On September 24, 2019, Masih Alinejad, a journalist and human rights activist based in the United States, reported that Iranian intelligence officers arrested her brother, Ali Alinejad, at his home in Tehran. The officers handcuffed and blindfolded him and transferred him to an unknown location. According to reports, the officers said they detained him for interrogation regarding his sister’s activities and the relationship between the two. The officers also confiscated his computer and mobile phone.
Masih Alinejad is a prominent journalist and women’s rights activist who actively campaigns against Iran’s mandatory hijab laws. She launched the campaigns “My Stealthy Freedom” and “White Wednesdays,” which challenge Iran’s dress codes by encouraging women to post photos of themselves without headscarves.
Furthermore, seven intelligence officers arrested Leila and Hadi Lotfi, the sister and brother of Max Lotfi, the ex-husband of Masih Alinejad. Max lives outside Iran and collaborates with his ex-wife’s campaign. According to reports, the Lotfis were told they were being detained for interrogation regarding Masih Alinejad’s activities. Hadi Lotfi was released the following day after interrogation.
This is not the first time authorities have targeted Masih Alinejad’s family. Her mother, Zarin Badpaa, was interrogated for two hours in March. Officers filmed her during the interrogation.
The arrest of Masih Alinejad’s relatives is merely the latest case of such incidents. BBC World Service has reported that Iranian authorities have repeatedly arrested or threatened family members of activists, journalists, and political prisoners. For example, family members of BBC Persian journalists have faced harassment and threats, including arrest.
In July, officers arrested Fereshteh Mozlom, the mother of Soheil Arabi. Arabi is a political prisoner who has been in prison since 2013 on various charges including insulting sacred values, insulting the leadership, and propaganda against the system. Mozlom was arrested after releasing a video describing how her son was beaten in prison and demanding that authorities provide him with medical care.
We call on the Iranian government to immediately release all individuals detained solely because of actions taken by their relatives and to refrain from arresting and harassing family members of activists, journalists, and political prisoners. Iranian authorities must cease retaliatory actions aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
The signatory human rights organizations also call on the international community to hold Iran accountable and demand that the Iranian government remain committed to its obligations under international human rights law and end the arbitrary detention of Iranian citizens.
The Abdorrahman Boroumand Foundation
All Human Rights for All in Iran
Third Sphere
Kurdistan Human Rights Association – Geneva
Human Rights Campaign in Iran
Center for Human Rights Defenders
All Together Against the Death Penalty
Human Rights Watch
Iran Human Rights Organization
Center for Documentation of Human Rights in Iran
Global Transparency Initiative
Siamak Pourzand Foundation
Small Media
