Iranian Teacher Arrested for "Illegal Gathering" at Mahsa Amini's Grave

Authorities in the Islamic Republic have arrested Soleiman Abdi, a teacher and member of the Iranian Teachers' Union branch in the Kurdish town of Saqqez.

The charges against him include "disrupting public order and peace by participating in an illegal gathering in Aichi cemetery," where Mahsa Amini's grave is located.

Amini emerged as the face of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement after the 22-year-old Kurd died in the custody of the country's morality police in September 2022. The presence of her grave at the Aichi cemetery in Saqqez has turned it into a site for anti-establishment protests. 

The Iranian Teachers' Union announced Abdi's arrest on March 3.

According to the union's Telegram channel, Abdi was summoned to serve his prison sentence and arrested before being transferred to Saqqez Central Prison in the Kurdistan Province.

Abdi was previously sentenced to eight months in prison and 70 lashes by the 105th branch of the Saqqez Criminal Court in July 2023.

He was arrested in late 2022, detained in Sanandaj, and then transferred to Saqqez Central Prison in April 2023.

Abdi was temporarily released on bail after 23 days of detention, pending the conclusion of his case.