According to reports received by the Karun Human Rights Organization, between January 10 and January 18, security forces carried out widespread arrests of citizens who went to pharmacies to purchase bandages and other medical supplies or first aid items.
The reports state that all individuals who visited pharmacies during this period were arrested. Some of the detainees were released after hours of interrogation, but hundreds remain in custody.
Local sources reported that security forces, by positioning themselves around pharmacies or monitoring visitors, identified and arrested citizens who had entered pharmacies solely to obtain medical supplies for the injured or for personal use. According to these sources, no official explanation or judicial order was provided to those arrested.
These actions have created an atmosphere of fear among the public and have severely restricted access for the injured to essential medical supplies—a situation that could have serious and irreparable consequences for the health and lives of the wounded.
The Karun Human Rights Organization expressed deep concern over this practice, emphasizing that preventing citizens from accessing medical services and detaining individuals seeking to provide first aid violates fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles.
The organization calls for the immediate release of all detainees, an end to security crackdowns on citizens, and guaranteed free, safe, and unimpeded access to pharmacies and medical services.
