Amnesty International calls for the release of civil society activists arrested in recent rallies in Tabriz, Urmia and Ardabil

Amnesty International expressed concern over the arrests of protesters on Thursday in the cities of Tabriz, Urmia, and Ardabil, and called for their release.

The Persian Twitter account of this human rights organization wrote that about 20 people who gathered in these cities on Thursday, October 1, have been arrested, and some of them have been mentioned by name.

According to videos sent by witnesses to VOA Persian, Iranian police used force on Thursday against protesters who took to the streets in Tabriz, Urmia, and Ardabil demanding the closure of the border between Iran and Armenia to stop what they say was the transfer of Russian military equipment from Russia to Armenia through Iranian territory.

The videos show police using tear gas and rubber bullets against protesters, some of whom were holding posters.

According to Amnesty International, some of these individuals have faced charges related to national security crimes such as "insulting the leadership," "disturbing public order," and "disobeying government officials" for participating in protest rallies.

Source: Voice of America