Nima Arban, a 17-year-old teenager and one of those arrested in the 2025-2026 protests in Nain, has been held for months in an unclear situation in the Reform and Education Center. He is one of the co-defendants of Abbas Akbari Feyz-Abadi; a political prisoner who was executed last week.
Iran Human Rights Society, Thursday, May 28, 2026 – Nima Arban, a 17-year-old teenager from Nain and one of those arrested in the nationwide protests of 2025-2026, is still being held in complete uncertainty in the Reform and Education Center. Sources close to his family say Nima Arban was a friend of Abbas Akbari Feyz-Abadi and is in the same case that ultimately led to the issuance and execution of the death sentence for Abbas Akbari. The lack of clear information about Nima Arban’s judicial status has increased concerns about the future of his case.
Why was Nima Arban arrested?
Nima Arban was arrested during the nationwide protests of 2025-2026 in Nain county. He, who is now 17 years old, is one of the teenagers who were arrested after the protests and entered the process of security cases.
Informed sources say Nima Arban was a close friend of Abbas Akbari Feyz-Abadi and his name was raised in the same case that ultimately led to the issuance of a death sentence for Abbas Akbari. Abbas Akbari was executed last week; a matter that has caused increased concern for Nima Arban’s family and relatives.
Why is Nima Arban’s situation described as concerning?
According to sources close to the family, Nima Arban is only three months away from reaching 18 years of age. An informed source said about his situation:
“I am worried about Nima’s life. He has not yet reached the legal age and will turn 18 in three months.”
Human rights activists say the long-term uncertainty of arrested teenagers in security cases puts severe psychological pressure on them. According to these activists, the lack of transparent information about the case process and the legal status of arrested teenagers has doubled the concerns of families.
Sources close to the case say Nima Arban is currently being held in the Reform and Education Center, but his family and relatives are worried that upon reaching 18 years of age, his judicial status and detention conditions will change.
Narratives of pressure and torture in Abbas Akbari’s case
Concerns about Nima Arban’s situation have increased after the execution of Abbas Akbari. An informed source, referring to Abbas Akbari’s situation during detention, said:
“Abbas in his last contacts with the family said pray that they execute me, because they connect me to electricity twice a day.”
This source also said that Abbas Akbari had only done “a few shots at the door and walls”, but was eventually executed and after his arrest, a video of his forced confessions was also published. Human rights activists say the publication of televised confessions in security cases, in many cases, takes place after the application of pressure, threats and torture.
According to them, the use of forced confessions in judicial processes is one of the tools of security institutions to legitimize heavy sentences.
Why is Nima Arban’s uncertainty important?
So far, no accurate information has been published about the official charges attributed to Nima Arban and the process of handling his case. Human rights sources say the lack of transparency in security cases, especially about arrested teenagers, is one of the main concerns of families and child rights activists.
According to these sources, it is not clear whether Nima Arban had access to an independent lawyer during the detention or not. Also, no clear information has been published about the status of the case, the handling branch or the possible time of the court.
Human rights activists warn that the long-term uncertainty of teenagers in detention can cause serious emotional and psychological damage to them.
What conditions does the Reform and Education Center have for arrested teenagers?
The Reform and Education Center in Iran is known as the place for holding teenagers and individuals under 18 years of age, but numerous reports have been published about the inappropriate detention conditions, security pressures and severe restrictions in these centers. Child rights activists say many arrested teenagers in political and security cases are held in conditions that do not differ much from security prisons.
According to these activists, the lack of appropriate psychological and legal support for arrested teenagers puts them in a very vulnerable position.
Why do human rights activists warn about arrested teenagers?
Human rights institutions have repeatedly warned about the security treatment of protesting teenagers.
Child rights activists say the arrest of teenagers in security cases, long-term detention in uncertain conditions and lack of access to independent legal support is contrary to Iran’s international commitments in the field of child rights. According to them, arrested teenagers should be placed under special legal protection, but in many cases they face the same security and judicial mechanisms as adults.
Human rights violation; Uncertainty and pressure on arrested teenager
Nima Arban’s situation has been described by human rights activists as an example of the violation of the rights of arrested teenagers in Iran.
Violated articles:
- Violation of child rights – Convention on the Rights of the Child: Long-term detention of a teenager in uncertain and security conditions violates the principles of special protection for children and teenagers.
- Violation of the right to fair trial – Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Lack of transparency about the judicial process and the status of Nima Arban’s case has increased concerns about the observance of fair trial.
- Violation of the prohibition of torture – Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Reports related to torture and forced confessions in similar cases have intensified concerns about applying pressure on detainees.
- Violation of the right to personal security – Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Long-term arrest and detention in unclear conditions threatens Nima Arban’s psychological and personal security.
See also the below articles:
- Ismail Ramzanpour Faces Death Sentence After Arrest and Torture in Yazd
- Report of Severe Torture of Political Prisoner Omid Hamzeh in Minab Prison
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