Adib Shahbazpour

The arrest of Adib Shahbazpour, a Baha'i citizen residing in Kerman, occurred under circumstances suggesting prior planning and targeted actions by the authorities. According to reports published by 'Dialogue 1402' and 'Tavana', Adib Shahbazpour is 30 years old and has a history of working as a player, referee, coach, and organizer of tennis competitions at both provincial and national levels. Based on information obtained from local residents, on the evening of Tuesday, January 20, 2025, around 3:30 PM, three private vehicles with ordinary license plates stopped in front of his father's house in Kerman. Local sources indicate that the timing of the arrest was chosen to coincide with Adib's usual schedule for leaving home to attend a tennis coaching class, which raises suspicions about the authorities' prior knowledge of his daily routine. After Adib left his father's house, he was arrested by these individuals. The agents entered his father's home without presenting a judicial order and confiscated some personal and family items, including an iPad and several picture frames, during the search. He was then transferred to his own house, located in the same alley, where his mobile phone, laptop, and other personal belongings were also confiscated. According to this report, Adib was completely alone throughout his detention. The family's lack of information about the identity of the arresting individuals has heightened their concerns. After learning about the situation from neighbors, they contacted the police at 110. The officers present at the scene stated that, based on the description of the incident, this arrest was not carried out by the police. Hours after the arrest, Adib made a brief call to a family member, merely informing them of his arrest without disclosing the location of his detention, the detaining authority, or the reason for his arrest. As of the publication of this report, no official information has been released regarding the authority responsible for the arrest, the location of detention, or any potential charges against Adib Shahbazpour.

Professional Background: Tennis player, referee, coach, and organizer of provincial and national tennis competitions