September 23, 2026 — On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Yousef Rahimi, a Kurdish citizen from Baneh and head of the "Hazhe" Cultural and Literary Association, was arrested following a raid on his home by security forces without a judicial warrant and transferred to an undisclosed location.

An informed source confirmed the news to Kurdpa, stating: "Yousef Rahimi, who has years of experience in Kurdish language and cultural advocacy—with mother-tongue education being one of his primary focus areas—was arrested by security forces outside his residence this morning. The reasons for his arrest remain unknown."

The "Hazhe" Cultural and Literary Association is an active civil and cultural organization in Baneh County, Kurdistan Province. It focuses on teaching Kurdish language and literature, organizing poetry nights, literary panels, and book reviews, as well as engaging in civil rights advocacy. The association is headed by Yousef Rahimi, a local literary and cultural activist.

In a related incident on the morning of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, Azad Rahmati, a Kurdish environmental activist from Baneh, was also arrested following a raid on his home by security forces without a judicial warrant and transferred to an unknown location.