Intelligence forces raided a private residence in Ahvaz’s Mesh’ali neighborhood on September 4, arresting at least 10 Sunni Arab citizens. Three of the detainees have been identified, while their whereabouts and charges remain unknown
Iran Human Rights Society, Tuesday, September 8, 2026 – On Friday, September 4, 2026, at least 10 Sunni Arab citizens were arrested during a raid by intelligence forces on a private residence in the Mesh’ali neighborhood of Ahvaz. According to received information, these individuals had gathered at a friend’s home for a social gathering when intelligence forces surrounded and entered the premises, beating several attendees before placing them under arrest. Following their removal from the scene, the detainees were transferred to an undisclosed location, and after several days, no information regarding their condition is available.
Arrest of At Least 10 Citizens in Ahvaz’s Mesh’ali Neighborhood
Based on received information, intelligence forces raided a private residence in the Mesh’ali neighborhood of Ahvaz on Friday, September 4, 2026, arresting at least 10 Sunni Arab citizens.
The individuals were gathered for a social party at a friend’s home. Intelligence forces surrounded the residence, forced their way inside, and subjected a number of those present to physical beatings.
Following this action, at least 10 people were taken into custody and removed from the location. According to available information, the detainees were transferred to an unknown location.
Identities of Three Detainees Confirmed
Thus far, the identities of three individuals arrested during this operation in Ahvaz have been verified:
- Razi Heidari, 50 years old, son of Oreyoush
- Hossein Heidari, 29 years old, son of Razi
- Abdolhadi Asakereh, 30 years old
The identities of the remaining arrested citizens are still under investigation. Based on received reports, these individuals reside in the Mesh’ali and Akhar Asfalt neighborhoods of Ahvaz.
Transfer of Detainees to an Unknown Location
Despite the passage of several days since the arrests in Ahvaz, no information has been obtained regarding the location where the individuals are being held.
Furthermore, potential charges against them remain unspecified, and no clear information has been published regarding the adjudicating judicial authority or the legal status of the detainees.
The undisclosed detention location, combined with the lack of information regarding their charges, has heightened concerns among the families of these citizens.
Concerns Regarding the Condition of the Detainees
According to reports received, several individuals were subjected to physical beatings during the initial entry of intelligence forces into the residence. Further details regarding the extent of potential injuries or the physical condition of the detainees are not currently available.
It also remains unclear whether the arrested individuals have been granted access to their families or allowed to make phone calls following their transfer.
As of the drafting of this report, no information regarding their place of detention, charges, or judicial process has been obtained.
Escalation of Sunni Citizen Arrests in Khuzestan
In recent months, numerous reports have been published regarding the arrest of Sunni citizens in Khuzestan province—a trend that has particularly intensified in Ahvaz and surrounding areas, often accompanied by enforced disappearance and transfer to undisclosed locations.
In Ahvaz, religious activist Soheil Mousavi remains in an unresolved state of detention, alongside reports of four Sunni Arab citizens being arrested following intelligence raids. In Kot-e Abdollah, at least 18 Sunni Arab citizens were arrested, with reports indicating physical beatings and transfers to unknown locations. Continuing this pattern, Mojahed Savari, a cultural activist from Ahvaz, has also been arrested. Collectively, these cases demonstrate ongoing security pressure on Sunni Arab citizens in Khuzestan, particularly as families are kept uninformed about detention locations, judicial status, and charges.
Information Box | Case Information at a Glance
| Subject | Information |
| Identified Detainees | Razi Heidari (50), Hossein Heidari (29), Abdolhadi Asakereh (30) |
| Total Number Detained | At least 10 Sunni Arab citizens |
| Date & Location of Arrest | Friday, September 4, 2026 – Private home in Mesh’ali, Ahvaz |
| Target Group / Identity | Sunni Arab residents of Mesh’ali and Akhar Asfalt, Ahvaz |
| Detention Location | Unknown location (Enforced disappearance / Incommunicado) |
| Official Charges | Not declared |
| Reported Violations | Violent raid, physical beatings, transfer to unknown location, denial of family contact |
Legal Review of the Ahvaz Arrests Based on Domestic Laws
The laws of the dictatorship ruling Iran have consistently been criticized due to conflicting with fair trial standards and restricting citizens’ rights. Reviewing these arrests based on domestic laws does not mean confirmation of these laws; rather, it demonstrates that even these regulations mandate observing the rights of detained individuals.
Legal Ambiguities of the Case
- Article 22 of the Constitution: Explicitly guarantees the immunity of life, property, rights, residence, and dignity of individuals from arbitrary infringement.
- Article 32 of the Constitution: Mandates that arrests must follow legal procedures and that charges must be immediately communicated in writing.
- Articles 35 & 37 of the Constitution: Guarantee the right to legal counsel and uphold the presumption of innocence.
- Prohibition of Violence: The reported physical beatings during arrest conflict directly with statutory obligations to respect human dignity during detention procedures.
Reviewing the Case from the Perspective of Human Rights and Violation of International Standards
The mass arrest of citizens at a private gathering, their transfer to undisclosed locations, the withholding of formal charges, and reported physical violence raise critical concerns regarding arbitrary detention and violations of fundamental liberties.
Human Rights Ambiguities of the Case
Holding detainees incommunicado at undisclosed locations strips them of basic legal safeguards, heightening the risk of ill-treatment and constituting arbitrary detention under international law.
Related International Documents
- Articles 3, 5, 9, 10 & 11 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Protect personal security, prohibit inhumane treatment, ban arbitrary arrest, and guarantee fair trial rights.
- Articles 7, 9, 10 & 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Prohibit torture/ill-treatment, guarantee personal liberty, and ensure fair judicial proceedings.
- Article 18 of UDHR & ICCPR: Protect freedom of thought, conscience, and religion, safeguarding individuals against discrimination based on religious belief.
See also the below articles:
- Taraneh Rahimi: Denial of Medical Treatment and Risk of Permanent Impairment
- Parsa Najafi: More Than 3 Months of Detention and Uncertainty in Dastgerd Prison
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