On October 2, 2019, Masih Alinejad, a US-based journalist and human rights activist, reported that Iranian intelligence agents had arrested his brother, Ali Alinejad, at his home in Tehran. The agents handcuffed and blindfolded him and took him to an undisclosed location. The agents reportedly said they were detaining him for questioning about his sister’s activities and the relationship between the two. The agents also took his computer and cell phone.
Masih Alinejad is a prominent journalist and women’s rights activist who actively campaigns against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. She has launched the “Stealth Freedoms” and “White Wednesdays” campaigns, which challenge Iranian dress codes by encouraging women to post photos of themselves without the hijab.
In addition, seven intelligence agents arrested Leila and Hadi Lotfi, the brother and sister of Max Lotfi, the ex-husband of Masih Alinejad. Max lives outside Iran and works with his ex-husband’s campaign. The Lotfis were reportedly told that they were being detained for questioning about Masih Alinejad’s activities. Hadi Lotfi was released the next day after being questioned.
This is not the first time authorities have targeted Masih Alinejad's family. His mother, Zarrin Badpa, was interrogated for two hours in March. The agents filmed her interrogation.
The arrest of Masih Alinejad’s relatives is just the latest in a series of such incidents. BBC World Service has reported that Iranian authorities have routinely detained or threatened family members of activists, journalists, and political prisoners. For example, family members of BBC Persian journalists have been harassed and threatened, including with arrest.
In July, agents arrested Farangis Mazloum, the mother of Sohail Arabi. Arabi is a political prisoner who has been in prison since 2013 on various charges including blasphemy, insulting the leadership, and propaganda against the regime. Mazloum was arrested after she posted a video describing how her son had been beaten in prison and called on authorities to provide him with medical care.
We call on the Iranian government to immediately release all individuals detained solely for the actions of their relatives, and to refrain from arresting and harassing family members of activists, journalists, and political prisoners. Iranian authorities must cease retaliatory measures aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
The signatory human rights organizations also call on the international community to hold Iran accountable and to demand that the Iranian government abide by its obligations under international human rights law and end the arbitrary detention of Iranian citizens.
Abdolrahman Boroumand Foundation
All human rights for all in Iran
The third arena
Human Rights Association of Kurdistan of Iran-Geneva
Human Rights Campaign in Iran
Human Rights Defenders Center
All together against the death penalty
Human Rights Watch
Iranian Human Rights Organization
Iranian Human Rights Documentation Center
Global Overt Action
Siamak Pourzand Foundation
Small Media
