Saleh Bahramzahi, a 16-year-old child and the son of Molavi Habib-al-Rahman, a well-known Sunni cleric in the region, remains detained by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence without access to a lawyer or family.
Iran Human Rights Society, Friday, May 23, 2025 – Saleh Bahramzahi, a 16-year-old teenager from Sarbaz County in Sistan and Baluchistan Province, remains in complete uncertainty and under concerning conditions more than 10 days after his violent arrest by IRGC Intelligence forces. The arrest, which took place on May 14, 2025, was conducted without a judicial warrant and involved aggressive behavior. To date, no reliable information is available regarding his place of detention or his physical and mental condition.
Arrest Without a Warrant, Transfer to an Unknown Location, and Unfulfilled Promises by the IRGC
According to local sources, Saleh Bahramzahi was playing with friends at the time of his arrest when security forces suddenly raided, detained him, blindfolded him, and threw him into the trunk of a vehicle. This violent treatment of a 16-year-old child has sparked widespread concern among his family, child rights activists, and the local community.
Relatives report that IRGC Intelligence promised to release Saleh by May 17, 2025. However, days have passed without this promise being fulfilled, and the child remains in an unknown location under illegal detention. His family states they have no information about his health or whereabouts, and all contact with him has been blocked.
Family Background: Assassination, Execution, and Imposed Silence
Saleh Bahramzahi is the son of Molavi Habib-al-Rahman, a well-known Sunni cleric in the region. His family has previously been targeted by widespread government repression. Saleh’s older brother, Qasem Bahramzahi, was killed by security forces in November 2024, and his body was returned to the family only on the condition of “media silence.”
Additionally, Saleh’s uncle, Ayub Bahramzahi, was one of 16 Sunni prisoners executed in 2013. The families of these victims have consistently emphasized that their loved ones were tried in closed courts without proper legal procedures and were subjected to the harshest punishments.
Human Rights Concerns and Gross Violations of Child Rights
The arrest of Saleh Bahramzahi without a judicial warrant, without official notification, and without access to a lawyer or family contact is a clear violation of child rights and both domestic and international laws. This detention directly contravenes Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to which Iran is a signatory. This article stipulates that the detention or imprisonment of children should be used as a “last resort and for the shortest possible time.” Furthermore, detained children must be promptly informed of the reasons for their arrest, have access to legal counsel, and be allowed contact with their families.
Additionally, Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) emphasizes that “no one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest” and that any detention must be lawful, backed by a valid warrant, and accompanied by access to a fair trial.
Family’s Demand: Free Saleh
Saleh Bahramzahi’s family has repeatedly stated that he has not been involved in any political or security-related activities and has been targeted by security forces solely due to his family name and relatives’ history. They demand his immediate and unconditional release and call for authorities to provide accountability regarding the reasons for his detention and the treatment he has endured.
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