Abdolnaser Mohaymeni, a veteran journalist in Iran’s Golestan province and former head of the province’s Press House, was arrested on the evening of February 26, 2026 at his home in Gorgan, in the Central District of Golestan province, according to his family and news reports. Mohaymeni has a long record of media work in the province and has previously worked with local outlets including Eghtesad-e Golestan and Gorgan Resaneh.
A source close to Mohaymeni’s family told CPJ that three or four intelligence agents initially arrived at his home to detain him. “They came without showing a warrant,” the source said. “When he refused to go with them because they had no legal documents, they called for backup.”
“More agents came, handcuffed him from behind, and dragged him away by force,” the source said. “It was very distressing for the family to witness.”
The source added that authorities did not inform the family of his arrest or where he was being taken. “No one officially told us he was being detained or where they were taking him,” the source said.
Mohaymeni later made a brief phone call to his family. “He said he has started a hunger strike and is refusing to take his medication,” the source said. “He suffers from a gastrointestinal illness and needs regular treatment. We are deeply worried about his health, especially given his age.” He was held in Gorgan’s Central Prison.
Mohaymeni was released on bail on March 4, according to the same source.
CPJ’s email to the Iranian mission to the United Nations in New York requesting comment did not receive a response.