Iran detains doctors, aid workers treating protesters - rights group

Security forces have arrested doctors and volunteer aid workers who treated people injured during the nationwide protests in Iran, raiding their homes and clinics, the Norway-based rights group Iran Human Rights said.

IHR said security forces carried out raids on private residences, clinics and temporary medical shelters in an effort to prevent the treatment of injured demonstrators and to intimidate the medical community.

The rights group said Dr. Ameneh Soleimani, a physician and manager of a skin and hair clinic in the northwestern Iranian city of Ardabil, was arrested after treating people injured during protests in the city.

A volunteer aid worker, Khosrow Minaei, about 45, was arrested on January 13 after security forces raided his home, during which windows were smashed, household belongings were damaged and his car was wrecked.

IHR said at least four other doctors were arrested for assisting injured protesters, with no information available about their whereabouts.