Bukan; Ali Zolfi, Photographer and Former Political Prisoner, Arrested and Moved to an Unknown Location

June 28, 2026; “Ali Zolfi,” a Kurdish citizen from Bukan, photographer, and former political prisoner, was arbitrarily arrested by security forces at his workplace and transferred to an unknown destination.

An informed source confirmed the news to Kurdpa, stating: On Sunday morning, June 28, 2026, Ali Zolfi was arrested after Intelligence Department security forces raided his photography studio without presenting a judicial warrant. According to the source, security forces also seized his personal vehicle during the arbitrary arrest without providing any legal documentation or official order.

To date, the grounds for the former political prisoner's arrest remain unknown, and security agencies have provided no explanation regarding his case.

Prior Arrest and Conviction Record:

Mr. Zolfi has a history of prior arrests and judicial profiling. On January 19, 2021, security forces raided his home without a warrant, breaking windows in the process, and transferred him to a security detention center in Urmia for interrogation. He was later moved to Bukan Prison and released on February 21, 2021, after posting a 200 million Toman bail. Throughout that detention, he was denied access to legal counsel, family visitations, and phone calls.

Subsequently, on September 14, 2021, Branch 101 of the Criminal Court of Bukan, presided over by Judge “Peyman Rostami,” sentenced him to four months and ten days of discretionary imprisonment on charges of “propaganda against the state.” He was transferred to Bukan Prison on October 17, 2021, to serve his sentence and was released on December 16, 2021.