Continued detention and lack of information regarding the status of several detained students
25-May-2026
Category: Arrests
25 May 2026
News group: Arrests
Breathing in Confinement: The repression of students has continued despite universities operating remotely, and there is still no information available regarding the status of a number of detained students.
According to Breathing in Confinement, the news outlet of the Prisoners’ Rights League in Iran, amid the continuing security atmosphere and restrictions imposed on students, the arrest and prosecution of students has persisted in recent months, and in many cases there is no clear information regarding the status of some detainees. This situation has intensified particularly during the period in which, due to the 40-day conflict between the Islamic Republic, the United States, and Israel, extensive communication restrictions and internet shutdowns were also reported.
According to this report, during this period at least 19 students were arrested, of whom the status of at least nine individuals remains unknown, with no official or media information published regarding judicial proceedings, place of detention, or their health conditions.
Reports further indicate that, in addition to arrests made during the wartime period, a number of students who had been detained previously also remain in custody. Due to communication restrictions, disruptions in information dissemination, and lack of free access to information, a complete and updated list is not available. Nevertheless, known cases include the continued detention of Mostafa Mohammadhasan, a Master’s student in Philosophy of Science at Sharif University of Technology, who has been detained since 24 January this year. In addition, Majid Jamshidzadeh, an Industrial Design student admitted in 2022 at Iran University of Science and Technology, has been in detention since 2 January.
According to available information, the names of several students arrested since the beginning of the period of tensions and conflict, and for whom no reports regarding release or judicial status have yet been published, are as follows:
Dasta Farrokhi – student of Dramatic Literature, Sooreh University, Tehran
Nima Hemmati – Master’s student in Ethnomusicology, University of Rasht
Sima Hamiri – undergraduate Chemistry student admitted in 2024, University of Rasht
Arman Haj-Mohammadi – Master’s student in Civil Engineering, Sharif University of Technology
Amirmohammad Karimi – Polymer Engineering student admitted in 2025, University of Tehran
Vahid Rostami – Statistics student, University of Tehran
Amirhossein Rezaei – Political Science student, University of Tehran
Amirhossein Sheikh-Mohammadi – Veterinary Medicine student, Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch
Erfan Khadem – Electrical Engineering student, Sharif University of Technology
Finally, it should be noted that, in accordance with fundamental human rights principles and fair trial laws, detainees should have the right to access legal counsel, be informed of the charges against them, maintain communication with their families, and receive transparent judicial review. However, in the above-mentioned cases, serious concerns remain regarding the observance of these fundamental rights, and the responsible authorities have so far provided no clear explanation in this regard.