Kurdish Couple Arrested in Sanandaj; Freidoun Namdari and Sheleh Rouhi Transferred to Unknown Location
A Kurdish couple in Sanandaj has been arrested during a raid by the Information Office forces and transferred to an unknown location. Freidoun Namdari, a 55-year-old citizen, was initially arrested at his workplace in the presence of approximately 15 security forces, and his wife Sheleh Rouhi was subsequently arrested during a house search. To date, no information has been released regarding the reason for their arrest, possible charges, or the place of detention, and family efforts to obtain information about their condition have been unsuccessful.
According to a report by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Freidoun Namdari, a 55-year-old Kurdish citizen from Sanandaj, and his wife Sheleh Rouhi were arrested by Information Office forces on Sunday, September 6 (Mehr 15 in the Iranian calendar).
Hengaw reported in its statement that approximately 15 Information Office forces visited Freidoun Namdari’s workplace and arrested him using force. According to the organization, the officers did not present a court warrant at the time of arrest.
Following Namdari’s arrest, security forces went to the couple’s home and, while conducting a thorough search, also arrested his wife Sheleh Rouhi. Both members of the couple were subsequently transferred to unknown locations.
One of the most significant aspects of this case is the absence of official information regarding the reason for their arrest and the legal status of Freidoun Namdari and Sheleh Rouhi. According to available reports, as of the time of writing this news, it remains unclear what charges the couple faces and in which detention facility they are being held. Additionally, efforts by their families to obtain information about their whereabouts and condition have been unsuccessful so far.
This case has occurred amid ongoing reports from human rights organizations documenting the arrest of Kurdish citizens in various cities across Iran’s western provinces.
Hengaw has recently reported the arrest of several Kurdish citizens in cities including Mahabad, Marivan, and Ashno. The organization has also documented multiple cases of Kurdish citizens being arrested by Islamic Republic security agencies in its previous reports.
The Kurdish Human Rights Network has likewise documented numerous cases of arrest and prosecution of Kurdish citizens and activists in its annual report on the state of human rights in Kurdish regions of Iran.
However, regarding the case of Freidoun Namdari and Sheleh Rouhi, no independent information has been released so far concerning their political activities, civil activities, or potential charges. Therefore, it is not possible to attribute a specific reason for the arrest of this couple without an official announcement or verifiable information.
As the place of detention and potential charges against the couple remain unclear, clarifying their legal status and access to their family and lawyer represent the most important questions surrounding this case.
At the time of this report’s publication, Islamic Republic authorities have not provided public clarification regarding the arrest of Freidoun Namdari and Sheleh Rouhi. As a result, the couple’s situation remains shrouded in ambiguity, and their families await information about their fate.
