Kurdish Blogger Sairan Arabi Arrested by Cyber Police in Iran

Sairan Arabi, a Kurdish blogger from Mahabad, was arrested by Iran's Cyber Police on August 23, 2026, for allegedly insulting a prominent Kurdish singer, Mohammad Mamle, in a social media post. Following her arrest, her Instagram account was blocked by judicial order. The police chief stated that the arrest was prompted by backlash from Mamle's supporters and complaints from the cultural community. Prior to her arrest, Arabi had issued multiple apologies and deleted the offending post. The incident raises significant concerns regarding freedom of expression in Iran, as it highlights the state's crackdown on dissenting voices online.

Key Points: • Sairan Arabi was arrested for social media posts deemed insulting to a singer. • Her Instagram account was blocked following a judicial order. • The incident reflects ongoing restrictions on freedom of expression in Iran.