Mohammad Yousefi, 17, Hamza Barzegar, 16, and Mohammad Mahmoudi, 16, from Javanroud, were detained by security forces and transferred to an unknown location after expressing joy over the Iranian national football team’s loss to Qatar.
According to the Campaign for the Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners, on Thursday, February 7TH, 2024, Mohammad Yousefi, 17, Hamza Barzegar, 16, and Mohammad Mahmoudi, 16, three children from Javanroud, were arrested by security forces after expressing joy over the Iranian national football team’s loss to Qatar and were transferred to an unknown location.
The reason for the arrest of these three children is stated to be their expression of happiness over the Iranian national football team’s loss to Qatar. Expressing joy or sadness over a sports match is not considered a crime.
The whereabouts of these three children have not yet been determined.
The Islamic Republic of Iran has a long history of suppressing freedom of speech and belief. Arresting children for expressing their beliefs is a clear violation of human rights.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned the Islamic Republic of Iran for suppressing freedom of speech and belief, especially concerning children.