Security forces arrested Iranian poet Mohammad Reza Haj Rostam Begloo on Wednesday on charges of blasphemy and publishing falsehoods, his mother told Journalism Is Not A Crime.

Speaking to Journalism Is Not A Crime, Mohammad Reza’s mother said he was arrested at his home in Karaj on Wednesday, December 16, 2015.

“Officers invaded his home and took his computer, tablet and printer,” she says.

Following the arrest, the officers took him to his family home.

“First I thought Mohammad Reza was coming alone, so I didn’t cover my hair,” the mother recalls. “One of the officers was so rude. He pulled the door open and shouted at me, ‘Put something on your hair’. I covered my hair, and they entered our home without asking permission.”  

According to Mohammad Reza’s mother, there were six officers – all without official uniforms.

“It looked like they had beaten my son,” she says.

“I told the officers, ‘This is our home, not Mohammad Reza’s’, but they didn’t care. I didn’t want them to go through my personal things. But they went to my bedroom, and they told me, ‘We can do whatever we want, this is our duty. If necessary, we will break the door open’,” she says.

Mohammad Reza was transferred to an unknown location, and his mother has not heard from him since.

Mohammad Reza Haj Rostam Begloo is an Iranian poet, who teaches poetry, philosophy and language. However, the Iranian authorities have prohibited him from teaching, so he tutors privately in his home and cafes.