[67414] The arrest of Hamed Tizrouyan, a nature photographer and environmental activist in Iran

The arrest of nature photographer and environmental activist Hamed Tizrouyan

According to reports in Vahid Online, DW Persian, and Payam Iran, Hamed Tizrouyan, a well-known nature photographer and doctoral student in environmental engineering at Shahid Beheshti University, has been detained in a facility in Sari since May 4, 2026.

Tizrouyan, born in 1991, is known for his work in documenting endangered species in Iran, including the brown bear and the red deer. As reported on Vahid Online, the arrest was carried out after his personal belongings, including mobile devices, were confiscated by security forces. Security authorities have charged him with "assembly and collusion with the intent to act against national security."

Various sources indicate that the arrest comes as retaliation for his activity on social media. DW Persian reports that Tizrouyan published "blunt content" regarding the killing of protesters last January and criticism of the execution policy in Iran. Consequently, his Instagram account, which had over 70,000 followers, was disabled.

Payam Iran adds that this is a direct continuation of the persecution against the activist, as his account was already silenced last December after he published similar critical content. As of the time of this publication, Tizrouyan remains detained without a formal indictment or orderly legal proceeding, and his status is defined as "undefined."