In Urmia of West Azerbaijan Province, the occupying regime of Iran has detained Turkic activists Abbas and Behram Alilu for criticizing pro-Kurdish groups. Reports indicate that at least 10 more South Azerbaijani activists have also been arrested in recent days on similar grounds.

Two brothers from Urmia, South Azerbaijan — Abbas Alilu and Behram Alilu — were detained by intelligence units at their workplaces. Their families say they have had no contact with them since that day.

According to local sources, at least 10 more Turkic activists have been arrested in recent days on similar grounds. Most of those detained had posted on social media criticizing the activities of groups such as PJAK and PKK in Iran.

Some activists reported that intelligence officials called them by phone and threatened them “not to keep the issue in the public eye.”