Khansar citizen arrested three weeks after Omid Ghanouni died in custody

The Islamic Republic's police in Khansar, Isfahan province, have arrested a citizen on charges of "insulting the sacred" and "inviting citizens to take part in illegal gatherings". Reza Hedayati, Khansar's police chief, said on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, that the citizen had been arrested over material posted online and handed over to the judiciary. The person's name has not been released.

The arrest comes about three weeks after the death in custody of Omid Ghanouni, a 17-year-old from the village of Arjanak in Khansar. Islamic Republic officials have not said what the "illegal gatherings" the citizen called for were about.

Omid Ghanouni's death at the Khansar courthouse

According to a source familiar with the case, Omid Ghanouni was arrested outside his home on the evening of Monday, 5 October, after a verbal argument with a Basij member. Before handing him to the police, Basij members beat him severely with rifle butts. He spent the night at the Vist police post and was taken to the Khansar courthouse the next morning.

The same source says Omid was in severe abdominal pain during his judicial interrogation on Tuesday, 6 October. His father asked the judicial officials to take his son to hospital and offered to stay in custody in his place; the judge refused and the interrogation went on until Omid fell from his chair and died. Less than 24 hours had passed since his arrest.

Staff at Fatemiyeh Hospital in Khansar found the cause of death to be internal bleeding and saw extensive bruising and injuries on his body and face. According to the source, obstacles were placed in the way of referring the body to the forensic medicine service. Omid was buried in Arjanak on Thursday, 8 October, and his family came under pressure to stay silent.

His family gathered outside the Vist police post on Friday, 9 October, demanding answers. His mother said her son's body was handed to them at the courthouse. The Islamic Republic's judiciary and police have given no official explanation of his death, and no forensic report has been released.

Arrested for writing online

Islamic Republic officials have previously admitted summoning thousands of people over criticism and dissent online. A UN special rapporteur also said last week that the Islamic Republic has used the war to intensify its crackdown (Mai Sato's report to the General Assembly).

Omid Ghanouni died at the Khansar courthouse less than 24 hours after his arrest, and no one has yet been held to account for his death.