Arrest of Akram Nasiryan, Civil Rights Activist and Flood Relief Volunteer, on Unspecified Charges

Akram Nasiryan, a civil activist and member of the “Voice of Iranian Women” group and a member of the “Flood Relief Volunteer Group,” was arrested on the street by security forces on the 9th of Ordibehesht 1398 and transferred to Evin Prison. Information about her charges, the reason for her arrest, and her detention ward in Evin Prison is not yet available.

The “Voice of Iranian Women” Telegram channel, announcing her arrest, stated that Akram Nasiryan’s family had no knowledge of her arrest for one day until Ms. Akram Nasiryan contacted her family on the morning of the 10th of Ordibehesht and informed them that she was in Evin Prison and under interrogation. According to the Telegram channel’s post, a case file for Ms. Akram Nasiryan was opened at the Second Branch of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office, but no information has been provided regarding her charges.

Akram Nasiryan is a civil activist and one of the main members of the “Voice of Iranian Women” group. In the “About Us” section on their website, the group describes itself as follows: “The Voice of Iranian Women is a reflection of the efforts, sufferings, failures, and successes of women in Iranian society and seeks to empower women to achieve a better life amid various hardships and discrimination.” This website introduced the main members of the group by publishing photos of six women, one of whom is Ms. Akram Nasiryan, in its “About Us” section.

This civil group was actively engaged in extensive activities in the field of literacy education for women and working children and Afghan children, financial assistance to working children, holding charity sessions, efforts to obtain identification documents for many Afghan children, and publishing statements regarding acid attacks on women.

Ms. Akram Nasiryan during this period was a literacy teacher for working children, Afghan children, and women in the Voice of Iranian Women group, and after the floods, she was also one of the volunteers assisting flood victims in the southern region of the country.

Nima Mohadipour, her son, in a video posted on his Instagram account on the 10th of Ordibehesht, called on all human rights activists to work toward the unconditional release of his mother. He said: “My mother, Akram Nasiryan, was arrested on the street on Monday, the 9th of Ordibehesht, and without informing us, she was transferred to Evin Prison. After following up on the matter, we learned on Tuesday that she is under interrogation at the Second Branch of the Evin Prison Prosecutor’s Office.”

Akram Nasiryan’s son, raising the question of what crime his mother was arrested for, said: “What crime was my mother arrested for? Teaching literacy to Afghan migrants and helping flood victims in the southern part of the country. I urge all social activists and human rights groups to work for the immediate unconditional release of Akram Nasiryan. Free Akram Nasiryan.”

There is no specific statistics on the arrest of flood relief volunteers. In the first days of the floods in Khuzestan, some sources reported the arrest of several Arab activists in the region. Additionally, Manirah Arabshahi, the mother of Yasmin Arian, who is a civil rights activist opposed to mandatory hijab and one of those who provided aid to flood victims, has been arrested and remains in detention.

Source: Human Rights Campaign