Tabriz, South Azerbaijan— Yurush Mehralibiglu, a prominent Azerbaijani national activist and a well-known figure within the South Azerbaijan National Movement, was arrested today in Tabriz by security forces of the occupying Islamic regime of Iran.

According to reports, Mr. Mehralibiglu’s arrest followed the release of a video in which he addressed the recent protests and emphasized the importance of Azerbaijani political formations and parties at both the national and international levels. In the video, he highlighted the role of active national organizations as legitimate references for issuing statements and calls to action, and urged activists within the national movement to support and align themselves with these calls and statements.

Human rights activists and observers have warned that Mr. Mehralibiglu’s arrest may indicate an escalation of pressure on Azerbaijani political activists. The move is widely seen as part of ongoing efforts to suppress political dissent and reinforce an atmosphere of fear and repression in the region.

Yurush Mehralibiglu has spent many years imprisoned in the Islamic Republic due to his political and national activism. He has previously been sentenced to a total of ten years in prison and is known as a steadfast advocate for justice, political freedoms, and the rights of the Azerbaijani nation. Despite enduring imprisonment, torture, and severe restrictions, he has continued his struggle for civil and national rights.

In his most recent case, initiated by Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence, Mr. Mehralibiglu was sentenced to ten years in prison on charges of “forming a group,” and on accusations of “social sabotage” and “acting against national security.”

The arrest of Yurush Mehralibiglu has heightened concerns over the worsening human rights situation in South Azerbaijan and the continued crackdown on peaceful political and ethinc activists in Iran.