Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Kurdish karate coach Yadollah Mataei has been arrested by Iranian security forces in Dehgolan, Kurdistan Province, and transferred to an undisclosed location.
Human rights groups reported that Mataei was detained on October 6 without a judicial warrant. His current whereabouts, condition and any charges against him remain unknown.
Mataei, who has more than three decades of experience as a karate athlete and coach, was reportedly stopped on a street in Dehgolan.
One rights group said he was arrested while travelling with his eight-year-old child, who was left alone following the detention. The reports also say he has been denied contact with his family and access to a lawyer since his arrest.
The arrest comes weeks after Kurdish authorities reportedly barred Mataei from sporting and coaching activities. He had previously been arrested during the 2022 protests and later received a five-year suspended prison sentence.
His latest detention has renewed concerns among rights groups about pressure on Kurdish activists and athletes in Iran, while his family and supporters await information about his location and legal status.
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