September 21, 2026 — Mehdi Pakmehr, a Kurdish artist and singer from Bojnord, North Khorasan province, was arrested today and transferred to the security ward of Bojnord Central Prison to serve a sentence of 6 years and 3 months of discretionary imprisonment. Pakmehr, who was arbitrarily detained for over two months by security agencies during the January 2026 protests and has a history of prior arrests, faced two separate legal cases before the Islamic Revolutionary Court and Criminal Court.

An informed source confirmed the news to Kurdpa, stating: “Today, Monday, September 21, 2026, security forces arrested Mehdi Pakmehr and transferred him to the security ward of Bojnord Central Prison to execute his sentence. Concurrently, security forces unlawfully confiscated his mobile phone.”

On June 14, 2026, Pakmehr was sentenced in two separate cases before the Revolutionary and Criminal Courts of Bojnord to a total of 6 years and 3 months in prison and 74 lashes. Although summoned by the Criminal Court to present himself to Bojnord Prison by June 16, 2026, to serve his sentence, he refused to voluntarily turn himself in for this unjust ruling and remained at large until his violent arrest by security forces today.

These heavy sentences were delivered following expedited court proceedings consisting of two brief hearings lasting only a few minutes each, during which Pakmehr was denied access to legal counsel and the right to an adequate defense. Furthermore, after appealing his initial verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court, his punishment was escalated: his one-year suspended prison sentence was converted into one year of enforceable discretionary imprisonment. During his two-month detention, while suffering from injuries, Pakmehr was subjected to physical and psychological torture and was deprived of family visits, phone calls, and access to a lawyer.

Sentenced to 6 Years and 3 Months Imprisonment and 74 Lashes

Two distinct legal cases were filed against Mehdi Pakmehr in the Revolutionary Court and the Criminal Court of Bojnord:

  1. Revolutionary Court of Bojnord: Charged with "propaganda against the state" and "assembly and collusion to commit crimes against national security," Pakmehr was initially sentenced to four years of discretionary imprisonment and one year of suspended imprisonment. However, following his appeal, the Revolutionary Court intensified the penalty, raising the sentence to 5 years of discretionary imprisonment.
  2. Branch 2 of the Bojnord Criminal Court (presided over by Judge Moradi): Charged with "disturbing public order through noise and tumult," Pakmehr was sentenced to one year and three months of imprisonment and 74 lashes.

According to sources, his court sessions were held during his temporary detention and following his transfer to Bojnord Prison, after visible signs of torture and physical injury had partially subsided. Pakmehr attended only one short, minutes-long hearing at the Revolutionary Court. A second hearing was scheduled, but due to emergency conditions stemming from the 40-day war and security threats targeting various institutions, detainees were notified that their attendance at a second session was unnecessary and that the initial session sufficed. The 5-year prison ruling was subsequently delivered based on that brief single hearing.

Regarding the Criminal Court case, following his temporary release, Pakmehr attended a single brief hearing where the judge issued a ruling without considering his defense arguments. Financially unable to hire private legal representation, the court refused to appoint a public defender for him.

Arbitrary Arrest While Injured During Armed Raid on His Café

On January 9, 2026, security forces conducted a violent armed raid without a judicial warrant on Pakmehr’s workplace, a local café, arresting him alongside several others. He was transferred to a security detention facility in Bojnord, where he spent his first few days under intense physical and psychological interrogation and torture. He was subsequently moved to the quarantine ward of Bojnord Prison—a facility repurposed in recent months to hold political prisoners following a surge in protest-related arrests.

The Kurdish artist was temporarily released after approximately two months on a 6-billion-toman bail. At the time of his arrest, he was recovering from pellet gun wounds to his leg.

On January 4 or 5, 2026, Pakmehr and his friends had gone out shopping when public protests erupted nearby. Recognized by police as a prominent local figure, repressive forces fired tear gas at Pakmehr and his companions. After they protested this action, one of his friends was violently arrested and severely beaten inside a security vehicle.

In protest against the security forces' conduct, Pakmehr sat alone in front of a shop in the city center. According to the source, after bystanders urged him to leave with promises that his detained friend would be released, he complied. Shortly thereafter, security personnel and plainclothes agents set the shop on fire to frame Pakmehr and his friends. Upon witnessing the fire, Pakmehr attempted to extinguish the flames himself, sustaining burn injuries to his hands and legs.

Two days later, on January 9, heavily armed security officers raided his café. During the operation, officers shot him at close range with pellet rounds, arresting him while injured. The raid was executed with extreme violence, including physical assaults on patrons, property destruction, and a full search of the premises. Adolescents aged 13 and 14 present at the café were severely beaten, and significant equipment and property were destroyed.

Background and Cultural Activism

Mehdi Pakmehr is a well-known Kurdish artist and musician among the Kurdish community of Khorasan in Bojnord. He has dedicated years to cultural activism and the promotion of the Kurdish language and heritage. According to local sources, he faced recurring pressure, summonses, and interrogations simply for wearing traditional Kurdish clothing.

Pakmehr has a prior history of arrests, particularly during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" (Jin, Jiyan, Azadî) uprising in 2022 and in earlier years. His father, two uncles, and several other relatives were killed during the Iran-Iraq War.

In addition to his artistic and cultural endeavors, Pakmehr is a café owner and an active amateur boxer.