Reports are surfacing of intensified security pressure on the families of those arrested during the memorial service for Khosrow Alikordi, raising serious concerns regarding the health and safety of the detainees.
Mahshid Nazemi, daughter of detainee Pouran Nazemi, reported on Sunday, December 21, that security agents have contacted several families, explicitly warning them to refrain from publicizing the status of their loved ones. According to Ms. Nazemi, officials claimed the female detainees are being held in solitary confinement and are in "good" condition. Families, however, have questioned these claims, asking why no direct contact has been permitted after more than 10 days of silence.
The health of several detainees, including Tayyebeh Nazari, Aliyeh Motallebzadeh, Pouran Nazemi, and Narges Mohammadi, is a primary concern due to pre-existing medical conditions that require regular medication. Tayyebeh Nazari is the mother of Maryam Arvin, a lawyer who died following her arrest during the 2022 "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests.
Judicial Threats and Arbitrary Detentions Marziyeh Adinehzadeh, whose father Ali Adinehzadeh was violently arrested during the December 12 memorial, stated on X (formerly Twitter) that he remains barred from both phone calls and visitations. She reported that a case investigator insultingly threatened the family with arrest for pursuing the matter, while a Revolutionary Court judge upheld his temporary detention without providing transparent evidence.
Ali Adinehzadeh is the father of Abolfazl Adinehzadeh, a 16-year-old killed by security forces during the 2022 protests. Marziyeh described the proceedings as a "fabricated case" where the judiciary acts merely as an executive arm for intelligence agencies.
In a related development, Sadegh Mansouri, a prominent calligraphy instructor in Mashhad, was reportedly arrested at his home on Sunday. Sources indicate his arrest is linked to his attendance at the Alikordi memorial.
Widespread Condemnation The wave of arrests has triggered significant domestic and international backlash. More than 1,000 political, social, and cultural activists—including renowned filmmakers Jafar Panahi, Taraneh Alidoosti, and Rakhshan Bani-Etemad—have signed a statement demanding the immediate and unconditional release of all detainees.
While official sources have confirmed 39 arrests, the statement notes that human rights activists estimate the number exceeds 50, including prominent figures such as Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi and activist Sepideh Qoliyan.
Background of the Unrest The conflict began on Friday, December 12, during a large gathering to commemorate the seventh day since the passing of Khosrow Alikordi, a human rights lawyer. The ceremony turned violent when security forces intervened, leading to clashes and mass arrests.
Alikordi, who represented political prisoners and "Seeking Justice" (Dadkhah) families, died recently in his office. While authorities cited "heart failure" as the cause of death, the circumstances remain highly controversial, with many activists labeling it suspicious.
