In recent days, reports have emerged of several Baloch citizens being arrested by security forces in various cities of Sistan and Balochistan province without judicial warrants. These arrests have sparked widespread concern among the families of the detainees and human rights activists.
Arrest of Imam Bakhsh Balochi in Nikshahr
On February 7, 2025, intelligence forces in Nikshahr arrested a Baloch citizen named Imam Bakhsh Baloochi, a 35-year-old resident of Gorgan village, without presenting any legal warrant. According to local sources, security agents entered the village and took him into custody. However, as of the time of this report, no information has been provided regarding the charges against him.
Detention of Abid Dehwari, a Sunni Religious Blogger
On the same day, Abid Dehwari, a 25-year-old Instagram blogger and Sunni religious activist from Sib and Suran, was summoned to the local judiciary and subsequently arrested by IRGC intelligence forces.
Reports indicate that he was taken into custody by plainclothes intelligence officers inside the courthouse and transferred to an unknown location. His family and relatives have been unable to obtain any information about his whereabouts or condition.
Sources close to the family state that Dehwari had previously been pressured by security forces to halt his religious activities and stop his support for Molavi Abdulhamid, a prominent Sunni cleric. However, he had refused to comply and continued his activism.
Unresolved Detention of Mirza Rahmat Zehi After Two Months
Another Baloch citizen, Mirza Rahmat Zehi, son of Shahbakhsh and a resident of Tankesar village in Nikshahr, remains in legal limbo after more than two months in Zahedan Central Prison.
Rahmat Zehi was arrested on November 4, 2024, at his car repair shop in Kalat, the capital of Sarbaz County, by Ministry of Intelligence forces. He was first transferred to Rask and later to Zahedan, where he remains imprisoned without trial or clear charges. His prolonged detention has caused significant psychological distress for his family.
Arrest of Molavi Abdulbasir Shahouzehi in Iranshahr
In a more recent case, on February 10, 2025, Sunni cleric Molavi Abdulbasir Shahouzehi, a 50-year-old imam of Chah-Ali village in Delgan County, was summoned to the court in Iranshahr and subsequently arrested by security forces.
As of the publication of this report, no official explanation has been provided regarding the reason for his arrest.
Growing Concerns Over Arbitrary Detentions
The recent wave of arrests without judicial oversight, particularly cases of prolonged detention without formal charges, has raised serious human rights concerns in Sistan and Baluchestan. The case of Mirza Rahmat Zehi, who remains detained for over two months without trial, is just one example of the systematic violations of due process rights in the region.
The families of the detainees demand transparency regarding their loved ones’ status and insist that legal procedures be followed in handling these cases. These arrests come amid increasing reports of security crackdowns on Baloch citizens, religious activists, and civil society figures in the region.
Conclusion
The rising number of arbitrary arrests and prolonged detentions in Sistan and Balochistan has heightened human rights concerns. Lack of transparency, failure to present legal charges, and denying families access to detainees are among the key issues highlighted by activists.
The situation remains under close monitoring as further developments unfold.
