Ali Akbarinezhad

Ali Akbari Nejad and Samaneh Lal Pahlavan, an athlete couple who were arrested by security forces on January 11, 2026, remain in solitary confinement and are deprived of phone contact with their families. After nearly a month of no information about the situation of Akbari Nejad and Lal Pahlavan, it was reported in a phone call, allegedly from "Mashhad Prison's social services," to the families of Akbari Nejad and Lal Pahlavan that both are being held in solitary confinement.

On January 11, security forces raided the home of Akbari Nejad's father and violently arrested 46-year-old Ali Akbari Nejad and 44-year-old Samaneh Lal Pahlavan. At the time of the couple's arrest, all their electronic and personal belongings were also confiscated by the security forces.

It was reported that during the arrest, security forces beat Ali Akbari Nejad and searched the entire house. Since their arrest on January 11, 2026, until February 7, 2026, Akbari Nejad and Lal Pahlavan have not made any phone calls to their families, causing concern for their physical well-being.

*Translated on 2026-03-13*