Freelance journalist Kianoosh Darvishi, who previously worked for Ensaf News, was arrested by Iranian authorities on February 16, 2026, and subsequently released on bail on March 18, 2026, pending trial.
Security forces initially took him into custody after he responded to a summons by the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), later transferring him to FashafouyehPrison in Tehran.
Darvishi is formally charged with anti-state activities and defamation of the Supreme Leader. As part of ongoing judicial restrictions, authorities confiscated his electronic equipment for several months, and he has been officially banned from conducting any journalistic activities while he awaits his court date.
Prior to his physical detention, on February 3, he told CPJ that his bank accounts “were blocked” after he was summoned by Iran’s cyber police. “They keep summoning me. I am sure if I go, they will arrest me. They are asking me why I post about the protests,” he said.
His personal accounts on X and Instagram have since been deactivated.