Doctors detained in Iran for helping wounded protesters

Doctors are being arrested in Iran for helping to save the lives of tens of thousands of victims of the brutal crackdown on anti-government protests, and at least one surgeon faces the death penalty. This was reported by the British newspaper The Guardian.

The arrests and death sentence are part of a "revenge" campaign, human rights organizations say. Medical workers and doctors have refused to ignore the plight of injured protesters who were wounded during the crackdown. In some cases, doctors set up improvised medical centers.

According to the Norwegian human rights organization Hengaw, the Iranian authorities have accused 52-year-old surgeon Alireza Golcini of "mohareb" (war against God), which carries the death penalty. The US State Department is demanding his release.

The doctor's cousin, who lives in Canada, told reporters that Golcini was taken from his home on January 10. He was arrested by force in front of his wife and 11-year-old son. The doctor's ribs and arm were broken. Iranian authorities have not publicly commented on the surgeon's detention or confirmed the charges against him.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, whose information was considered credible during the previous crackdown, says that more than 6,000 people have been confirmed dead and that more than 17,000 more reported deaths are under investigation.

According to human rights organizations, Golcini is one of at least nine doctors and volunteers arrested over the past week. According to the Norwegian-based organization Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), security forces raided makeshift medical centers and the homes of doctors and volunteers who were helping the victims. There is currently no information on the whereabouts or condition of the detainees.

"It seems to be a deliberate campaign of revenge against doctors and medical staff who refuse to leave the wounded," said Hossein Raisi, an Iranian human rights lawyer living outside the country.

• January 2, 2026 Trump promised to intervene if the Iranian authorities use force to suppress protests caused by economic problems.
• As of January 18, it was reported about at least 5000 dead in Iran during the protests.