IranWire

Eight days into the Persian New Year, Nowruz celebrations continue across Iran.

Many cities and villages are witnessing the lighting of fires and the performance of the ancient tradition.

On Monday, thousands of men and women gathered in several locations across Saqqez to celebrate Nowruz. Similar events are planned for the coming days. (video)

These celebrations coincide with citizen arrests and threats from security and judicial authorities.

Tasnim News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, reported that, according to Mohammad Jabbari, the prosecutor of Kurdistan Province, seven people have been arrested on charges of “organizing and using Nowruz celebrations to spread propaganda against the Islamic Republic, breaking norms, and insulting [the government].”

Although the news agency did not mention the names of those detained, two people have been arrested in Saqqez in connection with the events.

Seifollah Khan Ghafari, a prominent local, was arrested on Saturday after participating in Nowruz celebrations in Saqqez.

Sheikh Zahed Shahabi, one of the speakers at the Nowruz ceremony in Saqqez, was arrested on Monday.