On June 2, 2024, Iranian security forces arrested Hassan Bagherinia, formerly an assistant professor of psychology in the Department of Educational Sciences and Psychology at Iran’s Hakim Sabzevari University, and took him to an undisclosed location. During the arrest, the security forces raided his family’s home and seized all their electronic devices.

Prior to his arrest Bagherinia posted a video on social media criticizing the Iranian government and referencing the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement that first began in September 2022 with the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the “morality” police. He stated, “The Islamic Republic thinks it can maintain its rule by arresting and detaining people, but Mr. Khamenei… this era of yours will also pass. Long live Iran. Woman, life, freedom.”

Hakim Sabzevari University had previously suspended Bagherinia, for publicly expressing support for student protesters on social media (see report).

At the time of this report in September 2024, public information regarding the reasons for Bagherinia’s arrest, his current location, and any specific charges is unavailable.

Scholars at Risk is concerned about the arbitrary imprisonment of a scholar in apparent retaliation for the peaceful exercise of the rights to freedom of expression—conduct that is expressly protected by international human rights instruments including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party. In addition to the harm to the immediate victim, such incidents have a chilling effect on academic freedom and undermine democratic society generally.

Sources:
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202406039647
https://www.en-hrana.org/hassan-bagherinia-ex-faculty-of-hakim-sabzevari-university-detained/