Arrest of a Baloch Citizen After Returning from Oman by Security Forces in Nikshahr; Growing Concerns Over the Situation of Exiled Citizens
Balochistan Human Rights Group: On Friday, 8 May 2026, a Baloch citizen named Shahim Bahrami, who had recently returned to his hometown from Oman, was arrested by plainclothes officers of the Intelligence Department in Nikshahr County.
According to reports, security agents raided his family home in the village of Karpadin without presenting any judicial warrant and detained him. Several hours after his arrest, Shahim was transferred to the Intelligence Department detention center in Zahedan.
Shahim Bahrami, aged 30, son of Roshan, is married and the father of four children. He is originally from the village of Karpadin in the Mokht District of Nikshahr County.
Details of the Arrest and Health Condition of Shahim Bahrami
According to information received by the Balochistan Human Rights Group, Shahim had been working as a fruit vendor in Oman in recent years and was reportedly suffering from psychological and mental health difficulties. After a prolonged period away from his homeland, he eventually returned to his place of residence. However, immediately upon his return, he was arrested by Intelligence Department agents.
The family’s repeated inquiries with judicial authorities in Nikshahr and various security agencies eventually resulted in officials informing them that he had been arrested “due to activities on social media.”
This explanation has been disputed by his family, who state that his social media activity was purely recreational in nature and that he had no affiliation with, or involvement in, any political organizations or movements.
Context of the Arrest: A New Wave of Detentions of Baloch Citizens Following Regional Tensions
The arrest of Shahim Bahrami is considered part of a concerning pattern of security measures targeting Baloch citizens who return to Iran from countries in the Persian Gulf region. Human rights advocates have expressed growing concern regarding the treatment of returning Baloch citizens and the increasing number of arrests carried out by security forces in recent years.
