A Manchester police photo of Afshin Zarechian, sought in a missing persons case

MANCHESTER – Police Monday afternoon said the search is continuing for Afshin Zarechian, the 20-year-old man allegedly tied to “social media rumors” stemming from posts involving the University of Maine, but the search is now being investigated as a missing persons case.

“To this point, the investigation has not identified any criminal conduct committed by Zarechian,” Manchester police spokeswoman Heather Hamel wrote in a press release.

Hamel said Manchester police have been working with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in New Hampshire and Maine in regards to the “social media rumors” associated with Zarechian.

Over the weekend, University of Maine police began investigating a report of a possible threat posted to social media, and asked for tips in locating Zarechian, according to news reports.

They didn’t specify the nature of the alleged threat, or what it entailed.

A Manchester police image shows a likeness of the 2011 BMW Afshin Zarechian is believed to be driving, along with its license plate.

But they and other investigators eventually determined that no active threat existed to the UMaine campus community.

University of New Hampshire police got involved in the investigation Saturday night, when, according to Chief Paul Dean, students reported seeing a post that included references to UNH. Dean said it was quickly determined there was no threat to anyone at UNH.

Hamel, the Manchester spokeswoman, said that Zarechian may have been in North Conway, or possibly in Naples, Maine, over the weekend.

Zarechian, according to information posted on social media, is originally from Qazvin, the largest city and capital of the Province of Qazvin, in northern Iran, roughly 80 miles northwest of Tehran.

He is 5 feet, 9 inches, about 150 pounds with dark hair, eyes and complexion. He is believed to be operating a green, 2011 BMW 3-series sedan with New Hampshire license plate RICCH.

A Manchester police photo of Afshin Zarechian, sought in a missing persons case

Anyone with information on Zarechian’s whereabouts is asked to contact Manchester police at 668-8711, and reference case number 21-005141.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.

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