Iran: MOIS agents detain poet, songwriter

Security and intelligence authorities in Iran detained poet and songwriter Yaghma Golrouee on Monday without giving any reason for his arrest.

Mr. Golrouee was arrested in a raid on his house by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and taken to an unknown location, his wife wrote on her Instagram account on December 1.

Some of Mr. Golrouee's work includes social issues like poverty, addiction and environmental problems. Last month, he criticized authorities for blocking his books from being published.

Arrest of Golrouee follows the recent arrests of other writers and artists, and cancellation of a performance by the Tehran symphony orchestra.

Last week, the Tehran symphony orchestra, which was due to perform at the capital’s Azadi stadium before a wrestling competition, had to cancel because the authorities insisted 15 minutes before the program that female musicians should not perform on the stage.