another detainee in the case.
According to local sources, Lafteh Heidari is 36 years old and serves as the primary provider for his family. Prior to his arrest, he reportedly earned his livelihood by operating a beverage stall in the Kuye Mash’ali neighborhood.
His continued detention, together with that of the other detainees, has occurred without the public disclosure of detailed charges, leaving families uncertain about the legal status and whereabouts of their relatives.
Legal Review of Arrests in Ahvaz Under Domestic Law
The legal framework governing arrests and detention in Iran has long been criticized by human rights advocates over concerns related to fair trial standards and the protection of civil liberties. Examining this case under domestic law does not imply endorsement of those laws; rather, it seeks to determine whether existing legal requirements have been observed.
Article 32 of the Constitution requires that arrests be conducted in accordance with legal procedures and that charges be formally communicated. Articles 35 and 37 recognize the right to legal representation and the presumption of innocence.
In the case of Majid Sharifi, continued detention despite reported illness, combined with the absence of clear information regarding his judicial status, raises issues that warrant careful legal and medical review.
Detentions from a Human Rights Perspective
The detention of individuals without publicly disclosed charges, reports of transfers to undisclosed locations, and allegations of physical abuse raise concerns regarding the protection of liberty, personal security, and freedom from inhumane treatment.
Articles 3, 5, 9, 10, and 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirm the rights to personal security, protection against arbitrary detention, and a fair and public hearing.
Similarly, Articles 7, 9, 10, and 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights emphasize protections against cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, as well as the rights to liberty, due process, and a fair trial.
Furthermore, if any detention is found to be connected to an individual’s religious beliefs or practices, Article 18 of these international instruments recognizes and protects freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
See also the below articles:
- Amnesty International Calls for Criminal Investigation into 2022 Crackdown
- Sara Moussiqi Detained in Qarchak Prison with Untreated Interrogation Injuries
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