Dozens of Environmental Activists Detained in Kurdistan Province

Iranian security forces have reportedly detained at least 35 members of the Sabzchia Association, an environmental protection group in Kurdistan province.

The environmentalists were apprehended on September 10 as they were attending the nongovernmental organization’s annual meeting in the western city of Marivan, according to the France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN).

Those detained were transferred to the detention center of the Marivan Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, the KHRD says, adding that the personal belongings of all participants in the meeting were confiscated, including mobile phones.

The Sabzchia Association has been active in Marivan since 1999 and has played a key role in protecting forests in the region from wildfires.

The mass arrest of its members comes amid increased security measures in Kurdistan province ahead of the September 16 anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in police custody.