Arrest of Christian citizen Mohammad Nikbakht in a massive security raid

The arrest of Mohammad Nikbakht, in a massive security raid, occurred amid reports of the worrying situation of prisoners and increasing pressure on Christian citizens in Iran.

According to a report published by the "National Council of Decision," Mohammad Nikbakht, a Republican activist and a well-known figure in pro-democracy movements, was arrested by security forces on March 24, 2026. The source also emphasized that he is a Christian citizen.

The report states that his arrest was carried out with an unprecedented and terrifying assault by nearly 200 operational and armed forces, a description that reflects the unusual dimensions of this security operation.

According to published information, Nikbakht was transferred to Ward 2A of Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan after his arrest, a ward that is usually supervised by security agencies. According to the National Council of Decision, concerns about his physical condition and safety are serious, as he had previously survived two failed assassination attempts.

This arrest comes amid reports of continued pressure on civil, political, and religious activists in Iran. Human rights organizations have repeatedly warned in recent months of widespread arrests, heavy sentences, and even the execution of opponents.

In this context, Mai Sato, at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva, announced that many prisoners are still behind bars and stressed that these people are detained only for exercising their fundamental rights. These statements reflect international concerns about the human rights situation in Iran.

At the same time, reports have been published about the inadequate conditions of detention of prisoners, especially in prisons such as Evin Prison and Fashafoyeh Prison, which indicate a lack of facilities, psychological pressure, and severe restrictions.

Meanwhile, the situation of Christian citizens has also drawn the attention of religious freedom organizations. According to reports, at least 16 Christian citizens are being held in Evin Prison for their religious beliefs and peaceful activities, and a total of about 48 people are being detained in different parts of the country. International organizations have repeatedly emphasized that these detentions are in conflict with the principles of freedom of religion and conscience.

On the other hand, some independent reports and international media also indicate that pressure on religious minorities, including Christians, has increased in recent years, with cases such as arrests, summonses, and restrictions on religious activities being recorded frequently. Institutions such as "Article 18" and "Open Doors" have also pointed to this trend in their annual reports.

The "National Decision Council", which introduces itself as a political institution with the goal of transitioning from the Islamic Republic and establishing a democratic system based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has warned at the end of its report about Nikbakht's situation and called for the immediate attention of international institutions to this case.

The sum of these developments paints a worrying picture of the human rights situation, especially for civil society activists and citizens of different religious beliefs in Iran; a situation that continues to be the focus of attention of international institutions and the media.