Iranian journalist Medhi Beik was arrested Thursday, according to his wife Zahra and reformist newspaper Etemad. Beik is Etemad’s political correspondent and has been interviewing families of protestors sentenced to death for the paper. Intelligence Ministry agents detained Beik Thursday night in Tehran but have yet to released the reasons for his arrest. Zahra Beik, also a journalist, confirmed that her husband’s laptop, phone,and other personal belongings were seized by authorities.

With ongoing anti-government protests in response to the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody, the Islamic Republic faces one of the largest public outcries since its formation in 1979. Iranian authorities have tried to stop the protests through mass arrests, death sentences and intimidation.

Beik’s arrest comes amid a series of media arrests. US-funded Radio Farda reported that Beik was the third journalist arrested this week. The Committee to Protect Journalists’ latest estimates indicate that there are possibly over 84 journalists in Iranian detention. As of November 2022, authorities have issued over 1000 indictments had been issued, and the Islamic Revolution Court continues to hear cases.