Journalist Meysam Rashidi Arrested in Ardabil for Social Media Criticism

August 5, 2025 – Iran –

Journalist Meysam Rashidi was arrested in Ardabil following a complaint by the city’s mayor over his critical social media posts about municipal performance. Rashidi, who has worked with the news outlet Qaartaal, was detained by local police acting on a temporary detention order issued after the mayor filed the complaint.

Rashidi’s arrest is part of a broader pattern of press restrictions in Iran, where journalists have been targeted for criticism of local authorities. Earlier this year, in March, Rashidi was reportedly assaulted by Ardabil municipality security personnel after publicly criticising the condition of the city’s municipal football team, an incident the mayor later denied.

HRANA (Human Rights Activists News Agency) highlighted that practices such as arbitrary arrest and detention in undisclosed locations without due process remain widespread among Iran’s security agencies, including the Ministry of Intelligence and IRGC-affiliated units. Families of the detained are often kept uninformed about their whereabouts or legal status, a violation of Iran’s obligations under international standards for prisoner treatment.

Rashidi’s detention has drawn concern from press freedom advocates who warn that targeting local reporters for criticism feeds a climate of self-censorship and undermines independent journalism. His case exemplifies the shrinking space for media accountability, especially at the municipal level, where officials may use legal means to suppress dissent.

As of now, the charges against Rashidi beyond the mayor’s complaint remain unclear, and authorities have not released additional details regarding his location or legal representation.

References –

https://www.en-hrana.org/journalist-meysam-rashidi-arrested-in-ardabil/