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| Mohammad Asadi |
Turkish activist Mohammad Asadi has been summoned and arrested by security forces in Maragheh, a city in East Azerbaijan Province, Iran, for distributing Azerbaijani Turkish storybooks in schools.
Human rights activist Sina Yousifi reported the incident on his X (formerly Twitter) account. According to the information, Asadi was detained on Saturday, February 22, and transferred to the city's prison.
Reports indicate that Asadi purchased Azerbaijani Turkish storybooks—officially published and approved by the country’s state publishing houses—with his personal funds and distributed them among school students on February 21, International Mother Language Day. However, his actions were met with pressure and persecution from security forces.
There is no information regarding the charges brought against Mohammad Asadi or the legal proceedings he may face.
On February 21, in various cities of Iranian Azerbaijan, national activists distributed Azerbaijani Turkish storybooks and grammar books aimed at different age groups to commemorate International Mother Language Day.
Despite advocating for peaceful recognition of Turkish language rights, activists insist that their efforts comply with the country’s laws. However, Iranian authorities continue to subject them to constant pressure, persecution, arrests, and severe punishments.
Link to the original text in Turkish on the Azerbaijani section of Voice of America:
Marağada türk dilində kitablar paylayan fəal həbs edilib