Mahmoud Niroumand, a 39-year-old Kurdish cultural activist from Dargaz, was arrested on January 15, 2025, to begin serving a 1.5-year prison sentence. Niroumand, also known as “Sarheldan,” was detained while accompanying his brother for medical treatment and immediately transferred to Dargaz Central Prison.
Niroumand had been previously convicted in 2023 by the Dargaz Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Vafaei, for “propaganda against the government.” His sentence is the latest in a series of legal troubles for Niroumand, who has been a target of the Iranian authorities due to his activism.
In October 2021, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Mashhad Revolutionary Court for “propaganda” and alleged “connections with opposition groups.” However, following an appeal, the sentence was reduced to 2 years and 8 months. Niroumand was released from Vakilabad Prison in February 2023 under an amnesty after serving part of his sentence.
He had been arrested earlier in 2021 by Mashhad Intelligence forces and temporarily released on bail until his trial. His recent detention for the 1.5-year sentence marks a continuation of his legal battles.
