Arrest of Reza Mostafaei, Disabled Citizen, on Charges of Slogan-Writing and Support for Families of Protest Victims

Reza Mostafaei, a 26-year-old Lur citizen with severe physical-motor disability and spinal cord injury, was arrested after appearing at the Dahdashti prosecutor’s office and transferred to the central prison of the city. According to human rights sources, the arrest took place after a heavy bail of eight billion tomans was set and the family was unable to provide it. The charges against him relate to “slogan-writing” and support for the families of those killed in the December 2025 protests.

According to reports by Hengaw and Hrana, Mostafaei was arrested on Saturday, October 11, 2026, after appearing at the sixth branch of the public prosecution office and revolutionary court of Kohgiluyeh County in Dahdashti. He had been summoned previously and after being informed of the charges, bail of eight billion tomans was set for his temporary release. However, due to his inability to provide this amount, he was sent to prison.

According to the report by Human Rights in Iran, the charge against Reza Mostafaei is titled “propaganda activity against the system,” and its instances have been identified by the judicial official handling the case as slogan-writing and support for families of those killed in the protests. Under such circumstances, a serious question arises about the proportionality of the bail and the necessity of continuing the detention. Particularly, the very financial inability of the accused to provide bail can effectively become a factor for the continuation of his deprivation of freedom.

However, the more concerning aspect of the case is the physical condition of this 26-year-old young man. Human rights sources say Mostafaei faces severe physical-motor disability and spinal cord problems, and his transfer to prison has increased the concerns of his family and relatives about his access to necessary care and his ability to endure prison conditions.

Also, according to sources close to the case, the prosecutor of the branch, a man with the surname “Paydar,” made derogatory remarks about Mostafaei during an interrogation session, referring to his physical condition and disability. This claim has been raised by human rights sources and family members, and no independent clarification from the relevant judicial authorities has been published so far.

Reza Mostafaei had previously been summoned and faced judicial action, and his mobile phone had been confiscated. Now again, support for families of those killed in protests and activities such as slogan-writing have become the basis for opening a case, the immediate result of which for this disabled citizen has been arrest and transfer to prison.

Mostafaei’s arrest comes as judicial pressure on protesters and families seeking justice from the December protests has continued in recent months. In various cases, activities such as supporting families of the deceased, expressing protest views, and civil activities have been met with security and political charges. Human rights organizations view this as an example of the restriction of freedom of expression and the suppression of protest activities.

In Reza Mostafaei’s case, the issue is not merely a judicial arrest. A young disabled citizen with severe physical disability and spinal cord problems is now imprisoned due to his inability to provide an eight billion toman bail, and the charges against him relate to activities such as slogan-writing and support for families of those killed in the protests. This case once again raises the question: where is the line between judicial proceedings and punishment for protest activities and expressing sympathy with the families of victims in the Islamic Republic?

As December protesters face arrest, trial, imprisonment, and even death sentences one after another, Reza Mostafaei’s case is another example of the continuation of judicial pressure on the body of the protest movement. This time against a young man who, due to his physical disability and spinal cord injury, needs proper conditions and medical care more than many others. The continuation of his detention without sufficient attention to his physical condition has intensified concerns about his health and human rights.