Malekshahi; 21 Days of Arbitrary Detention and Lack of Information Regarding Malek Nikbakht, a 21-Year-Old Youth

February 21, 2026; After 21 days since the arbitrary detention of “Malek Nikbakht,” a 21-year-old Kurdish youth from city of Malekshahi in Ilam Province, there is still no information available regarding his fate or place of detention.

An informed source, while confirming this news, told Kurdpa: “Malek Nikbakht” was detained on February 1, 2026, without a judicial warrant and through a raid by security forces on his home, and was transferred to an unknown location.

Until the publication of this report, no information regarding the reasons for the detention of this Kurdish youth has been released, and security forces have provided no explanation in this regard. Furthermore, he has been deprived of the right to access a lawyer, or to have contact and meetings with his family.