Oshnavieh: Civil and environmental activist Karim Molaalizadeh illegally summoned and interrogated over online and civic activities
On August 28, 2025, Karim Molaalizadeh, a civil and environmental activist from Oshnavieh, was repeatedly summoned to the city's Intelligence Office without any legal summons or court order, and subjected to over 15 hours of interrogation regarding a wide range of civil, social, and online activities carried out in recent years. His mobile phone was also illegally confiscated without a warrant, and returned after several days. At the conclusion of the interrogations, he was told that his case would be referred to court and he should await an official summons.
According to a source who spoke with Kurdpa, Mr. Molaalizadeh was interrogated on August 10 and 11, 2024, over multiple sessions totaling more than 15 hours, and a security case was filed against him. He has also been repeatedly contacted and pressured by security forces, who warned him to await court proceedings.
The interrogations covered a broad spectrum of issues, including:
_ Criticism of the national education system and demands for mother-tongue education
_ Opposition to the death penalty
_ Boycotting elections
_ Commemorating the Republic of Kurdistan
_ Sharing images of Kurdish fighters battling ISIS
_ Attending Newroz (Kurdish New Year) ceremonies
_ Criticizing the so-called "800-person statement" on Newroz in Kurdistan
_ Supporting the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement
_ Participating in memorials for the victims of government violence
_ Honoring the memory of Burhan Mansournia, a fellow university student and victim of the November 2019 protests
_ Engaging with Kurdish civil society organizations
_ Addressing the issue of kolbari (border porter labor)
_ Speaking out about systematic oppression of Kurds
_ History of Security Pressure and Prior Interrogations
Mr. Molaalizadeh has previously been targeted by security forces, particularly during the wave of pressure on Kurdish activists around Newroz celebrations in Kurdistan. On March 12, 2025, he was summoned to the Intelligence Office in Oshnavieh and interrogated for several hours. During the session, he was threatened and told that Newroz celebrations must comply with state-sanctioned norms, and that using Kurdish cultural symbols like Jamaneh (a traditional headscarf) was prohibited. According to a source, he was pressured to sign a written pledge, with the warning that failure to comply would result in further interrogation.
Background and Activities of Karim Molaalizadeh
Karim Molaalizadeh holds a master’s degree and has served five terms on the board of the environmental NGO Zhinko in Oshnavieh—a group whose activities have been suspended in recent years due to security pressures. He has also been active in humanitarian relief efforts, including participation in aid campaigns after the Kermanshah earthquake and Lorestan floods, and played a key role in COVID-19 response campaigns.
Systematic Repression
Karim Molaalizadeh’s case is a clear example of the systematic repression of civil and environmental activists in Kurdistan. The lengthy interrogations, creation of a security file, illegal seizure of his phone, threats of legal prosecution, and restrictions on cultural expression all constitute blatant violations of his fundamental rights—including freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly, and the right to participate in cultural life.
Such actions contradict Iran’s international obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and highlight the structural policies of repression targeting civil society and Kurdish cultural identity.
