No Information about Student at Mashad Azad, Mohammad Reza Lotfi, Arrested 10 Days Ago

The place of detention and reasons for the arrest of Mashad Azad University student activist, Mohammad Reza Lotfi Yazdi, who was arrested by security forces at his father’s home more than 10 days ago, are still unknown. A close relative of Lotfi,  who is familiar with the case, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that the family’s efforts to find him over the past few days have been futile, and no organization in the city of Mashad has taken any responsibility for his arrest. They have been told only that Mohammad Reza has been transferred to Tehran.

Lotfi’s family and activist friends are concerned about his violent arrest and the lack of information about his whereabouts or charges.

Mohammad Reza Lotfi is currently a student of Mashhad Azad University, and in the past he was a member of the Human Rights Activists Organization. Ten days ago, individuals who introduced themselves as Tehran Ministry of Information agents, arrested him at his father’s house in Mashad on charges of espionage.

According to what has been reported, the arresting agents brutally attacked and beat Lotfi, breaking things and took away books, notes, and his personal computer while insulting his family. The security agents said that they were taking him to Tehran.

According to his close friends, Lotfi was about to get married, and after his earlier release from Mashad’s Intelligence Office he was no longer involved in any student activism or human rights activities.