Violent arrests and relentless silencing of dissenting voices in the Islamic Republic of Iran

From the violent arrest of Dr. Ahmad Rahimi and Soheila Hosseini, to the persecution and punishment of students, Kurdish citizens, and trade union activists, it indicates an increase in systematic repression by the Islamic Republic government.

In the continuing trend of increasing repression in Iran, numerous reports of widespread, violent, and extrajudicial arrests show that the Islamic Republic's government not only has no tolerance for dissenting voices, but is also increasingly seeking to silence any protest, even at the symbolic and individual level.

An examination of a series of recent arrests paints a disturbing picture of systematic human rights violations and complete disregard for basic principles of justice and the rule of law.

One of the most prominent cases is the arrest of Dr. Ahmad Rahimi, a former university professor, and his wife, Soheila Hosseini, an artist specializing in painting and editing. The couple were violently arrested and taken to an unknown location on March 17, 2025, following a raid by security forces on their private home in Mashhad.

Dr. Rahimi, who has a history of teaching at prestigious academic centers, had previously resigned from his position during the “Genes, Life, Freedom” movement in protest of repression. His action clearly demonstrated his professional and moral commitment to truth and freedom of expression, a commitment that has now come at a heavy price for him and his family.

This example is only part of a broader pattern in which even the scientific and cultural elite are not immune to the blade of repression. While doctors and academics are committed to protecting human life and dignity based on their professional principles, the government’s treatment of them shows that no position, not even that of science and philanthropy, provides immunity from the prevailing security logic. Previous reports have also shown that doctors and medical staff have also been threatened, detained, and even suspiciously killed during the protests for helping the injured, raising serious concerns about the deliberate targeting of this group.

In another example, Reza Dalman, a 24-year-old student at Sharif University of Technology, was arrested for a purely symbolic act (hanging a mouse doll on a tree on New Year’s Eve). This act, which can hardly be considered a security threat, was reported in collaboration with the “Student Mobilization” and led to the student’s arrest. Such actions show that the government fears even the slightest signs of discontent or political humor and quickly resorts to suppressing them.

At the same time, arbitrary arrests continue in Kurdish-populated areas. Hoyar Zahabi, a 21-year-old from Mahabad, was violently arrested at his relatives' home without a court order. He had previously been arrested during protests and had a history of political convictions. Jalal Alavi, another citizen of the region, was also arrested without charge and through legal procedures. The continuation of these measures in ethnic areas indicates the government's dual security approach towards these areas.

In Kermanshah, Manuchehr Aghabeigi, a member of the board of directors of the Teachers' Union, has been arrested and transferred to an unknown location. Her health condition, especially considering her heart condition, has raised serious concerns about her life. However, the responsible institutions have not provided any clarification about her condition.

What all these cases have in common is a lack of transparency, lack of access to information for families, detentions without a court order, and the use of violence. This pattern clearly shows that the goal is not to enforce the law, but to create a climate of fear and prevent any form of protest, even in its most basic forms.

Overall, what emerges from these reports is a picture of a system in which repression has become the main tool of governance; a system that targets not only political activists, but also university professors, students, artists, and teachers, and that spares no effort, even at the cost of human lives, to silence any dissenting or dissenting voice.