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RFL/RE – The families of 13 Iranian political and civil activists detained in East Azerbaijan Province have accused Iranian authorities of failing to grant access to lawyers for their relatives while charges remain unclear.
In an interview with RFE/RL’s Radio Farda, Ayoub Shiri, brother of detained activist Davoud Shiri, said that since his brother’s arrest outside his Tabriz home on September 22, the family has only received three brief phone calls.
Shiri expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding his brother’s charges.
“We have no news. They did not tell us the subject of the accusation, and every time we go to follow up, they say the same thing. Then the authorities provide a different explanation each time they are in contact,” he said.
Yilmaz Mehr Ali Biglu, whose brother Ayat (Yurosh) was arrested in Jolfa on November 7, said his family is experiencing a similar situation.
He said his brother managed only a brief call with his wife after being arrested and the family suspects he is being held at the Tabriz Intelligence Detention Center.
“The judiciary is not independent enough for us to follow up. When we approached the Tabriz judiciary, they didn’t respond and said,’Your brother is our guest for four months,'” Yilmaz Mehr Ali Biglu told Radio Farda.
Some of the families say their concerns extend beyond the lack of information on the legal aspects of the situation and on to the health and well-being of the detainees.
Reports have emerged about the deteriorating physical condition of Hamed Yeganepor, who was arrested in Maragheh. Despite a heart condition requiring medical attention, Yeganepor is reportedly receiving insufficient care and was returned to the detention center after a brief hospital visit.
The situation highlights growing anxiety among the families of detainees, who fear for their loved ones, especially those feared being held in solitary confinement.
The government has yet to provide any official explanation or comment on the arrests of these activists, further deepening the concerns of their families and human rights observers.
