IRGC Detains Hundreds in South Azerbaijan

Posted on April 17, 2026, 2:10 pm By South Azerbaijan

Reportedly, hundreds of South Azerbaijanis in the cities of Urmia, Tabriz, Ardabil, Zanjan, Qazvin, and elsewhere have been detained by the IRGC Intelligence Organization. Many of the detainees are accused of espionage, an offense that carries the death penalty.

In numerous cases, allegations of espionage have been brought against civil activists, journalists, students, and even ordinary citizens without the presentation of transparent or credible evidence. The IRGC appears to be exploiting the pretext of “war” to carry out arbitrary and extrajudicial arrests—and, in some instances, punishment—while denying detainees access to legal counsel.