Gozal Najafi, a 50‑year‑old civil activist from Azarshahr, South Azerbaijan was arrested on Sunday, 23 August 2026 in Azarshahr by the occupying forces of Iran. Reportedly, after being held for about a week in Azarshahr, she was transferred to Tabriz, and since then she has remained in a state of uncertainty without clear access to information regarding her legal status.

The continued lack of information about the condition of this civil activist—especially if she is being denied access to her family, a lawyer, and medical services—has raised serious concerns about respect for her legal rights and her health.

Gozal Najafi has previously been active in areas related to civil rights, the right to education in one’s mother tongue, and environmental advocacy.

The Azerbaijan Human Rights Organizatons have expressed concern about the ongoing lack of information regarding Gozal Najafi’s situation, called for the immediate disclosure of her place of detention, transparent reporting on the charges and legal basis for her arrest, guaranteed access to a lawyer and her family, and timely access to medical services if needed.