Mahabad Prison: Mansour Rahimi, Labor Activist and Photographer, Transferred to Prison After 17 Days of Detention with Signs of Torture, Denied Bail and Medical Care

On July 31, 2025, Mansour Rahimi, a 34-year-old labor activist and social photographer from Mahabad, was transferred to Mahabad Central Prison after 17 days of detention and interrogation in a security detention center. He was subjected to severe torture and transferred without being formally charged or granted the right to post bail or provide a guarantor. Despite serious physical injuries from torture, he has so far been denied medical treatment.

According to a source who spoke to Kurdpa, on July 27, 2025 (Sunday), Mr. Rahimi was moved from a detention center of the Ministry of Intelligence to Mahabad Prison. Five days after his transfer, he still has not been informed of his charges or allowed temporary release on bail or guarantee. Visible signs of beatings and torture remain on his body, including severe injury to his shoulder. Nevertheless, he has been denied medical care.

The source stressed that, due to the visible marks of torture, security agencies have kept him in Mahabad Prison for a period so that the signs of abuse fade before bringing him to court for the formal reading of charges.

It is noteworthy that during his 17 days of detention and interrogation, this labor activist and social photographer was denied access to a lawyer, phone calls, and family visits. Security and judicial authorities have refused to respond to his family’s inquiries.

Arbitrary and Violent Arrest of Mansour Rahimi

At dawn on July 10, 2025 (Friday), security forces from the Ministry of Intelligence raided the private home of this Kurdish citizen in the village of Khorkhoreh, near Mahabad, without presenting a judicial warrant. They arrested him and transferred him to an undisclosed location. During the raid, all of Rahimi’s and his family’s electronic devices were seized without a court order.

As of the time of this report, the reasons for his arrest and any potential charges remain unknown.

Previously, on May 9, 2025, he had been summoned and threatened by the Ministry of Intelligence for supporting a gathering of farmers affected by a hailstorm. At that time, he had been reporting on the protests of farmers in Mahabad.