HRANA – Seventeen days after his arrest, Hossein Mirbahari, founder of the Society for the Protection of Working and Street Children, remains in detention with no information available about his whereabouts, health condition, or the reasons behind his arrest.
According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Mirbahari—a long-standing children’s rights advocate who founded the Society in 2003 to combat child exploitation and promote children’s welfare—was arrested on Saturday evening, June 21, at his home in Pardis by security forces.
A source close to his family told HRANA that Mirbahari was initially held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison. However, following a recent airstrike on the facility, all contact with him was lost. “The family has no idea where he is being held. He was allowed only one brief phone call since the arrest, during which he said he didn’t know his location,” the source added. No charges or legal justification for his detention have been disclosed.
Mirbahari’s family is deeply concerned for his health. He has a history of major stomach surgery and suffers from multiple chronic conditions that require a strict diet and regular medication. The lack of access to the essential medications and proper nutrition has caused growing alarm among his family and colleagues.
Another informed source, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, told HRANA: “The family has no information about his medical care or nutrition in detention. This uncertainty is taking a serious emotional toll on them.”
As of this report, authorities have not released any details regarding the charges or the legal basis for Mirbahari’s arrest.