Professional Documents
Culture Documents
English HR 2009
English HR 2009
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Email: HRcentre.ncri@gmail.com
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Introduction
This year’s events brought about unprecedented instability for the mullahs’ regime in Iran.
The Iranian people’s rejection of the regime in its entirety while demanding a democratic government, the
clerical regime’s total isolation while losing its friends in the West in its duel with the international community
to acquire the nuclear bomb as well as the major blows it received strategically in export of terrorism to
neighboring countries and the region as a whole, joined hands to create a deep division within the Iranian
regime.
To survive, the mullahs stepped up suppression and committed systematic violations of human rights and
fundamental freedoms, further deteriorating the already appalling situation in Iran. These attempts went even
beyond Iran’s boundaries, moving into the neighboring Iraq to crack down on opponents protected by the
Fourth Geneva Convention.
The sham presidential elections in Iran on the one hand revealed the weakness of the religious-military regime
and on the other, the Iranian people’s peaceful demand for change. The bloody suppression of the peaceful
protest of millions shocked the world. To deal with the “threat” of being overthrown, the illegitimate regime –
strongly rebuked even by credible Islamic authorities in Iran and abroad – resorted to brutal beatings and
widespread arrests, torture and rape to break its opponents and stage show trials even for officials of the rival
faction that lost in the elections. All this was attempted to terrorize the society.
Khamenei personally intervened and threatened those who dare to stage further protests. Ahmadinejad also
described the disenchanted populace as dirt and dust that must be annihilated.
Last year, with at least 366 publicly-announced executions and execution of nine minors, the Tehran regime set
the world record in executions (relative to the country’s population). This year, the regime set an even higher
record by executing 402 persons including nine minors.
Tehran mullahs resorted to bloody crackdown on those participating in the post-elections protests killing
hundreds who were mostly buried without acquiring their identities or informing their families.
Families of those missing have been inquiring for months about the fate of their loved ones from the judicial
authorities and prisons without receiving any answer. Some have received the lifeless bodies of their children
only after pledging to hold only small, private funeral ceremonies. They also pledged not to speak out against
the murderers of their children (i.e. Ahmadinejad’s illegitimate dictatorship) or write the cause of death on the
tombstone. They were even forced to pay the price of the bullets used to kill their own children.
This was the case for the families of Farzad Jashni, Saeid Abbassi, Ashkan Sohrabi, Bahman Jenabi, Iman
Hashemi, Parisa Kolli, Mostafa Kia‑Rostami, Fahimeh Salahshoor, Arman Estakhripour, Meisam Ebadi (17),
Massoud Hashem-zadeh, Hossein Tufan-pour, Abbas Disnad, Ramin Ramezani, Yaqoub Bervaieh, Shelir
Khezari … and Neda Aqa Soltan, the young woman shot to death by a Bassij agent in a peaceful protest in
Tehran on June 20, 2009. Neda became the symbol of Iranian people’s demand for democracy as the world
witnessed in her death, the innocence of the people of Iran. Such arbitrary killings also included children as
young as 10 and 12.
Torture was widely used to pressure prisoners and even officials of the rival faction to take part in television
show trials. Many young Iranians lost their lives under torture. They included Kianush Assa, Sohrab Erabi,
Mohssen Rouholamini, Ramin Qahremani, Amir Javadifar and Taraneh Moussavi, the young girl whose
charred body was found in the outskirts of Tehran after numerous counts of dastardly rape.
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Although rape of young women has been used in Iranian prisons as a routine method of torture sanctioned
three decades ago in a fatwa by Khomeini, the founder of this medieval regime, this time, young boys were also
exposed to this type of torture to terrorize the general public.
The measure backfired, however, since Khamenei, the mullahs’ supreme leader, no longer enjoys his previous
influence and is recognized as the first person responsible for all these crimes. This is why he ordered closure of
Kahrizak Detention Center – publicly referred to as the “Death Camp” – in an obvious retreat.
The regime has so far refrained from persecution and introduction of the perpetrators of these atrocious crimes,
including Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Radan, the head of Tehran’s Police, who openly ordered torture of detainees.
He said, “We enjoy absolute freedom in dealing with you, so much that we can cut you into pieces and bury you
in the desert. Your cries will reach nowhere and if you don’t die here, you should shrink to the size of a mouse
to be able to pass through these bars and go to Evin (Prison)…”
Torture and rape are routinely practiced in all official and secret prisons and detention centers. Living
eyewitnesses and their families have been threatened to death if they dare to reveal these crimes.
Women are systematically terrorized, repressed, and deprived of humane activities. The mullahs’ brutality
however has failed to rein in the Iranian women’s demand for a democratic and equal life and they are present
at the forefront of all democratic protests.
In addition to university students who are systematically summoned, deprived from education and imprisoned,
monitored by hidden cameras, and their freedom of speech violated in the student press, this year, the
university faculty and professors have also been badly suppressed and targeted. Dr. Mohammad Maleki, 76, the
first post-revolution President of Tehran University, who suffers from a severe case of prostate cancer, was
arrested while resting at home and subsequently taken to Evin Prison in solitary confinement deprived from any
medication attention since August 22.
Plain clothes agents of the Ministry of Intelligence, Revolutionary Guards and Bassij, in coordination with the
State Security Force, attacked student dormitories in the post-election crackdowns, killing dozens of students. At
least eight students were murdered in Tehran University, alone. Hundreds of students have been summoned
and detained, tortured and deprived from education. Those professors, who dared to defend the rights of
students and demand freedom, were deprived from employment (i.e. fired) and subsequently imprisoned.
Today, in an open contravention of international laws, suppressive agents have been organized inside
universities under the banner of security, disciplinary and Bassij forces. Intelligence agents with plain clothes
also enjoy freedom of action on campus and are deployed outside by the State Security Force.
Discrimination against religious and national minorities has also aggravated. Azeri, Kurd, Arab, Baluch and
other activists have been repressed and executed en mass. Ordinary citizens have neither been spared. More
than 20 teachers in Baluchistan have been arrested and jailed. Kurdish citizens, including a 16-year-old boy by
the name of Arman Resalat as well as dozens of inhabitants of border villages, have been arbitrarily killed.
Christians and Bahais have been detained and persecuted. They have been threatened with death and execution
on the charge of being renegades. This type of persecution is no longer limited to religious minorities, Sunni
and Sufi Shiites, but it also includes religious Shiite authorities who oppose Khamenei’s medieval regime.
Journalists and the press are censored and repressed. Reporters without borders describe Iran as the largest
prison for reporters and one of the major enemies of the Internet. This round, however, the practice expanded
to foreign journalists who were brutalized, jailed, and expelled from Iran.
The internet services are in the control of the Revolutionary Guards Corps and “internet criminals” are charged
with “waging war on God” and sentenced to death. Reporters have also been forced to confess in show trials
that they spied for foreign countries.
Today, a large number of persons have been imprisoned, harassed, and sentenced to long prison terms only for
being related to members of political groups, specially the People’s Mojahedin of Iran (PMOI), on fabricated
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charges. They are deprived of their most basic rights including the right to have family and lawyer’s visits and
receive medical treatment. They include the Yazerlou, Banazadeh, Hajilouii, Tarlani, Nabavi, Dokmehtchi, Ziaii,
Mo’ezzi and Naderi families among others.
The present collection aims to show a picture – although inadequate -- of the pervasive crimes committed
against the oppressed people of Iran and seek help to restitute their trampled rights. These crimes against
humanity need to be addressed by the UN Security Council and its perpetrators -- the Tehran leaders --
appropriately brought to justice in international tribunals.
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Contents
Introduction 7
Contents 11
Charts 13
Facts
Systematic violation of the right to life 21
Execution 23
Arbitrary killing 44
Deaths in custody 69
Death sentence 84
Prison 215
Prison condition 217
Prison sentence 276
Appendices 481
List of executions in 2009
List of arbitrary killings 2009
List of martyrs of uprising 2009
List of political prisoners - December 2009
List of post election arrestees 2009
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Charts
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Arbitrary killing
Deaths in custody
Death sentence
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witnesses before sunset. These two men had disappeared from three months ago. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 7,
2009)
Three prisoners executed in Kermanshah
Three prisoners were hanged in Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah. (Jomhouri Islami state-run daily – Feb. 9,
2009)
Man hanged in Sirjan
The son-in-law of a cleric in Sirjan who killed his father-in-law in an argument was executed in prison. (Iran
News Agency – Feb. 9, 2009)
Student executed in Sanandaj
Rahmat Sadeqi who had been imprisoned for 4 years in Sanandaj's Central prison on charges of murder was
hanged. According to reports, he was a student and went to the Sanandaj Free University. (Kurdistan Human
Rights Watch News Agency – Feb. 18, 2009)
Iran Hangs prisoner in Bushehr
A prisoner was hanged at Bushehr's Central Prisoner. The name of hanged prisoner was A.Y. (Keyhan state-run
daily – Feb. 17, 2009)
Five prisoners executed in Isfahan Prison
According to reports from the Isfahan's Central Prison, on February 17, at 9 am, five prisoners were hanged.
They were charged with drug possession and murder. Their names were Hamid Babayi, 35, Mohammad Gorgi,
25, Omid Nuri, 27, Yasin Jafari, 27 and Abas-ali Qasemi, 30. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 17, 2009)
Music teacher hanged for having "illegitimate relationship"
Abdollah Farivar, who was sentenced to being stoned to death on charges of adultery, was hanged in a prison in
Sari on February 19.
This 50-year-old music teacher was arrested for having a sexual relationship with one of his students. (BBC Farsi
Service – Feb. 20, 2009)
Man hanged in Evin Prison
According to reports from ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, on Saturday February 21, three prisoners were
taken to Evin Prison to be executed.
These prisoners are:
Sayid Zare'e, approximately 21 years old ,Mansoor Bahrami, approximately 25 years old ,Mohammad Ali Azizi,
approximately 45 years old According to reports, the execution sentence of Mansoor Bahrami was carried out
on Sunday February 22 in Evin Prison but there is no information on the fate of the other two prisoners.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Feb. 22, 2009)
Three men hanged in Evin Prison; woman on verge of execution
The Executive Unit of Tehran's Criminal Court will soon carry out the death sentence of a woman on charges
of adultery. Ashraf is a 40-year-old woman who was sentenced to 15 years of prison and death in 2003.
In other reports, 10 men were taken to the gallows yesterday but only three were hanged.
The first of these men was 25-year-old Aziz. The other two men were Hasan, 25, and Mansoor, 34. (E'temad
state-run daily – Feb. 23, 2009)
Iran executes "Ahle Haq" follower in Orumieh
According to reports from Orumieh Prison and confirmations by the Qasemzadeh family, Mehdi Qasemzadeh,
27, was executed on Saturday February 28 in this prison.
After enduring four years of prison under the most severe torture and pressure Mehdi
Qasemzadeh was executed. This is while his family was not notified of his execution in
advance and did not have a chance to visit him before he was hanged.
Qasemzadeh was arrested four years ago after armed agents raided the work place and
home of followers of the Ahle Haq religion (followers of Imam Ali). In these raids and
clashes a number of people were killed and many were arrested. He has been in this prison
along with three other followers of Ahle Haq from that day on. These prisoners have gone
on hunger strikes a number of times in protest to the inhumane and unbearable pressures put on them.
Currently three other Ahle Haq prisoners, Sahand Ali Mohammadi, Bakhsh Ali Mohammadi and Abdollah
Qasemazadeh are in Oromieh Prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– Feb. 28, 2009)
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March
10 people hanged in mass execution in Kermanshah
On the morning of Sunday March 1, 10 drug dealers were hanged with the presence of Kermanshah's Public
Prosecutor.
"Kermanshah's Prosecutor will not show negligence in this respect and will deal seriously with these sort of
criminals", Kermanshah's Prosecutor said. (State-run ISNA – March 2, 2009)
Iranian regime hangs two men in Zahedan charged with "waging war with God"
Two members of the Riggy Group in Zahedan were executed today in prison. The head of Public Affair in
Sistan & Baluchistan's Prosecutors Office said, "In line with combating the lack of security in this province,
Salaheddin Seyedi and Khalilollah Zare'e were sentenced to death on charges of waging war with god and
corruption on earth and this sentence was carried out after confirmations by sources in the Supreme Court".
(State-run ILNA – March 3, 2009)
Prisoner executed in Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan
According to reports from Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison, the death sentence of a prisoner was carried out in this
prison on the morning of March 4.
Mostafa Hosseini, 37, had served four years in this prison and was hanged today. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – March 4, 2009)
Man hanged in Miandoab Prison
A prisoner charged with murder was hanged in Miandoab Prison. The death sentence of Nader Shokrollahi, 25,
resident of a village between Mahabad and Miandoab was carried out on the morning of March 4. (Kurdistan
Students in Defense of Human Rights – March 5, 2009)
Iranian regime hangs 5 prisoners in Isfahan and Zahedan
Four prisoners have been hanged in Zahedan. These men were sentenced to death by the Revolutionary Court
and their sentences were carried out in Zahedan Central Prison after confirmations by the Supreme Court.
Another man named Mostafa M., 34, a resident of a village in Isfahan was also hanged in this city.
In other reports, a 33-year-old prisoner named Nima was sentenced to death in Fars province. (State-run IRNA –
March 10, 2009)
Prisoner executed in Orumieh
Hamed Mohammad Zadeh, a prisoner in Orumieh Central Prison was executed today in this prison on charges
of intentional murder.
In the past 10 days, this is the third execution in this prison. Before this, Mehdi Qasem Zadeh, an Ahle Haq
follower and Azizvand who were in this prison for killing three State Security Forces agents, were executed.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – March 11, 2009)
Four people executed in Prison in Khorasan
A judicial official said that four people by the names of Ali Abstan, Ali Dehqani, Ali Damshad and Mahmoud
Moradi, who were arrested in armed clashes in Tabas, were executed yesterday morning in this prison after
confirmations by the Supreme Court. (Iran Press News – March 12, 2009)
Four prisoners executed in Zahedan
By orders of the Revolutionary Court and confirmations by the
Supreme Court, four troublemakers named Nur Mohammad
Ismail Zehi, Majib Alrahman Kurd, Babak Kurd and
Mohammad Jome Khan who were sentenced to death were
executed in Zahedan's Central Prison.
Ismail Zehi was charged with kidnapping the representative of
the Religious Jurisprudent and participating in clashes against
the State Security Forces which led to the death of eight agents.
(State-run Jomhouri Daily – March 14, 2009)
Four prisoners executed in Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz
Four prisoners were executed in Shiraz's Adel Abad Prison.
Three of these prisoners were aged between 23 to 26 years old. (E'temad state-run daily – March 14, 2009)
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initially confessed to the crime, she later said she had been persuaded to take the blame by her older boyfriend
Amir Hossein. It was in fact Mr Hossein who had killed the rich relation, she said, to get the money .
The 19-year-old allegedly told Ms Darabi that she could save him from the gallows by confessing and that would
be no risk to her own life because she was still a minor. The young woman complied. Her boyfriend was
sentenced to 10 years in prison for complicity to murder; she was sentenced to death .
Not only had there been no formal notification 48 hours before the hanging, as required under Iranian law,
but, just a fortnight earlier, Ms Darabi had actually been granted a two-month stay of execution by the head of
the judiciary. The day before their daughter would end up being walked to the gallows, her parents had even
visited her in jail where she had excitedly informed them there was to be an appeal so new evidence could be
heard. Twenty-four hours later, she was dead .
Iran leads the world in executing juvenile offenders, according to human rights groups, accounting for two-
thirds of such deaths in the past four years…Lawyers in Tehran estimate that at least 130 more are waiting on
death row .It was the fate to which these young individuals were doomed that Ms Darabi sought to highlight
through her haunting paintings. 'Delara is not alone,' she wrote to the president of Stop Child Executions.
'Delaras are trapped in prisons and in need ... of defenders of human rights and humanity '.
Many of her images are monochrome, the harsh charcoal lines depicting anguished, tortured faces. Others
incorporate disturbing splashes of red, spattering the white headscarves of female prisoners, or washed across
the background to suggest the hell of incarceration . (The Independent – May 4, 2009)
Gilan Prosecutor: Delara’s family relied on outside media and foreign countries
Gilan's Prosecutor said, "Delara's death sentence was confirmed by Mr. Shahrudi, the head of the Judiciary and
unfortunately Delara's family relied on outside media and foreign countries to put pressure on the Judiciary to
save their daughter from execution instead of trying to get a pardon from the victim's family.”
"Delara Darabi who committed murder at 17 was executed at 23 and was fully grown from Iran's legal
standpoint,” he added. (Ham Mihan News – May 7, 2009)
Prisoner executed in Ardabil Prison
A prisoner in Ardabil Prison was hanged. Seyed Reza At’harnia, 32, who had served 6 years in this prison on
charges of drug possession was hanged at 6am today. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 4, 2009)
Eight prisoners executed in Taybad Prison
The death sentence of eight drug smugglers was carried out in a prison in Taybad. These executions, which were
confirmed by the Supreme Court, were carried out on May 2 in the Taybad Prison yard with the presence of
judicial and security officials. (E'temad state-run daily – May 5, 2009)
Man hanged in Isfahan Prison
According to reports from the Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, 28-year-old Mostafa Kiani, a prisoner who had been
transferred to solitary on Monday to be executed was hanged on Tuesday in the prison yard. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 5, 2009)
Iran hangs 3 men and 1 woman in Evin Prison
Six out of 10 people who were taken to the gallows to be executed today were able to get a respite from the
families of the victims while four others were executed.
Nine out of ten of these prisoners were men and the youngest man was 17. A
woman named Zeinab, who was sentenced to death for killing her husband, was
among these prisoners.
From these convicts, four people including Zeinab, Hamid, Safar-Ali and Hassan-
Ali were hanged while six others received a 6 month respite. (Fars state-run news
agency – May 6, 2009)
Note: AFP and local newspaper named one of the victims Hossein-Ali instead of
Hassan-Ali
Iran hangs man in Sistan Baluchistan
Another man identified as Abdolbaret Noorzehi was executed for murder in a
prison in Khash in the eastern province of Sistan Baluchestan, the Jomhuri Eslami newspaper said, without
specifying when the hanging took place. (AFP - May 6, 2009)
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'The terrorists Haji Noti Zehi, Gholam Rasoul Shahi Zehi and Zabihollah Naroui were hanged at 6:00 am (0130
GMT) near the Amir al-Momenin mosque in public,' an official said, referring to the mosque where the
bombing took place on Thursday…
'They were convicted of being 'mohareb' (enemies of God) and 'corrupt on the earth' and acting against national
security,' he added. 'They were arrested before the Thursday's bombing but they confessed that they had
provided the explosives for the bombing. They were tried and they had court-appointed legal representation,'
Hamidi said… (AFP - May 30, 2009)
June
Regime element admits to 1988 massacre of political prisoners
Mehdi Khaz-ali, the son of a state cleric, said that in the seventh years of Khamenei's tenure as president "the
execution of prisoners took place".
"What is the excuse? I thought to myself for a long time to find a judicial verdict for this. What happens that for
example a great number of prisoners, who had short sentences, one or two years of prison, are executed? The
great number that were executed lead to the severe protest of Ayatollah Montazeri which paved the way for a
split in the clerical system of the government", he added. (Voice of America TV – June 4, 2009)
Three Baluch political prisoners executed in public
as bombers
In a scandalous move, three prisoners named as Haji
Noti Zehi, Gholam Rasoul Shahi Zehi and Zabihollah
Naroui were executed in public 30 hours after
explosion under the pretext of being involved in the
bombing. According to information gathered in that
area, Zabihollah Naroui was arrested in April 2009 for
propaganda and Baluchis’ opposition activities not
involved in any violence and was in prison while the
explosion occurred. According to other investigations
and due to recent words of officials in public media,
the other two were not excluded and were under the same conditions. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 5,
2009)
Iran hangs two convicted rebels in restive southeast: report
Iran hanged two men in a prison in the southeastern city of Zahedan on Saturday after convicting them of
belonging to Sunni rebel group Jundallah (Soldiers of God), the ISNA news agency reported.
Reza Galandar Zehi and Abdolhamid Righi were also found guilty of acting against the Islamic republic and of
possessing arms and ammunition, the report said.
Righi shares the same name as the brother of Jundallah leader Abdolmalek Righi but the report did not specify
whether the person hanged was indeed the brother. The hangings come amid a spate of violence in the
southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan region of which Zahedan is the provincial capital.
(AFP - June 6, 2009)
Iran hangs man in Tabriz
A man convicted of murder was hanged in the Central Tabriz Prison.
Yadollah Mohammadi was hanged in this prison on June 6, after serving less than 4
years in prison on charges of murdering Reza Parizad in 2005. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – June 10, 2009)
Two men hanged in Isfahan Prison on charges of clashing with and killing security agents
Reports from the central prison in Isfahan say that more than 300 detainees, recently arrested in Isfahan, are
under severe torture. According to this report, the Iranian regime also hanged two prisoners on Wednesday and
Thursday in this prison. They were Yar-Ali Bahrami, 30, and Abdol-Reza Rahimi, 26-year-old.
They were charged with clashing with security forces and killing two security agents. (Center for Defense of
Political Prisoners in Iran – June 18, 2009)
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Elahyari, 23, has been in prison for two years. He was arrested and transferred to Gohardasht Prison after
clashing with security forces. He was in this prison until June 30. He was taken to Evin for execution along with
Naser Kheirollahi and four other prisoners who were hanged on July 1 in Evin.
The identities of only two prisoners out of six prisoners who were hanged on July 1 has been discovered, the
identities of the rest are still unknown. Both these prisoners were arrested and executed for protesting against
the policies of the regime. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 10, 2009)
Iran hangs 13 Sunni rebels as 'enemies of God'
Iran hanged 13 rebels on Tuesday from the shadowy Sunni insurgent group Jundallah who were accused of
being 'enemies of God' for a string of attacks, the official IRNA news agency reported.
The insurgents were executed in prison in the restive southeastern border city of Zahedan, epicentre of a Sunni
Muslim rebellion against the Shiite regime in Tehran. Thirteen members of this group were hanged this
morning,' provincial judiciary chief Ebrahim Hamidi was quoted as saying.
The rebels were accused of being 'mohareb' (enemies of God) and of 'kidnapping foreigners, killing innocents
and of carrying out terrorist acts for the Jundallah group,' IRNA said, quoting a local judiciary statement.
'After last minute consultations, the executions were carried out in a prison,' Hamidi said. (AFP - July 14, 2009)
Prisoner hanged in Naqadeh
A convict in the Naqdeh Central Prison was hanged. According to reports, this convict identified as Mahmoud
Mahmoudpur was hanged in this prison on July 9. There is still no information on the details of his charges and
death. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 14, 2009)
Woman hanged in Qazvin Prison
A woman who had been imprisoned and sentenced to death for the unintentional murder of her father-in-law
was hanged on Tuesday last week in the women's section of Qazvin Prison.
She had been in prison for four years but due to poverty and the lack of a lawyer, was unable to prove that the
murder was unintentional. She was sentenced to retribution by a court and was hanged in the early morning in
this prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 19, 2009)
Iran hangs man convicted of murder in Isfahan
Iran has hanged a man convicted of rape and murder in an execution carried out in a prison in the southern
town of Estehban, the Kayhan newspaper reported on Thursday.
The man, identified only by his first name Edris, 21, was found guilty of raping and killing a 15-year-old girl, the
report said, without saying when the execution occurred. (AFP - July 23, 2009)
4 prisoners hanged in Qom
On July 22, four prisoners identified only by their first names as Reza, Gholam-Hossein, Javad, and Hossein
were hanged after their execution verdict was endorsed by the mullahs’ supreme court. (Center in Defense of
Prisoners in Iran (CDPI) – July 22, 2009)
Two men hanged in Isfahan
Iran has hanged two men convicted of murder, in executions carried out in prison in the central city of Isfahan,
the Etemad newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The men were only identified by their first names as Esmail, 23, who was found guilty of strangling a 19-year-old
woman and Moslem, 28, who had stabbed his friend to death, the report said. (AFP July 22, 2009)
Iran hangs two Sunni rebels, drug trafficker
Iran hanged on Saturday two members of a Sunni rebel group blamed for unrest in southeastern Sistan-
Baluchestan province and a drug trafficker, the state news agency IRNA reported.
The men hanged in a prison in the city of Zahedan were identified as Ayoub Rigi and Masoud Gomshad Zehi
convicted of 'membership and effective activity in the terrorist group of Abdolmalek Rigi,' IRNA said.
The drug trafficker hanged in the same prison was identified as Ahmad Eshagh Zehi. (AFP - July 25, 2009)
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August
Iran hangs a woman and man in Shiraz
A man and a woman convicted of murder were sent to the gallows in a prison of the southern Iranian city of
Shiraz, Etemad newspaper reported on Saturday.
The woman, identified as Jamileh, was convicted of setting ablaze her husband Hamid as he slept, while the
executed man was named as Faraz, it said. The hangings took place on Wednesday (July 29). (AFP - Aug 1, 2009)
Iran hangs three for ‘murder’, ‘drug trafficking’
Iran has hanged three men convicted of murder and drug trafficking in the central city of Isfahan, the
government newspaper Iran reported on Sunday.The men executed in prison on Saturday were identified as
Babak, who was convicted of killing a man in 2003, Ghorban-Ali, 22, who had stabbed another young man to
death and Hassan, 33, convicted of selling heroin. (AFP – Aug. 2, 2009)
Iran hangs 24 men in mass execution: report
Iran hanged 24 convicted drug traffickers in a prison last week in one of the country's biggest mass executions,
the Etemad newspaper reported on Wednesday.
'On Thursday, 24 international drug traffickers were hanged in a prison in Karaj,' deputy Tehran prosecutor
Mahmoud Salarkia was quoted as saying. 'Their execution was approved by the supreme court.'
The report did not identify any of those sent to the gallows in Karaj, a town west of Tehran.(AFP - Aug 5, 2009)
Iranian regime hangs man from Baneh
A man identified as Abubakr Shafeyi, from Baneh, was executed by the Islamic Republic on Monday August 3.
He had been arrested and released a number of times by the regime in the past. His body was handed over to his
family. The Shafeyi family have been banned from holding mourning ceremony for him. It is not clear why he
was hanged. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 5, 2009)
Man hanged in Saqez Prison
According to reports from Saqez, a man identified as Abubakr Shafeyi was hanged on Monday in the Central
Prison of this city. The father of five who was from the city of Baneh had been in prison since two years ago on
charges of murder. (Iran BBB website – Aug. 5, 2009)
Iran hangs two men in Borujerd
According to Lorestan's Public Prosecutor, two men who had been arrested for kidnapping a woman in
Borujerd were arrested and sentenced to death by the Lorestan Criminal Court.
The sentence was carried out on Monday morning in the Borujerd Prison and the two men were hanged.
(Keyhan state-run daily – Aug. 4, 2009)
Iran hangs three men in Hamedan
According to the state run ILNA news agency, three men were hanged today in Hamedan Prison. All three were
charged with rape. The names of these prisoners were not mentioned in the report. The Human Rights
Organization of Iran cannot confirm the charges against these men. (IHRNA [Iran Human Rights News Agency
– Aug. 4, 2009)
Iran executes resistant protesters under the name of drug smugglers
We have had a call from Tehran that the regime executes young detainees under the name of drug smugglers.
These young people were not willing to sign repentance letters and have accepted charges of streets protests and
stand up to regime forces in prison. This report was given from a credible source whose nephew was arrested in
the protests and was amongst the executed prisoners in the past two days. (Roshangari Website – Aug. 11, 2009)
Religious activist executed in Sanandaj Prison
Shuresh Mehdi Khani was executed in the Sanandaj Central Prison on July 30. His death sentence was issued by
the second branch of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court and was confirmed by the 4th branch of the Kurdistan
Court of Review.
The sentence was to be carried out on March 5 but was postponed until it was carried out on Thursday July 30
in this prison. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 11, 2009)
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2009
September
Iran hangs man in Orumieh
A man identified as Saeid Amini from the city of Bukan who had been jailed for 3 years in the Orumieh Prison
was hanged today in this prison. (Association of Political Prisoners inExile – Sep. 16, 2009)
Women executed in Khorassan
According to reports from Iran, a woman was executed in a prison in Sarakhs in Khorassan. Javad Shakeri,
Khorassan's Prosecutor confirmed this report and said, "This woman was accused of killing her husband and
after her crime was proved, her sentence was carried out on Thursday September 24 in the Sarakhs Prison ."
The name and age of this woman was not stated in the report. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 27, 2009)
Iran hangs five men
Iran has hanged five people convicted of drug trafficking in the northeastern town of Taibad, the Hamshahri
newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The unidentified convicts were hanged on Monday evening in the town's prison, the report said. (AFP- Sept 30,
2009)
October
Top Iran Judge: 'Death sentence advocates human life'
In a meeting today with top judicial officials, the head of the Judiciary said, "Some people are trying to show the
Islamic Penal Code as violent while according to our religious beliefs the spirit of the Islamic Penal Code has
regard for human rights".
"Despite some claims, the issue of retribution (the death penalty) is not only not violent, but actually advocates
human life", Amoli Larijan added. (Channel 1 state-run TV – Oct. 4, 2009)
Iran executes man in Tabriz Prison; wife awaiting stoning sentence
Rahim Mohammadi's lawyer said that he was executed yesterday morning without the knowledge of his family
and lawyer.
"This young man and his wife were sentenced to death and stoning to death by a Tabriz Court and with the
verdict of five judges in the second branch of the Tabriz Penal Court and Court of Review and their sentences
were confirmed by two judges in the 27th branch of the Supreme Court. This sentence was carried out for
Rahim yesterday without the knowledge of his family and lawyer and the stoning sentence of Kobra Babayi, his
wife, will soon be carried out. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
Minor offender was hanged in Evin Prison
Behnud Shojayi, a minor offender sentenced to death who had been transferred to Evin
Prison for execution was hanged moments ago in this prison. This young man who
committed murder at 17 was executed at 5 am in Evin Prison. He had been brought 5 times
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2009
before to Evin for execution, but international efforts to halt the sentence had saved his life in the past. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 11, 2009)
Background information:
According to reports from ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Behnoud Shojayi is once again on the verge of
execution. His family and lawyer have in the past few days tried very hard to revoke the execution but everything
points to the fact that the Judiciary intends to carry out the execution of this young man.
On Monday, October 5, his family was informed by the Execution Body of Tehran Criminal Court that
Behnoud would be hanged on Wednesday October 21. Another minor offender is also to be executed from this
prison.
Shojayi accidentally killed another young man in a group fight in Vanak Park when he was less than 17. He was
arrested and sentenced to death by the 74th branch of the Penal Court. His sentence was upheld by the Supreme
Court. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 6, 2009)
Iran hangs two women and four men
Iran has hanged five convicted drug traffickers plus a murderer in a prison in the southwestern city of Ahvaz,
the Kayhan newspaper reported Tuesday.
The report said that on October 6, a man and two women convicted of drug trafficking and identified
respectively as Abdollah J., Khadijeh J., and Fouzieh J. were hanged.
The same day, a man who was identified as Karim A. was hanged after being convicted of murder.
The report added that on October 8, two drug traffickers, identified as Oday B., and Saad B., were sent to
gallows.
The newspaper gave no further details of the executions. (AFP - Oct 13, 2009)
UN rights chief speaks out against use of death penalty in Iran
High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay the United Nations human rights chief today called for
changes to Iranian laws to end the death penalty for juvenile offenders, and also voiced serious concern about
the death sentences handed down to three people for their involvement in the recent post-election protests.
Behnoud Shojaie, who was executed on Sunday, had been convicted of the murder of another boy in a street
fight when both were 17 years old, according to a news release issued by the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights (OHCHR).
Both High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay and UN special rapporteurs had raised his case with
the Iranian authorities, reminding them of their international obligation not to execute juveniles .
Iran is a party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and to the Convention on the Rights
of the Child, both of which prohibit the death penalty for juvenile offenders.
Ms. Pillay had welcomed indications that the Iranian judiciary was encouraging victims’ families to reach private
settlements in such cases. The former head of the judiciary had previously agreed to suspend Shojaie’s death
sentence, in order to give the victim's family a chance to pardon him under Islamic Shariah law.
”This latest execution shows there are no guarantees of clemency for juveniles until Iran changes its law and
practice to end execution of juvenile offenders once and for all,” Ms. Pillay said. “It is the State’s responsibility
to stop these executions, not a family’s prerogative".
The Iranian legislature is currently considering a new draft juvenile justice law that provides “a valuable
opportunity to end the execution of juvenile offenders,” said OHCHR.
The High Commissioner also voiced serious concerns about the death sentences recently handed down to three
individuals involved in the protests that took place after the country’s presidential election.
”Under international law, the death penalty can only be applied when very strict conditions are met, for
example only in respect of the most serious crimes and only after scrupulously fair trials,” she noted.
The UN human rights mechanisms have held the view that the imposition of the death penalty for crimes that
do not result in loss of life is contrary to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
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2009
”There are also major concerns about the way the recent trials of OPPOSITION activists were conducted, and I
hope these judgments will be reviewed carefully by the higher courts,” Ms. Pillay said . (UN News Center – Oct.
13, 2009)
Iran Executes one woman and four men
The death sentence of Sohaila Qadiri, convicted of killing her five day old baby was carried out in the morning
in Evin Prison. Four men were also hung with her. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Oct. 21, 2009)
Background information:
Woman to be executed this week despite being 'legally' pardoned
The death sentence of Sohaila Qadiri convicted of killing her 5 day old child will be carried out this week with
the request of the prosecutor.
Qadiri was sentenced to death with the request of the prosecutor by the
71st branch of the Penal Court and this sentence was upheld by the
Supreme Court. Last year, after many attempts to find the father of the
child and with the persistent cooperation of the father of the child (M.Q)
to save Sohaila, a plea was surrendered to the family court to prove their
spousal relationship.
Finally the court recognized their spousal relationship which meant that
the child which was the outcome of this marriage belonged to M.Q
according to law and that he was the legal parent of the 5 day old child.
M.Q went to the Sentence Execution Department of the Criminal Court
Soheila Qadiri in court
and announced that he had pardoned Sohaila.
Mina Jafari, Sohaila's lawyer said regarding her client, "No one knows Sohaila's real name, her place of
residence, her age or anything about her past. She ran away from her father's home at the age of 16 to escape a
forced marriage".
"She was forced into prostitution in various cities to make a living and was raped and even group raped on
several occasions", she added.
"We cited the fact that Sohaila suffered from a mental illness after she gave birth but unfortunately the court
doctor confirmed the mental health of Soheila. This is while everyone in prison says that she is mentally ill", she
said adding that "unfortunately, it is not clear how it is possible that while the complainant (father of the child)
has pardoned her, the prosecutor is requesting retribution." (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 19, 2009)
November
Iran hangs Sunni man
Iran has hanged a convicted member of the Sunni rebel group Jundallah (Soldiers of God), which claimed
responsibility for a deadly suicide bombing in the southeast last month, the Fars news agency reported on
Tuesday.
'Abdolhamid Rigi was hanged yesterday in the main prison in Zahedan,' the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan
province, the news agency quoted provincial police commander Gholam Ali Nekouei as saying.
'But he is not Abdolmalek Rigi's brother,' he added, referring to the Jundallah leader, who has a brother of the
same name on death row.
'He was convicted of kidnapping, being a Mohareb (enemy of God) and cooperating with Rigi's terrorist
grouplet,' Nekouei said without giving further details of the offences. (AFP - Nov 3, 2009)
Iran hangs four men: report
Iran has hanged four drug smugglers in the southern province of Kerman, Watan Emrooz newspaper reported
on Sunday, taking the overall number of executions so far in 2009 to more than last year's total.
The four were hanged in the prison of Kerman on Saturday, the report said.
The latest hanging brings to at least 247 the number of people executed in Iran so far this year, according to an
AFP count based on news reports.
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2009
In 2008, Iran hanged 246 people, the highest number of executions carried out by any country bar China. (AFP
- Nov 8, 2009)
Regime hangs Kurd political prisoner
The execution sentence of Ehsan Fatahian was carried out on Wednesday
morning in Sanandaj Prison. Security forces then ordered the family of
this Kurd activist to leave the site of the execution and transferred his body
at 8 am to the cemetery with an ambulance. Security forces have said that
they will hand over his body in a couple of days.
Ehsan Fatahian was sentenced to 10 years of prison in a court of first
instance on charges of cooperating with a Kurd Party. After appealing the
sentence, he was sentenced to death by a court of review. (Committee of
Reporters without Borders – Nov. 11, 2009)
Prison forces crack down on Kurd political prisoners after execution of
Ehsan Fatahian
According to reports, on Wednesday night, a large number of security
forces, plainclothes agents and riot police were stationed on the streets
behind the Central Sanandaj Prison and severely confronted any sort of
gathering. There were reports that a number of people were beaten by these forces.
Security forces were also stationed inside the prison, especially in ward 2 called 'Pak' where Ehsan Fatahian
(political prisoner who was hanged in the morning in this prison) and other political prisoners and civil rights
activists are kept. These forces subjected these prisoners to mental pressure and beat and injured a number of
them. A number of other prisoners in this ward were taken to solitary cells. (Iran Press News Website – Nov. 11,
2009)
Hanged political prisoner's body buried without family's consent
The body of Ehsan Fatahian (hanged on Wednesday in the
Sanandaj Central Prison) was secretly transferred from Sanandaj
to Kermanshah yesterday evening without his family being
notified and was buried in a secluded location in a cemetery in
Kermanshah.
His father was told in a telephone call in the morning that he can
go to the Baq Ferduse Cemetery in Kermanshah to find his son's
body. Fatahian was buried in an unmarked grave in the most
isolated section of this cemetery. His grave number is 61, row 4,
grave 28. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch New Agency – Nov.
12, 2009)
Regime forces deny Fatahian family right to mourn son out of
fear of popular protests
The mourning ceremony for Ehsan Fatahian was canceled because of pressure from security institutions in
Kermanshah.
While the family of Ehsan Fatahian, a Kurd political prisoner who was hanged in the Sanandaj Central Prison,
had announced that a ceremony to mourn his death would be held on Friday evening in the Baqiollah Azam
Mosque in Karmandan Town in Kermanshah, security institutions have pressured them to announce the
cancellation of this ceremony. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 13, 2009)
Regime forces crack down on demos in protest to execution of Ehsan Fatahian
Amer Goli, a Kurd student was arrested after a protest gathering yesterday in Sanandaj and was taken to an
unknown location.
According to reports, a demonstration started yesterday at 5 pm sharp on Azadi Square in Sanandaj in protest
to the execution of Ehsan Fatahian which became violent after police attacked the protesters. A number of
people were executed while many others were injured. There is no information on their condition.
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2009
After the protest, security and intelligence forces stormed the homes of student activists and civil rights activists
and according to reports, Amer Goli was arrested and taken to an unknown location.
Yaser Goli, his brother who has been banned from continuing his education, was sentenced to 15 years of
prison to be served in exile in the city of Kerman on charges of spreading propaganda against the government
and acting against national security. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 13, 2009)
Iran hangs two men in Hamedan
Iran has hanged two men convicted of rape and murder in the western city of Hamedan, the Kayhan newspaper
reported on Sunday.
The report identified the murderers as M.M., aged 25, and 20-year-old H.A., and said they were hanged on
Thursday. (AFP - Nov 15, 2009)
Iran hangs man in public: report
Iran has hanged a convicted rapist in a public square in the northern city of Qaemshahr in the Caspian Sea
Mazandaran province, the Kayhan newspaper reported on Monday.
The report identified the man hanged on Sunday as A.B. aged 24, who was convicted of raping his victim after
posing as a taxi driver.
The report also said he had a prior criminal record which included robbery, kidnapping and engaging in an
illicit relationship.
The reported public hanging comes despite a January 2008 statement by then Iran judiciary chief Ayatollah
Mahmoud Hashemi Shahrudi that such executions would only be carried out with his approval and 'based on
social necessities.' (AFP - Nov 16, 2009)
Iran hangs three drug traffickers and another man: report
Iran has hanged two men and a woman convicted of drug trafficking and a rapist, local media reported on
Wednesday.
A report in Kayhan newspaper identified the first two men as Vahid Sh. 35 and Rasoul T. and the woman as
Beygum P. They were hanged in a prison in the central city of Isfahan on Monday, it said.
ISNA news agency said an unidentified 23-year-old man convicted of robbery and rape was hanged in the
Bojnourd city in north eastern North Khorasan province.
It did not give the date of execution. (AFP - Nov 18, 2009)
Iran hangs three men in Isfahan
Three Iranian men have been hanged for raping a 17-year-old boy, who subsequently committed suicide, the
Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
The three, who were not identified, were convicted of kidnapping the youth in the central city of Isfahan and
taking him out of town, where they assaulted him.
No date was given for the executions. (AFP - Nov 19, 2009)
Iran hangs several including three in Shiraz for 'enmity with God'
The state-run Fars News Agency reported today that several people including three people who were charged
with 'enmity with God' were hanged in Shiraz.
The names and exact dates of these executions were not announced in the report. Some of these people were
charged with drug smuggling. (Iran Press News Website – Nov. 19, 2009)
Iran executes three men in Ahwaz for 'enmity with God'
The public relations department of Khuzestan's Judiciary said on Wednesday on behalf of the Prosecutor of
Ahwaz that the death sentence of three people charged with 'enmity with God and corruption on earth' was
carried out. Ahwaz's prosecutor did not mention their names but said 26 others were executed in this city in the
past 8 months. Thirteen of them were hanged for 'smuggling drugs' while 13 others were hanged for
'retribution'. (Radio Farda Website – Nov. 20, 2009)
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2009
December
Tehran RGC base demands capital punishment for 'those who insulted' Khomeini
The Mohammad Rasullallah Revolutionary Guards Forces Base in the Greater Tehran District asked officials to
give the capital punishment to those who were involved in the insult of Imam (Khomeini). (IRNA state-run
News Agency – Dec. 13, 2009)
Regime official: those who insulted Khomeini should be hanged
The Shiraz Friday Prayer Imam said that those who insulted Imam Khomeini are apostates and asked that they
be executed.
Hojatol-Islam Imani said in an interview on TV that the person or persons that ripped the picture of Imam
(Khomeini) in university are apostates and asked judicial officials to carry out the sentence given to apostates
against them. (Khabar Online state-run website – Dec. 13, 2009)
Iran publicly hangs man in Noor Town
Iran has hanged a convicted murderer in the northern town of Noor, a newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The man identified as Mohammad Sadegh, 27, was hanged in public on Monday for stabbing another man to
death with the help of his wife, a report in Vatan Emrouz newspaper said.
It was one of a growing number of executions carried out in public in recent weeks. (AFP- Dec 15, 2009)
Iran hangs 3 men in public: report
Iran has hanged two men convicted of armed robbery and a murderer in western Khuzestan province, Fars news
agency reported on Monday.
Hamad Kh., was hanged for armed robbery in a square in the city of Ahvaz on Sunday, the report said, adding
that an unidentified man was executed in the city for the same crime on Wednesday.
Fars said an unidentified murderer was also hanged in public on Wednesday in the town of Masjed Soleiman in
Khuzestan province, which has a substantial Arab minority. (AFP - Dec 14, 2009)
Iran executes minor in Kermanshah for having 'illegitimate relatio nship' with girlfriend
Mosleh Zamani was executed today in the morning in Dizel Abad Prison in Kermanshah. Mosleh Zamani was
arrested at 17 by security forces and Revolutionary Guards Forces for having sex with his girlfriend. These forces
tortured and harassed this young man in prison and subsequently charged him with causing trouble in the
Islamic country and issued a death sentence for him. This sentence was confirmed by the six branch of the
Supreme Court despite the fact that he did not have a lawyer.
Zamani was jailed for six years before being executed. (Iran Association for the Defense of Political Prisoners
and Human Rights – Dec. 17, 2009)
42
2009
43
2009
Arbitrary killing
January
Teacher killed by security agents in Dezfool
Questions have been raised among the family and friends of a murdered elementary school teacher in Dezfool
following the reaction of city officials when his body was found in this city.
Ahmad Naghavi, first grade teacher in Chameran Elementary School in Dezfool was on his way back home on
December 30 after meeting with an official when he first disappeared and his body was found one day later by
Dezfool's Dez Stream.
His family says that on the day of his disappearance he had gone to one of the city's higher officials to protest his
living and work conditions and that they believe that the cause of his death was not normal.
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2009
Questions regarding this case have increased after the coroner refused to state the conclusion of the autopsy and
therefore the reason for his death has remained secret. His family has also said that State Security Forces have
recommended that they should not follow this case. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 2, 2009)
SSF shoot and kill Kurd man
State Security Forces shot and killed Davood Ashk Talkh in Mahabad's Afan village on December 31, 2008.
(Voice of Iran Kurdistan Radio – Jan. 6, 2009)
SSF kill protester outside governor’s office
A number of people staged a protest gathering in
Khomeini-Shahr outside the governor's office on
Monday, January 5. Some of these protesters said
that they were protesting because a large number
of people participating in the annual Shiite
mourning ceremony were arrested the day before.
According to this report, these protesters were
demanding the release of the arrested mourners
outside the governor's office when the SSF shot
tear gas in the crowd and bullets in the air to
disperse them. According to unofficial figures, this attack lead to the death of one person in the gathering and
caused another person to become injured. The injured man is in critical condition. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
Jan. 7, 2008)
SSF kill 18 year old in Ardabil
State Security Forces killed a young man who was riding his motorcycle in Pars Abad City in Ardabil Province.
This young man, Khodavardi Ibrahim Zadeh, was 18 year old. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 10, 2009)
Sunni activist dies from poisonous injection
Jalal Pourkand, Salafi activist in Kermanshah Province, died yesterday due to internal bleeding which was
caused by a poisonous injection he received in prison. He was arrested two years ago following widespread
arrests of Sunni activists and clerics in Kurdish areas. (Salafi News – Jan. 12, 2009)
Kurdish shopkeeper killed under torture
According to the PDKI (the Democratic Party of Kurdistan) on January 4, a shopkeeper in Bookan named
Hashem Ramezani died due to mental and physical torture inflicted on him by Criminal Intelligence
Department agents in Mahabad. Hashem Ramezani who was married, was arrested 10 days before his death on
charges of dealing smuggled goods. The Criminal Intelligence Department severely tortured Hashem in these 10
days without having any evidence of his "dealings". Despite his family's efforts, regime officials have refused to
hand over his body. (Kurdistan Media – Jan. 8, 2009)
Hashem Ramezani was arrested by Intelligence Agency agents in the beginning of last week on security charges.
He was transferred to Orumieh's Intelligence Agency after his arrest.
Security forces claim that he committed suicide in the Detention Center. These forces prevented Ramezani's
family from transferring his body to Tehran for an autopsy and before handing over the body forced the family
to make a pledge not to inform anyone of this issue. Ramezani, about 45, was married and had several children.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 13, 2009)
SSF kills 26 year old man in Salmas
According to reports, on Monday January 19, State Security Forces shot and killed Akbar M., 26, on the border
line of Salmas. This young man who lived in Koozharash Village was able to make it to Turkey after he was shot
but died on his arrival into this neighboring country. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 22, 2009)
SSF shoot and kill many in Baluchistan
Iranian regime agents have killed hundreds of people in Baluchistan after shooting at cars carrying fuel. Most of
the victims die from the explosion and the ensuing fires in the cars. Recently security forces shot at cars carrying
fuel close to Doost Mohammad in Baluchistan which led to the
deaths of a number of young men in this region. (Baluch News
agency – Jan. 24, 2009)
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2009
February
More Sunnis killed by security agents
About three weeks ago, a Sunni cleric named Reza Moradzehi was attacked by four people with knives andwas
severely injured. He was able to resist them and arrested one of them handing him over to security forces.
Security agents took his aggressor to an unknown location and told Reza that he had no right to pursue this
case.
After one week, another Sunni man was attacked by people with that same description and died after he was
stabbed 27 times. Five days after, another young Sunni was attacked after participating in communal prayers and
died from his knife injuries.
Last night another religious Sunni in Zahedan named Aman Allah Gomshad Zehi was attacked in the face and
neck with knives. The Iranian regime uses various tactics to eliminate Sunnis in Iran. (Baluch News – Feb. 9, 2009)
Bukani SSF shoot and murder man
Security forces in Baneh shot at a car on the night of February 7 killing the 35 year old driver, Mostafa Qolami,
who is a kurdish resident of Bukan. Qolami was going to Baneh to find work, and was not carrying any goods in
his car. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 10, 2009)
RGC murder 16 year old boy
Military forces in the border region of Salmas murdered a young Kurdish boy and
abandoned his body in the snow.
Last week, Revolutionary Guards Forces arrested 16 year old Behzad Gol Mohammadi
resident of Salmas on the border of Turkey and subjected him to torture. This Kurdish
boy was killed under torture and military forces left his body in Turkey. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Feb. 25, 2009)
March
SSF shoot and kill young man in Marivan
A young man named Heiwa Karimi was shot and killed by State Security Forces in a village in Marivan. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – March 10, 2009)
Bandar Abas SSF shoot and kill three people
On March 9, State Security Coast Forces in Bandar Abas shot at three people suspected of having smuggled
goods. In this shooting, two people died in the water and the third person died on the coast. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – March 13, 2009)
Murdering of retailer in Sardasht and arrest of another in Saqez
Last Monday March 16, Jafar Qaderi, was ambushed and killed by State Security Forces in Kani-Dinaran Village
in Sahrdasht. It should be noted that he was carrying nothing.
On Thursday March 19, another Retailer who has not been identified was also shot and killed by SSF in Mardo-
Avi village in Sardasht. (Norooz TV – Mar. 22, 2009)
It is noteworthy to mention that Salah Ibrahimzadeh, a Kurdish village retailer who was injured, and arrested
was killed by SSF in hail of gunfire on March 15, and another village retailer named Jafar Maam-Saleh was killed
on March 17, 2009.
SSF arrests "troublemakers"; shoots and kills one person
The head of the State Security Forces in Shushtar said, "In the past few days, after carrying out intelligence and
identification operations on the location of troublemakers, we arrested them in the Sha'ibeih region in
Shushtar".
"In these clashes, one of the troublemakers was killed. The Shushtar SSF has been clashing with (these people)
since Wednesday", he added.
"These clashes are still in process and these activities will go on until these troublemakers are arrested and
punished", he said. (Shahab News state-run website – March 26, 2009)
The comments made by Brig. Gen. Ahmadreza Radan, the notorious chief of Tehran’s police, in a visit to
Kahrizak detention center, detention center designated for ‘troublemakers’ told detainees: “I have full authority
to deal with you to the point of killing everyone and burying you in this desert.” He then turned to henchmen
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2009
and said: “Beat them to the point that they bark like a dog and shrink as small as a mouse and if anyone dies
under beating, it doesn’t matter. I’ll accept full responsibility!”
Murdering of retailer in Sardasht and arrest of another in Saqez
Last Monday March 16, Jafar Qaderi, was ambushed and killed by State Security Forces in Kani-Dinaran Village
in Sahrdasht. It should be noted that he was carrying nothing.
On Thursday March 19, another Retailer who has not been identified was also shot and killed by SSF in Mardo-
Avi village in Sardasht. (Norooz TV – Mar. 22, 2009)
It is noteworthy to mention that Salah Ibrahimzadeh, a Kurdish village retailer who was injured, and arrested
was killed by SSF in hail of gunfire on March 15, and another village retailer named Jafar Maam-Saleh was killed
on March 17, 2009.
Tortured body of another activist discovered in Kamyaran
The Iranian regime continues the killing of Kurds in East Kurdistan.
In this respect, the body of another political activist was found in
Kamyaran.
The body of 27 year old Ayat Mozafari, resident of Kamyaran who was
a member of a opposition Kurdish Party was found in a street in
Kamyaran after he was kidnapped a while back by Revolutionary
Guards Corps forces. (Kurdistan News – March 31, 2009)
April
Officers investigating serial murders found guilty
The head of SSF in Abadan announced that the head of police investigation department and its staffs in charge
of investigating the serial murders were discharged. According to Fars news agency in Abadan, officers
investigating the serial murder case in Abadan were found guilty; therefore, the head of police investigation
department and investigators of the case were dismissed. (Keyhan state-run daily – Apr. 9, 2009)
Head of counter-drug department of SSF admits arbitrary murdering of 302 people under pretext of
troublemakers and smugglers
Hossein Abadi, the head of counter-drug department of the State Security Forces (SSF) said: ‘600 tons of drugs
were discovered last year – Iranian year started from March 21, 2008 to March 20, 2009 – depicting 22% rise in
compare to the year before. ‘Also last year265 kg of chemical heroin was discovered showing 440% increase in
compare with the year before.’He added: ‘302 troublemakers and smugglers were killed and 44 of them were
injured.’ (ISNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 9, 2009)
May
SSF shoot and kill man in Kermanshah
A man was shot and killed in Kermanshah by State Security Forces yesterday morning.
In a shooting outside of the Maskan Bank in Kermanshah at 8 am, a 30-year-old man who has not been
identified yet was shot by the SSF.
These agents claimed that they shot him because of suspicions that he was going to rob the bank. However,
since the man was unarmed and it was too early in the morning, it seems this incident is just another case in the
thousands of cases on civilian casualties by the SSF. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 5, 2009)
Note: The family of the above victim named as Rahim R., 28-year-old, has sued against the SSF, since their son
was innocent just going to bank carrying no arms what so ever.
SSF shoot and kill innocent driver
State Security Forces shot and killed a driver on May 10 on the borderline with Nudsheh. According to reports,
the victim was 33-year-old Taha Salimi, a father of two children. These agents shot at Salimi's car which carried
no cargo and without warning him to stop. (Iran News Agency – May 11, 2009)
SSF shoots and kills tradesman in cold blood
Another tradesman was shot and killed by State Security Forces in Piranshahr.
Abdollah Aziz Osmani, was attacked a few days ago by the SSF and gunned down in his car carrying a small
cargo of goods. He died after the attack and his body was handed over to his family two days ago. (Kurdistan
Students in Defense of Human Rights – May 19, 2009)
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2009
June
Political activist suspiciously murdered
Massoud Hossein Panahi, a political activist in Dehgolan, was murdered last night by
unidentified men.
The political activist who had recently been freed on bail from prison after being sentenced
to a suspended five-year prison term was murdered at midnight in Leilakh. His body was
found by people in the region.
He is related to political prisoner Anvar Hossein Panahi. His brother Ashraf Hosseini, who was also an activist,
died in a suspicious accident in September 2008. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 5, 2009)
10 people die in shootings, 50 plus injured
Tehran streets in the course of the shootings, have
witnessed very at least 10 people died and more than
50 were injured.
There are reports of the very violent treatment of
security forces with people who protest election results
and think that the "dictators" should go.
There are reports from Vali Asr and Taleqani that
special guard forces attacked a Children's Hospital
because according to them protesters had taken shelter
in the hospital and shot several rounds of tear gas into
the hospital and as a result a number of the
hospitalized children have developed respiratory
problems. Eye- witnesses have reported that hospital
personnel are evacuating the building via back windows.
The hospital personnel have opened the back doors of the hospital and have handed some of the children who
managed to stay alive to the people outside to be transferred and hospitalized in other centers.
People are saying that they are not willing to tolerate Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at any price. They say they do not
want to live under his rule, which they say is a dictatorship. Despite the environment on the streets, state run
TV continuously congratulates the victory of Ahmadinejad to the people and broadcasts cheerful anthems. (Iran
news agency – June 14, 2009)
AP photographer: 1 dead as militia fire on rally
Iran - Gunmen have fired on OPPOSITION protesters at a massive march over alleged election fraud, killing at
least one person.
An Associated Press photographer saw one person shot dead and several others who appear seriously wounded
in Tehran's Azadi Square. The shooting came from a compound for volunteer militia linked to Iran's powerful
Revolutionary Guard.
The gunfire Monday came after more than 100,000 opponents of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad streamed
through Tehran. (AP – June 15, 2009)
Mashhad, and other cities. Currently some of the injured protesters are in very critical condition in various
Tehran hospitals. In the Hezartakhtekhabi Hospital, 4 wounded protesters are in coma.
Many detainees have been transferred to Gohardasht Prison in Karaj and Kahrizak Camp. Kahrizak is one of
the most notorious detention centers in
Iran where prisons are under severe
physical, sexual, and mental torture.
Reports from this detention center say
that at the end of every week, Radan, the
head of the security forces in Tehran,
goes to this camp with a helicopter along
with a several other agents and personally
tortures detainees. Many prisoners have
been killed in this prison under torture.
The families of the arrested detainees
have no news on the condition of their loved ones. They go to hospitals with pictures trying to find their
relatives. The pursuit of their family members from various regime institutions has so far been futile. There have
been other reports that regime forces have secretly buried the bodies of a number of those they have killed
without notifying their families. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 18, 2009)
Khamemei’s statement is a gross dereliction of duty and a license for abuse: Amnesty spokeswoman
There have been mass protests since hardline President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad was declared winner of the
presidential poll ahead of the more moderate Mir Hossein Mousavi.
'We are extremely disturbed at statements made by Ayatollah Khamenei which seem to give the green light to
security forces to violently handle protesters exercising their right to demonstrate and express their views,' said
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of its Middle East and North Africa programme.
'If large numbers of people take to the street in protests in the next couple of days, we fear that they will face
arbitrary arrest and excessive use of force, as has happened in recent days.'
Khamenei warned during his address that street protests must stop or there was a risk of 'blood, violence, and
chaos'.
Amnesty's Sahraoui added: 'For a head of state to put the onus of security on peaceful demonstrators and not
on the security forces is a gross dereliction of duty and a license for abuse.' (AFP - June 19, 2009)
Family of student killed in Tehran University dorm bury body
According to local newspapers in Mashhad, the body of
Mostafa Qanian, who was killed after security agents attacked
Tehran University's dorm, was buried on June 20 in Mashhad.
This is while security forces who had attacked the dorm, took
the bodies of a number of those killed to a place outside of the
dorm and later on the head of Tehran University who is a
former top intelligent agent, denied that anyone was killed in
this attack.
The assailants transferred more than 100 students to the
Internal Ministry after killing a number of students and
destroying the dorm building. The students were severely
beaten in the ministry and many were wounded and bleeding.
There is no information on the whereabouts of more than 30 students who were detained in that incident.
(Amir Kabir – June 21, 2009)
Regime harasses families of dead protesters, does not hand over bodies of dead
According to reports from Tehran, the violent attacks by security forces have lead to the death of many people.
50
2009
The bodies of those who were killed for freedom have been transferred to an unknown location and are in the
hands of intelligence agents.
The names of some of those who were killed are: Maryam Mehr Azar , 24; Milad Yazdan Panah, 30; Hamed
Besharati, 26; Babak Sepehr, 35. It is reported that they were shot and killed in Azadi Street.
The families of the dead protesters gathered today outside the coroner's office. The painful scenes of crying
mothers moved everyone witnessing the scene. These families were forced to stay outside the coroner's for hours
demanding to receive the bodies of their loved ones but nobody would answer them. They were told that their
bodies were not there and that they had to go to the intelligence agency to pursue this case. When the families
went to the Intelligence agency staff department, no one answered them there either.
Intelligence agents threaten these families in various ways to prevent them from disclosing the names of their
loved ones who were killed by security forces. They have been told that if they do, they will not receive their
bodies for burial. They have also been threatened with arrest. Regime forces have subjected them to severe
pressure to hide their crimes. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 21, 2009)
Three people killed in Mashhad
According to reports, in the clashes in the past few days in Mashhad, three people were killed. (Peik-e-Iran –
June 21, 2009)
Saeid Abassi, another young man killed for freedom
The identity of another one of the victims of the protests on Saturday in Tehran was
announced.
Saeid Abassi, 24, was a shoe and handbag salesman who was single and lived on Rudaki
Street. International media have announced that 19 to 150 people have been killed in the
protests so far. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 21, 2009)
More than 100 protesters killed in Tehran unrest
Someone called from Tehran saying that according to an informed source, a doctor from the Khomeini
Hospital in Tehran said that more than 100 bodies of those who have been killed are in the hospital morgue.
(Radio Farda – June 22, 2009)
Undercover agents use "crystal" bullets to hide killing spree
One of the reasons the personnel of the Rassul Akram Hospital and other medical centers went on a strike was
because of orders by judicial officials to tamper with the medical records of those killed in the protests.
According to reports from hospitals, they have orders to write that the cause of the death is death in surgery or
heart attack.
In other reports from hospitals, the number of suspicious heart attacks in young people and teenagers has
increased in the past few days.
After some investigation, it was specified that undercover agents use a kind of gun that shoots bullets called
"crystals". These kinds of bullets distribute a kind of substance on the skin, which immediately seeps into the
blood and after 24 leads to heart attack. The wound from this kind of bullets is not deep and looks more like a
scratch or swelling but after 24 hours, it has a deadly result and kills the person. Those who have been killed in
this way are not counted as victims of the protests. (Cherik Online – June 22, 2009)
Young man killed in Tehran protests buried in hometown
Security forces in the recent
unrest in Tehran killed a
Kurd boy named Farzad
Jashni who had gone to
Tehran to work from some
time ago. He was from a
poverty-stricken family. This
young man was buried on
June 18 in Abdanan in Ilam.
State security forces were
present in his funeral. His
family has been threatened
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2009
not to say anything about the reason for their son's death. (Iran News Agency - June 23, 2009)
Suppression of protesters; another killed protester identified
According to reports the violent attacks by security forces and the RGC against the defenseless people of
Tehran, has left many injured, killed, and detained.
Security forces beat the protesters with the intent of killing them. Special Forces units, the RGC, the Bassij, and
undercover agents armed with guns target protesters from the waist up; therefore, the number of fatalities is
high. They strike protesters in the face and head which has lead to their deaths in some instances or has left
them severely injured.
A man with the last name of
Mo'azez, 27, was one those killed
in the protests on June 20. He was
shot in the eye near Azadi Square.
Security forces destroy all pictures
and announcements related to
those who were killed in the unrest
posted on the streets to hide their
crime. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activist in Iran – June
24, 2009)
52
2009
There is gruesome account of police beatings from Behnaz, a student in Isfahan, on Lidovky, the website of the
Czech daily Lidove noviny. Reader Andrew Gardner has sent through this translation of an email exchange
between her and news Editor Jan Nevyhosteny.
LN: How are the Basij trying to suppress the unrest?
Behnaz: They are beating demonstrators in a brutal fashion. They're hitting people with heavy staves, to the
head and to the stomach. Some people have been beaten to death. They have no reservations about attacking
children and old people. There's talk of a pregnant woman having been shot; she then gave birth on the street.
Here in Isfahan, one person was first beaten and then thrown from a roof. I was at his funeral today [24 June].
His family can't talk about the circumstances of his death with anyone; they've been threatened.
LN: Is the regime applying pressure on the families of
protesters?
Behnaz: The regime is putting a lot of pressure on the
families of demonstrators who've been detained and
killed. When you see how they treat people on the
streets, in front of everyone, what must they be doing to
those who are in detention?
LN: Were the elections manipulated, or were there only
isolated instances of manipulation?
Behnaz: If the elections had been perfectly in order, why
would the government be so resistant to holding them
again? They should, after all, produce the same result.
Why, instead of that, do they prefer to kill so many
innocent people on the streets? (The Guardian – June 25, 2009)
Hospital doctor: Bassijis killed and injured 38 people in barrage of bullets
On Wednesday 24 June, it is written by a doctor from “Rasul Akram” hospital in Tehran who says that some
people were killed not only by one bullet as they found two or three bullets in some bodies, close to one
another, showing that shooters used barrage shooting against people and not only a single shot. A 68 year old
man had 3 bullets in his body, two on his left shoulder and one in the left side of his stomach. The doctors of
the “Rasul Akram”hospital say they had been faced with 38 people killed during last week’s protests.
Apparently, police took the corpse of the dead bodies out from the hospital and carried them away by truck.
Most of their families still do not know if their children have been killed. Besides, among the corpse there were
some 15, 16 years old kids. (Guardian – June 25, 2009)
July
Families of killed protesters banned from mourning their loved ones
The treatment of security forces with the families of killed protesters is very inhumane and insulting. These
families are under pressure from intelligence agents and they are only given the bodies of their loved ones for
burial if they accept a number of conditions for their burial. These conditions are:
1. The ceremony has to be discreet and only close relatives can be present
2. No one is allowed to speak or chant slogans against the government in the ceremony
3. No one is allowed to mention the cause of death in the ceremony and this should not be written on the
tomb stone
Some of the names of those who were killed by security forces and are buried in Behesht Zahra Cemetery are:
1. Mohammad Hossein Barzegar, 25, fatally shot in the head on June 17
2. Seyed Reza Tabatabyi, 30, accounting bachelor's degree, fatally shot in the head on June 21
3. Iman Hashemi, 27, fatally shot in the eye on June 21
4. Parisa Kelli, 25, literature university degree, fatally shot in the neck on June 22
5. Mohsen Hadadi, 24, computer programmer, fatally shot in the forehead on June 21
6. Mohammad Nickzadi, 22, architect bachelor's degree, fatally shot in the chest on June 16
7. Ali Shahedi, 24, died in a police station for unknown reasons on June 22. His family believes he died in the
police station as a result of being battered in the head with a club.
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2009
8. Vahed Akbari, 34, married with a 3-year-old daughter, was fatally shot in the side of his body on June 21
9. Abolfazl Abdollahi, 21, electrical postgraduate, fatally shot in the back of the head outside the Industrial
Sharif Univ. on June 21
10. Salar Tahmasebi, 27, trade managing master's degree student in Rasht, fatally shot in the forehead on June
21
11. Fahimeh Salahshur, 25, beaten on the head with a club, died as a result of internal bleeding in hospital on
June 14.
12. Vahid Reza Tabatabayi, 29, English bachelor's degree, fatally shot in the head on June 24 (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 3, 2009)
Security forces request bullet fee from murdered protester's family
Hossein Tufan-pour, was arrested by security forces on the street in a June 20th demo in Tehran. According to
eyewitness reports, agents first struck his hand with force a number of times until his hand broke and hung
from his body. They then shot him in the head. He is buried in section 233 in Behesht Zahra Cemetery in
Tehran. His family was told to pay a 25,000 dollar bullet fee to receive his body. (Iran News Agency – July 5,
2009)
Family of killed protester not allowed
burying body in Tehran
Massoud Hashem-zadeh, a protester fatally
shot by security forces in recent clashes, lived
with his family in Tehran.
But, officials banned his family from burying
his body in Tehran, therefore they were
forced to bury his body in Gilan, his
mother's home town. (Iran News Agency –
July 5, 2009)
Iranian regime kills 22-year-old in Tehran demo
Salar Qorbani-Param, a 22-year-old, was killed in the recent demonstrations in Iran. Officials have announced
that he died in an accident. His father has a shop in Enqelab Square. His family had set up a memorial for him
in Enqelab Square but authorities immediately came and destroyed it. (Iran News Agency – July 5, 2009)
Tehran University student dies in hospital after being shot by plainclothes agents
Another young man who was wounded by plainclothes agents and hospitalized passed
away.
Ya'qub (Jacob) Barvayeh, a master's degree student studying at the arts school of
Tehran University was shot by Bassijis from the roof of Lulager Mosque and sustained
a head wound. He was immediately taken to the Loqman hospital by his friends.
Despite attempts to save his life at the hospital, he became brain dead and finally died.
Barvayeh was the second eldest son of a family of five from Ahwaz. He was born in
1982 and was only 27 years old when he died.
According to reports, security forces took Ya'qub's body from the hospital to an unknown location. After 48
hours, security forces called his family telling them that they had buried the body. Agents made his family
promise not to tell anyone about his death and banned them from holding a ceremony. (Noruz website – July
13, 2009)
18 year old killed by security forces
Arman Estkhri, was violently clubbed in the Shiraz clashes with security forces in Abivardi and went in a coma.
The 18-year-old who had taken refuge in the house of an old woman close to the scene of the clashes passed
away today in her house. He is to be buried today in Daralrahmeh in Shiraz. His doctor said he died from brain
death. (Iran Press News – July 14, 2009)
Security forces fatally shoot porter in border town
A porter (who carried goods on his back) was killed in the border town on Paveh after he was shot by State
Security Forces. According to reports, Saleh Rahimi, a Kurd resident of Nudsheh located in Paveh was shot
directly in an ambush by security forces.
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2009
A large number of people in western border regions are employed in carrying goods like cloth or tea on their
backs because of the lack of job opportunities in the region. Every year, a large number of them are shot and
killed by security forces. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 14, 2009)
Bodies of hundreds of protesters in South Tehran refrigeration room
The bodies of hundreds of people who were killed in the recent unrest in the past month are kept in a large
refrigerator in South Tehran. This is while many of the families of detainees go from prison to court and back
again and do not get any answers from officials on the whereabouts of their loved ones. Some of the families are
invited to go to unknown locations and after receiving threats that another one of their family members will be
hurt, being forced to agree not to give out any information on the death of their children, and coerced into
signing a paper which confirms that their children died from an accident or another natural event, the bodies of
their loved ones are handed over to them. One of the persons who asked not to be named said that he or she
was taken to a large refrigerator used to refrigerate fruits and milk products and given an album which
contained pictures of hundreds of bodies to identify his or her family member from the album. According to
this person, looking at the hundreds of picture took about 30 minutes. This person also said that while leaving
the refrigerator, he or she saw the bodies of dozens of protesters piled on top of each other. (Noruz Website –
July 14, 2009)
Demonstrator killed in July 17 protests
Security forces killed a demonstrator in Amir Abad Street in Tehran.
According to other reports, a demonstrator who was beaten with clubs by security forces is currently hospitalized
in the Firuzgar Hospital in Tehran. He is in a coma. (Center for Defense of Political Prisoners in Iran – July 17, 2009)
One person killed in July 21 protests
Reports from Tehran say that in the clashes (between security forces and protesters) one person was killed. (Al-
arabia TV – July 21, 2009)
Security forces fatally shoot father and little daughter
On Tuesday afternoon, security forces and Revolutionary Guards Forces attacked and surrounded a house in
Orumieh's Valiasr neighborhood. They opened fire on the house with light firearms and RPGs without warning
the residents. Finally, a man and his little daughter came out of the house with their hands behind their heads
in a show of surrender but security forces opened fire on them instead of arresting them. They were each shot
20 times and their bodies with treated with disrespect. (Iran News Agency – July 23, 2009)
Another young man killed by security forces in Tehran
There have been reports that the body of Ramin Ramezani was given to his family after
one month in Tehran. He was killed with three bullets on the same day Neda Aqa Sultan
was killed on the street by security forces. His family have been searching for him for
more than one month. The body of this 20 year old was buried under strict security
measures three days ago in the Behesht Zahra Cemetery. (Peik-e-Iran website – July 24,
2009)
Plainclothes agents kill 16-year-old in Mahabad
Plainclothes agents killed a young Kurd boy in Mahabad. According to reports, at 7 am
today near Ostad Majdi Park a car carrying a number of plainclothes agents ran over an
old lady on the street and tried to leave the scene. Sixteen-year-old Arman Resalat who witnessed the scene tried
to stop them when the agents stabbed him with a knife in front of other people on the street. His family went to
receive his body from the hospital today for burial. (Rozhhalat website – July 24, 2009)
Protester killed after fatal blow to head by regime forces
Mostafa Kiarostami was fatally hit in the head in the Friday Prayers Ceremony on July 17
and died a few hours later. Kiarostami, who was 22 year old and married, was beaten by
plainclothes agents and Bassijis outside Tehran University. These forces brutally clubbed
him on the head so severely that he was not able to get home on his own. This young
man passed away that night due to internal bleeding in his brain. They have announced
his cause of death as a brain stroke. (Moje Azadi [Freedom Wave] Website – July 30,
2009)
55
2009
August
Regime military officials attempt to cover up killing of young Kurd in Maku
After killing Hamid Qand Kanlu, regime military officials are trying to make it seem like he was a criminal to
cover up his murder by its forces. This young man was murdered by security forces a few days ago in Maku.
(Kurdistan Media – Aug. 1, 2009)
One tradesman killed, 2 injured by security forces in Seqez
One tradesman was killed and two others were injured after security forces in the Hasan Salar Base in Seqez
shot at their car on July 29. The killed tradesman was identified as Anvar Eqbali, 25. He was from a poverty
stricken family and was forced to work as a tradesman on the border to make a living. Security forces also
confiscated his car. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 1, 2009)
Regime forces fatally shoot father of seven in Salmas
A man identified as Mahi Aldin Jalali died after regime forces fatally shot him on the Iran-Turkey border.
The 50 year old man had two wives and seven children and sold goods on the border to make a living. Jalali was
from the Khunavin Village in Salmas and was murdered on July 27 by regime forces. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 1,
2009)
Body of killed protester given to his family after 50 days
(Written by Omid Namdari, nephew of Behzad Mohajer, 47) – The body of (Behzad
Mohajer) was hard as rock, which was the result of being kept in the morgue for 50
days. From his chest to his belly button, they had opened his body as if they had done
an autopsy or maybe they were looking for a bullet. A small circle could be seen on his
left chest, which shows where the bullet penetrated his body. There is another small
hole on the back of his right elbow, which was barely noticeable. When they turned the
body around, his back was completely ripped and bloody. (Nurooz Website – Aug. 3,
2009)
Security forces fatally shoot tradesman in Khoy
Security forces shot at a number of border tradesmen on the border region of Qator in Khoy killing one and
injuring another. They were identified as Saraj Musilo who was killed and Reza Babazadeh, who was injured.
The body of Musilo was taken to a hospital in Khoy and has still not been handed over to his family for burial.
(Kurdistan Media – Aug. 8, 2009)
Security forces kill another young man on Iran-Turkey border
On the night of August 7, security forces on the Iran-Turkey border near Kuzharash Village in Salmas shot and
killed Fakher Mohammadi. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 11, 2009)
SSF murders 11 and injures many more residents of border area in 20 days
Names of those who have been killed since 20 days ago includes: Hamid Qand-Kangloo resident of Maku, Asad
Moussa-zadeh resident of Khoy on July 18, Mahyeddin Jal-Baku, 50, resident of Salmas, Jalal Saqez resident on
July 29, Eqbal Bakhtiari resident of Mahabad, Anvar Eqbali bullet riddled in Saqez on July 29, Haji, 26, in
Sardasht, Shahram Shokri in Nosud, Rahim Mahmoud-pour in Sardasht on August 3, Seraj Moussalu on
August 5, And Sayed-Fakher Omar-Shiva on August 7 both in border district of Khoy.
Moreover On August 13, the State Security Forces (SSF) opened fire on a family in Marivan. This family's
automobile was targeted by these forces and as a result three women identified as Sa’adat Layi, Aina Layi, and
Mojdeh Naderian were shot and severely wounded. A 9-year-old girl named as Tina Mohammadi who witnessed
the bloodshed is currently in a very critical mental state. After the bloodshed, security forces left the scene
without treating the wounded women. This is an example of many wounded in the region inflicted by the SSF.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 15, 2009)
Another killed protester identified
Hamid Hossein-Baig Iraqi, 22, who lived in Southern Tehran, was shot directly in the
heart by plainclothes agents while walking to his home along Enqelab Street on June
20.
His death was announced to his family after they searched frantically for their son for
some time. Officials asked for about 12,000 dollars from his family but were finally
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2009
satisfied with 5 thousand dollars in return for his body. Hamid's body was given to his family on June 25 for
burial. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 17, 2009)
Regime forces fatally shoot trader in Piranshahr
Regime forces in Piranshahr opened fire on a group of traders in the border area of Piranshahr on August 12.
According to this report, Saleh Khaledi, 40 who was from Mahabad was killed in this attack.
Officials handed his body to his family on the condition that they bury him at night and sent a number of cars
carrying armed agents to the funeral. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 17, 2009)
Security forces kill man and injure another in Kermanshah
Security forces in Sahne in Kermanshah murdered another person in this city on August 10.
According to reports from Sahne, two Kurds were shot at by security forces which led to the death of one and
the serious injury of another. Security forces then arrested the injured man. (Iran News Agency – Aug. 17, 2009)
Regime forces shoot and kill innocent man in Mahabad
According to reports, on Sunday August 16, military forces in the Surin area in Saqez shot and injured a Kurd
man identified as Ahmad Qaderi. On the same day in the Baleh Sur region in Salmas, SSF forces opened fire on
another person injuring him.
In Pirahshahr's Hamzeh-Abad region, security forces opened fire on a car, which they suspected of carrying
smuggled goods. This resulted in the injury of a number of the passengers and the death of a man identified as
Maameh Khaledi. (Iran News Agency – Aug. 18, 2009)
Father dies after security forces strike him in head with club
In a visit with teacher activists the wife of Abass Disnad, a man killed in the protests after the elections said,
"Abass had a shop in Karun Street (in Tehran). He did not know that there was going to be a march on June 20.
He was supposed to come home earlier that day. It was about 5 pm when my daughter called him. When Abass
was coming home from work he was attacked from the back and hit in the head with a club by security forces
and got a concussion".
"He was taken to the Shahriar hospital. He was in a coma for about three days and died on Wednesday", she
said.
"Eight people with bullet wounds were in that hospital and three died on that day. Security forces asked for
(about) 15,000 dollars from each of the families to hand over their bodies", she added.
The victim’s son said that his doctor said that if they had brought him in sooner, there would be higher chance
for his survival.
"Some of the neighbors told us that when Abass had a concussion, agents would not let people get close to him
to take him to the hospital and he was lying on the ground for a long time. (Officials) told us to say that he died
because of heart attack", his son added. (Saham News Website – Aug. 20, 2009)
Government agents secretly bury dozens of bodies in Tehran cemetery
Dozens of bodies of Tehran residents were secretly buried on August 12 and August 15 in the Behesht Zahra
Cemetery. According to this report, the buried bodies belonged to people who had participated in the post
election unrest. The bodies were buried in section 302 of this cemetery without names and other personal
descriptions. This was done under severe security measures. (Nurooz Website – Aug. 21, 2009)
Another killed protester identified
Another victim of the recent events in Iran is Dr. Mohammad Reza Maqsudlu who was killed on June 20 and
his name has not been published yet. He was a doctor in the Khatam al-Anbia Hospital in Tehran. His body was
handed over to his family in the city of Gorgan after they were made to promise not to hold a funeral ceremony.
He was buried in a shrine in Gorgan. (Iran Press News – Aug. 23, 2009)
Victims of police abuse secretly buried in unmarked graves in Tehran
Hanif Mazroyi, editor in chief of the Nurooz Website said, "On July 12, one of the mothers of the victims of the
protests saw several dead bodies in a refrigeration container in southern Tehran named Amirzadeh while
looking for her missing son. After we were informed of this matter, we published a report on this the same day.
After researching the issue, we noticed that on that same night on July 12, there was some unnatural traffic
going and coming from that refrigeration container and the personnel working there confirmed this. We tried
to find out where the bodies were being taken. Days after we published the news, we noticed that a number of
the bodies handed over to families were completely frozen. This is while if they had been kept in a morgue this
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2009
would not have happed to the bodies after 40 days. On the night of July 21, a number of the Behesht Zahra
Cemetery personnel told us that a number of cars, which did not belong to the cemetery, had entered the
cemetery and that this took place again on July 15. After some more investigation by our friends in the website,
it became clear that the bodies were buried without any description in the new 302 section in this cemetery
which is almost outside the boundaries of the old cemetery area. (BBC TV Farsi service – Aug. 24, 2009)
Eyewitness says bodies of women secretly buried in Tehran Cemetery were raped
Woman who works in Behesht Zahra Cemetery mortuary: Last night (July 13) when we entered the cemetery, we
saw that they had placed a large number of corpses, about 30, which were completely frozen on the ground to
thaw. There were many (agents) with beards there as well and they took me and some of my colleagues to a
room. An elderly man started to talk to us and said that tonight and some other nights we have to bury some
bodies, which belong to the Monafeqin (hypocrites), and we want to bury them in a way so that spies and news
agencies are not informed. If we talk about this with anyone, we can be sure that our lives and the lives of every
single person in our families will be in danger.
They gave us the bodies of 5 women which were completely frozen on that night but I think they had more than
20 bodies in the men's section. Blood was frozen on their faces were there were deep cuts. They were three
middle-aged women and two girls who were in their 20's. The head of one of the girls was completely destroyed.
Tonight (July 14), when they took us to the same area in the cemetery we saw that the bodies were four times as
much as yesterdays. More than 100! They gave us in the women's section, 23 unidentified bodies. What
bothered me the most was that the frozen bodies belonged to girls who had blood clots coming out of their
genitals and anus in addition to broken jaws and deep cuts on their faces. Some of the girls were under 20 years
old…
The Behesht Zahra employee also said that she heard from her colleagues that these bodies were related to post-
election clashes.
She also said that weeks later she heard that a large number of bodies were not buried in the Behesht Zahra
Cemetery and were taken to an unknown location. (Iran Press News Website – Aug. 26, 2009)
Regime forces butcher and kill protester in Tehran
Sent to us by a website viewer: These two pictures are related to recent events (protests) in Tehran which was
sent to me by a family member who is a doctor in the Sinay Hostpital in Tehran. These pictures have not been
published anywhere else. (Iran Press News – Aug. 26, 2009)
Security Forces rape Baha'i girl in front of brother; murder brother in front of sister
Arqavan, 18 and her brother Zahed, 20, who are the children of Dr. Mahmoud Shokrayi, were arrested on July
21 while going to their sick grandmother's house.
While torturing Zahed, security forces demand that his sister strip in front of her brother. The sister stripped to
save her brother, but her brother became unconscious. (Government forces) then violently raped the sister.
When the brother regained consciousness, he started screaming and weeping and agents killed him in front of
his sister.
Now the girl has gone mad, walks on her hands and feet, and makes animal noises. She is on the verge of death.
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2009
Dr. Shokrayi was arrested on charges of being a Baha'i in Shiraz and was jailed for many years in the beginning
of the revolution. He went to Isfahan after his release where he is a prominent doctor. (Be Sooye Azadi (In the
Direction of Freedom) Website – Aug. 26, 2009)
Bassij forces fatally shoot young Kurd in cold blood
Parviz Mirzayi, a 23-year-old Kurd man residing in the Sufian Village in Orumieh
who was coming back from a wedding party of a relative in Qasrik Village was
fatally shot by Bassij forces. According to eyewitnesses who were with him, Bassij
Forces ordered two cars to stop in a checkpoint but when the first car sped away,
they opened fire on the second car without prior warning thinking that the two
cars were together. In this event, Parviz Mirzayi who was a passenger in the second
car was killed and another passenger was wounded. Despite this fact, Bassij forces
dragged all the other passengers out of the car and beat them.
The Mirzayi family has filed a suit, which they have sent to the first branch of the Orumieh Military Court
demanding that the shooters be brought to justice, but two months after this event, not one has been trialed.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 26, 2009)
More photos of unmarked graves in Tehran Cemetery disclosed
The picture below is related to another section in the Behesht Zahra Cemetery in which dozens of bodies are
buried without any identification and even without burial permits.
These pictures are not related to section 302 and we will disclose the name of this section in the future. (Nurooz
Website – Aug. 27, 2009)
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2009
The Isfahan coroner said that he died after being struck in the head with a hard object. (Kurdistan Human
Rights Watch News Agency – Aug. 28, 2009)
Body of fatally shot municipality employee found in Zahedan
The body of an of Zahedan municipality employee, Manuchehr Sheh Bakhsh, who had disappeared on August
24, was found on August 28 in western Zahedan. He had been shot three times.
His family took his body to the coroners to get more information on how he was killed. The murderer has not
been identified yet.
When Sheh Bakhsh disappeared, his family went to the Intelligence Agency to try to get more information
about his disappearance but they were met with unclear answers. This issue and the fact that Manouchehr was
active on the field of Baluch rights and defended the rights of the citizens in the municipality led his friends and
relatives to believe that government and intelligence agents had something to do with his murder. (Baluchistan
Human Rights Activists Association – Aug. 28, 2009)
Regime forces kill Kurd tradesman, injure another in new wave of border killings
A 22-year-old man who carried goods identified as Salah Kurdi who was a resident of the Seif Village on the
border in Marivan was shot and killed by security forces.
According to other reports, on August 29, a 21-year-old man identified as Dalir Golzari from the Mir Abad
Village who was carrying goods with his horse was shot. His horse was killed as a result and he was severely
injured. He is currently hospitalized in the Bu Ali Hospital in Marivan. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug.
31, 2009)
Regime forces fatally shoot people in Sardasht
On August 27 military forces in the Savan Base in Sardasht shot and killed a man identified as Rahman Khadri
Rasul from Savan Village.
According to other reports on August 26, regime forces raided the Darmanavi Village to confiscate trading
goods in the village. This led to clashes between security forces and the village residents. Security forces opened
fire on the villagers and a girl identified as Gelayeh was injured as a result. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 31, 2009)
Regime forces kill tradesman and severely injure 8 year old boy
On August 27, a number of regime forces who worked under the command of 'officer Rezayi' near the Mirdeh
Village in Saqez opened fire on a car. As a result a man identified as Hussein who lived in Bukan was killed and
an 8-year-old boy named Omar who lived in Saqez was severely wounded. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 31, 2009)
Regime forces in Saqez shoot and kill 2 tradesmen
On August 29, regime forces in the Sepilak region in Oshnavieh opened fire on a group of tradesman and as a
result two of them were wounded. One of the injured men identified as Karim Mam Barami passed away due to
the severity of his wounds. On August 30, security forces in the Mirdeh Village opened fire on a car which
belonged to a tradesman identified as Mohammad Salehi, who was from Mahabad. He was then chased by
regime forces and fatally shot. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 31, 2009)
Regime forces open fire on tradesmen in Sardasht killing one and injuring another
In the ongoing arbitrary killings of Kurd tradesman, regime forces murdered a tradesman and injured another.
On the night of August 30, security forces in the Duleh Tu Village in Sardasht opened fire on a group of
tradesmen. A man identified as Abdollah was killed while another tradesman named Mehdi was severely
wounded. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 31, 2009)
September
Security forces shoot and kill people in border areas
On Thursday August 27 in the Mirdey region in Saqez, security forces opened fire on a car, which belonged to
tradesmen who worked in the border. As a result, a Mahabad resident identified as Hussein Ibrahim was killed.
On Friday August 28, in the region around Oshnavieh, security forces opened fire on a number of tradesmen
injuring a Kurd man identified as Karim Bengini. He died in the hospital due to the severity of his wounds.
(Human Rights and Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
Two men shot and killed by security forces
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2009
Security forces shot and killed two Kurd residents in Western Iran. On Wednesday August 26, security forces
opened fire on a number of border tradesman in Salmas, which led to the death of Asad Mohammadi and Adel
Rasul Qazbash. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 3, 2009)
Regime forces murder Iraqi Kurd in Iran
On August 30, an Iraqi Kurd identified as Fakher was murdered by a regime agent named Afshar on the road
from Dazeh to Gisian in Orumieh.
Fakher was a resident of Iran's Kurdistan and had come to this region to settle financial scores. He was arrested
by a group of RGC and Bassij agents and was murdered for no apparent reason. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 4,
2009)
Security forces shoot and kill five tradesmen and injured more in less than 3 days
Security forces in the Mirdeh Base in Saqez shot and killed a tradesman identified as Sayed Abbas Abdipour on
September 4.
The tradesman who was from Bukan was transferring goods from Baneh to Saqez to make a living. This is the
third incident in which a tradesman has been killed by security forces in this base. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 5,
2009)
Security forces in the Mir-dee Base in Saqez opened fire against a number of border tradesmen in an ambush
and a man identified as Abbas Abdipour from Bukan died as a result.
In another incident, after security forces opened fire on Kurd residents in the city of Salmas, a young man
identified as Shaaf’e Masoumi was murdered. There is no information on why security forces opened fire.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 7, 2009)
A tradesman resident of Turkey's Kurdistan region and two others were injured after security forces in the
Aland region in Khoy opened fire on them.
The victim was identified as Ayoub (Jacob) from the Bale Suri Khari Village and the injured men were identified
as Ilhan and Hakan from the Kharab Sur Village in Turkey's Kurdistan. This incident happened on September
4. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 8, 2009)
A Kurd man was killed after security forces opened fire on a number of border tradesmen On September 7. He
was identified as Edris Sheikheh-pour from the Kani Zard village in Sardasht. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 10, 2009)
Eyewitness: 16 frozen bodies secretly brought to Behesht Zahra for burial
Interview with gravedigger in Behesht Zahra Cemetery who said that 16 frozen bodies were brought to this
cemetery for burial:
-What do you do in Behesht Zahra?
-I bring dirt and empty it on the graves.
Q-Your friend said you were here that night in the cemetery.
A-A lot of people had died that night. They told us they had died in an accident.
Q-What happened?
A-First a bus came with its lights off. They first told us that the bus had broken down and had come to the
cemetery to be repaired! Then it came near and we realized something was going on. They went in that section.
Then its lights were turned on and then off again. They told us to come. The bodies were placed in the bus
suitcases compartment. They were all frozen and some of them were stuck together. They wanted to separate
them with shovels and three shovel handles broke because they were in such a hurry. Some of the bodies that
were naked were stuck together with ice and when they could not separate them, they brought down the walls of
about 2 or 3 graves and threw them in together, girls and boys were placed together in the graves… The bodies
were very bloody, frozen blood… There were a lot of undercover police on the scene…
Q-Are you sure they were police?
A-Yeah, well they all had walkie-talkies.
Q-What were they saying?
A-I wouldn't know, police stuff.
Q-Tell me about the dead bodies.
A-It was obvious it was a really bad accident!
Q-Were they young or old?
A-They were all young and dried up like wood.
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Q-Why?
A-because they were frozen!
Q-Then what happened?
A-We were bringing dirt for the graves until the morning and then we washed the bus and it left. (Committee of
Human Rights Reporters – Sep. 6, 2009)
Five more protesters killed in recent unrest
The identity of a number of other people who were killed (in the
recent unrest) has been revealed. Mohammad Naderipour,
construction engineering student at the Sirjan University in Kerman
and the head of Mir Hossein Moussavi's election staff (student
branch) in the city of Sirjan is another one of those killed in the
recent unrest whose identity has recently been revealed. A list
containing 72 names of those killed in the unrest that have been
identified has been published in the internet. But new information
shows that the number of those killed might exceed 100.
According to reports, the identity of three more people has been
revealed who were taken to Golestan Province and handed over to
their families after their death in Tehran. They are Ismaili from the
Mohammad Naderipour city of Khan in the Golestan Province, Dr. Maqsoud-lou from the
city of Sorkhankalateh and Dr. Rahimi (female) from the city of
Gorgan. According to this report, the families of these people were banned from freely holding ceremonies for
their deaths. The family of Dr. Rahimi was told to tell people that she had been poisoned.
According to other reports, Majid Kamali, who was born in 1985 in Yazd was another person killed in the
unrest. He was arrested by security forces on August 25 and at 2 pm that same day, his body was taken to the
Afshar Hospital, but hospital officials refused to take in the body.
Details on death of Mohammad Naderipour:
According to reports, an informed source in contact with one of Naderipour's close relatives has said that he was
an active student before and after the elections. He left his exam session at 7 pm on July 1, got in his car, and
was arrested before leaving the university by plainclothes agents.
Forty-eight hours after his abduction, his body was found in his car in the city of Sirjan. This is while the
murderers did not take his car and did not even take his ID card, gas card or even some cash he was carrying
which shows that their motive was political and related to his activities after the elections. (Green Wave of
Freedom Website – Sep. 7, 2009)
Bassiji murders Piranshahr resident for unknown reasons
On September 5, a Bassij member identified as Hussein Rahman Mangure killed a resident of the Mashkan
Village in Piranshahr.
The victim was identified as Rahman Hassan-zadeh and his body was transferred to a hospital in Piranshahr
after it was checked by the coroner. The motive for this murder is unclear. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 8, 2009)
Family denies state TV claim that son was not killed by security forces
A source close to the Committee for Detainees and Victims of the Recent Events said, "A few days ago, state run
television had a program in which it was said that Ahmad Nejati Kargar who was said to be one of those killed
in the recent events (by regime forces) was actually not killed. A person was brought on TV saying that he was
Ahmad Nejati. This is while there might be more than one person named Ahmad Nejati. At the same time, the
family of Ahmad Kargar called Mehdi Karoubi, with great fear, and said that their son had been killed".
"This is how the situation in Iran is when a family whose son has been killed does not dare speak out and say
that you killed my son. They have terrorized and intimidated everyone", the source said. (Amir Kabir Newsletter
– Sep. 14, 2009)
Security forces kill tradesman and injure three others in Orumieh
After security forces in the Targeh Var region in Orumieh opened fire on a number of border tradesman on
September 11, a tradesman was killed while three others were wounded. The forces opened fire on them near
the Iran-Turkey border and a man identified as Shafi'e was killed while three others identified as Khairoddin,
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2009
Kamran Mirzayi and Fakhroddin were injured and taken to the Imam Hospital in Orumieh. They were all from
the Haki Village in Targeh Var.
Regime forces also bombed this region for several hours on September 12, which terrorized the residents in this
area. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 16, 2009)
Security forces kill wounded tradesman under torture
Security forces in the Shiveh Gavizan region in Marivan opened fire on a number of border tradesman on
September 16. A man identified as Farid who was from the Jujeh Sazi city in Marivan was severely wounded as a
result. Regime forces then severely beat the young man until he died from the torture. (Kurdistan Media – Sep.
19, 2009)
Security forces shoot and kill another tradesman in Sardasht
A man named Amir Qader-pour Jan was shot and killed after security forces opened fire on a group of
tradesman in the Sardasht region. Qader-pour Jan who was shot on September 17 became severely wounded
and passed away on the way to hospital. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 19, 2009)
On Eid Al-Fitr Day, regime forces shoot and kill minor in Orumieh
Shahram Azizi, 17, was fatally shot in front of his home by security forces on Saturday Sep. 19 in the Sultan
Village in the outskirts of the town of Orumieh. He was getting ready for Aid Al-Fitr (the last day of the fasting
month of Ramadan when Muslims pray and celebrate) when he was shot. Regime forces took his body to
Orumieh and after many attempts by his family to get his body, his corpse is to be handed over to his family. It
is still not clear why regime forces murdered this young man. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 23, 2009)
October
Young man beaten to death by regime force on Tehran Street
A young man identified as 'Amir-Mehdi Hamzeh-Louie' was beaten to death by plainclothes agents.
These forces who had a van and a 206 Peju automobile arrested this young man along with two of his friends
near the Qeitarieh Park in Tehran and detained them in the van.
One of the young men could use his cell phone to call his father and inform him of his arrest.
These young men also asked their captors who had introduced themselves as police forces, to see their ID which
led to agents' severe response. "These kids have gotten so cheeky that they ask for our ID!" the detainers said,
and violently beat the young men to the extent that Amir-Mehdi suddenly became unconscious as a result of the
beatings by the men who were equipped with walkie talkie and other police equipment.
The agents became agitated and threw these three boys out of the van to quickly leave the scene. They were so
nervous that they ran over Amir-Mehdi's leg, while he was lying unconscious on the ground. Amir-Mehdi passed
away on the way to the Shohada Hospital. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 2, 2009)
Regime forces shoot and kill man in Mahabad
Regime forces in the Kaseh Kariz Village in Mahabad killed a young man identified as Karim Khoon-Dust. The
18-year-old was killed by these forces after they stormed his home in the Kaseh Kariz Village. It is still not clear
why they killed him. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 4, 2009)
Bassij Forces fatally shoot one man, injure another in Mahabad
Two Kurds were shot by Bassij forces in the Bukan-Mahabad Road which led to one death and one injury.
On Wednesday September 30, local Bassij forces in the Bukan-Mahabad Road who had set up a checkpoint to
check cars and body search the passengers, suddenly opened fire on a car for an unknown reason which led to
the death of Omar Khayat and the injury of the driver. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 5, 2009)
Security forces fatally shoot young man in Hashtrud
On Monday, a young Kurd man was shot and killed by security forces stationed in one of their bases in
Hashtrud.
The reason behind this incident is still not clear, but according to reports, this young man was shot after having
an argument with the commander of the base. He died before reaching the hospital. The identity of this man is
still not known. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
Security forces kill young man in Kurdistan
A young man identified as Ramzi Tân was killed after security forces opened fire on him.
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2009
The young 23-year-old who was from the Baleh Sur Village in Turkey's Kurdistan was killed on October 20 in
the border region of Iran and Turkey. It is not clear why he was shot. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 22, 2009)
Identity of another post election protest victim is disclosed
Another victim of the bloody events of June has been identified.
On June 20, Fatemeh Samsar-pour and her son Kaveh Mir-Assadollahi were severely injured by snipers affiliated
with the Revolutionary Guards Forces and the Bassij Forces. Fatemeh who was standing near her home with her
small child had reportedly come out to see what was going on in the nearby streets and to help the people on
the streets. She was fatally shot after shielding her son from the bullets.
Fatemeh was taken to the hospital along with her son but doctors were only able to save her son. Her body was
given to her family after many pursuits but they were not allowed to hold a burial ceremony in Tehran. The
family was forced to hold a small ceremony for her is a northern town and buried her there. (Green Wave of
Freedom Website – Oct. 24, 2009)
Lack of news on student prisoner after 45 days leads to concerns regarding his death
Forty- five days after the arrest of Eftekhar Barzegarian, a former member of the Islamic Associaiton of the
Ferdossi University and Medical Science University in Mashhad, his condition is still not clear. This student
activist has not called his family since the first day he was arrested.
According to student activists, Barzegarian who was the top consultant of the student staff of presidential
candidate Mehdi Karroubi in the Province of Khorasan Razavi, was arrested in mid September in Mashhad and
taken to an unknown location. None of his family members have been able to get information as to why he was
arrested, his condition and whereabouts.
There have been rumors in the past weeks that he has died in the Intelligence Detention Center in Mashhad.
But security and judicial officials have so far not given any explanation on his whereabouts. The fact that hehas
not contacted his family has fueled rumors that this student activist has been killed. (Green Wave of Freedom
Website – Oct. 25, 2009)
Orumieh Security forces murder three men
In the past week, forces from the Orumieh Intelligence Agency in the Maavaneh region opened fire on an
automobile carrying two unarmed Kurd guerillas which led to the death of both these men and a Kurd citizen
identified as Fassih Qaderi.
These forces have not handed the bodies of these men to their families and have disrespected the corpses.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 27, 2009)
November
Regime forces fatally shoot Kurd teacher
A person identified as Edris Mohammadian was shot by security forces on the Bukan Road on October 8 and
died in the Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz.
After these forces opened fire on this teacher, a clash started between his friends and security forces. A number
of his friends and his 14 year old brother, Ardalan, were arrested in the clash. Ardalan is still in security forces'
custody after 10 days. There is no information on the faith of the arrestees. Edris was formerly a teacher but was
fired from his job after two years. (Kurdistan Media – Nov. 1, 2009)
Security forces shoot and kill man in Sardasht
One of the residents of the Qoleh Rashteh Village in Sardasht identified as Qaleh Sur was shot and killed by
security forces under the excuse that he was carrying smuggle goods.
According to reports, the man who was shot between Buvaran and Qaleh Rashteh village was married with two
children (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 5, 2009)
Majles looks into death of young man by security forces in Isfahan
After an unconfirmed report was published that today a State Security Forces agent entered the home of a
young man who had attended the November 4 protests in Isfahan and after clashes, fatally shot him, a member
of the National Security Council of the Majles announced that he is following this case to see if it is true.
Mehdi Nilufarsh Zadeh who was a student in Armenia was identified in the November 4 protests by agents.
Agents went to his home at noon today intending to arrest him and clashed with his family. Mehdi Nilufarsh
Zadeh was killed by a SSF gun in this clash. (Nurooz Website – Nov. 7, 2009)
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2009
He went into hiding for fear of being arrested for his activities in Karoubi's election campaign after not being
accepted by Hamedan University and being expelled from Yasuj University and was suspiciously killed a few
days later.
His body was found a few days ago near the Cherakh Vall Village where he lived in Bukan. There is still no
information on his cause of death. (JRS Website – Dec. 2, 2009)
Regime forces shoot Kurd trader in Sardasht
Regime forces opened fire on a number of Kurd tradesmen in the Sardasht area on Thursday October 26. A
trader named Ibrahim Armand was wounded as a result. Three days later his body was found by some shepherds
in the area and it became clear in the coroners that he died because of severe blood loss and freezing
temperatures. (Kurdistan Media – Dec. 3, 2009)
Regime forces kill three Kurd tradesmen, then burn bodies
Regime forces burned the bodies of three Kurd tradesmen after killing them. Pezeshk Asadi, Garman Omri and
Bengin Sufi-zadeh were shot and killed in their cars by regime forces.
These forces burned the bodies of these tradesmen in their cars and have refrained from handing over their
bodies to their families. (Kurdistan Media – Dec. 9, 2009)
Regime forces shoot and kill Kurd man in Sardasht
Military forces on the border shot and killed a man who lived in this area. On Monday night, military forces in
the Sardasht opened fire on a number of people who lived in the border area for an unknown reason killing a
Kurd man identified as Rahim Marufi.
It is noteworthy that the arbitrary shooting of people who live on the border in Kurdistan in the past months
has led to dozens of deaths and because security forces who have committed these offenses are not brought to
justice, the numbers of deaths are increasing by the day. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 12, 2009)
Security forces open fire on Sirjan civilians killing 3 people; 7 more in very critical condition
More than 30 residents of Sirjan were killed and injured during the execution of two prisoners in this city.
Because security forces were not able to carry out the execution sentences of two death row prisoners on
Tuesday morning, another execution ceremony was carried out in the evening in this city with the presence of
more than 5,000 people. Their protest to this execution turned into clashes with security forces. After security
forces were ordered to open fire on the crowds, three civilians were killed on the scene.
According to credible sources, 7 others were severely wounded and doctors have lost hope (in them staying
alive). More than 20 others were taken to Kerman Hospital to receive treatment. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec.
23, 2009)
Security forces kill Baneh civilian
A civilian in the town of Baneh identified as Osman aka Osman Hameh Chowshin was shot by security forces
on the Shahaboddin border regions and died in hospital.
According to reports, this civilian who was from the Siahumeh Kohne Village in Baneh worked as a laborer in
the border bazaar. (Dec. 23, 2009)
Regime forces open fire on Kurd civilians killing one person
Security forces opened fire on a group of border civilians killing one person and severely wounding two others
on Wednesday night. On December 23, security forces in the Duleh To border region in Sardasht opened fire
on a number of poverty stricken civilians who were forced to carry foreign goods including tea and as a result a
Kurd man identified as Osman Sharifpour was killed while two others were severely wounded.
Unfortunately after this attack, these forces opened fire on the animals used to carry the goods and killed a
number of these animals as well. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 25, 2009)
Bassij forces run over young protesters brutally crushing them to death
According to reports, at least 7 people have died and many
others have been wounded as a result of violent attacked by
Special Guards Forces. Hospitals are packed with wounded
demonstrators.
At about 12:30 pm, a black car belonging to plainclothes
agents ran over demonstrators in Shadman Street. According
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2009
to eyewitnesses, 3 young men died instantly and 3 others were severely injured.
In Hafez Bridge a Special Guards Force car ran over demonstrators severely injuring a 6-year-old boy who was
taken to the Amir Elm Hospital. He is reportedly in critical condition.
Currently the emergency rooms in Tehran's hospitals are filled with injured protesters. In the Hezartakhtekhabi
Hospital, protesters from all ages have been hospitalized but they are mostly young girls and boys. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 7, 2009)
Violent clashes in Iran - eight dead
Iranian opposition protesters took to the streets in a show
strength which resulted in pitched battles with the security
forces
At least eight people are thought to have died in clashes across
the country, according to opposition web sites and witnesses.
The nephew of opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was
among those reported killed during the fiercest clashes with
anti-government protesters in months . (Telegraph – Dec. 27,
2009)
Bassij forces attack demonstrators with daggers
Elderly man among dead, claims reformist website,
as security forces clamp down on holy day marches
across Iran
At least four people were reported dead today after
Iranian security forces opened fire on opposition
protesters who took to the streets in Tehran for a
religious ceremony.
The shootings took place as tens of thousands of
demonstrators gathered in the capital for the Shia
Ashura ceremonies and to voice anger at the
government.
The reformist website Rah-e Sabz reported that an
elderly man was among the dead after being shot in
the forehead at a crossroads in Tehran city centre. Three others were said to have been shot nearby at Kalej
bridge, in Enghelab Street. Rah-e Sabz, citing witnesses, said crowds held up the elderly man and started
chanting slogans against Iran 's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to other eyewitness reports, members of the hardline Basij militia attacked demonstrators with
daggers and knives. Disturbances were also reported in Isfahan and Najafabad, where the Rah-e Sabz described
the situation as 'severe.' (The Guardian – Dec. 27, 2009)
Plainclothes agents dump dead bodies in building
Eyewitnesses have reported that automobiles containing bodies of dead protesters who were killed in today's
clashes were dumped in a building in Taleqani Street.
A truck with bodies in the back entered this building. A jacket had been unprofessionally draped on the bodies
while Bassij forces were standing on them.
After this car, another car with bodies entered the building and came out again after emptying the corpses. (Iran
BBB website – Dec. 27, 2009)
Regime forces open fire on Sirjan protesters killing 10
people; hanged Sirjan man was a minor
The number of people killed in the Sirjan public
execution incident increased to 10 people.
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2009
About 7 of the wounded people who were shot by security forces in Sirjan and were hospitalized passed away
because of the severity of their wounds.
This is while security forces only accepted to hand over the bodies of those killed to their families on the
condition that they do not file a complaint. They have also been banned from holding mourning ceremonies for
those killed. According to reports, a woman was amongst the victims while most of the victims were shot in the
face and chest.
According to other reports, it has become evident that the man who was executed in this incident was only 19
and had committed an offense as a minor. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 27, 2009)
Names of 8 civilians killed in Ashura protests
The names of eight people who were killed in Tehran yesterday were announced. The State Security Forces
announced in a statement that after investigations, it became evident that 8 people were suspiciously killed.
The State Security Forces in the Greater Tehran District announced the names of the victims as:
1- Mehdi Farhadi Rad, 34, died after being shot in the face with a pellet shotgun
2- Mohammad Ali Rasekhi Nia, 40, died after being shot with pellet shotgun
3- Amir Arshadi, 30, cause of death unknown
4- Shahram Faraji, 30, cause of death unknown
5- Seyed Ali Moussavi Habibi, 42, fatally shot
6- Jahanbakht Pazuki, 50, cause of death unknown
7- Unidentified man, 31, stabbed with knife
8- Unidentified woman, 43, probably killed from a fall or accident (Ayande Website – Dec. 28, 2009)
Body of Mousavi's slain nephew missing: family
The body of Seyed Ali Mousavi, the nephew of Iran's opposition leader killed in Tehran protests, has been
transferred from the hospital to an unknown location, his brother told a website on Monday.
'My brother's body was taken away from the hospital and we cannot find it,' Seyed Reza Mousavi told
Parlemannews, the website run by the reformist minority faction in parliament.
'Nobody accepts responsibility for taking away the body ... We cannot have a funeral before we find the body'.
(AFP - Dec 28, 2009)
Regime forces shoot and kill Kurd man in Oromieh
On Sunday December 27, security forces in the border region in Oromieh opened fire on a number of cars
belonging to Kurd civilians. Unfortunately as a result of this shooting, a Kurd man identified as Shahruz from
the Gol Sheikhan Village was killed. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 29, 2009)
Son of TV anchorwoman among Ashura fatalities
Amir Arshad Tajmir, the son of Shahin Mahin Far, an anchorwoman for Iranian state-
run TV and radio was one of those killed on Ashura in Tehran. He died after a (state
security force) car hit him.
It is still not clear if he died immediately or if he died after being transferred to hospital.
His body has still not been handed over to his family. Amir Arshad Tajmir was 25 and
was one of two sons of Shahin Mahin Far. (Ayandeh Website – Dec. 30, 2009)
Identity and picture of young man run over by security forces
According to reports, Shahrokh Rahmani was run over by a security force car in the Valiasr
Intersection and died.
His body was buried yesterday along with Seyed Ali Moussavi in the Behesht Zahra
Cemetery.
His family was severely threatened by security forces to the extent that they are not willing to
give any interviews. These forces only handed his body to his family for burial on the
condition that they not talk to the media and that they announce that he died as a result of
an accident. (Parleman News – Dec. 31, 2009)
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Deaths in custody
January
2 more prisoners die suspiciously in Isfahan for allegedly committing "suicide", five in less than a month
Jan-ali Moradi Qeib-vand, 24, who was detained in cell number 17 in cellblock 3 in Dastgerd Prison and had
been imprisoned for five years, committed suicide at 8am on January 5 and died a few hours later. He was
convicted of robbery.
The other prisoner named Ali Turkey, 35, son of Shokrollah from another cellblock also committed suicide on
the morning of January 5 and unfortunately died from not receiving medical attention. He had been in prison
for four years on charges of robbery. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Jan. 6, 2009)
Kurdish shopkeeper killed under torture
According to the PDKI (the Democratic Party of Kurdistan) on January 4, a shopkeeper in Bookan named
Hashem Ramezani died due to mental and physical torture inflicted on him by Criminal Intelligence
Department agents in Mahabad. Hashem Ramezani who was married, was arrested 10 days before his death on
charges of dealing smuggled goods. The Criminal Intelligence Department severely tortured Hashem in these 10
days without having any evidence of his "dealings". Despite his family's efforts, regime officials have refused to
hand over his body. (Kurdistan Media – Jan. 8, 2009)
Hashem Ramezani was arrested by Intelligence Agency agents in the beginning of last week on security charges.
He was transferred to Orumieh's Intelligence Agency after his arrest.
Security forces claim that he committed suicide in the Detention Center. These forces prevented Ramezani's
family from transferring his body to Tehran for an autopsy and before handing over the body forced the family
to make a pledge not to inform anyone of this issue. Ramezani, about 45, was married and had several children.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 13, 2009)
Teenager dies suspiciously in Evin Prison
A teenager died suspiciously in Evin Prison. Shahin was 18 years old. The state-run E'temad daily claimed that
he committed suicide. (Iran Press News – Jan. 30, 2009)
February
Prisoners given blended powder instead of medicine; prisoner dies after powder
consumption
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, prison officials have started
giving prisoners their medicine in a blended powdered compound. This new
method has caused many prisoners in different wards to become poisoned and in
some cases has lead to the death of prisoners. Mohammad Khonaki died in the
past few days in this prison after consuming this powder. The warden, Ali Haj
Kazem and the head of the prison medical clinic, Alireza Mahalati, have ordered
that it had to be written in his death certificate he died from committing suicide or
a drug overdose. Currently, many prisoners in wards 1, 2, and 6 of this prison have
developed side effects from using this powder. These side effects are nausea,
dizziness, numbness in the tongue and mouth, respiratory problems and a feeling
like one is suffocating. As a result of this new method in distributing medicine, sick prisoners are not able to
distinguish the name, the appropriate dose or the ingredients of the drugs. This new method has seriously
threatened the lives of all prisoners in this prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists- Feb. 15, 2009)
Prisoner commits suicide under pressure of torture
Younes Sanjabi, a Mahabad resident who was imprisoned in Hashtrud Prison
committed suicide due to pressure from the torture inflicted upon him.
Sanjabi, who has been in prison for 14 months, had been under severe, violent
torture and torture signs are evident on his body. He talked to his family one
day before his suicide and asked them to try to get him out of prison in any way
possible and that he could not tolerate the tortures anymore. Eunice was
arrested on November 2007 but it is still not clear on what charges. (Kurd
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His lawyer said: “According to Dr. Firoozi who informed me, Mr. Omid-Reza Mir-Sayafi died due to negligence,
and this is not acceptable by any humanitarian means.”
This is not the first time a political prisoner while in custody, dies. According to official reports, nine political
prisoners have lost their lives in Iranian prisons during the recent years.
Two weeks ago, Amir-Hossein Heshmat Sararn, the Secretary General of the Iranian National United Front
who was sentenced to 16 years in prison died in the Rajaii Hospital in Gohardast of Karaj.
Previously, Akbar Mohammadi, student activist, Zahra Kazemi, Iranian-Canadian journalist and Valiollah Faiz-
Mahdavi, a political activist lost their lives while in custody. (Farda Radio – Mar. 19, 2009)
RWB considers mullahs responsible for the death of Omid-Reza Mir-Sayafi
Reporters Without Border says that officials refused to provide Mr. Mir-Sayafi’s a necessary treatment. RWB
called for an independent investigation on the death of Omid-Reza Mir-Sayafi. (RWB – Mar. 19, 2009)
Deaths in custody in Iran highlight prison authorities’ disregard for life
Omid Reza Mirsayafi's death follows that of another political prisoner, Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran ,who died
in suspicious circumstances on 6 March after five years in prison.
'The full circumstances of both prisoners' deaths have yet to become clear, but it appears that both may have
resulted from a failure or refusal on the part of the prison authorities to allow them urgently needed medical
treatment,' said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and North Africa Programme.
He was convicted of 'insulting the Supreme Leader' and 'propaganda against the system' in relation to articles he
had written on his blog.
Other political prisoners have died in custody in suspicious circumstances in recent years. Abdolreza Rajabi, a
member of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), died unexpectedly in Reja'i Shahr Prison on
30 October 2008. In 2006, Akbar Mohammadi, a student, died in Evin Prison, and Valiollah Feyz Mahdavi, a
PMOI member under sentence of death ,died in Reja’i Shahr Prison after hunger strikes in which they were
apparently denied adequate medical attention. 'These latest deaths underline the urgent need for the Iranian
authorities to improve prison conditions and to take immediate measures to ensure that all prisoners in their
custody are treated humanely,' said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. 'It is shameful that the health of prisoners is
disregarded to such an extent that they are denied potentially life-saving treatment and allowed to die while in
the care of the state. We fear that refusal of timely medical care is being used as another tactic in the arsenal of
repression of dissent in Iran'. (Amnesty International – Mar. 21, 2009)
Once again, another prisoner dies in Isfahan Prison
On Friday March 20, simultaneous with the Iranian New Year Eve, another prisoner named Naser Ali-Jani, 38,
died due to inattention of prison officials for necessary medical care he needed. He was in this prison for nine
years since he was convicted for drug possession. (Center in Defense of Prisoners in Iran – Mar. 21, 2009)
At least there have been nine suspicious deaths in this prison since April 2008.
Iran destroys evidence of murder of young doctor in detention center
Some of the evidence in Zahra Bani Ya'ghubs case has been destroyed. Doctor Zahra Bani
Ya'ghub was murdered in 2007 in a detention center in Hamadan. Abdolfatah Sultani, a
lawyer for the Bani Ya'ghub family said that one of the "important evidence in this case is
the clothes Zahra was wearing which probably bears evidence of her being murdered and
maybe that is why the detention center is not willing to hand it over".
"The lawyers on this case have tried many times to get zahra's clothes back but their efforts
have so far been futile", Soltani added.
"The cloth that they (officials of the detention center) claim she hanged herself with in the
detention center in Hamadan has also disappeared", Soltani said.
"This cloth has to be examined by specialists to determine if such a cloth can even tolerate the weight of Zahra's
body ", added this lawyer. (Center of Political Prisoners in Exile – March 24, 2009)
Security agents abandon tortured body of Kurdish activist in Mahabad desert
The body of 35-year-old Ali Baduzadeh, who was arrested by security agents, was found in the desert around
Mahabad.
Ali Baduzadeh, resident of Mahabad, was arrested on March 18 by security forces on charges of cooperating
with Kurdish parties and because he had information on the activities of his nephews and a number of other
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people who had been cooperating with this party from two months before. Baduzadeh was taken to an
unknown location upon his arrest. His body was found today March 25 after eight days with evident signs of
torture.
Ali Baduzadeh was the brother of Jahangir Baduzadeh who is currently in Ormieh Central Prison. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – March 25, 2009)
Call for independent probe into imprisoned blogger’s death a
week ago
“The authorities took advantage of the family’s grief and
distress to bury Mirsayafi without an autopsy,” Reporters
Without Borders said. “We insist on a full explanation of the
circumstances of this young blogger’s death in detention. We
have been told that this is a case of homicide, in which case
those responsible must be brought to trial and punished. We
demand the creation of an independent commission of
enquiry.”
“The Evin prison authorities and the judiciary authority want
now to portray Mirsayafi as ‘depressive and suicidal’ but this
new information suggests there was a failure to assist a person
in danger. We believe the United Nations special rapporteur
on freedom of opinion and expression and the special
rapporteur on extrajudicial killings should go as quickly as
possible to Iran to investigate this case.” Reporters Without Borders urged the Tehran authorities in vain on 18
March to allow independent forensic doctors to carry out an autopsy, as his lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah,
had requested. A Tehran revolutionary court sentenced Mirsayafi on 15 December to two years in prison for
“insulting leaders of the Islamic Republic” and six months in prison for “propaganda against the government”
in the entries he had posted on his blog. He began serving the sentences following his arrest in Tehran on 7
February. His lawyers never received a copy of the court’s sentences. On 26 march 2009, Reporters Without
Borders publishes the last letter Omidreza Mirsayafi sent to the organization before his detention. (RWB website
– Mar.26, 2009)
Agents torture and kill prisoner in Meshkin Shahr Prison
State Security Forces in Meshkin Shahr hit 22-year-old Michael Momishi Oru on the head with a club while
interrogating him causing an internal bleeding in his brain which led to this young man's death.
The body of Michael was transferred to the Coroner's Office in Ardabil. The coroner has confirmed that this
young prisoner died after internal bleeding in his brain and issued an order for his burial.
It seems this young man was in custody of Meshkin Shahr's Criminal Department for robbery and unfortunately
died under the most severe torture in this detention center. (Iran News Agency – March 28, 2009)
Repressive measures and lack of medical attention led to death of another prisoner
According to reports from ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, on Sunday March 29, a prisoner named
Gholam-Hossein Shahbazi had a heart attack and was left without medical attention for 30 minutes after which
he passed away.
Shahbazi was taken to the prison yard at 7:30 am along with all the other prisoners in ward 6. Prison guards
locked the prison doors behind these prisoners leaving the yard. At about 8 am, Shahbazi had a heart attack.
The other prisoners pounded on the prison door for about 30 minutes to inform the prison guards of
Shahbazi's condition but the guards did not pay any attention and this prisoner passes away after half an hour
before he was taken to the prison medical clinic.
Gholam-Hossein Shahbazi was about 45 years old and had been imprisoned in Evin and Gohardasht Prison for
about 14 years. He was imprisoned on financial charges. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – March 30,
2009)
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April
Another prisoner killed in Isfahan Central Prison
On April 11, Hossein Sari, a 26-year-old prisoner was killed in a violent clash in Cellblock 4 of Isfahan Central
Prison. He had been in the prison for two and a half years before his death.
Hossein Sari had been transferred to solitary confinement on March 2 to be executed but was acquitted from
the death sentence after the complainant pardoned him.
Prisoners on death row are held in ward 4 of this prison, but if they are able to get the consent of their
complainants and not be executed, they are transferred to another ward. However, prison guards had refused to
transfer Sari to another ward. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 12, 2009)
Death row prisoner hangs himself in prison
The life of a 29-year-old man by the name of Masih who was sentenced to death on charges of murder ended a
few days before his death sentence was to be carried out.
The judge in charge of this case in Tehran's Criminal court said that this man was to be executed in the coming
month but he hanged himself instead on April 16 for various reasons and ended his life. (Fars state-run news
agency – Apr. 18, 2009)
PMOI supporter killed under torture in Babolsar
According to reports from Babolsar, a supporter of the People's Mojahedin
Organization of Iran was arrested in his house on April 15. Intelligence agents
initially took 48-year-old Mahmoud Qasemzadeh to the Babol Intelligence Agency
and later to the cities of Qaemshahr and Sari (in Northern Iran). After three days, on
April 18, agents called his family telling them to come to this city's Revolutionary
Court to see Mahmoud. However, after his family came to the court, agents stalled
them under the excuse that the prisoner did not want to visit them. After protesting,
his family was told to see Mahmoud in a hospital in Sari.
When they went to the hospital, they saw the half dead body of Mahmoud.
Intelligence agents did not even hand over his body to the medical staff of the
hospital for fear that their evident crime and torture of this PMOI supporter would be exposed. Agents forced
his family to sign a commitment to choose between either handing him over to medical staff or carrying out an
autopsy later on. Unfortunately, when the medical staff were finally able to treat him, it was too late and this
prisoner passed away at 11:30 pm. The tortured body of Mahmoud was buried on April 19 among severe
security measures with the presence of security agents in Babolsar's Cemetery.
Qasemzadeh was a well known PMOI activist in the 80's in the province of Mazandaran. He was forced to fight
in the Iran-Iraq war and had lost a leg as a result. This political prisoner was also suffering from epilepsy.
Intelligence agents has arrested him under the excuse that he had a satellite dish and a week before his arrest,
they raided his house and seized his satellite dish and personal computer. He was told that he had to present
himself to court to get his personal belongings back. However, agents raided his house again before the date he
was to come to court and arrested him subjecting him to severe torture. In the three days he was in intelligence
custody, regime agents repeatedly struck him on the head, broke his shoulder and burned his body with
cigarettes. Qasemzadeh died of brain damage and severed spleen. (Center in Defense of Prisoners in Iran– Apr.
24, 2009)
May
UN Baha'i representative: seven Bahais probably be executed in IranThe UN representative of the Global
Bahai Association announced on Tuesday that seven Bahai leaders in Iran who have been in prison for about a
year would probably be executed.
According to Bonni Du Gal, the families of the imprisoned Bahais have said that there was a probability that
these prisoners would be convicted of "corruption on earth.” The punishment for this charge is execution in the
Islamic Penal Law.
Du Gal also added that a number of Bahais have been executed in the 30 year history of the Islamic Republic
on those charges. (Radio Farda – May 12, 2009)
Two prisoners commit suicide in forced labor camp in Isfahan
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On Monday May 18, two prisoners by the names of Hamid Rahmani, 32 and Hamid Judaki, 30, who were
arrested a year before on drug related charges committed suicide in solitary confinement due to the pressures
they were subjected to, reports from the Asad Abad Forced Labor camp say .Camp officials have prevented this
news from being published .
This labor camp is a subordinate of the Central Isfahan Prison and prisoners are transferred to the camp and
forced into unbearable labor. (Center in Defense of Prisoners in Iran (CDPI) – May 20, 2009)
Prison officials torture and kill sick prisoner in Isfahan Prison
Prison guards beat a sick prison to death, reports from ward 3 of the Isfahan Central Prison say.
Last night, Ahmad Alizadeh, 50, who was sick with a high fever, was sitting at the top of the stairs close to
bathrooms when three prison officials see him. When they ask him why he is still awake Alizaedeh replies that
he is very ill and cannot sleep because of his high fever and tremors.
Instead of transferring him to the medical clinic, the officials insulted him saying offensive remarks. After
Alizadeh protested this treatment, the three officials attacked and beat the defenseless prisoner, pushing him
down the stairs, where his head struck a wall. The prisoner was then taken to ward 3. The beating was so brutal
that other prisoners woke up from the commotion and witnessed the whole scene.
Alizadeh's health deteriorated in the cell and prisoners pounded on the cell door demanding that he be taken
out for medical treatment. One of the officials came behind the door threatening them to be quite after "lights
out". The prisoners then told him that Alizadeh was dying but the official answered, "Call me when he dies".
Ahmad Alizadeh died after a while due to the tortures and lack of medical attention and a few hours later,
prison guards removed his corpse from the cell.
Alizadeh had been transferred to this prison one month ago on charges of drug possession but his legal case was
in an undetermined state. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 21, 2009)
Guards murder young man in Shahrud Detention Center
While State Security Forces have announced that the death of a 25-year-old man in the Detention Center of
Station 11 in Shahrud was the result of suicide, in a letter addressed to Semnan’s State Security Forces
Commander, his family have denied this and have announced that Abbas Sediqi died as a result of beating.
“It is very shocking that a 25-year-old man has been murdered in a detention center without his family being
notified and without committing a crime”, his family wrote in the letter.
“After examining the body, the ripped up clothes and the blood running from his nose and mouth, it became
completely obvious that he passed away as a result of constant strikes and beatings in the detention center”, they
wrote in another part of the letter.
According to eye-witnesses and the Sediqi family, Abbas, had gone to a store on Saduqi street to run some
errands for his work. When he sees an agent from Shahrud’s Municipality confiscating the goods of a street
peddler, he gets angry and tries to intervene and as a result is severely beaten by the agents and taken to station
11 in a bad condition. Abbas Sediqi was the guardian of his mother and five sisters and brothers after his father
passed away 8 months ago. (Ayandeh Website – May 28, 2009)
Prisoner brutally beaten to death in hard labor camp
A prisoner was brutally beaten to death in Asad-Abad hard labor camp on May 10, according to reports from
Iran .
The prisoner, who suffered from kidney problem, was identified as Babak Farokhi. He was taken to the camp 10
days prior to the incident charged with drug offenses. He had to go through intolerable conditions in the camp,
which is an annex to Isfahan’s Central prison .(Center for Defense of Political Prisoners in Iran - May 16, 2009)
Another prisoner commits suicide due to pressure and died due to negligence
According to reports from the Isfahan Central Prison, on Monday a prisoner committed suicide after constant
pressure from the prison judge.
Ismail Ayubi had been in this prison for close to 2 years. On May 25, the 23-year-old prisoner committed suicide
and died due to the fact that prison guards did not take him to the prison clinic for treatment on time. He was
sentenced to three years of prison on charges of robbery. According to the law, prisoners who have served half of
their prison term and charges against them have been dropped, can be freed on conditional pardoning. In a
suicide note, Ayubi stated his reasons for suicide in a note writing that despite the fact that charges had been
dropped against him and he had served more than half of his prison term and was subject to conditional
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pardoning, the prison judge prevented his release. He wrote that he was "in a situation where he had no other
option but to take his own life.” (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 25, 2009)
June
Family finds tortured body of student detained in Tehran Univ. Dorm in
morgue
Kianush Assa, a master's degree student from Kermanshah who was in his Master
degree of chemical engineering at Tehran's Science and Industrial University, was
arrested on Monday June 15. He was killed under torture after 10 days on June
24. After days of searching, his family found his body in a morgue in the
coroner's office.
The coroner has not handed over the body to his family because they say his
family has to bring identification papers to identify him. (Iran News Agency –
June 25, 2009)
July
Evin Guard: Every day 10 bodies of detainees killed under torture taken to graves outside Evin
There are horrible reports coming out of prisons and detention centers. A guard from Evin Prison who is a
soldier said that there is a special section in this prison run by the Bassij and the Intelligence Department of the
Revolutionary Guards Corps. No one is allowed to enter that section. The sounds of screams and cries coming
from that section are very tormenting. Every daily in the early morning approximately 10 bodies of those who
died under torture are taken from prison with ambulances to unidentified gravesites. (Iran News Agency – July
3, 2009)
Protester dies from torture injuries after release
Hamid Madah Shurcheh, an engineer who was an active member of Mousavi's election campaign staff died in
Mashhad. He was arrested by security forces after protesting election results in a sit-in the Goharshad Mosque.
He was tortured while detained and died due to his injuries after his release. The coroner has announced that
he died from internal bleeding. (Amir Kabir Newsletter - July 6, 2009)
19 year old killed under torture in Evin Prison
Sohrab Erabi, 19, was in his last year of high school and
getting ready for university exams. He was arrested on
June 20 demonstrations in Tehran and taken to an
unknown location.
After his family's unrelenting search for his whereabouts,
they discovered that he was in Evin Prison. His mother
gave bail money to the Revolutionary Court and waited
outside Evin every day and night for her son's release.
Although his mother knew that he was in Evin, she was
extremely worried saying that she was afraid they would
kill her son. She had a picture of her son, which she
showed to all freed prisoners outside Evin asking them if
they had seen her son in the prison. She said that no official answered her and told her to wait saying that her
son would be freed. One day she got word that Judge Mortazavi had announced that Sohrab Erabi had died in
prison and that her family should be notified to collect his body. (Iran News Agency – July 12, 2009)
Charred body of raped girl found in Qazvin
Friends of Taraneh Mousavi, who was arrested on June 28 near the Qoba
Mosque, have said that her family has found her charred body in the suburbs
of Qazvin.
After one of her friends called Taraneh's home to pursue her condition,
Taraneh's parents said that her charred body was found in the region
between Karaj and Qazvin. Her family did not give any information about
the time of the funeral saying that they could not give any more details.
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Taraneh Mousavi was arrested on June 28 while waiting for a friend on Shari'ati Street to go to the Qoba
Mosque with. She was arrested by regime agents and her friend who was near the site of her arrest saw that they
took her away with a van.
Two weeks after her arrest, an unidentified person called her home telling her mother that she was hospitalized
in Karaj's Khomeini Hospital. The unidentified person said that Taraneh was taken to the hospital after she had
an accident. Taraneh's mom said that others had called before placing Taraneh in the scene of the clashes near
the Qoba Mosque and that she was arrested but the caller said that Taraneh had nothing to do with the events
of the Qoba Mosque and she was probably involved in a moral issue because she wanted to hang herself with
her IV tube in the hospital. He also stated that the reason she was hospitalized was because of a tear in her
uterus and rectum. Her family went to the hospital but hospital officials deny that Taraneh was hospitalized
there. One of the personnel said that an unconscious girl with braided hair was brought to the hospital by a
number of people who looked to be "members of Hezbollah", only to be taken out of the hospital again.
The statements made by the unidentified caller shows that intelligence agents and plainclothes agents want to
Taraneh's family to think that her case was nonpolitical in an attempt to impel them to think that their
daughter had moral issues so that after hearing about her death, they would not pursue the reason behind her
death.
It is not strange that her family would not give information about her funeral and how she died because all the
families of the victims of recent events are threatened by security forces and intelligence agents that if the
families hold their funerals and other ceremonies in their memory with the presence of people, one of their
other loved ones will get into serious trouble. (Zirzamin Weblog– July 16, 2009)
Another young man killed after being tortured by regime force
According to the family of Mohammad Kamrani, he was brought to a hospital in a very
critical condition while only half alive with signs of torture and baton strikes all over his
body. He was strapped to the bed by security forces for fear that he might escape. After
many attempts his family were finally able to transfer him from the Loqman Hospital to the
Mehr Hosptail. Medical specialists in Mehr said that due to the fact that an infection had
spread to all over his body, he could not be saved. He passed away less than 3 hours after he
was brought to the hospital. (Iran News Agency – July 17, 2009)
Detained protester dies in hospital
A protester detained on July 9 who had been transferred to Kahrizak passed away. This person, who had a severe
respiration problem, was transferred to hospital after being detained for a number of days in the Kahrizak
Detention Center but died in the hospital due to severe weakness. According to reports more than 400 people
were arrested in the July 9 protests in Tehran. Close to 140 detainees were taken to Camp Kahrizak and were
imprisoned there for 5 days before being brought to Evin Prison. These people were kept in very bad conditions.
These detainees were beaten on many occasions in the camp, their hair was shaved off and they were not given
any food for a number of days. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 17, 2009)
Demonstrator killed in July 17 protests
Security forces killed a demonstrator in Amir Abad Street in Tehran.
According to other reports, a demonstrator who was beaten with clubs by security forces is currently hospitalized
in the Firuzgar Hospital in Tehran. He is in a coma. (Center for Defense of Political Prisoners in Iran – July 17, 2009)
One person killed in July 21 protests
Reports from Tehran say that in the clashes (between security forces and protesters) one person was killed. (Al-
arabia TV – July 21, 2009)
Security forces fatally shoot father and little daughter
On Tuesday afternoon, security forces and Revolutionary Guards Forces attacked and surrounded a house in
Orumieh's Valiasr neighborhood. They opened fire on the house with light firearms and RPGs without warning
the residents. Finally, a man and his little daughter came out of the house with their hands behind their heads
in a show of surrender but security forces opened fire on them instead of arresting them. They were each shot
20 times and their bodies with treated with disrespect. (Iran News Agency – July 23, 2009)
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other people. Plainclothes agents who were our prison guards came into the room we were in and broke the
lamps and started beating us in the pitch black room. They beat whoever they could get their hands on. They
beat us pretty bad for about 30 minutes. A number of people who were beaten very bad went into a coma and
maybe died. Then they lit flashlights into our faces and said that if any of us said anything they would (rape) us
with their clubs.
(A man named) Sadeq was their superior. He took the body of the person who had died (as a result of the
beating) and leaned it against the wall. He pointed the flashlight at his face and said that "we have orders to kill
you. So you're lucky if you die like this mother ……."
If you stay alive until the morning, you stay alive and if you don’t die …"
He told us we were "Mohareb" (someone charged with "waging war with God" equivalent to death according to
theocratic regime in Tehran)
"Do you know what that means?" he asked us. There was a 16 or 17-year-old boy in the front of room. Sadeq
took him by the neck and shouted at him saying, "tell them what Mohareb means!"
He said he did not know. Sadeq said, "you have to know!" and started beating him shouting, "say it, say it!" at
the same time. He beat the boy so much that he fainted. Sadeq said that Mohareb means the devil. It means
criminal. He continued hitting the boy so much that some of the prisoners protested. They were also beaten
until they passed out. Four people died in that room until the morning.
Sadeq yelled at us saying that there is no bathroom or toothbrush here and that we had to go to the bathroom
right there in that room.
I have memorized the names of a number of people who lost their lives in the camp:
Hasan Shahpuri (student), Reza Fattahi (student), Morteza Salahshur, Morad Aqasi, Mohsen Entezami, and
Milad (I do not have his last name. He was the young 16 or 17 year old boy who was beaten by Sadeq on the
first night. He went into a coma and they took him out of the cell. But the doctor who was arrested with us in
our cell said that blood was coming from his ears and mouth and that he had unfortunately died.) (Mullah
Hasani Weblog – July 28, 2009)
Two other prisoners killed by security forces
The names of two other killed protesters have been announced as
Hossein Akbari and Amir-Hossein Tufan-pour. According to reports,
the family of Hossein Akbari was not able to get any news about their
son despite constantly going to Evin Prison and various courts until
July 21 when they were called and told to get their son's body from the
Khomeini Hospital.
On getting his body, they immediately realize that he was killed from a
brain concussion and that there were signs of brutal beatings on his
body but it is not clear when he was killed.
Amir-Hossein Tufan-pour who was born in 1977 was the father of a seven year old daughter. He was arrested on
June 15 and was killed under torture in Kahrizak.
One of his relatives said, "On June 15 he was separated from his brother to join the protesters when he saw the
demonstrations. At the end of the night, an unidentified person called his mother telling her that Amir Hossein
had been shot in the hand and was taken to the Rasul Hospital. His mother and relatives searched for him that
night in that hospital and other hospitals but were no able to find him. On Thursday, June 19 they went to the
coroners in Kahrizak and saw his picture in the computer containing the pictures of the dead. Initially they are
told to pay a 10,000 dollar bullet fee for the body, but they are later given the body for burial after promising
not to hold a ceremony in their home or mosque.
The injuries on the body included a gun wound in his hand, bruises on his back and behind his neck and a
deep wound in the back of his head which was filled with cotton balls. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July
29, 2009)
August
Security forces hand over body of prisoner to family
The body of Loqman Bakhtiari was handed over to his family a few days after his arrest by security forces.
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After chasing Bakhtiari's car in Hashtrood Road he was stopped by security forces and arrested. His body was
given to his family after being kept in a morgue for a number of days.
There are no bullet signs on his body and it is not clear how he was killed. Bakhtiari was from Bukan and lived
in a village in the Sharubaran region in Mahabad. It is still not clear why he was pursued and murdered by
security forces. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 1, 2009)
Iran parliament presidential committee member: heads of unrest should be given maximum punishment
A member of the presidential committee of parliament emphasized that elements of unrest should be decisively
dealt with and said, "After the heads of the rioters are trialed in a couple of days, many issues will be disclosed".
"A number of the rioters whose organized communications with foreigners (outside the country) have been
proven or a number of them who are affiliated with the Monafeqin (PMOI) and those who have destroyed
public property have to be given the maximum punishment", he said.
Firmly rejecting the opinion of some that all arrestees should be freed he said, "The fact that all prisoners and
detainees of recent events should be freed is not right". (Fars state-run News Agency – Aug. 1, 2009)
Iran lawmaker says head of police responsible for murders in Kahrizak Detention Camp
Hamidreza Katuzian, a member of Majlis (parliament) said that the head of police is responsible for the murders
in Kahrizak Camp. He also said that the State Security Forces have avoided disclosing information on those who
committed the murders in the detention center.
The State Security Forces had announced that the "lawbreaking" officers who "physically punished" detainees
were removed from their post and handed over to judicial officials.
Ahmadi Moqadam, the head of the SSF, also announced that no police commander knew of the "offenses"
committed in the detention center. But Katuzian said that "reports from Kahrizak were given to the
commanders on a daily basis and it is very unlikely that the head of the SSF was uninformed on this matter".
(Ayandeh state-run website – Aug. 9, 2009)
Bitter memories of death in Kahrizak
The report below was given by a former detainee in Kahrizak who has described his time in this detention
center. This young man was telling his story outside Tehran's court while his mouth and lips were still dry with
fear and signs of torture were still evident under his eyes and on his forehead.
"They threw two people in one dark room in Kahrizak and did not give you any food for three days. We had to
go hungry and were given beatings instead of food. Usually prisoners who were brought to Kahrizak were beaten
on the way there so some were close to death in their cells. In some of the cells, detainees were kept with drug
addicts who were detained in the camp from before. One morning a pungent stench filled the cells. One of the
drug addicts in a cell started yelling and calling the prison guard. He said that his cellmate had died and that the
stench had filled the place. When the prison guard came, he started cursing at the junkie and said, "Why are
you telling me this now (after so many days)?"
It was discovered that because they gave a very little amount of food, only enough to keep the prisoner alive,
which was usually potatoes, the drug addict did not tell the prison guard about the death of his young cell mate
who had died four days before from torture so he could have his cellmate's food rations.
I heard the prison guard from the next room walk in the cell and when he saw the body, he cussed at the addict
some more and told him to throw the body in the trash bin which was outside the cell. I heard the sound of a
heavy object being dragged on the floor and the stench became stronger and then a loud thud of a heavy object
into an empty bin. I was shaking all over. He was only one person. I saw 36 bodies with my own eyes that had
died in the same way and god knows where they were taken". (Moj-e Azadi Website – Aug. 11, 2009)
Khamenei, the Supreme Leader, is responsible for all catastrophes inflicted on Iranian nation
It is well known that virgin young girls before execution were raped by direct order of the leaders of mullahs’
regime, not deniable by them.
Karubi wrote a letter to Rafsanjani on the issue since he counted Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader,
responsible for the catastrophes.
“The Leader of the regime is both encountering with those involved in riots and those offenders pervasively and
justly and the Islamic Parliament appreciates that,” said Larijani, the head of mullahs’ parliament yesterday.
According to Larijani, the leader of the regime is responsible for all inhuman treatments, murders, rapes, and
beatings, torture, and destroying of peoples’ properties.
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Ali Khamenei, the leader of the regime should be put on trial for all crimes against humanity committed on
Iranian nation and must be taken accountable for all the crimes as the top command. (Iran Press news – Aug.
13, 2009)
Political prisoner dies suspiciously in Saqez
The murdered body of a security prisoner was found in the outskirts of Saqez. Kamal Mohammad-pour who was
sentenced to one year of prison for clashing with security forces was suspiciously murdered on Wednesday July
29 when he was at a leave from prison. His body was found in the outskirts of this city. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Aug. 13, 2009)
Karroubi charges detainees tortured to death
'Some youngsters who were chanting slogans were beaten in such a way that they lost their lives,' said Mehdi
Karroubi in his newspaper Etemad Melli on Saturday.
The reformist cleric charged that several protesters were tortured in the Kahrizak detention centre, south of
Tehran, before it was ordered closed by supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
'Unfortunately some of the people who took part in the protests were tortured,' Karroubi said in a separate
claim on the website of his political party, also called Etemad Melli.
'I heard they (security forces) stripped people in Kahrizak and made them crawl like animals with prison guards
riding on their backs.'
He said it was a 'shame' for the Islamic republic to indulge in such tactics as 'some of those arrested were forced
to be naked and piled upon each other' in the prison cells.
'I also heard that while they were being tortured, the protesters were forced to curse their mothers,' he added.
(AFP – Aug. 15, 2009)
Report: Doctor confirms Iran prisoner abuse death
An Iranian medical examiner found that the son of a prominent conservative politician's
adviser died from beatings and poor prison conditions, a semiofficial news agency
reported Monday, in what would be the first official confirmation of a prisoner abuse
death during Iran's post-election turmoil…
Conservative anger has partly been driven by the death of Mohssen Rouhol-Amini, the
son of an adviser to defeated presidential candidate Mohssen Rezaei.
Police initially suggested that Rouhol-Amini's death while in custody was caused by
meningitis. But the semiofficial Mehr news agency, which has close ties to conservatives, said Monday that a
state forensic doctor ruled that out in a report handed over to judicial authorities about 10 days ago.
Instead, it said Rouhol-Amini died of 'physical stress, the effects of being held in bad conditions, multiple blows
and severe injuries to the body,' according to the news agency, which cited 'informed sources' without revealing
their names. (AP – Aug. 31, 2009)
September
Detained Quds Day protester murdered by security forces
According to reports, in the arrests made by security forces on Quds Day (Sep. 18), Ali Shah-Nazar, 41, who had
recently come to Iran from France was arrested.
His body was handed over to his family three days later and they were threatened not to tell anyone about his
death. The details of his death are not clear. But it is incontestable that he was murdered after being arrested by
security forces. (Communist Labor Party of Iran – Sep. 28, 2009)
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October
Detained protester dies of infections from violent beatings
The coroners has announced the death of Ramin Aqazadeh-Qahremani who was arrested in
the post election events and died a few days after his release because of infection as a result of
beatings in prison.
Qahremani suddenly passed away a few days after he was released from prison. His body had
been taken to the coroners to determine the cause of death. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 2, 2009)
Prisoner killed after being tortured in Orumieh Prison
A prisoner in the Orumieh Prison died after being tortured and not receiving medical attention.
Amir Abdollah-Nejad, a prisoner serving time in the Orumieh Central Prison was violently beaten by prison
guards more than a week ago under orders of an agent identified as Akbar Pisheh.
His spinal cord was severed as a result of this beating and despite the serious injury he was left without any
medical treatment in the public ward. He was only taken to the prison clinic once that week but the clinic said
that they did not have adequate facilities to deal with his injury.
Amir Abdollah-Nejad passed away on October 3 in the public ward as a result of his injuries. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 5, 2009)
Body of student arrested by security forces found in Ilam
According to reports, the body of a student identified as Amin Zandi who was from Ahwaz and went to
university in Ilam was found on Wednesday October 7 in this city.
This student was arrested a few days after the elections by Ilam intelligence agents. The coroner's has announced
that he was killed four hours before his body was discovered. (Iran News Agency – Oct. 10, 2009)
Prisoner killed under torture in Kermanshah
Ahmad Mohammadi, a Kurd man who was arrested in the Salas Babajani region some time ago with three
others passed away after being subjected to severe torture in a detention center.
He was arrested by Intelligence agents in this region and died last week after being tortured by agents in the
Kermanshah Intelligence Agency.
The three other men arrested with him were each sentenced to 12 years of prison and exile to Ardabil Prison.
(Kurdistan Media – Oct. 10, 2009)
Kurd prisoner killed under torture
Namir Abdollah-pour, a Kurd prisoner was killed after being severely tortured by the officials of Orumieh Prison
and not receiving any treatment. Human rights activists have announced that a person identified as Akbar
Pashuri tortured him in this prison. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 10, 2009)
Four bodies found in deserted RGC base
Four bodies clad in Kurdish clothes were found in a deserted Revolutionary Guards Corps base in the Salas
Babajani region. This location which was a RGC Base was recently sold to the people of the region. These
bodies were found while the people were working on the land. The bodies have still not been identified.
(Kurdistan Media – Oct. 21, 2009)
November
Gohardasht Prison officials rape then murder female prisoners to hide evidence: report
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison, there have been serial killings in the Women's Ward in
Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. This has so far led to the death of several female prisoners. Those who order and
execute these murders record their deaths as 'suicide' or 'not having access to drugs' in their death certificates.
According to reports, the last of these victims was Hedieh Moveidi. The tragic death of nine women has so far
been confirmed in section 7 of the Women's Ward in this prison. But reports say that the actual number of
deaths are higher than this. There are also a number of eyewitnesses who are willing to describe the details of
these deaths with the names of the victims and those were involved to an independent international committee
on the condition that their safety is guaranteed.
The victims who are between the ages of 22 to 30 were all arrested for 'improper veiling' or drug use. They were
confined to solitary for more than a month in very hard conditions. They were forced to accept what the
interrogators demanded to be transferred out of solitary. The interrogators forced them to confess to false deeds
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and immoral acts with promises and threats. After this, they made new cases against the women, sent these cases
to court and sentenced them to heavy punishments. They then used these defenseless women as their sex slaves
constantly raping and sexually abusing them to destroy their body and soul. When they showed resistance or
protested they were transferred to hall 21 in section 7 which has very hard conditions.
These women were given mind altering addictive drugs instead of sedatives by a number of people in the
women's ward who call themselves psychiatrists. These so called psychiatrists gradually increased the doses of
these drugs until their victims became addicted to them.
There are 'drug mafias' in various sections of the female wards used to distribute drugs and suppress and kill
dissenting prisoners. They kill their victims after a while to erase their tracks.
One of the young women who was killed was Mahnaz Akbar Tehrani. She was transferred to solitary cell with
shackles and was hanged in her cell. She was left hanging for 12 hours.
The names of a number of women who were murdered in the serial killings in section 7 of the Women's Ward
are as follows:
1. Mahnaz Akbar Tehran – Date of death 2009
2. Hedieh Moveidi – Date of death 2009
3. Shirin Zoqhi Futovat – Date of death 2009
4. Catherine Safa Kermanshahi – Date of death 2005
5. Mina Molki – Date of death 2005
6. Fereshteh Rajab Zadeh – Date of death in 2005
7. Arezu Abdi – Date of death 2005
8. Hanieh Hadian – Date of death is unknown
9. Fereshteh – her last name and date of death will be announced in the future
The head of section 7 is a woman named Simin Jalilvand. The serial killings are carried out by gangs working
under her supervision. She summons dissenting prisoners to her office after every murder telling them that the
victim has not committed suicide and that she has been killed in order to threaten the dissenters. A number of
the initial serial killings were ordered by the former head of this ward identified as Maryam Khadem Sharifi aka
Maryam Mohammadi. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 14, 2009)
Two Kurd prisoners die suspiciously in prison while third prisoner is in critical condition
Loqman Rahmani, a prisoner in ward 3 of Sanandaj Prison has been taken to a medical center outside of this
prison because of his critical and deteriorating condition. According to the Media Center of the Families of
Detained Kurd Activists Union, in the past week, two prisoners in this ward identified as Kamal Ahmadi and
Khosro Izadi passed away suspiciously in this prison. There is no information on their cause of death. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 24, 2009)
December
Two prisoners die in Evin Prison, another prisoner battered by guards in Gohardasht Prison
A prisoner detained in ward 7, hall 6 of Evin Prison identified as Saheb Qoli Rajabi who was suffering from
various illnesses for two months died a few hours ago on Saturday December 5 in this prison because of prison
officials' negligence.
Last week, another prisoner also died in ward 8 of this prison for unknown reasons.
According to other reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Naseh Yusefi who is detained in ward 6 was
severely beaten by guard agents in this prison. It is not known if this prisoner received medical treatment
afterwards. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 5, 2009)
Prisoner suffering from leukemia dies in Gohardasht Prison because of lack of treatment
Adel Akbari Jahed, 35, who was jailed in ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison, died from leukemia due to lack of
medical treatment after suffering pain and agony in this prison for some time.
This prisoner, who was jailed for not being able to pay a dept, was jailed for more than 5 years in inhumane
conditions. Despite his illness he was kept in ward 6 in very hard conditions and without proper treatment.
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The head of Gohardasht Prison, Ali Haj Kazem, was aware of this issue and knew that this prisoner was on the
verge of death but banned him from spending his last days with his family and relatives and he died in prison
with great suffering.
Currently, a Kurd political prisoner who has been in prison for more than 18 years has a severe handicap and is
unable do his personal things alone but prison officials refrain from releasing him. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 10, 2009)
Political prisoner dies suspiciously in prison
A political prisoner detained in ward 240 in Evin Prison died suspiciously today in prison.
His body was taken to the medical clinic in ward 7. Doctors in Evin said he died from spinal cord damage.
It is noteworthy that most of those arrested on November 4 and December 7 are detained in solitary cells in this
ward. This political prisoner was identified as Mehdi Karim-pour. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 11,
2009)
Two Ashura detainees die in Eshrat Abad Base in Tehran
There are more than 500 Ashura detainees in Eshrat Abad Base Detention Center in Tehran kept in very
unsuitable and painful conditions. The conditions in which these detainees are kept under are so horrifying that
the bodies of two people who died in this detention center were taken to an unknown location form this base in
the middle of the night. One of these bodies belonged to a young girl. (Peik-e-Iran Website – Dec. 29, 2009)
Death sentence
January
Supreme Court confirms death sentence of young boy
The Supreme Court confirmed the death sentence of a young boy who killed his fiancé's brother.
Sayid was trialed in the 5th branch of Fars's Penal Court and condemned to retribution with the request of the
murdered man's family after which the case was sent to the Supreme Court. After inspecting the case, Supreme
Court judges confirmed the retribution sentence and this verdict has now been sent to Shiraz's Criminal
Prosecutors Office to be carried out. (E'temad state-run daily - Jan. 14, 2009)
Woman activist sentenced to death
A female activist was sentenced to execution on charges of membership in a Kurdish
political opposition party.
Following the issuing of death sentences for three other activists in the last few
weeks, Zeinab Jalalian, 27 years old and resident of Maku in West Azerbaijan
Province was sentenced to death.
According to her family, security agents arrested her about 8 months ago in
Kermanshah. She was detained in the Intelligence Detainment Center of the
Revolutionary Guards Corps and there was no news of her until now.
Jalalian's trial, which took only a few minutes in Kermanshah’s Revolutionary Court, was held without the
presence of a lawyer. (Kurdistan Students in Defense of Human Rights – Jan. 18, 2009)
Woman sentenced to death in North Khorasan Province
A woman named Shaqayeq was sentenced to death after being trialed in court. Following investigations,
her case was sent to the Penal Court in North Khorasan Province, where the Prosecutor's representative asked
that she get the capital punishment. (Asre Iran state-run website – Jan. 24, 2009)
Political activist sentenced to death
Ehsan Fatahian, political activist and a Kermanshah resident arrested nine months ago was sentenced to death
in the Kurdistan Revisions Court.
This political activist was charged with "waging war" for being a member of an active opposition party in
Kurdistan and according to informed sources, he is in danger of being executed at any moment.
He is currently imprisoned at Sanandaj Central Prison and does not have a lawyer. (Kurdistan Students in
Defense of Human Rights – Jan. 24, 2009)
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According to Rostami's family, security forces arrested him about 2 months ago in Kermanshah and transferred
him to the Revolutionary Guards Intelligence Agency. He was sentenced to death in a court that was only a few
minutes long for "waging war against God". He is currently in Kermanshah Prison. (Sarab News – March 5, 2009)
Another minor on the verge of being hanged
Amir Amrollahi who was convicted of murder when he was 16-year-old is going to be hanged soon.
Excerpts of his father’s observation
Amir was very horrified… I told him “don’t worry I am with you and we are going to police station, we help the
young man who was injured. In the police station I introduced myself and told them that I have taken Amir
with me. In addition, I noticed that the victim had been died. A witness who was there said “This boy (Amir) is
not the assailant, I saw another person (attacking).” Despite that, they detained Amir. When I went back to
police station next morning, they said he had confessed that he was carrying the knife. It was a very hard day for
me… I know that it was very hard days for Mohsen’s family (victim’s family) too… Amir was only 16 at the time.
His execution will not make Mohsen alive.
Amir talks about the days in prison
Amir Amollahi is a minor offender who has been in prison for three years.
“It has been more than 1000 days and nights that I have been behind prison bars and I don’t know if I would
have the chance to see the free world or not,” he said.
“I didn’t intend murdering and I yet don’t know if I really hit Mohsen with knife or someone else did it…
Sometimes I become so homesick and cry for hours for my loneliness. I have had very hard life during these
years. Every day I have been waiting for my execution and every night I have gone to sleep with nightmare of
death and I cannot bear it anymore,” Amir said.
“When they detained and transferred me to Nezam Prison in Shiraz (Prison for minor offenders), Doctors
diagnosed that I was suffering from a psychological illness. They have told me that I would never have definite
recovery and no doctor could help me by now,” he added. “Every night that I go to sleep don’t expect to have a
good day, because may be any moment they call me for execution. During the day, I take tranquilizers, read
Quran, and pray to ease myself. All the time I pray that Mohsen’s family will consent and I get out from this
limbo.” “… I wish I will be pardoned.” (Etemad state-run daily – Mar. 23, 2009)
Innocent woman forced to confess to murder under torture on verge of execution; report
Hakimeh Hassan Zadeh is another Iranian woman who is unjustly on the verge of execution. On April 26,
2008, criminal intelligence department investigators placed Hakimeh as the main suspect in the murder of
Eidan Baluchi, 33, who was one of Hakimeh's relatives. From that day on, Hakimeh has been in and out of
detention centers and placed under various physical and mental tortures to confess to whom the murderer was
and her relationship with him.
Hakimeh has repeatedly announced her innocence to the
head of the criminal intelligence department and judge
presiding over her case saying that she only intended to help
Eidan, but unfortunately the torture and the repeated claims
that she is the murderer has reached the point where this
woman has no motivation to live and has signed a document
as the murderer of Eidan.
It is notable that Hakimeh was transferred to the criminal
intelligence department in Tehran for further investigation
where she was under various tortures for two months. As a
result, one of her teeth broke and eyewitnesses have said that
due to the severity of the electric shocks she received, she was
taken to court on a wheelchair.
Hakimeh does not have a lawyer as a means of defending herself and a death sentence will be issued for her in
the next few days. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – March 24, 2009)
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April
SSF Commander admits to issuing death sentence for innocent people in Abadan
The top commander of the State Security Forces (SSF), Ismail Ahmadi Moqadam, admitted to reports of a
judiciary and security scandal in the case of serial murders of women in Abadan.
Moqadam said in this case in which 15 women and one man was killed in Abadan, innocent people were
arrested and sentenced to death.
"Unfortunately, the judge following the case condemned the suspects to death", he pointed out. "One of the
reasons that this case was not made public was that two people had taken responsibility for these murders and
the case was closed, but their confession turned out to be false when the killings continued", he added.
Security and judiciary officials prevent details of the serial killings of women in Abadan to be published as they
did in similar cases in Karaj, Varamin and Gilan. In almost all the cases of serial killings of women in the past
year, the real culprits were introduced as suspects in the course of the investigations to the SSF but they were
either set free after a while or cleared in court. Judiciary and security officials have so far not given any reason
for their actions. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 6, 2009)
Kurdistan Board of Review in favor of death sentence of student activist
"Given that Mr. Latifi was not present in that particular part of Sanandaj where the prosecutor's automobile
exploded or where the attack against State Security Forces bases took place, I offered my re-trial request to the
Supreme Court in early April", said this lawyer.
"But the witnesses we introduced to confirm this fact were not taken into account by judicial officials and were
not investigated", he added,“Unfortunately, the re-trial request must be confirmed by Kurdistan's Board of
Review, and this board rejected my request.” (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Apr. 13, 2009)
Juvenile offender faces imminent execution in Iran
The Iranian authorities have executed at least 42 juvenile offenders since 1990,
eight of them in 2008 and one on 21 January 2009. Amnesty International has
also called for a re-trial for Delara Darabi in proceedings that meet international
standards for fair trial and that are in line with the Convention of the Rights of
the Child. Delara Darabi’s death sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court on
16 January 2007. In December 2007, as a result of procedural flaws having been
identified, the Head of Judiciary reportedly returned the case to Rasht for a
further review. It is not known if this has been completed though normal legal avenues in her case appear now
to have been exhausted. (Amnesty International Website – Apr. 17, 2009)
Arrested runners of "immoral" websites sentenced to death
The deputy prosecutor of Tehran gave new details on the Revolutionary Guards Corps arrest of people linked to
dozens of Iranian immoral websites by the saying that the punishment of the main runners of these website,
who are currently under arrest and charged with "corruption on earth", is death.
"Currently in addition to the 90 websites which were wiped out on March 17, a number of other immoral
websites and people involved in running these websites have been identified and in the next few days operations
to arrest these people will be carried out", he added. (Shahab News state-run website – Apr. 19, 2009)
Woman sentenced to death in Tehran
The Judiciary issued death sentence for a woman in Tehran. Her name is Behjat (F). (Sarmayeh, state-run daily –
Apr. 22, 2009)
May
25-year-old student sentenced to death
A 25-year-old university student named Habib who killed another man in Sabzevar was sentenced to death for
the fourth time in court. (Qods state-run daily – May 4, 2009)
Amnesty says Iran planning to execute juveniles
Rights group Amnesty International said Iran planned to execute two juveniles on Wednesday, five days after
hanging a woman convicted of a crime she was alleged to have committed while still under 18.
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'The scheduling of these executions, just days after the appalling execution of
Delara Darabi, show that the Iranian authorities have total disregard for
international law which unequivocally bans the execution of those convicted of
crimes committed under the age of 18,' Amnesty said in a statement on Tuesday.
It said juvenile offenders Amir Khaleqi and Safar Angooti were both due to be
executed on Wednesday morning in Tehran's Evin prison.
At least 135 other juvenile offenders are known to be on death row in Iran,
Amnesty said.
They were convicted of murder aged 16 and 17 respectively, it said.
'The international consensus against executing child offenders reflects the
widespread recognition that because of children's immaturity, impulsiveness, vulnerability and capacity for
rehabilitation, their lives should never be written off -- however heinous the crimes of which they are convicted,'
said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, deputy director of Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Programme.
Amnesty urged the Iranian authorities to adopt new legislation that would ban, once and for all, the execution
of juvenile offenders, including those convicted of murder.
The Islamic republic's existing penal code holds a nine-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy to be legally
responsible if involved in crime.
Iran stepped up its use of the death penalty last year in what it says is a bid to improve security in society. (AFP -
May 5, 2009)
Another juvenile offender and a woman sentenced to death
According to reports, the death sentence of Amir Kar-Andish was issued by the 5th branch of the Fars Penal
Court. This sentence was recently confirmed in the 27th branch of the Supreme Court.
"Amin was 17 when he killed his friend in a street fight while under the influence of alcohol,” said his lawyer.
"He tried to prove his case in court that he had no prior motive to kill his friend,” he said
"He also introduced witnesses to court trying to prove that he did not have any self-control on that day,”
Hossein Raissi added.
Amin is currently in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. Zarbi Bikhajavi, another minor sentenced to death who is an
Afghan national is also in this prison.
Raissi also said that the execution sentence of Afsaneh R. will probably also be carried out in Adelabad Prison.
The woman was initially sentenced to death by stoning but her sentence later changed to death by hanging. (Ruz
Online – May 6, 2009)
Kurdish activist sentenced to death
The death sentence of Fasih Yasamani, a Kurd activist that was issued by a court in Khoy was confirmed by the
Prosecutor of West Azerbaijan Province.
The 27-year-old was arrested in 2007 along with his elderly father and five other residents of his village and was
sentenced to death on charges of membership in a Kurdish opposition group.
This is while there is no evidence that shows his membership in this group and the court verdict has been based
on his confessions in prison, taken under torture. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 8, 2009)
Another Kurd activist sentenced to death
A Kurd activist and Turkey national was sentenced to death in a Court of Review.
The 30-year prison sentence of Shaker Baqer was increased to the capital punishment in a court of review after
he protested the sentence.
This is while this prisoner does not have a lawyer and has been imprisoned in Sanandaj Prison for the last two
years. This sentence was announced to him yesterday in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 8, 2009)
Two women on verge of execution
Mina Jafari, the lawyer of Akram Mahdavi talked about her client's case in an interview.
"(Regarding) Akram Mahdavi's case, although we have raised about 19,000 USD via financial support from
people, we have still not been able to get the victim's family to accept blood money", she said.
According to Jafari, Akram is still in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. She is the mother of a 17-year-old girl who, in
her absence, was forced to marry and drop out of school, although she went to a very good school and was an
extremely good student.
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Akram, 34, was forced to marry a man 50 years her senior when she was 20. She had filed for a divorce twice in
her 8 years of marriage but her request was rejected both times and in the end she killed her husband with the
help of another man.
She has been in Evin Prison since 2006, convicted to death. During this time, she was deprived of seeing her
only daughter, who is the product of her first unsuccessful marriage at the age of 13.
Mina Jafari also mentioned her other client, Soheila Qadiri who has also been sentenced to death for killing her
infant child.
"This women who was poverty-stricken and ill saw this measure as the only way to save her child", Jafari added.
(Ruz Online – May 17, 2009)
Death sentence issued for a woman in Tehran
Judiciary issued death sentence for Reksana in Tehran. (Etemad state-run daily – May 17, 2009)
Iranian to be hanged for murder committed as minor: lawyer
Iran is set to hang a man sentenced to death for committing a murder when he was
15, his lawyer said on Sunday, even though Tehran is a signatory to an
international convention banning such executions.Hamid Reza Hadadi, now aged
20, is to be executed on Wednesday in the Adel Abad prison in the southern city of
Shiraz, his lawyer Mohammad Mostafai said in a statement.Hadadi was arrested in
October 2003 for the abduction and murder of an elderly man and was condemned
to death in January 2004, he said...
Iran is a signatory to a UN convention on children's rights, which stipulates that
members will not execute convicts found guilty of committing crimes as minors.
(AFP - May 24, 2009)
133 children in death row in Iran
More than 3,000,000 children are living under absolute poverty line and more than 5,000,000 are under
poverty line, and 133 children are in death row in Iran.
“According to an official survey in 2006, there are more than 1,500,000 labor child and 31% of children are fed
malnutrition in Iran, and the socio-economic of children in Iran are so worrying,” Javid Sobhani, member of
Association supporting children said. (Sarmayeh state-run newspaper – May 27, 2009)
June
Woman to be executed
Branch 20 of the Supreme Court sent Shahla Jahed's case to the executing sentences
branch of the Criminal Court which puts the accused one step away from the gallows.
Jahed was accused of killing a former soccer player's wife in 2002. (state-run Jam-e-Jam
online – June 3, 2009)
Man charged with crime as a minor to be executed
Ibrahim Gudarzvand Changini, born in 1986, has been imprisoned for six years in
Rudbar Prison and sentenced to death for a murder he committed at 17. The Supreme
Court recently confirmed his sentence and he is on the verge of execution. Changini
accidentally stabbed his friend in a fight which started as a joke. After the judicial process, his execution
sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 4, 2009)
So called bill to prevent execution of minors has a catch
Alireza Jamshidi, spokesman of the Judiciary has said that the members of the Judicial Commission in the
parliament are currently examining a bill which states that "if there are doubts on the intellect and growth of
convicted children who are legally mature but are under 18, they are not subject to retribution. Girls legally
mature at nine and boys at 15". This bill has to be approved by the Guardian Council to be passed into law.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – June 7, 2009)
Iran to execute political activist
According to reports, Hossein Khazari was sentenced to death by the first branch of the Orumieh Revolutionary
Court on charges of spreading propaganda against the government and cooperating with the Free Life Party of
Kurdistan. This political activist was arrested in November 2008 by security forces and spent the better part of
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his prison term in solitary confinement in Orumieh's Intelligence Detention Centers under pressure and abuse.
He was sentenced to death despite being deprived of a lawyer and the right to defend himself. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – June 8, 2009)
July
Minor on the verge of execution
Mohammad Reza Hadadi who was convicted of killing a driver in Kazrun at age 15, will be hanged on July 16.
His brother Ahmad Hadadi said, "From the time that they were to review his case, no court session to see to his
case has been held. The case is to be reviewed by the 17th branch of the Supreme Court but his execution has
been scheduled for July 16". He expressed concern that since Mohammad Mostafayi, Hadadi's lawyer, was
arrested and then released in the recent arrests in Tehran, Hadadi's defense status has gone under question.
"Currently this case has no defense team", he added.
"According to the evidence in the case, Mohammad Reza is not the murderer because his accomplices have
announced in their confessions that another person killed the driver", his brother stressed.
Mohammad Reza's family claims that after he was arrested, he confessed to the murder because one of his
friends had promised to give his mother money and he accepted because he was under 18. When he realized
there was no money, he denied the murder. (Sarmayeh state-run daily – July 7, 2009)
Mother of two on verge of execution
The death sentence of a prisoner who has served nine years in Orumieh prison was finalized.
Mohabat Mahmoudi, a mother of two children, killed a man in self defense who intended to rape her in 2000.
She was trialed on charges of intentional murder in a provincial court. Her case was sent to the Supreme Court
for final clearance and yesterday July 11, her death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and
announced to her in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 12, 2009)
Two female converts on verge of execution
Marzieh Amin Zadeh, 30 and Maryam Rostam-pour, 27 have been in Evin Prison for four months now for
converting to Christianity. They are officially charged with acting against national security. According to reports
from their relatives, these two young women who were arrested on March 5 in their Tehran homes, are under
mental torture and have problems like sleep disorders and severe stress.
While they still have not been convicted in court and officials only use the general term "acting against national
security" for them, according to reports a judicial official has told them in the past few days that both of them
might be executed on charges of 'apostasy'. (Prayer for Iran website – July 13, 2009)
Head of Sistan & Baluchistan Judiciary: two terrorists sentenced to death
The head of the Sistan and Baluchistan Judiciary said that the death sentence of two people would be executed
as soon the conditions for the execution are met.
"The Revolutionary Court has sentenced two other members of the Jundallah terrorist group to death on
charges of being an enemy of god and corruption on earth in addition to the 14 sentences issued and carried
out before for members of this group", Ibrahim Hamidi said. (Fars state-run news agency – July 18, 2009)
Head of Sistan & Baluchistan Judiciary: two terrorists sentenced to death
The head of the Sistan and Baluchistan Judiciary said that the death sentence of two people would be executed
as soon the conditions for the execution are met.
"The Revolutionary Court has sentenced two other members of the Jundallah terrorist group to death on
charges of being an enemy of god and corruption on earth in addition to the 14 sentences issued and carried
out before for members of this group", Ibrahim Hamidi said. (Fars state-run news agency – July 18, 2009)
Sistan and Baluchistan prosecutor: man will soon be executed
The prosecutor of Sistan and Baluchistan said, "Yesterday morning the death sentence of two members of the
Jundallah Group was carried out on charges of waging war with God in the Zahedan Prison but since
Abdolhamid Riggi is still in the hands of intelligence sources, his sentence has not been carried out".
"He will probably be transferred under our jurisdiction in the near future and his sentence will be carried out",
added Ibrahim Hamidi. (ISNA state-run news agency – July 26, 2009)
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August
Iran parliament presidential committee member: heads of unrest should be given maximum punishment
A member of the presidential committee of parliament emphasized that elements of unrest should be decisively
dealt with and said, "After the heads of the rioters are trialed in a couple of days, many issues will be disclosed".
"A number of the rioters whose organized communications with foreigners (outside the country) have been
proven or a number of them who are affiliated with the Monafeqin (PMOI) and those who have destroyed
public property have to be given the maximum punishment", he said.
Firmly rejecting the opinion of some that all arrestees should be freed he said, "The fact that all prisoners and
detainees of recent events should be freed is not right". (Fars state-run News Agency – Aug. 1, 2009)
Man in Saqez sentenced to death for "cooperation with opposition groups"
Rashid Akhkandi was arrested and imprisoned in Isfahan on May 2008 on charges of waging war with God and
cooperating with Kurdish opposition groups. He was sentenced to death one year after his arrest by a court in
Sanandaj.
Akhkandi was tried by the fourth branch of the Revolutionary Court on April 10, 2009 without the right to a
lawyer. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 6, 2009)
Court of Review upholds death sentence of political activist
The death sentence of a Kurd political activist in Orumieh was confirmed by a court of Review in the Province.
The death sentence of Houssein Khezri was confirmed by the 10th branch of this city's Court of Review. He was
charged with waging war with god and cooperating with a Kurdish group and initially sentenced to death by the
first branch of the Orumieh Revolutionary Court.
Khezri was arrested last summer by security forces in this city and was under physical and mental abuse for three
months. He lost 25% of his eyesight as a result. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 13, 2009)
Three women in Karaj on verge of execution
Three women in Karaj who were sentenced to death in ward 7 are on the verge of execution. According to
reports their death sentences will be carried out this week. These women are Akram Mohammadi who is about
35 years old and has been in prison on charges of murder for about 7 years and Ameneh Abdollah Zadeh, 50,
who has been in prison on charges of murder for about 5 years. The name of the third woman is not known.
There have been unconfirmed reports that three women from this ward have been executed in the past week.
These executions have still not been announced and it seems that the Judicial System is trying to carry out the
executions in secret. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 17, 2009)
Tehran head judge requests capital punishment for two CEOs
Tehran's prosecutor and head of Terhan's Revolutionary Court announced a request for the capital punishment
of the CEOs of the Shafeq and Negin Qarb companies.
In a ceremony for the introduction of the new head of the Judiciary, Mortazavi said in this regard, "We have
requested that death sentences be issued for these two CEOs". (Mehr state-run News Agency – Aug. 17, 2009)
Minor offenders taken to Evin for execution
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, a number of prisoners were taken to Evin Prison for
execution.
Officials intend to carry out mass executions to create an atmosphere of fear and terror. A number of prisoners
from the female ward 7, ward 5 and 6 of Gohardasht Prison have been brought to Evin for execution.
1. The names of prisoners brought from ward 6 are as follows:
2. Behnoud Shojayi, 17 when he committed offense
3. Javad Najafi, according to reports he was 16 years old at the time of his offense and has been in
Gohardasht Prison for 4 years.
4. Alireza Sayidi, 30 years old (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 18, 2009)
Women sentenced to death
The death sentence of a woman who had been arrested on charges of killing her son in law was issued today in
Tehran's Criminal Court.
Kobra confessed to this murder in initial interrogations but denied this act later on saying she was innocent.
Despite her denial, the interrogator of the 9th branch of a court in Karaj found her guilty of murder and her case
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was sent to the 71st branch of Tehran's Criminal Court. Her death sentence was issued today by this court.
(Iskanews state-run website – Aug. 25, 2009)
Iranian Protest Figures Could Face Execution
The attorney prosecuting leading OPPOSITION figures in Iran asked a court Tuesday to give them 'the
maximum punishment,' offering the clearest indication to date that the government crackdown against the
organizers of protests this summer could include executions .
The defendants, who include former deputy ministers and a former presidential spokesman, are accused of
endangering national security in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. If convicted, their
parties will be banned .
The session was the fourth in a large-scale trial of OPPOSITION figures, who belong to parties locked in a
power struggle with hard-liners since the 1979 Islamic revolution .
The request for maximum punishments reflects the determination of a group of Revolutionary Guard Corps
commanders, Friday prayer leaders, and lawmakers supportive of the government to prosecute their political
enemies for disputing President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's election victory .
The group has also called for the arrest of the OPPOSITION movement's leaders, including defeated candidates
Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and former president Mohammad Khatami . (Washington Post –
Aug. 26, 2009)
September
Two minor offenders on verge of death
Reza Padashi and Hussein Haqi are on the verge of execution on charges of murder when they were minors.
Reza Padashi was arrested on March 11, 2004 on charges of killing a man identified as Rahman Derakhshan.
Derakhshan was killed by Reza in a clash on March 10, 2004. Reza is suffering from a mental illness and was
only 16 when the crime was committed. Hussein Haqi, who was born in 1986, has been charged with killing
Mehdi Khalili in a group fight on August 12, 2003.
"There are many faults in the case which leads to doubts regarding the fact that Hussein was the murderer… he
was arrested when he was 17 years old", his lawyer Mohammad Mostafayi said regarding his case.
Hussein's case is currently in the Execution Department and has been confirmed. It will be taken to the head of
the judiciary, Sadeq Larijani, for final confirmation along with the case of Reza Padashi. If this official confirms
the execution and if the parents of the victims do not grant Hussein and Reza amnesty, the death sentences will
be carried out. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 1, 2009)
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the EU concerning the imminent executions of juveniles
Behnoud Shojaee, Reza Padashi and Hossein Haghi in Iran
The European Union is deeply concerned by reports of the imminent execution of Behnoud Shojaee, who was
convicted and sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was a minor. The EU recalls its past
communication with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on this case as well as its Declaration of
23 May 2008.
The EU further expresses its deep concern about reports that Reza Padashi and Hossein Haghi, also sentenced
to death for crimes committed when they were minors, are facing imminent executions .
The EU notes that these executions would be a direct contravention of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s
international commitments, specifically the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the
Convention on the Rights of the Child, both clearly prohibiting the execution of minors or people who have
been convicted of crimes committed when they were minors.
The EU urges the Islamic Republic of Iran to comply with International Law and to halt the executions of Mr
Shojaee, Mr Padashi and Mr Haghi, and of all other juvenile offenders, taking into consideration alternative
sentences for juvenile offenders and respect for international norms and standards that provide safeguards
guaranteeing the protection of the rights of those facing the death penalty .
The EU condemns the continued widespread occurrence of death sentences and executions in the Islamic
Republic of Iran. At the same time the EU reiterates its longstanding opposition to the death penalty in all
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circumstances and recalls that any miscarriage or failure of justice in the application of capital punishment
represents the irreparable and irreversible loss of human life.
The Presidency continues to call on the Iranian authorities to abolish the death penalty completely and, in the
meantime, to establish a moratorium on executions as urged by United Nations General Assembly resolutions
62/149 and 63/168. (EU Official Website – Sep. 8, 2009)
Minor offender on verge of execution
A meeting with the participation of city officials and human rights activists was held in the city of Lushan to
urge the family of the victim to pardon, Ibrahim Gudarzvand Chegini, a
minor offender sentenced to death.
Despite the efforts on this issue, the family of the victim still emphasizes that
the young man should be sentenced to retribution but attempts to try to save
the young man, who does not have a lawyer, from death is ongoing.
Valiollah Pirmardvand Chegini was killed by Ibrahim Gudarzvand Chegini in
a street fight in 2003. They were both 17 at the time. Ibrahim's case is
currently being checked by the head of the Judiciary and if the family does not
pardon him, his death sentence will be carried out. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Sep. 11, 2009)
Death row prisoner taken to unknown location
A prisoner sentenced to death was taken to an unknown location on Monday. According to reports, Saeid
Amani who was in the Central Orumieh Prison was taken to an unknown location on September 14. There is
still no news on his whereabouts despite persistent inquiries by his family. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Sep. 15, 2009)
Innocent minor offender on death row in Shiraz
Mohammad Reza Hadadi was charged for murder at age 15. While it has been announced that the case of
Mohammad Reza Hadadi was examined for the last time and has been returned to the court in Kâzerun, his
family has expressed concern that his last sentence would be confirmed again without regard for new evidence
provided by the family which is said to prove Hadadi's innocence.
"While we were waiting for the conclusion of our brother's case, the court seeing to the case in Kâzerun has
announced that his last sentence (death sentence) has been confirmed by the 7th branch of the Supreme Court
and has returned to the Kâzerun Court. And that the sentence will soon be carried out by the Execution Branch
of the court in Shiraz, " Rahmatollah Hadadi, Mohammad Reza's brother said. "We had provided documents
and evidence showing that the murder was not carried out by him and he was blamed by his accomplices, in the
hope that the judge would consider (the new evidence) but unfortunately we noticed that not only was it not re-
examined, it was confirmed exactly as before", he added. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 21, 2009)
Two political prisoners on verge of execution
The Iranian regime's judiciary has sentenced 30-year-old Bahman Moarefi from Baneh who is in the Saqez
Central Prison to execution on charges of threatening security and waging war with God.
In other reports, the Sanandaj Court of Review changed the 10 year prison sentence of Ehssan Fattahian, 27,
from Kermanshah to execution. He is currently in the Kamyaran Prison and his sentence will be carried out
soon. (Khebat Kurdistan Organization – Sep. 27, 2009)
Another minor offender on death row
Hossein Alipour, born in 1988, is currently in the Lakan Prison in Rasht on charges of murder when he was 16
years old. He will be executed once his retribution sentence in confirmed. His case has been sent to the
Supreme Court for confirmation. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 28, 2009)
October
Iran moves to execute man for crime committed when he was 17
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The Iranian authorities are planning to execute a man alleged to have killed when he was only 17 on Monday.
Amnesty International has warned that the execution, in Mashhad, north-eastern Iran, of Afghan national
Abbas Hosseini must be stopped.…
Abbas Hosseini’s June 2004 death sentence imposed by Branch 43 of the General Court in Mashhad for the
murder of a man who had tried to rape him in July 2003 was upheld by Branch 41 of the Supreme Court on 30
September 2004. He claimed before the court to have committed the crime 'in a moment of insanity', but this
was rejected .
He was due to be executed on 1 May 2005, but at the last minute was granted a one-week stay of execution to
give the victim’s family another opportunity to accept payment of diyeh (blood money).
At the same time, the Head of the Judiciary ordered the local judiciary in Mashhad not to proceed with the
execution and Abbas Hosseini’s case was sent for review. On 27 April 2008, Branch 13 of the Supreme Court
sent the case for retrial on account of Abbas Hosseini’s age at the time of the crime.
Nonetheless, he was sentenced to death once again on 5 August 2008 by Branch 103 of the General Juvenile
Court in Mashhad. This sentence was upheld on 29 December 2008 by Branch 33 of the Supreme Court and
has been given final approval by the Head of the Judiciary, paving the way for the scheduling of his execution…
” Not only has Abbas Hosseini been sentenced to death for a crime committed when he was a child,' said
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. 'But the protracted judicial uncertainty surrounding the review and retrial of his case,
and the halting at the last minute of his scheduled execution which has led to him languishing on death row in
prison since 2004, compounds his suffering “. (Amnesty International – Oct. 3, 2009)
Kurdistan Prosecutor requests urgent execution of 3 Kurd activists in letter to Khamenei
After the Head of Sanandaj's Judiciary requested the urgent execution of political prisoners sentenced to death
in a letter a few days ago, Gurosi, Kurdistan's Prosecutor, send a letter to the office of the leader (Khamenei)
without taking heed of the bureaucratic hierarchy.
In this letter, Gurosi asked Khamenei to issue a permit for the execution of political
prisoners sentenced to death.
It has also been cited in this letter that if Khamenei agrees to this, political prisoners
Ehssan Fatahian, Habibollah Latifi and Shir-kuh Moarefi will be the first to be
executed. According to reports Fatahian who is currently in ward 2 of the Central
Prison in Sanandaj is in poor health due to the torture inflicted on him. (Kurdistan
Media – Oct. 4, 2009)
Political prisoner Habibollah
Another minor offender will be executed in Iran Latifi sentenced to death
Mohammad Mostafayi wrote in his weblog 'Defending the Defenseless': Safar Anguti
will be executed on October 21. Safar Anguti was born on September 20, 1989 and was 17 when he committed
an offense… After the fight which led to the death (of a young boy who was accidently stabbed by Safar), the case
was opened in the 3rd branch of the Public Court in Nazarabad and legal investigations began. Unfortunately,
after Safar turned himself in, the case was quickly put into affect without regard for the rights of the defendant
which states that evidence has to be gathered in favor of the defendant. After Safar stated his last defense, a bill
of indictment was issued for him.
My client did not have any criminal motive, and in no way did he intend to kill Mehdi Rezayi. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 6, 2009)
Female prisoner will probably by hanged next Sunday
Tehran's criminal court called the family which has filed a complaint against death row
prisoner Akram Mahdavi, telling them to be present at 3 am next Sunday in Evin
Prison to witness the execution of Akram.
This is while Akram's lawyer, Mina Jafari was not informed of this issue. After she
looked into this issue, the Judge of the Execution Body of the Criminal Court denied
the statement of the complainants.
In light of unexpected events in the Judiciary, there is fear that this sentence will be
carried out next week.
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Akram Mahdavi was arrested in 2003 on charges of killing her 74 year old husband and has been in prison for
four years. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 6, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to death
Mohammad-Reza Ali-Zamani, member of the Royal Association of Iran who had confessed in the second trial of
those affiliated with protests after the elections, was transferred on Monday October 5 from ward 209 of Evin
Prison to the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Salavati and his death sentence was
announced to him. His statements made in court were also aired on state run television. The suspects who were
trialed in the second and third public trials did not have access to their chosen lawyers and a lawyer appointed
by the Revolutionary Court was assigned to them. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Oct. 7, 2009)
Death row security prisoner probably executed in secret
Saleh Sultan-Zadeh, a security prisoner who was sentenced to death in 2006 on charges of espionage for a
hostile government was removed from his cell on September 29 and taken to an undisclosed location. There is
no information on his fate after this transfer.
According to eyewitnesses, he said that he was being transferred to be executed and gave his belongings and
even gave his will to his friends in prison.
Sultan-Zadeh was a Ministry of Defense employee who worked in the Shahab 3 Missile Project. He was arrested
in 2006 by the Army Counter Intelligence Department and detained for one year in the Security Detention
Center called F64 located in the G Base of this institution. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 7, 2009)
Iran intends to hang another minor offender
Hussein Alipour, born in June 1989 is on the verge of execution for a murder he committed at 16. He is
currently detained in the Lakan Prison in Rasht and will be executed after his sentenced is confirmed by the
Supreme Court.
In his last attempts at staying alive, he wrote an open letter to the family of the victim.
"If realizing ones mistakes are regret and redemption from sin is repentance, than I repent… I hope that you are
able to forgive me", he wrote in part. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Oct. 7, 2009)
Iran sentences 3 to death in mass opposition trial
Three defendants in Iran's mass trial of opposition figures accused of fueling the country's postelection unrest
have been sentenced to death, an Iranian news agency reported Saturday.
Two of them were convicted of membership in a monarchist group seeking to topple Iran's Islamic Republic
and restore a monarchy, the semiofficial ISNA news agency reported, quoting judiciary official Zahed Bashiri
Rad.
The third defendant was convicted of having ties to a terrorist group for his alleged links to the People's
Mujahedeen, an armed opposition group, ISNA quoted Rad as saying.
The three are the first defendants to be sentenced to death since the trial began in August.
More than 100 prominent opposition figures and activists are accused of offenses ranging from rioting to spying
and seeking to topple Iran's Islamic rulers through what authorities have called a planned 'soft overthrow'.
On Friday, Amnesty International identified one of those sentenced to death as Mohammad Reza Ali Zamani.
Amnesty said the 37-year-old was convicted of 'enmity against God' through membership in a monarchist group.
It also said he was convicted of making propaganda against the ruling regime and of leaving the country illegally
to meet with U.S. military officials in Iraq.
Rights groups and opposition figures in Iran have criticized the proceedings, calling them a 'show trial' and
saying such confessions are coerced. (The Associated Press - Oct. 10, 2009)
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Despite being arrested before post election protests, he was trialed in a court which looked into events after the
election. He has denied being a member of any dissident group or being part of any violent measures. Mir
Ardabili has been denied the right to a lawyer and the right to suitably defend himself in court. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 13, 2009)
Death row prisoner denied medical treatment for MS
According to reports from Evin Prison, Hamed Ruhinejad, a prisoner accused
of involvement in events after the elections who has been sentenced to death is
in poor health. He is currently detained in ward 7 of Evin Prison.
This political prisoner who has multiple sclerosis and any pressure can worsen
his condition is currently denied receiving medication and injections. He does
not see clearly and is in very poor health.
Ruhinejad who has been convicted of being a member of a monarchist
association was arrested after returning to Iran in 2008 along with
Mohammad-Reza Zamani and Ahmad Karimi. They were in custody in March
and April and had no involvement in the events after the elections but they
were forced to confess to being involved because of pressure subjected on them
by security agents. Hamed Ruhinejad was sentenced to death in the 28th
branch of the Revolutionary Court on these grounds. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 15, 2009)
Death row prisoner reveals confessing under torture
Hamed Ruhinejad, a young and ill prisoner who was arrested before the elections under bogus charges said that
he was deceived and victimized (by the Iranian regime). "My name is Hamed Ruhinejad and I was sentenced to
death by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court…
In the time I was detained in ward 209, I was kept in solitary for about 40 days and despite promises by my
interrogators and other agents, I was tortured so severely and threatened to death that I thought the punishment
for leaving the country can only be death… One day after the elections, I realized that elections were held and
without knowledge of what was going on outside and the waves of popular protests they took me to the trials of
election protesters with promises. This is while I had nothing to do with the elections. But I attended the trial
on the request of the interrogators and wrote their demands on a piece of paper stating that they were my
actions to get my right to life back. But today as a political prisoner I announce that I am not a member of any
group or party and have no links to the presidential elections. I deny any affiliation to the so-called Monarchist
Association and announce that all the charges against me are sheer lies". (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct.
15, 2009)
3 minor offender on verge of execution
Three minor offenders are on the verge of execution for committing crimes under 18 in Iran. Attempts at
wining amnesty from the victims' families have so far been futile.
Safar Anguti born in Sep. 20, 1989 turned himself in to security forces one day after a fight which led to the
death of another young man on March 25, 2007… He is to be executed on October 21 at 4 am in Evin Prison.
Mohammad-Reza Hadadi is anther young man sentenced to death who is currently detained in the Shiraz Adel
Abad Prison. He was born in March 17, 1988 and was 15 when arrested.
Last week judicial officials in Shiraz told his father that the death sentence of this young man will be carried out
in the next few days in Adelabad Prison. Hadadi was tricked into confessing into murder by another one of the
suspects in the case despite not having complicity in the murder.
Amir Amrollahi is the third minor sentenced to death. He was born in November 1989 and was 16 at the time
of arrest. He turned himself in to security forces after he got into a fight which led to the death of another
young man identified as Mohssen Kazemi on November 19, 2005.
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While the defendant did not intend to murder the victim, four of the five judges in the 5th branch of the Fars
Province Criminal Court sentenced him to death without regard for his age, and psychological and mental
condition. The sentence was confirmed by the 27th branch of the Supreme Court. (Committee of Human
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'Based on Article 183 of the Islamic punishment law, a 'mohareb' is someone who takes up arms and terrifies
people. He didn’t have any weapons and he's been charged with moharebeh illegally,' Seifzadeh says, adding that
he hasn't been allowed to meet with his client for 'even one minute' since taking his case.
'N.A.' -- one of the three sentenced to death who were indentified by their initials, has since been revealed as 22-
year-old Nasser Abdolhosseini.
He was arrested after the election, but his story mirrors Ruhinejad's in that was convicted for his supposed ties
to a group opposed to the Iranian government and that doubt has been cast on his participation in the
postelection rallies.
Abdolhosseini was sentenced to death for belonging to the exiled Mujahedin Khalq Organization, considered a
terrorist organization by Iran. But that charge has been fiercely rejected by Abdolhosseini's brothers Mojtaba
and Nader Abdolhosseini, who say Nasser has never been involved in politics.
Furthermore, the two brothers have said that at the time of the major street protests in Tehran, Nassar was
conducting business in Busher, where no protests were reported .
During his court testimony, aired on Iranian state television, Nassar Adolhosseini reportedly admitted that he
received orders from London to go to the streets and throw Molotov cocktails.
Abdolhosseini's brothers say Nassar was told that by making a televised confession, he would secure his release.
Mojtaba says Nassar's verbal stumbling during his testimony can be taken as proof that he was not making an
admission of his own volition, arguing: 'My brother couldn't even pronounce 'Molotov cocktail' correctly in
court'!
'M.Z.', whose death sentence was the first to be made public, has been identified as 37-year-old Mohammad Reza
Ali Zamani and is also believed to have been arrested prior to the election.
He too has been accused of being a member of The Assembly of Kingdom, with the aim of overthrowing the
Iranian establishment. During the mass trials that began in August he reportedly confessed to having met with
an American agent in northern Iraq and having passed the agent information about Iran .
And he too is reported to have accepted the charges against him under pressure, and following promises that he
would be handed a lighter sentence as a result.
'A.P.', despite the discrepancy, is believed to be 19-year-old Arash Rahmanipour, who was sentenced to death for
belonging to the Assembly of Kingdom and who also appears to have been arrested prior to the election.
His lawyer, Nasrin Sotoudeh, says Rahmanipour too confessed to the charges against him after being promised a
light sentence and freedom. And Sotoudeh has told the online daily 'Rooz' that Rahmanipour is not a member
of the Assembly of Kingdom as alleged by authorities .
It is not clear whether the death sentences against the four might be reduced upon appeal, but Seifzadeh says
that no fair court could ever uphold the sentence against his client, Hamed Ruhinejad.
'I don't know what's going on behind the scenes, but I cannot believe that any court would confirm this baseless
sentence,' Seifzadeh said.
The reformist website 'Etemad' reported on October 14 that three legislators said after meeting with judiciary
officials that the judiciary appears determined to go ahead with the executions. (RFE/RL - Oct. 17, 2009 )
Two prisoners taken to Evin for execution
According to reports from ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, two prisoners were transferred from this
prison to solitary cells in Evin Prison for execution.
These prisoners are:
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Mohammad Hassan Bori, 25, sentenced to death on charges of murder. He had served more than three years of
prison in.
Ali Elmi, 35, father of three. He served two years of prison in Gohardasht Prison's ward 6, hall 17. He was
sentence to death on charges of murder. He reportedly killed a man to prevent him from raping his wife.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 20, 2009)
14 Kurd political activists in danger of execution
The Committee of Races and Nations of the Center in Defense of Human Rights in Iran announced in a
statement that 14 Kurd political activists who were recently arrested by security institutions are in danger of
execution.
"Recently 14 Kurd political activists were arrested under various pretexts and are in danger of execution", this
committee wrote. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 28, 2009)
Tehran Public Prosecutor confirms death sentence of three political activists arrested before elections for so-
called crimes after elections
Tehran's Public Prosecutor announced that a court had issued death sentences for "a member of the Monafeqin
Group (PMOI) and two members of the Iran Monarchist Association".
"These three would have taken sabotaging measures against the holy system of the Islamic Republic even if
events after the elections did not exist", he stressed. (Fars News Agency – Oct. 30, 2009)
Death row political prisoner in critical condition
Shirku Moaarefi, a Kurd prisoner sentenced to death is in critical condition and banned from receiving visits.
According to an informed source, the father of this civil rights activist sentenced to death, announced that in
his last approach to the Supreme Court on Monday to get information on his son, judicial officials disregarded
him and did not even allow him inside the review branch of the Supreme Court. He was treated inhumanely by
employees of this branch.
"Shirku is still in critical mental and physical condition because of his injuries and fractures from when he was
tortured", his father said.
Moaarefi's lawyer has still not been allowed to see to his case and the Revolutionary Court has appointed one of
its employees named Azizpoor as his lawyer. This lawyer has not taken any measures to prevent the death
sentence issued by the judicial system and upheld by the Supreme Court.
Security agents have threatened his father warning him that if he cooperates with or give interviews to any media
regarding his son, bad consequences await his family and the chances of a prompt execution for his son will
increase. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Oct. 30, 2009)
November
Tehran Public Prosecutor confirms death sentence of three political activists arrested before elections for so-
called crimes after elections
Tehran's Public Prosecutor announced that a court had issued death sentences for "a member of the Monafeqin
Group (PMOI) and two members of the Iran Monarchist Association".
"These three would have taken sabotaging measures against the holy system of the Islamic Republic even if
events after the elections did not exist", he stressed. (Fars News Agency – Oct. 30, 2009)
Report of deteriorating condition of death row political prisoner
Report by Dr. Hesam Firuzi: Hamed Ruhi Nejad is a23-year-old philosophy major at the Beheshti University in
Tehran who has been imprisoned for more than five months. He has been suffering from multiple sclerosis for
about four years.
Ruhi Nejad also has thalassemia minor (hereditary blood disease) and the weakness as a result of this disease
also causes problems for him.
Unfortunately after his arrest and transfer to solitary, his disease (MS) has become active and his MS attacks
have increased to the point that he was taken to a specialist twice from ward 209 in Evin Prison and given
medicine but it did not help him recover.
He was taken to court a while ago and was forced to sign his death sentence when he was not well. From that
day on, after his mental condition deteriorated, he has been in poor physical health and had another more
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severe MS attack. Not only was he not checked by a doctor from that day on, he was also not given any medicine
and his condition is getting worse by the day.
Currently, because of being denied treatment and not having access to a specialist doctor in addition to the
pressures put on him in prison and his inhumane death sentence, his symptoms from his attacks have become
more severe to the point that he has lost 50 percent of his eyesight in his left eye and the sight in his right eye
has become dim (LT&RT OPTIC NEURITIS), the left part of his body has become completely numb
(SENSORY LEVEL) and he is suffering from tremors in his body organs. He loses his balance when walking
and is suffering from nystagmus in both his eyes. He has also developed digestive problems.
All his symptoms show that his illness has become very severe. If the attacks of this disease are not controlled it
will lead to irreversible problems including blindness, paralysis, and in many cases, death.
If the depression (which comes with the disease) in MS patients is not treated and controlled with medicine,
psychotherapy or a calm atmosphere, it will deteriorate to the point that it might lead to suicide. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Nov. 2, 2009)
Young woman sentenced to death
A young woman identified as 'Sharareh' who is convicted of killing a young man named Kamran was sentenced
to retribution in a Penal Court in Northern Khorasan.
According to reports, Sharareh killed Kamran, who worked in her store, because he raped her after making her
unconscious and persistently threatened that he would cause disgrace for her. (Human Rights Activists in Iran–
Nov. 3, 2009)
Regime forces prevent political prisoner from appealing death sentence in Supreme Court
Naser Abdolhosseini, who was arrested during election protests and was
sentenced to death on charges of 'having contact with the People's
Mojahedin Organization of Iran by Judge Salavati the head of the 15th
branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court, has been denied the right to
appeal his sentence in the Supreme Court, even while the only place of
appeal for the capital punishment is the Supreme Court. His case has
been referred to the 36th branch of Tehran's Court of Appeal presided
over by Ahmad Barzegar instead.
The 22 year old political prisoner is one of the four suspects who were
tried in a televised trial as elements of the post election unrest. After
being sentenced to death, he denied all his previous confessions saying
that he had confessed under pressure from Ministry of Intelligence
interrogators. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 7, 2009)
Death row minor has disappeared in Ardabil Prison!
Inquiries into the situation of Ne'mat Safavi, a minor who was arrested at 16 on charges of homosexuality and
was sentenced to death by Ardabil's Public Prosecutor after being trialed in a juvenile court, has been futile and
Ardabil judicial officials deny that he is detained in this city's prisons.
Considering that this young man was detained in the Juvenile Section of the Ardabil Central Prison last year,
this denial from judicial officials has raised concerns regarding his condition.
(Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 13, 2009)
Kurd political prisoner in danger of execution
Shir Kuh Moarefi has been transferred to a solitary cell in the Sentence
Implementation Department of the Saqez Central Prison. Moarefi is a Kurd political
and civil rights activist who was arrested last year in Saqez. He was sentenced to death
after being interrogated, tortured and tried in a show trial.
His lawyer, Khalil Bahramian confirmed that his client had been transferred to
solitary saying that this measure was against all laws and regulations. (Campaign in
Defense of Political and Civil Prisoners – Nov. 13, 2009)
Head of Sanandaj prison threatens young Kurd political prisoner to death
Mohammad Khosravi, the head of the Sanandaj Central Prison went to the Pak 2 Ward in
this prison yesterday in which political prisoners are kept in and threatened political
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prisoners. He threatened death row political prisoner Habibollah Latif that they would transfer him to solitary
to carry out his death sentence. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 15, 2009)
Regime sentences man to death for links with PMOI
Reza Khademi who was arrested in the events after the elections was sentenced to death. According to reports
he was convicted of having links to the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran by the Revolutionary Court.
(VOA TV – Nov. 16, 2009)
Another minor on verge of execution
Mohammad Hasan Rezayi, born on September 17, 1990 was sentenced to death on the basis of a murder he
committed at 17. He has been in Rasht Prison for two years and is now on the verge of execution after his death
sentence was upheld by the Supreme Court. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Post elections sentencing: 5 death sentences, 81 prison terms
The Tehran Public Prosecutors Office has issued an announcement regarding the result of trials held in the
Tehran Revolutionary Court (to see to post election cases).
This announcement reads in part, "Until now, 89 suspects have been trialed and have accordingly been
sentenced. Five of them who have been charged with being members of anti-revolutionary, terrorist or dissident
grouplets have received the capital punishment and 81 people have been sentenced from six months to 15 years
of prison. (Asre Iran website – Nov. 17, 2009)
Death row political prisoner in poor mental condition
A Kurd prisoner sentenced to death named Mostafa Salimi is in poor mental condition.
Salimi who is from the Ilvi Village in Saqez was arrested in 2003 in Lorestan and was sentenced to death by the
Saqez Revolutionary Court for 'enmity with God'.
He is currently in Saqez Prison and had served some time Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. (Mukarian News Agency
– Nov. 19, 2009)
Members and supporters of anti-regime groups will be sentenced to death, says Iranian regime’s prosecutor
Mohseni-Ejei, Iran's Prosecutor General said that the punishment for “those who are linked to counter-
revolutionary groups whose leadership remain intact is death, as it is stated in the law, it also includes their
supporters, even though they may not have been part of their military wing.” He added, “Proportionate to their
crimes… the judiciary… has taken into consideration the maximum punishment.“ (Iran state-run TV – Nov. 19,
2009)
Regime forces threaten Kurd political prisoner to death
According to reports from Evin Prison, Kurd political prisoner Ali Heidarian was moved out of the public ward
three days ago to an unknown location. His cellmates are worried that he might have been transferred for
execution.
Security forces had put pressure on Heidarian to cooperate with them and confess in front of the cameras but
this political prisoner's resistance led intelligence agents to threaten to carry out his death sentence. They told
him that if he did not cooperate, they would execute him like Ehsan Fatahian. According to reports, Ali
Heidarian is unwilling to cooperate with them in any way. (Iran Press News Website – Nov. 21, 2009)
Regime confirms death sentence of political prisoner charged with post-election unrest
Ali Zamani was trialed without a lawyer in the second session of the public trials, and sentenced to death by the
head of the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran, Judge Salavati.
He appealed the sentence and his case was sent to a court of review.
According to reports, it was announced to him in the morning that his sentence was confirmed by the court of
review.
The bill of indictment issued against him says that 'Mr. Mohammad-Reza Ali Zamani, son of Ismail, 37 years old
and resident of Islam Shahr is charged with1- enmity with God for membership in and being effectively active in
accomplishing the goals of the Iran Monarchist Association terrorist group 2 – Desecration of religious
sanctities 3 – Spreading propaganda against the holy system of the Islamic Republic 4- Conspiring and gathering
with the goal of acting against internal security 5- Illegally leaving the country". (Committee of Human Rights
Reporters – Nov. 21, 2009)
Female Kurd political activist in danger of execution
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Zeinab Jalalian is a 27 year old (political prisoner) in Sanandaj Prison who has been sentenced to death on
charges of 'enmity with God'. According to a person close to her, the crime for
which she has been convicted and sentenced to death for is cooperation with the
Kurdish group Pejak even while Jalalian has denied this accusation. According to
those who are familiar with her activities, she had unarmed cooperation with
P.K.K and only carried out measures to promote this group.
Her death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and she is now in the
same situation as Ehsan Fatahian before his execution. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Nov. 25, 2009)
19-year old girl sentenced to death for killing man who intended to rape her
A designer who was charged with killing a surgeon was sentenced to death after
several trials despite claiming that she committed murder in self defense.
The case of this girl named Reihaneh started two years ago when police found the body of a surgeon named
Morteza who had been killed with a knife. Police discovered that a girl named Reihaneh had sent MortezaSMS
before his death. The girl was subsequently arrested. She admitted to murder in the initial investigations and
said that she killed him in self defense.
"I met Morteza and one his friends named Sheikhi a few days before this incident. They told me they needed a
designer to design an office… (In the office) I had left the door half open but Morteza asked me to close the
door and take my scarf off. I did not accept. He closed the door himself. He wanted to get near me but I did not
let him. He put his arm around my waist and I ran away. He was angry and said that I had not right to be
oblivious to his demands. I took out a knife from my purse the moment he turned his head and stabbed him in
the back", she said.
Investigators also found two glasses of fruit juice in the kitchen of the murder site. Morteza had drank from one
of the glasses while the other glass was prepared from Reihaneh. Tests showed that Reihaneh's fruit juice
contained anesthetic drugs.
The Prosecutor subsequently announced that there was enough evidence against Reihaneh confirming that she
has committed intentional murder and that she was lying in saying that she it was self defense. In light of this,
an indictment for intentional murder was issued for this 19-year defendant and she was tried and sentenced to
death by the 74th branch of court. (E'temad Daily – Nov. 27, 2009)
Youngster who confessed to murder under torture on verge of execution
Mohammad-reza Hadadi, a young man who was arrested in 2003 at the age of 15 is on the verge of execution
after his death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court and sent to Shiraz Court to be carried out.
According to judicial officials this sentence will soon be carried out in Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz.
According to Mohammad-reza, other suspects in the case tricked him into taking the blame for the murder by
promising give money to his family. Another one of the suspects had promised that if he took the blame, he
would marry his cousin.
"They hung my child from a three in the police station from noon to midnight and beat him with a cable in
front of my own eyes for something that he had not done", Mohammad-reza's father said. (Committee of
Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 29, 2009)
December
Supreme Court upholds death sentence of political prisoner
Ayub Porkar is on the verge of execution on charges of membership in the People's Mojahedin Organization of
Iran.
The 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court sentenced Ayub Porkar to death on charges of membership in the
PMOI. This man has been imprisoned since January. His lawyer says that he was arrested because of an illegal
search in his personal emails and tapping of his phone. This is while there is no legal warrant for this search in
his legal dossier. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 3, 2009)
Political Kurd prisoner sentenced to death in Orumieh
Political prisoner Mohammad Amin Agushi was sentenced to death by the Orumieh Revolutionary Court on
charges of enmity with God. According to reports, Agushi who is resident of Piranshahr and was arrested more
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than two years ago along with Ahmad Pulad Khani and Iraj Mohammadi on charges of cooperating with
political groups in Kurdistan was sentenced to death on December 3 by the Revolutionary Court in Orumieh.
(Kurdistan Media – Dec. 9, 2009)
Iran must stop imminent execution of juvenile offender
The Iranian authorities must halt Wednesday's planned execution of a
juvenile offender, Amnesty International has urged. Mohammad Reza
Haddadi, now aged 21, is due for execution in the city of Shiraz, in
southern Iran. He has been sentenced to death for a crime that took
place when he was 15 - and which he denies committing. On Sunday,
Ma’soumeh Tahmasebi, one of Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s lawyers,
said that she had not been informed of the scheduled execution, as is
required under Iranian law, but that another prisoner had telephoned
Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s father to tell him that his son would be
executed on Wednesday. This is the fourth time Mohammad Reza
Haddadi’s execution has been scheduled and postponed and only the
Head of the Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani, can now stop the
execution from taking place. “It is shocking that Iran continues to flout
international law by arranging to kill those accused of committing
crimes when they were children,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle
East Deputy Programme Director at Amnesty International. “Not only
did Mohammad Reza Haddadi not receive a fair trial, but the repeated halting and rescheduling of his execution
date has also compounded his suffering,” “We appeal to the Head of the Judiciary to immediately issue an order
to stay this execution and to review his case to ensure that Mohammad Reza Haddadi’s death sentence is
overturned once and for all.” Amnesty International is concerned that the prison authorities may go ahead with
the execution without informing his lawyer in advance, as required under Iranian law. Two juvenile offenders -
Behnam Zare’ and Sayed Reza Hejazi - were executed in the same prison in August 2008 without their lawyer
being informed beforehand. Since January 2009 Iran has executed at least 4 people for crimes they were alleged
to have committed when under the age of 18. Most recently, Behnoud Shojaee was executed on 11 October, for
allegedly killing another youth when only 17. His execution had previously been postponed six times.
Background
Mohammad Reza Haddadi was sentenced to death in 2004 for a murder which took place when he was 15. His
death sentence was confirmed by the Supreme Court in July 2005. Mohammd Reza Haddadi initially confessed
to the murder, but retracted the confession during his trial, saying he had claimed responsibility for the killing
only because his two co-defendants had offered to give his family money if he did so. His co-defendants later
supported Mohammad Reza Haddadi's claims of innocence, and withdrew their testimony that had implicated
him. They were both over 18 at the time of the crime and received prison sentences. He was first scheduled for
execution in October 2008, but it was stayed on the order of the Head of the Judiciary. His execution was then
scheduled again on 27 May 2009 and 16 July 2009. (Amnesty International- Dec. 8, 2009)
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Stoning to death
January
Ministry of Judiciary regains worse upsurge of stoning
In the last days of December 2008, three men were publicly stoned
to death in Behesht Reza Cemetery. One could survive himself but
two died under this barbaric killing. The survived victim was an
Afghan man named only Mahmood, identity of one of the deceased
victims is still unknown and the other one was named Hooshang
Khodadadeh.
Presently there are 10 prisoners in the death row by stoning. The
female prisoners are:
Ms. Kobra Najjar - Gohardasht Prison in Karaj;
Ms. Iran A. . - Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz;
Ms. Khairieh V. - Sepidar Prison in Ahvaz;
Ms. Ashraf Kalhori – Evin Prison in Tehran;
Ms. Afsaneh R. – Adelabad Prison in Shiraz;
Ms. M. Kh. – Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad ;
Ms. H. – Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad ;
Mr. Abdullah Farivar – Sari Prison;
Mr. Gilan Mohammadi – Isfahan Central Prison;
Mr. Gholamali Eskandari – Isfahan Central Prison. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan. 11, 2008)
Judiciary spokesman confirmed stoning in Mashhad
Alireza Jamshidi said regarding the death by stoning sentence in Mashhad, "About 20 days ago the stoning
sentence was carried out for 3 people. The sentence was only actually carried out for two people because one of
the convicted persons escaped".
He said these men were convicted of adultery and murder, and then he added, "Regarding the cessation of the
stoning sentence, the head of the Judiciary had some recommendations for the stoning sentence not to be
carried out in the country. However, until this is not turned into a law perhaps with regard to the independence
of judges, these recommendations will not be followed. (ILNA state-run news agency – Jan. 13, 2009)
Resuming death by stoning for heightening intimidation victimizes two young sisters
Two young sisters who were sentenced to death by stoning on charges of adultery claimed that they are not the
women caught on tape (used as evidence in court). Despite this, the five judges of branch 80 of a court in
Tehran assessed that Zohreh and Azar deserve to die and sentenced them to death by stoning.
While it seemed that these two sisters would be freed, in the course of a plan to fight against indecent films their
case was once again opened and the prosecutor filed charges against these two sisters announcing that Azar and
Zohreh had illegitimate relationships despite being married and therefore have committed adultery.
In the course of investigations, their husbands came to court and cancelled their complaints against them but
since there is no need for a private complainant in adultery cases, the judges once again trialed the two sisters.
Following these sisters' protests, this case was sent to the Supreme Court and the judges of branch 27 of this
court confirmed the death by stoning sentence putting these two sisters on the verge of death by stoning.
(E'temad state-run daily – Jan. 13, 2009)
Stoning sentence victims deprived from their basic rights
Two lawyers who voluntarily defend convicted people went to Isfahan's Central Prison to represent two
convicted people who were recently sentenced to death by stoning. However, judicial officials prevented these
two lawyers from entering the prison. Shadi Sadr who went to this prison along with Mohammad Mostaphayi
said in this regard, "According to normal procedure, we went to the Central Prison in Isfahan where Gilan M.
and Gholam-Ali A. are held to get their signatures to authorize our representation of them. (We wanted to) try
and change their sentences by pursuing new judicial procedures. But after we went to the judicial department,
the assistant prosecutor did not issue a visit permit for us saying we needed to get permission from Isfahan's
Public Prosecutor".
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According to this attorney, after going to the Public Prosecutor's Office, Isfahan's Public Prosecutor did not give
them permission to visit with the two prisoners. (E'temad Meli state-run daily- Jan.15, 2009)
Mother of two in Tabriz on verge death by stoning
According to reports, which were given to the International Committee against Stoning, Sakineh Mohammadi
Ashtiani who is in Tabriz Prison is in danger of being stoned to death. Ashtiani who is 40 years old has been
imprisoned on charges of having an illegitimate relationship. The Islamic Republic has sentenced her to death
by stoning. This sentence was confirmed twice in Tabriz and in Tehran and has been sent to be carried out in
Tabriz.
Judicial officials will decide this week on a location in Tabriz to stone Ashtiani. Ashtiani is the mother of two
children aged 20 and 16. (Rozaneh website – Jan. 24, 2009)
Iran's Justice Department do not grant amnesty to woman sentenced to death by stoning
According to the Amnesty and Impunity Commission of the Justice Department, the death by stoning sentence
of Ashraf has to be carried out.
Ashraf K., who has been in Evin prison on charges of adultery and complicity in murder since 2001, was
sentenced to stoning and 15 years of prison a year after her arrest. (BBC Farsi Service – Feb. 25, 2009)
Man secretly stoned to death in Rasht
On the morning of March 5, a 30-year-old man was stoned to death on charges of adultery in an unprecedented
measure in Rasht.
Vali Azad was a resident of Pars Abad and an employee of this city's Trade Center. He was stoned according to a
sentence passed by the 11th branch of Gilan's Penal Court in this city's Lakan Prison. This sentence was carried
out in secret and with the presence of only a limited number of people. His body was not handed over to his
family and was buried in an unknown location due to fear that his method of death might be made public.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – March 10, 2009)
April
A mand stoned to death secretly, and another to be stoned to death in Rasht
According to reports, the stoning sentence of a man was carried out in Rasht in secret in February. According to
this report, judicial sources did not even hand over the body of this man to his family for burial to keep this
execution from leaking to the press. There are reports that another stoning sentence is going to be carried out in
a couple of days in Rasht.
The Judiciary of this province is getting ready to carry out this sentence, which is a serious cause for concern
amongst human rights activists in Gilan. According to this report, Mohammad Ali Navid Khamami's stoning
sentence has been confirmed and there are concerns that it might be carried out any day now. (Ruz Online –
Apr. 22, 2009)
May
Man to be stoned to death in Gilan
Reports have been confirmed in Rasht that the Gilan Judicial Department is getting itself ready for another
stoning.
According to these reports, Mohammad-Ali Navid Khomami's stoning sentence has been finalized and there is a
possibility that this sentence will be carried out. (Aftab state-run website – May 4, 2009)
Iran stones to death adulterer
A man found guilty of adultery has been stoned to death in an Iranian city, a top official told reporters on
Tuesday, despite a moratorium announced by the judiciary on such executions.
The stoning was carried out in the northern city of Rasht during the Iranian month of Esfand, which ended on
March 20, judiciary spokesman Alireza Jamshidi said...
Under Iran's Islamic law, adultery is still punishable by stoning, which involves the hurling of stones in public at
a partially buried convict. A man is buried up to his waist and a woman up to her shoulders.
Convicts are spared if they can free themselves.
Aftab-e Yazd newspaper reported that a 30-year-old government employee identified only as 'V', was stoned to
death in a Rasht prison on March 5. Some Iranian news websites identified him as Vali Azad.
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Tehran says that the use of the death penalty is a bid to improve security in society. (AFP – May 5, 2009)
Iran: Man faces death by stoning for adultery
Amnesty International warned today that a 30-year-old man
is at imminent risk of being stoned to death in the city of
Rasht, northern Iran after being convicted of "adultery while
being married", according to Iranian news reports. At least
eight women and two other men are also believed to be at
risk of stoning to death in Iran.
Fears for Mohammad Ali Navid Khamami's life increased
after the spokesman for Iran's Judiciary, Ali Reza Jamshidi,
confirmed in a 5 May press conference that another man
had been stoned to death in the Iranianmonth of Esfand
(February- March 2009).
Although Ali Reza Jamshidi also said that he was not aware
of anyone else at risk of stoning in Rasht, he did not deny
the possibility. The report follows news of nine executions in Iran already this week and the international outcry
over the 1 May execution of Delara Darabi, a young woman who was under 18 at the time of her alleged
offence. Amnesty International UK Director Kate Allen said:
'Iran seems to be set on a particularly bloody course this year, with more and more reports of death sentences
and executions.
'Amnesty condemns all executions and calls for an end to the death penalty. But the practice of stoning,
specifically designed to inflict a long and painful death, is particularly sickening.
Amnesty International also received reports that 30-year-old Vali Azad from Parsabad had been stoned to death
in secret in Lakan Prison on 5 March after being convicted of "adultery while being married" by the General
Court in Gilan Province. According to the report, a woman convicted in the same case had been pardoned.
Following his execution, Vali Azad's body was reportedly buried in secret, despite requests by his family to have
his body returned to them for burial.
Stoning in Iran is prescribed for the offence of "adultery while being married". In 2002, the Head of the
Judiciary instructed judges to impose a moratorium on stonings. However, at least five men and one woman
have been stoned to death since 2002. In January 2009, Ali Reza Jamshidi, while confirming two executions by
stoning in December 2008, said that the directive on the moratorium had no legal weight and judges could
therefore ignore it. (Amnesty International – May 8, 2009)
Husband and wife to be stoned to death in grave injustice
Mohammad Mostafayi: The text written below is a letter I have written to the Public Prosecutor for a review on
the case of a poverty-stricken man and women who were forced to take some measures, which finally lead to
their death, by stoning sentence…Excerpts of the letter:
I request a review for the case of 1- Rahim Ahmadi sentenced to death by hanging on charges of sodomy and
death by stoning on charges of adultery and 2- Kobra Babayi sentenced to death by stoning on charges of
adultery .Mr. Rahim Ahmadi has insanity but has not been examined by legal doctors (this issue is in itself
legally questionable) and because of the bigotry of the judges regarding my clients actions, they convicted him
and his wife .I went to Tabriz to visit my clients in prison with permission from their family on February 25,
2009. Rahim and Kobra started crying while telling me their story. They were barely able to talk. My clients had
married 16 years before and have an 11-year-old daughter …
Shahram met Rahim Mohammadi and used his gullible nature and the fact that he could barely provide for his
family. Shahram suggested that Rahim let him use his house (as a prostitution house) for a certain amount of
money. If Rahim did not have these severe financial problems and if the government gave him financial
support, he would never have accepted such a suggestion but unfortunately, he accepted the offer to feed his
family …
In this case, other than my clients, 31 other people were arrested who were mostly government employees
including Mohammad Reza Rasuli, an employee in Eastern Azerbaijan Governor's Office, Faramarz Zehni, a
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SSF second lieutenant, Hossein Qorbani, a employee in a the Behran Company, and Ali Shoja, a Tabriz Taxi
Organization employee and a number of other people.
My client confessed to the illegitimate relationship of the other convicted people in this case and they also
accepted their charges but in the end, my clients were sentenced to death by stoning and the others were
sentenced to flogging. (Roshangari Website – May 19, 2009)
Supreme Court confirms death by stoning sentence of young couple in Tabriz
The death by stoning sentence of a young couple, Rahim Mohammadi and Kobra Babayi who are currently in
Tabriz Prison, has been confirmed by the 27th branch of Iran's Supreme Court.
Their lawyer Mohammad Mostafayi confirmed this report.
"The second branch of the Court of Review in East Azerbaijan issued the death by stoning sentence for Rahim
and Kobra and the 27th branch of the Supreme Court confirmed this sentence,” he said. (Amir Kabir Newsletter
– May 24, 2009)
June
Contradicting information on death to stone verdict for a couple in Tabriz
Alireza Jamshidi, spokesperson of mullahs’ judiciary in an interview with IRNA, the official news agency of
Islamic Republic declared that the death to stone verdict for Rahim Mohammadi and Kobra Baabaaii, a couple
from Tabriz charged for sodomy and adultery “has not been finalized.”
After this conference, Mohammad Mostafaii, their lawyer in an interview with Farda Radio said: “Branch 27 of
the Supreme Court has confirmed their death sentences.”
Their lawyer explained in a letter which, was wrote to the Prosecutor General “the root of their guilt was their
extreme poverty. Rahim Mohammadi, the first offender who exploited his wife for bribery “suffers from
insanity” because of extreme poverty and hard life.
He quoted Rahim Mohammadi in his letter writing: “… I sought refuge to some of friends and associates to
borrow some money, but I faced that everyone is ill minded on my wife, and I couldn’t stand poverty pressure
any more leading me to some sort of insanity… Swear to God I didn’t have even enough money to provide
medical glasses for my daughter who suffered high myopia.”
Jamshidi confirmed that a man was stoned to death in Rasht last year, while last August he had said that
execution by stoning to death ceased and it would never be used. (Farda Radio – June 7, 2009)
August
Man in Sari to be stoned on adultery charges
Sayed Naqi Ahmadi might be stoned to death at any moment despite the fact that there are reasons in his case
that could acquit him from adultery charges and stoning sentence. The execution of this sentence for Seyed
Naqi is against the law and his case should be carefully studied. According to experience, the probability of the
execution of such a sentence in Sari or in the example of Mr. Farivar who was sentenced to stoning but was
hanged instead is high. (Weblog of lawyer Mohammad Mostafayi – Aug. 23, 2009)
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Inhumane treatment
and cruel punishments
Amputation, flogging, torture, and humiliation
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anniversary of the suspicious death of Ibrahim Lotf-Ollahi in a detention center. Security and intelligence agents
arrested him at Lotf-Ollahis gravesite and detained him for 21 days in their detention centers.
During these 21 days, he was beaten and abused and did not receive any medical attention after a head injury.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 4, 2009)
4 bloggers sentenced to prison and flogging
Four webloggers have been sentenced to prison and flogging on charges of writing articles critical of the Islamic
Republic. Yesterday, branch 1059 of Tehran's Penal Court sentenced Javad Gholam Tamimi, Shahram Rafi-
Zadeh, Roozbeh Mir Ibrahimi, and Omid Me'marian to 8 years and six months of prison and 124 lashes. They
had served 4 years in prison before this. Mir Ibrahimi and Me'marian have stated that this sentence was given to
them according to their confessions under torture. (Rooz Online – Feb. 5, 2009)
Three political prisoners tortured in prison
Two Iranian Kurds and an Iraqi Kurd were taken to Sanandaj Prison after spending an unbearable three
months in this city's Intelligence Detention Center. Jamshid Refiq Doost, former Majlis candidate who has a
master degree in accounting and is also the head of the Justice Shares of Kurdistan and a university professor,
Abdollah Mardokhi, resident of Marivan and Jamal Saeid, an Iraqi national, were arrested on November 5,
2008 and taken to the Intelligence Department on charges of acting against national security and espionage.
These three men were arrested and abused while detained and torture signs are still evident on their bodies.
Agents especially tortured Jamal Saeid and his arm is still broken. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 5,
2009)
Residents of village sentenced to prison and 74 lashes for rebelling
Twenty-five residents of Qeyzel Khaniyeh Village who were charged with
participating in a clash in this village received court sentences. They were
charged with "disrupting public order" and "revolting against government
agents".
Branch 101 of Nazloo's Penal Court presided over by Judge Hickli
sentenced Soleiman Ebrahimi, Mohammad Samadzadeh, Morteza Jafari,
Allahvardi Aslani, Mohammad Manaf-Zadeh, Ayoub Aziz Poor, Akbar
Rostami, Me'raj Ali Poor, Sayid Jafar Poor, Majid Qoli Zadeh and Ziad
Jafar-Poor to two years of prison, one year of exile to the city of Minab and
74 lashes. Behrooz Majidi was sentenced to one year of prison, one year of
exile to Minab and 74 lashes. This court also sentenced Barzad Nezami
Afshar, Meqdad Nezami Afshar and Mohammad Ashrafi to six months of
prison. (Savalan Sassi website – Feb. 7, 2009)
Sexually abused student sentenced to 30 lashes
The assistant dean of Zanjan University (who sexually abused a female student in this university) was acquitted
in a court of review.
In a sentence passed by this court, the female student who was sexually abused by this corrupt assistant dean was
sentenced to 30 lashes. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 8, 2009)
Seven people sentenced to prison and flogging for gathering in
cemetery
Eight men and women who were arrested on November 21 of last year
in Behesht Zahra Cemetery in Tehran were trialed in the past few days
and seven of them were sentenced to prison and flogging. The
Revolutionary Court sentenced Mehri Moshrefi (f) to three years of
prison and 80 lashes while Fatemeh Qasemi (f), Alireza Mohammad
Hosseini, Abas Javadi Doost, Hamid-Reza Salaran, Afshin Sadeqi, Mehdi
Atayi were each sentenced to two years of prison and 80 lashes. These
men and women were charged with acting against national security by illegally gathering in Behesht Zahra
Cemetery. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Feb. 8, 2009)
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These tortures continued for about 10 days. When officials of the Detention Center wanted to hand him over
to Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison, this prison did not accept him because of the torture signs on his body and the
chance of his death. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – Feb. 19, 2009)
Former Tehran University student self immolates in Tehran University in protest to rape of wife and
daughter by regime forces
A former student of Tehran University School of Arts self immolated outside this university's Central Library.
According to reports, this man was originally from the city of Kankavar in Kermanshah. He dowsed himself
with a flammable liquid after protesting and shouting for about 40 minutes asking for help from university
officials. This former Tehran University student said that a court confiscated his house and property and the
court interrogators raped his wife and daughter. He also said that he had gone to many institutions to pursue
his case but had received no answers.
The University Security Protection Department did nothing to prevent this self-immolation and even after this
man burned himself, students threw their jackets over him to try to extinguish the flames. These students were
shocked to find that no ambulance was called to the scene and were forced to get a taxi to take him to hospital.
(Iran News Agency – Feb. 24, 2009)
Prisoner commits suicide under pressure of torture
Eunice Sanjabi, a Mahabad resident who was imprisoned in Hashtrud Prison committed suicide due to pressure
from the torture inflicted upon him.
According to this report, Sanjabi, who has been in prison for 14 months, had been under severe, violent torture
and torture signs are evident on his body.
He talked to his family one day before his suicide and asked them to try to get him out of prison in any way
possible and that he could not tolerate the tortures anymore.
Eunice was arrested on November 2007 but it is still not clear on what charges. (Kurd News website – Feb. 24,
2009)
Regime forces beat protesting Amir Kabir University students; arrest more than 70
Yesterday, students of Amir Kabir University
protested the "burial of martyrs' project"
(burial of the remains of Iran-Iraq war
soldiers) despite severe preemptive measures
by security forces.
Revolutionary Guards Corps and Bassij
forces violently beat these protesting
students. These forces used knives, pepper
spray and other weapons against these
students. More than 60 students were
injured and 20 of them were taken to
hospital. According to reports, three of these
students are in critical condition.
A number of students who were beaten were
arrested immediately after the burial
ceremony. They were taken to an unknown
location in red vans.
According to reports, more than 70 students were arrested. Most of these students were taken to police station
107 in Palestine Square but there is no information on where some of the arrestees were taken. Some students
taken to 107 Station were later taken to an unknown location. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 24, 2009)
Student under torture in Isfahan
According to reports, Alireza Davoodi, a student activist who is imprisoned in the Intelligence Detention Center
of Isfahan's Central Prison is under severe torture.
According to this report, yesterday evening Davoodi's parents visited him in prison but prison officials
immediately took him to solitary confinement after only two minutes. This is while Alireza Davoodi was barely
able to talk and stand in this visit and his face was swollen with bruises. (Iran Press News – Feb. 24, 2009)
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down her home door and arrested her after searching her house. Sharifi is married and has a small child.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – March 4, 2009)
58-year-old female political prison in critical condition
According to reports from the notorious ward 209 of Evin Prison, the physical
condition of a prisoner who was arrested for intending to visit her children in
Camp Ashraf (Main base of PMOI in Iraq) is critical.
Kobra Banazadeh Amirkhizi, 58, who is currently in ward 209 in Evin Prison, is
suffering from eye bleeding due to the torture inflicted on her. However,
intelligent interrogators refrain from taking her for treatment to a hospital.
Amirkhizi developed this condition after an interrogator struck her and she is in
danger of losing her eyesight.
A large number of men and women who were intending to visit their family
members in Camp Ashraf in Iraq, or having a relative there are still imprisoned.
These prisoners are Ms. Kobra Banazadeh Amirkhizi, Ms. Sakineh Soleimani
(Mother Javadi), Ms. Azizeh Sahfi’ei-nia (Mother Haidarzadeh), Mr. Ali Pour-Eqbali
(Father Pour-Eqbali), Ms. Zahra Samadi, Mr. Ali Samadi, Mr. Amin Rezaii, Mr.
Khossro Rahnama, Mr. Ehsan Arafati, Mr. Hassan Tarlani, Mr. Hamed Yazarlou,
Ms. Mahsa Naderi, Ms. Houri (Fatemeh) Ziaii, Mr. Fatemeh Nabavi, and ... (Center in Defense of Prisoners in
Iran (CDPI) – March 5, 2009)
Prison official beats minor sentenced to death
According to reports from ward 2 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Ali Mahin Torabi
was beaten on Thursday March 5 and transferred to ward 6 of this prison.
Torabi was taken to the Protection and Intelligence Department of prison where the
deputy of this department along with a number of guards severely beat and abused
him. This deputy, Faraj Zadeh, told Torabi while beating him that "we told you not
to talk to political prisoners and now that you didn’t listen you see that we were
serious".
Ali Mahin Torabi was arrested when he was 16 after he got into a fight that lead to
the death of one his classmates. He was arrested in 2003 and sentenced to death, but
after international protests, his death sentence was temporarily put off to a later date.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 6, 2009)
Teacher who protested bad living conditions sentenced to 20 lashes
According to reports, Reza Abdi Sonbol Abadi, an English teacher in Tehran was sentenced to 20 lashes for
protesting the bad living conditions of teachers. (Center of Political Prisoners in Exile – March 7, 2009)
Man sentenced to 30 lashes for "speaking at illegal gathering"
A veteran of the Iran Iraq war was sentenced to 10 months of prison, 30 lashes, and a fine. Reza Jalali, a
member of the University Science Committee was sentenced by the Gorgan Public Court on charges of
participating in an illegal gathering, speaking at this gathering and insulting a government agent. (E'temad state-
run daily – March 8, 2009)
Imprisoned Isfahan university students under torture
On Sunday March 8, Maziar Ma'sumi, an Isfahan University student activist received a phone call from the
Intelligence Agency telling him to present himself to this agency at 10 am tomorrow to answer some questions.
This is while four other Isfahan students, Alireza Davudi, Bahman Khodadadi, Arsalan Sadeqi and Hossein
Sarshumi, are currently in Isfahan prison. Arsalan and Hosseini were arrested immediately after going to the
Revolutionary Court.
Also according to other reports, imprisoned Isfahan students are under severe mental and physical pressure and
their current conditions are very concerning.
According to Bahman Khodadadi's family, prison guards were forced to hospitalize him due to the (physical)
pressures inflicted upon him. (Azadi Barabari website – March 9, 2009)
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Some of the people arrested were, Tan-naz AbolHosseini Ahmadi (16 year old female), Khosro Qaedi (17 years
old), Mahnaba Tavakoli Berazjani (26 year old female), Fatemeh Farahani (female), Sudabeh Shadpur (50 year
old female), Abas Tavakoli Berazjani (38 years old), Hossein Tavakoli Berazjani (33 years old), and Mohsen.
They were kept two in a cell on the first days of their arrest. These cells, aka "cells of death" did not have
windows and was unbearably hot in the month of July.
The tortures inflicted on this family were as follows:
The skin of the sensitive parts of the prisoner's body were pressed with pliers, pressing toe nails with pliers,
beating the prison repeatedly for a long time with clubs and other objects, tying the hands and feet of the,
prisoner from the back and keeping the prisoner in this position for a long time, hanging the prisoner from the
ceiling until the prisoner passes out, depriving the prisoner of drinking water in the hot summer weather, the
prisoner was only allowed to use the restroom twice in 24 hours, the judge handling their case threatened the
women arrested were with rape, pulling a bag over the head of the prisoner while he was being tortured Jumping
on the hands and feet of the prisoner while they were handcuffed, the prisoners witnessed the torture of their
family members or heard their cries while they were being tortured and other forms of torture.
Hossein Tavakoli Berazjani was killed under this medieval and severe torture while his whole body had turned
black from the torture.
Currently some of the women and girls who were arrested in this incident are suffering from severe mental
illness especially the younger ones and those who witnessed the torture of their brothers, uncles, and aunts.
Abas Tavakoli Berazjani has currently been transferred to ward 2 in Gohardasht Prison and his legal case is in
an undetermined state. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 24, 2009)
Student activist tortured in Qezelhesar Prison
According to reports, the family of student prisoner Mohammad Pour-Abdollah protested the arrest of this
Tehran University student outside this prison in Tehran. Mohammad Pour-Abdollah was a student of chemistry
in Tehran University and was arrested on February 12 along with other student activists during a raid by security
agents. He was tortured until March 18 in ward 209 of Evin Prison and forced to give a false confession.
Mohammad Pour-Abdollah was finally transferred to Qezelhesar prison after officials lost hope in forcing him to
"confess". This prison is the detention center of criminals, prisoners with illnesses and drug addicts. (Iran News
Agency – March 25, 2009)
Forced confession extracted from 2 brothers under torture in Ardabil prison
Ramin Sadeqi Asl, an Azeri civil rights activist in Ardabil who was arrested in his father's house on February 5 is
still in critical condition in prison and is under severe and violent torture implemented on him in a Intelligence
Agency Detention Center in Ardabil.
According to a prison who was recently released from this detention center, agents violently torture Ramin and
his brother, Mohammad Sadeqi. Agents hanged these two brothers from their feet and torture them with a
machine called "the Ferris Wheel".
These brothers are also subjected to tortures such as administering electric shocks to sensitive body organs,
severe beatings, whipping with cables, solitary confinement, and sleep deprivation used to force them to make
false confessions.
According to this informed source, the Sadeqi brothers have been forced to confess into things they have not
done under these severe tortures. (Iran Press News – March 27, 2009)
Nine imprisoned student activists under torture
The Human Rights Committee of Amir Kabir University's Islamic Association issued a statement cautioning on
the condition of imprisoned students in this university.
This committee wrote in its statement, "More than 50 days has gone by since the illegal arrest of Majid Tavakoli,
Hossein Turkashvand, Kurosh Daneshyar, and Ismail Salman-Pour, more than a month has passed since the
illegal arrest of Ahmad Qasaban, Abas Hakim-Zadeh, Nariman Mustafavi and Mehdi Mashayekhi, and more
than 20 days has passed since the illegal arrest of Yaser Turkeman. During this time, the only contact these
students had had with their families has been one or two phone calls with the presence of interrogators. Abas
Hakim-Zadeh and Yaser Turkeman have not been allowed to contact their families.
In their short phone calls with the presence of interrogators, these students said that they were in good health
but the way they spoke, which according to their families was with evident fear and anxiety, shows that they are
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kept in an inappropriate state. According to these families, the voice of interrogators could be clearly heard in
the background telling the students to "say that you are well" and "say that we are not on hunger strike".
One of the students also talked of long interrogations in the morning and night along with physical and mental
abuse. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – March 29, 2009)
April
Tortured political prisoner's life in danger
Political prisoner Mansoor Radpour has been transferred to solitary confinement since late December 2008 in
ward 8, which is controlled by Intelligence Agent interrogators. These interrogators
have subjected him to the most severe mental and physical tortures since he was taken
to solitary confinement. One of these interrogators nicknamed Haji told Radpour "you
will not leave this place in one piece. You will either die or go crazy but until then, you
will be kept here".
Some of the tortures that this political prisoner has been subjected to in the past three
months are as follows:
He is left in his solitary cell with his hands and feet tied for a long period of time; a
number of interrogators beat him with clubs while he is blindfolded with his hands
and feet tied; he can only use the restroom twice in 24 hours; his food rations have
greatly decreased and he is subjected to extreme hunger; he has not been allowed to take a bath for a long
period of time; he is not allowed to have his personal belongings including his clothes (the clothes he has on
have torn and become worn out due to the tortures); he is interrogated and tortured during the night; he has
been banned from family visits and having any sort of contact with his family.
Radpour is in a very bad physical condition due to the severity of the tortures and has been taken to the prison
medical clinic a number of times. The reason he is banned from family visits is because of the torture signs on
his body and as an to attempt to subject him to more mental pressure. This prison's life is in serious danger and
the threat of another catastrophe in this prison is imminent.
MOIS interrogators have also threatened Mrs. Radpour that if she follows up on the case of her son, she will
also be arrested. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – April 1, 2009)
Imprisoned student activist in increased bad health
Abbas Hakim-zadeh, former member of the Central Committee of Poly-Technique (Amir Kabir) University’s
Islamic Association who is currently a member of the Central Committee of the Office for Consolidating Unity,
was arrested in this university on February 24, 2009. He was among eight other Amir Kabir students, also
arrested, who were transferred to ward 209 of Evin Prison for protesting against the burial of those killed in
Iraq-Iran War in the university campus. He has been under severe pressure and has not been allowed to contact
his family since his arrest.
According to reports from Evin Prison, witnesses who saw him reported that he was being taken to the prison
medical clinic with the help of two people because he could not walk on his own. Hakim-Zadeh has had several
surgical operations on his vertebra and the increase of pressure in prison causes him severe pain and
convulsions. (Iran news agency – Apr. 5, 2009)
Ongoing negligence for prisoners' lives in Evin Prison
Ahmad Fallah-pour, a prisoner charged with financial charges in Evin Prison, committed suicide in this prison.
However, prison officials and the medical team in this prison sent him back to his cell in ward 240 without
giving him adequate treatment. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 5, 2009)
Regime increases pressure on political prisoner
In protest to the savage behavior of agents of the Iranian regime in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Behruz Javid
Tehrani threatened that he would go on a hunger strike.
Tehrani, who has been imprisoned since the July 9th, 1999 uprising wrote in a letter: "Dear people, the infernal
agents of the mullahs have trampled all the red lines of humanity and the only way left for me now is to go on a
hunger strike."
This political prisoner stated that the "mullahs' henchmen have threatened that they will send me to the same
place they sent my friend Heshmat Saran". (Saran was killed suspiciously in prison)
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"They have not treated my illnesses in the medical clinic in prison for a long time now even though I am very
sick and have lost 50 percent of my eyesight after I was struck in the back of the head", he wrote in this letter.
(Center in Defense of Prisoners in Iran – Apr. 6, 2009)
Prisoners in Gohardasht Prison put under increased pressure; forced to stay in prison yard in snow
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison, on April 13 prison officials forced all the political and non-
political prisoners in this prison into the prison yard in the unbearable cold weather. This measure caused some
prisoners to become sick and catch the flu.
According to some prisoners, some of the political prisoners did not have enough time to wear shoes or slippers
and were kept barefoot on the asphalt. After the suspicious events which lead to the death of some political
prisoners including Hossein Heshmat Saran in this prison and Omidreza Mir- Sayafi in Evin Prison, prisoners
have been faced with increasing pressure, abuse even beatings. Guards also carry out sudden attacks to prisoners'
cells, harassing and abusing them. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – Apr. 16, 2009)
SSF illegally enter university and beat student
After State Security Forces entered Tehran's Teacher Training University last night and beat a student, students
of this university staged a protest gathering in this university.
Last night, a SSF patrol car entered this university under the excuse of wanting to use the restroom. After they
entered the university, these agents started patrolling the university campus. Finally, they stopped in front of the
cafeteria. Subsequently, a student asked them why they were patrolling inside the university, but an agent
immediately attacked him with pepper spray while the other agent tried to force him into the trunk of the car to
take him out of the university.
After other students got involved to try to stop these agents from taking the student out of the university, a clash
between these agents, students and the head guard of the university's Protection Department ensued. These
agents then armed their guns shooting two rounds in the sky and then pointed their guns at the protesting
students threatening them. The SSF agents confiscated the mobile phone of another student who was trying to
film the scene, abducted the head guard of the Protection Department and left the scene.
Finally, at about 10 pm, the abducted student and Protection Department guard were thrown out of the SSF car
in a corner of the university. They were both very badly beaten. Students took these two men to the university
medical clinic for treatment. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 20, 2009)
Female political prisoner will be kept in solitary for two more months
According to reports from Semnan Prison controlled by the Ministry of Intelligence, Khadijeh Nabavi will be
kept in solitary confinement for two more months. Nabavi was arrested on April 8 after agents raided her place
of work. She was taken to an unknown location and then transferred to a solitary cell in this prison. This
political prisoner is the wife of Zuhor Nabavi, a writer for Sarzamine Ariari Magazine who is also in prison.
Zuhor had defended his wife, disclosing that she was unjustly arrested and imprisoned. In addition to her own
child, Khadijeh Nabavi was the guardian of 5-year-old Roya, the daughter of political prisoner Hamideh Nabavi.
Currently, four members of this family are in prison. Seyed Zuhor Nabavi, a writer for the Sarzamineh Aria
Magazine has been sentenced to four years of prison and is kept in ward 350 of Evin Prison. Hamideh Nabavi
has been sentenced to a year of prison on charges of participating in a ceremony to commemorate the memory
of political prisoners who were executed in 1988 and is currently in the women's ward in Evin Prison. Fatemeh
Nabavi has been in Semnan Central Prison in an undetermined state since February 20 and Khadijeh Nabavi is
also in Semnan Prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – April 20, 2009)
Female student activist and brother kept in solitary for 62 days
According to reports from the notorious Evin Prison in Tehran, Shabnam Madadzadeh and her brother Farzad
Madadzadeh have been kept in solitary confinement for 62 days
in ward 209.
These two have been imprisoned in this condition since they
were first arrested on February 19. They were allowed to call
their family three times in this time and according to their
family in their last phone call on Monday April 20, they could
not talk comfortably and they were told what to say over the
phone. Their tone showed that they were under severe pressure.
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They were told to say that their family should not attempt to go to court to pursue their case until they were
told. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 21, 2009)
Students tortured to give in to TV interviews
Arrested students of Poly-Technique University (aka Amir Kabir University), are under inhumane pressure and
torture to give interviews on (Iranian state-run) Television.
A prisoner who witnessed the transfer of Ismail Salmanpur, an arrested student, to the prison medical clinic has
said in a telephone call that students are under severe pressure to give interviews on TV. The pressure and
torture that these students are subjected to are so severe that some of them are in very bad health. This prisoner
also stated that Salmanpur was in a very bad shape while being transferred to the medical clinic. In the past few
days, another imprisoned student who spoke with his family in a telephone call said that his interrogation
sessions are over but other students are still under interrogations and torture. This student also stated that they
have been asked to confess to false accusations on Television. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 23, 2009)
Tortured imprisoned student activist transferred to hospital in critical condition
Ismail Salmanpur, an imprisoned Poly-Technique (Amir Kabir) University student was
transferred yesterday from Evin Prison to hospital.
This student activist was taken to hospital in a very critical condition and on the verge of
death. Yesterday, officials responsible for his legal case called his parents asking them to
come get their son.
According to reports, only his parents are allowed to be at his side at the hospital and
they have been threatened that no student or lawyer is allowed to see him at hospital.
The sudden transfer of Salmanpur from prison to hospital has caused serious concerns
among students regarding his health and the health of all other imprisoned students.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 27, 2009)
Ahle Haq prisoner beaten and abused for practicing religion
According to reports, three Ahle Haq prisoners who have been exiled to Yazd prison are in bad condition. They
have gone on a hunger strike from April 21 in protest to the violation of their most minimum rights.
According to informed sources, prison officials prevented Abdollah Qasemzadeh from practicing his religion
and praying at night. Qasemzadeh was beaten for persisting to pray and was taken solitary confinement. Prison
guards sprayed his face with pepper spray and severely beat him after seeing his pray in solitary. There is no
information on the condition of Qasemzadeh in solitary confinement. (Iran Press News– Apr. 27, 2009)
May
Three men sentenced to 74 lashes
Branch 70 of Tehran's Court of Review presided over by Ahmad Miri Lavasani approved the decision of branch
1191 of the Public Court confirming that Jaber Moqtader has been sentenced to three years of prison, 74 lashes
and a fine of 6,255,000,000 Rials (almost equivalent to $6,255,000) for forging government documents, making
money illegitimately, and paying a bribe.
Mr. Naser Pak Parvar has been sentenced to 7 years of prison, 74 lashes, and a fine of 275,600,000 Rials, a year
of disbanding from government employment, and confiscating of the property from bribery and three years of
exile to Keliber town on charges of bribe.
Mr. Qadir Marandi has been sentenced to 7 years of prison, 74 lashes, and 252,000,000 Rials, a year of
disbanding from government employment on charges of receiving a bribe. (Shahab News state-run website –
May 2, 2009)
Student journalist beaten and arrested in Labor Day gathering
During a demonstration to mark Labor Day in Tehran, Massoud Loqman, a senior master's degree student of
Tehran's Alame Tababtayi University and freelance journalist who also runs a website named Ruznamak, was
beaten and arrested by security forces. Last nights, intelligence agents went to the cultural activist's home and
confiscated his books and other personal belongings. There is no information on where he is being kept.
(Kurosh News Agency – May 3, 2009)
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“A number of Azadi Stadium Protection agents who were wearing green uniforms started attacked and beat me
when I intended to go the special seats section in the stadium to talk to the team and at the end of the game”,
the reporter said. (ILNA state-run news agency – May 28, 2009)
Fear led US reporter to confess to Iran spying
Iranian-American reporter Roxana Saberi said Thursday fear drove her to confess to being a US spy as she gave
her first interview since being freed after 100 days in Iran's notorious Evin prison.
US-born Saberi, who had been living in Iran for six years and working as a reporter for Western media outlets
while writing a book, told National Public Radio (NPR) that no one saw her being taken from her home on
January 31 by four men from the Iranian intelligence ministry, and she wasn't allowed to contact friends or
family when she was thrown in Evin the same day.
'After I realized that nobody knew where I was, I was very afraid, and my interrogators threatened me and said, if
you don't confess to being a US spy, you could be here for 10 years or 20 years. You could even face execution,'
she told NPR.
'And I thought, well, if something happens to me, my family doesn't know where I am, maybe they would never
find out. And so I made a false confession and I said, 'Yes, I'm a US spy,'' the 32-year-old told NPR's Melissa
Block, host of the popular 'All Things Considered' program.
'I'm still not sure what they arrested me for. It wasn't for buying alcohol; it wasn't for reporting without a press
pass,' Saberi said.
Both accusations have been raised by the media and officials in Iran as the reason for Saberi's arrest.
Saberi told NPR that her interrogators had from the go accused her of spying for the United States.
'However much I told them that I was not -- that I was simply writing a book and doing interviews for a book,
which I hoped to use to show English speakers around the world a more balanced and complete picture of
Iranian society -- however much I told them this, they told me I was lying and that I was a US spy,' she said.
In Evin, the jail in the Tehran suburbs where many political prisoners are held, Saberi endured 'severe
psychological and mental pressure, although I was not physically tortured.
'The first few days, I was interrogated for several hours, from morning until evening, blindfolded, facing a wall,
by up to four men, and threatened ... I was in solitary confinement for several days,' Saberi said.
Those days in isolation, when nobody knew where she was, were the 'most difficult time for me,' said Saberi.
'I prayed a lot -- I prayed more than I ever have in my whole life.'
After several weeks, Saberi was put in a cell with 'other political prisoners,' she said .
She drew strength from her fellow inmates, whom she described as 'some of the most admirable women I've
met, not only in Iran, but all over the world.
'They're not willing to give in to pressure to make false confessions or to sign off to commitments not to take
part in their activities once they're released; they would rather stay in prison and stand up for those principles
that they believe in,' Saberi said.
'Many of them are still there today,' she said. (AFP - May 28, 2009)
June
Bassij brutally beat and injure students in Tehran
More than 10 students of the Chamran University's School of Technique were brutally beaten and
injured after Bassij forces (RGC’s militias) from this university armed with (electric) shockers, electric
clubs, tear gas, and pepper spray among other things, attacked them. Four of these students were
transferred to hospital.
A female student was also violently taken to the Bassij office in the university and was brutally beaten.
Her mobile phone was also confiscated by the Bassij commander. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – June 5,
2009)
Jailed protestors in Zahedan tortured in prison
One of those injured in the recent unrest in Zahedan passed away while jailed protestors have said that
they have been tortured in prison.
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Abdolbasir Musa Zehi, a Zahedan resident who had been injured in the recent violence in this city
passed away on June 5 in Zahedan's central hospital.
Although hundreds have been arrested in the recent unrest, their families are too afraid to pursue their
cases because of the high security repressive measures (by government forces) in this region and there is
no information on their fate. A number of jailed people who have recently been released talked of
being arbitrarily arrested in groups, beaten, insulted, verbally abused and the violation of their
minimum rights in prison. They have claimed that they were insulted because of their religion (Sunni
Islam) and race. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 6, 2009)
Students sexually tortured in Internal Ministry and police while selective head of university tries to cover it
up
This is part of the moving statement of a student activist who was arrested a few nights ago in Tehran
University's dormitory along with other students and was detained in the Internal Ministry where he was
subjected to severe torture.
This student, who did not specify his name because of security reasons said, "They treated students who wanted
to use the bathroom terribly inhumanely. First of all the bathroom did not have a door and whoever went to the
bathroom could be seen by everyone. Second of all you only had 30 seconds to use the bathroom. After your 30
seconds was up, they would drag you out of the bathroom. One of the worst scenes that none of us will ever
forget was when one of the students did not finish in time. The agent kicked him out of the bathroom when he
wasn't finished yet and threw him in the middle of the students. One of the other abuses we were subjected to
was sexual torture in the Ministry of Internal Affairs and I am ashamed to talk about it. The inhumane
treatment was not only limited to the Ministry. When we were taken to the security police, we were also sexually
tortured there.”
This student also described the torture they were subjected to after being transferred to the security police and
said, "When they took us to the security police, the head of the university (Tehran University), Doctor Rahbar
(Farhad Rahbar) came to the place we were detained with a Majils representative (parliament member). While
they had brought some reporters with him he presented us with new T-shirts so that (when the reporters took
pictures) the people would not see the bloody clothes of the students.” (Ruz Online – June 21, 2009)
The torture of a 17-year-old in IranJune
24, 2009 | the pictures you are about to see are not from someone who supports anarchy, he is not even a part
of the 'DUST' that Ahamdinejad called his opponents. He is just a 17-year-old boy who was supposed to take the
university entrance exam within a month before his fingers were broken and the finger webs were cut with a
blade.
He was arrested violently in the parking lot of a living complex without even taking part in any of the recent
activities, and after more than 24 hours he returned home while his face was fully covered with blood and one
could only see his eyes. These pictures are taken hours after his return home, his bruised face and broken nose
cannot be shown due to his and his parents fear from the security guards. This is a summary of his story:
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According to reports from families of a large number of students and other people who were detained in the
past two weeks, security forces have subjected the detainees to pressure to force them to confess that they were
involved in preparing explosives or carrying explosives.
Some of thousands of political prisoners in the past two weeks who were allowed to contact their families have
said in short statement to their families that they are severely beaten and tortured. They are told that only if they
confess on television that they are involved in the preparation of explosives or have cooperated with the
Monafeghin (the PMOI), will they be left alone and not tortured anymore. (Roshangari Website – June 24,
2009)
Lives of demo detainees in danger in notorious Kahrizak detention center
Hundreds of people detained in the past few days during protests in Tehran are abused on a daily basis in Camp
Kahrizak. This illegal camp in Shahr-e Sang, which is a constituent of Shahr-e Ray in the Province of Tehran,
was built eight years ago in an operation called "Island". It was used for clearing the Khak-e Sefid area in Tehran
as a place to keep the detainees of the so-called social security plan.
One of the most important locations in which a great number of the detainees are kept is the illegal Kahrizak
Camp and due to the fact that it is mainly unknown by the media and public opinion it has stayed hidden from
human rights organizations.
According to reports from a number of the camp inmates who were recently brought to Qezel Hesar Prison, as
in the social security plans, detainees are beaten on arrival. Every person has about one cubic meter of space in
his or her cell. According to eyewitnesses, security agents beat the detainees in an organized daily routine in
what is called the "beating ration". They either raid the rooms to beat the inmates or line up the detainees in the
yard and beat them.
According to other reports, security forces interrogate the detainees in groups, filming them. This camp is under
the control of security police and there is no other surveillance of what goes on in the camp. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – June 25, 2009)
Detainees pressured to give televised false confessions
Detainees of recent protests are subjected to severe pressure to give false televised confessions. According to
reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, a large number of those who were arrested were taken to solitary cells
in ward 8 known as the RGC ward in this prison. A large number of detainees were also taken to other
unknown locations. Reports say that the ward is filled with young protesters who were arrested in the past few
days. The prisoners are subjected to severe and unbearable torture. They are pressurized into giving televised
interviews to repeat what is dictated to them by the Ministry of Intelligence. Their lives are also in danger
because of the severe torture they undergo. In the past few days, many of them were taken to the prison medical
clinic. While being taken to the clinic they are accompanied by prison guards and other prisoners are not
allowed to communicate with them. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 25, 2009)
Two injured protesters transferred to Evin Prison
According to reports, Kurosh Shahbazi and Karim Baqerpur Yazdi 2 Tehran residents who were injured in the
clashes were taken from the Baqi'e Hospital, which belongs to the Revolutionary Guards Corps to Evin Prison.
Due to the fact that they are denied phone calls and visits, there is no information on their current condition in
prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 25, 2009)
Iranian regime arrests and tortures young man
Reza Jushan, 25, was summoned to the Intelligence Agency in Karaj by an intelligence interrogator named
Mohebi.
Jushan was immediately arrested by the interrogator and taken to solitary cells in Gohardasht Prison's ward 8.
He is currently under torture by Reza Arefi, another intelligence interrogator. Regime agents have put severe
pressure on him to give a televised confession. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 25, 2009)
Jailed Iran reformists 'tortured to confess foreign plot'
Amnesty reports apparent attempt to implicate defeated presidential candidate in conspiracy to overthrow
regime.
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Mostafa Tajzadeh, Abdollah Ramezanzadeh and Mohsen Aminzadeh, all Moussavi supporters, are reported to
have undergone 'intensive interrogation' sessions in Tehran's notorious Evin prison since being arrested in a
mass round-up of OPPOSITION figures following Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's disputed re-election.
A spokesman for Amnesty International said the reports came from 'very credible sources'.
The Iranian authorities have used this technique before to humiliate and discredit opponents. In 2007, state
television aired 'confessions' by US-Iranian academics Haleh Esfandiari, Kian Tajbakhsh and Ramin
Jahanbegloo in which they said they had worked with pro-democracy groups that the regime claimed were
plotting its downfall.
This week, state television broadcast interviews with several people admitting to being 'terrorists' after
purportedly taking part in street demonstrations. (The Guardian Website - June 26, 2009)
Thousands of protesters in Evin Prison, juvenile threatened with rape
According to reports, thousands of protesters have been arrested in the recent unrest in Tehran.
Four young men who were arrested for protesting to Bassijis who were standing on the street with clubs. They
were handcuffed made to sit on the side of the street. Any protests from them were met were severe beatings
from the Bassijis. People who would protest to their arrest were also beaten.
Ward 209 is filled with these detainees and 5-6 people are kept in one solitary cell where only one
person was kept before. Ward 8 has been cleared out and old prisoners were moved to ward 7. Ward 8
has been designated to new detainees and currently 700 young people are in this ward. This is while
this ward only has the capacity for 140 prisoners.
In the basement of ward 7 which is known as the "quarantine", there are also a large number of new
detainees. Prisoners are not able to sleep due to the excessive number of prisoners in the ward. Also in
the main quarantine section of this prison known as "Alborz" there are 2000 new detainees according
to a family member of one the detainees. The detainees are unable to sleep and have a hard time
breathing. Young prisoners, some under 17, have been threatened with rape by the prison guards.
A group of families whose loved ones were detained in the past few days in Tehran gathered outside Evin Prison
at 8 am to pursue their case and whereabouts. Most of these families, who numbered about 800 people, had no
information on their loved ones. Regime officials did not give them any information telling them that they had
no right to pursue their whereabouts and that they were not allowed to gather or come to Evin for the next two
weeks. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 29, 2009)
July
Student discloses details of torture in Interior Ministry
Another student who was arrested in the dorms in Tehran University and was released has revealed some other
inhumane tortures by plainclothes agents in the Interior Ministry. This eyewitness said:
At that night, Ansar Hezbollah forces and Bassijis had laid siege around many of the students and started
beating them and dragging them on the floor. This is while many of the students had injuries in their hands,
feet and legs and were bleeding and in critical condition. Then the students were guided with punches and kicks
to vans and cars which were waiting outside the dorms.
On the way to the prison, they were abused and treated in a humiliating manner. Other than the usual beatings
on the way, agents placed metal boxes on the students' heads and constantly beat the boxes with their clubs.
This is while one of the detainees who had a metal box on, had broken his head in three positions, and was
bleeding.
The cars were taken to various places. Some students were taken to detention centers on that night while others
were taken to the negative fourth floor of the Interior Ministry. In the Interior Ministry, after not being given
water for 12 hours, an agent brought a small pitcher of water for all the thirsty injured students. He brought the
pitcher up and started pouring the water on the ground and forced the students to drink water while it was
being poured on the ground. This is how they would give water to the students. After students were beaten and
tortured, they would be given their food in their hands. They poured spaghetti into their hands and were told
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that if one little bit of food spills on the ground, they would be beaten. In a couple of instances when the food
spilled, the students were violently beaten.
They were told to divide the bread and share it with each other and that if they dropped even one crumb on the
floor, they would be beaten. Again, because the bread was dry, the bread fell on the floor and some of the
students were severely battered. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 1, 2009)
Detainees in imminent danger of death
According to reports from various prisons in Iran, thousands of newly arrested prisoners are under severe and
violent torture and their lives are in danger.
In some instances, young people have been killed under torture and their bodies are given to the coronersunder
the pretext that they were killed in the clashes. According to former prisoners who have been released from
prison, detainees are battered from the very beginning of their incarceration with clubs, fists, and kicks, on their
heads. They are taken to detention centers with blindfolds and when they enter the hallways, guards stand on
either side of the hallway and beat the young detainees in the most violent manner. Clubs are slammed and hit
on their sensitive body parts which usually leads to broken noses, heads, legs, hands and face injuries. They are
then taken to cells which are filled with prisoners and have very limited space. Prisoners can only take turns
sleeping for four hours each. To abuse and humiliate them, they are deprived from using the restroom and have
to go to the bathroom in their cells.
They are taken to interrogations which last for a very long time, sometimes up to 8 hours in one day. They are
also mentally and physically tortured in the interrogations. In some case, detainees have been taken for
interrogation and were not brought back which means that they either died under torture or they are in a very
critical condition. Interrogators put a sheet of paper in front of detainees demanding they sign it. On these
papers it is written that "I have burned down a mosque, set fire to cars, have killed Bassijis and people from the
outside of Iran told me to participate in the protests and destroy public property".
Hossein Zare Dahnavi, a security interrogator, Heidari Fard, Hosseini, Rasekh and Musavi have been assigned
to Evin Prison. These agents threaten detainees during interrogation and force them to sign under the
confession papers and accept the alleged charges. They especially put pressure on detainees who were arrested
on the street, which they intend to free. In many cases, they have told detainees that if they do not sign, they will
stay in jail "and no one knows where you are and we will kill you and say you were killed on the street in the
clashes".
The condition of detainees in other towns other than Tehran is much worse and they are in imminent danger.
All evidence points to the fact that that officials are currently laying the foundations to execute detainees.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 1, 2009)
Security and judicial institutions evade responsibility of detainees
According to reports, security forces are still making arrests in Tehran and other cities and according to
estimates, a few thousand detainees are in various Tehran prisons.
The detainees are taken to detention centers in police stations, the Shapur Intelligence Department, Ministry of
Intelligence safe houses, Bassij Bases, and military RGC bases. They are severely tortured in these centers and
according to reports, a number of young people have died due to torture in Police Station number 148. There is
no information on detainees kept in the notorious camp Kahrizak.
Officials have not announced the real number of detainees and the announced figures are much lower than
actual numbers. The intelligence agency and Revolutionary Court are still not taking the responsibility of the
arrests of a large number of detainees and tell their families that they have no information on their
whereabouts. These young detainees are in serious danger. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran –
July 5, 2009)
Jailed Babol University students under torture
According to reports from the Sari and Babol Prisons, jailed Nunshirvani Industrial University students are
under severe torture by intelligence interrogators.
Nima Nahvi and Ali Taqi-Pur are jailed in the Sari Intelligence Prison. Nahvi can hardly walk due to the torture
and his hands are completely swollen. There is no information on Taqi-Pur's condition. They are both in
solitary cells controlled by the intelligence agency.
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Five other jailed students were transferred to the Babol Prison after 10 days of mental and physical torture.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 8, 2009)
Ministry Hygiene: 2 thousand meningitis shots were sent Tehran prisons
The former RGC Joint Chief of Staff who had participated in a ceremony to bury the body of Dr. Rooh al-
amini's son quoted Dr. Rooh al-Amini saying, "Last night, the Ministry of Hygiene came to our house to pay his
respects and give his condolences. He said that to fight infectious diseases and meningitis in prison, they had
sent 2,000 very strong penicillin shots into various Tehran prisons in the past few days. I became very concerned
for political prisoners after I heard this".
Sending 2 thousand antibiotic shots to counter blood infections in prison is proof of the severe beatings (of
prisoners) in prisons by security forces which leads to such infections for prisoners. It seems that Mohsen Rooh
al-Amini died in prison due to severe bleeding after he was clubbed in the head and did not receive proper
medical care in the prison. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 26, 2009)
60 prisoners kept in 12 person cell in Sari Prison
The head of Prisons in Mazandaran said that the capacity of the Central Prison in Sari is not enough for its
prisoners. He said that the prison cells in the Sari Prison are small and the (conditions) are hard for prisoners.
"Currently 60 prisoners live in a 12 person cell in Sari Prison and the sanitary services are not enough for the
prisoners". (Asre Iran state-run website – July 27, 2009)
Families of detainees concerned for the safety of their loved ones
According to reports, the families of those arrested in the recent unrest gathered today outside Tehran's
Revolutionary Court and Evin Prison to voice their concern over not having any news on their loved ones.
A mother said that her child called from prison last night and while he was talking she heard someone telling
him what to say. She heard someone telling him, "tell your mother that they take care of you here, they give you
good food, good clean clothes, good place to sleep and that you are taken outside in the fresh air…".
Plainclothes agents and agents of the Revolutionary Protection Department inside the court and plainclothes
agents and security forces stationed outside the court monitored the families gathered outside the court. A
security patrol car constantly patrolled the area to control the families.
There are no reports on the condition of a number of prisoners whose names are on the list published so far by
the Revolutionary Court. Their families have had no information on their loved ones for a number of weeks
and no official answers their request on their condition. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July
27, 2009)
Secret prisons in Iran
Mehdi Mahmudian, a journalist and human rights activist said that there are dozens of illegal and unregistered
detention centers in Tehran. Pasgard Prison, Afsarieh Detention Center, and RGC Detention Center number
66, are some of these detention centers.
"In the recent events, even the Protection Departments in various institutions made independent detention
centers for themselves. They detained whoever they arrest for some time, tortured them and then handed them
over (to official prisons). Pasgard is in Southwestern Tehran and is controlled by the Ministry of Defense. It is a
gun production factory and a number of people have been killed in it", he said.
Describing what two prisoners experienced in prison he said, "One of them claims that they splashed gasoline
on his naked body for three consecutive days and left him under the sun. When I saw him, his body was
completely scorched and black. Three other people said the same thing happened to them. Another person said
that in a RGC prison, they shaved his hair to make an "intersection" on his head. Then a number of people
stood on his naked body and urinated on his head while using very offensive language". Mahmudian said that
Khamenei is responsible for the RGC prisons.
There are reports of about 4,000 arrests in the post election protests. Some of them are known political and civil
rights activists and journalists. But most of them are unknowns and no reports have been published about them
in the media. (German Radio Website – July 28, 2009)
Student activist dies moths after being tortured in prison
Alireza Davudi, an Isfahan University student passed away on Monday July 27 from a heart attack a few months
after being released from prison. He was 26 years old.
He was an accounting student, editor of a student publication and a leftist student activist.
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Davudi had gotten depression after his release as a result of mental and physical torture in prison. He had been
hospitalized 20 days before his death because of physical and mental problems. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July
31, 2009)
Detained "troublemakers" have turned into prison wardens for political prisoners
Close to two months have gone by since the presidential elections in Iran. Pubic protests to the result of the
elections are still in progress. The son of Beheshti is a close advisor to Moussavi and has worked with him since
he was prime minister.
"We have information that some of those arrested as troublemakers in the social security plan who have signed
commitments (not to supposedly cause trouble) are currently used in the gatherings and detention centers (by
officials)", Beheshti said. "There are many temporary detention centers in the city and unfortunately they have
acted as more than just detention centers and this is more concerning than Evin Prison", he added. (Sarmayeh
state-run daily – August 2, 2009)
Ministry Hygiene: 2 thousand meningitis shots were sent Tehran prisons
The former RGC Joint Chief of Staff who had participated in a ceremony to bury the body of Dr. Rooh al-
amini's son quoted Dr. Rooh al-Amini saying, "Last night, the Ministry of Hygiene came to our house to pay his
respects and give his condolences. He said that to fight infectious diseases and meningitis in prison, they had
sent 2,000 very strong penicillin shots into various Tehran prisons in the past few days. I became very concerned
for political prisoners after I heard this".
Sending 2 thousand antibiotic shots to counter blood infections in prison is proof of the severe beatings (of
prisoners) in prisons by security forces which leads to such infections for prisoners. It seems that Mohsen Rooh
al-Amini died in prison due to severe bleeding after he was clubbed in the head and did not receive proper
medical care in the prison. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 26, 2009)
60 prisoners kept in 12 person cell in Sari Prison
The head of Prisons in Mazandaran said that the capacity of the Central Prison in Sari is not enough for its
prisoners. He said that the prison cells in the Sari Prison are small and the (conditions) are hard for prisoners.
"Currently 60 prisoners live in a 12 person cell in Sari Prison and the sanitary services are not enough for the
prisoners". (Asre Iran state-run website – July 27, 2009)
Families of detainees concerned for the safety of their loved ones
According to reports, the families of those arrested in the recent unrest gathered today outside Tehran's
Revolutionary Court and Evin Prison to voice their concern over not having any news on theirloved ones.
A mother said that her child called from prison last night and while he was talking she heard someone telling
him what to say. She heard someone telling him, "tell your mother that they take care of you here, they give you
good food, good clean clothes, good place to sleep and that you are taken outside in the fresh air…".
Plainclothes agents and agents of the Revolutionary Protection Department inside the court and plainclothes
agents and security forces stationed outside the court monitored the families gathered outside the court. A
security patrol car constantly patrolled the area to control the families.
There are no reports on the condition of a number of prisoners whose names are on the list published so far by
the Revolutionary Court. Their families have had no information on their loved ones for a number of weeks
and no official answers their request on their condition. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– July
27, 2009)
Secret prisons in Iran
Mehdi Mahmudian, a journalist and human rights activist said that there are dozens of illegal and unregistered
detention centers in Tehran. Pasgard Prison, Afsarieh Detention Center, and RGC Detention Center number
66, are some of these detention centers.
"In the recent events, even the Protection Departments in various institutions made independent detention
centers for themselves. They detained whoever they arrest for some time, tortured them and then handed them
over (to official prisons). Pasgard is in Southwestern Tehran and is controlled by the Ministry of Defense. It is a
gun production factory and a number of people have been killed in it", he said.
Describing what two prisoners experienced in prison he said, "One of them claims that they splashed gasoline
on his naked body for three consecutive days and left him under the sun. When I saw him, his body was
completely scorched and black. Three other people said the same thing happened to them. Another person said
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that in a RGC prison, they shaved his hair to make an "intersection" on his head. Then a number of people
stood on his naked body and urinated on his head while using very offensive language".
Mahmudian said that Khamenei is responsible for the RGC prisons.
There are reports of about 4,000 arrests in the post election protests. Some of them are known political and civil
rights activists and journalists. But most of them are unknowns and no reports have been published about them
in the media. (German Radio Website – July 28, 2009)
Detained Student activist dies moths after being tortured in prison
Alireza Davudi, an Isfahan University student passed away on Monday July 27 from a heart attack a few months
after being released from prison. He was 26 years old. He was an accounting student, editor of a student
publication and a leftist student activist. Davudi had gotten depression after his release as a result of mental and
physical torture in prison. He had been hospitalized 20 days before his death because of physical and mental
problems. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 31, 2009)
August
Torture in Kahrizak Camp
The report below is only a fraction of the crimes committed by officials in the past few years on a daily
basis against defenseless prisoners in Kahrizak Camp.
The figures of those killed under torture in still not known. But reports from those who have been released
from prisoner show that more than 75 people have been killed in this way. These are figures that prisoners have
witnessed only and are related to prisoners before the recent unrest in Tehran.
Aside from group tortures, prison guards and torturers would take a number of the prisoners out of the cages
they were held in to torture them separately. Most of those taken for separate tortures died under the torture.
Some of the methods of torture used on prisoners were:
rape, rape with a club and other methods of sexual torture and rape; taking off the clothes of prisoners and after
drenching them in cold water, whipping him; making the prisoner take off his clothes in the summer and
forcing him to crawl on the hot asphalt or to jump up and down in a crouched position; forcing the prisoners to
"push the wall" and whoever could not reach the wall with his hands would be beaten with iron rods, and
braided cables; tying the prisoners in a skewer position from the front and back; guards would force the prisoner
to go up a hill they called "the white hill" which was made up of sharp stones, while he was completely naked in
the summer and winter. They would force him to go up and down the hill several times beating him at the same
time with clubs. The hands and feet and other parts of the body of the prisoner were cut and pierced from the
sharp stones and bled, but the prisoner was forced to continue. The prisoner would be forced to roll on the
ground in the summer and winter; several prison guards would all walk on the hands and feet of the prisoner,
which would result in the breaking of the prisoner's hands and feet; and many other methods of torture.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 7, 2009)
Young man tortured in prison develops mental problems and amnesia
A young Baluch man identified as Mohammad Jangju, 24, who had a physics degree from Zahedan University
participated in the protests in Tehran on June 13. He was severely beaten by security forces and riot police,
arrested and transferred to a hospital.
While his skull, two teeth and his right hand broke as a result of the beatings, security forces forced the doctor
to put his hand in a cast and lightly treat his other injuries so they could take him to prison as soon as possible.
After his hand was put in cast and he received 62 stitches for his head wound, agents transferred him to Evin
Prison the next day. After continues torture and force feeding him suspicious pills, he was released on August 4.
Jangju has now developed severe phobia, mental problems and complete amnesia. (Association of Baluchistan
Human Rights Activists – Aug. 8, 2009)
Karubi: violent rape of girls and boys in prison
In a letter to Rafsanjani, Karubi wrote, "After the 10th presidential elections, bitter events have taken place to
which I and other people, groups and media have referred to…
People who have told me these events have sensitive positions in the government. A number of well known
people including some that participated in the Iran Iraq war. These people have said that some events have
taken place in prisons that if even one example of them were true, it is a catastrophe for the Islamic Republic.
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A number of detainees have said that some people (in prison) raped detained girls so violently that their
reproductive system tore (become damaged). On the other hand, some people raped detained boys so brutally
that some of them have developed depression and other serious mental and physical problems and have crawled
in a corner in their homes. (Saham News website – Aug. 9, 2009)
Iran's Mousavi says government agents raped detainees
'They (authorities) asked those who were abused and raped in prisons, to present four witnesses (to prove their
claim)... Those who committed the crimes were the establishment's agents,' Mousavi said in a letter to reformist
leader Mehdi Karoubi, the reformist mowjcamp.com website reported.
'They were threatening detainees to keep silent ... It is not possible to appease the suppressed people by using
money and force,' Mousavi said.
In a forthright declaration that puts the Islamic republic's influential top clerics on the spot, Mousavi demanded
that they step in and pass judgment on a growing political scandal.
'It is the main duty of revolutionary clergy to reflect the realities, but some have closed their eyes and ignored
this responsibility,' Mousavi's letter added.
Some hardliners have called for Karoubi to be arrested or tried if he failed to prove the abuse accusations.
Karoubi says he has evidence of mistreatment of detainees. Last Thursday, he said some of those arrested were
killed under torture. (Reuters – Aug. 18, 2009)
Iran's Karroubi ready to present proof on rape claims
Iranian opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi called on Wednesday for a meeting with senior officials to present
evidence backing his controversial allegations that post-election detainees were raped in jails.
Karroubi, who has come under fire from hardliners over his claims, made the call in a letter addressed to
parliament speaker Ali Larijani, his party website reported.
'I urge you to hold a meeting with the heads of the three powers of government (judiciary, legislative and
executive), the prosecutor general and the head of the Assembly of Experts and Expediency Council, where I
will inform you of my documents on sexual assault in some jails,' he said.
He has also charged that some people arrested in street protests sparked by President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's
re-election, have been tortured and beaten to death in jail. (AFP - Aug 19, 2009)
Eyewitness report on Kahrizak Detention center
I am A.B and have a psychology degree and work in medical clinic. When I was sent to the Intelligence
Detention Center (after being arrested) and after various tortures like being lashed with cables, and beaten in
the middle of interrogations, I was sent to Kahrizak. Kahrizak had a section named "basement" in which
quarantine section 1 and 2 was situated. In this section there was a large bungalow where they had built a
number of cages which looked exactly like the lion and panther cages in the Tehran Zoo. The cages were 3
meters in height and every cage was about 25 to 35 square meters. The floor of the bungalow was tiled and there
were stains of old blood, vomit and puss leftover from other prisoners on the tiles. The four rooms which were
built on the cages were about 20 square meters and about 30 to 40 prisoners were kept in each room.
There was no bath, no water. The water in the water tanker which was brought for prisoners was a mixture of
water and gasoline. The water was dirty and the prisoners were forced to drink it. They had to share the water
from a water bottle and were allowed one or two sips of water a day. This water was brought every 24 to 48
hours and sometimes they did not even give us our share of bread and potatoes and we would be hungry and
thirsty for 24 hours. The prisoners were always worried that they would die from hunger and did not even have
any energy to speak. From the onset of our arrest, they beat us, cussed at us, stripped us naked and hit us with
cables and pipes to break our spirit.
The atmosphere of fear and terror and seclusion and hunger was the reason behind the death toll in Kahrizak. I
saw with my own eyes that every day 2 to 3 and sometimes even 7 to 8 people were killed and zipped up in bags
or wrapped in blankets. They would be thrown in the backs of cars and taken away. Sometimes they would leave
the bodies under the sun for a couple of house so they would swell up and become unrecognizable or they
would bury them in the area behind the bungalows. There was a hill called the "White Hill" and they would
force people to go up and down the hill naked until they became injured. They buried many of the bodies
behind that hill and also near the other hills in the area.
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I saw with my own eyes that Haqi, a colonel from the Special Forces who was in the camp, shot a prisoner in the
head with a handgun at close range and then they buried the body behind the bungalows. Sometimes we would
smell the putrid odor of burning wood, flesh or hair.
Ahmad Reza Radan, the deputy commander of the State Security Forces would come to Kahrizak once a week
on Thursdays with a number of other agents and Guards Forces with sunglasses and masks to beat us. They beat
us with white iron rods, clubs, thick sticks, and anything else that you would not believe. They would strip us
and wet us and would slam us on the floor or on the hot asphalt. They would beat us and we would roll down a
slope and pass out at the end of the slope and then they splashed water on us to wake us up and they would
shout at us to run or push the wall. Whoever got left behind was beaten. Many prisoners who were hungry and
exhausted would welcome death and committed suicide…
They would also constantly dehumanize us. They would strip us naked sexually abuse us in front of 800 other
people with a club, and rape us in a separate room in addition to the daily beatings with the pipes and hoses
and clubs and kicks and punches.
I remember that one day a young man who had lost a lot of blood under torture said that he was the son of a
martyr (his father was killed in the Iran-Iraq war) and asked why he was being tortured. Colonel Kumijani who
was head of Kahrizak personally came and said to beat the man with the white iron rods. He was beaten until he
passed out.
"Now that you are the son of a martyr, you have to be beaten more so that you don’t dishonor your father",
Kumijani told the young man.
Whenever Kumijani wanted to beat and torture prisoners he would wear a camouflage uniform and I saw with
my own eyes they hit Mohsen Roh al-Amini in the head and then hanged him upside down outside the
bungalow with a bleeding head. He died from the excessive blood loss. Two hundred other people witnessed
that he was wrapped in a blanket and taken away.
They did the same thing with Mohammad Kamrani and Amir Javadi Far Lageroudi and some other people that
we did not know the names of.
When Ahmad Radan came to Kahrizak, he would shout and yell that no one would get out of here.
"You've gotten fat and big", he would say with his Isfahan accent.
"I will have them hang you all right now", he would say. "Why have you fed them? Didn’t I tell you not to feed
them?" he would ask the guards.” He said that they had to ride us like donkeys until we make the sound of a
donkey or bark like a dog. Radan was the most brutal of all. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 21, 2009)
Judge forces mother of raped 16-year-old boy to pay to save son
Babak Daad, journalist and blogger in Iran said in an interview with VOA TV, "The judge who showed the
mother of a 16-year-old the scene of his rape by a large prison agent said that if you want to save your son you
have to pay 10,000 dollars so we can free him. This is the story of a woman who was forced to provide the
money to free her son and was forced to give in to the perverted demands of the judge residing over her son's
case". (VOA TV – Aug. 21, 2009)
Boy who defied Tehran hardliners tells of prison rape ordeal
The 15-year-old boy sits weeping in a safe house in central Iran, broken in body and spirit. Reza will not go
outside - he is terrified of being left alone. He says he wants to end his life and it is not hard to understand why:
for daring to wear the green wristband of Iran’s opposition he was locked up for 20 days, beaten, raped
repeatedly and subjected to the Abu Ghraib-style sexual humiliations and abuse for which the Iranian regime
denounced the United States .
”My life is over. I don’t think I can ever recover,” he said, as he recounted his experiences to the Times - on
condition that his identity not be revealed. A doctor who is treating him, at great risk to herself, confirmed that
he is suicidal, and bears the appalling injuries consistent with his story. The family is desperate, and is exploring
ways of fleeing Iran…
Reza’s ordeal began in mid-July when he was arrested with about 40 other teenagers during an opposition
demonstration in a large provincial city. Most were too young even to have voted. They were taken to what he
believes was a Basiji militia base where they were blindfolded, stripped to their underwear, whipped with cables
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and then locked in a steel shipping container. That first night Reza was singled out by three men in plain
clothes who had masqueraded as prisoners. As the other boys watched, they pushed him to the ground. One
held his head down, another sat on his back and the third urinated on him before raping him.
”They were telling us they were doing this for God, and who did we think we were that we could demonstrate,”
Reza said. The men told the other boys they would receive the same treatment if they did not co-operate when
interrogated the next day .
Reza was then taken outside, tied to a metal pole and left there all night. The next morning one of the men
returned. He asked whether Reza had learnt his lesson. “I was angry. I spat in his face and began cursing him.
He elbowed me in the face a couple of times and slapped me.” Twenty minutes later, he says, the man returned
with a bag full of excrement, shoved it in Reza’s face and threatened to make him eat it.
Reza was later taken to an interrogation room where he told his questioner he had been raped. “I made a
mistake. He sounded kind, but my eyes were blindfolded. He said he would go look into it and I was hopeful,”
Reza said .Instead, the interrogator ordered Reza to be tied up and raped him again, saying: “This time I’ll do it,
so you’ll learn not to tell these tales anywhere else. You deserve what’s coming to you. You guys should be raped
until you die “.He was subjected to further brutal sexual abuse - and locked up for three days of solitary
confinement .
Reza was then forced to sign a “confession” in which he said that foreign forces had told him and his friends to
burn banks and state media buildings. He was told to identify as the ringleader a 16-year-old friend who had
been so badly beaten that he was in hospital .
”I was shaking so much I couldn’t even hear what they were saying,” said Reza. “I just signed whatever they put
in front of me without looking at it. I was scared they would rape me again “.
The next day Reza and other detainees were transferred to a police detention centre, where he was held for a
further week .On the third day, police officers entered the cell in the middle of the night, blindfolded him and
led him to the toilet, where he was again raped. “My hands began shaking, my legs were weak and I couldn’t
stand up properly. I fell down and smashed my head hard on the ground to try and kill myself. I started
screaming and shouting for them to kill me. I just couldn’t bear it anymore. I hated myself,” he said, weeping at
the memory .The following morning he was summoned by a police commander, who asked why he had been
screaming the previous night. When he explained, he was asked to identify his rapist. The boy said he had been
blindfolded, so the chief commander hit him and accused him of lying. He was forced to sign a letter admitting
he had made baseless accusations against the security forces.
Reza’s ordeal was far from over. He was taken with about 130 other prisoners to the city’s Revolutionary Court,
where they were herded into a yard. The judge told them that he would hang those who had violently resisted
the Islamic revolution and read out the names of ten teenagers, including Reza. The message was clear: if they
continued to say they had been raped they would be executed .The judge sent them to the city’s central prison,
where Reza was handcuffed and held in a small cell with six other boys for ten more days. In the evenings
officers beat the boys and taunted them with the words: “You want to cause a revolution؟
Periodically, the most senior officer would take the boys away, three at a time. “When they returned they would
be very quiet and uneasy,” Reza said. When his turn came he and the others were led into a small room and
ordered to strip and have sex with each other. “He told us that with this we would be cleansed - we would be so
shattered that we would no longer be able to look at each other. This would help calm us down"…
The (hospital) doctor told The Times that other detainees had suffered a similar fate. “We have many cases in
the hospital but we can’t report on them. They won’t let us open a file. They don’t want any paperwork,” she
said .
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Drewery Dyke, an Amnesty International Iran researcher, said that Reza’s case was “consistent with other
reports we have received in terms of the severity of disregard for human dignity, the unrestricted abuse without
any recourse to justice, the involvement even of judicial persons in rape abuse and the denial of the basic right
to healthcare .“
Reza, at least, survived to tell the world his story. The 16-year-old friend he had to name as the ringleader has
since died in hospital from his injuries . (The Times – Aug. 22, 2009)
Torture, beatings, and sexual abuse in Shahpure Detention Center: report
In the end of the main hallway in the Shahpure Detention Center in Tehran, there are a number of bathrooms
and there are two cells called the quarantine in the left hand side of the bathrooms where detained children are
kept. Most child detainees are raped and sexually abused in addition to other physical tortures.
The conditions inside the secret solidarity cells are as follows: The floor is carpeted and is very dirty. There is
excrement, blood and vomit on the carpet and the prison guards go into the cells with masks and gloves.
The cells do not have any windows, the doors have been built in a way as to make the cells airtight, and barely
any fresh air comes inside. One of the cells has worse conditions and the temperature inside the cell is a few
degrees higher than the other cells. Usually prisoners who they intend to kill are kept in this cell. Amir Tavakoli
Berzjani was murdered in this cell.
A number of prisoners have been killed under the medieval torture of in the Shahpure Detention Center but
their families are not willing to speak out of fear. One of the many prisoners killed in this detention center is
Amir Tavakoli Berzjani, 33. His family is under pressure and has not been able to press any charges.
Some of examples of torture used against prisoners in this detention center are:
Putting pressure on the skin and sensitive parts of the body with pliers and injuring the area
Pinching the nails of the feet with pliers
Torturing and beating the prisoner with clubs and other tools for a long length of time
Tying the hands and feet of the prisoner from the back and keeping the prisoner in this position for a long time.
Some prisoners were kept in this position for a month.
Stapling the sensitive areas of the body
Hanging the prisoner for a long time until he passes out
Denying the prisoner water even in the summer heat
The prisoner is only allowed to use the bathroom twice a day and is only allowed to drink water in that time. A
bag is pulled over their heads and they are not allowed to remove the bag. They can only take two minutes to
use the bathroom and if they take longer, they are beaten and tortured with clubs.
Prisoner is forced to eat excrement or vomit
Prisoners are raped. They are raped with clubs or abused in other ways. This form of torture is carried out by a
person called Haj Rafi'ie.
The prisoners are denied the right to bathe for a month.
They are fed twice a day. Their food consists of a very little amount of bread and potatoes.
According to reports, about 65 prisoners from Kahrizak have been transferred to this detention center.
This detention center works under the control of the State Security Forces, which is under the command of
Khamenei. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 23, 2009)
Khamenei aware of prison disaster
According to reports, a former detainee has spoken to a person close to the leader (Khamenei) and has disclosed
some of the torture he was subjected to in prison.
This photographer who was freed some time ago has told Khamenei via a close aid that he was raped with a club
in prison. He also disclosed that security forces urinated on his face to insult him. (Green Wave of Freedom –
Aug. 23, 2009)
Iran Parliamentary Special Committee confirms jail rape
One member of the Special Parliamentary Committee, which was established to investigate the events after the
elections, has said that they have reached the conclusion that "some detainees who were arrested in the events
after the elections were raped with clubs and soda bottles".
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"A number of detainees arrested after the events of the elections were unfortunately raped with clubs and soda
bottles and this has been verified for the Special Committee", said the MP who chose to stay anonymous.
(Parliament News state-run website – Aug. 26, 2009)
Some MPs linked to jail torture
According to reports, when our reporters asked an MP if the news on the arrest of Hossein Fadayi, who is a top
member of the parliamentary fraction supporting the government, is true or not, the MP smiled and said,
"Interrogators do not get arrested!"
Before this, a member of the parliamentary majority fraction told us that Hossein Fadayi was the direct head of
the Kahrizak Detention Center.
According to this report, some MPs believe that Sarvari and Zakani, two other MPs who support the
government are linked to the team of criminals in the detention center. These whispers are very ordinary affair
in the halls of the parliament.
Sarvari was the head of the Meqdad Bassij Base before coming to the parliament while Zakani was the head of
the Student Bassij Forces. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Aug. 27, 2009)
Mashhad student detained and tortured in prison
A Ferdusi University student in Mashhad has disclosed his ordeal of being kidnapped and tortured for one
month (by government forces).
This student identified as A.G was kidnapped by security forces on July 14 in Tehran and after being beaten and
verbally insulted, was taken to an unknown location.
Security forces and plainclothes agents arrested him without an arrest warrant and detained him in an unknown
location. He still does not know where he was taken.
He was taken to Evin Prison one week after his arrest and was in solitary the whole time. Despite the fact that he
had deep wounds and broken bones in his face and fingers, he was denied treatment in prison.
He was interrogated with blindfolds. Interrogators who had black masks violently beat him in the interrogations
and physically and mentally abused him.
He was recently freed on bail to receive treatment. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 28, 2009)
Interrogator to father: if you don’t confess, we will rape your son
The interview below was taken from a detainee who was arrested in the past 2 months in Tehran. He will not be
indentified due to security reasons.
Detainee: I was coming back from work with one of my friends in Enqelab Street when we were arrested by
plainclothes agents and taken to the Meqdad Base… After less than 24 hours were taken to Kahrizak…
What they did to me was that they put me under pressure by using my family. In one of the interrogations, they
showed me a film of my son in the streets of Tehran and the interrogator threatened me that my son was in
their custody and if I did not confess, they would rape him… I lost control after I saw the film and started yelling
and crying. I begged them not to bother my son so much that they beat me with clubs until I fainted and then
they took me to the detention center again…
We were tortured with clubs at least three times a week and were interrogated every day. In the 58 days that we
were detained, I was interrogated 58 times.
I was released along with three others and 70 other people were still detained in Kahrizak. This is while when I
came out of prison I noticed that they had announced that Kahrizak has been shut down. This was announced
one week before my release but hundreds were still detained there and the report that Kahrizak had been shut
down is a complete lie. I do not doubt that innocent people are still being kept there. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Aug. 29, 2009)
Baha'i leaders under severe torture in prison
A number of Baha'i leaders who are currently jailed in prisons in Tehran, Yazd, Yasuj, Semnan, Tankabin, Sari
and Noshahr, are under severe torture in prison.
According to reports, Anif Na'imi, Sayid Rezayi, Khanjami Tavakoli, Mahvash Sabet, Fariba Kamal Abadi,
Saman Taqva, Haleh Zoji and Zaha Sabet who are in prisons in Tehran and Shiraz and Mehran Bekri, Rostam
Sahli Fard and Peyman Zuhi who are in Yazd Prison, are Baha'i leaders who are under severe torture. (Kurdistan
Media – Aug. 31, 2009)
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September
Innocent man tortured to confess to crime
A construction worker who works on a building in Zafaranieh hit a cleric with his motorcycle and was arrested
by security forces. The cleric only sustained a scratch on his head as a result of the accident. According to the
worker, security forces tortured him to force him to confess that he intended to kill the cleric.
One of the tortures used against him was that security forces placed him in a sack and told him that they would
push him off a mountain if he did not confess and repeatedly threatened him in this way.
But the worker did not confess and agents finally threw him off what he later realized was stairs. His hands and
feet and teeth have broken as a result. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 2, 2009)
Regime forces violently torture and threaten to rape expelled student activist
Omid Golbaz, a student activist who was expelled from the Ferdusi University where he majored in philosophy
was arrested by security forces on July 14 in Tehran's Vanak Square. Security forces used pepper spray and beat
him and took him to an unknown detention center.
In the period when he was detained in the unknown detention center, his fingers were broken as a result of
blows with clubs to his hand and the top of one of his fingers was even cut off in the detention center when it
got stuck in a metal door. He is also suffering from internal bleeding including bleeding in his stomach and
bladder. He has also been injured in the back and one of his teeth has shattered.
He was taken for interrogation in the middle of the night when he was in a very bad mental and physical state
and was beaten and rudely cursed. He was continuously threatened that he would be subjected to more severe
torture, including being stripped and raped. Prison guards threatened that they would arrest his friends and
family if he did not cooperate with them.
He has been charged with having communications with foreign groups, acting against national security, leading
the unrest, destroying public property and waging war with god. He is currently on leave from prison for
treatment on a 5,000 dollar bail. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 3, 2009)
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”The Basiji then said: ‘Now you.’ “They threw me on my back on the ground. Mahmoud then urinated on my
face, saying that this would teach me not to oppose the divine wishes of the Great Leader of the Revolution.
‘We have been sent to re-educate you, you spoilt Western piece of shit,’ he said.
”They took off my underwear and made me go around on all fours. Then Mahmoud said it was time for my
punishment. I was still on all fours when he began to rape me. As he penetrated me I cried out and felt as if I
would throw up. He told me that if I didn’t stop screaming he would stick his baton up me.
”When he was done, another Basiji came up and raped me…
Every other day Basiji would choose detainees from the cell to rape. “The third time they dragged me from the
cell, I momentarily escaped their grip and ran to a corner. I screamed, ‘You say you are Muslim. How can you
rape and humiliate us in this way?’. They laughed and said they had religious sanction from the Leader
[Ayatollah Khamenei] to do so because we had gone against his word.
”Three guys then dragged me from the corner. I was shoved against the wall, face first. Two guys spread my legs
and once again I was raped by them. I just cried and prayed for God to take my life. After the third man
finished Mahmoud said, ‘This is for insubordination. I warned you. I then felt a large object shoved up my
rectum. I think I lost consciousness because the next thing I knew I was back in the cell.
”It’s hard to explain what it was like in that cell. All of us were in shock. Those of us who had been raped spoke
the least and cried the most.
”They also liked to take several of us out at the same time and forced us to ride each other, doggy-style, whilst
naked. They laughed and took pictures with their mobile phones. They would watch this for ten minutes and
then proceed to rape“.
Ardeshir spent 23 days in the makeshift prison before his father secured his release on bail with the help of an
influential friend. Before he was freed he was taken to meet the commander in the flat above his cell. When the
commander ordered him to sign a confession he refused and told him what was happening.
”He asked me why I was once again slandering the Islamic Republic. ‘Nothing illegal is taking place here.
Everything that has happened has been religiously sanctioned by the Leader in his battle against you, Mousavi
and Karoubi scum. Now sign.’. I again refused. He punched me in the face and then hit me above my eye with
his pistol,” Ardeshir said.
After being beaten and raped again by two Basiji Ardeshir finally signed the “confession” which said that
opposition leaders and the foreign media had encouraged him to engage in anti-regime activities, and was
released.
”He’s a broken boy,” his father told The Times. “I just pray that we can put him back together, although I know
he will never be the same gregarious, optimistic, sensitive boy we brought up How could this so-called Islamic
regime do this“? (Times of London – Sep. 11, 2009)
Jail rape victim threatened to keep silent speaks out
After reports from the three person committee in the Judiciary regarding documents presented by Mehdi
Karoubi on a number of jail rape cases, Ibrahim Sharifi, one of the victims in these cases who had disappeared
after talking to officials sent a video of himself to Reza Alamezadeh's weblog in which he talks about how
officials threatened him and why he decided to hide.
In this film which he has taken with his mobile phone in his place of hiding, Sharifi explains that after a
meeting in Karoubi's office, he took a ride with a man who called himself a friend of his father’s but he soon
realized that he was a security agent. This agent threatened him that if he talked about what happened, his
family would have a fixed accident. The agent also stressed that, "you know I would do this".
"I was afraid that something would happen to my family and I did not want anything to happen to them so I
decided to hide from that day on and I am still in hiding", he said.
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Sharifi wrote in his letter to this weblog that he was under interrogations for 11 hours pressed to confess to how
much money Karoubi had paid him.
In another email, he explained his rape plight to Reza Alamezadeh, which had not been disclosed by Karoubi.
He said that he participated in the post election protests for a week and was beaten with electric batons in the
protests.
Some time later, when he had gone to get a visa from the Italian Embassy in the Mahiar Street, he was stopped
by a black car and arrested. In his three days of detention, he was verbally abused and insulted. Then he was
taken for mock execution. When he protested this issue one of the agents said, "Go make him pregnant so he
doesn’t repeat his shit anymore".
Then was pulled away on the ground. His hands were tied to the wall and his underwear was pulled off. He
fainted and when he came to he found himself in a place that looked like a clinic and he felt a burning
sensation and severe pain in his rectum. He was tied to a bed and an IV tube was attached to his hand.
"I thought of committing suicide many times but I also thought about getting my rights and the crimes
committed against me and others like me", he said in the film. (Rooz website – Sep. 14, 2009)
Torture, murder and rape' - Iran’s way of breaking the opposition
On July 8, a young student was arrested in Tehran for protesting against President Ahamdinejad’s disputed re-
election. The security forces clubbed Amir Javadifar, 24, so badly that he was treated in hospital before being
taken to the notorious Evin prison. His father was later called and told to collect his corpse.
The security forces ordered his family to say that he had died
of a pre-existing condition but medical reports show that he
had been beaten, sustaining several broken bones, and had his
toenails pulled out. “My son was not involved in politics. He
loved his motherland - that’s all,” said Javadifar’s recently
widowed father. “I alone mourn him“.
Javadifar is just one among scores of alleged cases of murder,
torture and rape unearthed by opposition investigators - cases
Amir Javadifar, as a student, left and after his that a regime claiming to champion Islamic values is doing its
arrest
utmost to suppress by denouncing the charges as lies, arresting
the investigators and seizing their files. The Times has been given access to 500 pages of documents - a small
fraction of the total - that include handwritten testimony by victims, medical reports and interviews.
They suggest that security forces have engaged in systematic killing and torture to try to break the opposition.
”The use of rape and torture was similar across prisons in Tehran and the provinces. It is difficult not to
conclude that the highest authorities planned and ordered these actions. Local authorities would not dare take
such actions without word from above,” wrote one investigator, in a coded reference to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei,
the Supreme Leader.
Mehdi Karoubi, 72, a defeated presidential candidate, said: “These crimes are a source of shame for the Islamic
republic“.
Western non-governmental organisations said the documents corroborated what they were hearing from Iran,
from where foreign journalists have been banned.
”We are repeatedly receiving credible reports of harsh beatings, sleep deprivation and alleged torture to extract
false confessions in Iranian jails,” said Steve Crawshaw, UN director of Human Rights Watch. “Iran has fallen
off the front pages but this doesn’t mean the situation is improving. On the contrary, we very much fear it is
getting worse“.
The documents suggest that at least 200 demonstrators were killed in Tehran, with 56 others still unaccounted
for, and that 173 were killed in other cities. These are several times higher than the official figures. Just over half
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of the 200 were killed on the streets. They were beaten around the head or shot in the head or chest as part of
an apparent shoot-to-kill policy - there are no reports of demonstrators being shot in the legs.
Yacob Barvaye, 27, a student, was shot by Basiji militiamen from the top of the Lolagar mosque in Tehran on
June 25, according to witnesses. Friends rushed him to hospital but he died of a brain haemorrhage. His family
were standing over his body when the Basiji arrived and removed it. Two days later they called the family to say
where they had buried it.
Ali Reza Tavasoli, 12, became separated from his father at a demonstration in the Behesht-e Zahra cemetery in
Tehran commemorating the murder of Neda Soltan, the young woman whose videotaped death made her an
opposition icon. His family stated that he had been killed in a car accident, but two doctors and a police officer
have since testified that he died from blows to the head and that Basijis removed his body from the hospital.
His aunt says his impoverished parents were given the equivalent of $2,000 (£1,215) to lie about the boy’s death.
The rest of Tehran’s 200 known victims died in custody - detainees such as Amir Hossein Tufanian, 31, who
was arrested on June 20 and taken to the Kahrizak detention centre. After his death, the police allegedly
demanded that his family should pay thousands of dollars for his body, which bore marks of torture and had
two broken arms. When the family protested that they had no money they were told they could have his corpse
free if they made no fuss.
In three quarters of the cases, the victims’ families were told nothing about their whereabouts and were denied
permission to hold proper funerals. The opposition claims that dozens were buried in unmarked graves in
Behesht-e Zahra cemetery.
Mahmoud Rezayan, the cemetery chief, said coroners had certified that the bodies were those of unknown
people who died in car accidents or from drug overdoses. The documents contain coroners’ statements denying
that.
The documents also suggest that a chain of unofficial, makeshift prisons has been set up across Iran where rape
and torture are common practice. In Tehran alone, 37 young men and women claim to have been raped by
their jailers. Doctors’ reports say that two males, aged 17 and 22, died as a result of severe internal bleeding after
being raped.
Many of the male rape victims also spoke of beatings, being subjected to forms of sexual humiliation including
riding naked colleagues, and living in their underwear and in filthy conditions. Some testified that prisoners
were subjected to torture including beatings, electrocution and having their toenails torn out.
”Where is the humanity among these agents?” one investigator scribbled on a document.
Female rape victims were mostly held for days, not weeks, like the men. Some said that their jailers claimed to
have “religious sanction” to violate them as they were “morally dirty“.
Almost all, male and female, testified that they were ordered to say nothing of their ordeal or they would face
more of the same.
The documents detail other systematic abuses: violent raids on student dormitories, attacks on the homes of
suspected opposition sympathisers and the widespread intimidation of medics.
They cite instances of security forces storming hospitals and ordering doctors not to treat injured demonstrators,
not to record deaths by gunshot and to suppress medical reports indicating rape or torture.
Early last week, security forces raided offices of Mr Karoubi and Mir Hossein Mousavi, the other main
opposition candidate, and seized much of their evidence.
On Saturday a three-man panel set up by the head of the judiciary to investigate Mr Karoubi’s charges claimed
that they were fabricated. Regime newspapers and supporters are demanding his arrest.
Undaunted, Mr Karoubi said on Monday that the attacks “show that I have hit on something extremely
damaging to a number of political figures“.
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He continued: “There are no few stories about the rape of girls and boys in prison. I say to myself three decades
after the revolution … - what place have we reached.«“? (The Times – Sep. 18, 2009)
Orumieh student sentenced to 30 lashes
Sayed Massoud Alavi, a student from the Free Orumieh University, was sentenced to two semesters of
suspension by the university and sentenced to a fine and 30 lashes by the Revolutionary Court in this city on
charges of protesting election results.
He was arrested on June 16 in a protest gathering in this university by the Protection Department and takento
the Orumieh Intelligence Department. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 25, 2009)
Political prisoner in danger of torture and being physically eliminated
According to reports from the Dastgerd Central Prison in Isfahan, political prisoner
Mohammad Nikbakht has been transferred to an unknown location for more than three
months now and there has been no news on his condition and whereabouts since then.
He was summoned by the head of the prison's Protection and Intelligence Department on
June 20 and transferred to an unknown location. He has been reportedly taken to solitary
cells in the RGC Intelligence Detention Center. He is in danger of torture and being
physically eliminated .
His family has approached the Isfahan Central Prison, Revolutionary Court, intelligence
agency and RGC Intelligence Department in this city several times but they still have not
received any answers on the condition of their son. His family has also been threatened and abused by these
institutions. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 27, 2009)
Iranian Protester Flees After Telling of Torture
When he eagerly joined the mass street protests that followed Iran’s tainted June 12 presidential elections,
Ibrahim Sharifi, 24, hoped only to add his voice to the hundreds of thousands of demonstrators demanding
that the government nullify the results. He never imagined that he would eventually have a far greater impact, as
the only person willing to speak publicly about the brutal treatment he was subjected to in prison, including
rape and torture...
Human rights groups say that Mr. Sharifi’s account conforms closely to those of other abuse victims. Omid
Memarian, a researcher with Human Rights Watch, said he had confirmed the credibility of Mr. Sharifi’s story
with people close to Mr. Karroubi...
He was on his way back home the afternoon of June 22 when he was grabbed by two men. “I had taken part in
every single protest, so I saw this coming,” he said .
He said he was handcuffed, blindfolded and, as he later learned, taken to the notorious Kahrizak detention
center in southwestern Tehran, where even the government concedes that several detainees were killed.
He said he remained handcuffed and blindfolded for four days in a cramped cell with about 30 other prisoners.
They were beaten senseless the first day, he said, and periodically after that over the next four days. Urine and
blood covered the floor .
By the fourth day he was beginning to lose hope of getting out alive. He had trouble closing his mouth and he
said he began vomiting blood.
”I told the guard that he should go ahead and just kill me if he wanted to,” he said, breaking into tears. “Then
he called another guard and said ‘Take this bastard and impregnate him“ ‘.
They took him out of the cell to another room where they pushed him against a wall that had handcuffs and
two metal hooks to keep his legs open. The guard pulled down his underwear, he said, and began raping him.
”He laughed mockingly as he was doing it and said that I could not even defend myself so how did I think that I
could stage a revolution.
”They wanted to horrify and intimidate me,” he said, weeping .
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At that point, Mr. Sharifi said, he passed out. The next thing he remembered was opening his eyes and realizing
he was in a hospital with one hand cuffed to his bed. Another young man was screaming hysterically on a bed
next to him .
He said he heard a doctor tell someone, “Dump him or you’ll have the same problem as the other ones,”
meaning that he would die in custody. Two days later, he said, they put him in a car, took him to a highway in
Tehran and left him there, blindfolded .
He immediately went to a psychiatrist who put him on a heavy dose of anxiety medication. Then he went to a
police station to file a complaint, but the officers advised him to be thankful that he was alive and to try to
forget about it. (The New York Times - Sep. 27, 2009)
Quds Day detainees thrown in sacks and beaten
According to reports from detainees arrested on the demonstrations on Quds Day (Sep. 18), a large number of
detainees were taken to mosques and Bassij bases and beaten. They were placed in sacks and severely beaten by
Bassij forces. These reports say that hundreds of people were arrested by security forces in the Quds Day protests
but these arrests were made in isolated locations and alleys. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 29, 2009)
Political prisoner has been kept in excruciating conditions for 6 months
According to reports from ward 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, political prisoner Behrouz Javid-Tehrani has
been in this ward for close to six months under torture and under excruciating conditions.
Tehrani has recently been taken to the Hosseineih Section in its solitary cells. The Hosseineih is used for
prisoners who have severe mental problems. These prisoners are kept here instead of being taken to psychiatric
clinics. Political prisoners have no security in this section. Tehrani has been tortured on several occasions by
those who killed Iranian-Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi. He was recently tortured again and the signs
of torture and bruises are still evident on his body.
The Hosseineih has a number of large cells with very filthy carpets, a short ceilings and small windows which
have been completely covered and natural light does not shine into the cells. The prisoners are forced to sleep
on the floor and only have two blankets. This is while the prisoners are not able to sleep in the freezing winter
temperatures. The blankets are also very filthy and smell very bad which prevents the prisoners from resting.
The prison food is very scarce. Prisoners are given one fourth of bread daily along with potatoes. They are only
given enough to keep them from dying. Prisoners who are mentally ill usually get into physical fights over food.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 30, 2009)
October
Protester beaten and injured in prison
Kobra Zagheh-Dust and her husband Ashkan Eskandari were arrested by intelligence agents in a ceremony to
mark the 40th day of those killed in the (post-election) protests in the Behesht Zahra Cemetery. Two months
after their arrest, they are still in ward 209 in Evin Prison and kept in an undetermined state.
According to reports, Ashkan Eskandari started chanting slogans against Ahmadinejad when he was brought to
ward 209 after his arrest and was violently beaten for this reason by agents and guards in the detention center.
He has been detained in solitary since his arrest and despite his poor psychological and physical state, he is not
transferred to the general wards. He was also beaten by interrogators and ward guards on several occasions to
the extent that he was taken to the Taleqani Hospital for treatment yesterday due to his severe injuries.
Eskandari constantly shouts and cries demanding that he be taken to the general wards, but so far his wife's and
his constant requests have been left unheeded.
The number of detainees in Tehran (is so large) that security wards in Evin Prison including wards 209, 240 and
2A do not have any more space for prisoners. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Oct. 2, 2009)
Kurd political activist tortured in detention
A Kurd political activist was arrested by security agents in Marivan and taken to
the Sanandaj Intelligence Agency.
Ahmad Bob, an activist in the city of Marivan was violently arrested on August
25 in his home.
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This Kurd citizen who suffers from a disk in his back was mistreated and tortured in this detention center and
now has a number of physical ailments as a result. There is no information on the charges against him. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 4, 2009)
Tortured student activist transferred to unknown location from Evin with three other students
Mojtaba Mohammadian, a financial management student at the Tehran Nour University who was arrested by
security forces on June 25 and has been under violent pressure and torture in solitary confinement in Evin
Prison was taken to an unknown location along with three other imprisoned students on orders of Mortazavi
(former Tehran Prosecutor). (Peik-e Iran website – Oct. 5, 2009)
Prisoners are tortured by exploiting their poor health and treatment
denial
On Saturday October 3, Ayatollah Borujerdi, who is detained in the
special clerical ward of Evin Prison, fainted after a severe fall in his blood
pressure and his head and right hand were injured from his fall.
This dissident cleric suffers from problems and ailments in his heart, eyes,
teeth, jaw, bones, and kidneys and has Parkinson disease. Despite his poor
health, he is not taken for treatment outside of prison, and prison guards
have confiscated his medication which has led to the deterioration of his
health. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 6, 2009)
Tighten pressure and torture against prisoners of conscience in Sanandaj Prison
After an open letter was published which was written by prisoners of Sanandaj Prison, pressures have mounted
against them. According to recent reports, every day prisoners of the Pak 1 and 2 wards which are for prisoners
of conscience are removed from their cells and are kept without warm clothes and with slippers in the prison
yard until sunset in the freezing cold temperatures. They are once again returned into their cells after hours of
abuse, insult and humiliation. Prison guards also have a duty to search their personal items every day by orders
of the head of prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
Post election detainees tortured and in limbo
According to reports from a number of the protesters arrested after the elections, these prisoners are kept in an
unclear state despite being incarcerated for months.
Mohammad Jalayi, 25, was arrested by security forces while working as a motorcycle courier and was violently
beaten and taken to a detention center. He was under torture for several days.
Political prison Mohammad Jalayi was forced to take part in a show trial. This trial was presided over by Judge
Salvati and Jalayi's case is in the hands of this judge. His family has gone to the court on several occasions to
pursue Jalayi's case but the judge has not been willing to answer them. This political prisoner does not have a
lawyer. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 12, 2009)
Young political prisoner suffers from illnesses because of inhumane treatment and torture
Hassan Tarlani, political prisoner who was arrested in 2008 and detained in ward 209 for seven months is
suffering from a slipped disk disorder at the age of 22. He also suffers from severe digestive problems which
makes consuming food very hard for him.
Despite these illnesses which he is suffering from as a result of unsuitable conditions in prison and mistreatment
in interrogations, the prison medical doctor does not treat his condition.
This student prisoner was arrested about 8 months ago on charges of cooperating with opposition groups and
sentenced to 10 years of prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – 13, 2009)
Evin Prison officials incite dangerous criminals to attack, threat, and torture political prisoners
According to reports from ward 350 in Evin Prison, a number of dangerous criminals were incited and
provoked in a religious sermon in the Praying Hall of Evin Prison's ward 350 last night to attack political
prisoners in their cells. About 150 criminals were gathered in the Praying Hall for a so-called religious ceremony.
An imprisoned cleric named Roghani who has been arrested on charges of moral corruption and financial fraud
gave a sermon in this ceremony. He called political prisoners Monafeqs (hypocrites) saying that spilling their
blood is a good deed and whoever kills them will go to heaven and will be awarded in this life. Roghani
encouraged and provoked these prisoners to attack political prisoners by reading verses from the Koran.
Following the sermon, Roghani and a person identified as Moslem Najaf Abadi who is reportedly a regimeagent
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arrested for financial fraud moved to attack political prisoners along with the 150 other prisoners. They
chanted, "Death to Monafeq" and "death to those who are against the Velayat-e Faqih (Khamenei)", while trying
to enter the cell of political prisoners to attack them.
Two days before this attack, Roghani and Moslem Najafabadi and a number of dangerous criminals were taken
to the prison's Protection and Intelligence Department and were briefed for about 2 hours on what to do.
Roghani is free to go out of prison anytime he chooses because of his inhumane treatment of political prisoner
is only in prison a few hours on Tuesday and Friday nights to give sermons in the Prayer Hall and spends the
rest of his time out of prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 15, 2009)
Two prisoners tortured and abused in Orumieh
Political prisoner Mansour Mohammadi detained in Orumieh Prison and Ali Suleiman were taken to the
Orumieh Intelligence Agency Detention Center and severely beaten.
After 10 days of torture as a result of which Mohammadi lost half of his hearing, they were once again
transferred to the Orumieh Prison. Mohammadi, 43, is from Sanandaj and has served more than a year of his
six year prison term and Ali Suleiman is an Iraqi national who has served four of his 5 year term. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 17, 2009)
Blogger under torture for forced confession
Hossein Derakhshan, an imprisoned blogger in detained in Evin Prison in an
undetermined state despite the fact that his temporary prison term ended on October 10.
He was arrested last year after coming back to Iran and taken to Evin Prison. He spent the
first 8 months of prison in solitary and under various physical and mental pressures.
His interrogators told him that if he did not confess to being a spy, his father and sister
would be arrested and brought to Evin Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 17,
2009)
Agents break hand and ribs of prisoner under torture
According to reports from the Baneh Intelligence Agency Detention Center a prisoner is under severe torture by
intelligence agents.
Rahim Foladi has a broken hand and rib as a result of torture inflicted on him. He has been taken to a hospital
in Baneh. He was arrested on October 12. (Iran News Agency – Oct. 16, 2009)
Prisoner commits suicide because of abuse and pressure
According to reports from ward 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, a prisoner tried to commit suicide because of
the intolerable pressure and abuse inflicted on him by the prison.
Reza Rezayi, 24, who has been in this prison for 4 years and will be freed in a matter of moths committed
suicide on October 15 because of the persistent abuse against him. One of his cellmates immediately took him
to the prison medical clinic after he realized he had tried to commit suicide. There is no information on his
condition after he was taken to the clinic.
Rezayi's brother was executed in the past two months in a group hanging. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – Oct. 18, 2009)
Mazandaran students disclose abuse and torture in trial
A trial was held for 10 Mazandaran University students who were arrested after the elections because of events
in the university.
Milad Hosseini Kashtân, Ali Nazari, Siavosh Safavi, Maziar Yazdaninia, Shavaneh Merikhi, Ali Abbasi, Ali
Donyari, Rahman Yaqubi, Majid Aqayi and Samku Babekri were the ten students who were trialed after being
detained since June in the Babol Intelligence Agency.
Two of the students said that an agent named Sayed-Javad Hosseini in the Babolsar Intelligence Detention
Center threatened them to rape and stripped them. These two students said that the agent severely beat them
while naked and threatened them with rape.
According to student activists in this university, this agent was responsible for torturing and threatening about
150 girls and boys who were detained in this detention center in June 14 and 15. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct.
18, 2009)
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Prosecutor. Peiman Aref has been imprisoned since August 19. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 26,
2009)
Prison guards crack down on jail protests
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, prisoners in solitary cells in section 1 known as the 'dog
house' protested the medieval conditions they are kept in and took control of this hall for a few hours.
These prisoners continuously face torture, rape and rape with clubs, degradation, beatings, insults, lack of food
and deplorable hygienic conditions and dozens of prisoners commit suicide or die in prison as a result.
After prison guards got control of this section again, the head of prison Ali Haj-Kazem, the assistant head of
prison, the assistant head of the Intelligence Protection Department and head of Prison Guards surrounded the
area and violently suppressed the prisoners. They used tear gas in this attack which lasted for a few hours. There
is no information on the condition of these prisoners after this attack. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists
in Iran – Oct. 26, 2009)
Regime forces torture Azeri activist arrested after elections
Received letter: I was arrested in the days following the elections
and was under torture for three days. After three days they took
me to the Shohada Hospital because I passed out.
I was as good as dead. My hand was broken and my inner parts
were displaced in my body which later led to bleeding in my
intestines. They burned my stomach with cigarettes.
This is a picture of my body and the shirt I had on. (Iran News
Agency – Oct. 27, 2009)
Political prisoner denied right to treatment in prison
According to reports from the Central Birjand Prison, political prisoner Yasser Majidi has been kept in exile in
this prison under the most severe and inhumane conditions with constant pressures from intelligence agency
interrogators for five years.
Majidi, 29, is the only political prisoner who has been kept in exile in this prison for more than 5 years and is
the only political prisoner in this prison. He has been kept in the Quarantine Section in this time.
This political prisoner has severe asthma and is kept amongst prisoners who smoke. This section does not have a
ventilation system. Majidi has had asthma attacks on several occasions bringing him close to death. But officials
deny him effective treatment and he is mostly only given sedatives. He has to be treated by a specialist and has to
have special tests and a prescribed medicine.
Prisoners have been packed into this ward to the extent that they have to sleep on their side next to each other
to fit and many of them have headaches and other problems because of the lack of oxygen.
The food quality in this prison is very poor and not edible but prisoners have no other source of food. This food
contains no meat and it has been years prisoners haven't had fruits or vegetables. When the prisoners protest
the food quality, they are told that the prison has no budget because of the sanctions.
In addition to inhumane conditions that Yasser Majidi is kept in, interrogators from the Ministry of Intelligence
bring a number of people from the 'Nejat Association' (founded by the Ministry of Intelligence against the
PMOI) to threaten and harass him for cooperating with them and write a book against his beliefs.
Yasser Majidi was arrested at 21 in 2001 in Karaj on charges of supporting the PMOI and was under severe
torture for eight months. He was sentenced to 28 years of prison and exiled to this prison from Gohardasht
Prison in Karaj. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 28, 2009)
Two other male political prisoners raped on orders of prison official
Two imprisoned men who were arrested in the recent events (after the elections) whose confessions were
broadcasted from Iranian state run TV were transferred to Gohardasht Prison in Karaj from Evin Prison in the
beginning of this week.
Reza Torabi, the head of Inspections in this prison personally transferred these two prisoners to ward 1 and
openly and explicitly demanded in the presence of a number of prisoners that they be violently raped.
These two prisoners are currently held incommunicado in this ward. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Oct. 29,
2009)
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the bathroom which is undignified for my daughter or any other prisoner", Reza Pajouh said.
Citing unprofessional questions asked in interrogations from prisoners he said, "If someone commits a crime
they have to ask questions regarding the crime they claim he or she has committed and not interrogate them on
their personal life and things that have nothing to do with their work or profession. Of course we have also
talked to a number of former prisoners who have been recently released and it seems that talking about
unprofessional and personal issues is a standard procedure in the interrogations", he added. (Green Wave of
Freedom Website – Nov. 3, 2009)
Dervishes sentenced to flogging
A group of Neimatollahi Dervishes residing in Isfahan were sentenced to 100 days of suspended prison, 20
lashes and a fine after security forces filed a complaint against them.
These Dervishes were charged with disrupting public order by gathering in the 'Tikeh Dervish Naser Ali' on
February 19 and disobeying security forces.
According to this report, the 'Tikeh Dersish Naser Ali' in Isfahan was attacked by security forces in January and
the praying hall of this center was bulldozed by security forces. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 6, 2009)
19 year old ailing female political prisoner denied treatment
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin Prison, student prisoner
Mahsa Naderi is suffering from severe physical ailments and is in critical
condition.
The 19-year-old economical major at the Qom Mofid University is suffering
from severe headaches, pain in her kidneys and bladder infection. Her
headaches have increased in the past few days to the extent that she has nausea
3 to 4 times a day and sometimes passes out from the pain. She is treated
inhumanely when she goes to the prison medical clinic and is only given
sedatives which do not ease her pain. She does not have a history of headaches
and her headaches are a result of physical torture by the head interrogator of the intelligence agency when she
was is ward 209 which has gradually increased. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 8, 2009)
Police ready to cut off limbs of 'criminals'
The head of the Intelligence Department of the State Security Forces said that not carrying out the Islamic Penal
Laws (cutting off limbs) leads to the increase of insecurity in the county, announcing that the police is ready to
carry out these punishments.
"Not carrying out these punishments is the main reason that crime has not been uprooted in the country",
Asghar Jafari added. (Khorasan Daily – Nov. 9, 2009)
Man sentenced to prison and tortured for being in picture
Majid Moqimi was publicly trialed in a court for the suspects of the events after the elections. He has a 10 year
old son named Mohammad Matin and has no past history of political activities.
According to his family, he was detained in the Gisha Detention Center for 12 days after his arrest. He was
beaten and tortured in this time to the extent that one side of his body was completely black and bruised and he
suffered from severe rib cage pain.
After 12 days, Moqimi was taken to Evin Prison's Quarantine Section. He told his families in calls he made
from prison that his hands and feet were tied and he was blindfolded while being beaten in interrogations to
force him to sign a confession. He was finally forced to sign the confession which stated that he had participated
in the demonstrations (after the elections) after his interrogator threatened to abuse his mother and family
members.
Majid Moqimi was trialed in the third session of the public trials. He was introduced as 'one of the main
elements of the recent unrest' and was sentenced to one of year of prison.
This is while the only evidence against him is a picture in his cell phone which shows him standing next to a
burnt motorcycle. Majid Moqimi has been denied the right to choose his own lawyer and a lawyer was
appointed for him. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 11, 2009)
Three men lashed in public in Isfahan
Three men were lashed in public in the morning in the Ali Khorasgan Mosque Park in Isfahan.
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This sentence was carried out at 10 am in public for three rapists who have been in prison for years.(Wesbite of
Nasl-e Farda state-run daily - Nov. 11, 2009)
Iran sentences vote detainee to jail, lashes: report
A court has sentenced a man detained after Iran's disputed election in June to seven years in jail and 74 lashes,
the reformist Mowjcamp website said on Wednesday.
It was the first report of someone arrested over the election protests being sentenced to lashes. The June 12 vote
triggered huge street demonstrations by OPPOSITION supporters accusing the authorities of rigging the result...
Mowjcamp said a Revolutionary Court had sentenced Soheil Navidi Yekta to both imprisonment and lashes on
charges including acting against national security, propaganda against the clerical establishment and disturbing
public order.
There was no immediate comment from Iranian officials. (Reuters – Nov. 11, 2009)
HRW calls for judicial action in Iran
Judicial authorities in Iran should investigate allegations of sexual violence and abusive behavior in the national
prison system, Human Rights Watch said. The rights advocacy group points to a series of allegations of sexual
assault in Iranian prisons on dissidents detained in the wake of the disputed June 12 election… Human Rights
Watch points to the case of a 27-year-old activist whose medical record indicates he was sodomized by a blunt
object and beaten severely while in custody. 'It's shameful for Iran's government to close its eyes to official
evidence of severe sexual abuse of detainees by prison authorities,' said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and
North Africa director at Human Rights Watch... Human Rights Watch called on Iranian authorities to hold
those responsible for the abuse allegations accountable for their actions and reminds Tehran of its human-rights
obligations under international law. (United Press International – Nov. 10, 2009)
20 year old man beaten in prison for attending protests
Hesam Tarmesi is a 20 year old man who according to his family only went out on the
streets in Sa'adat Abad on the night of June 20 out of curiosity to see the post election
protests.
Ten days after that night, on July 1 at 2 pm, four plainclothes men who introduced
themselves as agents of the Ministry of Intelligence took Hesam with them saying they
only intended to interrogate him for two hours in the Shariati Security Police Station.
His family did not have any information about their son for 20 days after that until
Hesam called them and said that he was in Evin Prison.
Tarmesi was trialed in a public court and was sentenced to 28 months of prison. Four
months of his sentence was for participating in the gatherings and two years for
throwing stones.
According to this political prisoner's family, he told them in family visits in Evin Prison that "on the first three
days in the negative fourth floor of the Ministry of Interior, he was tied to a chair and beaten".
"They demanded that I sign a paper which was supposedly my confession while my eyes were closed", Hesam
told his family.
The interesting note was that his family only realized that he was trialed after they saw him in the court on TV.
According to them, the Judge prevented lawyers that they chose for Hesam from taking up his case and an
appointed lawyer has been assigned to his case. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 12, 2009)
Isfahan Public Prosecutor defends degrading punishments
The Isfahan Public Prosecutor said, "The Judiciary is severe in confronting those who rape or violate the rights
of the people".
He cited ambiguities on the question of divine punishments in public (so-called Islamic punishments like public
flogging) and said, "A person who does not respect others and violates their rights does not deserve any respect
and has to know that it is possible that in addition to getting a physical punishment, his reputation and prestige
will be degraded in public". (Fars News Agency – Nov. 12, 2009)
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Salman Sima in university demo in this time. His interrogations are still ongoing.
Interrogators have ordered that he be kept in a cold cell without any heating
appliances. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 3, 2009)
Iranian protesters claim intimidation in Turkey
Many political activists fled to safety in Turkey, where now, they say, they are being targeted.
After fleeing Iran's post-election unrest they claim they are being subjected to a campaign of threats and
intimidation by agents of the Islamic regime.
Several have told the Guardian that they fear for their lives after being tracked down by Iranian security
personnel in a country they previously regarded as safe.
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Some say they are desperate to leave for a more secure country after being accosted in the streets of the Turkish
capital, Ankara, and threatened on the internet.
Those claiming harassment are seeking political asylum in the west after alleging they were raped and tortured in
the aftermath of the protests that followed President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's disputed re-election last June,
which opponents say was achieved through mass fraud.
They believe the Iranian authorities have put them under surveillance in an effort to intimidate them into
silence about rape allegations which scandalised the country's political system when they first surfaced in
August. Some say their families in Iran have also been targeted.
In the latest incident, a 24-year-old man who claims he was raped described how he woke up in the early hours
of the morning this week to find three men looking through the windows of his ground floor flat. 'I was woken
by what sounded like someone trying to break in,' he told the Guardian. 'When I went to the living room, there
was a man staring through the window.
'I went to the bedroom window so I could shout for help, but there I discovered two more men. I was terrified. I
switched off the lights and piled the sofa behind the living room door. They left after a few minutes, but I
couldn't sleep for the rest of the night. The following day I was on the internet when a chat-room message
appeared under the name of one of my friends, who has been arrested in Iran. It said, 'you witnessed last night
what we are capable of - keep your wits about you and don't think you can do whatever you like'. It wasn't the
first such message I had received.'
Another alleged rape victim said his hotel room was trashed after an Iranian embassy employee had asked the
receptionist for a list of the guests. The 27-year-old man, a former activist for the defeated presidential candidate
Mir Hossein Mousavi, also said he was pursued on the streets.
'On one occasion, a man grabbed me by the hand as I was walking and said, 'let's go and talk', but I ran away,' he
said. 'Another time, as I was going into my flat, a man put his hand on my shoulder and, looking into my eyes,
told me, 'either you are going to shut up or we will shut you up'.'
Mariam Sabri, 21, who claims she was raped by an interrogator after being arrested, said her father and her
brother were arrested after she spoke out about her ordeal. 'They arrested my brother for a second time just a
few days ago and broke both his hands,' she said. 'They told him, 'either you go to Turkey and get her back so we
can put her on television to make her confess that she has done this just to seek asylum, or we will take action
ourselves'. They also told my father, 'do you think it's difficult for us to put her into a sack and bring her back'.'
Some Iranians have expressed doubts about the protection given to them by police in Turkey. Two men in a
small town in central Turkey said police threatened to hand them over to the Iranian authorities. Others say
Turkish police have warned them to keep quiet about the threats they have received from Iranian agents.
The intimidation campaign comes after a senior revolutionary guard commander, Brigadier General Masoud
Jazayeri, told the hardline Keyhan newspaper that foreign-based supporters of the OPPOSITION green
movement would be targeted as 'extensions of a soft coup.'
'So far, a large number of the infantry of the enemy has been identified,' he said. 'The Islamic Republic will not
allow the extensions of a soft coup to act on further sedition and if necessary, the government will make them
face serious challenges'.
Iranians do not need visa requirement to enter Turkey, meaning it would be easy in theory for Iran's state agents
to operate clandestinely within Turkey's borders. Western diplomats have privately voiced concerns about the
security of Iranian refugees from the election upheaval. (The Guardian – Dec. 3, 2009)
Plainclothes agents throw boy and girl student off building in Hamedan
There were reports of sporadic clashes between students of the Bu-Ali Sina University in Hamedan and
plainclothes agents. Two dissident students, one of them a girl, were thrown off the second floor of a building
and according to eyewitnesses, were badly injured. After this event, the atmosphere of this university became
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very tense and at 1 pm a number of unidentified people stormed the university and attacked the students.
(Fararu Website – Dec. 7, 2009)
Bassij militia forces violently arrest more than 20 students in Isfahan
More than 20 students of the Najaf Free University in Isfahan were arrested in a protest today at this university
by agents of the Isfahan Intelligence Agency.
Their gathering went on until 1:15 pm without any violence until Bassij forces attacked the students which led
to violence. These Bassij forces that had entered the university with the help of the university’s Protection
Department attacked the students with clubs, electric clubs, chains and pepper spray. A number of these forces
entered the university campus with motorcycles which is against university regulations. They then beat the
students.
After the gathering when students intended to board the university bus, Bassij and Protection Department
agents once again attacked the students in the parking lot and arrested a number of them. Intelligence Agency
cars which were waiting outside the university took the detained students to unknown locations. It is not clear
how many students were arrested but it is estimated that more than 20 of them were arrested. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Dec. 7, 2009)
Security forces wait outside hospital to arrest injured protesters
According to reports from Iran, demonstrations are still in progress in Central Tehran streets and security forces
are violently cracking down on them.
Security forces opened fire on the people in Quds Square injuring one of the demonstrators. A large number of
people were arrested in this area. Three young women and a middle aged woman were arrested near Building
310 and were taken to an unknown location. According to eyewitnesses, more than 50 people were arrested in
Enqelab Square.
According to other reports, Special Guards Forces are standing alert with guard dogs next to the entrances of a
number of hospitals including the Hezartakhtekhabi Hospital to arrest injured protesters who come to the
hospital. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 7, 2009)
Security forces beat and arrest student activist in Tehran
Meisan Hashemi, a student activist who is studying law at Tehran University was arrested after being violently
beaten by security forces.
He was arrested yesterday evening after Hezbollah forces attacked Tehran University. There is no news on his
whereabouts. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Security forces forcefully arrest Tehran Univ. student
Taher Dehkharqarnian, a medical student at Tehran University was arrested after Bassij forces attacked this
university today. These forces beat him and forced him into a car. He was taken to an unknown location. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 8, 2009)
Plainclothes agents violently arrest law students in Tehran Univ. while assaulting his wife
Mojtaba Hashemi, a member of the Central Council of the Islamic Association in Tehran University's Law and
Political Science College was violently arrested in the evening.
Hashemi and his wife were confronted by security forces in 16 Azar Street when leaving the university. These
agents sprayed pepper spray in his wife's face and then violently arrested Hashemi. (Nurooz Website – Dec. 8,
2009)
Security forces violently beat prominent student leader before arresting him
Majid Tavakoli who was violently beaten and arrested on December 7 by security
forces is faced with ongoing torture in detention. Tavakoli was arrested while
intending to leave Amir Kabir University along with other students by agents in a
white van. These forces beat Tavakoli to the extent that passersby were shocked at the
scene. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 9, 2009)
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These forces confiscated the cell phones of students who were filming the scene and in the ensuing clashes
several students, especially a number of girl students, were injured. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 9, 2009)
Regime sentences peaceful protesters to flogging, tortures them in detention
Six Azeri activists in Tabriz were sentenced to 91 days of detention and 30 lashes, suspended fro two years, after
protesting a racist joke by Mohammad Khatami. They were sentenced by branch 111 of Tabriz's Penal Court.
According to this sentence they were charged with disrupting public order. They have been accused of creating
commotion in a speech by Mir-Hossein Moussavi in Tabriz by chanting slogans against Mohammad Khatami
and demanding Azeri language rights. These suspects were banned from having a lawyer in the court procedures
and were beaten and tortured in detention. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 10, 2009)
Bassij forces use electricity cables to beat peaceful protesters
On December 7 (Student's Day) Bassij forces had a new tool to suppress people. As it is shown in the pictures
below, security forces used electricity cables to beat students and other people on December 7. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Dec. 12, 2009)
Prison guards attack political prisoners in Karaj's Gohardasht Prison
Prison guards at Gohardasht Prison in Karaj on December 15 attacked ward 4, where most political prisoners
are detained, and threw these prisoners in the prison yard in freezing cold temperatures with insults, harassment
and offensive language. The guards then stormed their cells with search dogs and destroyed and scattered their
very few personal belongings which was provided by their families. They then confiscated their notes and
telephone cards used to call their families. The guards even confiscated the food stuff that political prisoners
had bought with their own money from the prison shop.
Close to 40 prison guards participated in this violent attack.
Ward 4 is where most political prisoners are detained including the head of the Vahed Bus Syndicate in Tehran,
Mansour Osalu, Ali Saremi, Saied Masuri, Afshin Baimani, Arjang Davudi, Ali Mo'ezi, Hood Yazerlu, Misaq
Yazdan Nejad, Mohammad Ali Mansouri, Shir Mohammad Rezayi, Mansour Radpour and several other
political prisoners. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 15, 2009)
Young man arrested and tortured by regime forces on Dec. 7 speaks out
A young man who was arrested and tortured on Student's Day on December 7 sent a report and images of the
torture marks on his body for us.
He was taken to a secret detention center and tortured and beaten for three consecutive hours.
This young man wrote in his letter: 'I was arrested along with eight others on the morning of December 7. They
forced us in a van and took us to a place that we did not recognize. When we got there, they took all our
personal belongings away from us and threw us in a room with only the shirts on our backs. There were torture
tools in this room including normal plastic clubs, cables and other items. One of the agents used a cable to
torture us which was about 40 cm long. The length of the cable handle was about 10 to 15 cm and the rest was
the cable which was about 2 mm in diameter. He sometimes heated the cable with a heater in the room to
increase the pain. The pain and burning sensation from this cable was more than that of a club. The agents
insisted on using this cable to torture us. Of course the usual slaps in the face and verbal abuse were also
inseparable parts of the tortures. They tested all the torture tools on us. This went on for about 2 to 3 hours and
they then took us to another
room. They threw us out of their
car the next day in one of the
streets in Tehran. (Resistance
Forces – Dec. 17, 2009)
Political prisoner not allowed
leave from prison despite
deteriorating health
Abdollah Momeni is banned
from getting a medical leave
from Evin Prison despite the fact
that the prison doctor has said
that he has to be treated outside prison.
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2009
The spokesman for the Office for Consolidating Unity who suffers from a kidney illness has contracted a kind
of skin disease in prison since his arrest in the summer and the prison doctors have said that he has to be
treated outside the prison. (Advar News – Dec. 17, 2009)
Iran to blind teenager as punishment for accident
A 17 year old boy who claims that he blinded a young man because he laughed at his sister was sentenced to
being blinded in one eye after being tried in court.
Saman accepted the charges in the interrogations (after he was arrested) but said that he did not have any prior
intentions to blind the young man.
After the court heard the defendant's statement, the Judging Committee of the 4th branch of the Fars Penal
Court found him guilty in a general agreement and sentenced him to being blinded in the left eye. Therefore if
this sentence is upheld by the Supreme Court, this 17-year-old will lose an eye. (E'temad state-run Daily – Dec.
22, 2009)
Regime commander opens fire on civilian, wounding him
On December 19, a person identified as Saied from Sepi Komreh village was shot by Salehi, the commander of
the Kili Base and was severely wounded.
Saied was taken to a hospital in Baneh because of the severity of his injury. (Kurdistan Media – Dec. 22, 2009)
Gohardasht Prison officials sell prisoner's body parts without their consent
Political prisoner Behruz Javid Tehrani, ward 1 hall 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj: There are documented
evidence regarding selling human body parts by Judiciary officials and Prison Organization officials. In one such
letter which is goes back to 2005, the head of Gohardasht Prison, Ali Haj Kazem and other officials of the
Judiciary and Prison Organizations claim that the kidney of a prisoner named Afshin Karimi was accidently
removed from his body. This is while the name of the person that Karmini's kidney was donated to exists in the
Civil Karaj Hospital.
In this letter, the heads of the Prison Organizations have committed themselves to provide another kidney if
anything were to happen to the first kidney. Four years after that letter, prisoner Afshin Karimi suffers from
severe kidney ailments but prison officials have banned him from receiving treatment outside the prison.
Karmini is not the only prisoner who complains that his kidney was removed from his body and sold without
his consent. There are other prisoners who talk of the same ordeal including Ahmad Hanani, Sharvin Gudarzi,
Abdullah and others.
Investigations that I have conducted in this regard show that top judicial officials and several officials of the
Prison Organization have taken out the body parts of a number of prisoners and sold them at very high prices
since 2005. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 23, 2009)
Iran police clash with mourners, 50 arrested: reports
Iran police clashed with mourners at a memorial service in Isfahan Wednesday for dissident cleric Grand
Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, arresting more than 50 and beating women and children, reports said.
Hundreds of police and security force members early morning surrounded the Seyed mosque in Isfahan where
the service was to be held and prevented mourners from entering, sparking fierce clashes, OPPOSITION
websites said.
The mourners were shouting slogans in support of Iran's OPPOSITION Green Movement and police fired tear
gas to disperse them, website Rahesabz.net. said.
'Security forces are beating people including women and children with batons, chains andstones,' it said, adding
that 'so far several have been arrested and many were injured.'
Parlemannews.ir, the website of Iran's reformist minority faction in parliament, said that 'over 50 people,
including four reporters, were arrested in clashes.' (AFP - Dec
Death row student prisoner in critical condition denied medical treatment
Hamed Rohi Nejad, who was sentenced to death by the 28th branch of the
Revolutionary Court on charges of participating in events after the elections is in
critical condition in ward 350 in Evin Prison.
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2009
This philosophy student who suffers from MS (multiple sclerosis) has gone blind in his right eye and according
to his family only has 20 percent eight sight in his left eye. Also because of the growth of his disease, he suffers
from severe anemia and the condition of his left hand and left leg is very critical to the extent that his family
said that he might lose his left hand and leg.
Dr. Zali who is the Evin clinic doctor has not treated this student prison despite previous arrangements.
(Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Dec. 23, 2009)
Iran police severely beat dissident cleric's mourners: website
Iranian police clashed Thursday with mourners of dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri,
making arrests and injuring some, an opposition website said after Tehran warned of a crackdown.
Rehesabz.net said the incident happened in the northern city of Zanjan after authorities reportedly banned
most memorial services for Montazeri, who died aged 87 on Saturday, after his funeral turned into an
opposition rally.
'People gathered for Ayatollah Montazeri's memorial were faced with locked mosque doors and decided to hold
the ceremony in the street,' Rahesabz.net said.
'People were mourning in silence and the Koran was being recited but the police sought to disperse them which
led to clashes and people were severely beaten as they were running away.
'Many have been arrested and some of the injured have been taken to hospital,' the website added. (AFP - Dec
24, 2009)
Prison guards storm ward 1 in Gohardasht Prison and beat prisoners
According to reports, a large number of Gohardasht Prison Guards in Karaj attacked the prisoners in ward 1.
These forces set their dogs on these prisoners and severely beat them with clubs which led to a number of
injuries.
These prisoners were then taken in the prison yard and forced to stand there for two hours in the freezing
temperature. The prisoners who did not have enough warm clothes were literally freezing in the yard. They were
banned from using the restroom even while many of the prisoners were severely ill.
Behruz Javid Tehran who is the only political prisoner in this ward was harassed and abused.
The head of the Prison Guards made an immoral insult against a prisoner identified as Hamid Sharifi and
severely beat him in front of other prisoners after he protested the insult. After other prisoners who were
witnessing the scene protested the beating, this prisoner was taken to another location in the prison and was
beaten and tortured for a long time. He was then transferred to a solitary cell in the 'doghouse'. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 25, 2009)
Hospitals packed with severely wounded demonstrators
According to reports from eyewitnesses, the Najmieh Hospital in Tehran located in the Hafez and Jomhouri
intersection is packed with wounded protesters. Because of the high numbers of injured protesters and the fact
that the hospital was caught off guard, there is a high probability of fatalities. An eyewitness said that most of
the victims brought to the hospital have been shot in the face and chest. (Pars Daily News – Dec. 27, 2009)
Bassij forces threaten detainees with rape
A number of those arrested by Bassij forces in the Ashura protests that were taken to the Meqdad Base speak of
cruel and violent treatment of detainees by Bassij forces.
One of the people who was arrested in Ashura by Bassij forces said that these Bassijis forced him and dozens of
other detainees to hop in a crouched position with blindfolds for many hours in addition to severe and violent
beatings. According to this person, these forces threatened them with rape using very profane language.
This source also said that these forces confiscated detainees' shoes and later threw them out of the base barefoot
in the afternoon. (Jaras Website – Dec. 28, 2009)
Detainees forced to go through 'tunnel of terror' before going to prison
Hundreds of detained civilians who were arrested in the recent events were beaten on arrival in Evin Prison by
being forced to pass through a tunnel of terror.
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On December 28, before about 400 detainees were brought to Evin Prison, security and military forces
stationed in Evin Prison formed a human tunnel known as the 'tunnel of terror', forming a narrow path to beat
and injure detainees coming inside prison.
Eyewitnesses said that security forces also shot a prisoner in the leg who tried to escape from the entrance of
prison. He was once again detained. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 29, 2009)
Security forces killed and injured demonstrators with pellet gun on Ashura
This is the image of one of the residents of Tehran who was shot with a
pellet gun in the College Intersection regions by security forces.
In the popular protests on December 27 (Ashura) in Tehran a number of
demonstrators were shot (by pellet guns) by security forces in the College
Intersection region. As a result, at least one person died on the scene and
several others were injured.
The injured protesters in this incident were taken to various hospitals while
many refrained from going to hospital for fear of being arrested there.
This is the image of one of those people who was shot with 120 pellets and
escaped from hospital in the past few days. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Dec. 30, 2009)
Hezbollah forces turn Mashhad University commemoration ceremony
into blood bath
On Wednesday after a memorial ceremony in the Free Mashhad University
for those killed on Ashura (December 27), members of the Ansar Hezbollah and Bassij forces entered this
university with knives and small swords while shouting slogans in support of Khamenei and turned this
ceremony into a blood bath.
At about 1 pm, a number of busses entered the university campus and more than 500 members of the
Hezbollah and Bassij forces got off. These forces were armed with knives and small swords. They attacked the
students and as a result, 8 students were taken to hospital.
According to reports, one of the university professors was wounded after being stabbed while a female student
was badly injured in the head after being clubbed.
There is no exact information on how many people were arrested but according to reports, more than 70
students and non students were arrested and taken to the Qasem Abad Police Station. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Dec. 30, 2009)
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Arbitrary arrests
Political arrests
Social arrests
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Arbitrary arrests
Political arrests
January
Security forces arrest protesting teachers
Teachers and educational activists held a protest gathering organized by the Teacher's Association of Iran
outside Majlis and requested that the "management of state services law" be carried out. This gathering started at
9am and only hours after ended in tension following State Security Forces intervention.
Mir-Akbar Reyis Zadeh, Rasool Boodaqi, Mokhtar Asadi, Hamid Rahmati, Ebazari and Dehghan were some of
the teachers arrested who were identified. Witnesses said many more were arrested. The arrested protesters were
taken to the headquarters of the security police in Sepah Square. (Group of Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Jan. 1, 2009)
Civil rights activist arrested in Sanandaj
There is still no news of a Kurdish civil rights activist in Sanandaj who was arrested 10 days ago. Farid Safari is
an active member of a cultural NGO called "Shahoo". According to his family Safari was sick and under medical
supervision in his home when he was arrested. (Kurdistan Students Defending Human Rights – Jan. 2, 2009)
6 Shiraz University students detained after being summoned by MOIS
The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran announced today that six more Shiraz University
students who had gone to this city's Intelligence Agency after being summoned were arrested.
Ten students of this university had received summonses to present themselves to Shiraz's Intelligence Agency
three days from receiving the summoning.
Seven of these students who went to the Intelligence Agency were detained and only Mahboobeh Khademi (f)
was allowed to leave after initial interrogations. These six students have not been able to contact their families.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter– Jan. 13, 2009)
Security agents arrest secretary of human rights center
Jinoos Sobhani who was the secretary of the Human Rights Center and the Center for Cooperation of Clearing
Mines before they were shut down, was arrested on Wednesday January 14.
The offices of the Human Rights Center and the Center for Cooperation of Clearing Mines were located in one
building bought by Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi. These offices were illegally shut down in December.
Agents arrested Sobhani at 6:30 am in her house after searching and confiscating her belongings. (Change for
Equality Website – Jan. 14, 2009)
Government agents arrest 5 villagers in Bukan
A number of residents of Sarooghamish village in Western Azerbaijan by the names of Ribvar Birampour, Bijan
Pajoman, Hejar Pajoman, Assad Damangir and Payman Alizadeh were arrested by state forces two days ago a few
hours after midnight. Until now, official sources have not stated any reasons for these arrests. (Mukerian News
Agency - Jan. 14, 2009)
Iran arrests elderly mothers in Merhabad Tehran Airport
According to Human Rights Activists in Iran, about 18 women were arrested in Mehrabad
Tehran Airport and transferred to solitary confinement in Cellblock 209 of Evin Prison on
Friday January 16, 2009. It has been said that their ages were between 55 to 80, and they
were going to visit their children in Ashraf Camp in Iraq from the Tehran Airport having
credible visas. Iranian media had reported on the first flight from Mehrabad Tehran Airport
to Najaf by an Iranian air company on January 12, 2009. (VOA Television broadcasted in
Persian – Jan. 17, 2009)
Writer arrested in Kermanshah
Abbas Jalilian, a Kurdish writer was arrested on January 15 in Kermanshah's Islam Abad.
Security agents went to his house late at night while he was alone with his sick and blind
father and arrested him. They also insulted and verbally abused his father when he asked
these agents for identification and the reason they were arresting his son. These agents
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searched his house and confiscated his computer and many of his notes and writings. (Kurdistan Human Rights
Watch News Agency - Jan. 20, 2009)
SSF arrest 3 men in Kamyaran without announcing reason
On January 16 security forces came to the villages of Alek and Marab in the city of Kamyaran and after
searching a number of houses arrested Mahmoud Yusefi, 44, Gholamali Yusefi, 31 and Hamzeh Yusefi who is
21 years old.
Security forces have claimed that they will be taken to the Intelligence Agency in Sanandaj but there is still no
information on the charges against them and their current condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran– Jan. 21,
2009)
Man arrested for contacting foreign media
A middle aged man named Asghar Mahmoodi resident of Amol in Northern Iran was arrested on January 19
for calling and speaking on a news network outside of Iran. He is still detained in the Intelligence Agency in
Amol and there is still no information on his condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 22, 2009)
Student arrested in Mahabad
Security Forces arrested a master's degree student studying literature at Mahabad's Free University. Amir
Mesbah Qazi, resident of Mahabad, was also arrested about a month ago and taken to Orumieh. Officials have
not stated the reason for his arrest. (Mukerian News Agency – Jan. 26, 2007)
2 students and 18-year-old boy arrested for unknown reasons
Two Kurd students resident of Ravansar in Kermanshah by the names of Rahim Mohammadi and Mohammad
Sadeqi along with an 18-year-old boy named Behzad were violently arrested by security forces for unknown
reasons on January 24.
Their families do not have any information on their condition, location and charges against them. (Kurdistan
Students in Defense of Human Rights – Jan. 27, 2009)
Revolutionary Guards besiege village in Salmas
Last Saturday at 8am, Revolutionary Guards Corps intelligence agents, surrounded Khorkhora Village in Salmas
in West Azerbaijan Province. These forces then raided one of the villager's houses and violently arrested Seyed
Taher Mohammadi, 38, beating and abusing him. There is still no information on his location and condition.
(Kurdistan Students in Defense of Human Rights – Jan. 27, 2009)
Civil rights activist arrested again in Tabriz
Hasan Asadi, a civil rights Azeri activist was arrested. He had been arrested several times before. According to
reports, this 30-year-old activist was arrested on Tuesday January 20 by Tabriz Intelligence agents and was taken
to an unknown location.
According to his relatives and friends, none of his family members has
information on his condition and location and they have been threatened that
they should not make this issue public.
Security forces arrested Hasan Asadi before on the second anniversary of
widespread protests in Azerbaijan in 2007. During his detainment, he was not
allowed visits and telephone calls to his family and lawyer. According to reports,
during this time he was tortured and abused. Because of his deteriorating health
in prison, he was sent to a treatment center outside of prison. Reports show that
Asadi's nails were pulled out and his fingers were also broken. He also passed
out on several occasions after agents severely beat him. (Savalan Sassi website –
Jan. 28, 2009)
Three villagers arrested in Mahabad
Three residents of Qom Qal'eh Village in Mahabad named Heywa Poormand, Vahab Fatahi, and Jalal
Azizmoradi were arrested a few days ago by security forces.
According to reports, their houses were also searched after they were arrested. Officials have still not stated the
reason for these arrests. (Mukerian News Agency – Jan. 28, 2009)
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2009
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2009
There is still no information on why he was arrested and the charges against him. The Intelligence Agency has
pressured his family not publish the news of his arrest. Mombini was only allowed to see his family once since
his arrest. (Committee of Human Rights Journalist – Feb. 8, 2009)
Two young men kidnapped by security agents in Sistan & Baluchistan
Security forces arrested two Baluchi men named Mohammad Bahram Zehi and Malek Mohammad Aramesh
outside their home after they had returned from a trip to Pakistan. They were taken to Zahedan's Intelligence
Department via helicopter. (Baluchistan Human Rights Watch – Feb. 9, 2009)
Head of Kurdistan Village Council arrested for supporting political prisoners
Security forces arrested Farouq Hossein Panahi, head of the Islamic Council of Qorochay Village in Dehgalan
in the middle of the night in his home.
Informed sources say that he was arrested after displaying his support for two death row Kurdish political
prisoners and for pursuing their cases. These two prisoners are Anvar Hossein Panahi and Arsalan Oliayi. A
number of their relatives have also been arrested for the same reasons.
Farouq Hossein is 34 years old and married. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 9, 2009)
Soldiers who went on strike to protest death of fellow soldier punished and imprisoned
On Monday February 9, on the last day of a hunger strike by soldiers of Chehel Dokhtar Base in protest to the
death of a fellow soldier, these soldiers were punished and forced to serve 3 to 7 more months of military duty.
The organizers of this strike who were about 12 people were taken to prison. This is while these sentences were
passed when not even one soldier was present in court, and it is not clear which court and judge passed these
verdicts. These 12 men will be kept in custody until further notice. According to reports, there is currently no
information on the fate of three soldiers, Sadeqi, Frubandeh and Sarayi, who also took part in this strike. (Iran
News Agency – Feb. 10, 2009)
Two labor activists arrested in Marivan
Security agents raided the homes of two labor activists in Marivan and arrested them. Salam Qaderi and Khaled
Asadzadeh were members of the Coordination Committee to Aid the Formation of Labor Associations. These
men were taken to an unknown location and there is still no information on the reason they were arrested.
(Iran News Agency – Feb. 10, 2009)
Four people arrested in cemetery commemoration ceremony sentenced to prison
Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced four people to prison on charges of acting against national security by
participating in an "illegal gathering".
Amir Hossein Kiani, Morteza Rajabi, Davood Parsav and Morteza Piroozi were each sentenced to two years of
prison.
More than 50 people who participated in a ceremony to commemorate those who died in (the Iran-Iraq) war in
Behesht Zahra Cemetery were arrested. Thirty seven of these men and women were detained for more than 80
days. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Feb. 11, 2009)
Student arrested for staging sit-in
A student of the Khabar College in Tehran who staged a sit-in outside this college in protest to educational
problems in this college was arrested. This student started his sit-in today at 9am under the rain without
informing any other student of his intent. Police officer came to the scene after a call by university officials and
arrested him. He was released an hour later after he was interrogated and made to promise not to continue his
protest. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 11, 2009)
Former student activist not released after payment of 10,700 USD bail
The wife of Sayid Razavi Faqih, the former secretary of the Students' Islamic Association
Unions of Iran in Europe, said that she has paid his bail money but prison officials have still
not released him.
According to Mojgan Modares, she paid the 10,700 dollars of bail money issued by the judge
of the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court to free Razavi Faqih which was approved by
the court on February 9.
"When a group of Razavi's friends went to Evin Prison to meet him after his release, they
were told that he will not be freed because he has an open case in another branch of the
Revolutionary Court", added Modares. (Rooz Online – Feb. 11, 2009)
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Many people have been arrested in these raids including, Mahsa Naderi (f), student from the Naderi family. Her
father Mohsen Naderi is currently in ward 8 of Evin Prison for participating in a ceremony to commemorate the
19th anniversary of the massacre of political prisoners in 1988 by the Iranian regime. Hamed Yazarlou, the
brother of Hood Yazarlou, an imprisoned student who is currently in ward 8 of Evin Prison, and Hasan Tarlani
who is 22 years old were also arrested.
When intelligence agents attacked the Tarlani family's house, they broke down the door and hit Mr.Tarlani in a
sensitive part of his body causing him to become unconscious from the pain. Agents started violently searching
the house, damaging and breaking this family's home. These agents confiscated CDs, family picture albums, a
satellite receiver and other personal items. They subsequently arrested Mr. Tarlani's son, Hossein Tarlani.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Feb. 20, 2009)
40 Dervishes arrested in Isfahan
Mostafa Daneshju, a lawyer for Gonabadi Dervishes said that security and intelligence agents beat Dervishes
who had gathered in their place of worship in Isfahan as a protest and arrested 40 of them.
There are no reports of the condition and location of these arrested Dervishes. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Feb. 20, 2009)
Security agents arrest female student activist and her brother
Following protests in the Teachers' Training University in Karaj, Shabnam Madadzadeh, political secretary of
this university's Islamic Association and a member of the presidential council of the Tehran Office for
Consolidating Unity, disappeared from Thursday morning.
This student, majoring in computer, left her dormitory on Thursday morning. At 2 pm, her brother received a
call to pick up his sister from the Rajayi Base in Karaj. Shabnam's brother never came back from this base.
There is still no information on the condition and location of this brother and sister. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
Feb. 20, 2009)
Student arrested, 10 others suspended from university
Shiraz University's Disciplinary Committee has issued new sentences for a number of summoned students after
recent protest gatherings in this university. According to these sentences, Amin Dorosti was suspended for two
terms, while Ismail Jalilvand, Eunice Mir-Hosseini (currently in prison), Abdollah Davoodian, Amin Karimi, Ali
Sheidayi, Shukoh Vasili, Zahra Fatahi- Zadeh, Ismail Ma'danchi, Razieh Jafari and Sayid Khosro Abadi were all
suspended for one term of university.
Security forces also arrested an expelled student of this university, Kazem Rezayi. Rezayi's mobile phone and
backpack was confiscated after he was beaten by the "Protection Department" of this university for entering the
university's library where Ehsan Shari'ati was going to hold a conference. Yesterday morning Rezayi received a
phone call from the "Protection Department" telling him to come to the university to receive his confiscated
personal items. Security forces from Shiraz's Jam-e-Jam Police Station arrested him after he came to the
university. He was imprisoned on charges of illegal entry and disrupting the order of university. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Feb. 23, 2009)
Security forces arrest another Tehran Bus Union activist
Akbar Pirhadi, a member of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company was arrested on
Thursday February 19. Before his arrest, he was gathering signatures at bus stations to increase the wages of
drivers. Pirhadi was taken to the second branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court on Saturday February 21.
(Deutsche Welle Radio – Feb. 23, 2009)
Young women arrested for visiting family in Ashraf
According to reports from Semnan, Fatemeh Nabavi, 28, was arrested on February 20, after intelligence agents
raided her house. She was taken to an unknown location. Intelligence agents violently raided and searched the
Nabavi family's house. These agents confiscated some of this family's personal belongings. There is no news on
Fatemeh Nabavi after her arrest. She was arrested after visiting her family in Camp Ashraf in Iraq on November
20 last year and was held in solitary confinement in Semnan's Intelligence Detention Center. She was both
mentally and physically tortured while in detention. Fatemeh was freed on bail after a few weeks. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Feb. 23, 2009)
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others to leave the park. They also confiscated mobiles and cameras to prevent people from filming the scene.
(Committee for Creating Free Labor Unions – May 2, 2009)
60 metal workers arrested on Labor Day
On May 1, about 60 members of the Discount Resident Metal Workers Group were arrested in the Discount
store of this factory. Agents released 15 people on the condition that they go to court and transferred the other
45 workers to Vesal Detention Center.
Their families have not received any information on their condition and location. (Center of Political Prisoners
in Exile – May 3, 2009)
Iran arrests human rights lawyer
According to reports, lawyer Mohammad Mostafayi, who had gone to see Iran's Judiciary spokesman in an
attempt to stop the execution of two juvenile offenders (to be executed tomorrow) was arrested.
Mostafayi is the lawyer of several juvenile offenders who are sentenced to death and women who have been
sentenced to stoning.
In his weblog named "Defending the Defenseless,” Mostafayi gave details of the situation of young convicts on
death row in prison. (Iran Press News – May 5, 2009)
Three women's rights activists arrested in Qom
Fatameh Masjedi, Maryam Bidgoli and Gholamreza Salami, three women's rights activists were arrested
yesterday in Qom.
According to a reliable source, Qom's Department of Intelligence agents arrested Fatemeh Masjedi and
Gholamreza Salami in Karaj. A few hours after the arrest, agents went to Masjedi's house in Qom and seized her
personal belongings including books, her computer, and family picture album. Her sister was the only one
present at the house, and agents confiscated her mobile phone as well. (Meidan Zanan (Women's Ground)
website – May 9, 2009)
Iran arrests student activist in court
Ali Kalayi, a student activist who went to court with his lawyer to follow up on charges
made against him. He was arrested by a man who introduced himself as a "security
police" agent and then was taken to an unknown location.
According to his lawyer, Kalayi had come to court to see to a case related to his arrest in
2007 and the fact that he was arrested without reason is completely illegal.
This student activist has not called his family since his arrest. (Committee of Human
Rights Reporters – May 10, 2009)
Brother and sister arrested in Sanandaj
Security forces arrested both Farzad Haji Mirzayi and his sister Parshang after they went
to the first branch of the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court to see to a previous legal case.
Farzad Haj Mirzayi was released three days before from prison on a heavy bail after 16 months of incarceration.
The Haj Mirzayi family does not know where their children have been taken. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch
News Agency – May 18, 2009)
Several people beaten and arrested in Tabriz protests
A group of Tabriz residents who had gathered in Ael-Guli (Shah-Guli) Park for a sporting event chanted slogans
condemning the insult of Turks and demanded an official apology from Mohammad Khatami (for insulting
Turks).
Security forces shot tear gas at the protestors and used violence to
disperse the crowds. A number of people were injured and several
others were arrested. (Advar News website – May 23, 2009)
Women arrested and imprisoned on charges of visiting sister in
Camp Ashraf
Nazila Dashti, the mother of two political prisoners was arrested in
Tehran's Revolutionary Court and taken to the notorious Evin
Prison.
The mother of political prisoner Hood Yazarlou (sentenced to
three years of prison in exile) and Hamed Yazarlou (detained), has
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been sentenced to three years of prison on charges of going to Camp Ashraf to visit family members. She had
gone to the Revolutionary Court to pursue her son's case.
She was transferred to women ward in Evin Prison while her prison sentence had not been officially announced
to her lawyer or to her. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 24, 2009)
MOIS arrests family of Camp Ashraf residents
Shamseddin Mehdizadeh, 60, father of three Ashraf residents, has been arrested along with his daughter, son-in-
law, and their 3-month-old baby.
According to reports from Iran, on May 13, 2009, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS)
raided the house of Shamseddin Mehdizadeh, 60, father of three residents of Camp Ashraf in Iraq. During the
raid, MOIS agents confiscated his personal belongings and arrested him. Also arrested on that day during the
attacks were Mehdizadeh’s daughter, Monir, her husband, Ali Afshani, and the couple’s 3-month-old baby,
Amir-Hessam. They were all taken to an undisclosed location and the family’s attempts to discover their
whereabouts have not been successful. (Resistance Sources in Iran - May 25, 2009)
Iranian opposition activist arrested: report
A member of Iran's liberal opposition movement has been arrested for
allegedly disseminating propaganda against the regime, the official IRNA
news agency reported on Saturday.
'Emad Bahavar, an activist who belonged to the illegal Liberation Movement
of Iran, was arrested for propaganda against the regime of the Islamic
republic,' IRNA reported a judicial official as saying.
The agency said Bahavar has been wanted since March for propaganda
against the regime and that he was arrested on Wednesday on his return
from India. It gave no details of his alleged offence. (AFP - May 30, 2009)
June
SSF interrogates and imprisons female journalist who had revealed being harassed and beaten by police
Saba Azarpaik, a reporter for the E'temad state-run daily, published a report in this daily last month on her
ordeal when she was arrested by the "Guidance Patrol", questioning the violent treatment of State Security
Force. She had filed a complaint against the SSF because she was insulted, beaten, and held in detention for no
reason but on Saturday, instead of seeing to her complaint; the SSF arrested and interrogated her.
She was interrogated on charges of "insulting top political authorities, creating anxiety in public minds,
publishing lies, hitting a police officer, and insulting the police".
This is while she intended to take back her complaints, but a SSF official threatened that "even if you back
down we will not". "You have caused rebellion in the country and now people call you to get advice on what
they should do if they get beaten (by the police)", he added. (Khordad state-run daily – June 1, 2009)
SSF attack and arrest families of arrested labor activists on May Day helding a sit-in outside ‘Revolutionary
Court’
At least 70 labor activists and families of arrested labor activists on May Day held a gathering outside Tehran's
Revolutionary Court this morning.
In this peaceful gathering, the protestors held banners, which read "release my husband" or "free my children".
This protest was met with an attack by security forces who tried to disperse the protestors.
After the gatherers resisted, security forces arrested three women protestors. The agents arrested Shahpur
Ehsani's wife along with Mohammad Ashrafi's sister and mother. Ehsani and Ashrafi were both arrested on
Labor Day. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 2, 2009)
Iran arrests expelled student protestors
After the televised remarks of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on June 7 (regarding the number of expelled students in
his term in office), expelled students gathered in protest outside the Seda & Sima (state-run television stations)
building. These students held banners which read, "Mr. President, we were expelled in your term".
The Protection Department of Seda and Sima arrested a number of the students and dispersed the rest. (Iran
News Agency – June 8, 2009)
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Another list of names of detainees currently in Evin Prison sent to responsible international bodies.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 30, 2009)
July
Seven protesters arrested in Qazvin
The head of Qazvin's Intelligence Department announced the arrest of seven people affiliated with anti-
revolution groups in this city.
"Seven people affiliated with anti-revolution groups who played an active part in the recent unrest in Qazvin and
Tehran were identified by security forces and after coordination with judicial sources, were arrested and jailed",
he said.
"The arrestees who have a history of having contacts with anti-revolution groups participated in the recent
sedition in Tehran and Qazvin and while instigating troublemakers, caused insecurity and unrest".
"The convicts have confessed to having contacts with some anti-revolution networks and the Monafeqhin
(hypocrite, used by the Iranian regime for the PMOI) outside the country", he added. (Tabnak state-run website
– July 2, 2009)
More than 3000 arrested in recent protests
Nasrin Sotudeh, a lawyer said, "The head of the State Security Forces announced that they had arrested more
than 1000 (protesters) but when I personally went to the Revolutionary Court, they told me they have about
3,000 names of detainees". (Deutsche Welle – July 3, 2009)
Iranian regime arrests prominent lawyer and associates
Security forces arrested Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, a prominent lawyer, and a number of other members of the
Center for Defense of Human Rights.
“Some others lawyers and I had an appointment with Mr. Dadkhah at about 4 pm but when we got to his office,
they said that we could not enter, and our persistence to enter led to nowhere,” another lawyer said.
“Then, two of Mr. Dadkhah's associates came saying that they worked there and entered his office. After a while
a security police car came to the scene and took all the people in the office away,” the lawyer added.
The lawyer who was at a distance from the location said that in addition to Dadkhah, agents arrested Maliheh
Dadkhah, Sarah Sabaqian, Bahareh Dolu and Amir Raeissian and shut down and sealed Dadkhah’s law office.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 8, 2009)
Many people arrested in demo to mark anniversary of students uprising
Many people were arrested outside of the vicinity of the demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the student
uprising in 1999. Security forces and paramilitary forces attacked and arrested many people who were walking
on the streets and this has led to a high number of arrests. There is no information on where they have taken
the detainees.
The interesting point in today's arrests was that detainees were taken to cars and vans that did not have the
police emblem and were personal cars.
According to eyewitness accounts, when people were being arrested, plainclothes agents would use very offensive
language especially when arresting girls, and brutally beat them with clubs. In many cases, it was reported that
they would also spray pepper spray at very close range at the detainees, which can lead to serious eye damage.
Until this moment, it is not clear how many people were arrested, who they are or where they are being kept.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 9, 2009)
Iran arrests seven OPPOSITION activists over vote unrest
Iran has arrested seven members of the main OPPOSITION group over the post-election unrest that swept the
Islamic republic, the official IRNA news agency reported on Monday.
'These people profited from the troubles after the June 12 presidential election to provoke people and wage
their counter-revolutionary activities,' said Ali Eftekari, deputy prosecutor in the northern province of Qazvin
where they were arrested.
'These young people had links with the hypocrites based in Iraq,' he said, using the Iranian official term for the
People's Mujahedeen of Iran (PMOI).
Eftekari said the arrested militants played a major role in the unrest in Tehran and incited people to join
demonstrations in Qazin. (AFP - July 13, 2009)
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Maleki's son also warned that in light of his father's serious case of prostate cancer and heart problems and the
physical condition of the 76-year-old doctor, his detainment in solitary cells in 209 can be dangerous. (Green
Wave of Freedom website – Aug. 24, 2009)
Women arrested by security forces
There was to be a ceremony to commemorate the death of the victims of the 1988 massacre on Friday August
28 but security forces prevented the ceremony and arrested (one of the organizers) Mansoureh Behkish at 10 am
on Friday. She is the sister of 6 victims of the massacre and organized the ceremony in previous years. (Center of
Prisoners in Exile – Aug. 28, 2009)
Eftekhar Barzegarian, member of the Islamic Association. They were simultaneously arrested in Mashhad,
Tehran and Sabzevar. There have been no reports on why they were arrested or their whereabouts. (Green Wave
of Freedom Website – Sep. 1, 2009)
Teacher's activist arrested
Rasul Bodaqi, a member of Iran's Teacher's Center was arrested by security forces.
Security forces went to his home this week and after searching his home and confiscating his notes, books and
other belongings, took him to an unknown location. There is no news on his whereabouts or why he was
arrested. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 2, 2009)
Couple arrested in Amol
A couple who was arrested 25 days ago is detained in the Sari Intelligence Center for unknown reasons.
Mohammad Tavakoli and Mahrokh Safayi were arrested in mid August after they came back from a trip from
Europe and they have been banned from leaving the country.
Security forces searched their home, confiscated their satellite equipment and personal documents, and took
them to the Sari Intelligence Agency. While they were detained, their young son was summoned to this agency
for interrogation. This couple had been detained in the past decades on charges of being members of an
opposition party but according to their loved ones, they are not members of any group and have had no political
activities. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 6. 2009)
Iranian regime arrests two election staff officials
According to reports, Edris Ariashukoh and Zia’eddin Saburi, two top specialists in the Interior Ministry have
been detained for close to 80 days.
Ariashukoh was in charge of the Intelligence and News Unit of the Ministry of Interior Affairs while Saburi was
an expert in the security department. (Saham News Website – Sep. 7, 2009)
Iran arrests top opposition aides: reports
Iranian authorities have arrested two top aides of opposition
leaders amid a fresh crackdown on groups protesting the re-
election of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, reformist
websites reported.
Alireza Beheshti, a senior aide of the main opposition leader
Mir Hossein Mousavi, and Morteza Alviri, former Tehran
mayor and top aide of the reformist Mehdi Karroubi, were
arrested over the past two days, mowjcamp.com reported.
Another reformist website, Norooznews, reported that
authorities had sealed the office of prominent dissident
Alviri and Beheshti Emadeddin Baghi's group, the Society to Defend Prisoners'
Rights, an established non-governmental organisation.
It said that property was also confiscated during the raid.
Behesti, who recently said that 72 people were killed during the unrest which erupted after the re-election of
Ahamdinejad, was arrested on Tuesday after his office too was raided on Monday, mowjcamp said. (AFP - Sept
9, 2009)
Another Moussavi aide arrested
Mohammad Ezlti Moqaddam, the head of Mir Hussein Moussavi's 'Isargaran Committee' was arrested in his
home yesterday evening. (Ayandeh News Website – Sep. 10, 2009)
Renowned music artist arrested in Tehran airport
Kayhan Kolhar, a renowned kamânche (spiked fiddle) player was arrested Friday night in the Khomeini airport
in Tehran.
He played in over 50 international concerts in various countries last year and was leaving for aconcert in France
when he was arrested. (Ayandeh Website – Sep. 12, 2009)
Former MP close to Karoubi arrested
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Ibrahim Amini, a member of the Central Council of the Etemad Meli Party who is close to Karoubi was
arrested.
This former MP was arrested by security forces on Saturday in his home in Shiraz.
Dr. Amini was one of two of Karoubi's representatives in the Committee for the Rights of Detainees and
Victims of Post election Events and worked with Moussavi's representatives. The offices of this committee were
shut down last week by orders from Tehran's Prosecutor. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 13, 2009)
Iran arrests sons of clerics in Qom
There were reports yesterday that the three sons of Ahmad Montazeri were arrested. Now it has become clear
that these arrests have been more extensive and the sons of a number of other clerics were arrested as well.
Sayed Mehdi Moussavi Tabrizi the son of Ayatollah Sayed Hossein Moussavi Tabrizi, the head of the Qom
Religious Seminary was also arrested along with the son of Ayatollah Nazem-zadeh who was a member of this
seminary. His office was also searched by security forces for 2 hours before his arrest. In addition to this, the son
of Mr. Ahmadi, another member of this group was also arrested in his home yesterday.
According to this report, Mohammad Mehdi, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Sadeq Montazeri, the three
sons of Ahmad Montazeri, the eldest son of Ayatollah Montazeri were arrested in their father's home in Qom.
According to Ahmad Montazeri, the arrest of his three sons and the arrest of the other cleric's sons were carried
out with a warrant from the Special Clerical Court because they participated in a gathering outside the home of
Ayatollah Sane'i. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 15, 2009)
Iran arrests Univ. professor close to Karoubi
Fayaz Zahed, a university professor and top member of Karoubi's Etemad Meli Party was arrested a few hours
ago. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 15, 2009)
Iran makes more arrests
Agents from the Prosecutor's Office in Tehran arrested the son of the imprisoned head of a reformist group last
night. Mohssen Mirdamadi, the Secretary General of the Cooperation Front has been jailed for more than 90
days. His son, Mehdi Mirdamadi was arrested in his home at 2:45 am with a warrant from Tehran's Prosecutor.
Hossein Nouraninejad, the head of the Information Committee of the Cooperation Front was also arrested last
night. He was arrested in one of his friends' houses and it is still not clear what institution arrested him. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 17, 2009)
Two student activists arrested in Rasht
Two student activists from the University of Lahijan were arrested by security forces in the city of Rasht.
According to a statement posted in the Rah-e Kargar Website, these two students identified as Haleh Pour-
Ibrahimi (f), and Saeid Badi’ezadeh were arrested last Wednesday. According to this statement, they were
arrested "on September 16 between 2 to 4 pm by agents from the Intelligence Agency in this city".
"The families of Ibrahimi and Badi’ezadeh have gone to the Lahijan Intelligence Agency but agents in the agency
have said they do not know anything about the arrests. This has added to the concerns of the families", the
statement added. (Roshangari Website – Sep. 17, 2009)
Iran arrests 3 Moussavi supporters
Fatemeh Dard-keshan and Fatemeh Sotudeh, two activists in Moussavi's staff were arrested last night. Ali Pir-
Hosseinlou and Fatemeh Sotudeh, a couple active in Moussavi's staff were arrested in their home on Thursday
in Tehran. (Rushangari Website – Sep. 18, 2009)
Iran arrests two other reformists
Mehdi Mahmoudian, a human rights activist and a member of the Youth Branch of the Islamic Cooperation
Front of Iran was arrested.
He was arrested last night in his home by intelligence agents. There is no information on his whereabouts and
he has not called his family as yet.
Mehdi Moussavinejad, a studying cleric in the religious seminary and the brother of Mohammad Ali Abtahi
who is currently in prison was arrested a few hours ago as well. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 18, 2009)
Several protesters arrested in Mashhad
According to reports from Mashhad, a large number of people in this city sporting green items and chanting,
"No to Lebanon and Gaza, I will sacrifice only for Iran", were arrested and taken to a notorious detention
center.
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According to eyewitnesses, from the early morning hours on Friday, a large number of security forces and
Special Guards Forces were stationed on Imam Reza Street and 15 Khordad Square.
These forces attacked hundreds of protesters in the beginning of the gathering and arrested a large number of
them after trying to disperse them with clubs.
The dozens of detainees were then taken to the Mashhad Police Dormitory, a notorious building that was
previously under the control of the Intelligence Department and has been under the control of the Intelligence
Protection Department for a few years. There is no information on the condition of the detainees. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Sep. 19, 2009)
Regime arrests two other reformists
Hussein Na’imipour and Mehdi Shirzad, two young members of the Islamic Cooperation Front of Iran who are
also the sons of two senior members of this front were arrested in their friend's home at night.
According to reports, these two active members of Moussavi's election staff were arrested by intelligence agents.
Shirzad's home was later searched by these agents. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 19, 2009)
Iran detains people over Quds Day protests
Iranian authorities have detained about 35 people, accusing them of vandalising public properties, during
protests at the Quds (Jerusalem) Day rally, a police commander said on Sunday.
Tehran police commander Azizollah Rajabzadeh said 'about 35 people... were arrested for vandalising public
property' during Friday's rally in Tehran, according to ISNA news agency.
Tens of thousands of supporters of Iranian OPPOSITION leaders had mounted protests during the annual pro-
Palestinian rally on Friday during which several protesters clashed with hardliners and security forces. (AFP -
Sept 20, 2009)
Three students arrested after going to Intelligence Agency
Ayoub Ne’mati, the secretary of the Tehran University Social Council who had gotten into a verbal fight with
the university manager in protest to the construction of a wall between the buildings of Tehran University
dorms and later was summoned to the Intelligence Agency for this reason, was taken to Evin Prison after going
to the agency.
Ali Refahi, the head of the Social Council of the Islamic Association and Mohssen Jafari Moqadam, a member
of the Central Council of the Islamic Association were also taken to Evin Prison after being summoned to the
Intelligence Agency. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 21, 2009)
At least 200 arrested on Quds Day protests
A large number of people were arrested after hundreds thousands of Tehran protesters came to the streets on
Quds Day and were attacked by plainclothes agents and riot police.
There are no exact reports on the number of arrestees but according to an informed source, more than 200
people were arrested in Friday's gathering. A large number of families are currently pursuing the condition of
their loved ones who were detained and have gathered outside Evin Prison. In addition to arrests made in
Tehran, reports show that dozens of people were arrested in other towns like Shiraz and Tabriz. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Sep. 21, 2009)
Iran arrests another journalist in Tehran
Sayed Mehdi Niaki, a journalist who also worked for the Kalameh News Website before elections, was arrested
and taken to an unknown location on September 14.
"Mehdi lived alone and went missing on September 14. It seems that agents came to his home in Tehran,
arrested him and took him to an unknown location", one of his relatives said.
"His mother knows of his arrest but due to the threats made against her, she is terrified and is not willing to
confirm his arrest by the agents. She was told to wait in silence for the return of her son. Now, six days after his
arrest, it is still not known where he is detained", said his close relative. (Green Wave of Freedom Website –
Sep. 21, 2009)
Another Tehran Bazaar merchant arrested in Tehran
According to reports, intelligence agents stormed the working place of Javad Lari, a merchant in the Tehran
Bazaar and arrested him. He was taken to ward 209 in Evin Prison.
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Lari, 51, was arrested on September 16 in the Bazaar. Intelligence agents searched his office and confiscated his
phone book. Then they went with him to his home and searched the whole house. They destroyed some of his
personal belongings in the search.
Officials have still not announced the reason for his arrest to his family and there has been no information on
his situation and condition since his arrest.
Javad Lari is a former political prisoner and was imprisoned for 4 years in the 80's. He was mentally and
physically tortured while in prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 22, 2009)
Iran arrests Khorami before Quds Day
Majid Khorami, a member of the Cooperation Front and the head of Staff 88 in Northern Khorassan was
arrested. He was arrested a few days before Quds Day (September 18) by the intelligence agency in this city.
(Nurooz Website – Sep. 22, 2009)
Cooperation Front official arrested
Azar Mansouri, the political assistant of the Cooperation Front's Secretary General
was arrested last night while coming back from her sister's house. The agents who
arrested her were from the Intelligence Agency in Varamin. These agents initially
searched her home before taking her to the Intelligence Agency. She was then taken
to Tehran this morning. Her niece who was arrested with her is to be freed tonight.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 23, 2009)
Mashhad student activist arrested without warrant
Reza Lotfi was arrested last night in his father's home in Mashhad. Three plainclothes agents entered his home
on Tuesday at 10 pm, arrested the student activist, and confiscated his computer and a number of his books.
According to reports, he was arrested without an arrest warrant and the agents who arrested him did not state
what government institution had ordered the arrest.
Lotfi has not contacted his family yet and his family still has no clue as to why he was arrested or where he was
taken. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 24, 2009)
Iran arrests political activist
Maissam Rudaki, a political activist was arrested and transferred to Evin Prison by security forces in Tehran.
This political activist was arrested on September 22 while trying to go to the United Nations Offices in Tehran
to give reports of recent issues in Iran to the office. He was arrested by security forces in the region and directly
taken to Evin Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 25, 2009)
Office head of top dissenting cleric arrested
The head of Ayatollah Saneyi's Golestan Office was arrested today. According to reports, Hojjat al-Islam Sayed
Razi Qodssi Alavi was arrested today after being summoned to the Sari Special Court for Clergy. His
complainant was apparently the governor of Ramian who filed a complaint against him to the Special Court for
Clergy for giving a speech in this city in support of Mir Hossein Moussavi. (Yuldash Website –Sep. 25, 2009)
Political activist arrested in Khorramabad
Security forces in Khorramabad in Lorestan arrested Hossein Mahdavi, social political activist, on Thursday. He
was an active member in Mehdi Karoubi's election staff. (Human Rights Activists in Iran- Sep. 27, 2009)
Tehran Univ. protesters arrested
Reports that Kamran Daneshju, Ahmadinejad's new Minister of Science (Higher Education) would attend a
ceremony for the opening of Tehran University were published yesterday.
At one pm, the gathering of Tehran University students (in protest to his presence at this university) ended
without any clashes or violence, but riot police attacked a number of students who were leaving the university,
arresting them. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 28, 2009)
Two political activists arrested in Tabriz
According to reports, Hassan Ark, journalist and Ibrahim Dashti, two Azeri activists were arrested by the Tabriz
Intelligence Agency agents on September 21 and taken to an unknown location. According to their families,
these agents searched their homes and office after their arrest. They also confiscated their books, notes and
computers. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 28, 2009)
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location. He was beaten and abused in the intelligence agency after he was summonedthere. (Kurdistan Media
– Oct. 18, 2009)
Head of detainees' committee arrested
Haj Mohammad-Reza Moqisseh, the head of the Committee to Pursue the Affairs of Detainees and Victims of
Recent Events was arrested at 10 am in his home on Wednesday. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 17,
2009)
Iran arrests Azeri activist
Ali Hossein-Nejad, a political prisoner and member of the National Azerbaijan Movement in Maku who was out
of prison on a recent leave from prison was arrested by intelligence agents.
According to his family, these agents in Maku came to his shop on September 26 and arrested Hossein-Nejad.
After his arrest, these agents searched his home and confiscated his CDs, computer and other personal
belongings.
This Azeri activist has been banned from calling his family and lawyer since his arrest and judicial sources refuse
to answer his family's questions regarding why he was arrested or where he is being kept. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 20, 2009)
Iran arrests renowned novelist
Javad Mahzadeh, the author of 'Take Your Smile from Me' which is candidate for a literature award and
according to polls, is one of the most read novels, was arrested today while going to work.
He was arrested with a warrant from the Revolutionary Prosecutor and was returned to his home with a number
of agents. The agents confiscated his computer after searching his home. (Nurooz Website– Oct. 21, 2009)
Young man arrested in kite contest
A 19-year-old man who participated in a kite contest in Mahalati for the past five years and intended to
participate this year with a white kite with the words 'Ya Hossein' (referring to the 3rd Imam of Shiite Islam)
printed on it was prevented from participating by security forces and arrested on the orders of the head of the
security forces in this area.
The interesting point is that this young man previously attended the kite contest with this same kite. In that
year, officials commended and thanked him for coming to the contest with a religious kite and his picture was
taken by the request of the head of the security forces in the region. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 21,
2009)
Man arrested in Sardasht
Security forces in the Pitush Village in Sardasht arrested a man identified as Abdullah Mohammad Salehi.
These forces searched Salehi's home on October 22 under the pretext of looking for illegal guns and after
insulting and harassing his family, they arrested Salehi.
There is still no information on why he was arrested. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 22, 2009)
Several people arrested for attending prayer to free political prisoner
Reports say that almost all of those who attended a ceremony to pray for the freedom of Sayed Shahabeddin
Tabatabayi, member of the central council of the Iran Cooperation Front, were arrested.
According to an eye-witness, a large number of the participants were handcuffed and taken away with two vans
to an unknown location. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 22, 2009)
Regime arrests Kurd activist
Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence in the town of Qarveh arrested the younger brother of political prisoner
Anvar Hossein-Panahi on October 20 after searching his home. Afshin Hossein-Panahi who is about 20 years
old was arrested without a warrant and taken to an unknown location.
Anvar Hossein-Panahi is a political and civil rights activist in Kurdistan who was initially sentenced to death by
the Revolutionary Court but his sentence was reduced to six years of prison after international protests. The
only reason Afshin was arrested was because he was pursuing his brother's case. He was also arrested a number
of times in the past year for protesting his brother's sentence. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 23, 2009)
Iran arrests political activist
One of the family members of Mohammad Kianush Rad said moments ago that he was arrested by security
forces. Kianush Rad is a member of the University Science Delegation, former parliament member and a
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member of the Cooperation Front and the Mojahedin Islamic Revolution Organization. (Peik-e-Iran website –
Oct. 23, 2009)
Iran Is Said to Arrest Wives of Many Prominent Detainees
Iranian authorities arrested the wives and family members of a number of high-profile political detainees at a
religious ceremony in Tehran, several reformist Web sites reported Friday.
The raid happened Thursday after the family members of one detainee, Shahab Tabatabee, announced on the
Web site Norooz News that they were holding a prayer ceremony for his release. Mr. Tabatabee, a member of
the reformist party Islamic Iran Participation Front, was sentenced to five years in prison last week .
The police raided the ceremony at a private home a few minutes after it began, according to a relative of some of
the people who were arrested .
Officers arrested nearly all the guests except for several young women who were attending with infants and
toddlers .
There were conflicting reports on the Web sites as to the number arrested. The relative, who spoke on the
condition of anonymity, said 60 people had been arrested, which would make it the largest mass arrest in recent
months ...
The wife of Abdullah Ramezanzadeh, a prominent prisoner who was the government spokesman under former
President Mohammad Khatami, and the wives of several former members of Parliament were among the
detainees .
About 10 people were released Friday. About a dozen others were transferred to the notorious Evin prison, the
relative said .
He said the raid had been carried out under a warrant issued by the prosecutor general.
The arrests appeared to be a warning to the families of the detainees, who have been vocal in their
OPPOSITION to the arrests ...
More than 100 people, including reform activists and journalists, are still in jail, and their relatives have said
most were being held in solitary confinement with limited access to their families or lawyer .
Authorities hinted this month that they might try to arrest the OPPOSITION leaders Mir Hussein Moussavi
and Mehdi Karroubi in an effort to stop the protests ...
The Special Court of Clergy also said last week that it was looking into charges against Mr. Karroubi .
On Friday, Mr. Karroubi was attacked by baton-wielding vigilantes when he visited a media exhibition in
Tehran, the student Web site Advarnews reported .
Mr. Karroubi’s white turban was knocked off, and the official Fars news agency carried a photo showing a shoe
being tossed at him . (NY Times - Oct. 24, 2009)
Regime forces arrest man in Qarveh
A Kurd resident of Qarveh was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location.
Security forces arrested Badi Hossein-Panahi in his place of work in this city on October 23 and took him to an
unknown location. There is no information on why he was arrested or the charges against him.
Badi Hossein-Panahi is related to political prisoner Anvar Hossein-Panahi whose brother was arrested a number
of days ago by security forces. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 25, 2009)
5 Azeri activists arrested in Tabriz
Azeri activists Navid Meshkat, Madineh Qassemi (f), Aydin Taqipour, Mohammad Mohammad-lu and Javad
Ramezan were arrested on October 23 after participating in a ceremony on the first anniversary of the death of
'Imami' (civil rights Azeri activist who was mysteriously killed in a car accident with two of his brothers) in
Tabriz. Security forces transferred these five people from the Maralan Cemetery and took them to police station
22. They were then taken to the Baghshomal Intelligence Agency after being interrogated for a few hours.
(Savalan Sasssi – Oct. 25, 2009)
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sensitive body parts, beat them and subjected them to sleep deprivation. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct.
30, 2009)
Another member of Participation Front arrested
Ali Sami Zadeh, member of the Information Committee of the Participation Front and the head o this
committee in Tehran was arrested on Saturday by security forces.
Sami Zadeh was arrested in his place of work but it is not clear what military or judicial body ordered his arrest.
(Nurooz Website – Oct. 31, 2009)
4 people arrested in national ceremony
On October 29, which is marked as International Cyrus Day (King of ancient Persia), a large number of people
intended to march towards Pasargadae to celebrate this occasion but were prevented from going there by
security forces, intelligence agents and security police.
According to reports, a number of people were arrested by security forces and were taken to an unknown
location. There is no information on their whereabouts or if they were released. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Oct. 31, 2009)
Regime arrests prominent Sunni scholars
After a number of the heads of Sunni religious schools in Sistan and Baluchistan were summoned to the Special
Clerical Court in Mashhad, a number of them were arrested after going to court. (Sunni Online – Oct. 31,
2009)
November
Another member of Participation Front arrested
Ali Sami Zadeh, member of the Information Committee of the Participation Front and the head o this
committee in Tehran was arrested on Saturday by security forces.
Sami Zadeh was arrested in his place of work but it is not clear what military or judicial body ordered his arrest.
(Nurooz Website – Oct. 31, 2009)
4 people arrested in national ceremony
On October 29, which is marked as International Cyrus Day (King of ancient Persia), a large number of people
intended to march towards Pasargadae to celebrate this occasion but were prevented from going there by
security forces, intelligence agents and security police.
According to reports, a number of people were arrested by security forces and were taken to an unknown
location. There is no information on their whereabouts or if they were released. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Oct. 31, 2009)
Regime arrests prominent Sunni scholars
After a number of the heads of Sunni religious schools in Sistan and Baluchistan were summoned to the Special
Clerical Court in Mashhad, a number of them were arrested after going to court. (Sunni Online – Oct. 31,
2009)
15 movie makers and actors arrested after elections
Farhad Tohidi, the head of the Cinema House in Iran said that after the "elections and the events that
occurred, 15 movie makers and actors were arrested due to problems that occurred".
"A documentary film maker has also been arrested since last year", he added. (ILNA – Nov.1, 2009)
Kurd activist arrested in Saqez
A Kurd resident of Saqez identified as Sayid Rock was arrested by security forces and imprisoned.
He was also arrested about one month ago on charges of cooperating with Kurd dissident parties.
According to reports, he has been transferred to the Central Prison in Saqez. (Mukerian News Agency – Nov. 1,
2009)
Regime forces arrest two student activists in Mazandaran on Eve of Nov. 4 protests
Siavosh Rezayian, a member of the Public Council of the Islamic Association in Mazandaran University and
Ashkan Zahabian, former secretary of the Modern Fraction of the Islamic Association of the Firdosi Medical
Science University in Mashhad were arrested in Babolsar.
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According to student activists, Siavosh Rezayian who is mathematics major was arrested on Monday afternoon
by the Protection Department agents of the university and handed over to security forces in Babolsar. This is
while there is no charge against him and he had not received any legal summonses.
Ashkan Zahabian, a chemistry major in the Medical Science University of Mashhad who went to the
Mazandaran University as a guest last semester went to the Prosecutor's Office after being summoned there over
the phone and was arrested on charges of acting against national security by forming the Union of Islamic
Associations of the North. He was taken to the Mati Kalay Prison in Babol.
Zahabian was jailed for one month before after widespread protests by Mazandaran University students. He was
beaten and harassed in the Central Babol Prison and the Intelligence Agency Detention Center in Babolsar. Eye
witnesses say that he was beaten so severely by plainclothes agents that he was transferred to the detention
center in an unconscious state.
A number of other students in this university have been summoned and threatened by the heads of the
Protection Department. According to reports, a list of 11 students has been provided by the Babolsar prosecutor
probably for summonses and arrests. So far Ashkan and Siavosh and two other students from this list have
received phone calls to go to the court, but the two other students have still not gone to court.
Arnush Azrahimi, another member of the Islamic Association was also summoned to court after security forces
filed a complaint against him. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Nov. 2, 2009)
Regime arrests student activist
According to reports, in a widespread attack against the homes of political activists and students, Mohammad
Sadeqi was arrested when he was alone in the house. He was not even allowed to change his clothes before
being taken away by regime forces. His family has no news from him but the evidence in the house points to his
arrest. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 4, 2009)
Three members of student association arrested on eve on Nov. 4 protests
According to reports, the arrests of three members of the Central Council of the Office for Consolidating Unity
have been confirmed.
Hasan Asadi Zeidabadi, the secretary of the human rights committee, and Mohammad Sadeqi, a member of the
central council were arrested on Tuesday evening.
Seyed Kuhzad Ismaili, the head of the Gilan branch of this organization was also arrested by the intelligence
agency in this city. (Green Wave of Freedom website – Nov. 4, 2009)
Another student activist arrested in Tehran
Mohammad Hashemi, a member of the central council of the Office for Consolidating Unity was arrested on
November 4 in his home. According to reports, security forces used force and violence in his arrest.
Yesterday night agents broke his home door when storming his home before searching his home, but where not
able to arrest him because he was not home.
They once again stormed his home today and arrested him. (JRS – Nov. 4, 2009)
AFP reporter still in detention in Tehran
AFP reporter Farhad Pouladi remained in detention on Thursday after he was arrested while covering an anti-
American rally in central Tehran a day earlier.
Officials at Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance, which coordinated foreign media coverage of the
rally, said on Thursday they were continuing to track the case.
Pouladi was detained on Wednesday morning by three security personnel, two in uniform and one in
plainclothes, witnesses said.
He was riding pillion on a motorcycle when he was stopped.
The rider of the motorcycle said the security force officials confiscated the reporter's mobile phone and then
escorted him away.
The rally marked the anniversary of the November 4, 1979 storming of the US embassy in Tehran by Islamist
students. (AFP - Nov 5, 2009)
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According to reports, agents of the intelligence agency stormed their homes and arrested these two students
after confiscating some of their personal items.
It has been reported that they were arrested for protesting the presence of former guidance minister Safar
Harandi in their university. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 5, 2009)
No news on 5 arrested students
Hamid Azimi, Sayid Qasemi, Mohammad Asadi, Kurosh Yeka and Ali Matlabi, all students of the Tafresh
University in Arak were arrested by security forces affiliated with the Arak Intelligence Agency in their
dormitories on the night of November 3 and there has been no news on their whereabouts since then.
(Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 6, 2009)
Danish journalism student held in Iran: union
A Danish journalism student has been arrested in Iran after reporting on rallies in Tehran earlier this week, the
Danish union of journalists said Friday.
One Japanese and two Canadian journalists were also arrested, along with an Iranian working for 'satellite
channels,' after reporting without permission on the same events, the Iranian news agency said on Friday.
'The Danish journalist who had disappeared has been located in an Iranian jail,' the union said in a statement.
Niels Krosgaard, a 31 year-old journalism student, was freelancing in Iran for a project related to his studies, a
union official said.
'He was arrested at an anti-government protest in Teheran Wednesday,' Troels Johannesen told AFP, adding he
did not have any details on the student's condition. (AFP - Nov 6, 2009)
At least 400 arrests registered on Nov. 4
At least 400 people were arrested during the protests on November 4 in Tehran and taken to Evin Prison.
From November 4 to November 6, prison cards were issued for 400 people. They were transferred in groups
from temporary detention centers in Tehran to Evin Prison in this time frame.
According to some reports, it has been announced that the number of detainees transferred to Evin Prison have
been more than this. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 6, 2009)
Regime forces arrest student activist in home
Farzad Islami, a law student at the Free Central Tehran University was arrested on November 4 after security
forces stormed his home. These agents also searched his home and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
There is no information on where he is being kept.
This student activist had been sentenced to three semesters of suspension from education by the university's
Disciplinary Committee. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 7, 2009)
Amir Kabir Univ. student arrested in home
Puya Sharifi, a master's degree student of Amir Kabir University (Polytechnic) in Tehran was arrested in his
home by security forces. His family has not been able to get any information on his condition as yet. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 7, 2009)
Security forces arrest Tehran University student
Yashar Daralshafa, a student activist majoring in sociology at Tehran University was arrested on November 4
and was transferred to Evin Prison.
According to reports, he called his home at about 10 pm yesterday and told his family that he had been arrested
and taken to Evin Prison. This student activist had disappeared on November 4 near Hafte-Tir Square and there
was no news on his whereabouts until he called yesterday. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 7, 2009)
Two women's rights activists arrested in Isfahan
Mohsen Parizad Moqadam and Ali Mashmuli, two members of the One-Million Signature Campaign in Isfahan
who are both student activists were arrested on November 4 near Enqelab Square in Isfahan.
Ali Mashmuli is currently in the Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan but Mohsen Parizad Moqadam was transferred to
the city of Arak after his arrest. This is while he lives in Isfahan and was arrested in this city. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Nov. 8, 2009)
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was arrested in the morning after going to court despite the fact that he was released on a 20,000 dollar bail
yesterday. It has been announced that he was arrested to serve his four month prison sentence.
This sentence which was announced to him in 2007 was carried out today on orders of the judge presiding over
his case even while he had only been released from prison a few hours before. (Nurooz Website – Nov. 17,
2009)
Head of Kermanshah Development Party arrested
Hasanali Mahdavi Cheshmeh Gachi, the editor of Gharb Daily and the Secretary General of the Kermanshah
Development Party was arrested on Monday afternoon on orders of Judge Najar. He was taken to Disel Abad
Prison. Reports say that he was charged with publishing lies and instigating public opinion via the Sahat News
Weblog. Some reports say that he was taken to an unknown location outside of prison. (Kermanshah Post –
Nov. 18, 2009)
Security forces arrest students after protest to execution of Ehsan Fatahian in Tehran Univ.
A number of students in Tehran University who participated in a gathering on November 16 in protest to the
execution of Ehsan Fatahian were arrested by security forces.
According to students who were in contact with them, the Ministry of Intelligence summoned a number of
these Kurd activists to this ministry after the gathering and arrested several others.
There is still no exact information on these figures, but reports say that about 10 people were arrested after the
protest. (Iran News Agency – Nov. 18, 2009)
Security forces arrest Free Central Tehran Univ. student
Farzad Islami, a student of the Free Central Tehran University was arrested after recent protests in this
university. (Iran News Agency – Nov. 18, 2009)
Security forces arrest two Tehran Univ. students
According to reports, two Tehran University students named Salumeh Rahmanian (F) and Ali Asghar Tavabi
were arrested on November 17 by security forces. They were law students and members of the Islamic
Association. (Iran News Agency – Nov. 18, 2009)
Intelligence agents arrest two girl students at Shiraz Univ.
Neda Eskandari, a political science major and Khadijeh Qahremani, an agricultural student at Shiraz University
who had gone to the Disciplinary committee to inquire about punishments issued against them were arrested by
agents of the Ministry of Intelligence.
Eskandari and Qahremani had been suspended for two semesters from education and banned from using
university facilities.
There is no information on the whereabouts of these students. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 19, 2009)
Security forces arrest two students in Tabriz
Two student activists from the Free Tabriz University identified as Rasul Ali Nejad and Behruz Faridi were
arrested last night by security forces.
These two students who had disappeared on Wednesday, told their families in telephone calls made in the
evening that they were detained in the Intelligence Agency Detention Center. (Human Rights Activists in Iran–
Nov. 19, 2009)
Security forces arrest student activist
Abas Hakim Zadeh, the political secretary of the Office for Consolidating Unity and a
former member of the Amir Kabir Islamic Association was arrested in the morning.
Intelligence agents came to his home at 7 am and arrested him after confiscating
some of his personal belongings including his computer.
Hakim Zadeh was arrested along with seven other Amir Kabir University students in
February and was tortured for months to make false confessions. This student was
kept in solitary for long periods of time in his 4 months of incarceration and was
beaten on several occasions. He was released on bail on July 8. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter - Nov. 19, 2009)
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Alamah University students who have been arrested recently has reached 10 students. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
Nov. 25, 2009)
Security forces arrest Doctor in Qom
Doctor Akbar Karami, a political activist in the city of Qom was arrested on Tuesday in his clinic.
He was arrested along with his secretary. According to this report, his secretary was subsequently released.
There is no report on the reason why he was arrested. (Rooz Website – Nov. 25, 2009)
Security forces arrest univ. professor in Tehran
Dr. Faramarz Javanrudi, a member of the Science Committee of the School of Mechanics at the Science and
Industry University in Tehran, was arrested in his home on November 17 by security forces and there is no
information on his condition and location.
His wife's inquiries via the university have so far been futile and she has still not been able to visit her husband
and does not even know where he has been taken. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 26, 2009)
No news on condition of two liberal group members
More than one week after the arrest of members of the Liberal Students and Graduates of Iran, there is still no
news on the condition of Farzan Raofi and Alborz Zahedi, two students in this liberal group.
Five members of this group who were arrested called their families on October 26 telling them they had been
incarcerated in solitary cells in Evin Prison. Despite this, these two students have been denied the right to call
their families and there is no information on their condition. (Committee of Human Rights Activists – Nov. 27,
2009)
Regime forces arrest human rights activist in office
Sayid Kalanaki, a human rights activist was arrested at 8 am in his place of work by security
forces.
These forces later went to his home to search it. Kalanaki is an IT (Information Technology)
graduate and a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters. (Committee of Human
Rights Reporters – Nov. 30, 2009)
Security forces arrest student activist
Security forces arrested Milad Asadi, a member of the Office for Consolidating Unity who is a
student at the Khajeh Nasir University in Tehran in his home.
They also searched his home. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 30, 2009)
December
Regime force arrests another Bazaar member in Tehran
According to reports, another shop owner in the Tehran Bazaar was arrested after
agents from the Ministry of Intelligence raided his place of work. These agents
attacked Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi, 63 and took him to an unknown
location.
The agents confiscated his phone book and accounting books from his place of
work. They subsequently took him to his home and started violently searching his
home. These agents intentionally destroyed and broke his home appliances in the
process and confiscated some of his personal belongings.
Mohammad Banazadeh Amirkhizi is a former political prisoner. His brother, Ali
Banazadeh was executed in the 80's for supporting the PMOI. His wife Shahla
Zarin-Far was sentenced to one year of prison for visiting her child in Camp Ashraf
in Iraq and was subsequently released after serving her time. Currently Amirkhizi's sister, Kobra, and his two
brothers Hamid and Asghar are imprisoned in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj for visiting their children in Camp
Ashraf. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 1, 2009)
Iranian regime arrests man in Karaj
Intelligence agents stormed the home of the Jushan family in Karaj on December 1 at about 8 am and arrested
25 year old Reza Jushan. He was taken to an unknown location.
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These forces searched all the rooms of the house and broke and destroyed this family's belongings in the
process. They also confiscated some of their personal belongings.
Reza Jushan was arrested in the events after the elections and was imprisoned for a while before being released
on bail. Before this his mother, Zahra Asadpour and sister, Fatemeh Jushan were arrested and sentenced to two
years of prison for going to Camp Ashraf in Iraq to visit their family member. They were released after serving
their time.
In other reports, Sayid Jalalifar disappeared after leaving his home yesterday morning and his family had no clue
about his whereabouts until he called them this morning saying that he had been abducted by intelligence
agents. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 1, 2009)
Security forces arrest student activist in Kermanshah
Babak Ghiasi, an agricultural major at the Razi University in Kermanshah was abducted today by unidentified
people.
This student, who intended to attend a ceremony for gifted students, was abducted by men who were reportedly
agents of the Revolutionary Guards Forces Intelligence Department. There is still no information on his
whereabouts. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 1, 2009)
Security forces arrest another student on eve of Student's Day
Security forces arrested student activist Milad Fadayi today in his home and after searching
his home took him to an unknown location. Fadayi is a student at the Free Central Tehran
University. These forces confiscated some of his personal belongings including his
computer. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 2, 2009)
Regime forces arrest human rights activist in Qom
Akbar Karami, writer and human rights activist in Qom was arrested on Tuesday by
intelligence agents in this city.
His wife Shirim Firuzi said that intelligence agents took him to an unknown location after searching his office
and home and confiscating some of his documents.
There is still no exact information on his fate more than one week after his arrest. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Dec. 2, 2009)
Regime forces arrest man in Tehran on charges of working with foreign media
With the endeavors of security forces, one the contacts of an anti-revolutionary satellite channel who worked
closely with Shahram Homayoon was identified and arrested. He reporterdly gave exaggerated reports and
information on universities to this channel. This person and his family were also active during the seditions.
(Jahan (state-run) Website – Dec. 2, 2009)
Regime forces arrest student activist and husband in home
Mahdieh Golro, a student activist who also cooperated with the Human Rights
Activists in Iran and was sentenced to one year of suspended prison was arrested
after security forces stormed her home in the morning. Her husband Vahid
Lalipour was also arrested. These forces who were about 10 agents attacked their
home at about 7 am and made a search until about 9 am. They confiscated some
of their personal belongings including their laptop, non political pictures on the
walls, books, CDs and even their family pictures. They then handcuffed
Mahdieh and her husband and took them to Evin Prison. Vahid Lalipour is
currently in the Quarantine Section of Evin Prison but there is no information
on where Mahdieh is being kept. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 3,
2009)
election staff in Gilan) and arrested them on December 15. These forces initially searched their homes and
confiscated some of their personal items. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 6, 2009)
Iran arrests scores of student activists
Iranian authorities have rounded up scores of student activists in a bid to head off what several young people
said will be massive demonstrations on university campuses across the country Monday.
Monday is National Students Day, named for the day in 1953 when armed forces entered the campus of Tehran
University and killed three students protesting the government of Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlavi…
Hadi Ghaemi, a spokesman for the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, said at least 90 students
have been arrested in the past three weeks…
'The government has rounded up well-known activists,' Mr. Ghaemi said. 'Still, we're expecting large
demonstrations…'
A student at Azad University in Tehran who asked to be identified only by his first name, Ahmad, said he was
arrested last week for holding a banner that read 'Live free or die '!
The government has tried to discourage protests by stationing members of the Basij, a paramilitary group, on
campuses. The Azad University student, Ahmad, said he was arrested by Basij members who entered the campus
last week. He said he was released after a few hours but that his roommate is still in custody and facing a
possible long jail term and expulsion from school .
Ahmad said he is supposed to be questioned by the university disciplinary committee and may not be allowed to
finish this semester or begin the next… (The Washington Times – Dec. 4, 2009)
Iran puts reformist back in jail: party
Iranian authorities returned leading reformist Behzad Nabavi to jail on Saturday after he was freed on bail
following his arrest in the wake of disputed June elections, his party said.
Nabavi, a senior official from the Organisation of Mujahedeen of the Islamic Revolution party, had been
sentenced to six years in prison for his part in protests against President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's re-election.
The former deputy parliament speaker was released for 10 days on November 25 on a surety of 800,000 dollars
pending a possible appeal.
'Today, as his 10-day leave ran out, Nabavi went to the revolutionary court... and he was told to go back to Evin
prison,' the party said in a statement posted on its website.
'He was told he has not observed necessary things during his leave, met with people outside his family, and
made certain comments in these meetings apart from the usual greetings,' it said, without elaborating.
In comments attributed to Nabavi after his release, he was quoted as saying arrest warrants for post-vote
detainees were issued by an intelligence body several days before the June 12 election. (AFP - Dec 5, 2009)
Iran regime makes widespread arrests in Dec. 7 protests
Eyewitnesses have said that security forces in Iran have arrested a large number of students and protesters. An
eyewitness said that on the evening of December 7 he saw that dozens of detained Amir Kabir University
students were being taken to another location in five special police busses.
Another eyewitness reported that in Mozafar Street near Tehran, Amir Kabir and the Free Arts Universities,
rows of SSF trucks were parked and one of them was full of detainees. According to this eyewitness, their heads
were covered with black plastic bags. (BBC Farsi Service Website – Dec. 7, 2009)
Iran arrests amateur journalists in Tehran
Security forces in Tehran arrested a number of amateur photographers and journalists who were stationed in
the seventh floor of the Jahad Daneshgahi building in Tehran. It was not clear how many journalists were
arrested. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 7, 2009)
Two Khajeh Nasir Univ. students disappear after going to Intelligence Agency
Two students of the Khajeh Nasir Tusi University in Tehran disappeared after being summoned to the
Intelligence Agency in this city.
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Javid Haj Hemati and Abbas Qaderi went to the Intelligence Agency on the morning of December 7 after being
summoned over the phone. But there is no news on their whereabouts after they went to the agency. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 8, 2009)
Regime forces arrest Kurd student activist in Kurdistan
Security forces arrested Sohrab Karimi in his home in the city of Qarveh in Kurdistan on the eve of Student's
Day. Sohrab Karimi is a Kurd student activist who was arrested once before in 2007. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
Dec. 8, 2009)
Iran arrests 6 student activists in Shiraz
Security forces arrested 3 students in Shiraz yesterday. Seyed Mohammad Mohsen Moussavi, Sobhaneh Heidari,
and Najmeh Ranjbaran are students of the Technical College of the Bahonar University in Shiraz.
In the past few days, other Shiraz students, Sayid Lotfi, Massoud Mahdavi Far and Seyed Mohammad Hosseini
were also arrested. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 8, 2009)
Security forces kidnap Sharif Univ. student
Mehdi Allahyari, 29, a master's degree student in Sharif Industrial University's Chemistry College was
kidnapped by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and taken to an unknown location. His family went to all
government centers yesterday to inquire about their son until the Intelligence Agency confirmed the arrest this
evening. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Security forces arrest 51-year-old woman in home
Intelligence agents stormed the home of the Jushan family in Karaj on December 7 and
arrested 51-year-old Zahra Asadpour Gorgi after breaking down her door. She was taken to
an unknown location.
The head interrogator of the intelligence agency in Karaj called her in the morning telling
her that her detained son would call today in the morning and that she should not go
anywhere. Gorgi was attacked while she waited for her son's telephone call from prison.
This political prisoner is suffering from severe heart problems and high blood pressure and
went under surgery a short while ago.
Before this, 25-year-old Reza Jushan, her son was arrested after intelligence agents stormed
their home. He was taken to ward 8 in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj and there is still no
news on his condition. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Security forces arrest brother of slain student
Kamran Asa, the brother of slain student Kianosh Asa, was arrested along with a relative
and friend of Kianosh Asa in Tehran.
Kamran Asa was invited by students of the Science and Industrial University in Tehran to
attend their ceremony for Student's Day on December 7 but was arrested along with Bijan
Rezayi when leaving the university. Kamran called his family last night telling them that he
and Bijan were arrested but did not know where they were being kept. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Two other Shiraz students arrested
Sayid Aganji, a student activist in Karroubi's election campaign and Razieh Jafari, a
sociology major at Shiraz University who was suspended for one semester last year were
arrested by security forces. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 8, 2009)
Regime agents kidnap PhD student in Tehran University
Dr. Farzad Kalbali, a Kurd PhD student at Tehran University was arrested today by plainclothes agents.
Moments after the end of student protests in this university, this Kurd student was kidnapped by security forces.
According to eyewitnesses, he was forced into a car by a number of plainclothes agents after going out through
the eastern exit of Tehran University. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Iran: More than 200 arrested in protests
Tehran's police chief says 204 protesters were arrested in widespread anti-government marches by university
students.
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Gen. Azizullah Rajabzadeh says the protesters - including 39 women - were detained in the capital during
Monday's rallies for violating public order,' according to the state news agency IRNA. He says they will be
handed over to the judiciary after police investigation.
There has been no word on the number of arrests outside Tehran. (AP – Dec. 8, 2009)
Security forces arrest members of Tehran Payam-e Noor Univ. student association
Seven Tehran Payam-e Noor University Islamic Association members and other student activists in this
university were arrested on Tuesday when leaving a Student's Day Ceremony in this university. The Protection
Department of this university has said that they the identities of these students are not clear. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Dec. 9, 2009)
Security forces arrest two Tehran University student activists
Gholam Mohammadi, the former secretary of the Tehran University Islamic Association and current member of
the this associations Central Council and Mohmmad-Jafar Tahmasebi, a member of the Technical School's
Islamic Association were arrested.
On the evening of December 7 and after a ceremony for Student's Day in this university, at least 9 students were
arrested and taken to an unknown location. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 9, 2009)
Security forces arrest another student activist in Tehran
Meisam Hassani, a Khajeh Nasir University student who majors in electricity was arrested
yesterday after leaving the university on his way to his dormitory. Despite persistent inquiries
by his family, it is still not clear what government body arrested him and there is still no
information on his whereabouts.
With this arrest, the number of arrested Khajeh Nasir University students has reached six.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 9, 2009)
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While leaving from the northern exit of this university after this gathering, Arsham Damghani, Mehran Hadashi
and Amir Sabet Moqadam were arrested by security forces and there has been no news on their whereabouts as
yet. (JRS {Jonbesh-e Rahe Sabz- Green Path Movement} website – Dec. 25, 2009)
Iran police clash with protesters during Shiite rituals
Iranian police clashed with protesters on Saturday and arrested several people who sought to demonstrate
against the government during a Shiite mourning event, an AFP correspondent said.
'Police sought to disperse about 200 to 300 people who wanted to gather in Enghelab square. They beat up
some and detained several people,' the correspondent said, adding that demonstrators were shouting 'death to
the dictator'.
Small groups of people also gathered around the nearby Tehran university -- a hotbed of anti-government
protests -- with some shouting slogans and at least two people were seen arrested.
A witness told AFP that police had fired tear gas at Enghelab square to break up the crowd, but the claim could
not be independently verified.
Hundreds of riot police were deployed in key areas of central Tehran Saturday and especially along the main
Enghelab street, where opposition supporters were expected to march. (AFP - Dec 26, 2009)
Dozens arrested on Ashura in Mashhad
Security forces in Mashhad attacked a mourning ceremony for Ashura in this city in the home of Ayatollah
Sane'ie and arrested dozens of students and other people.
According to this report, plainclothes agents arrested at least 7 Firdosi University students and at least 10 other
people in Azadi Street in this city. (Jaras Website – Dec. 27, 2009)
300 arrested in Tehran protests: Iran police
Four people were killed and over 300 were arrested in anti-government protests in Tehran on Sunday, Iran's
deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan said on state television.
'In the incident several people were killed. One fell off a bridge, two died in car accidents and one was killed by
a bullet,' Radan said, adding that 'over 300 have been arrested' during the protests.
He said that members of the 'hypocrites' group' were also among those arrested, referring to Iran's exiled
opposition People's Mujahedeen which fought alongside Iraq against Iran in the 1980-1988 between the two
nations. (AFP - Dec 27, 2009)
Security agents brutally attack Ashura mourners in Arak, arrest dozens of people
Ashura mourners gathered on Khomeini Street in Arak to mark Ashura. According to reports, they were
attacked brutally by plainclothes agents and security forces and a number of them were injured and wounded.
These forces also attacked and beat mourning women and mothers which angered the people on the scene.
According to eyewitnesses, a number of young people who came to protect the women were arrested after being
brutally beaten and were taken away with bloody faces by security forces. (Human Rights Activists in Iran– Dec.
27, 2009)
More than 1000 people arrested in Tehran
During the protests and demonstrations yesterday in Tehran which turned violent by riot police, more than
1000 people were arrested.
About 1100 people were transferred to Evin Prison.
Because of the large numbers of arrests, a number of the detainees were transferred to military busses with tied
hands and legs by prison officials.
These busses were escorted by Special Guards Forces in black automobiles to an unknown location. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 28, 2009)
More than 400 people arrested in Isfahan
In the street clashes yesterday in Hossein Abad in Isfahan between security forces and protesters, 400 to 500
people were arrested and taken to Isfahan Prison. A large number of the detainees are currently in prison. (Jaras
Website – Dec. 28, 2009)
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Social arrests
January
Young men arrested for not completing military service
Simultaneous with the plan to "improve" social security in
Kurdistan, State Security Forces in this province have initiated a
new plan called forced military service plan.
In this plan which started on Tuesday December 30 in the town of
Sanandaj, SSF stop young men on the street and check their
completion of military service cards. If they do not have their cards
with them they will be arrested and taken to the SSF base. If the
detained person does not have this card to show that he has
completed his military service he will be immediately sent to a
military center without prior notice to his family.
On Wednesday, the second day of this plan, at least 24 young men
were arrested on charges of running away from serving in the army.
Special Forces who executed this plan had a minibus with them to transfer the detainees. (Iran News Agency –
Jan. 2, 2009)
SSF arrest brutally more than 1000 young men in Qom
According to reports from Qom, in a widespread attack by Qom police, more than 1000 young men were
arrested under the excuse of not having their completion of military service cards. These young men were taken
to a court for interrogation. Many of those who were innocent were forcefully sent to military bases to complete
their military service. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 11, 2009)
168 young people arrested in "moral security" plan
According to reports, on Friday January 9, a number of young people who had gone to Darband in Tehran for
recreation were arrested by security forces.
They were arrested in the course of a plan which started under the pretext of "moral security". According to this
plan, all young people who have "unconventional" hairstyles and follow "depraved foreign groups" are arrested.
According to a soldier who took part in the arrests, 168 people were arrested in Darband. The detainees were
then taken to the base of State Security Special Forces in Hor Square and from there a number of them were
taken to detention centers. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 11, 2009)
50 arrested Isfahan mourners still in prison
According to reports from Dastgerd Prison in Isfahan, a large
number of people who were arrested during religious Shiite
mourning ceremonies are still in prison.
Currently close to 50 mourners are in the detainment center of
this prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran –
Jan. 15, 2009)
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June
Shiraz police: eight troublemakers arrested in Shiraz
The head of Shiraz's Intelligence and Public Security Police said that eight troublemakers were arrested in Shiraz
in two different operations.
"Our agents identified eight troublemakers in the southern areas of Shiraz who did unconventional activities
and caused disturbance for people", Massoud Rusta said.
"Agents arrested all eight suspects in a coordinated and surprise operation", he added. (Fars state-run News
Agency – June 3, 2009)
Arrestees of so-called social security plan were charged for having illegal music and film CDs
Even though State Security Forces are stingy in disclosing the number of arrestees during the Social Security
Plan, according to the IRNA news agency, 85 percent of those arrested in this plan in the first six months of
2007, were between 16 to 26 year old. They were arrested for distributing anti-cultural goods including CDs
containing illegal music and movies. Seventy percent of those arrested were arrested for selling satellite
equipment. (Etemad state - run daily – June 7, 2009)
Eight rappers arrested in Isfahan
Security police in Isfahan arrested the main members of a rap group that intended to put on a concert in a one
of the parks in this city.
"After we got reports that a number of rappers intend to put on a concert in a park in Isfahan, our operational
unit was put on this issue", said Sufi Vand, head of the security police in this city.
"Fortunately before the concert the hiding place of the group was identified and with coordination with the
Judiciary, eight people were arrested in a surprise attack", he added. (Peik-e-Iran website – June 11, 2009)
August
Young men and women arrested in north Iran for improper
clothing
According to reports, dozens of young men and women in
Northern Iran have been arrested by state security forces in the
Plan to 'Counter Social Corruption' on charges of wearing
improper clothing.
This report says that security forces deployed in Mahmoud Abad
in Mazandaran arrested four boys and eight girls in only two
rounds under the pretext of them not following Islamic moral
rules. They were taken to detention centers. (Iran News Agency –
Aug. 25, 2009)
September
77 people arrested for eating in public in Ramadan
The assistant head of operations of the military governor of the
Greater Tehran District said that 77 people had been arrested and handed over to judicial sources in the past 15
days in Tehran.
Mohssen Khancherli said on Sunday, "A number of people unintentionally ate in public and the police gave
them verbal notices. 1,385 people received notices in this regard and 994 of them were eating in their cars.
Seventy seven people who did not heed police warnings were referred to judicial sources".
"In line with the duty of the police in the month of Ramadan, they have visited a number of food stores and
442 of these stores have received written notices", he added. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 6, 2009)
Security forces beat and arrest young people for eating in public in Ramadan
According to reports from Tehran, government forces arrested 30 people in this city on Wednesday for smoking
or eating even in their cars or remote allies. Also on Wednesday, regime forces violently beat two people for
eating in public in Tehranpars. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 10, 2009)
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Prison
Prison Condition
Prison sentence
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2009
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Prison
Prison Condition
January
Political prisoner denied family visits
According to reports from ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Arzhang Davoodi, and engineer and political
prisoner, has been deprived of family visits. His family went to this prison on December 31 from 8am to 2pm
waiting to see Davoodi but after waiting for hours they were told that Mr. Davoodi was not allowed visitors.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Jan. 1, 2009)
Interrogators of MOIS increase pressure against Haj-Mirzai’s family
Reports from Cellblock 4 of Gohardasht points out that Mr. Farhad Haj-Mirzai was
transferred from Cellblock 209 to the prison’s quarantine while he was hospitalized in
the medical center. Mr. Haj-Mirzai had been in appalling Cellblock 209 for 11 months
enduring the most savage and inhuman tortures. They sent Mr. Mirzai to exile in
Gohardasht unjustly on December 13, 2008 while his case was not verified. On the
other hand, interrogators of the MOIS have made contact with his family frequently
threatening and disturbing them. Mr. Farhad Mirzai’s trial is scheduled at branch 15
of Revolutionary Court headed by Salavati, a notorious judge of the MOIS on January
31, 2009. (Center for defending prisoners in Iran – Jan. 3, 2009)
Bad health of Female prisoner goes unheeded
Matin Arjan, Kurdish political cultural activist, has been suffering from severe knee and pelvis arthritis and
kidney disease from a few months ago which has been met with complete disregard by prison medical officials.
Arjan who is a Turkish national was arrested in 2005 and convicted by the Revolutionary Court without the
presence of a lawyer or translator to 10 years of prison on charges of having ties to Kurdish groups. She is
currently in very bad health due to the absence of medical treatment. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News
Agency – Jan. 5, 2009)
Increasing pressure on PMOI affiliated political prisoners
According to reports, Mother Mah-Jabin Hajiloui and Mohammad Karimi are under inhuman pressure in
Hamedan Prison.
Mother Hajiloui, 50, and Mohammad Karimi, her relative, were arrested and transferred to Hamedan Prison on
December 21, 2008. The charges against Mother Hajiloui is hiding and helping his brother to escape Iran and
also having information about her child and her second brother who joined the PMOI in Ashraf City, Iraq.
Mother Hajiloui suffers from epilepsy and has had several fits. Prison’s henchmen deny her any medical care.
(Center for defending prisoners in Iran – Jan. 5, 2008)
Prison officials deny medical treatment to a female political prisoner
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin Prison, Hamideh Nabavi who has
chronic allergies has been denied medical treatment. Prison officials use her illness as a tool
to subject pressure on her, since her arrest, prison officials have denied her warm clothes
and she only has the clothes she was arrested with.
In one of her visits with her family while she was hugging, her 5-year-old child a prison guard
started threatening her in front of her child telling her that they will not give her visitation
rights anymore.
Mrs. Nabavi's family has brought her warm clothes on many occasions but officials do not
accept these clothes and even violently prevented Mrs. Nabavi from taking a shawl her family brought her in one
of her visits. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– Jan. 8, 2009)
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Osanlu's family has also been deprived from visits with him in the past four months. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran - Jan. 12, 2009)
Political prison with heart failure not allowed medical leave
Eighteen months after Mohammad Sediq-Kaboudvand’s second heart attack, a heart specialist came to Evin
prison and after checking him, confirmed his heart problems. This specialist
conducted a report on Kaboudvand’s heart failure and requested from officials to give
him a medical leave immediately.
This is while Iran's judicial spokesman stated in an interview that Kaboudvand’s
illness had to do with his kidneys and the flue.
On Saturday January 10, a statement was read for Kaboudvand which stipulated that
the Revolutionary Court and Intelligence Ministry have disagreed with his request for medical leave. (Kurdistan
Organization for Human Rights – Jan. 14, 2009)
Kurdish women's rights activist summoned to court for going on hunger strike
Ronak Safazadeh, imprisoned member of the Association of Azermehr Women in Kurdistan and an activist in
the One-Million Signature Campaign was summoned to court, on charges of participating in a hunger strike by
Kurdish prisoners. (Association of Kurdistan Azermehr Women website - Jan. 14, 2009)
Imprisoned dissident cleric transferred to dangerous criminal's ward
Yazd Prison officials transferred Ayatollah Brujerdi, an imprisoned cleric, to a ward where drug
addicts are kept. This ward has more restrictions for telephone use and less security, which has
lead to Brujerdi's protests.
"They transferred me to another ward today intending to put more pressure on me. In this part
of prison there are newer and more serious problems for me including the coldness of the place
I am kept and limitations for using the telephone. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Jan. 14,
2009)
Political prisoner beaten by guards
According to reports from ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Arjang Davoodi a
political prisoner was beaten by Warden Mahmood Maghnian and prison guards.
On Wednesday January 14 Maghnian and a number of prison guards came to shackle and
hand cuff Davoodi to take him the Revolutionary Court. Davoodi objected to this
inhumane and degrading treatment and refused to go with them, after which Maghnian
and the guards attacked and violently beat him dragging him on the hallway floor. He was
beaten so much that they were forced to transfer him to the prison medical center. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Jan. 16, 2009)
A political prisoner, deprived from medication while exiled from prison to prison
According to reports, Hashem Shahininia, a political prisoner while suffering a bad health
state under extensive intolerable condition of the central Bushehr prison, serves four years of
his seven years prison term.
Several months ago, he had heart failure and after continuous prison physicians’ endorsement
on his treatment by specialists outside the prison for four months, specialists eventually visited
him. It was found that the cause is neurons break down; hence, they prescribed him relevant
medicine. The prison officials prevented him to receive his medicine. Mr. Shahininia had been
charged for participating in a protest gathering outside Evin Prison in 2005, and having
contact with an opposition organization. Moreover, since last year he was exiled to Bushehr Prison despite the
rehearing court’s decision. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 20, 2008)
No information available regarding a political prisoner
There is no information concerning Mr. Mansour Radpour, a political prisoner for almost a month.
In last days of December 2008, Mr. Radpour was transferred secretly to Cellblock 8 of Gohardasht Prison
Known as a cellblock of Sepah – alias for Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) –, which is directed by
the Intelligence Ministry’s interrogators, with similar condition as Cellblock 209 of Evin Prison. There was no
news concerning him until he was taken to medical unit of prison with a grave health condition and watched by
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three IRGC’s Guards round the clock and was not allowed to have any contact with other prisoners. At the
medical unit, it was known that he had been transferred to Cellblock 8 of Sepah since his disappearance.
On Tuesday January 20, prison official while treating Mr. Radpour’s elderly mother inhumanly said, “I am not
allowed to tell you anything about your son and you must leave here immediately otherwise I order to throw you
out,” and two IRGC’s guards expelled her from there savagely.
Mr. Radpour spent more than five months in Cellblock 1 of Gohardasht known as ward of most dangerous and
mentally ill prisoners. During this time, he was frequently moved to solitary confinement in this ward, famous
as "dog Kennel,” where political prisoners go under medieval torture, interrogated for very long hours with
blindfolds. Every time, he was held in these cells for several weeks and this time, he was in solitary confinement
of Cellblock 1 before transferring to Cellblock 8. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – January 21,
2009)
New psychological tortures against political prisoners in Cellblock 350 of Evin Prison
According to reports from Cellblock 350 of Evin Prison, Bozorgnia, head of the Cellblock, in another
suppressive measure to upsurge pressure on political prisoners forced them in a cell several times overcrowded
than its capacity and associated them with criminals.
One of the criminals who moved to political prisoners’ cell is a former member of Iranian Revolutionary
Guards Corps (IRGC) who is an active emissary in prison against political prisoners. The agent reports on
political prisoners constantly. Several political prisoners have been exiled upon his reports. Bozorgnia told
political prisoners to increase the number to 190 in the Cellblock, and since then, they should sleep on the
ground. He has started this plan sometimes ago.
Some of inhuman tactics of the MOIS against political prisoners, which are executed by Bozorgnia in Cellblock
350, are as follow:
- Political prisoners’ visits have been prohibited for more than three months;
- Depriving them from medical treatment;
- Political prisoners are compelled to go outside for long time, twice a day at sunrise and sunset while it is in
freezing cold.
- They are beneath grave strain to participate in ordered rites.
At present in this Cellblock, there are a number of participants of the 19th anniversary of 1988 massacred
political prisoners including Messrs Ali Saremi, Misaq Yazdan-nejad, who have been imprisoned in limbo for 17
months; and Mohammad-Ali Mansouri who was sentenced to 17 years of prison and exiled to Gohardasht
Prison; Mr. Zohour Nabavi Chashmi, a columnist of Aryan Land sentenced to 4 years of prison and Mohammad-
Hassan Fallahie-zadeh, an imprisoned journalist. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – Jan. 21, 2009)
No news on condition of imprisoned journalist
Ne'mat Ahmadi, the lawyer of Masoud Kordpoor, an imprisoned journalist said that from
three days ago on January 19 they moved his client from the public ward of prison to an
unknown location. Ahmadi said he did not know the reason for this transfer but stressed
that this move and cutting off his communications with outside of prison is illegal. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 21, 2009)
Imprisoned parents of Ashraf residents in unknown condition
According to reports from ward 209 of Evin Prison, there is no information on a number of elderly mothers
and fathers of Ashraf residents who were arrested on January 16 in Tehran's Mehrabad Airport. They were
beaten and arrested while intending to fly to Iraq to visit their children in Camp Ashraf. These elderly men and
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women were taken to the Temporary Detainment Center of the Intellligence Agency in
Mehrabad Airport and were held there until 11:30 pm. At midnight, the homes of the
arrested men and women were raided after which security agents searched their homes
and confiscated personal items like computers, satellite dishes, family albums, family
videos, letters and even pictures of their executed children. A number of these men and
women are in grave danger because of their old age and physical condition and also due
to the unbearable situation of solitary cells and physical and mental torture inflicted on
them. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – Jan. 23, 2009)
Inhuman condition and forced labour inflicted on prisoners of conscience
Evin Prison officials have increased the number of manufacturing workshops in this prison from the beginning
of this month and force prisoners to work in these workshops.
These officials have announced that prisoners have to state if they are ready to do free labor and those who
refuse will be forced into exile. Prisoners who were not willing to do forced labor who totaled to about 160
prisoners were transferred to ward 8 which was previously used for foreigners. This ward which was repaired
after foreigners were moved out was only half ready when these prisoners were moved into it. In this cellblock,
there are no beds and every two prisoners are only given one blanket despite the cold winter weather. This ward
does not have the minimal hygienic facilities like showers and has very few water faucets. This cellblock also
does not have a telephone and houses more prisoners than its capacity.
The conditions in this ward are so inhumane that on the first day these prisoners were transferred, most of
them announced they were willing to do free labor to go back to their previous wards but the warden prevented
this transfer saying they needed to be punished.
Currently political prisoners Hamid Reza Mohammadi, Hood Yazerlu, and Hossein Asghari are detained in this
ward and all of them have become ill from the unbearable cold and unsanitary conditions. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Jan. 28, 2009)
Prisoners go on hunger strike in protest to unbearable prison conditions
More than 10 prisoners in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj have refused to eat their food rations from yesterday.
Two hundred and thirty prisoners from hall 16 of ward 6 of this prison were all punished from Saturday
because some of them clashed with prison officials. These prisoners have been denied visits and the warm
clothes and other materials that their families bring for them have not been given to them. These prisoners are
also forced to stay outside from 6 to 9am despite the freezing cold weather. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Jan. 28, 2009)
University student physically abused in prison by order of MOIS
According to reports from ward 8 of Evin Prison, The Ministry of Intelligence has started a psychological war
against Hood Yazerlu student prisoner who was transferred to this ward on January 22.
From the day Hood was transferred to this ward, prison officials have increased their abusive and inhumane
pressures against him. A group in prison (made up of convicted criminals) under the control of the warden have
physically attacked this prisoner without reason a number of times in the past few days. According to some
prisoners in this ward, they were told that if anyone abuses this student in any way, it would have a positive
effect on their condition and sentences.
Hood and 18 other prisoners are detained in one small cell, which has much more prisoners than its capacity.
There is no room for these prisoners to sleep at night and they have to sleep on their sides on the ground due to
lack of space. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – Jan. 30, 2009)
Intelligence agents torture detained shop owner
Habib Din Projeh, resident of Marivan, has been imprisoned in Marivan's Intelligent Detention Center for two
months and is under torture. It is still not clear why this man has been detained. This shop owner who is also a
father has no political record. Intelligence officials have also banned him from seeing his family and he has had
no visits in the past 2 months. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 31, 2009)
Prisoner tortured for friendship with CD seller in Qom
According to reports from Qom, on January 14, a Qom resident named Reza Ne'mati who was friends with a
seller of foreign movies and mobile clips was arrested by intelligence agents on charges of being in contact and
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cooperating with him. He is currently in a Detention Center where he is denied food and water and is under
severe mental torture.
Intelligence agents have searched Ne'mati's house under the pretext of searching for "immoral" CDs and in one
incident checked his family album and ripped all of his family pictures. This prisoner is 27 years old and has two
children. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 31, 2009)
February
Teenage prisoner threatened with immoral acts
According to reports, prisoners of ward 5 and 2 of Gohardasht Prison are taken outside in the prison yard in
the early morning hours under the snow. Because of this inhumane treatment most of the prisoners have got
the flue and four prisoners have contracted pneumonia. This is while sick prisoners are not taken to the prison
medical clinic and are only allowed medical treatment once every month.
According to reports, recently a young 19 year old man was taken to the warden's office. This teenager came out
of the office crying and told political prisoners in this ward that they had threatened him telling him that they
would send him to a cell with dangerous criminals where he would be beat up and attacked. They also told him
that these dangerous criminals would "take his honor" and threatened him with other immoral abuses.
According this report, the warden especially despises political prisoners and abuses and harasses them. (Iran
News Agency – Feb. 1, 2009)
Two political prisoners will be kept in solitary cell for one month
According to reports from Evin Prison, political prisoners Ali Saremi and Mohammad Hassan Falahiye Zadeh
were transferred to the solitary cells of ward 240 in Evin Prison and will be detained there for one month.
Ali Saremi is a 60 year old political prisoner who was arrested for participating in the 19th anniversary of the
massacre of political prisoners in 1988 and has been in a limbo like situation for more than 17 months in
prison. Mohammad Hassan Falahiye Zadeh is a journalist. The condition in solitary confinement is very
inhumane and unbearable. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Feb. 1, 2009)
Imprisoned ex-official exiled to Gohardasht Prison
Palizdar was transferred from ward 209 of Evin Prison to Gohardasht Prison in
Karaj.
He was arrested in May 2008 and after spending 9 months in ward 209 was
transferred to Gohardasht Prison for unknown reasons. This prison is for
dangerous criminals but currently there are more than 50 prisoners of conscience
exiled to this prison.
Palizdar was a member of the Justice Department's Investigation Committee and
was arrested after accusing 44 top Iranian officials of financial corruption in a
speech at Boo-Ali Sina University in Hamadan. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 3, 2009)
Isfahan Central Prison inmates forced to work at labor camp
According to reports, government officials have recently taken severe measures in Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison
including taking 100 to 200 prisons to Asad Abad labor camp (also called Lajevardi camp) every day to do
forced labor.
According to this report, prisoners are also not allowed to have communications with each other and any sort of
relationship between prisoners is banned. Suppressive prison guards also continuously raid prison wards and
abuse and harass prisoners. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 5, 2009)
Arrested Amir Kabir University students sent to ward 209 in Evin Prison
Five days after the arrest of Hossein Turkashavand, Majid Tavakoli, Ismail Salmanpoor, and Kurosh Daneshyar,
four members of Amir Kabir Univeristy's Islamic Association who were arrested for participating in a ceremony
to commemorate the late Mehdi Bazargan (firs PM of the Islamic Republic of Iran) they have been transferred to
ward 209 in Evin Prison. These students have not contacted their families. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 9,
2009)
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Ali Saremi and Mohammad Hassan Falahie Zadeh have also been deprived of family
visits for more than 14 weeks. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists – Feb. 22,
2009)
Female student activist taken to ward 209 of Evin Prison
Shabnam Madadzadeh, a member of the Islamic Association of the Teachers'
Training University who was arrested on Thursday, has been taken to ward 209 of
Evin Prison.
Yesterday after her family pursued their daughter's whereabouts, they were told that
she was in ward 209 of Evin Prison. Her brother Farzad Madadzadeh who was
arrested after going after his sister was also taken to Evin Prison. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Feb. 24, 2009)
No news on arrestees of Feb. 20 house raids
There is no news on the whereabouts of the young men and women who were arrested in their homes on
February 20 after security agents raided their homes in Tehran. These men and women are Fatemeh Ziayi,
mother of the family, Mahsa Naderi, student of Qom University, Hasan Tarlani, student, Ehsan Erfani, 25 years
old and Hamed Yazarlou.
These men and women are currently in solitary confinement and in danger of torture and abuse. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists – Feb. 24, 2009)
More than 70 political prisoners in Sanandaj Prison
According to reports, there are more than 70 political prisoners in Sanandaj Prison alone. These prisoners have
been arrested under unsubstantial charges and are under torture and pressure by security forces. (Iran Press
News – Feb. 28, 2009)
March
All cells in notorious ward 209 full
All the cells in ward 209 of Evin Prison have become full due to the large number of (political) prisoners in this
ward. According to reports, Roxana Saberi, an imprisoned Iranian-American freelance reporter, and Shabnam
Maddadzadeh, student activist, have been transferred to ward 240 in this prison. Four Amir Kabir students who
have been on a hunger strike for almost a month, Majid Tavakoli, Hossein Turkashavand, Ismail Salmanpur
and Kurosh Daneshyar, have instead been transferred to ward 209. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – March 9,
2009)
Intelligence Agency puts pressure on prisoners to hide recent murder of political prisoner in Gohardasht
Prison
Political prisoners Berhruz Javid Tehrani, Afshin Baimani and Alireza Karami Kheirabadi have been
interrogated by a person named Turabi, head of interrogations at this prison a number of times in the past few
days. Turabi has threatened these prisoners to try to hide the recent murder of Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran.
Intelligence Agency interrogators have also tried to hide the suspicious death of Saran by putting various
pressures on these political prisoners. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 10, 2009)
Political prisoners deprived from New Year furlough
According to a notice given to the Organization of Prisons, giving furloughs to political prisoners for the New
Year has been banned. This is while half of all prisoners get a leave for the New Year. According to political
prisoners, almost all prisoners with various crimes have a right to use their New Years leave. Nonetheless, the
request for a leave for political prisoner which was given from a few months ago to the prison management was
answered with only one sentence:"The furlough request was disagreed with". (Committee of Human Rights
Reporters – March 11, 2009)
Imprisoned religious activist in danger
A Kurd religious activist's life who is serving his two and half year sentence in Malayer Prison is in danger in this
prison.
The family of Mullah Seifollah Hosseini has said that in their last visit with him he had expressed concern over
the treatment of prison guards with him and said that some prisoners had threatened to kill him.
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The Hosseini family said that they had expressed their concern over prison guards instigating other (prisoners)
to abuse Seifollah, to prison and judicial officials but they have not received any answers until now. (Kurdistan
Human Rights Watch News Agency – March 12, 2009)
Labor syndicate leader not allowed to go to son's wedding
The marriage ceremony of Mansur Osanlu's eldest son was held without the presence of this labor union leader.
This is while his family had requested from a long time before that this imprisoned head of the Managing Board
of the Syndicate of Workers of Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company be able to participate in his son's wedding.
But while his family and relatives waited for the father of the groom until late at night, in the end, he was not
permitted to take part in this ceremony even for a few hours. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – March 16,
2009)
More than 450 children in prison with mothers
Currently more than 450 children are in Iranian prisons with their mothers and 1,500 children under the age
of 15, whose mothers are in jail, are kept in welfare centers. Some believe these centers are no different from
prisons for these children. (Iran News Agency – March 25, 2009)
No news on condition of political prison for more than 3 months
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, there has been no news on the condition of political
prison Mansour Radpour for more than three months.
The last time other prisoners saw Radpour was in the beginning of January when he was being transferred to
this prison's medical clinic because of his critical physical condition. He was accompanied by a number of prison
guards and did not have a right to make contact with other prisoners. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists
in Iran – March 26, 2009)
Political prisoner transferred to disciplinary ward in Isfahan Prison
According to reports from Isfahan's Central Prison, political prisoner Mehran Mo'eini, supporter of the People's
Mojahedin Organization of Iran has been moved to ward 2 of Isfahan Prison without prior notice. In this ward,
he is not allowed to have contact with any other prisoner. Mo'eni has been under violent torture in the past few
months in this prison. He was taken to a place called the "Intersection of Begging and Remorse" two weeks ago
and was violently tortured for five hours. His head was also shaved as an insult and to "teach others a lesson".
(Center for Support of Political Prisoners in Iran – March 8, 2009)
56-year-old mother of Ashraf residents in danger of losing eyesight in prison
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin prison, Kobra Banazadeh Amir-Khizi, 56, who had
suffered from bleeding in one of her eyes in ward 209 of this prison, is in serious danger of losing her eyesight.
She is also deprived of serious treatment and the prison medical clinic has told her "you still have time before
you can see only under your feet".
On the other hand, the quality and quantity of prison food in the women's ward has greatly decreased and
almost every night prisoners in this ward have been receiving potatoes for dinner since the Persian New Year.
The Banazadeh family has gone to the first branch of the Revolutionary Court to follow up on the case of Kobra
Banazadeh. In their last visit on February 27 with the head of this court, they were told, "Our superiors ordered
that we not release her because many of her close relatives are in Camp Ashraf and she should not be freed".
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 30, 2009)
Political prisoner transferred to solitary cell
Hadi Amini, a Kurdish political activist was taken to solitary confinement on orders of Mahabad Prison
officials.
This Kurd prisoner was imprisoned in Sardasht a year before and his wrists have been crippled due to the
severity of the tortures implemented on him. Amini was sentenced to five years of prison without having the
right to a lawyer, on charges of cooperating with Kurdish parties. There is no information on why he was taken
to solitary confinement. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – March 30, 2009)
Imprisoned Christian woman in Evin Prison: I am dying here
Marzieh Amiri Zadeh (a converted Christian) said in a telephone call to her family on March 28 that she is in a
bad physical and mental state and that she is suffering from a high fever due to an infection and urgentlyneeds
a doctor. "I am dying here", she said in her last words.
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Two Farsi speaking Christians by the names of Marzieh Amiri Zadeh, 30, and Maryam Rostam-pour, 27, who
were arrested by security force on March 5 are in a critical condition after one month inEvin Prison.
According to this report, arrested Christians are deprived from visitation rights for unknown reasons and are
only allowed a daily one-minute phone call with a close family member. (Christian Committee of Human Rights
Activists in Iran – March 31, 2009)
Imprisoned dissident cleric treated inhumanely in Yazd Prison
According to reports, on Tuesday March 31, officials in Yazd Prison's medical clinic including Doctor Vali
Zare'e, severely insulted Ayatollah Kazemeni Borujerdi (an imprisoned dissident cleric) and treated him
inhumanely.
The head of Yazd Prison, Qasem Alizadeh, has claimed that he has no responsibility in this regards saying that
the minister of intelligence has ordered that they put various physical and mental pressures on Borujerdi,
impede his medical treatment and prevent him from receiving medicine to force him to reconcile with the
government. (Iran Press News – March 31, 2009)
April
Political prisoner in Bukan banned from visits
Kaveh Ahmad-zadeh, a Kurdish political prisoner, has been banned from having visits for more than three
weeks. State Security Forces (SSF) detained Ahmad-Zadeh seven months ago. He was charged with cooperating
with an opposition party and was sentenced to two years of prison. (Mukerian news agency– Apr. 4, 2009)
No news on Kurdish political prisoner in Mahabad
Hadi Amini, a Kurdish political prisoner who was transferred to the quarantine ward of Mahabad Prison, has
been transferred to an unknown location.
His family has raised serious concerns regarding his condition and has announced that the head of this prison is
responsible if anything were to happen to their son.
Amini was arrested one year ago by security forces and was sentenced to five years in prison for cooperating with
Kurdish parties. In this trial which was held in Mahabad's Revolutionary Court, Amini was not allowed a lawyer
for his defense. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 6, 2009)
Azeri activist imprisoned
Ali Hossein-Nejad, an Azeri activist, was detained and taken to Maku Prison on April 4, to serve his eight-
month prison sentence. He was arrested for inviting people to participate in a gathering to commemorate the
first anniversary of protest demonstrations in June 2006 across Azerbaijan’s cities. The Revolutionary Court of
Khoy charged him with "spreading propaganda against the government" and sentenced him to a year in prison,
but the Court of Review reduced this sentence to eight months.
Hossein-Nejad was previously arrested in June 2006, and after a month of prison, was sentenced to pay a fine of
5,000,000 rials (almost $5000). (Savalan Sassi – Apr. 6, 2009)
Two more suicide cases in Evin Prison
During the Persian New Years holiday, prisoners Mojtaba Kutbal, and Mohammad-Reza Chegini, committed
suicide in Evin Prison due to pressures imposed on them. Mojtaba Kutbal, hanged himself in the bathroom
after he was denied a New Years furlough but his life was saved with the help of other prisoners.
Mohammad-Reza Chegeeni also committed suicide because he could not tolerate the unbearable prison
condition anymore. Prisoners also saved his life.
Although it was obvious that these prisoners attempted suicide because they could not tolerate prison
conditions anymore, prison officials sent their files to a court for them ot be trialed in the Prison Council
instead of treating their condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 6, 2009)
MOIS imposes pressure on political prisoners in Evin's ward 350
Political prisoners in ward 350 in Evin Prison have been deprived from
family visits from the start of the Iranian New Year (March 21). Some
families who had come from various Iranian cities to visit their loved ones
in prison were denied visits.
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The son of political prisoner Zohour Nabavi, who has not seen his father for 7 months, came to visit his father
in Tehran all the way from the city of Semnan, but
in the last moments before this visit was to take place, they were told that there would be no in person visits.
The Ministry of Intelligence and Evin's warden have ordered that the political prisoners in ward 350 be deprived
of visits.
This ward has much more prisoners than its actual capacity. Not only have they not increased the facilities for
the many prisoners kept in this ward, but they have demolished 3 bathrooms out of the six it originally had to
make the condition harder for political prisoners.
The quality and quantity of food in prison has also worsened. Prisoners are given potatoes for breakfast and
dinner.
Political prisoners are also denied medical treatment. For example, Ali Saremi is suffering from severe eyesight
loss and urgently needs glasses and surgery but prison officials have denied him this basic treatment.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 9, 2009)
Imprisoned human rights activist in undetermined state in prison for 15 months
According to reports from Ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison, Farhad Haj-Mirzai, a human rights activist, will be put
on trial in the Sanandaj Revolutionary Court on April 14.
The Revolutionary Court has forced his poverty-stricken family to pay for his transfer from Gohardasht Prison
in Karaj to the court in Sanandaj, despite their very bad financial situation.
Background information
Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) arrested Haj-Mirzai in Sanandaj, (capital of
Kurdistan Province) on January 18, 2008 and after 11 days of detention and torture in the Sanandaj branch of
the MOIS, he was transferred to ward 209 of Evin Prison. He spent 90 days in solitary confinement under
severe torture such as electric shocks, lashes with cables, and threats that he would be subjected to sexual abuse
and contagiousness diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis. He was then transferred to Gohardasht Prison on
December 13, 2008. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 10, 2009)
Agents threaten political prisoner to death in front of his family
According to reports from Isfahan Central Prison, on Sunday April 12, agents in this prison threatened and
abused the family of Mohammad Nikbakht, supporter of the PMOI, and told them that they had no right to
visit their son and financially support him. The head of Intelligence at this prison told the elderly mother of this
prisoner that their son "is anti-revolution and has links to the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran".
"We have the right to do whatever we want to him and you can't do anything about it", this head of intelligence
told his mother.
"You have to forget your son and not come visit him anymore or send him money", he added.
As a result, 60-year-old Manijeh Shafa’at, swooned having been stressed from this abuse and was forced to leave
the prison without visiting her son. The other family members of this political prisoner were kept in the visiting
hall upon the recommendation of the head intelligence and after protesting were only allowed a 3 minute visit
with the prisoner. They were threatened afterwards and told that they were not allowed to come for visits
anymore.
Mohammad Nikbakht is a PMOI supporter who was arrested in 2004 on charges of supporting this organization
and after being tortured and beaten was imprisoned in Isfahan Prison. His father was also imprisoned on
charges of supporting his son. (Center in Defense of Prisoners in Iran – Apr. 12, 2009)
Political prisoner harassed, faced with fabricated dossier
In the past few days, Shahram Pour-Mansuri has been under ongoing pressure and
harassment and a new case has been fabricated against him.
On April 11, two Revolutionary Guards Corps agents in prison by the names of "By" and
"Qahremani" raided this prisoner's cell abusing and harassing him. Under the excuse of
inspecting his cell, these agents confiscated and destroyed the little belongings he had,
which he had either bought from the prison store or his family had provided for him. He
was then taken to solitary confinement for 24 hours.
On Sunday April 12, he was summoned to Gohardasht Prison’s Intelligent and
Protection Office and threatened, abused and insulted by an agent named Shojayi.
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Treating him violently, this agent told Pour Mansuri that because of a complaint by RGC agent "By" against
him, he will be trialed in court. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 12, 2009)
Gohardasht prisoners under increasing pressure, abuse, and limitations
Some of the inhumane measures carried out against political prisoners and non-political prisoners in
Gohardasht Prison in Karaj are as follows:
Bad food quality, for example meat, fruits and vegetables have been excluded from the prisoners food program/
prisoners are deprived from receiving medical treatment/ prisoners who are in bad health are not taken to
hospital outside the prison/ the prison does not give materials prisoners' families bring to prisoners/ the periods
between family visits have become longer for example prisoners are allowed visits only every 45 days or in some
instances a few months for in person visits/ insulting and threatening prisoners' families/ entering large
quantities of drugs into prison to turn prisoners into drug addicts/ transferring prisoners to ward 1 and
violently torturing them/ transferring prisoners to ward 8 run by Revolutionary Guards Corps for many
months/ suspicious murders in this prison, recent example was the death of Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 12, 2009)
11 forced labor camps created for prisoners
The Secretary General of the Anti-Narcotics Department announced that
11 labor camps were open and working as a punishment for drug dealers.
"Another one of our serious programs with the cooperation of the Judicial
Department and Organization of Prisons is sending drug dealers to forced
labor camps and this has been done with the formation of 11 new camps",
said Ahmadi Moqadam.
"In these camps, these people will not be taught any new skills and as a
punishment they will be subjected to serious working pressure", he added.
(Mehr state-run news agency – Apr. 14, 2009)
Prisoner of conscience for having Baha’i books in undetermined state
Morteza Hamidi, a Semnan resident who was arrested on December 15,
2008 by security forces along with 20 Baha'i families in this city was arrested once again on February 19.
Hamidi, who is not Baha'i, is charged with keeping Baha'i books and having affiliations with Baha'is. These
allegations do not have a legal basis because many of his close relatives are Baha'I, therefore reading Baha'i
material and having a relationship with Baha'is is very normal for him. His family's persistent pursuit of his case
for his freedom has so far been unsuccessful and he is still in an undetermined state in Semnan Prison.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 15, 2009)
Innocent man kept in prison for 23 months under bogus charge
A young man who has been accused of killing his drug addict friend pleaded not guilty in court yesterday.
According to reports, 25-year-old Hamid claimed that he had not seen his friend before his death and did not
know how he died.
"I do not accept the murder charge. I had not seen Meysam for six months before his death. I will also not
accept any other sort of punishment because I have not committed a crime. I have been kept in prison for 23
months though I am innocent. My mother and father are living with sorrow and hardships and I have been
insulted. (E'temad state-run daily – Apr. 16, 2009)
Two prisoners taken to unknown location, warm water cut off in Gohardasht Prison
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, a number of prisoners in ward 4 of this prison including
political prisoners Saleh Kohandel and Mansur Radpour have been taken to an unknown location. Other
political prisoners in this prison have expressed their concern over this matter.
This is while warm water has been cut off in this prison from a few days ago which has lead to hygienic problems
for the prisoners. This condition and the spread of disease has placed these prisoners in a very difficult
situation.
According to figures announced by the Organization of Prisoners, hall 10 of ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison has
the capacity to hold 85 to 90 prisoners but currently there are about 205 to 220 prisoners kept in this ward.
A number of families of political prisoners have said that most of the prisoners in this ward are elderly and with
regard to the fact that their situation is not hygienic, there are serious concerns for their health in this situation.
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In other reports, another political prisoner in this prisoner, Arjang Davudi, who was summoned to the 15th
branch of the Revolutionary Court has said that his trial has been postponed to a later date for unknown
reasons. (Students Committee in Defense of Political Prisoners – Apr. 22, 2009)
No news on young man arrested for having family members in Ashraf City
Hamed Yazarlou, an aeronautics and space major, who was arrested during widespread
arrests in March in his house, is still imprisoned in ward 209 of Evin Prison and there is no
information on his condition. (He was arrested because his aunt is a member of the PMOI)
Hood Yazarlou, his brother was previously sentenced to three years of prison by Tehran's
Revolutionary Court and is currently in ward 8 of Evin Prison. The mother of this family,
also sentenced to three years of prison, is waiting for a retrial.
Hamed Yazarlou was a student activist and although he was accepted in Amir Kabir
University to get his PhD, he was banned two years in a row from continuing his studies. In
the past few months, the arrest of family members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran has
increased. The people who are trialed on charges of having links to dissident groups, are people with family
members in the PMOI. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – Apr. 18, 2009)
Kurd prisoner in critical condition, not given sufficient treatment
Matin Arjan, a Kurdish political prisoner who had a heart attack in prison, is in critical condition.
This Turkish citizen who is in Evin Prison on charges of cooperating with PKK had a heart attack on Thursday
night. As a result, the left part of his body has become crippled but he did not receive the necessary medical
attention in prison. He was only given a few shots in the medical clinic and then sent back to ward 8 of this
prison.
Arjan was arrested in 2006 and sentenced to 10 years of prison. He was severely tortured while in ward 209 and
even had his tongue severed. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 19, 2009)
Agent of 1988 massacre of political prisoners to preside over trial of 56-year-old female political prisoner
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin Prison, Kobra Banazadeh, 56, will be trialed on May 5 in
the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court on charges of "acting against national security" and "illegally leaving
the country". This trial will be judged by Mohammad Moqiseyi, aka Naserian. Moqiseyi has presided over the
trial of three other members of the Banazadeh family and has issued heavy sentences for them. Kobra
Banazadeh is currently in ward 209 and is in danger of losing her eyesight. This political prisoner is also
deprived of serious medical treatment.
Naserian is currently the head of the 28th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court. He was one of the members
of the "Death Delegation" and had a direct part in the execution of the massacre of political prisoners in 1988.
He is known as a criminal for taking part in this massacre in which thousands of political prisoners were
executed. Several international human rights organizations have condemned this massacre,
demanding that all the agents and perpetrators of this crime be brought to justice and trialed. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 24, 2009)
Jailed U.S.-Iranian reporter 'very weak': father
'She is very, very weak and frail ... she is in a bad condition. She can hardly stand up,' Reza Saberi told Reuters.
'I'm worried about her health. I'm worried about her life.' ...(Reuters – Apr. 27, 2009)
Prisoners to be taken to camps in Ahwaz
Ahwaz's General Prosecutor announced that disrupters of order and security and those who keep illegal firearms
will be decisively and seriously dealt with.
"Since the establishment of this camp, from now on those who commit specific crimes such as purse theft,
mobile theft and other such crimes will be kept in this camp", Sadeqi said in a meeting with SSF commanders in
this province. "In line with creating an atmosphere of security, these people will be sentenced to the maximum
punishment". (Fars state-run news agency – Apr. 27, 2009)
Gohardasht political prisoners threatened to be transferred to other wards
According to reports from ward 2 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, the Ministry of Intelligence and prison guards
intend to transfer political prisoners in this ward to other wards.
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In the past few days, pressures on political prisoners in this regard have increased. They were told that if they
resist this transfer, they would be forced and beaten into going to different wards. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 29, 2009)
May
Prison official brutally beats prisoners in Gohardasht
Faraji Nejad, the assistant head of Protection and Security at Gohardasht Prison in Karaj who is notorious for
torturing prisoners, summoned five prisoners to his office in the middle of the night and beat them with and
electric club for "defying his orders.”
These prisoners were injured in these beatings. Salah Adin Jafari was injured the most and both his hands and
one leg were fractured and injured. Despite his critical condition, medical officials at prison have refused to
treat him. He is currently in the public ward in this prison and other prisoners have attempted to treat his
injuries. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 3, 2009)
Political prisoner kept in solitary for 130 days, banned from contacting family
According to reports from the RGC ward of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, political prisoner Mansour Radpour
has been kept in solitary confinement for more than 130 days and has been banned from contacting his family.
His current situation is unknown.
The latest report on the condition of this political prisoner was given to us by a political prisoner who spent
some time in the cell next to Radpour. According to this prisoner, who was released a few months ago, Radpour
was subjected to brutal torture and was threatened to death.
Intelligence agent interrogators have also threatened his elderly mother that if she pursues her son's case she too
will be imprisoned. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 3, 2009)
Family of dissident cleric threatened
In the past few days, the family of Ayatollah Borujerdi, an imprisoned dissident cleric, has been threatened by
unknown men over the phone. According to Borujerdi's family, the cries of Borujerdi from the days he was
tortured in prison is played over the phone in these calls. They say that these measures are taken to try to silence
Borujerdi in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 3, 2009)
Sick Baha'i prisoner not given medical treatment
The family of Baha’i prisoner Vahdat Dana was able to visit him for a few minutes after
nine days of not having any information on his condition.
Dana was arrested 9 days ago and is in police custody at Shiraz's Intelligence Detention
Center.
His physical health is very concerning and although the prison medic has increased his cardiac medicine, he
currently cannot be visited by a heart specialist and cannot follow his usual diet, which is a matter of life and
death for him.
If he kept in this situation any longer, it can have lasting damage for his health and leave him in a dangerous
condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 4, 2009)
MOIS brutally separates political prisoners in Gohardasht Prison
According to reports from ward 2 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, on Sunday May 3, Special Prison Guards
Forces attacked political prisoners in this prison, brutally beating them and transferred them to solitary cells and
other cells in this ward.
Political prisoner Behrouz Javid Tehrani, who was arrested in the 1999 student uprising, was severely beaten by
these forces and transferred to solitary.
Political prisoner Afshin Baimani was also temporarily transferred to cell number 32 in hall 6 while Alireza
Karami Kheirabadi was taken to hall 5 in ward 2 of this prison. Kheirabadi has been sentenced to death and
there are concerns that this sentence might be carried out at any given time. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – May 4, 2009)
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"We went to court with a lawyer, but they didn’t answer to the lawyer either. They would not let us enter court
or see the judge (presiding over the case). They have not even announced the charges against them. The
mandate of the lawyer has still not been signed for the lawyer to be able to visit them either,” he added. (Radio
Farda Website – May 13, 2009)
Imprisoned student activist visits family 70 days after arrest
Abbas Hakim-Zadeh, a jailed Amir Kabir University activist and political secretary of the Office
for Consolidating Unity, had a visit with his family 70 days after his arrest. In this visit, which
lasted for 15 minutes from behind a glass partition and the presence of three interrogators, he
talked to his father, mother, and sister.
Hakim-Zadeh's condition in this visit revealed that he was being subjected to the most severe
mental and physical pressures in jail and he was barely able to speak because of a severe stutter. This student
activist suffers from a chronic spinal illness and any sort of pressure or physical torture could lead to his
paralysis. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – May 13, 2009)
Jailed dissident cleric hospitalized in prison medical clinic
Mr. Borujerdi went on a hunger strike on May 5 in protest to his condition in prison. He was beaten and
transferred to solitary. He has been deprived of visitation rights and the right to his lawyer since his hunger
strike. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 17, 2009)
Two young political prisoners in bad condition
Prisoners arrested on February 20 are in a bad condition in ward 209 in the notorious Evin Prison.
Hamed Yazarlou, a space aeronautics specialist, is in solitary confinement in ward 209 under mental and
physical torture by Intelligence Ministry interrogators. He was able to make a short controlled phone call to his
family. In this call, he told his family that he was fine and for them not to worry. In the middle of his
conversation with his family, an interrogator took the phone from him and told his father that the reason
Hamed has not been allowed a phone call is because "of the things you do and your calls to the media and
human rights activists".
In other reports, families of February 20 arrestees were allowed to see their loved ones from behind glass
partitions with the presence of Intelligence Ministry agents.
Mahsa Naderi, a 19-year-old student prisoner, has become very weak in prison. Prison guards were forced to take
her to the prison medical clinic many times in the middle of interrogations because of her grave physical
condition. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 18, 2009)
Iran officials systematically smuggle drugs into prisons
The head of Prisons in Iran announced that new prisons, which are currently under construction, will be made
with more space.
"Currently drug addicts make up 50 percent of prisons", Yasaqi added referring to nature of prisoners.
In answer to a question on smuggling drugs into prison, he said, "Unfortunately, drugs do enter prisons in
various ways". (Iran Network state-run website – May 18, 2009)
Political prisoner in danger of dying in prison
Political prisoner Behruz Javid Tehrani who is on a hunger strike is under severe and violent torture and his life
is in grave danger, reports from Gohardasht Prison say. Tehrani is the only person arrested in the 1999 student
uprising in Tehran University who is still imprisoned. He was taken to solitary in ward 1 of this prison last
week. Prison guards call these solitary cells doghouses. Tehran has been under severe torture since his transfer.
Prison guards blindfolded him and tied up his hands and legs, continuously beating him with clubs. This
beating was so severe that the cuts and bruises are still evident on his feet, hands, and back. He is in a critical
condition from the hunger strike and ongoing torture and there is a high chance that the Ministry of
Intelligence intends to kill him (in this way). (Human Rights and Democracy Activisits in Iran – May 19, 2009)
Kurd prisoners tortured in prison
Two imprisoned Kurds resident of Kermanshah who are in an undetermined state in prison on charges of
having communications with dissident groups are suffering from injuries and heart disease.
Hasan Sardari was beaten on his arrest and is currently suffering from a broken arm and elbow.
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Safi Ad-din Baba resident of Orumieh who was arrested five months
ago on charges of political activities is suffering from severe heart
disease. These two men have not been trialed and are kept in an
undetermined state in prison. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News
Agency – May 19, 2009)
Prison officials torture and injure 2 political prisoners
Two Kurd prisoners by the names of Jomhour Orgovich, a Turkey
national and Ali Ahmad Saliman, an Iraqi national, who were
sentenced to 13 and five years of prison, are suffering from various
injuries.
Orgovich, a Kurd from Turkey was arrested three years ago on charges of having links to dissident Kurd groups
and was sentenced to 13 years of prison by the Revolutionary Court in Orumieh. He contracted a kidney disease
in prison and lost one of kidneys because he did not receive proper medical care.
Ahmad Saliman was also arrested on similar charges and sentenced to 5 years of prison. His ear was damaged
after a beating by prison guards and as a result, he has lost his hearing.
These two men are currently in Orumieh Prison and have not received medical attention. (Kurdistan Human
Rights Watch News Agency – May 19, 2009)
Prisoners in Sanandaj Prison under severe pressure and torture
Simultaneous with a trip by Iran's Supreme Leader to Kurdistan, 103 prisoners in this province are incarcerated
in an 80 meter room and are under ongoing harassment by prison guards.
The families of these prisoners issued a statement yesterday, revealing the condition these prisoners are kept in,
and voiced their concern over their physical and mental condition.
At least 103 prisoners in this province who are mostly young men between the ages of 20 to 35, and have been
arrested for political, human rights or journalistic activities are under severe mental and physical pressure in
prison, news sources in Sanandaj say. These prisoners have been kept in a tight 80-meter room for twenty days
and have not even had the permission take walks outside. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – May 19, 2009)
Dissident cleric in critical condition in jail
Ayatollah Borujerdi is in critical condition in his 17th day of hunger strike.
According to information a prison doctor gave to Borujerdi's close relations, his eyes have been seriously
damaged due to several illnesses he got in prison and lack of medical attention. His life is in serious danger
because of his severe heart condition and doctors have confirmed that he needs to be transferred to an equipped
hospital, this report says.
His wounds, which he got from the recent beatings in prison, have also become infected due to improper
treatment. This dissident cleric had several illnesses before he went on a hunger strike and had become
extremely weak. He is currently in his 17th day of hunger strike.
The attempts of his family and lawyers to talk to him over the phone or in visits has so far been unsuccessful.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 21, 2009)
MOIS lays groundwork to kill political prisoner
The Ministry of Intelligence are planning to kill political prisoner Behrooz Javid-Tehrani by spreading rumors in
prison, reports from ward 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj say. Today and yesterday, the head of this prison, Ali
Haj-Kazem and his deputy have spread rumors that Javid-Tehrani has committed suicide in prison. This is a
usual method used by the MOIS against prisoners they plan to kill. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in
Iran – May 23, 2009)
Female student prisoner beaten by inmates by orders of Kurdistan Prosecutor
Ronak Safazadeh, a student activists and women's rights activist who was
recently sentenced to a 6-year prison term on charges of "acting against national
security" has been beaten by intelligence operatives. Two of her inmates beat her
on many occasions under various pretexts. They have done this on orders of
Kurdistan's Public Prosecutor, Amjadi.
This Kurd student was arrested on October 9, 2007 by intelligence agents and
after 4 months of solitary confinement was transferred to the Central Sanandaj
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Prison. During interrogations, the 22-year-old's toes broke due to the torture she was subjected to. She is
continuously tortured, insulted and verbally harassed by prison guards and agents. (Family Union of Kurd
Prisoners' Weblog – May 23, 2009)
Prison officials torture May Day arrestees for not accepting groundless charges against them
Yesterday May 24, a number of May Day arrestees have been beaten and tortured, reports from ward 209 in the
infamous Evin Prison say,
On May 24, Jafar Azim-Zadeh, Mohammad Ashrafi and Saeid Yuzi were transferred to ward 209 of Evin Prison.
During interrogations, they were told to accept the charges against, but they called the charges baseless and did
not accept them. Jafar Azim-zadeh was attacked and brutally beaten by an interrogator for not signing under the
accusations against him. He was interrogated and tortured for two hours and was then transferred to the public
ward. Torture marks were evident on his face and legs and he spent last night in critical condition in prison.
This information was given to his family via a telephone call yesterday.
According to other reports, Saeid Yuzi and Mohammad Ashrafi were also beaten for not accepting these
accusations. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 25, 2009)
Gohardasht prison officials brutally beat and torture political prisoner
According to reports from ward 2 in Karaj's Gohardasht Prison, political prisoner Afshin Baimani was assailed
by prison guards armed with clubs and transferred to ward 5 which is one of the worst sections in this prison.
Baimani was brutally pulled on the ground and taken to the office of the head guard of ward 2. He sustained
bruises on his body and injuries on his back and legs.
He was insulted, verbally abused and once again brutally beaten by the officials in the office.
"You dirty Monafeq (supporters or members of the PMOI are called Monafeq by regime agents and officials) we
will teach you a lesson you will never forget. The same message that we gave your friend Saran (referring to
political prisoner Heshamt Saran who was killed under torture in prison)", one of the head guards said.
We killed your kind in here in the hundreds and you can see that no one gives damn!", said another head guard
beating him with a club.
"We would drink your blood if they let us", another official said.
The defenseless prisoner was beaten again with clubs after these insults. Baimani is currently in critical
condition and his life is in grave danger. According to reports, he was taken to ward 6 in this prison. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 27, 2009)
Female political prisoner in critical condition, deprived of treatment
According to reports from the female ward in Evin Prison, political prisoner Hamideh
Nabavi, who was arrested for participating in a ceremony on the anniversary of the
massacre of political prisoners in 1988, suffers from chronic allergies and because her
current medication has lost its effect, is in a critical condition.
She was under the treatment of a specialist before her arrest. She has been deprived of
seeing her doctor after her arrest and the medication from before her arrest are not
effective anymore. The prison medical clinic has deprived her of serious treatment.
According to existing laws, after a prisoner serves half of his or her term, he or she can
be released conditionally. However, interrogators and judges have deprived her of this
right. This mother has also been deprived of seeing her 5-year-old daughter for the past
three months. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 27, 2009)
Regime intends to accuse family of Ashraf residents of "waging war against God"
According to reports from ward 209 of the notorious Evin Prison, MOIS
interrogators intend to try the families of Ashraf residents arrested on February 20
on charges of "waging war with God.” (According to Islamic laws of the Iranian
regime, those convicted of waging war can be sentenced to death.) On May 24,
political prisoners Fatemeh Ziayi, Mahsa Naderi, Hamed Yazarlou, Hassan Tarlani
and Yaser Erfani were taken to the 3rd branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court
and charged with baseless accusations including "waging war with God".
These prisoners have been imprisoned in ward 209 for 99 days and are kept in an
undetermined state. They have lost a lot of weight from the physical and mental
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torture inflicted on them. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 30, 2009)
Labor activist transferred to Sanandaj Intelligence Prison
Political prisoner Varia Naqshbandi was transferred to the Sanandaj Intelligence Prison on Thursday, reports
from this prison say. He was transferred after 21 days of solitary confinement in the Marivan Intelligence Prison
under mental and physical torture. There is no information on his current situation. His interrogator has put
his family under pressure telling them that Naqshbandi's wife, who is a university student, has to turn herself in
to the Intelligence Agency for Naqshbandi to be released. The Intelligence Agency plans to put pressure on his
wife to force Naqshbandi into confessions they want.
Varia Naqshbandi was a labor activist in the Jam’e Kar Sepahan Factory and was arrested three days after May
Day after security agents raided his home. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 31, 2009)
Labor syndicate leader threatened to death in prison
Mansour Osanloo, who is serving his prison term in Gohardasht Prison, was threatened to death by a dangerous
prisoner in this prison. Morteza Lak Tabrizi, a death row prisoner and the head of a dangerous gang known as
the "Great Wall of China", has been transferred to this prison in Karaj in the past few days.
One of Osanloo's close relatives has said that this prisoner threatened Osanloo to death in the middle of the
night. In the past few years, the violation of the principle of crime segregation in prisons has been turned to a
tool for putting pressure on prisoners of conscience. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 31, 2009)
June
Prison officials beat political prison yet again
Behruz Javid Tehrani, who was first arrested during the 1999 student uprising, is still in solitary confinement
and still on a hunger strike, reports from Gohardasht Prison say.
Prison officials attacked and brutally beat Tehrani in the past few days. Despite his hunger strike, he has been
tortured and has lost a lot of weight. He has also lost 50 percent of his eyesight and is in danger of death in
prison.
After protests from human rights organizations, he was taken out of solitary cells known as the "dog house" for a
while and was transferred to a hall next to the solitary cells known as "Hosseinieh". Those who are imprisoned
in this hall are either drug addicts or are mentally ill. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 1,
2009)
Women's activist banned from taking leave from prison
Alieh Eqdam Dust said in a telephone call that she has requested a leave from prison 4 times but has received
no answer to her request.
"They have publicly announced three time that if prisoners want a leave they should announce this and register
for a leave and I have done this but have not received an answer", she said.
This women's rights activist had asked her friends and family to bring her medicine and clothes and although
prison authorities had agreed with receiving these things, the two times that her family and friends brought her
clothes and medicine, the prison authorities did not accept them. Alieh Eqdam Dust was arrested during a
peaceful demonstration on Women's Day in 2006. She was sentenced to three years of prison. (Change for
Equality website – June 2, 2009)
Political prisoner held in solitary for 192 days under torture in Gohardasht Prison
Political prisoner Mansour Radpour was transferred back to ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison after 192 days in
solitary confinement under physical and mental torture, reports from this prison say.
During his solitary confinement, he was rarely allowed visits and his family was not aware of his condition.
He was brought back to ward 4 on Monday June 1. He is in very bad health because of the unbearable
conditions in solitary and the tortures he was subjected to without receiving medical treatment. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 3, 2009)
Mind-altering drugs injected into Ayatollah forcefully for extracting false confession and TV interviews
Hossein Kazemi Borujerdi, an imprisoned dissident cleric ended his hunger strike after 26 days on May 30,
reports from Yazd Prison say.
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He had been deprived of contacting his lawyer and even his family until that day. According to this report, in
the past week, prison officials have forcefully injected strong mind-altering drugs into him to force him into
giving fake confessions and televised interviews. (Balcony of Freedom – June 5, 2009)
Political prisoners in Ardabil kept with HIV infected inmates
Ali Abasi, Mohammad Ali Naruyi, Mohammad Rahim Naruyi and Omar Chapraz, four political prisoners in
Ardabil prison are kept in a horrible condition in prison. These four have been kept in the worst hygienic
conditions for the past six months. On orders of the warden, they were transferred to the quarantine section of
prison for prisoners with illnesses, where HIV infected inmates and prisoners with other infections are kept.
They have also faced serious limitations in contacting and seeing their families.
Mohammad Ali Naruyi has been infected with an unidentified skin disorder, which has seriously affected his
body, but prison officials have not given him a serious treatment for the illness and only prescribe painkillers for
him. This is while his illness is spreading. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 7, 2009)
Deplorable condition in Evin's ward 350
The limitations and suppressions against political
prisoners arrested in a ceremony to mark the 19th
anniversary of the massacre of political prisoners in 1988
has increased, reports from ward 350 in Evin Prison say.
These political prisoners have been kept in a state of
limbo for more than 21 months.
The pressures and abuses that started from a few months
ago against political prisoners in this ward have
increased. In the past few days, the prisoners faced news
limitations in the time given to them to contact their families. They have been banned from in person visits for
a number of months now. They are also suffering from various ailments including eye and teeth aches. They are
told that they cannot be treated because of a lack of dentists in prison. The head of the ward, Bozorgnia, has
told other prisoners that they have no right to communicate with political prisoners and if they do, they are
threatened and abused.
Currently three prisoners by the names of Ali Saremi, Seyed Zohour Nabavi, a journalist and writer, and Misaq
Yazdan-nejad, 22-year-old student, are in this ward while other political prisoners have been exiled to others
wards and prisons. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 10, 2009)
Dissident jailed cleric not allowed lawyer
The officials of the Yazd Central Prison still prevent Borujerdi from seeing his lawyer.
On June 3, Dr. Giti Pour-Fazel, the vice president of the Human Rights Commission of Tehran Jurist's Center
went to Yazd Prison along with Borujerdi's family to get an official mandate from the dissident cleric in order to
represent him in court. However, after several hours of waiting and negotiations with prison officials, she was
not allowed the visit.
According to other reports, in the past two weeks, prison agents along with the head of the prison's medical
clinic have forcefully injected unknown fluids into Borujerdi's body in two separate cases. His family have said
that the injections will damage his nervous system. Borujerdi was also once again put under heightened pressure
to give interviews to state-run media. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 10, 2009)
Parents of political prisoner: our son’s injury exploited to torture him
Letter of parents of political prisoner Veria Naqshbandi to UN: On Monday May 4, intelligence agents went to
our son's home, Veria Naqshbandi, 28, and arrested him. They beat our son and he passed out after the agents
used pepper gas on him.
After 17 days we were able get a 5-minute visit with him after many attempts and after we wrote several letters.
He was in bad physical and mental health. He had been beaten in prison. We had another visit one week later
and again we saw that he was in bad condition. Especially his leg, which was taken out of a cast two days prior to
his arrest and they used it to torture him.
After being incarcerated for 25 days in the Marivan Intelligence Agency. On May 28, he was transferred to the
Sanandaj Intelligence Agency. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 11, 2009)
No news on imprisoned political activist on hunger strike
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According to reports from ward one of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, there have been no reports on the
condition of political prisoner Behruz Javid Tehrani since June 1.
The last time his family was able visit him from behind a glass partition was on June 1. He is currently in solitary
confinement which prison guards call the "dog house" because of its intolerable conditions. In his visit, Tehrani
stressed that he is continuing his hunger strike in protest to his situation and he is still being tortured. His
family said that he had lost a lot of weight and is in very bad physical health. There has been no news on his
condition since then. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 12, 2009)
Thousands of arrestees taken to notorious Evin Prison and Kahrizak Camp
According to reports, hundreds of protesters who were arrested in the recent unrest were taken to Evin Prison
and Camp Kahrizak since Sunday morning. In Evin Prison, arrestees are not brought in from the prison
entrance but are brought in from the visiting room entrance. Security forces have written the word "Moussavi"
on their (arrestees’) clothes with red or green paint and most of them are badly beaten and have bruises and
injuries. These people are held in ward 240 for lack of space and some of them have been transferred to ward
209. They are denied visits, phone calls, and medical treatment. They are also not fed regularly.
A large number of arrestees have been taken to the notorious Kahrizak Camp, a remote camp where previously
a large number of prisoners have died from abuse and prison conditions in the social security plan. There are
more concerns for the arrestees taken to this camp because of the special conditions in this camp. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – June 15, 2009)
More than 300 arrestees taken to ward A.T in Isfahan Central Prison
According to reports from the Intelligence Agency ward in Isfahan Prison, about 300 detainees who were
arrested in the recent popular protests in Isfahan have been taken to solitary cells in ward A.T.
Most of the injured protesters have avoided going to the hospital for fear of being arrested in the hospital, and
the identity of those who are in critical condition in the hospital is recorded by the intelligence agency and the
hospital Protection Department. These patients are put under severe security surveillance. Intelligence agents
interfere with the treatment of the patients and in some cases prevent proper treatment.
Detainees are taken to Intelligence Detention Centers, police stations, secure secret intelligence agency houses,
and solitary cells in the Central Isfahan Prison, which is under the control of the Ministry of Intelligence in
Isfahan. The detainees are under severe physical torture. Currently about 300 protesters are detained in the A.T
ward in Isfahan Prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 18, 2009)
Eyewitnesses reveal brutal systematic torture in prison
According to eyewitnesses, a number of detainees have been freed on bail. A number of them now have
criminal records in the Revolutionary Court. A large number of people are still in prison and many families
have no information on the fate of their loved ones, not knowing whether they have been killed or imprisoned.
As it is widely thought, people were not only arrested in the protests. A large number of people were arrested
while exiting the metro, or getting off a taxi or walking in a street which was far away from the scene of the
protests. A number of people were arrested after security forces violently attacked their homes in the middle of
the night, breaking doors and windows. They were pulled out of their beds with verbal abuses and were arrested.
A family who had a 16 year old child said that their son was freed a week ago from prison, but in the middle of
the night, plainclothes agents attacked their house breaking the door and pulled him out of his bed beating
him. He was taken to unknown location.
There are people from different walks of life among the detainees. From young people to normal people and
university professors who were arrested in different places or in groups. A person said that he went out to get ice
cream and on his way back he was arrested with the ice cream still in his hand.
Eyewitnesses have said that some foreign nationals have also been seen in prison. A black person and a Turk
national, who do not even speak Farsi, were seen in Evin Prison.
A person was arrested when he was taking his wife to the hospital to give birth and he has no information on
his wife's condition. A dentist was arrested after security forces attacked his office. A Bassiji was also amongst the
detainees and because he did not look like a Bassiji he was severely beaten when he was arrested. He claims that
he even has a Bassiji card. Eyewitnesses have said that the number of detainees is so high that ordinary prisoners
are used as prison guards. Due to lack of space, prisoners are forced to sleep on the ground and very close to
each other and the risk of contagious diseases is very high.
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Detainees who were not involved in the protests when they were arrested, were beaten with clubs, electric clubs
and sticks from the very beginning of their arrest. Security forces beat them close to death. A plainclothes agents
even shot at the thigh of a prisoner at close range. Detainees have been tortured in Intelligence Centers, Bassij
Bases, Police Stations, prisons, or unknown locations. Witnesses reports very severe and violent torture in Bassij
Detention Centers and Intelligence Centers in Vahdat Islami Street. Those who were injured in the protests,
injured via torture or have gun wounds are not given medical treatment. Prisoners with special illnesses are not
even given medicine their families bring for them. Many of the prisoners are in critical condition. One person
whom had a broken nose said that after he asked for a doctor, he was kicked in a face with a booted leg.
The interrogations are very long and nonstop (7 to 12 hours or more). In these interrogations, they try in
various ways to get false confessions from the prisoners. They also forcefully take the mobile numbers and
emails of the detainees to control their communications with their friends.
After they are freed, their belongings are not given back to them. A prisoner was released from prison in his
underwear and a pair of slippers.
There are also sexual tortures in prison which is more of a concern regarding female prisoners and political
prisoners. Especially considering the Iranian culture, instances of sexual torture are not disclosed and bodies are
not impartially examined in the coroner’s office.
The mental state of freed prisoners is not good. Some prisoners cannot sleep because of the scenes of torture
they have witnessed. An eyewitness reported that many people had convulsions in their sleep and many
prisoners preferred not to sleep.
Instances of torture:
Those who were arrested by the Bassij or plainclothes agents were severely beaten when they were arrested. They
were then taken to intelligence detention centers, Bassij Centers and finally to the Shapur Intelligence
Department before being taken to Evin Prison. They were seriously tortured in each of the locations. Prisoners
who were arrested in this way have said that in the Shapur Intelligence Department, agents expressed regret over
why detainees were beaten so much in the other detention centers and why "they have not saved them a place
(on the body) to beat". But prisoners were still beaten and tortured there.
According to reports, these agents broke the right side of a prisoner's head with a club and then laughed over it
and broke the left side of his head just to make it "concurrent" with the other side.
In the middle of the beatings of a prisoner, an agent pushed the other agents away saying, "you should no abuse
prisoners", then started violently beating the prisoner. After he was tired from beatings, he ordered the others to
start beating the prisoner again.
Another person said that after he asked that his handcuffs be loosened, agents tightened his cuffs to the point
that it pierced his skin and they pulled him with his handcuffs in this way for a long time.
Some prisoners have said that they were made to sit on their knees for four days facing a wall and whenever they
fell asleep, they were beaten in the head. During this time, they were only fed twice with a very scarce amount of
food.
Another prisoner has reported that the first time he was hit with an electric club, he was thrown two meters
because of the shock, but after a while, he was beaten so much that when they touch the electric club to his
hand, he does not show any reaction.
Prisoners with built bodies were beaten much more on the excuse that they had hit security forces or had
destroyed public places.
There have been reports of group beatings, beatings on the body and face with booted legs, beatings with cables,
chains, clubs, electric clubs besides the usual beating with fists and kicks. These instances also apply to injured
prisoners.
An eyewitness reports that the backs of some of the injured prisoners are completely black and bloody due to
the severe beatings. Instances of broken wrists and feet have also been reported. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– June 29, 2009)
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July
Wounded prisoners forced to sleep on hot asphalted ground with bare body
Eyewitness reports of freed prisoner: After 30 minutes, they
brought in 800 people to the detention center, which had the
capacity for only about 20 to 30 people. They were severely
beaten. Some were severely burned. There was pepper spray
in their eyes. It was very hard to breath.
Those who were brought were beaten with clubs and were
given electric shocks and some were burned because they
were put next to fires. They brought the detainees in from 3
pm to about I think 10 pm. That was when the transfer of
detainees to the temporary detention center ended.
Suddenly a number of security forces were storming the cell
and start beating everyone. These were people who had been
beaten before on the street in the clashes and gatherings.
When you entered the detention center, no one would
answer you. You were not even allowed to make a phone call. We would beg, “Sir my mother is sick, I want to
call her,” but we weren’t allowed to call. We were not allowed to eat anything either.
After about 5 to 6 hours (we did not know the exact time), they transferred us to the Shapur Detention Center
and I realized that the temporary detention center was a good place (compared to Shapur). I swear to God that
they would force the young people they had arrested in the clashes with completely injured and wounded bodies
to sleep on the asphalted ground under the hot sun with bare bodies. They were severely beaten and begged for
a glass of water. The water hose was about 10 meters away but they did not let them drink even one drop of
water. I swear to God that there was a 17-year-old kid who said that the Bassijis in his neighborhood threw him
in a fire and I saw with my own eyes that his hands and arms had no skin. Now imagine that they forced him to
sleep on the hot ground in his condition.
They would suddenly come and say that you have to stand in the position that we tell you to do so. We had to
stand with our hands behind our necks and crouch on the ground. This is tolerable for about 30 minutes or
even an hour but imagine standing like this, eight or ten hours under the sun. A person would come, while we
were in that position, and would jump at anyone he pleased from a distance with his foot in his face. They
would start cussing at Mousavi. I protested once and said, "I did not even vote for Mousavi, who you are cussing
at, at least tell me what my crime is?"
The age range of the detainees was about 17. I even saw a boy who was arrested with a spray paint and I swear
he could not be more than 14 years old. A police officer with a SSF uniform, gripped a boy's head, I think he
was 16 or 17 and looked very young, and picked him up with his head and knocked his head on the wall as if he
was practicing martial arts. (Radio Farda – July 6, 2009)
Jailed prisoner pressured to give televised confession
Omid Salimi is a 31-year-old married photojournalist who has two children. He is also a law student at the
Payam-e Noor Isfahan University and a news student at Tehran University.
On June 14, intelligence agents called his home telling him to come to the RGC offices to get his confiscated
personal belongings. He was arrested on arrival in the RGC office and taken to solitary cells in the A.T ward of
Isfahan Prison run by intelligence agents. His family was able to have a short visit with him in the presence of
intelligence interrogators. He had lost a lot of weight and had been under severe mental pressure and torture to
participate in televised confessions. The Salimi family had no information on their son for 20 days. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 7, 2009)
July 9 detainees transferred to Evin Prison
Those who were arrested on July 9 (for participating in widespread demos to mark the anniversary of the
student uprising in 1999) were transferred to Evin Prison today. There is still no information on their identities
how many people were detained. According to eyewitnesses, less than 150 detainees were taken to Evin.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 10, 2009)
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this section is much more worse than other solitary cells. Tehrani is in very bad physical health and has become
very weak from the tortures. Tortures signs are evident on his body.
His family has not had a visit with him for more than one month and other ways of communication with his
family have almost been completely cut off. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 15, 2009)
Political prisoner denied of basic rights and due process
According to reports, political prisoner Hossein Tarlani was taken to the Revolutionary Court from ward 209 in
Evin Prison and trialed.
The 22-year-old political prisoner was put on trial in the 22nd branch of this court on July 5 by Judge Mohseni.
He was charged with being an enemy of god, acting against national security, spreading propaganda against the
government and other charges. Mr.Tarlani denied all the charges calling them fabricated and without legal basis.
When Tarlani consulted his lawyer, Mrs. Nasrin Sutoodeh, after the judge asked a question, he was prevented
from continuing the consultation. His lawyer was also banned from defending him.
In another case, Fatemeh Ziayi, 52, who suffers from multiple sclerosis was taken to court when she was very
sick and could barely stand or sit. She was kept waiting in a very critical condition in the halls of court.
Intelligence interrogators in the prison have cut off her medicine which has led to the deterioration of her
illness. Mrs. Ziayi, was deprived of a lawyer and her family was not notified that she was taken to court. After
waiting for hours, she was returned to ward 209 without being trialed. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists
– July 17, 2009)
Possibility of spread of typhus and meningitis in Evin Prison
There are reports that typhus and meningitis have spread in Evin Prison. According to these reports, on July 17
all the prisoners were given Siproflocasasin (medicine). Due to the large numbers of prisoners in Evin, the
probability of the spread of meningitis and typhus is very high. In light of the limitations in the media coverage
of this prison, there are concerns that postelection unrest has led to a high number arrest of protesters, which
has resulted in the spread of contagions diseases in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 19, 2009)
Bomb suspect and family under severe torture
A number of people suspected of planting bombs in Khomeini's tomb are under severe torture. Security forces
have arrested the whole family of the suspect in Lorestan and have subjected them to severe mental and physical
torture. According to reports, security agents are trying to get information from his family. The identity of this
person is yet not clear. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 19, 2009)
The life of recent detainees in Isfahan Prison in danger
According to reports from ward A.T run by the intelligence agency, a large number of people especially younger
people are in solitary cells and under torture.
The cells in this ward are filled with protesters arrested in the recent events. The widespread arrests in the
province especially Isfahan are still in progress. Intelligence agents storm people's homes and arrest the residents.
There are children from 15 to 17 years of age amongst the arrestees. According to reports, a 17-year-old's jaw
broke as a result of torture in this prison. A number of the young people have been taken to RGC detention
centers and are under severe torture. There is no information on the condition of a number of the detainees
who have disappeared. This is while their friends and family witnessed their arrest on the streets. The life of
these detainees is in danger.
The families of the detainees are under severe pressure by intelligence agents not to leak the names of their
loved ones and the tortures they are subjected to the outside. They have been threatened that if they do, their
family member inside the prison will have to pay the consequences. Security forces have created an atmosphere
of fear amongst these families. Young men and women who are arrested in their homes are beaten and abused
in front of the rest of their families. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 21, 2009)
Jailed journalist transferred to Evin's ward 209
According to reports from the Central Isfahan Prison, photojournalist Omid Salimi was transferred from this
prison to ward 209 in Evin Prison.
The jailed journalist who is also a father of two was kept in very hard conditions in the A.T ward of Isfahan
Prison. He sustained head injuries in the prison and was taken to the public wards a week ago. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – July 21, 2009)
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Protesters were tortured immediately upon arrival in the camp which continued for nights. These tortures were
aimed at the prisoners' head, face and sensitive parts of the body. Torturers usually used clubs, metal bars, and
whips to torture prisoners. They also had the right to kill anyone they chose.
Torturers chose their victims and murdered them in the systematic intolerable torture. According to
eyewitnesses, about 2 to 3 people were killed in every 24 hours and about 15 to 20 prisoners were killed in
general. Their bodies were wrapped in blankets and sent to the Kahrizak morgue.
Ahmad Reza Radan, deputy commander of the State Security Forces flied to Kahrizak with a helicopter along
with a number of his accomplices like Kashmiri and Haqi a few days in a week to personally torture and
humiliate prisoners. Ahmad Radan told prisoners in one instance that "This is the number one prison which
tames prisoners and then there's Abuqoraib and Guantanamo. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
– Aug. 6, 2009)
Interrogators forced imprisoned criminals to torture other prisoners
Kahrizak Camp aka Shur Abad is where "troublemakers" served their prison term and were interrogated, and
according to reports, a number of other prisoners convicted of other crimes were also sent to this detention
center.
In this detention center, a number of inhumane measures including rape and beatings were used against
prisoners by "troublemakers" with the will of interrogators.
Immediately after an investigation, team was sent to the camp and while investigations on the camp were stillin
progress, there were reports that (prison officials) were clearing evidence of these crimes and that some parts of
the camp were being demolished. (Ayandeh state-run website – Aug. 9, 2009)
Regime forces brutally torture political prisoner
According to reports from ward 1 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, political prisoner Behruz Javid Tehrani was
brutally tortured once again. He was tortured so severely that prison guards were forced to take him to the
prison clinic.
On August 5, a number of political prisoners in ward 1 of this prisoner went on a hunger strike in protest to
their intolerable condition. A regime agent named Bakhshi, who was an accomplice in the murder of Iranian
Canadian photojournalist Zahra Kazemi, dragged Javid Tehrani from his prison cell and took him to a location
in which prisoners are tortured. Tehrani was hand cuffed and blindfolded, and a number of prison guards and
the head guard in ward 1 brutally beat him with clubs. As a result of the beatings, Tehrani started to bleed from
various parts of his body. Bakhshi and two other guards franticly took him to the prison clinic. Eyewitnesses
who saw Tehrani in the clinic said that he was severely tortured and the signs were clearly evident on his hand,
back and feet and that his feet were bleeding. Bakhshi did not let any prisoners talk to him. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 9, 2009)
Head of student association tortured in prison
One hundred and seventy days after the temporary detention of Shabnam Madadzadeh, the heads of the 28th
branch of the Revolutionary Court still avoid giving an exact date for her trial.
In her last phone call, the assistant secretary of the Council for Consolidating Unity said that she was being
physically abused in various ways in prison. The heads of ward 209 in Evin Prison have limited her time in using
the restroom and she has developed severe physical problems because of this matter. Madadzadeh who has
developed digestive problems, protested these measures but did not receive a satisfactory answer from prison
officials. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 10, 2009)
Evin Prison medical clinic deprives ill political prison of treatment
Maryam Ziayi Azad is in serious need of medical treatment after six months of prison and signs of her multiple
sclerosis disease increasing. The 51-year-old prisoner who was arrested in March is still being detained in Evin
Prison. She has severe arthritis, failed kidneys and severe osteoporosis and has no way of providing medication
for her illnesses. She needs liquid calcium to treat her osteoporosis but a doctor in the prison clinic said that
"the prisoner does not need medication..." (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Aug. 10, 2009)
Karubi's son: agents rode on detainees in Kahrizak
Hossein Karubi, son of Mehdi Karubi, said in an interview with Deutsche Welle, “a number of detainees told
me that there were rodents in their cells. They said that (prison guards) threw tear gas in their cell. They would
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pile the prisoners on top of each other. They also talked of sexual matters (tortures). They said that they
harassed them in any way possible and beat them vigorously. They said that they were bent down and told that
they were donkeys and a largely built prison guard would ride them and beat their backside with a cable forcing
them to move in that position.” (Deutsche Welle – Aug. 10, 2009)
Political prisoner: drugs are plentiful in prison
Sayid Matin-pour has spent one month from his eight month prison sentence in Evin Prison. He was under
treatment after spending nine months in prison and in solitary under physical and mental pressure. His wife has
stressed that he is not in a good physical condition.
Sayid Matin-pour said in call from prison: "I think the problem that exists in all the section of prison is
addiction. This should be less of a problem in the financial ward (for financial prisoners) but currently in our
room, we have five drug addicts and one person who sometimes uses. There is also plenty of crack (chemical
Heroin which is highly addictive chemical drug and causes small maggot like worms on the body and eventually
kills addict) and shishe (another chemical addictive drug) in prison". (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 10, 2009)
Rape of imprisoned men and women normal procedure in regime jails
Setareh, a political prisoner, referred to one of her cellmates who she said was raped and said, "This lady was
raped after her arrest and when they realized she was pregnant, they took her to solitary until her baby was born.
The baby was immediately taken away from her and she was severely pressured and threatened not to say
anything about the rape".
Mahmoud Khalili, a former prisoner in the 80's said in this regard, "Some of those who left Iran in the past few
years have said that when they wanted to rape a male prisoner, they told him that he was going to be a 'bride'
that night". (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 11, 2009)
Kahrizak not closed down
According to reports, the Kahrizak detention center has not been completely closed down and some people are
still detained in the camp. This is while it was announced by officials in the past few weeks that the camp had
been closed down and the offenders (supposedly prison guards and officials involved in torturing detainees) had
been arrested. (E'temad state-run daily – Aug. 12, 2009)
Iran tortures detainees under pretext of involvement in protests
Eleven Kurds from Saqez who were arrested for smuggling cloth, clothes and satellite receivers have been
tortured by security police in Tehran.
These prisoners were arrested on July by security police in Tehran. State security forces demanded that they give
false confession saying that "you played a major part in spreading the protests by bringing satellite receivers to
Tehran".
After one month of torture and while they could not even walk, they were taken to section 7 and 8 of Evin
Prison. Ata Kasnezani is in the worst physical condition out of the prisoners. Like the other prisoners he has to
use a urine sack due to the damages he sustained from the torture and one of the tortures used against him is
that agents kick at his urine sack which causes the urine to flow back into his bladder.
Currently all the prisoners mentioned are in very bad physical condition and in this situation, the prison doctor
avoids treating them under the excuse that he has a lot of work to do. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug.
12, 2009)
UN rights experts warn Iran over torture and deaths in custody of opponents
Iran's Revolutionary Court must reject confessions of political opponents extracted under torture or harsh
interrogation, three UN human rights experts warned Iran on Thursday.
In a joint statement, the experts said they were continuing to receive reports of deaths in custody and of torture
of opponents arrested during the wave of protests in Iran.
'No judicial system can consider as valid a confession obtained as a result of harsh interrogations or under
torture,' said the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Manfred Nowak.
'These confessions for alleged crimes such as threats against national security and treason must not, under any
circumstances, be admitted as evidence by the Revolutionary Court,' added El Hadji Malick Sow, vice-chair of
the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.
Both experts, together with Margaret Sekaggya, special rapporteur on human rights defenders, expressed alarm
at 'consistent allegations of severe practices of torture to obtain confessions.'
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Those allegedly targetted included OPPOSITION figures, lawyers, journalists and human rights activists.
The UN human rights office said reports of people dying in custody continue to be received, and their families
were given 'false or contradictory' information on the cause of deaths.
Many detainees were held without being charged and denied family visits, legal assistance, or medical treatment,
the statement added. (AFP – Aug. 13, 2009)
Iran tortures dissident cleric
According to reports, a recently freed cleric wrote a letter to the leader of the government (Khamenei) describing
the catastrophe in the prison in detail.
He was released after ten days and in this time, he was under calamitous torture and physical harassment, which
he has fully described in his letter to the leadership. In his letter, he has notified Khamenei of the insults,
violent treatment, vulgar language and the condition of the detention center.
This dissident cleric has written in his letter that he was released on the street half-naked in only his underwear.
(Noruz Website – Aug. 13, 2009)
MP: Tehran MP Head of notorious detention camp
A member of the Majority Fraction of Iran's parliament introduced the head of the Kahrizak
Detention Center. This representative who did not want to be named stressed that Hossein
Fadayi, the Tehran representative and head of the Isargaran Community was responsible for this
camp in the events after the elections and that this is a proven fact for the Special Parliamentary
Committee.
"Up to now, two examples of inhuman measures have been proven by the Special Parliamentary
Committee Investigating the Condition of Detention Centers. The first case is keeping unrest
suspects naked in the detention centers and the other is preventing them from using the
restroom".
It is worth noting that Fadayi is a zealous supporter of Ahmadinejad. (Noruz Webstite – Aug. 15, 2009)
Inquiry needed into Iran torture claims: Amnesty
'The Supreme Leader must act, and act now, to address the spiral of abuse,' said Amnesty's secretary general
Irene Khan. 'Official denials are not enough.
'What is needed is a root and branch investigation into the allegations of torture, including rape, and other
abuses, and the Supreme Leader should invite international experts - such as the UN special rapporteurs on
torture and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions - to visit Iran and participate in the investigation, if
it is to have credibility at home and abroad'. (AFP – Aug. 15, 2009)
Female prisoner: I was given electric shocks in prison
A parliament member who chose to stay anonymous said that he went to visit the women's ward in Evin Prison
with a group of MPs.
“In the women's section we asked who had been in Kahrizak and for them to give details of how they were
treated in the camp. One of the woman said that she was stripped bare in Kahrizak and told to enter a barrel of
water and then they administered electric shocks to her body in the barrel. She said that her whole body was
shaking with pain,” he said. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 15, 2009)
Families of detainees disclose details of horrifying torture in prison
Last night in a visit between a hard-line parliament member and a group of families of detainees and those who
were injured in the recent events, new dimensions of tortures on detainees were disclosed.
The mother of Hengameh Shahidi, a detained journalist, expressed serious concerns about the condition of her
daughter in prison.
“When I saw her (in a visit in prison) she was not very alert and when I hugged her and stroked her head and
back she moaned with pain,” she said.
“I told her to resist and that she should not make confessions against herself. She said that they give them pills
in prison which makes them totally empty minded and that they cannot think straight.”
This concerned mother also said that they came to her daughter's cell a number of times every day telling her
that they are going to take her for execution.
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The father of one of the detainees who has been under severe torture said, “My son had severe injuries from the
tortures and one of his eyes was emptied out. He has also partially lost his eyesight in his other eye.”
“The signs of pellets are also evident on his head and his kidneys have also been damaged,” the father said.
A person who was shot in Azadi Square also talked about how he was shot, detained, and tortured.
“I was buying a drink from a vendor when I was shot in the leg. I tried to pull myself aside but a number of
plainclothes who noticed that I was shot beat and detained me. I was taken to a hospital where they took the
bullet out but then they took me to another place and they repeatedly struck my leg where they had stitched the
bullet wound and I lost a lot of blood,” he said. (Nurooz Website – Aug. 16, 2009)
Prisoners force-fed mind-altering pills before interrogation
While officials and leader of Friday Prayers deny allegations of rape, sexual abuse and torture of prisoners, there
are reports of horrifying torture in ward 2 Alef run by the Revolutionary Guards Corps. These reports say that
prisoners are physically and mentally tortured while most of the prisoners are fed pills, which causes them to
lose control over their words and actions.
A source said that before the interrogation sessions, they are force fed pills, which causes them to lose control
over what they say and how they act, but it does not seem like they do not have control over themselves from
the outside.
Prisoner Mohammad Ali Abtahi had told his family before this they are giving him pills in prison, which causes
him to have abnormal behavior, and now the family of this reformer is severely under pressure to deny this
issue.
This source also said that those who are not willing to take the pills are force-fed the pills after they are beaten
with clubs and whips and all the confessions have been taken from the prisoners after they take the pill.
According to this report, after the effects of the pill wears out, the prisoner does not remember what he said or
wrote (in his confessions). (Rooz Online – Aug. 16, 2009)
17 unmonitored detention centers in Tehran
The issue of illegal detention centers in which suspects and detainees are denied their most basic rights which
leads to catastrophes, as Kahrizak is very important and obscure. Khabar Daily (state-run) has published the list
of a number of detention centers, which have obscure management, and monitoring.
According to this report, the Tehran Intelligence Detention Center (Shahpur), the Army Intelligence Protection
Detention Center, the Public Places Department Detention Center, the Ministry of Defense Intelligence
Protection Detention Center aka 64, the State Security Forces Intelligence Protection Detention Center, the
RGC Intelligence Protection Detention Center, Evin Prison's ward 209 run by the Intelligence Agency, the
Intelligence Detention Center in Shahr-e Rey, the anti-narcotics Detention Center in Shahr-e Rey, Police
Station Number 160 Detention Center, the Intelligence Detention Center in Varamin, the Shahriar
Intelligence Detention Center, the anti-narcotics Detention Center in Shahriar and the detention center, which
belongs to area 7 of the Revolutionary Court are a number of these detention centers. The Kahrizak Detention
Center and ‘Minus Four level’ of the Ministry of Interior Affairs are also two detention centers used in the
recent events.
These are a number of detention centers in Tehran Province, which are obscure, and their management
conditions are not clear. These detention centers are mostly all out of the jurisdiction of the Organization to
Oversee Prisons and in some cases are even secret. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters– Aug. 16, 2009)
An excerpt of an interview with a detainee of recent unrest in Tehran
This report was given by a former prisoner who was arrested in the past two months. His name will not be given
due to security reasons.
I was going to visit a relative when I was suddenly arrested by plainclothes and anti riot forces in Guisha (Nasr
Street) at 10 pm without any charges. I was beaten from the onset of arrest and taken to Police Station No. 127.
We were 25 in a room having at most 10-person capacity and all of us were severely beaten and abused while
outraged with humiliating insults.
Next day we were transferred to the Tehran Intelligence Detention Center, Shahpur. They didn’t give us any
food and water for the two days. We were around 500. They continuously kicked us such that both my feet were
bruised all over and could not walk while we were handcuffed all the time. Then we were taken to a security
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police detention with much worse condition, and we were 60 there. If we looked around, they would hit our
heads and faces by club such that my nose was broken from two points there. For three days, I was beaten so
harshly that I didn’t feel any pain. Eventually I was transferred to Evin Prison without being charged of
anything.
Our cell in Evin Prison was too overcrowded that we were laying on our sides tight to each other. One night I
woke up since the 18-year-old boy sleeping next to me was violently shaking in his sleep. I woke him up because
he spoke in his sleep out of fear. When I asked him why he was too terrified, he told me that after he was
arrested he was taken to the security police. They blindfolded him after beating him and put a noose around his
neck to make him confess. They had made him stand on a pedestal and threatened that they would pull it from
under his feet and hang him. They had threatened that they would then destroy his body and his family would
never know what happened to him. They hit and shook the pedestal a number of times to scare the young
man… (Human Rights Activists website – Aug. 16, 2009)
Young prisoner who disclosed being raped disappears
According to reports, in a visit to prison by parliament members, a young man who had been severely abused in
prison got up and introduced himself as A.B. The young man then said that before he was brought to Evin he
was detained at Kahrizak where he was violently raped with a club on several occasions. He still excretes blood as
a result. After the prisoner finished speaking, the head of the parliament delegation arranged for the prisoner to
be treated at the prison clinic. After about 30 minutes when the delegation left the prison, A.B was brought
back to his cell and told the other prisoners that he was not treated. Two hours later, Judge Mortazavi, Tehran's
prosecutor, personally came to the ward and told him to gather his things. He was taken to an unknown
location and no one knows his whereabouts. (Moj-e Azadi [Freedom Wave] website – Aug. 17, 2009)
Prisoners in Evin denied of minimum rights
Due to the high number of arrests of dissidents especially in Tehran, most prisoners are kept in unhygienic
conditions in prison.
Currently, every cell in the General Ward houses two times its capacity and despite this issue, prisoners have
been denied their portion of detergent powder, soap, shampoo and other sanitary items for two months. This
has led to the spread of contagious diseases and many prisoners have developed skin diseases like scabies. Lice
and other bugs have also spread in prison.
Since the distribution of the prisoner's minimum needs has been cut, many prisoners do not even have blankets
and their families are not allowed to provide their needs. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 17, 2009)
Leading Iran lawyer beaten in prison
Dr. Mohammad Ali Dadkhah who has been imprisoned since July 8 was severely beaten in prison. The member
of the Center of Human Rights Lawyers has been pressured into confessing that other members of this group
are "traitors".
An informed source has said that in addition to being beaten, Dr. Dadkhah has also been throwing down from
the spiral stairs of the third story of a building and has been catching in as he was falling.
This source has emphasized that this violent torture has been used against Dadkhah a number of times but
despite all the pressure, the lawyer has not confessed. (Nurooz state-run Website – Aug. 18, 2009)
Student under torture after one month
Fifty-nine days after the temporary detainment of Payman Aref, a student who had been expelled from
university, his legal status is still not clear. This former student, who is currently in solitary in Evin Prison's ward
209, has been under the most severe physical and mental torture.
His lawyer Mohammad Oliya-Fard, said regarding his client, "The only charge that my client has been accused of
is an interview he had on having doubts in the tenth presidential elections and he is currently detained in ward
209 of Evin on a temporary arrest warrant".
"When my client was in solitary, interrogators told him that his wife was in solitary as well to put pressure on
him. This is while Mr. Aref's wife was never arrested ", he added. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 18,
2009)
Iran dismisses prison interrogator to acquit officials from Kahrizak scandal
One of the interrogators of the Security branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court named Haydari-Fard, was
removed from his post due to his part in the torture and murders committed in Kahrizak.
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This interrogator was actually considered Judge Hadad's deputy and was appointed as the judicial head of this
detention center by the Judge. Haydari-Fard got all of his orders on the prisoners in Kahrizak from Hadad.
Haydari-Fard has been dismissed while there are still no reports that Hadad, the assistant Tehran Prosecutor
whose real name is Hossein Zare' Dehnavi, and his boss Saeid Mortazavi are going to be dealt with (because of
the Kahrizak scandal). (Green Wave of Freedom – Aug. 18, 2009)
Amnesty: Independent investigation needed into rape and torture in detention in Iran
Allegations that election protesters were tortured and raped in detention must be urgently investigated by the
Iranian authorities, Amnesty International's Secretary General said on Saturday. Irene Khan called on Iran's
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to institute an immediate, independent inquiry into the allegations, and to
invite international experts - including the UN's experts on torture and extrajudicial killings - to help carry it
out. 'Reports emerging from Iran allege that both men and women detainees have been tortured, including by
rape … in some cases causing their deaths,' said Irene Khan. 'The forms of abuse described appear to have been
intended to degrade and humiliate the victims in the most extreme way. If the allegations are well-founded those
responsible must be brought to justice without delay.’ …
'The Supreme Leader must act, and act now, to address the spiral of abuse,' said Irene Khan. 'Official denials are
not enough. What is needed is a root and branch investigation into the allegations of torture, including rape,
and other abuses, and the Supreme Leader should invite international experts - such as the UN special
rapporteurs on torture and on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions - to visit Iran and participate in the
investigation, if it is to have credibility at home and abroad.' (Amnesty International Website – Aug. 17, 2009)
Wife of political activist says husband kept in 'grave' for 35 days
Reports that Ahmad Zeid Abadi and Feizollah Arab Sorkhi, two detained political activists have been
hospitalized and that their trial on August 19 was postponed has raised fears of them being tortured in prison.
On August 18, there were reports that the condition of Zeid Abadi and Arab Sorkhi had deteriorated in prison.
According to the 'Green Wave of Freedom' website, these two were put under pressure to participate in court
and were beaten. This website also reported that they had gone on a hunger strike.
Mehdieh Mohammadi, Zeid Abadi's wife, was able to visit her husband in prison for the first time after 53 days.
According to her, Zeid Abadi immediately announced his hunger strike after he was arrested at midnight and
detained in solitary in the 2A ward. But according to her, no one opened the cell door for 17 days.
"In the 17 days, no one came to his cell. He was kept in a 1 meter by 1,5 meter room. He said the cell was sound
proof and no noises could be heard inside of it. He said it was exactly like a grave. This is what all the other
prisoners who have had visits with their families have told their families. He was kept in a cell that was like a
grave and nothing could be heard inside and no one even came to the cell for 17 days", she said. (Radio
Germany Website – Aug. 19, 2009)
Prisoners of recent protests in undetermined condition in prison
According to reports, more families of detainees have joined the hunger strike outside Evin Prison and the
Revolutionary Court in Tehran. On Wednesday Aug. 19, about 150 family members of detainees, many of
them elderly men and women were still on a hunger strike outside the Revolutionary Court waiting for officials
to answer their questions regarding their loved ones in prison.
These families were very concerned for their loved ones, especially after hearing news of torture in prison,
because they do not have any information on their condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 20, 2009)
Prisoners forced to listen to long religious lectures in prison
According to reports, after interrogators reached a dead end in proving that prisoners were trying to carry out a
'velvet revolution', 'soft overthrow' or had 'communication with foreign countries', they are attempting to force
prisoners into Ideological repentance by forcing them to listen to long and boring lectures.
Interrogators force prisoners to listen to their speeches on ideological issues like the theory of the Velayate Faqih
(Supreme Leader) in their interrogation sessions or force them to read books on the ideological theory of the
establishment.
This report says that in some cases prisoners have been forced to listen to two to three hour lectures at
midnight or even 3 or 4 am on why it is 'necessary to listen to the Wednesday night speeches of the leader to
achieve salvation'. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Aug. 20, 2009)
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Hasan Tarlani was arrested on February 20 after intelligence agents raided his home and has been in prison for
195 days in Evin's ward 209. He is suffering from digestive problems as a result of the tortures. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
Labor activist thrown in solitary in Gohardasht Prison
According to reports from ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, Mansour Asalu, the head of Tehran's Bus
Union was taken today to solitary confinement in ward 1 known as the 'doghouse'.
The head of the Bus Union was suddenly taken from his ward and taken to ward 1, called the death row ward
which prison guards call the 'doghouse'. The condition in this ward is horrible and political prisoners who are
transferred here are subjected to severe and violent torture. Political prisoner Behruz Javid Tehrani is currently
in this ward. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 2, 2009)
Detained Iran reformist says under pressure to confess
A top reformist who has been detained since the June presidential election said he is under pressure from
authorities to make confessions against his will, a reformist website reported on Saturday.
Abdollah Ramezanzadeh, former spokesman for the government of reformist ex-president Mohammad Khatami,
said he and his teenage son were badly beaten during his arrest and that his head and ribs were 'broken.'
'During interrogations, I was under pressure to do interviews (confessions) such as those that Abtahi and
Atrianfar did,' Ramezanzadeh was quoted as saying by parlemennews, a website run by the minority reformist
faction in parliament.
He was referring to senior reformists Mohammad Ali Abtahi and Mohammad Atrianfar who are on trial for
their alleged role in unleashing unrest after the disputed re-election of Ahamdinejad…
But Ramezanzadeh said he is being held in solitary confinement since his arrest which took place after the first
result of the June 12 election emerged.
'I was detained only to settle political scores,' said Ramezanzadeh, who spoke to a parlemennews website reporter
during a court visit on Wednesday.
'During my arrest, they beat my teenage son, they broke my head and ribs and I still carry scars. I have not been
notified of my charges yet. They want to accuse me of participating in illegal gatherings
even when I was arrested only hours after first results were out,' Ramezanzadeh added.
(AFP - Sept 5, 2009)
Dr. Maleki's condition worsens in prison
The wife of Dr. Maleki, a former head of Tehran University, has said that his condition
has worsened in prison.
Dr. Mohammad Maleki was arrested on August 22 when five intelligence agents came to
his home in Tehran.
Qodssi Mirmo'ez, his wife said in an interview that in short call from prison on September
2, Dr. Maleki told her that he has severe urine irritation and that his physical condition had deteriorated. He
also stressed that he had to receive treatment as soon as possible…
When his family went to see him on September 6 and 7, prison officials said that Dr. Maleki has been banned
from family visits. (Voice of Germany Website – Sep. 7, 2009)
Jailed journalist in danger
According to reports from ward 350 of Evin Prison, Mohammad Hussein Falahieh Zadeh,
jailed journalist has been transferred to the prison medical clinic due to his deteriorating
physical condition.
The journalist has finished his prison term but interrogators have said that he can only be
released on a 30,000 dollar bail. This is while he is not able to afford such a sum and in this
way the regime intentionally keeps him in prison.
He has gone on a dry hunger strike (hunger strike without water) from about 3 days ago in
protest to this issue. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 8, 2009)
Moussavi top aide taken to hospital due to torture
According to reports from Iran, Alireza Beheshti, an aide to Mir Hussein Moussavi who was arrested on
Monday was taken to the hospital as a result of torture. (Al-arabia TV – Sep. 10, 2009)
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One of these women imprisoned for more than 80 days in this ward is a young woman identified as Atefeh
Nabavi who according to reports has been put under severe pressure to confess to having communications and
links to opposition groups outside the country. This is while according to her former cellmates, she did not have
any communications with these groups and only participated in a number of protest gatherings after the
elections. She is currently in a poor mental condition. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 16, 2009)
Evin prisoners forced to eat biscuits due to poor quality food
The very low quality of food in ward 209 in Evin Prison where prisoners of post election
protests are detained, has forced many prisoners to eat biscuits they buy themselves.
Mrs. Kariman, the mother of political prisoner and women's rights activist Shiva Nazar
Ahari reported this on Monday after she visited her daughter.
"From the beginning of Ramadan, Shiva has been eating biscuits and dates and
sometimes milk that she buys with her own money because from the beginning of
Ramadan, the food quality in ward 209 has become very bad and Shiva said that it is
uneatable", she said.
Shiva Nazar Ahari "One would expect that the food quality be better for the month of Ramadan in which
prisoners are given food twice a day instead of the usual three times. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Sep. 16, 2009)
Political prisoner transferred to Gohardasht Prison's 'doghouse'
According to reports from ward 4 in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, political prisoner Afshin Baimani was
transferred to ward 1 after security forces from the Protection and Intelligence Department stormed his cell.
On Tuesday September 15, security forces violently removed him from his cell and took him to a solitary cell in
ward 1, which is known as the doghouse. This was carried out by the head and assistant head of the Protection
and Intelligence Department, Kermani and Nabiollah Faraj-nejad and a number of guards.
According to other reports, political prisoners who are in one ward together have been separated and
transferred to the Hosseineih (prayer hall) section of prison. Hamid and Asghar Bannazadeh have been
transferred to the Hosseineih and pressure and threats to separate other political prisoners have increased.
Political prisoner Mansour Radpour has also been threatened to be transferred to the Hosseineih. This section
has very bad conditions. The number of prisoners kept in this section are much more than its capacity and
prisoners have to sleep on the ground side to side and cannot move about freely. The hygienic conditions in this
section are also appalling and it is full of lice and other vermin. A number of prisoners kept in this section are
drug addicts and dangerous criminals.
Political prisoners are also in danger of attacks by prison mafia gangs organized by prison officials. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 17, 2009)
Rape is planned torture to break spirits of young detainees
The International Campaign for Human Rights expressed grave concern over the safety of Ibrahim Sharifi (jail
rape witness), his family and friends.
Sharifi, one of Mehdi Karoubi's witnesses and a victim of rape in jail who escaped Iran after being threatened by
Judiciary officials to deny his rape claims is currently outside of Iran but is being pursued by (the Iranian
regime). His family and friends are under pressure as well to participate in TV shows to deny his claims.
According to these reports, other rape victims are also under the same pressure.
Hadi Qaemi, a spokesman for the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said, "What happened to
Ibrahim is not an incident but rather it is a method of planned torture to break the spirits of young detainees".
"Despite the fact that information on this issue is incomplete, reports we have received show that rape was not
only carried out in one detention center or one city and it was not only used against girls but rather on boys as
well".
"It seems that on the grounds of the sort of evaluation that security forces had of the composition of protesters,
who were mostly young people, sometimes from traditional families, they used the policy of rape and sexual
abuse in prisons on these kind of people and released them after the rape", Qaemi explained about the object of
rape as a form of torture.
"Most of these people stay silent after their release and are in a state of complete passivity and depression. A
large number of them who speak of rape in prison are suppressed by their own family and friends. With this
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method, instead of suppressing these young protesters themselves, security forces force the society to suppress
them. On the other hand, because of the traditional view of the society on things like sexual relations, security
forces intended to create terror and fear amongst the people so that they would prevent their young from taking
part in protests", he added. (JRS Website – Sep. 20, 2009)
Official: Former Tehran Prosecutor connected to notorious Kahrizak Detention Center
Parviz Sarvari, a spokesman for the Secretariat Delegation of the National Security Council and the head of a
special parliamentary committee on recent incidents said in an interview that the measures taken by the judge
connected to the Kahrizak Detention Center was with coordination with former Tehran Prosecutor, Sayid
Mortazavi.
Parviz Sarvari: In our examinations of Kahrizak, we reached the conclusion that there were two problems in
their working process. Firstly, in our view, those who worked in the judicial system committed a great violation
because though they knew that the Kahirzak Detention Center was only for detaining troublemakers and drug
addicts and those who had committed serious murders, and the facilities in the detention center are suitable for
these kinds of people. Nevertheless, the judge ordered that detainees (arrested in the protests) be transferred to
Kahrizak. The second problem was that in out-view, the Kahrizak Detention Center is nonstandard, and the
detainees were not treated suitably.
Question: Do you mean that the Tehran Prosecutor had ordered the detainees to Kahrizak?
Sarvari: No, the related judge ordered this, but naturally, the judge coordinated this with the prosecutor.
Question: So did the judge coordinate with the Tehran Prosecutor?
Sarvari: There was definitely coordination. (Ayandeh Website – Sep. 19, 2009)
Ward 209 and RGC ward filled with Quds Day protesters
According to reports from ward 209, after the widespread arrests made on Quds Day on September 18, a large
number of recent political prisoners have been transferred to the quarantine section of Evin Prison for lack of
room in 209 and they have been put 2 to 3 in solitary cells.
A large number of prisoners have also been transferred to solitary cells in ward 241 and the RGC ward. Officials
also transferred a number of male and female political prisoners to the quarantine section in ward 7 and the
quarantine female section from ward 209 for lack of room on September 19. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – Sep. 22, 2009)
Female student prisoner taken to dangerous criminals ward
Shabnam Madadzadeh, the assistant secretary of the Tehran Council for Office for Consolidating Unity and
political secretary for the Teacher Training University's Islamic Association who has been in temporary
incarceration for seven months thus far, was transferred to the dangerous criminal's ward.
She was taken to this ward known as the Methadone ward three days ago along with five other female prisoners
including Shiva Nazar Ahari and Mahsa Naderi.
The Methadone Ward was used for prisoners with serious addictions, which is no longer in use and has horrible
hygienic conditions. The sewage system in the bathroom has broken down and the stench causes nausea for
Shabnam and the other prisoners. (Amir Kabri Newsletter – Sep. 22, 2009)
76-year-old political prisoner suffering from cancer deprived from medical treatment
Dr. Mohammad Maleki, the first head of Tehran University after the revolution and an activist, has been
imprisoned for more than a month. In addition to other illnesses, he suffers from advanced prostate cancer and
has been imprisoned in solitary cells and only receives basic medical attention in prison, which is limited to
receiving sedatives.
His lawyer Dr. Youssef Molayi said that he has only visited with his wife and lawyer once during this time and
that he does not have access to his client’s case and his charges until the case is completed by the case
interrogator and referred to court. He also said that his client's prison term has been renewed for another two
months.
Mohammad Maleki, 76, was bedridden in his home when they came to arrest him according to his wife and was
taken to the detention center directly from bed. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 23, 2009)
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The coroner has confirmed that my ribs have broken and that my back has become slanted because of constant
beatings with pipes and clubs…
They would hit the students until they were on the verge of death. They would take the prisoners and strip them
completely naked in another place. There was a metal room where they would take some of the youngsters to
rape. They would rape them with clubs and the sound of their cries and screams would drive the others, who
were hungry and thirsty, crazy.
Whenever Ahmad Reza Radan would come on Thursday s with his helicopter, they would strip everyone. He
would stand in front of us and threaten us with his Isfahan accent.
"Today we will kill all of you and bury you under the ground. Thousands like you are buried under that white
hill. We will kill so many of you until others learn to behave", he would say.
When they took me to the doctor, the psychiatrist said that I have a sort of depression and severe paranoia and
that I talk to myself. The psychiatrist gave me sedatives… (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 24, 2009)
Political prisoners in Sanandaj banned from furloughs
According to reports from Sanandaj and the central prison in this city, the officials of this prison have
announced from a few days ago that political prisoners are banned from getting leaves from prison for an
undetermined amount of time. According to this report, there are currently 59 political prisoners in the Pak 2
ward in this prison. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 27, 2009)
Families of recent detainees not given info on loved ones
According to reports from Tehran, dozens of family members of detainees on Quds Day in Tehran (Sep. 18)
gathered outside the Revolutionary Court and demanded the freedom of their loved ones .
Most of the families who had gathered outside the court on Saturday morning were families of those arrested on
Quds Day. Security forces announced one day after the protests that 35 people were arrested on Quds Day but
the number of detainees is reportedly much more than this. It is still not known where a number of prisoners
are being held and their families are worried and in a state of limbo. (Deutsche Welle – Sep. 27, 2009)
Sick jailed Azeri journalist not given leave for medical care
Sayid Matin-pour, human rights activist and Azeri journalist who is currently in Evin
Prison's financial offenses ward is suffering from lung infection and is in a bad
health .
Matin-pour has in the past few weeks asked for a furlough from prison to receive
medical treatment outside of prison but this has been rejected by Judge Hadad, the
head of Tehran's Security Court despite constant requests by his family and lawyer.
(Savalan Sassi – Sep. 27, 2009)
Jailed journalist in critical condition not allowed treatment outside prison
The wife of Sayid Matin-pour has said that her husband is in critical condition in
prison. This journalist has been imprisoned for about three months in Evin and
according to a court sentence, has to spend eight years of his life in prison.
In his last visit with his wife on Saturday, he said that he suffered from heart problems last week and his
cellmates took him to the prison medical clinic. The clinic doctor said that he has nerve problems and
transferred him back to his cell after giving him three injections. His lawyer, Hushang Pourbabayi said that he
has been trying for a month to get a permit for his client to receive treatment outside prison but he has not been
able to get such a permit as yet. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 28, 2009)
Jailed female journalist in poor health
According to reports from Iran, Hengameh Shahidi who was arrested some time ago after the elections in Iran is
in poor health in prison.
She is only taken out in the fresh air three times a week for 20 minutes and this has led to problems for her
from lack of sunlight. Shahidi, is a journalist, a member of (Karubi's) Etemad Meli Party and a PhD student of
human rights at the SOAS university. She was Karoubi's consultant on women's affairs in the run up to the
elections and was arrested on June 30. Shahidi has been held in Evin Prison in temporary detainment from that
time on. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 28, 2009)
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Despite the emphasis of the prison doctor that this prisoner should be transferred for treatment to the Taleqani
Hospital outside of prison, ward officials including Naser Abbassi, the head of the ward, and the head guard
have prevented this and threw the doctor and his aids out of their office.
Hamidreza Mohammadi was arrested in 2004 on charges of cooperating with groups outside the country and
acting against national security and sentenced to 11 years of prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 1,
2009)
Two student activists transferred to quarantine section of Evin
Political prisoners Majid Dori and Zia Nabavi, two expelled
students who are members of the Council in Defense of the
Right to Education were transferred to the Quarantine
section of Evin in ward 7 in the past few days.
The hygienic conditions of ward 7 are reportedly very
unsuitable. The existence of bugs that carry diseases, lice and
scabies has made the conditions for prisoners in this ward
very hard.
Zia Nabavi, an expelled student of the Babolsar University in
Mazandaran was arrested on June 15 along with a number of his friends. He was taken to ward 209 in Evin.
Majid Dori, is also a member of the Council in Defense of the Right to Education who was arrested in the
events after the elections for the first time. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Oct. 2, 2009)
State of political prisoner not known after 100 days in jail
The state of Saleh Deldam, one of the detainees arrested in the events after the elections on June 15, is still
unknown after 100 days in Tehran's Evin Prison.
His lawyer Mina Jafari said, "He was a member of Karoubi's election staff in east Tehran and was arrested by
security forces on June 15 and taken to Evin Prison". "Unfortunately, a case has still not been created for him in
the Revolutionary Court and despite constant appeals by his family and lawyer, we still have not received any
answers from judicial sources", she added. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 2, 2009)
Female prisoner taken to Evin's 209 on eve of trial
Political prisoner Shirin Elm Huvi, 28, who is in prison for the heavy charge of
'waging war with God' was taken to ward 209 (security ward under control of
Ministry of Intelligence) from the general women's ward on the eve of her trial.
Huvi, who is from the city of Maku does not have a lawyer and will soon be
trialed in Tehran's Revolutionary Court on these charges which can even lead to
a death sentence. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 4, 2009)
No news on fate of political prisoner
Two months after the arrest of a Kurd man, there is still no information on his condition and whereabouts.
Despite persistent appeals by his family, there is no information on Hamed Seif Panahi from Sanandaj who was
arrested about a month ago by security forces.
Panahi was also arrested last year on charges of participating in protest gatherings in support of political
prisoners in Sanandaj and was temporarily released on bail. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 4, 2009)
Female journalist under constant interrogations and pressure
Fariba Pazhuh, imprisoned journalist and blogger in Evin Prison in under constant pressure in prolonged
interrogations.
She has been imprisoned since two months ago and has been put under various pressures to confess. She was
confined to solitary half the time she was detained and has been kept in prison on a temporary arrest permit.
Her father said that he visited her from behind the glass partitions today in Evin Prison. According to her
father, the mental state of her daughter was not good which has led to concerns both for him and his wife.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 5, 2009)
Concerned father writes letter to prosecutor on uncertain state of jailed son
The father of Saleh Deldam, who has been illegally imprisoned for more than 100 days, wrote a letter yesterday
to Tehran's Prosecutor, Mr. Jafari, regarding the uncertain state of his son.
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This letter reads in part: "Twenty two year old Saleh, who has a hereditary disorder, was arrested a few days
before the elections and unrest and was apparently detained in ward 209 of Evin Prison. In this time we were
not allowed to visit him and in our persistent appeals to the Revolutionary Court, they told us that he does not
have a case in this court. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 5, 2009)
Female prisoner goes on hunger strike in protest to uncertain state
Zahra Jabari who was arrested on September 18 in the Quds Day march in Tehran was arrested and taken to
Evin Prison's ward 209. Her toe nail broke during her arrest.
According to her family, it has been five days that she has gone on a hunger strike in protest to her uncertain
state in prison. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 5, 2009)
Wife of 74-year-old prisoner worried about husband's health
Dr. Mohammad Maleki's family announced in an open letter that Maleki's health is dangerously poor. This
political prisoner and the first head of Tehran University after the revolution was arrested 45 days ago while he
was sick and in bed and taken to Evin Prison.
His wife, Qodssi Mirmoez said in this regard, "on Monday October 5, my daughter and son and I went to visit
Mohammad with a letter from the judge (permitting the visit). We waited from 8am to 11am. In the end we
were told that he has been banned from receiving visits. When we protested this issue saying that the case judge
has given us a letter to come visit him, the head of his interrogations said that we should tell the judge that he
has said that Mohammad is banned from visits. I have experience from the past when the doctor was
imprisoned in the 80's and in 2001. Whenever the prisoner is in critical condition, they do not permit visits".
(Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 7, 2009)
3 Kurd political prisoners exiled to other prisoners
Javad Alizadeh, a student activist who was sentenced to a year of
prison last year on charges of spreading propaganda against the
government was exiled to Kermanshah Prison.
Kaveh Javanmard, a journalist who was sentenced to three years of
prison on charges of acting against national security and served all
but 2 months of his term was exiled to Hamadan Prison.
Fardin Moradi, a Kurd activist who was sentenced to three years
of prison on charges of cooperating with a dissident party and had Javanmard and Alizadeh
served 2 years of his term was exiled to Khorramabad Prison.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 6, 2009)
Female political prisoners banned from basic rights and are charged for prison cell
All female political prisoners were transferred to the women's ward from the quarantine section of Evin Prison
from the beginning of the week and mostly all of them are cramped into one cell.
Shabnam Maddadzadeh, Mahssa Naderi, two student prisoners, Fatemeh Ziayi, Atefeh Nabavi are detained with
other political prisoners like Sediqeh Falahat and Nazila Dashti in one cell.
It has been announced to the political prisoners that the blankets they use for over and under them have to be
bought and provided by their families. They have also been told that their families have to provide their clothes
in line with conditions set by the prison every 6 months. The quality and quantity of the food given to the
prisoners is very poor and scarce. Prisoners are forced to buy their basic needs from the prison store with very
high prices. The quality of the food in the store is also very poor and in most cases, the date of the products has
expired. Political prisoners are also forced to pay a monthly fee for being in the cells. This is while the expenses
of government institutions come from taxes. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– Oct. 6, 2009)
Head of prison banned student activist from visits
Peyman Aref, a student activist who has been able to visit his family from behind a
glass partition only once in his prison term was banned by the head of Evin Prison
from visits.
Last week, Sedaqat, the head of this prison said that the activist can only get visits
from his family on his orders. This activist has also been deprived of seeing his lawyer
in his 110 days of incarceration. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 7, 2009)
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immediately taken for surgery in the hospital because of his condition and the necessary tests for the surgery
were conducted. In the last moments before the surgery, he was once again taken back to the medical clinic in
Evin Prison. Yazdan-Nejad has very severe pain and has to be operated on immediately but was exiled in the
afternoon on Sunday October 18 to the Quarantine Section of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. There is no
information on his condition after this transfer.
The 23 year old student at the Payam Nour University was sentenced to 14 years of prison and exile to
Gohardasht Prison on Monday September 7 in the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court presided over by
Judge Salavati. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 19, 2009)
Two political prisoners taken to solitary in Evin Prison
According to reports from ward 350 in Evin Prison, political prisoners Ali Saremi and Sayed-Zohour Nabavi
were transferred to solitary cells in a ward run by the Revolutionary Guards Corps after prison guards attacked
their cell on October 17.
This ward has very inhumane conditions and prisoners are under violent mental and physical torture.
Interrogators in this ward are members of the RGC. Most prisoners recently arrested who were kept in this ward
were violently tortured and were forced to make confessions against themselves. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – Oct. 19, 2009)
Azeri journalist in undetermined state in prison
Omid Shokri, a journalist and Azeri activist is still being kept in an undetermined state in ward 7 of Ardabil
Prison. This master's degree student of international affairs in the Marmareh University in Istanbul was arrested
on September 16 by intelligence agents and was under physical and mental torture for 22 days in the Ardabil
Intelligence Agency Detention Center.
This Azeri activist who has 7 years of experience as a journalist was a member of the Ardabil Press House. He
was arrested 2 days after he came back to Iran to settle family problems after going to Turkey to register at the
Marmareh University. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 19, 2009)
Security prisoner taken to unknown location
According to reports, Hamzeh Riggi, a security prisoner was transferred to an unknown location from ward 8 of
Gohardasht Prison on October 18.
This security prisoner was arrested in Tehran on April 29 and has been detained for more than 7 months.
He was transferred by intelligence institutions a few hours after a number of Revolutionary Guard Corps
commanders were assassinated in the city of Sarbaz in Sistan and Baluchistan. There is a probability that the
regime is preparing a scenario to introduce him as one of the elements of this operation in Baluchistan.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 20, 2009)
No news on condition of political prisoner after 5 weeks
There is no information on the condition of political prisoner Javad Lari, 54 who is a member of the Tehran
Bazaar and was arrested more than 5 weeks ago by intelligence agents. He was taken to a solitary cell in Evin
Prison's ward 209.
Intelligence agents stormed Lari's home on September 16 and took Lari with them. He has not even been
allowed to make controlled phone calls from prison since his arrest. He is in danger of physical and mental
torture.
Lari was a political prisoner in the 80's and was under torture in prison for many years. He has lost his hearing
in one ear as a result. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 22, 2009)
Deplorable condition of women and children in Evin Prison
According to reports from the women's section in Evin Prison, prison officials have stepped up the pressure,
harassment and limitations on female prisoner and female political prisoners in this section.
One of the pressures imposed on women is the cutting off of warm water. Women prisoners were not able to
bathe for several days as a result. This led to serious problems for infants and children (who are with their
mothers in prison) who need warm water. Limiting warm water also limits the milk that mothers make for their
children with this water and also limits the tea that prisoners make with this water. This also leads to unhygienic
condition which can subject the children to various diseases.
According to reports, the prison food lacks protein. Vegetables and fruits have been omitted from the prisoners'
meals for months. The signs of malnutrition can be seen in the faces of the prisoners especially the children.
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Imprisoned children also witness the violent treatment, insults and the beatings of their mothers by prison
guards and the infighting between prisoners.
The hygienic condition of the women's section is deplorable and lice and fleas are rampant which has turned
the condition of the female section like that of an inhumane work camp. Political prisoners are also banned
from receiving serious treatment for their ailments and they are only given sedatives for their illnesses. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 23, 2009)
Iran extends jail term of female journalist
The temporary prison term of jailed journalist Fariba Pazhuh, has been extended after she was banned from
receiving visits.
On Monday, Evin Prison officials did not let this journalist visit with her family and she was only allowed to
speak to her family for a few minutes over the phone.
The interrogator of the second branch of the Revolutionary Court announced to her lawyer today that her
temporary jail term had been extended. This has led to concerns that she might be confined to a solitary cell
again.
"Fariba has been banned from visits on the orders of Tehran's prosecutor and neither me nor her family can
visit her", her lawyer Mina Jafari, said. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 24, 2009)
Political prisoner taken to hospital because of poor health
According to Abbas Khorsandi's wife, this political prisoner was transferred yesterday to the
Taleqani Hospital because of severe stomach pain. Mrs. Khorsandi, called the
administration of Evin Prison but the prison lied and told her that Khorsandi is fine and
has been hospitalized in the prison clinic for two hours. But prisoners told Mrs. Khorsandi
that he has been hospitalized in the Taleqani Hospital. Khorsandi's wife and children went
to the hospital only to find him on a hospital bed with chained feet.
Agents prevented his wife and children from visiting him in the hospital and threw them out of the section
where he was being kept. His wife has said that Khorsandi was sweating and was under severe pain.
Khorsandi, a member of the leadership council of the Iranian Democratic Front and the founder of the Iran
Democratic Party was sentenced to 8 years of prison and has served more than 2 years of his time. Doctors have
announced that imprisonment is dangerous for him because he suffers from a heart illness, but the
Revolutionary Court prevented him from getting a leave from prison for treatment, disregarding this issue.
(Kurosh News Agency – Oct. 25, 2009)
Iran imposes more pressure on jailed civil rights activist
After reports on the resistance of Keivan Samimi in prison, interrogators have exerted more pressure on him.
According to civil rights activists, it has been two weeks that all the books in his cell have been gathered and
confiscated and he has even been banned from reading the state-run Keyhan daily which was given to him
before this. He has been deprived of all reading materials.
A new interrogator has been appointed for his case. He treats him very ruthlessly and is trying to charge him
with having links to the PMOI. Samimi's resistance has angered his interrogators leading them to make serious
threats against this political prisoner. (Green Wave of Freedom website – Oct. 26, 2009)
Jailed female protester banned from seeing parents
Zahra Jabari, a prisoner who was arrested in the events after the elections broke her hunger strike because of her
deteriorating health and was transferred to a two person cell from solitary in Evin Prison.
Last Monday when Zahra's family came to visit her in prison along with her young child, only her child was
allowed to visit her. Her mother said that she was banned from visiting Zahra because of an interview she gave
regarding her imprisoned daughter. Zahra Jabari was arrested on Quds Day in a protest march and was on
hunger strike for two weeks in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 27, 2009)
Interrogator bans political prisoner from seeing wife
Mahdieh Mohammadi went to Evin Prison intending to visit her husband, political prisoner Ahmad Zeidabadi
but was banned from seeing him. This is while she has had no information on his
condition for 43 days.
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"I went today to visit my husband with my children with a letter of agreement from Tehran's Public Prosecutor
but after they kept us waiting for 5 hours, they finally told us that the interrogator on his case has banned him
from visits", she said.
It has now been 43 days that Zeidabadi's family and lawyer have no news on his condition. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 27, 2009)
Amnesty International: Iran must release scholar held for peaceful criticism of election
The Iranian authorities must release a 76-year-old scholar held incommunicado for 41 days, apparently for his
peaceful criticism of the Iranian presidential election, said Amnesty International.
The organization also expressed grave concern for the health of Dr Mohammad Maleki, and said it fears that his
life is in danger as he is suffering from serious illnesses.
Mohammad Maleki, a former Chancellor of Tehran University, has been held without charge in Tehran's Evin
prison since his arrest in August. His two-month temporary detention order was renewed on 22 October,
though he was unable to challenge it and no reasons were given as to why it was extended.
The officials who arrested Mohammad Maleki told his wife Ghodsi Mir Moez that he was being investigated for
stirring up unrest and for what they alleged were his links to the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, a
banned opposition group.
Many of those arrested since the election have faced similar allegations by the authorities.
Dr Maleki's family has stressed that he is not affiliated to any political party and did not vote in the 12 June
presidential election in Iran. He criticized the conduct of the elections but did not publicly express a view about
any one of the four candidates that stood for election. Amnesty International said that it considers him to be a
prisoner of conscience, held solely for the peaceful expression of his views.
Before his arrest Mohammad Maleki had been receiving regular treatment for prostate cancer, which he has not
been given while in custody. On 23 October, his wife, Ghodsi Mir Moez, expressed concern in an interview with
a German radio station that his health is likely to have deteriorated. His family and lawyer were allowed to visit
him once, on 14 September. Ghodsi Mir Moez said afterwards:
'I noticed the doctor's physical condition had worsened and his hands and feet were trembling constantly and
he did not have enough strength to stand on his own feet.' She also said he had complained that he was 'in
severe pain and was suffering from an increased heart rate, low blood pressure, and a burning sensation during
urination'.
Amnesty International has called on the Iranian authorities to immediately provide Dr Mohammad Maleki with
all necessary medical treatment, including that available outside prison if necessary. (Amnesty International –
Oct. 27, 2009)
Female political prisoner threatened to end hunger strike
The heads of the Intelligence Protection Department of Evin Prison have asked Hengameh Shahidi to end her
hunger strike or face being handed over to the prison Disciplinary Committee.
This journalist went on a hunger strike refusing food and medicine two days ago. This is while Shahidi has heart
problems and is suffering from depression to the extent that she took 28 pills a day. Continuing her hunger
strike considering her mental and physical condition can be dangerous for her. Hengameh who was a women's
affairs advisor in Mehdi Karoubi's election staff has been imprisoned for five months. (Green Wave of Freedom
Website – Oct. 29, 2009)
Political prisoner hospitalized after heart attack from lack of medical attention
According to reports, student activist Peiman Aref was hospitalized in the cardiac ward of the Modares Hospital
because of his critical heart condition.
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Peiman Aref had a heart attack on October 30 because of the inhumane pressure imposed on him in prison
and not having access to his medicine and was taken to the prison medical clinic. He was later transferred to the
Modares Hospital and hospitalized there because of his critical condition.
He was transferred to Labor Ward 350 of Evin Prison on October 28 from solitary. The harassments and
pressure imposed on him increased since his transfer and he was subjected to more limitations in contacting his
family. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 31, 2009)
November
No news of Kurd prisoner after transfer to quarantine section
Political prisoner Fardin Moradi was transferred from the Pak 2 Ward of the Central Sanandaj Prison to the
quarantine section of this prison on the orders of the head of this prison in the beginning of last week.
He has not been able to contact his family in the last week which has led to serious concerns for his family.
Moradi has been sentenced to three years of prison on charges of acting against national security and has served
26 months of his term in this prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Nov. 1, 2009)
Political prisoner illegally kept in prison
Shahram Bulori who was arrested after the elections is still in ward 209 in Evin Prison after 4 months despite
the fact that a release on bail order has been issued for him and the bail was submitted 35 days ago.
Bulori was arrested on June 23 in his home and was kept in solitary for 45 days in ward 209. He was banned
from family visits in this time.
His mother said regarding his case, "They took Shahram to court on September 27 and issued a release for him
on a 50,000 dollar bail".
"Despite the fact that I submitted the bail 35 days ago and did everything I was supposed to do, they have
prevented his release", she added.
According to her, the court has not explained why he has not been released.
Bulori has been charged with acting against national security by providing news for foreign radios. (Committee
of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 3, 2009)
Young female journalist kept in undetermined state in prison
The judge of the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran has refused Fariba Pejouh's protest to the
renewing of her temporary detention order.
According to reports Pejouh has been detained in Evin Prison for days without even being interrogated and no
one has even seen her.
Her lawyer Mina Jafari announced all the legal matters regarding this case to the judge yesterday saying that
keeping her in detention is without reason and unnecessary.
Pajouh, a journalist and blogger has been detained since August 22 and has not been formally charged yet. But
judicial officials and her interrogators insist on her detention without reason. (Human Rights Activists in Iran–
Nov. 3, 2009)
30 female Nov. 4 detainees held incommunicado Evin Prison
Thirty women who were arrested in protest gatherings on November 4 were transferred to the Methadone
Section of Evin Prison.
A large number of participants in the November 4 protests in Tehran were arrested and transferred to Evin
Prison. According to reports, they have been divided into various section according to the arresting security
organization and their charges. A number of these detainees were transferred to security sections yesterday.
The Methadone Section, which was previously used for drug addicted prisoners, was turned into a detention
center for those arrested in street protests after post election events. This hall is situated in the women's section
of Evin prison and prisoners held here have no communications with other prisoners and are held
incommunicado. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 7, 2009)
Political prisoners in section 7 and 8 of Evin Prison are kept in critical condition
More than 50 prisoners who were arrested in the events after the elections have been transferred to ward 8 of
Evin Prison. This section does not have minimum facilities. None of the prisoners have beds. More than 20
political prisoners who were transferred to ward 7 in this prison have the same conditions.
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None of the cells in ward 8 have heating appliances and despite the severe cold, each prisoner only has one
blanket even while prison officials refuse to take the warm clothes that the prisoners' families provide for them.
As a result most prisoners in this section, including those arrested in events after the elections are suffering from
a severe flu.
This is while prison officials refuse to give these prisoners treatment and medicine. There are chances that a
number of prisoners might have the swine flu. More than 15 prisoners are kept in 3 by 4 meter cells meaning
that every prisoner has less than 1 meter to live in.
There has been no warm water in the past 10 days in sections 7 and 8 of Evin Prison. A prisoner who took a
shower with cold water last week suffered a heart attack and passed away. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Nov. 8, 2009)
Female political prisoners banned from visits for protesting
The head of Evin Prison's Women's Section has cancelled all the calls and visits of female political prisoners
with their families.
This decision was made after political prisoners refused to take their daily fresh air time in the prison yard.
In the past days, political prisoners had protested the rule of forced fresh air time in the cold morning weather
in a letter and requested that it be revoked. Despite this, prison officials disregarded their request and deprived
these prisoners from visits.
Shabnam Madadzadeh, Mahsa Naderi, Atefeh Nabavi, Fatemeh Ziayi Azad, Nazila Dehdashti are some of the
prisoners detained in this section. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Nov. 9, 2009)
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According to reports, four security agents violently arrested Raheleh in the Honarmandan Park and transferred
her to the Vozara Detention Center with handcuffs and blindfolds. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Nov.
10, 2009)
Political prisoner in critical condition in Evin Prison
Abdollah Momeni, the spokesman for the Office for Consolidating Unity, is suffering
from increased kidney pain and heart problems in prison which has left him in a
critical mental and physical condition.
Fatemeh Adineh, his wife, announced that her husband's condition is critical saying
that 'Abdollah has a history of kidney stones and currently because he does not have
proper access to a bathroom and since he can not use the bathroom on a regular basis
he is suffering from increased pain in his kidneys. This and his heart problem have
left him in a very poor mental and physical state".
According to his wife, Momeni is not allowed to call his family. (JRS website – Nov.
13, 2009)
Regime officials have illegally detained political prisoner for more than 5 months
After months of being in an undetermined state, the case of political prisoner
Keivan Samimi has been referred to the 26th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary
Court. Therefore, his lawyer, Nasrin Sutodeh has been able to examine her client's
case after months. Mrs. Sutodeh realized while examining her client's case that his
temporary detention order was never renewed and his detainment after the first
two months has been completely illegal. In addition to this issue, an order for bail
had been in his dossier since June but District Attorney Sobhani had refrained
from announcing this. Considering this and after inquiries by his family and
lawyer, the head secretary of the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court
announced the 100,000 dollar bail order to the Samimi family. But after they
provided the bail money, the head of the court once again announced that his release has been cancelled for
now. His trial is planned for November 23. This is while his daughter was supposed to get married on July 27
which was postponed to November 19. Her wedding has once again been postponed (because the date of the
trial). (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 13, 2009)
No news on female political prisoner
Mojgan Zare Kohan, Nafiseh Zare Kohan's sister said regarding her sister's health in prison, "In the past 14 days
of her arrest, we have no information about her and considering her heart illness, we are worried about her
health".
"In the past 14 days that Nafiseh was detained with her husband, Hojat, Hojat has called his family 3 times but
Nafiseh has not been allowed to contact her family", she stressed.
Zare Kohan also said they gave the prison some clothes, dates and other food for Nafiseh in light of her illness
but "unfortunately, they did not accept these items". (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Cockroaches in Mahabad Prison food
The unsuitable condition of food in Mahabad Prison has led prisoners to file an official complaint to the
Mahabad City Council.
According to reports from this prison, prisoners have announced that the food is inedible and there are
sometimes cockroaches and other insects in their food. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Jailed journalist thrown in solitary again
According to reports from ward 350 in Evin Prison, journalist Bahman Ahmadi
Amuyi, was once again transferred to a solitary cell since yesterday.
His wife, Jila Bani-Yaqub, announced this and said, "After Bahman was transferred to
solitary, all prisoners in ward 350 have been banned from contacting their families".
According to reports, the reason behind the transfer of Amuyi to solitary and the
banning of all calls from prisoners in this ward is because of the protest of prisoners
who were arrested after the elections to the unsuitable health and hygiene conditions
of this ward.
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Amuyi was kept in solitary for 65 days before this in ward 209. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 17,
2009)
Two students held in unclear state in prison
Political prisoners Ali Parviz and Suheil Mohammadi, who are students of the Khajeh Nasir University, are kept
in an unclear state in solitary cells in the notorious ward 209 in Tehran's Evin Prison. They have only been able
to contact their families once since their arrest in a 2 minute phone call. Ali Parviz and Soheil Mohommadi
were arrested in the widespread arrests made in Tehran on the verge of the November 4 protests. Agents of the
Ministry of Intelligence stormed Parviz's home at 11:45 pm on November 3 and arrested him. They also
searched his home after his arrest. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 17, 2009)
Political prisoner under constant pressure and interrogation
According to reports, political prisoner Hasan Asadi who is detained in ward 240 of
Evin Prison is under pressure and constant interrogations.
Asadi, the Human Rights Secretary of the Office for Consolidating Unity has been
detained in solitary in this ward since his arrest. He is kept in very hard conditions and
is constantly interrogated for long periods of time by agents of the Ministry of
Intelligence. His family was able to visit him in prison from behind a glass partitions
after many inquiries. Asadi told them of the hard condition in solitary and the
pressures subjected on him. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 18,
2009)
Prison officials ban political prisoners from visits in Evin's ward 209
According to reports, a large number of political prisoners called their families yesterday and today, telling them
not to come visit them on Sunday.
Families of political prisoners are usually allowed to visit their loved ones on Sundays. In the past few months,
these families have had many problems visiting these prisoners. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 21,
2009)
Political prisoners moved to ward with harder conditions
A number of prisoners in the public wards of Evin
Prison including Hadi Amini, Sayid Matin Pour, Hamed
Rouhi Nejad, Shahram Chinian, Majid Ali and
Esfandiari were transferred to ward 350 in the morning.
This is while the condition in this ward is not suitable
and political prisoners who were in this ward before this
had decided to go on a political fast in protest to its
conditions.
Majid Ali, 21, is a resident of Islam Shahr who has been
charged with enmity with God. Shahram Chinian who is
from Miandoab is a Baha'i prisoner who was arrested by
the police in Shahre Rey after a number of people filed
complaints against him. Esfandiari is in prison for From left to right Ruhi Nejad and Matin Pour
having links to the PMOI. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 22, 2009)
Human rights activist transferred to section 350 in Evin Prison
Political prisoner Jafar Eqdami was transferred today to Evin Prison's Section 350.
Eqdami who is a member of the Human Rights Activists in Iran was transferred to this section
which has turned into a political ward in the past few days. This human rights activist has been
sentenced to ten years of prison.
The facilities in this section are very few
and prison officials limit them in
contacting their families to put pressure on them.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 22, 2009)
Officials refrain from giving info on whereabouts of
arrested liberal students
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Three days after the arrest of a number of liberal students, there is no information on their condition and
location.
Their families have not been given answers to their inquiries from the Revolutionary Court and officials of the
Special Court of the Security Revolutionary Court refrain from answering their inquiries. The only answer that
these families have received is that their children's cases have not been referred to this court.
It is noteworthy that when agents came to search these students' homes, they had a warrant from the 3rd branch
of the Special Security Court. Despite this issue, after their families went to Evin Prison, prison officials told
them that the names of their loved ones were not on the prison's list. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov.
22, 2009)
Another political prisoner taken to ward 350
Rasul Bodaqi, a member of the Human Rights Activists in Iran and Teacher's Association who was arrested on
September 2 was transferred to ward 350 where political prisoners are detained. He had been detained in Evin's
ward 209 since his arrest. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 23, 2009)
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December
Jailed student goes on dry hunger strike in protest to illegal arrest
Mohammad Yusef Rashidi, a student activist in Amir Kabir University who was arrested in
November in Noshahr went on a dry hunger strike (refrains from drinking food or water)
after being transferred to ward 209 in Evin Prison.
This detained student had been taken to the prison medical clinic three times because of
going on a hunger strike twice in a short time. He was arrested on charges of participating
in illegal gatherings.
He played a major role in the protests against the presence of Ahmadinejad in Amir Kabir
University and was suspended from university after Ahmadinejad's speech. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Dec. 9, 2009)
Female student prisoner banned from receiving visits
Mahdieh Golro, a student activist who was arrested on December 3 in her home along with her husband was
banned from receiving visits in prison.
After her family went to the Revolutionary Court they realized that her name and her husband's name were not
registered in the Revolutionary Court.
This is while two days ago, in a short phone call from prison, Mahdieh Golro told her family that she was in a
solitary cell in ward 209 in Evin Prison. But her family was told that she was banned from getting visits after
they came to prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 14, 2009)
No news on condition of jailed prominent student leader
The family of Majid Tavakoli, a member of Amir Kabir University's Islamic Association, says that they have no
information on his condition and whereabouts. He was severely beaten and arrested eight days ago after a
Student's Day speech in Amir Kabir University. According to his family, no government institution answers
their inquiries about their son and his case. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 15, 2009)
Political prisoner on hunger strike for more than 15 days
Twenty five year old Reza Jushan has been on a hunger strike since his arrest on December 1 in protest to his
arbitrary arrest and torture by agents of the Intelligence Agency in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj.
His family has appealed on several occasions to the Revolutionary Court and Gohardasht Prison to get
information on their son and Jushan was subsequently allowed a very short phone call from prison. When he
was talking about the torture and his hunger strike over the phone, the phone line was suddenly cut off. This
political prisoner talked with long pauses in the middle of his words and could barely talk which shows that he
was in very poor physical health.
Reza Jushan has a severe leg injury due to an accident and tortures which he was subjected to in a previous
arrest. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 16, 2009)
Student activist is still on dry hunger strike
According to the latest reports from Evin Prison, Yusef Rashidi, an imprisoned Amir Kabir University student is
still on a dry hunger strike.
There is no information on his physical condition but it seems that it has been more than two weeks that he has
been kept in a solitary cell while on a hunger strike. He is taken to the medical clinic in this prison on a daily
bases because of his condition.
This political prisoner was arrested in November. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 16, 2009)
No news on condition of 4 Gorgan students nine days after arrest
Four students who were arrested on December 7 Student's Day are still in prison. Hossein Matlubi, Taqi Jafari,
Saman Bozorgi and Mobin Arab were arrested by plainclothes agents on December 7. There is still no news on
their condition nine days after their arrest. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 17, 2009)
Prisoners take over ward 1 in Gohardasht Prison in protest to inhumane prison conditions
According to reports, prisoners who were kept in solitary cells and the prayer hall in ward 1 known as the 'dog
house' because of its deplorable conditions where normal and political prisoners are tortured in Gohardasht
Prison in Karaj, took over this hall in protest to the violent tortures, not having enough clothes and blankets in
the cold and the fact that all heating appliances were shut down despite the freezing cold temperatures.
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They demanded to negotiate with the head of the prison to end the violent physical, sexual and mental tortures,
to end the tying of the hands of prisoners for prolonged periods in their cells, to end the limitations like using
the bathroom freely (currently prisoners are only allowed to use the restrooms three times a day), right to receive
treatment, right to bathe, right to turn on the heating appliances in the hall, right to have blankets to sleep,
right to receive visits and call their families and right to receive food on a regular basis in prison. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – Dec. 17, 2009)
Political prisoner banned from getting visits by 2-year-old son
Massoud Lavasani, a journalist and blogger who has been detained since September 26, was sentenced to eight
years of prison yesterday and was banned from seeing his 2-year-old son at the same time by orders of the judge.
Massoud Lavasani who had the right to see his family every two weeks before this now has can only see his
family every 6 weeks but is not allowed to see his son in these visits.
He is currently detained in the underground of ward 350 in Evin Prison where political prisoners are kept in
very hard conditions. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 24, 2009)
Prison sentence
January
Three men sentenced to prison for cooperating with dissident groups
Three residents of Oromieh by the names of Salah Aldin Peyravi, Latif Sherafat and Abdolvahed Abdollah-
zadeh were sentenced to prison by a court in this city.
These men have been imprisoned in Oromieh Prison for close to a month and were each sentenced to two years
of prison on charges of cooperating with dissident groups. (Mokarian News Agency – Jan. 1, 2009)
Father and son sentenced to prison
The 15th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court sentenced Ahmad Danesh Pazir, a political activist who was
arrested in his home last year by security agents, to a year in prison on charges of spreading propaganda against
the state. His son Damon Danesh Pazir who had been detained in ward 209 of Evin Prison for two weeks was
also sentenced to one year of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the state and cooperating with
anti-government websites. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – Jan. 1, 2009)
Female Azeri activist prison sentence confirmed
Shahnaz Qolami, journalist and Azeri women's activist who has been in prison since
November 9, 2008 in Tabriz prison was sentenced to 6 months of prison by a court
of review.
Qolami was charged with "spreading propaganda against the government" and
sentenced to 6 months of prison earlier, but her lawyer had asked for a
reconsideration of this sentence. (Savalan Sassi website – Jan. 4, 2009)
Resident of Chaldaran sentenced to prison and exile
A resident of Chaldaran, Soleyman Dalayi Milan son of Mostafa was sentenced to prison and exile by Khoy's
Revolutionary Court. He has been in prison for four months on charges of cooperating with a dissident group
and has now been sentenced to three years of prison in exile. (Mokarian News Agency– Jan. 4, 2009)
1 year in prison for those who talk to media outside Iran
Tehran's Public Prosecutor said, "If the actions of those who advertise in satellite channels are consistent with
line 2 of article 500 of the Islamic Punishment Laws they are criminals and will be sentenced to a year in
prison". According to article 500 of Islamic Punishment Laws, whoever is active in the field of advertizing for
dissident groups against the Islamic Republic of Iran in any way will be sentenced from three months to a year
in prison. (Mehr state-run news agency – Jan. 12, 2009)
Ten "Quran Academy" followers sentenced to prison
On December 23 of last year, Mahabad's Revolutionary Court sentenced ten leaders of the "Quran Academy" in
Bukan to 91 days of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the government. Their names are
Ibrahim Ismail-Pour, Ali Rassoulnejad, Ismail Adib-Hesami, Khaled Khoda-Karami, Naser Haz-Peirooti,
Mohammad Karimi, Mostafa Naderi, Taher Karimi and Hossein Shaverdi. (Salafi News– Jan. 12, 2009)
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Dashti, who is a former political prisoner, were each sentenced to three years of prison in exile in Karaj's
Gohardasht Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 17, 2009)
Secretary of Imam Hossein University's Republican Association sentenced to 5 months of prison
According to reports, Meqdad Islamkhah, a student of Tehran's Imam Hossein University and secretary of the
Republican Association in this university was recently sentenced to five months of prison.
He was trialed in the 23rd branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of acting against national security
and on February 18, his sentence was announced to him. He was found guilty of establishing an illegal
organization called the Republican Association and the Republic News Agency and sentenced to five months of
prison. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 23, 2009)
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The first branch of Sanandaj's Revolutionary Court sentenced Bahman Tutunchi, a Kurdish journalist to one
year of prison and exile to Maragheh on charges of spreading propaganda against the government. This
journalist was arrested by intelligence agents on November 2008 and was sentenced after spending four months
in the Intelligence Detention Center in Sanandaj under interrogation. (Iran News Agency– March 26, 2009)
April
Azeri worker sentenced to 4 months in prison
Mohammad Jarrahi, Azeri worker activist was sentenced to 4 months of in prison by Branch 6th of Court of
Review of Eastern Azerbaijan Province headed by judge Eimani. It is worth mentioning that he was imprisoned
in Tabriz for 20 days, and was dismissed from his work in September 2008. (Savalan Sassi – Apr. 1, 2009)
Court of Review confirmed prison sentence of two brothers charged with "attempting to overthrow
government"
The Court of Review confirmed the prison sentences of Arash and Kamyar Alayi, two imprisoned doctors.
Arash was sentenced to six years while Kamyar was sentenced to three years of prison.
The Alayi brothers were trialed with Mohammad Ismaili, and Silvia Harutunian in the 15th branch of the
Revolutionary Court in Tehran presided over by Judge Salavati, and were charged with attempting a "velvet
overthrow". At present, these brothers are in ward 4 and 7 of Evin Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Apr. 6, 2009)
Haft Tapeh Factory workers sentenced to one year of prison
The first branch of Dezful's Revolutionary Court announced the sentences of five workers found guilty in the
case of the sit-in of workers in the Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory.
Jalil Ahmadi, Fereidun Niku Far, Ali Nejati, Qorban Alipur and Mohammad Heidari have each been sentenced
to a year in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 14, 2009)
Newspaper editor will be imprisoned on Saturday
A court ruling on the case of Keyvan Samimi which was convened in
the absence of Samini and his lawyer, sentenced him to a year of prison.
Samimi has to go to prison on Saturday under a sentence which was
issued without hearing his defense. (Qods state-run daily – April 14,
2009)
Kurd activist sentenced to a year of prison
Mahabad's Revolutionary Court sentenced a Kurd activist to prison. Fayeq Fayaz was sentenced to a year of
prison on charges of cooperating with opposition parties. (Mukerian News Agency – Apr. 16, 2009)
Iran sentences US reporter to eight years in jail: relative
An Iranian revolutionary court has sentenced US-Iranian journalist Roxana Saberi to eight years in jail on
charges of spying for the United States, a relative told AFP on Saturday. (AFP - Apr. 18, 2009)-
Journalist sentenced to one year of prison
The first branch of Mahabad's Revolutionary Court sentenced saman Rasul Pour, a journalist and human rights
activist to one year of prison. This Kurd activist was charged with "spreading propaganda against the
government" and "creating anxiety for the public" by giving interviews to foreign media. (Kurdistan Human
Rights Watch News Agency – Apr. 18, 2009)
Women's activist sentenced to a year of prison
On Saturday, April 5, the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court announced the sentence of Parastoo Allahyari
to her. According to this sentence and in line with the Islamic Penal Law, she has been sentenced to a year in
prison.
Allahyari has been charged with "acting against national security by spreading propaganda against the
government". She was charged for being a member of the One-Million Signature Campaign, inviting people to
meetings to realize the goals of this campaign, gathering signatures, and writing in websites. (Salam Democrat–
Apr. 27, 2009)
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May
Women political prisoner sentenced to 8 years of prison for visiting brother in Ashraf
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin Prison, the 28th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court
has sentenced political prisoner Sediqeh Falahat-Zadeh to eight years of prison.
This 40-year-old woman was arrested on February 14 after intelligence agents violently raided her house. She has
been kept in solitary confinement since her arrest, deprived from contacting her family. She was recently
transferred from solitary in ward 209 to solitary in the women's ward and has been kept in this inhumane and
intolerable condition ever since.
Mohammad Moqiseyi, aka Naserian, is the head of the 28th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court who
presided over this case. He was a member of the "Death Committee" in 1988 responsible for the massacre of
thousands of political prisoners.
Falahat-Zadeh has been denied her right to a lawyer and was sentenced to 8 years of prison on charges of visiting
her brother in Ashraf Camp while she was not allowed to defend herself. She was once again transferred to
solitary after she was trialed.
This political prisoner who recently had a visit with her family has lost a lot of weight and is in bad physical
health. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 1, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to 5 years of prison
Political prisoner Jafar Eqdami was sentenced to five years of prison. Eqdami who was
released after serving four years in Gohardasht Prison was arrested again for
participating in a ceremony to commemorate the memory of the victims of the 1988
massacre of political prisoners in Khavaran Cemetery. He was sentenced to five years of
prison in Tehran's Revolutionary Court on charges of having links to the opposition, a
charge he strongly denies. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 7, 2009)
Student activist sentenced to 2 years of prison
Mohammad Sayadi, a student activist and the former political secretary of Hamadan students' Islamic
Association, was sentenced to two years of prison in a court of review. (Azadna website – May 10, 2009)
56 year-old female political prisoner sentenced to 5 years of prison
According to reports from the women's ward in Evin prison, Kobra Banazadeh Amirkhizi, 56, was sentenced to
five years of prison and exile to Gohardasht Prison in Karaj by the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court.
The political prisoner was trialed on May 11 by Moqaseyi aka Naserian in the 28th branch of the Revolutionary
Court. Naserian was a member of the "death committee" responsible for the massacre of political prisoners in
1988.
Mrs. Banazadeh Amirkhizi denied all charges made against her but the judge did not let her defend herself. The
Naserian also opposed the presence of her family in the court session.
The 56-year-old political prisoner is in bad condition and is in danger of losing her eyesight after an eye bleed in
prison. She has also been deprived of serious treatment. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– May
14, 2009)
Iran sentences man to prison for "spreading propaganda against" regime
Mahabad's Revolutionary Court sentenced a young man resident of Bukan to prison.
Mohammad Qaderi was imprisoned for some time last year but was freed on bail. He has been sentenced to 4
months of prison on charges of "spreading propaganda against the government.” Qaderi was arrested yesterday
and taken to Bukan Prison to serve his sentence. (Mukerian News Agency – May 14, 2009)
Two Kurds sentenced to prison for having links to opposition parties
The Revolutionary Court sentenced two Kurdish men to five years of prison after they were kept in an
undetermined state for six months. Ibrahim Rahmani and Mohammad Ibrahimi who were arrested in
November in Kamyaran were sentenced on charges of having communication with Kurdish parties. These two
men were under interrogation for two months in an Intelligence Detention Center in Sanandaj before being
transferred to prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 17, 2009)
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The Madadzadeh Family who went to Tehran's Revolutionary Court to pursue their children's case on May 30,
were told that their case has been sent to the 28th branch of this court presided over by Mohammad Moqiseye
aka Naserian. Naserian was a member of the "Death Commission,” responsible for sentencing thousand of
political prisoners to death during the 1988 massacre in Iran. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran–
June 9, 2009)
Kurd prisoner sentenced to six years of prison
Seyed Kamal Mohammadi, 38, was sentenced by the Salmas Revolutionary Court to six years and five months of
prison after serving six months in prison.
Mohammadi has said that he was under intolerable pressure and abuse while in prison. He does not have a
lawyer. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 9, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to five years of prison in exile
A Kurdish political activist was sentenced to five years of prison in exile by the Revolutionary Court.
The first branch of the Orumieh Revolutionary Court sentenced Mansour Mohammadi, to a five year prison
term in exile in Bandar Abas Prison on charges of supporting dissident groups and spreading propaganda
against the government. This Sanandaj resident who was arrested in March by Orumieh's Intelligence Agency
has been deprived of the right to a lawyer. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 9, 2009)
Kurd student sentenced to prison
The Revolutionary Court sentenced an Orumieh student activist to a prison term on charges of cooperating
with Kurdish opposition groups and spreading propaganda against the government.
The first branch of this city's Revolutionary Court sentenced Rahman Rahim Poor, resident of Seqez and a
student of Orumieh University to three years of prison. He was arrested in March by security forces in a park
on June 3. He spent three months in an Orumieh Detention Center before he received this sentence.
Rahim Poor does not have a lawyer. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 9, 2009)
July
Human rights activist sentenced to acting against national security
The family of Abolfazl Abedini was told on July 5 that the human rights activist had been transferred to Karun
Prison and sentenced to acting against national security.
After his family went to the prison to pursue his case, they were told that he had been transferred to Sepidar
prison a few days ago. After going to Sepidar, his family was told that no one by the name of Abedini existed in
that prison. This human rights activist was arrested three weeks ago in his house and was taken to an unknown
location. From the day of his arrest, he has not contacted his family and has been deprived of a lawyer. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – July 7, 2009)
Kurd man sentenced to two years of prison on political charges
A Kurd man by the name of Shamsollah Shadi was sentenced to two years of prison on charges of acting against
national security for having contacts with Kurdish opposition groups. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 9,
2009)
Human rights activists jailed in Evin
Sayid Matin-pour, a journalist and human rights activist in Azerbaijan who was sentenced to 8 years of prison by
the 15th branch of the Tehran Revolutionarily Court was imprisoned to serve his time.
His family said that this activist was summoned to court on July 11 by Judge Salavati the head of this branch
and was then arrested and taken to Evin when he showed up in court. These sources say that Matin Pour told
his family in a short call that he had been arrested and taken to Evin. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists
in Iran – July 12, 2009)
Human rights activist charged with spreading propaganda against government
The head of the Kurdistan Human Rights Organization was tried in Mahabad on charges of spreading
propaganda against the government.
On Sunday July 19, Mohammad Seddigh Kabudvand was trialed in the first branch of the Revolutionary Court
in Mahabad on charges of spreading propaganda by way of producing and distributing books on the issues of
Kurdish women. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 21, 2009)
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August
Women's activist sentenced to 6 years of prison
According to reports from Sanandaj, a court has confirmed the prison sentence of women's activist, Ronak
Safazadeh.
The Court of Review confirmed the six years of prison sentence for Safazadeh on charges of cooperation with
dissident groups issued by a court of first instance. (Iran BBB website – Aug. 5, 2009)
Zanjan Univ. students sentenced to prison
The sentence of a court of first instance was announced to accused Zanjan students. According to this sentence
Bahram Vahedi, Surna Hashemi, Arash Rayeji, Payam Shakiba and Mohammad Hasan Janidi were each
sentence to one year of prison on charges of instigating public opinion and instigating illegal gatherings with the
intent of disturbing national security.
Alireza Firuzi, another Zanjan University student was sentenced to a one year and four months of prison on
charges of instigating public opinion, instigating illegal gatherings with the intent of disturbing national security
and taking measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran.
These students were charged with the above mentioned charges after trying to prevent the immoral measures of
the assistant head of the university against a female student. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 4, 2009)
Five political prisoners receive prison sentences
Five Kurds were sentenced to prison terms by the Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj. Four of the prisoners
identified as Hushyar Ahmadi, Sirvan Mohammadi, Sivan Rahimi and Bahman Sayidi were each sentenced to 6
years while Jahanbakhsh Ahmadi was sentenced to one year and four months of prison.
These five men are from the Nagel Village in Marivan and were charged with endorsing and cooperating with
opposition groups. They spent one month of their incarceration in a detention center and the rest in Sanandaj
Prison. (Kurdistan Media – Aug. 9, 2009)
Kurd man sentenced to 3 years prison term on political charges
Mostafa Rizi, a Kurd resident of Oshnavieh was sentenced to prison. Rizi who has been in prison for more than
six months was sentenced to three years of prison on charges of cooperating with a dissident party. (Mukarian
News Agency – Aug. 24, 2009)
Student sentenced to 10 years of prison on charges of links to PMOI
According to reports from ward 209 in Evin prison, political prisoner Hasan Turlani
was sentenced to 10 years of prison and exile in Kerman Prison. The 22-year-old
prisoner was tried on August 16 in the 22nd branch of the Revolutionary Court by Judge
Mohseni. His lawyer and family were told that he was sentenced to 10 years of prison
on August 25. He was charged with "having pictures of his mother and brother who are
in Camp Ashraf", "having communications with the Freedom Movement", "having
dinner in the home of Dr. Maleki (jailed 76-year-old political activist), having pictures of
Mr. Massoud Rajavi and Mrs. Maryam Rajavi in his house", "email communication with
the PMOI" and other charges. He was tried once before on July 5 and charged with
"waging war with God, acting against national security, and spreading propaganda
against the government". He had denied all the charges calling them illegal. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – Aug. 27, 2009)
September
Student prisoner sentenced to 14 years of prison for visiting sister in Ashraf
According to reports from ward 350 in Evin Prison, political prisoner Misaq
Yazdan-nejad was tried in the Revolutionary Court yesterday and sentenced to 14
years of prison and exile to Gohardasht Prison after being detained for 2 years in
an undetermined state.
Yazdan-nejad, who is a 23-year-old student of translation in the Payam-e Noor
University in Shahriar, was tried by Judge Salavati on Monday, September 7.
He was charged with participating in the 19th anniversary of the massacre of
political prisoners in 1988, going to Camp Ashraf to visit his sister, the fact that
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his parents were former political prisoners, the execution of his uncles (who were political prisoners), and having
email communications with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran.
This student prisoner has severe depression and has an urgent need for treatment and keeping him in prison
will deteriorate his mental state.
Three of his uncles, Ibrahim Sanjari, 32, Hossein Sanjari, 28 amd Hassan Sanjari, 24 were executed by the
regime. His parents, Mojtaba Yazdan-nejad and Akram Sanjari along with her small child each served 3 years of
prison in the 80's in intolerable conditions. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 8, 2009)
Students sentenced to prison for revealing univ. official sex scandal
Six students from Zanjan University who had revealed that the assistant head of the university had sexually
abused a female student have been punished. They have been charged with instigating public opinion for illegal
gatherings and intending to disturb security.
Bahram Vahedi, Surna Hashemi, Arash Rayegi, Payam Shakiba and Mohammad Hassan Janidi were sentenced
to a year of prison while Alireza Firouzi was sentenced to a year and four months of prison.
Hassan Madadi, the university official, currently works in the Science Ministry. (Peik-e-Iran Website – Sep. 7,
2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to 3 years of prison for PMOI links
According to reports from ward 209 of Evin Prison, political prisoner Hamed Yazar-lou, a
space aeronautics specialist was sentenced to three years of prison after spending more than
six months in the notorious ward 209 in an undetermined state.
This was orally announced to the 28-year-olds lawyer, Mrs. Qanavi. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 9, 2009)
Dissident Sunni cleric sentenced to 10 years of prison in exile
Ayoub Ganji, a religious and civil rights activist in Kurdistan was sentenced to 10 years of
prison in exile by the Special Clerical Court after being detained for 17 months.
This cleric was arrested by intelligence agents in Kurdistan with an arrest warrant from the Special Clerical
Court in Hamadan after making a speech in 2007 in which he criticized the government.
He was detained in solitary cells in the Intelligence Detention Centers for 4 months and was then taken to the
Hamadan Central Prison where he is still detained. He is suffering from problems in his digestive system. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 13, 2009)
Kurd man sentenced to 25 years of prison and another’s faith is unknown
Kurdish Media: Vahid Nabizadeh, 23, from Gabrabad Village in Salmas who was arrested few days earlier
condemned to 25 years of prison. Nabizadeh was arrested a year ago on charges of cooperating with a dissident
Kurdish party and was released on bail later. He is to be transferred from Salmas Prison to Karaj Prison.
Bahman Karimi, university student from Javanrood, was arrested after presidential election and taken to
unknown location. His family complains that they have no news on his faith despite their constant enquires.
(Kurdistan Media – Sep. 13, 2009)
Student activist sentenced to prison
The former secretary of the Lorestan Office for Consolidating Unity was sentenced to prison on charges of
acting against national security.
Moslem Zamani, a political activist who was also a member of Moussavi's election staff was arrested on charges
of leading illegal groups to disrupting national security and was recently freed on a 20,000 dollar bail. He was
summoned to court and tried yesterday in the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Khorramabad.
According to reports, he was sentenced to two years of suspended prison for five years. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Sep. 16)
Female political prisoner sentenced to five years of prison for intending to visit children in Camp Ashraf
According to reports from the female section of Evin Prison, the five year prison term
in exile to Gohardasht Prison sentence of political prisoner Kobra Banazadeh Amir
Khizi was confirmed by a court of review.
The 56-year-old political prisoner was sentenced by Mohammad Moqissei, known as
Naserian who was a member of the 'death commission' responsible for the death of
thousands of political prisoners in the 1988 massacre, for intending to visit her
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children in Camp Ashraf. She was arrested by intelligence agents in the Tehran International Airport. This is
while she had a legal visa from Iraq and was arrested a few moments before her flight.
She was charged with intending to visit her children in the company of other mothers (of Ashraf residents) in
Camp Ashraf, having 900,000 tomans, saffron, clothes and nuts with her (when she was arrested at airport), and
carrying out activities in line with the goals of the PMOI. Kobra Banazadeh has suffered from eye problems, and
partially lost her eyesight, and is in danger of going blind. Two of her brothers, Hamid and Asghar Banazadeh
who are currently in Gohardasht Prison in Karaj have been sentenced to 2 years of prison for visiting their
family in Camp Ashraf. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 23,
2009)
Student sentenced to 32 months of prison
Ali Kanturi a student activist who was arrested in the widespread arrest of leftist
students in 2007 and had been freed on bail was sentenced to 32 months of prison by
Tehran's Revolutionary Court. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 27, 2009)
Protester sentenced to five year prison term
Alireza Eshraqi, who was arrested in the events after the elections, was taken to the 26th branch of the Tehran
Revolutionary Court to have his sentence announced to him.
He was charged with acting against national security by insulting the leader, insulting the president, and
attending illegal gatherings and sentenced to five and a half years of prison by this court. This is while he did
not have a lawyer. This political prisoner has been severely tortured to give false confession on TV and he came
to court with a broken head and bandaged hand. He is currently detained in the Quarantine Section 7 of Evin
Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 28, 2009)
Kurd political prisoner sentenced to 10 years of prison
The Saqez Revolutionary Court sentenced a 25-year-old Eqbal Zareie from the Vashhadre Village in Saqez to 10
years of prison. He was charged with cooperating with dissident Kurd parties and spreading propaganda against
the government. The court denied the right of a lawyer to Eqbal and he was trialed without a lawyer. (Iran News
Agency – Sep. 29, 2009)
Lawyer who attended protest march sentenced to 28 months of prison
A lawyer who was attacked by plainclothes agents in a peaceful march was sentenced to 28 months of prison for
defending himself. This lawyer who is also a postgraduate law student was beaten by plainclothes agents in a
peaceful post-election march in Shadman Street. He defended himself against one of the agents, but because he
was filmed in this scene, he was identified and arrested a few days later.
"We went to court and when the judge said that my client was charged with defying a (government) agent I
announced to the judge that if the person my client defended himself against is an agent, why is he not present
in the court. But the court ignored my explanation and sentenced my client to 28 months of prison only on the
grounds of the film", his lawyer said. (Nurooz Website – Sep. 29, 2009)
Leftist student activist sentenced to five years of prison
A trial was held today for Keyvan Amiri-Eliassi, a leftist student activist in the 28th branch of Tehran's
Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Moghiseh.
A few minutes after the end of the trial, the judge announced that he was sentenced to five years of prison.
Eliassi was arrested in 2007 when a large number of students were arrested. He was detained in ward 209 of
Evin Prison for 59 days before being freed on a 50,000 dollar bail. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters –
Sep. 29, 2009)
October
Women's rights activists sentenced to 6 months of prison
Jelveh Javaheri, an activist in the One-Million Signature Campaign (advocating
change in the Islamic Republic's constitution regarding women's rights) was
sentenced to six months of prison on charges of 'conspiring to act against national
security' by the 30th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
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Her lawyer, Mina Jafari said that she was arrested outside Tehran's Silk Gallery on June 12, 2008 with eight
other women's activists and was charged for being a member of the One-Million Signature Campaign.
This is while some of the detainees arrested on that day were cleared of the charges and their case was referred
to the general courts. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 2, 2009)
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These sentences were issued while their lawyer and the prosecutor's representative were not present in court.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 14, 2009)
Student sentenced to 3 years of prison
In a strange and illegal measure, the case of Majid Ashraf-nejad, a leftist student who was
sentenced to 3 years prison suspended for 3 years, was returned to the 28th branch of the
Revolutionary Court and was turned to 3 years of prison and a 20,000 fine.
Officials have said that the reason behind this measure is the existence of two news charges in
his case. Majid Ashraf-nejad is a member of the Freedom Loving Students for Equality who was
arrested in 2007 and released some time later on bail after a few months of prison and torture.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 16, 2009)
Five labor activists sentenced to prison
The Khuzestan Court of Review confirmed the sentences of five members of the Labor Syndicate of the Haft
Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory. Reza Derakhshan a member of this syndicate said that this court confirmed the
sentences issued by a Court of First Instance a while before. According to him, the workers were each sentenced
to one year of probation and one year of prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 17, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to 5 years of prison
The head of Staff 88 (supporters of Moussavi and Khatami) was sentenced to five years of prison by the 15th
branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran.
Farzam Ardalan, the lawyer of Sayed Shahabeddin Tabatabayi said, "My client's sentence was announced to me
yesterday and I will appeal the sentence in the legal time that I have". (Ayandeh Website – Oct. 18, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to five years of prison
The lawyer of Hedayatollah Aqayi, a member of the Kargozarane Sazandegi Party who was a suspect in the show
trials after the elections announced that his client was sentenced to five years of prison.
"My client's sentence was announced to me yesterday and I will appeal it", Alireza Jafarian said.
"My client received this final sentence on charges of disrupting public order by causing sedition and unrest,
instigating and encouraging people to revolt, spreading propaganda against the Islamic Republic of Iran by
participating in illegal gatherings, causing doubt in elections results, creating distrust in the officials of the
country and acting against national security by gathering and conspiring to disrupt security", he said. (Green
Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 18, 2009)
Three political prisoners sentenced to heavy prison terms
Unofficial reports say that Kian Tajbakhsh, Ahmad Zeidabadi and Massoud Bastani were
sentenced to 28 years of prison all together.
According to the E'temad daily, Kian Tajbakhsh, a university professor was sentenced to 15
years of prison while Zeidabadi, Secretary General of the Office for Consolidating Unity
was sentenced to 7 years and Bastani, a journalist was sentenced to 6 years of prison.
Another prisoner identified as Moussa Shah-karami was also sentenced to 27 months of
Zeid Abadi prison by the Revolutionary Court. (JRS website – Oct. 19, 2009)
Iran must overturn sentences issued by post-election 'show trial'
Amnesty International has urged the Iranian authorities to overturn a 15-year prison sentence imposed on an
Iranian-American academic for his alleged part in the protests following the June presidential election. Kian
Tajbakhsh, a social scientist and urban planner, was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on
Tuesday following a mass trial of more than 100 people accused of organizing the protests. 'The 'show trial' that
has so far led to the imprisonment of Kian Tajbakhsh and a number of other reformist politicians and
journalists, as well as the imposition of at least four death sentences, was grossly unfair and a travesty of justice,'
said Malcolm Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme. Media
reports say that the charges against Tajbakhsh included espionage, co-operation with an enemy government, and
acting against national security…
Amnesty International has called on the Iranian authorities to overturn immediately all sentences passed
following the mass trial and to release all those detained in connection with it unless they are to be tried fairly
on recognizably criminal charges. (Amnesty International – Oct. 21, 2009)
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society, distributing instigating CDs and announcements amongst gatherers and seditionists", his lawyer added.
(Fars state-run News Agency – Oct. 28, 2009)
Iran illegally prevents jailed Iranian sociologist from appealing 15 year prison term
The International Human Rights Campaign of Iran announced today that judicial officials in Iran in charge of
the case of Kian Tajbakhsh, an Iranian- American sociologist who has been sentenced to 15 years of prison for
alleged efforts to overthrow the government, have prevented his lawyer from appealing his sentence in breach of
Iranian law.
Tajbakhsh was sentenced to 15 years of prison in a court of first instance on October 20. According to Iranian
law, the defendant has 20 days to appeal the sentence by making a new case. Ten days after the issuing of this
sentence, judicial officials have continuously prevented his lawyer from making a new case.
According to a source close to the Tajbakhsh family, officials have said in answer to the protests of his lawyer
that 'this is our law and we can do whatever we want with it". (International Human Rights Campaign in Iran–
Oct. 29, 2009)
Female political prisoner sentenced to 3 months of prison and a year of probation
According to reports from the Semnan Revolutionary Court, political prisoner Tayebeh Nabavi has been
sentenced to three months of prison and one year of probation.
This political prisoner was arrested two months ago by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence and taken to
solitary confinement has been deprived to visit her 3-year-old child. She has been under severe pressure from
intelligence agents and has been kept in severe conditions and in an undetermined state. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 29, 2009)
Freelance journalist sentenced to five years of prison
Reza Rafiyi-Forushani, a freelance journalist charged with espionage was sentenced to seven years of prison and
5 years of probation.
Mohammad Oliayifard, his lawyer said in this regard, "After his family asked me to represent him I went to the
15th branch of the Revolutionary Court but they did not accept my mandate because they said that the sentence
had been issued. This is while following some research I realized that Mr. Rafiyi's sentenced had not been issued
then and that they had lied to me".
"They forced my client to read a pre-prepared text and to make false confessions by promising him his freedom",
he added. (Until the Freedom of Journalists Weblog – Oct. 29, 2009)
EU condemns jail sentence for British employee in Iran
The European Union condemned Thursday a reported jail sentence in Iran handed to a British embassy worker
and expressed solidarity with Britain.
In a statement, the EU 'expresses its deep concern over the four-year prison sentence imposed on Mr Hossein
Rassam, an employee of the British embassy in Tehran, which represents an attack on normal diplomatic
activity'.
The EU considers the sentence unjustified and harsh, and urges the Iranian authorities to overturn it swiftly,'
said the statement, issued by Sweden which holds the bloc's rotating presidency.
'The presidency reiterates that any action against one EU country (a citizen or member of embassy staff) is
considered an action against the entire EU, and will be treated accordingly,' it said. (AFP - Oct 29, 2009)
November
Student activists sentenced to two years of prison
Surosh Sabet, a leftist student activist was sentenced to two years of prison in an verdict issued by
Judge Moqiseh in the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. The sentence was
announced to his lawyer, Mahnaz Parakand, today. This student has been charged with
participating in gatherings and conspiring to disrupt national security. (Committee of Human
Rights Reporters - Nov. 2, 2009)
Student activist sentenced to 3 years of prison
Amir Aqayi, a leftist student activist, was sentenced to a three year suspended prison term.
Amir Aqayi, who studies at the Rajayi University was arrested on December 3, 2007 during the widespread
arrest of leftist students and was released on bail on January 23. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 3, 2009)
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Abdullah Momeni's wife told website Mowjcamp, which backs defeated candidate Mirhossein Mousavi, that
Momeni was sentenced to six years for taking part in post-election protests and two years for previous activities
concerning national security.
Several other post-election detainees have received jail terms and three people have been sentenced to death,
according to Iranian media.
Last week a court sentenced a man to seven years in jail and 74 lashes for post-election activities, Mowjcamp
reported.(Reuters – Nov. 14, 2009)
Active Azeri couple sentenced to one year of prison
The third branch of the Tabriz Revolutionary Court sentenced Alireza
Farshi and his wife Sima Didar, two Azeri activists in Tabriz to one year of
prison.
They were charged with spreading propaganda against the system by
chanting slogans and holding banners advocating national rights of the
people of Azarbaijan in a ceremony on May 22 in the El Goli Park in Tabriz
and giving reports to news websites. (Savalan Sassi Website – Nov. 17,
2009)
Regime sentences five political prisoners to prison
The Revolutionary Court in Saqez sentenced five young people in this city to prison terms in a show trial
without their lawyers.
These men were arrested by security institutions in the past few months on charges of cooperating with
dissident Kurd parties.
According to the court verdict, Himan Fatehi was sentenced to two years of prison while Heiwa Azari, Ata
Ardongi, Khaled Azizpur and Davood Riahi were each sentenced to one year of prison. (Iran News Agency –
Nov. 16, 2009)
Regime sentences man to six years of prison
Seyed Ali Asghar Hosseini said, "According to a verdict issued by the court, my client Mr. Ali Behzadian-nejad
has been sentenced to six years of prison".
"In the indictment read out by the prosecutor in court, my client was charged with disrupting public order and
spreading propaganda against the government. I was surprised to see that in the verdict that was issued my client
was sentenced to five years of prison on the charge of conspiring to disrupt national security which was not even
in the indictment and he was sentenced to one year of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the
system".
Ali Behzadian-nejad is the nephew of Qorban Behzadian-nejad, the head of Mir Hussein Moussavi's election
staff. (Parliament News – Nov. 18, 2009)
Political activist sentenced to three years of prison
The head of the 28th branch of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran sentenced Sayid Habibi, the
former head of organizations at the Office for Consolidating Unity and a current member of the
Committee of Human Rights Reporters, to three years of prison on charges of spreading
propaganda against eh Islamic Republic and gathering and conspiring to act against national
security. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 21, 2009)
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Ezami was arrested by Bassij forces on June 14 while going out to buy a Mother's Day gift. He was tortured in a
detention center and was transferred to Evin Prison after some time. He was once again tortured in the
interrogations in Evin Prison to make false confessions. He has currently been transferred to ward 350 in this
prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 21, 2009)
Cleric sentenced to six years of prison
Five government agents went to the home of political prisoner Mohammad Ali Abtahi, taking him along, to
search his home in the morning and subsequently took him to court where he was sentenced to six years of
prison for five allegations made against him.
Abtahi was once again taken to prison after his sentence was announced to him. (Ayandeh Website – Nov. 21,
2009)
Iran sentences student activist to one year of prison
According to reports, Nader
Ahsani, a student activist who
was arrested on Student Day
in 2007 was trialed by the
head of the 28th branch of the
Revolutionary Court, Judge
Moqiseyi, and sentenced to
one year of prison.
Moqiseyi, who was a member
of the 'death commission'
responsible for the death of
thousands of political
prisoners in the 80's
announced to Ahsani's
Nader Ahsani Surosh Sabet
lawyer on November 21 that
his client was sentenced to one year of prison for spreading propaganda against the system.
According to other reports, a number of other student activists were sentenced to prison including Mr. Sayid
Habibi sentenced to three years of prison, Mehdi Geraylu, 5 years of prison, Keyvan Amiri Eliasi, 5 years,
Mohammad Allahyari sentenced to two years of prison and Surosh Sabet Dashtestani , who was sentenced to
two years of prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 21, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to 5 years of prison
Ahmad Zeid Abadi, a journalist and Secretary General of the Office for Consolidating Unity was sentenced to
five years of prison.
Zeid Abadi was transferred to court in the morning where his five year prison term which has to be served in
exile in Gonabad (Khorasan Province) was announced to him. This is while this court increased his bail from
$250,000 to $350,000 and his family has to try to gather this new sum of money. (Committee of Human Rights
Reporters – Nov. 23, 2009)
Iran sentences man to 6 years of prison and 74 lashes for 'insulting government officials'
Ali Tajernia's lawyer said that his client was sentenced to six years of prison and 74 lashes by the 26th branch of
Tehran's Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Pir Abassi.
"My client was sentenced to five years of prison on charges of gathering, conspiring and intending to disrupt
public security, one year of prison on charges of spreading propaganda against the government and 74 lashes for
insulting government officials", his lawyer added.
Ali Tajernia is a member of the Participation Front who was arrested on June 19 and released on a 1000 dollar
bail on November 7. (ILNA state-run news agency – Nov. 24, 2009)
Female political prisoner sentenced to 4 years of prison
Atefeh Nabavi, a student activist who was arrested in post election protests on the night
of June 15 was sentenced to four years of prison by the 12th branch of the Revolutionary
Court.
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She was trialed last week in this branch and sentenced on charges of 'disrupting public order' and 'gathering and
conspiring against the government by attending illegal demonstrations'. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov.
24, 2009)
Azeri activists sentenced to heavy prison terms
According to reports from Tabriz, Fardin Morad Pour was sentenced to six years of prison and his brother
Morteza Morad Pour was sentenced to three years of prison. Fardin Morad Pour was shot in the shoulder by
security forces upon his arrest on the third anniversary of the Azerbaijan protest in Tabriz.
According to this report, Fardin was taken to an unknown location by agents of the Ministry of Intelligence
from Tehran from 3 pm to 8 pm and was threatened and interrogated for several hours.
Other reports said that 11 other Azeri activists arrested on the third anniversary of the Azerbaijan protests in
Tabriz were also sentenced to 3 to 6 years of prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 25, 2009)
Security forces sentence two Kurds to prison
Two young Kurds from Ashnavieh identified as Hasan Yusefi and Qader Yusefi who were arrested a few days
ago by agents of the intelligence agency were sentenced to prison terms by a court in this town.
Hasan Yusefi was sentenced to 10 years of prison while Qader Yusefi was sentenced to three years of prison.
They were accused of supporting a dissident (Kurd) party and spreading propaganda against the government.
(Kurdistan Media – Nov. 26, 2009)
Kurd man sentenced to six months of prison for political beliefs
Ali Allah Veisi, a Kurd man in Sanandaj was sentenced to six months of prison. The first branch of the
Revolutionary Court in Sanandaj sentenced him to prison on charges of 'advertising and promoting the Komala
Party'. His sentence is subject to appeal.
Allah Veis was arrested last month by security forces in Sanandaj. He was jailed in a detention center in this city
for 2 moths before being released on bail. He was kept in a solitary cell for 50 days in very hard conditions.
(Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Nov. 28, 2009)
Female political activist sentenced to 6 years of prison
The lawyer of Hengameh Shahidi said that his client was sentenced to six years,
three months and one day of prison.
Mohammad Mostafayi announced this and said, "I went to inquire about
Hengameh Shahidi's case today to the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court and
the head of the office announced the sentence to me".
"She was sentenced on charges of acting against national security by gathering and
conspiring to disrupt the security of the country by participating in the seditions
on Saturday June 17". (ILNA state-run news agency – Nov. 30, 2009)
Young man who was arrested before elections sentenced to prison for post election protests
Naser Barzegar, 24, who was a conscript and graduated from the Saveh University with a management degree
was sentenced to two years of prison by the Revolutionary Court.
This Islam Shahr resident was tried in a show trial on charges of being a member of a political dissident
organization and participating in events after the elections even while he was arrested before the elections.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 30, 2009)
December
Iran confirms heavy sentence of student prisoner
The heavy sentence of student prisoner Hasan Tarlani who was sentenced to 10 years of
prison to be served in exile in the Central Prison of Kerman was confirmed in the 31st
branch of the Supreme Court. This sentence was confirmed without the presence of
Tarlani and his lawyer Nasrin Sutodeh. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran –
Dec. 2, 2009)
Political prisoner sentenced to nine years of prison
The lawyer of Saeid Leilaz said that the initial sentence of his client had
been issued.
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"The court of first instance has issued a nine year prison sentence for the charges of Saeid Leilaz", his lawyer
Seyed Mahmoud Alizadeh Tabatayi said.
"Some of his charges are participating in illegal gatherings and keeping confidential evidence", he added. (Fars
News Agency – Dec. 2, 2009)
Kurd man sentenced to five years of prison
A resident of Maku named Ibrahim Ahsan was sentenced to prison by the Revolutionary Court in Khoy.
This political prisoner has been imprisoned for more than a year and was sentenced to five years of prison on
charges of cooperating with a Kurd opposition party. He is currently detained in Orumieh Prison serving his
time. (Kurdistan Media- Dec. 5, 2009)
22 post election detainees sentenced to jail and lashes
The finalized sentences of 22 offenders who were arrested in recent events and their cases were seen to in the
Revolutionary Court in Tehran was sent to the Revolutionary Court Sentence Execution Department.
According to these sentences 18 of them were sentenced to prison terms from 4 months to 4.5 years while
others were sentenced to paying a fine and being lashed. (ILNA state-run news agency – Dec. 7, 2009)
Regime sentences student activist to six years of prison
Mohammad Pour-Abdollah was sentenced to six years of prison in the Revolutionary Court
today.
This student activist who was arrested on February 12 was sentenced in the 15th branch of
the Revolutionary Court this morning.
Pour-Abdollah was jailed for the first 300 days in Evin Prison's ward 209 and was then
moved to Qezel Hesar Prison where dangerous criminals are kept. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Dec. 9, 2009)
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The dossiers of 12 Shiraz University student activists, who were suspended from education because of protest
gatherings last year on Student's Day and their files were referred to the Science Ministry's Disciplinary
Committee, were once again referred to the Science Ministry for heavier punishments and these students were
summoned by the Shiraz University Disciplinary Committee. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 12, 2009)
Iran sentences women to 3 years of prison for PMOI links
Ozra Qazi Mir-Sayid was sentenced to three years of prison by the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court in
Tehran on charges of setting a bomb in 2004 and distributing announcements in favor of the People's
Mojahedin Organization of Iran in post election events. (VOA TV – Dec. 15, 2009)
Court sentences Hamedan student activists to prison terms
According to a sentence announced to Dr. Shojapoorian, the lawyer of four members of the Central Committee
of Hamedan University's Islamic Association, Siavosh Hatam, Secretary General of the Islamic Association,
Seyed Reza Jafarian, political secretary, Pouria Sharifian, Secretary for Student's Affairs and Mehdi Mosafer,
Cultural Secretary, were each sentenced to one year of prison by the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in
Hamedan. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 15, 2009)
Iran sentences two Shiraz Univ. students to heavy prison terms
Seyed Hamed Kavusi, who was arrested in Shiraz University on November 4, was sentenced to three years of
prison by the second branch of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court.
According to his lawyer, Farshid Yadollahi, he was charged with acting against national security by participating
in illegal gatherings, running these gatherings and spreading propaganda against the government in favor of
dissident groups and organizations by chanting slogans against the Velayate Faqih (the Leader) and officials.
According to other reports, Mohammad Tabe Mohammadi, another arrested student was sentenced to four
years of prison. Forty-five other students were also sentenced to paying a fine, short prison terms and suspended
prison terms. (JRS – Dec. 29, 2009)
Regime sentences journalist to 8 years of prison
Massoud Lavasani, journalist and blogger who was arrested late September was sentenced to eight and a half
years of prison after his court was postponed a number of times.
This is while he is in a bad condition in prison and his visits have been limited. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Dec. 23, 2009)
Iran sentences leading reformist to six years
An Iranian court has sentenced prominent reformist Abdollah Ramezanzadeh to six years in prison on charges
including acting against national security, the Fars news agency reported on Thursday.
Ramezanzadeh, spokesman for reformist former president Mohammad Khatami, was arrested on June 14 in a
crackdown on mass protests against the disputed re-election of hardline President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad two
days earlier.
'Branch 15 of the revolutionary court announced that the court of first instance has sentenced Ramezanzadeh,
one of the defendants from the recent incidents, to six years in prison,' Fars said.
'Acting against national security, propaganda against the Islamic republic and keeping confidential documents
were among the charges against him,' it added.
Ramezanzadeh pleaded not guilty on all counts at a late-November hearing, Iranian media reported at the time.
He said in September that he had been severely beaten when he was arrested, as had his son, and that he was
then being held in solitary confinement.
He is a leading member of the main reformist party, the Islamic Iran Participation Front.
Ramezanzadeh has been given a four-day prison leave until Sunday after he paid bail of 8,000 million rials
(800,000 dollars), the report added. (AFP - Dec 24, 2009)
Cultural activists sentenced to 5 years of prison
Pezhman Moussavi Rahimi, a cultural activist and member of the Cultural Arts Shadow Association was
sentenced to 5 years of prison. He was sentenced to two years of prison and three years of suspended prison by
the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Ahwaz.
The Cultural Arts Shadow Association is a NGO which is active in the cultural, arts and social fields in Ahwaz.
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Right to employment
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"Although we do know that on the day the office of the Human Rights Center was shut down, Mrs. Sobhani
who was in the office at the time tried very hard to prevent its shut down and also to publish news of this event
and she was threatened on the spot", this source added. (Rooz Website – Jan. 18, 2009)
Iran destroys Khavaran Cemetery to cover up
massacre of 30,000 political prisoners buried
there
There has been news that the Iranian regime is
trying once again to cover up its crimes in
Khavaran Cemetery. Following the banning of a
ceremony in Khavaran Cemetery to
commemorate the 20th anniversary of the
massacre of political prisoners in the 80's,
security forces have tightened their control on
this cemetery and have chained the only
entrance. From then on, families who came to
this cemetery were not allowed to enter through
the main entrance… (According to witnesses) it
seems that they have leveled some of the areas in
Khavaran and have dumped fresh soil on the
areas where families have identified as being mass graves. They have also planted trees in other areas in this
cemetery. (Human Rights Activists in Iran - Jan. 19, 2009)
African hairdresser deported from Iran because of fixing "western" hairstyles
An African women who had illegally set up a salon in northern Tehran and styled western style hair for young
men and women was arrested and deported from Iran. (Farda News state-run website - Jan. 19, 2009)
Arak University newsletter shut down because of "insulting sanctities"
Negah-e No student newsletter has been shut down in Arak University for six months. The Committee for
Supervision on Student Newsletters wrote in a letter that this newsletter has not followed rules and has insulted
the sanctities and therefore banned its publishing permit. This is while this letter was given to members of the
Islamic Association secretly. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan. 18, 2009)
Yasooj Municipality destroys newspaper stands without prior notice
A number of newspaper stands in Yasooj were either destroyed or damaged by the municipality's barrier forces
in this city without any prior notice. In this move, the stand of ILNA news agency was also destroyed. This is
while this news agency had not received any notices from the municipality on violating any rules. (Iran Press -
Jan. 19, 2009)
Managing Director of Hemophilic Center arrested for criticizing "slow treatment of patients"
The attorney of the Hemophilic Center of Iran announced that the Managing Director of this center had been
arrested.
"The arrest warrant for Ahmad Qavidel was issued by the 6th branch of the Government Employees Court on
charges of publishing lies according to the complaints of the Ministry of Hygiene and Treatment, and he is
currently detained in police station number 48".
"A few days ago Qavidel stated that the process of treatment for hemophilic patients is slow and this was wrongly
published by the Motevaqef News Agency", his attorney said on the reason for Qavidel's arrest.
"This is while according to a court sentence it was determined that this treatment process is slow". (Fararoo
website – Jan. 28, 2009)
Disciplinary Committee interrogates two Khabar College student activists
According to reports Ehsan Mazandarani and Mohammad Sadeq Chenari, two Khabar College activists, were
interrogated after being summoned to the Disciplinary Committee this week. In the interrogations, these two
students were asked to write explanations and give the details of a recent meeting they had. (E'temad Meli state-
run daily – Jan. 29, 2009)
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February
Agents search imprisoned woman activist's house; beat husband
and roommate
Agents of the Special Security Court in Tehran raided the home of
Nafiseh Azad, a women's rights activist and member of the Million
Signature Campaign who was recently arrested, and took her
personal belongings and roommate with them. In this violent
search, her husband Vahid Maleki and her roommate Elnaz Ansari,
also a member of this campaign, were beaten by security forces and
her husband was also handcuffed during the search. (Taqir Baraye
Barabari website (Change for Equality) – Feb. 3, 2009)
Boo-Ali Sina University student newspaper shut down for
criticizing government
Rastaran Newspaper published by Boo-Ali Sina's Islamic Association which criticized the actions of the
government was closed. According to the Cultural Department and this university's cultural assistant, the
publishers of this newspaper will be severely dealt with and will be summoned to the Disciplinary Committee.
(Iran News Agency – Feb. 4, 2009)
Newspaper shut down for "insulting officials"
Iran's Attorney General announced that Hemat daily has been shut down by the Media Supervision Committee.
"Hemat daily has been shut down by this committee for insulting top state officials", Dari Najaf Abadi said.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 4, 2009)
Babol Noonshirvani University officials shut down student's Islamic Association
After announcing that the Office for Consolidating Unity is an illegal organization, the officials at Mazandaran
University closed Noonshirvani Technical College's office of the Islamic Association.
Officials even broke the doors and windows of this office and built a wall in its place. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
Feb. 5, 2009)
Students threatened not to testify for student suicide case
The Protection Department of Beheshti University threatened students who announced their willingness to
testify in the case of Shahrooz Keshavarz, a Beheshti University Ph.D. student who committed suicide, to
suspension from university. The Protection Department has called all these students threatening them that they
will be suspended or even expelled from university should they testify. This department demanded that students
stay silent on this case. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 8, 2009)
Ex-prisoners forced to participate in Revolution day parade
According to reports from Bukan, close to 300 prisoners who were previously freed on bail were pressurized to
participate in February 10 parades (to mark the 30th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution) by the Intelligence
Department in Bukan. This Department has threatened these ex-prisoners that if they do not participate in this
parade they will be detained once again. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 10, 2009)
Local daily taken off stands for calling Iran a "terrorist" country
According to reports, on February 7 after a local newspaper in Hormozgan published a report, it was gathered
from all newspaper stands in this city. The Sobhe Sahel (Morning Beach) daily, which has been active for more
than 24 years, had reported that an Iranian ship was evicted in the waters of Cyprus and called Iran a "terrorist"
country in its report.
No decision has been taken on the future activities of this newspaper but according to an official, it will
probably be shut down for a while and its editors will be dealt with. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 8, 2009)
Newspaper editor trialed in court for "instigating others to act against national security"
The jury of the Media Court voted that the editor of the Nameh Monthly Paper, Keyvan Samimi, was guilty as
charged. This trial was held yesterday in the 76th branch of Tehran's Penal Court presided over by Modir
Khorasani. The jury voted that Samimi was guilty on two counts: "publishing anti-Islamic items by promoting
articles damaging to the government and inducing people and groups to take measures against national security
and the Islamic Republic". (Bamdad Khabar website – Feb. 10, 2009)
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Sayideh (Keanu) Abdollahi, a student at Gorgan University's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
passed away due to the negligence of dormitory supervisors.
Last night Keanu had a heart attack and given that there was no ambulance at the dormitory and dorm
supervisors did not allow students to call emergency centers saying, "We make the decisions here", the
ambulance did not arrive in time and Keanu died on the way to the hospital.
University officials have claimed that Keanu committed suicide and have even called her family stating that she
died after committing suicide.
This is the second time in this year that a girl has died in this dormitory due to the lack of emergency medical
facilities, wrong decisions and limitations set by dormitory supervisors. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – March
3, 2009)
SSF close down underground music studio in Tehran
The head of the fourth base of Tehran's Public Security Police said, "Last week in Tehran Pars, an illegal studio
which produced music clips for underground singers was identified and shut down".
"This studio was situated in Jashnvareh Street and worked as an illegal studio under the cover of music classes ",
added Seifoallah Jafari. (Qalam News – March 11, 2009)
Murdered activists body secretly taken to Karaj,
Family not allowed to have funeral
According to reports from Karaj, the Intelligence
Agency has secretly taken the body of Heshmat
Saran, a political activist who died suddenly and
suspiciously in prison, to Sakineh Cemetery and
has prevented his family from having a burial
ceremony for this political activist.
His family only found about the Karaj transfer
after constant pursuit of Saran's body.
Intelligence agents have told Saran's family that
his body has to be buried under their supervision and the location they say, but they avoid giving straight
answers to this mourning family. These agents have also threatened the Saran family that if Saran's friends and
acquaintances come to the funeral, the funeral will be prohibited.
The prevention of Amir Heshmat Saran's funeral is yet another piece of evidence that they murdered him in
prison. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 8, 2009)
Three elderly family members of Ashraf residents transferred to Evin's ward 240
According to reports from ward 209 in Tehran's Evin Prison, three men and women who were arrested on
January 16 while intending to visit their loved ones in Camp Ashraf in Iraq have been transferred to ward 240
in this prison.
These prisoners are Asieh Bandelu, 70, her husband Ali Poureqbal, 73 and Amin Rezayi.
On March 16, when the family of these prisoners came to visit with them they were told that these prisoners are
banned from receiving visitors until further notice and that they had been transferred to ward 240 as
punishment. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – March 17, 2009)
European Union condemned violation of Human Rights in Iran
Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on Human Rights in Iran on the occasion of
the 33rd Anniversary of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
The EU, while commending the positive developments achieved by the Iranian people in the social, educational
and cultural spheres, wishes to express its concern regarding the violations by the Islamic Republic of Iran of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which it has signed and ratified.
Amongst these violations are the arbitrary arrests, harassment and other repressive measures against a number of
the women rights activists of the “One million signatures” petition and the Maydaan movement. The European
Union strongly condemns this harassment and calls on the Iranian authorities to release the imprisoned Alieh
Aghdam-Doust and Ronak Safarzadeh and to drop charges against Nafiseh Asad for their
participation in a peaceful campaign for gender equality. (Council of the European Union – Mar. 18, 2009)
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50% of arrestees were detained less than a month: General Prosecutor of Shiraz
“Our findings shows that about 50% of arrestees spent less than a month in prison, implying that there was no
need detaining them,” Shiraz’s Revolutionary and General Prosecutor said.
“Number of admissions to prisons across Iran is about 600,000 and should you consider each family having five
members then about 3,000,000 people were involved with prison problems,” Jaber Baneshi added in annual
conference of General Convention of societies supporting prisoners in Fars Province this afternoon. (Fars, state-
run news agency – May 22, 2009)
Former head of mullahs’ Majlis admits to suppression and insecurity of whole nation
Karubi, a presidential candidate and former Majlis (Parliament) president admitted to suppression in the society
and public disgust for the Iranian regime in a televised speech.
"Authorities are creating limitations for people, are violating their rights… The widespread candidate
disqualifications disenchant people and so we hear that people say 'whoever they want will become (president)'",
he said. "These days neither our teachers and professors, nor workers and students have security… they are all
exasperated,” he added. (Iranian State TV, 1st Network– May 24, 2009)
June
Drivers forced to post Ahmadinejad election poster on car
Tehran's Tourist Institutions and Car Rental Union, has forced its drivers to post election posters of
Ahmadinejad on their cars.
"Drivers who refused to post these posters have faced problems", an informed source said.
According to this report, Tehran's Tourist Institutions and Car Rental Union has asked drivers who refused to
post the election poster to hand in their driver's licenses under the pretext that they want to "to solve some of
their problems", but this union has invalidated their licenses instead. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – June 4, 2009)
Iran's presidential election amid unrest and ongoing human rights violations
Iran’s presidential election on 12 June, will take place against a backdrop of discrimination, worsening
repression of dissent and violent unrest. In the run-up to its tenth presidential election from which women
candidates have been barred, the country has witnessed the arbitrary arrest and harassment of activists and
members of minority communities, censorship, armed attacks and suicide bombings.
Another issue requiring urgent action from the new president is the execution of juveniles for crimes committed
when they were children. "At least 139 juveniles are on death row in Iran," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. "
The organization has expressed its concern about Iran’s discriminatory selection process for electoral candidates,
which involves the Council of Guardians screening all candidates for election to "ensure their suitability for the
Presidency".
The four remaining candidates are: current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad; former Speaker of Parliament
Mehdi Karroubi; Mohsen Rezai, former Commander of the Revolutionary Guards and current Secretary of the
Expediency Council; and Mir Hossein Mousavi, who served as Iran’s Prime Minister during the Iran-Iraq war in
the 1980s. Iranians have faced censorship during the campaign: the authorities blocked access to the social
networking web sites Facebook and, briefly, Twitter on 23 May..
In the pre-election period, Amnesty International has also received reports suggesting increased waves of
arbitrary arrests and harassment targeting in particular members of Iran’s religious and ethnic minority
communities, including Baha'is and converts from Islam, students, trade unionists and women’s rights activists.
At least two Amir Kabir University students remain detained without trial by the Ministry of Intelligence in
Section 209 of Evin Prison in Tehran following their arrests in February 2009. Other students arrested with
them who have since been released have said that they were tortured in detention. On 28 April 2009, a
Revolutionary Court judge said that eight students, including those still detained, had been accused of
cooperating with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran, an opposition group based in exile. He added
that they had intended to carry out some activities in the universityî during the forthcoming election.
"By imprisoning people for merely expressing dissenting views, the Iranian authorities are stifling the free debate
which is a pre-requisite of elections," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. "Citizens should be able to freely express their
grievances and their demands so that candidates can address them." "All individuals and groups should be
allowed to peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly, including in ways
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which dissent from state policies and practices, in the run-up to the presidential election."(Amnesty
International website – June 5, 2009)
Iran bans families from holding funeral for those killed by suppressive forces
The bodies of Sunni men who were recently killed in a clash in Sanandaj were handed over to their families.
The parents of the young men killed after security agents raided a party of a Sunni man in Sanandaj, received
their bodies after a few days. Their funeral was held at night by orders of security forces and with the presence of
only a few people. Security forces banned their families from holding any kind of ceremony.
After security agents raided a party in Sanandaj on Wednesday, three young religious activists and an Iraqi
national were killed. A number of other people were injured or arrested. (Sunni news – June 7, 2009)
RGC terrorist corps crackdown protestors under pretext of ‘Velvet Revolution’
On Saturday… An AFP correspondent touring riot-hit areas reported a heavy police presence around the
interior ministry, while a bank building was burnt to a shell and the road to Tehran University's student
dormitory locked down.
'Last night after midnight they came to our door, Taghi went to open the door and they arrested him right there
and pushed him into a car,' said Narges Mohammadi, wife of Taghi Rahmani, a prominent dissident who has
previously been jailed for harming national security.
Iranian authorities said all unauthorised demonstrations were banned in the wake of the vote, and even before
Friday's election the elite Revolutionary Guards had warned it would put down any 'velvet revolution.' (AFP -
June 14, 2009)
Iran's Revolutionary Guards issue warning to media
Iran's most powerful military force is warning online media of a crackdown over their coverage of the country's
election crisis.
Iranian reformist Web sites as well as blogs and Western Web sites like Facebook and Twitter have been vital
conduits for Iranians to inform the world about protests over the declaration of election victory for hardline
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The government barred foreign media Tuesday from leaving their offices to report on the street protests. (AP –
June 17, 2009)
European Union’s 27 leaders urged not to recognise Ahmadinejad’s reelection
Reporters Without Borders is extremely worried about the state of free expression in Iran, one week after the
announcement of the results of its presidential election.
The press freedom organisation therefore wrote today to the leaders of the European Union’s 27 member
countries reiterating its call not to recognise Ahmadinejad’s reelection.
“If President Ahmadinejad does not agree to respect press freedom, he must be made to see reason,” the letter
said. “A clear and unequivocal rejection of the election results by European leaders could force Ahmadinejad to
yield. The nuclear stakes in Iran must not serve as a pretext for saying nothing. This is not the time for timid or
cautious statements.”
“The European Union and its member countries must not falter in their defence of freedom of expression,” the
letter continued. “No government would have recognised the results of such a sham if it had taken place
anywhere in Europe. Must the normal standards be abandoned because it is Iran? That would be a stab in the
back for all the Iranian citizens who believed their ballot could change their destiny.”
At least 18 journalists have been arrested since 12 June. We are without news of many others. Iran was already
the Middle East’s biggest prison for journalists before the presidential election. Now, with at least 30 journalists
detained, it has become the world’s second biggest prison for the media, ahead of Cuba and just behind China.
Reporters Without Borders has been told that journalists and activists held in Tehran’s Evin prison are being
put under a lot of pressure to make filmed “confessions” acknowledging their “participation in a velvet
revolution.” The press freedom organisation has also received many allegations of torture. (Reporters Sans
Frontières - 19 June 2009)
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Its members are found in schools, universities, state and private institutions, factories, and even among tribes.
Basij forces are widely used to help to maintain law and order and repress dissent, and have frequently been
accused of using extreme brutality. Many of those who took part in the recent demonstrations claim non -
uniformed and armed personnel, whom they believed to be members of the Basij militia, used excessive force
and carried out human rights violations - including beatings and use of firearms - against demonstrators on the
streets.-
A video of a member of the Basij shooting from an building used by the Basij during the demonstrations on
Monday 15 June in which at least 8 people were killed should have triggered an immediate investigation by the
authorities and clear instructions should have been issued to prevent further loss of life. -
Another video of a young woman identified as Neda, dying apparently from a chest wound, has been widely
circulated amid claims of involvement of Basij members. The response of the Iranian authorities has not been to
open a proper investigation to clarify the circumstances of any death but rather to issue further warnings that
protests will be handled in a ‘revolutionary manner’ by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the Basij
militia and other police and security forces. 'Iranians wishing to peacefully express their opposition to recent
events surrounding the election have no space to do so, as they are met with violence that has been legitimized
by the highest authority in the land,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Deputy Director of the Middle East and
North Africa Programme.
“It’s time for the Iranian authorities to allow peaceful protest and to remove the Basij from the streets. The
policing of any demonstrations should be left to the police or other security forces which are properly trained
and equipped.'
13 people were killed according to the authorities and many more were injured. According to the government,
over 400 people were arrested. Another demonstration of about 1,000 people in Tehran on Monday has been
met with tear gas and arrests. “Recent statements from the police, who denied opening fire on protestors, and
from the Tehran Prosecutor-General, who blamed the killings on ‘armed terrorists’, look like an attempt to
disassociate state organs from responsibility for violence,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui. -
“This is all the more reason to stop using the Basij as there is no way for the public to even identify them, let
alone bring them to account for violations. If the Iranian authorities are not able to control such a militia, they
should disband it. It is irresponsible to provide weapons and then to relinquish responsibility when abuses
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occur”. Amnesty International calls on the Iranian authorities to investigate fully all reports of death, including
possible extrajudicial executions, and to bring anyone found responsible to justice. (Amnesty International -
June 22, 2009)
Trying to hide evidence of abuse and silence any critical voice, Amnesty International
The Iranian authorities must immediately release dozens of journalists arrested since
12 June and who are at risk of torture in detention, Amnesty International said today
as it adopted all of them as prisoners of conscience. “It is shocking that journalists -
whose job it is to provide information to others - are being detained, on top of all the
other draconian measures the authorities have taken to restrict the free flow of
information about what is really happening in Iran.”
Rather than trying to investigate alleged abuses, the only message the authorities are
sending is that they are seeking to hide the truth, both from their own citizens and the
rest of the world.”
Since the announcement on 13 June that President Ahamdinejad had won the
election, the Iranian authorities have imposed severe restrictions on freedom of
expression. Access to the internet has been blocked or significantly interrupted.
Iranian publications have been banned from publishing information about the unrest.
Foreign news journalists have been banned from the streets, and some foreign
reporters have been expelled from the country. “If nothing else, the authorities must immediately disclose the
whereabouts of these journalists, ensure that they are not tortured or otherwise ill-treated and allow their
families and lawyers access to them,” said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui .
” Unless the authorities lift all unlawful restrictions on freedom of expression - which includes the right of
journalists to report on events - and release all the journalists arrested, we can only assume they are trying to
hide evidence of abuse and further silence any critical voice.“ (Amnesty International – June 26, 2009)
How Iran is filtering out dissent
If the Iranian regime hesitated over tactics when protests erupted over the 'theft' of the presidential elections by
Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, it was well prepared on one front: internet censorship is both routine and highly
developed in the Islamic Republic, so when the crackdown came it was swift and - fairly - effective.
Iran uses what the OpenNet Initiative calls 'one of the most extensive technical filtering systems in the world'.
Internet providers are required to go through state-controlled gateways. Reformist websites, Flickr, foreign blogs,
and social networks such as Facebook were all sporadically blocked before the elections, but censorship
intensified once the unrest began.
Filtering has become much heavier in the last fortnight. 'It is very bad,' says a keen internet user in north
Tehran. 'They're tightening the circle.' The internet is said to be running at less than a tenth the speed it usually
does. (The Guardian– June 30, 200)
How Iran is filtering out dissent
If the Iranian regime hesitated over tactics when protests erupted over the 'theft' of the presidential elections by
Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, it was well prepared on one front: internet censorship is both routine and highly
developed in the Islamic Republic, so when the crackdown came it was swift and - fairly - effective.
Iran uses what the OpenNet Initiative calls 'one of the most extensive technical filtering systems in the world'.
Internet providers are required to go through state-controlled gateways. Reformist websites, Flickr, foreign blogs
and social networks such as Facebook were all sporadically blocked before the elections, but censorship
intensified once the unrest began.
Filtering has become much heavier in the last fortnight. 'It is very bad,' says a keen internet user in north
Tehran. 'They're tightening the circle.' The internet is said to be running at less than a tenth the speed it usually
does. ‘The authorities can filter a new website within 24 hours,' said Mahmood Enayat, an Iranian expert at the
Oxford Internet Institute. (The Guardian– June 30, 200)
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July
Regime controls gravesite of those killed in protests
According to reports, intelligence agents guard the gravesite of those who were killed by security forces in
Tehran's Behesht Zahra Cemetery to prevent any sort of gathering at the site. According to this report, only
relatives are allowed to pay tribute to the graves and all other people are banned from visiting the gravesite. (Iran
News Agency – July 3, 2009)
Newsweek reporter faces Iran trial: lawyer
TEHRAN - Newsweek journalist Maziar Bahari and a number of reformist leaders in Iran are to face trial
accused of 'acting against national security,' their lawyer Saleh Nikbakht told AFP on Saturday.
'Bahari is accused of acting against national security, and I still have not been able to meet him despite going to
the prosecutor's office several times,' Nikbakht said.
He is also representing a number of reformist leaders detained in the aftermath of the June 12 presidential
election, and said that all of them face the same charge.
'Any kind of interview and confession by these people who are being held in prison is invalid under the law and
the Iranian constitution,' Nikbakht added. (AFP - July 4, 2009)
Security forces bring police dogs into Tehran Univ.
Security forces in Tehran University use police dogs in the university. Security measures in Tehran University
have reached very high levels and despite the fact that the university and dormitories are closed, officials use
dogs as a heightened security measure.
It is still not clear why the dogs have been brought to the university. These dogs are kept by the hedges outside
the Central Library Building. (Iran News Agency – July 4, 2009)
Intelligence agents raid internet cafes in Kurdistan
In a sudden raid by intelligence agents to internet cafes, a number of people were arrested. It has been a while
that intelligence agents in some Kurdistan cities suddenly storm internet cafes and arrest people who were in
political websites or were doing political activities via their emails. These people are then transferred to
detention centers.
A number of young Kurds have been arrested in these raids and have been subjected to severe torture. These
sudden raids started a few days before elections and have been continued in some Kurdistan cities. (Kurdistan
News website – July 8, 2009)
New wave of satellite roundup in Tehran
Security forces have started a new round of confiscating satellite dishes and antennas in Tehran.
This started from yesterday in some of Tehran's regions. According to this report, State Security Forces went to
houses in Amir Abad and Seyed Khandan and rounded up the satellite equipment from houses. (Aftab state-run
daily – July 12, 2009)
Torture and abuse to extract confession
One of the detainees in Mashhad Prison said security forces blindfolded him, cuffed his hands and legs and
brought him to this prison at about midnight from the State Security Forces Command Center in Mashhad.
From the beginning of his arrival he was constantly tortured by security forces who were wearing blue or white
shirts. He had to answer their questions or else he would be tortured.
Ismail, another prisoner said that they were not allowed to see their families.
"What we all noticed in prison was that we might not have a way out of here, because they have closed off all
communications with the outside. They don’t even let us see our families", he said.
Hossein, who was severely tortured and had stitches in the corner of his eye and mouth said, "From the very first
night they have constantly subjected us to torture and they have flogged us with cables and chains". (Iran News
Agency – July 13, 2009)
"Leaders of unrest" will be trialed
The main elements of the unrest and a number of their leaders will soon be trialed. In light of the acquired
evidence and documents and also the confessions made by the heads of the unrest, these trials will soon be held.
There is extreme pressure on the Judicial Systems to not put these people on trial but in light of fact that their
counter security crimes have been proven, their trials are definite. (Jahan state-run website – July 13, 2009)
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Regime accuses detained Babol university students of bombings and links to PMOI to pave way for heavy
sentences
After a bomb attack in the office of Babol's Medical Science University President was thwarted, a number of the
Nunshirvani Industrial University students who are members of the students' branch of terrorist groups were
arrested.
A number of these students who are responsible for leading and organizing the recent unrest in the Nunshirvani
Industrial University resorted to planting bombs, but fortunately, they were identified and arrested.
These students are Nima N., Ali T., Mohsen M., Iman S., Hamid J., Siavosh S., Hesam Aldin B., from
Nunshirvani and Mohammad A. from the Mazandaran Payame Noor University who were after destroying the
healthy atmosphere of the university.
Some time ago, there was news that Farshad A. was active in commading these movements. He is a student in
this university whose father is an active member of the Monafeqin (used to refer to PMOI meaning hypocrite)
who is in Ashraf Camp in Iraq. (Fars state-run news agency – July 16, 2009)
Security forces search home and office of prominent lawyer and women's activist
After the illegal arrest of Shadi Sadr by plainclothes agents on July 17 in Keshavarz Boulevard while she was
trying to go to Friday Prayers, her husband, Hossein Neilchian said that a number of government agents who
introduced themselves as security police, searched her home and office. They confiscated some documents and
papers and two computers which belonged to her husband and her daughter. This search went on for hours and
in the presence of the lawyer's 10 year old daughter and agents even searched her room. (Amir Kabir Newsletter
– July 18, 2009)
Security forces prevent ceremony for student killed in prison
Yesterday at about 4pm, people who had come to take part in a mourning ceremony for Mohsen Rooh al-Amini
in the Balal Mosque in the Seda and Sima (state-run TV) were met with notices saying that "the Rooh al-Amini
family has announced that the ceremony to be held in the Balal Mosque has been postponed to a different
time".
Security forces and riot police were stationed in all the sidewalks in Valiasr Street and around the Seda and
Sima building.
When the crowds grew larger, security forces on motorcycles armed with clubs passed through the crowds trying
to disperse them. A plainclothes agent attacked a young man intending to arrest him but was prevented by some
of the women on the scene.
According to reports, security forces treated the women and girls passing on the sidewalk with indecency. In
some cases security motorcycle patrols used very obscene language when addressing the girls. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – July 26, 2009)
Parents of tortured and killed protester not allowed to publicly mourn son
Ramin Qahremani was released from prison 15 days after he went to court to prove his innocence. He came
back with a tortured body and died two days after as a result of the torture in his mother's arms.
His family is under severe pressure not to publish the reason behind the death of their son. They buried their
son under strict security measures. After the funeral, they were threatened by security forces that they had no
right to "cry loudly and wail" over the grave of their loved one. Five members of this family have been
hospitalized as a result of this kind of pressure. (Nooruz website – July 27, 2009)
Neda's mother not given permit for ceremony on 40th day of Neda's passing
The mother of Neda Aqa Sultan said that they were not given a permit to hold a ceremony for the 40th day of
her death.
"We wanted to hold Neda's ceremony in the mosque in Nilufar Square but they did not give us a permit. Of
course we actually wanted to have the ceremony in the Behesht Zahra Cemetery hall but we were not given a
permit". (Saham News state run website – July 27, 2009)
August
Iran's Mousavi says protesters confessed after 'torture'
Iranian OPPOSITION leader Mir Hossein Mousavi said on Sunday that confessions made by protesters at a
closed-door trial were made after they were put through 'medieval-era torture.'
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'The scenes that we saw were a clumsy preparation for the launch of the 10th government,' Mousavi said on his
website Ghalamnews the day after 100 people were put on trial over post-election protests.
'They expect a court, which itself is fraudulent, to prove that there was no fraud committed in the election,' said
Mousavi, who was defeated by incumbent President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in the June 12 election.
'What are they trying to convince people of... by relying on reports from reporters nobody has heard of and
relying on confessions which obviously bore the hallmarks medieval-era torture?'(AFP – Aug. 2, 2009)
Top Iran official says opposition chiefs must be tried
A top Revolutionary Guards official called on Sunday for Iran to put on trial the main opposition leaders who
are campaigning against the re-election of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad.
Yadollah Javani, the head of the elite force's political bureau, said a plot to topple the Islamic regime through a
'velvet coup' has been exposed.
'The question is who were the main planners and agents of this coup. What is the role of Khatami, Mousavi and
Karroubi in this coup?' he said, referring to former president Mohammad Khatami and defeated presidential
candidates Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi.
'If they are the main agents, which is the case, judiciary and security officials should go after them, arrest them,
try them and punish them,' he said in an article in Sobh-e Sadegh, the Guards' weekly journal. (AFP – Aug. 9,
2009)
Revolutionary Court sets heavy bail for release of unrest prisoners
On Sunday August 9, more than 100 family members of detainees gathered outside the Tehran Revolutionary
Court and demanded the release of their loved ones.
In fear of more protests, the Revolutionary Court was finally forced to release the names of 28 prisoners who
could be released on bail. The bail set for most of the prisoners was more than 10,000 USDs. A number of the
families who could not afford or provide this amount of money and who could not even pledge any other
ownership document worth this much protested the amount of bail. But court employees treated them cruelly
telling them that this is the final bail and that if they want to free their children they should go after providing
the money or else their children have to say in prison. They were also told that the bail amount was set
according to the crimes the prisoners committed. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 9,
2009)
Amnesty urges Iran to allow observers at 'show trials'
'The trial now going on in Tehran appears to be nothing but a 'show trial' through which the Supreme Leader
and those around him seek to de-legitimise recent mass and largely peaceful protests,' said Amnesty chief Irene
Khan.
The aim of the mass trial of more than 100 people detained amid unrest after June 12 presidential polls was to
'convince a very sceptical world that Mahmoud Ahamdinejad was re-elected fairly for a second term as
president,' she said.
'It is vital, therefore, that there is an international presence to observe the proceedings at this trial and uphold
the rights of the defendants, and I urge the Iranian authorities to allow this.'… she added. (AFP – Aug. 11, 2009)
Qom cleric: claimers of sexual abuse of prisoners should be arrested and trialed
A cleric heading Friday Prayers in Qom said regarding some claims of the sexual abuse of prisoners in the recent
unrest, "The people want their representative to arrest and punish the person who made such claims".
"Saying such lies is not in the favor of the country and government and the minimum expectation of the people
is that these people be trialed", he added. (Fars state-run News Agency – Aug. 14, 2009)
Head of notorious Bassij: Karubi should receive 80 lashes for disclosing rape of prisoners
Despite the fact that about two weeks have gone by since the publishing of an open letter by Karubi in which he
has asked Rafsanjani to pursue the case of the sexual abuse of prisoners in the events after elections, this letter is
still a controversy in political circles in and outside the country.
Mehdi Taaeb, a cleric (deputy head of the RGC, Head of Bassij – the Revolutionary Guards Corps’ subordinate
paramilitary force), said that Karubi had stepped out of the boundaries of law.
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The member of the Central Council of the Islamic Revolution Rahpuyan Community said, "The issue of
freedom of speech is only up to the point that no one should step out of the boundaries of the law and that no
one should speak contrary (to the law) but some people have stepped out of the law and the judicial system
should summon them".
"In Islam, if someone accuses a pious man or woman of a immoral act and cannot prove this with four
witnesses, first of all this person is a sinner and corrupt unless he repents and secondly he has to receive 80
lashes", he said. (Sarmaye state-run daily – Aug. 16, 2009)
Iran puts another 28 vote protesters on trial
Iran staged another mass trial on Sunday for 28 people arrested over the post-election unrest.
The latest court action brings to around 140 the number of people being tried in mass hearings for offences
linked to massive demonstrations that erupted after Ahamdinejad's June election victory.
The 27 men and one woman who appeared in court on Sunday were accused of a range of offences including
participation in illegal rallies, vandalising public property, 'hurting' security forces and 'following the line of
foreign media,' according to an indictment.
There were no well-known political figures among the defendants and in comments reported by local media,
several denied the charges against them. (AFP – Aug. 16, 2009)
Iran Religious official: government shoots protesters but denies family right to mourn dead
Ayatollah Yusef Sane'ie, a religious official, said in a speech addressing a group of clerics in Gorgan, "Today,
they (government) are terrified (that the people acquire) even the slightest knowledge. They are afraid of one
person calling another person. They are afraid of cemeteries. Is the cemetery a bank which they (so called
troublemakers) can set fire to?"
"The family has come to the gravesite of their martyr and they say thank you for shooting him in the heart, at
least let us pray at his grave and mourn his death.
Prisoners are under extreme pain. They are the prisoners of ruthless people... There is a lot of pain when
confession are taken under duress… What is wrong with releasing them for the month of Ramadan and say that
you can go home and then come back for the trial. This is how they can release all prisoners… Let the people
whose young have been killed go to their graves and pray for them in Ramadan… You do not know what it
means to lose a child… then they target his heart and then they say he got meningitis (referring to Mohsen Roh
al-Amini who was killed under torture in prison) and I don’t know what else. They say there are contagious
diseases in prison. Well, who is responsible for this breakout? Those who are responsible are responsible for
these infectious diseases as well. We keep them in prison with infectious diseases. Do not forget that this is all
just a game. (Ayandeh Website – Aug. 19, 2009)
Ahmadinejad's website demands punishment for dissident cleric
Ahmadinejad's website called requested that Ayatollah Sane'ie and Qalibaf be lashed. The 'Sanieh News'
website, which belongs to Ahmadinejad’s son, pointed to Sane'ei's recent speech and a recent statement by
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf who said that one of the ministers in the past administration drank alcohol and
another was corrupt, and requested that they be punished. (E'temad state-run daily – Aug. 19, 2009)
Iran cleric calls for arrest of opposition leaders
A powerful Iranian cleric called on Friday for the arrest of opposition leaders, accusing them of seeking to
topple the Islamic republic after the disputed re-election of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad.
'Desire to topple (the regime) would have led to the greatest tyranny ... They incited riots. Some have been
arrested ... Why were the leaders not arrested,'
asked Ahmad Jannati, head of the powerful Guardians Council, said at Friday prayers in Tehran.
'Everyone knows that they are the origins of the plot and corruption, but they are linked with some (powerful
people),' he said in a sermon broadcast live on state radio.
'This (arrest of leaders) is the first thing that must be done.' (AFP - Aug 21, 2009)
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Jail rape victim who dared disclose rape humiliated and interrogated in Islamic Republic
Mehdi Karubi has made the letter of detainee public in answer to those who said that he does not have
documents to back his claims of sexual abuse of Kahrizak Prisoners. He has said that this is only a small part of
his documents, which he will publish, and if this goes on, he will publish more documents.
This letter reads in part:
It was days that I had gotten a little better and was able to put this issue aside and not think about suicide
anymore and begin to live again…
The episode of Thursday August 25 was much different. It was about 2 pm when three people came to Mr.
Karoubi's office from the Judiciary and put an interrogation form in front of me – I don’t know if I was the
accused or the complainant – Judge Moqadami and two others started interrogating me (regarding the rape
charges I had made).
They told me that they could not be sure I was telling the truth and that I was making serious charges. I was
questioning the whole holy system. How can we know that you were not enticed into this?, they asked me...
When I told them that it seemed they had forgotten what the real issue was, they supposedly started asking me
questions regarding the (rape) issue. Questions like how far did it go in and was the person (who committed the
rape) satisfied or not? These questions shattered my spirit even more than before…
Then they asked me to go to a doctor with them and despite the fact that I told them that I did not feel well and
had dizzy spells, they disagreed and we went to the doctors… On the way there, they told me not to be fooled by
these political games…
The doctor told me that he would give me two letters so that the doctors that I went to before could write the
treatment I had undergone so far, but the government agent did not give me such a letter. I told him that I saw
the doctor give you the letter but he denied this. When I was waiting for the doctor's answer, the agent told me
that he did not think anyone would do such a thing. Then he accused me of lying and said, "Do you know what
will happen to you if you can't prove it?" Then he said that even if something had happed, you should not have
said anything and that I should have "let God deal with it". "Now you have brought dishonor for yourself and
your family", he said…
Today, they came and talked to my neighbors and asked a number of questions about me and my family. What
does this mean except that they are trying to scare me about this issue going public? (Saham News website –
Aug. 24, 2009)
SSF colonel uses position to settle personal scores in street protests
Ahmadi Moqadam, the head of the State Security Forces had prevented the imprisonment of a corrupt SSF
colonel.
This colonel who it seemed had an illegitimate relationship with the wife of a doctor and had clashes with this
doctor for this reason. The colonel used his position to take revenge against the doctor, arresting him under the
excuse that he participated in the protests and severely abuses him in prison.
According to this report, the innocent prisoner finally tells his story to a judicial official who had come to the
prison. The judicial official orders his release and orders that the issue be pursued. This leads to the arrest of the
SSF colonel. The day after his arrest, Ahmadi Moqadam went to see the judicial official and said, "Why have
you arrested our revolutionary forces in such a time of crisis?" And in this way, the corrupt colonel was freed.
(Green Wave of Freedom Website – Aug. 24, 2009)
Karubi: rape victims do not feel safe to disclose jail rape
Mehdi Karoubi has introduced four people who had protested election results and were raped in custody to a
parliament committee.
Karoubi has told the MPs that those who were raped in custody do not feel safe to tell their story.
The activists and reports of the parliament committee in the past weeks have led to many criticisms. There have
been reports that judicial officials did not cooperate with this committee. The E'temad daily quoted Kazem
Jalali, the committee spokesman, as saying that the members of the committee were not allowed surprise visits to
all detention centers and were not allowed to see all the detainees. There were also not allowed to publish what
they saw or heard. (Deutsche Welle – Aug. 25, 2009)
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Special Parliamentary Committee leaks info to abusers and some members resign
One day after a member of the Special Parliamentary Committee announced that it has been proven that
detainees were raped with clubs and soda bottles, there have been reports that a number of independent
members of this committee have been severely put under pressure and threatened.
According to this report, MPs in this committee established to pursue the condition of current detainees, who
had been under pressure from before, have gone under more pressure after a disclosure yesterday in the official
website of the minority parliament fraction.
A source in the parliament has said that from the establishment of this committee by Ali Larijani, some
members have been threatened publicly or secretly several times and have each gone to the parliament speaker
and announced their resignation from the committee. But Larijani, has told them not to publicly announce
their resignation for now and keep on working in the committee.
According to reports, Parviz Sarvari, the head of the committee who openly supports Ahmadinejad gives the
information from the research done by this committee to the government instead of giving it to related officials.
In this way, they clear their tracks from the crime scenes and threaten the complainants and protesters into
silence. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Aug. 27, 2009)
September
Karoubi: rape witness has disappeared
Mehdi Karoubi, a presidential candidate who is dissatisfied with election results has announced that one of
'witnesses of jail rape' has disappeared. In a letter published in the Saham News Website on Tuesday, Mehdi
Karoubi said that the former Tehran Prosecutor, Saeid Mortazavi is responsible for anything 'horrible' that
might happen to this person and his family. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 2, 2009)
Judge requests capital punishment for student on charges of visiting family in Ashraf
According to reports, political prisoner Hamed Yazerlou was
taken from Evin Prison's ward 209 to Tehran's Revolutionary
Court (TRC) and was tried on charges of waging war with
God.
The 28-year-old space aeronautics specialist was taken to the
28th branch of TRC on August 30 and tried by Mohammad
Moqaissei. Moqaissei is a member of the death commission
responsible for killing thousands of political prisoners in the
1988 massacre in Iran.
The representative of the prosecutor first requested that
Yazerlou be sentenced to death. He accused Yazerlou of,
waging war with God by furthering the goals of the PMOI,
participating in family celebrations and reunions, gathering info of political prisoners including Hood Yazerlou,
his brother, participating in mountain hikes and soccer games with the presence of his family, participating in
ceremonies in the Husseineih Ershad, having email communications with his family in Camp Ashraf,
participating in student gatherings and protests, gathering speeches and ceremonies of the PMOI and other
charges. His mother Nazila Dashti is also jailed in the women's section in Evin while his brother Hood Yazerlou
is detained in ward 4 of Gohardasht Prison in Karaj. They have each been sentenced to three years of prison for
illegal visits with their family in Camp Ashraf. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 4, 2009)
Families banned from visiting loved ones in prison
On Monday September 7, about 150 families of detainees who came to Evin Prison to visit their loved ones
were banned from seeing them.
Like always, only a small amount of families visited their loved ones in prison and a large number of families
who have not seen their family members for more than 3 months were once again deprived from visits. This is
while many of them have no information on the physical and mental condition of their jailed relative. These
families were only able to give some clothes and money for their loved ones in prison. (Human Rights and
Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 7, 2009)
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committee is reported to have recently submitted information to a parliamentary committee set up to investigate
abuses .
The seized records contain information which would enable the judicial authorities to identify the former
detainees who were prepared to speak out on confidential basis due to their fear of reprisals and the shocking
nature of their ordeal . (Amnesty International Website – Sep. 10, 2009)
Intelligence agents arrest merchant in Tehran because of daughter in Camp Ashraf
Mohssen Dokmechi who is a 50-year-old merchant in Tehran's Bazaar was arrested after intelligence agents
stormed his shop in the Bazaar. The agents initially went to his home and searched and destroyed his personal
items. They confiscated some of his belongings including picture albums, computer, telephone, and
identification documents.
Dokmechi gave financial aid to families of political prisoners. He was previously threatened and arrested a
number of times for this reason.
According to reports, he was arrested this time because his daughter is in Camp Ashraf and for giving financial
aid to families of political prisoners. (Human Rights Activists and Democracy in Iran – Sep. 11, 2009)
Iran to Islamize universities
The head of the Cultural Assistant of the Science Ministry said that new rules have been announced and are in
the process of being carried out for spreading virtue and the Hijab in universities.
Gholamreza Khajeh Sarvari said that a special committee on the Hijab and moral issues has been established by
the Science Ministry and this committee will examine the current situation of the Hijab in universities.
According to Sarvari, the Science Ministry has designed various forms of coverings and this will be put on show
by the Jihad Department in universities.
He also stressed on what he called 'Islamizing universities'. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 12, 2009)
Iran’s Supreme Leader Issues New Warning
Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, warned opposition leaders Friday of a “harsh response” if they
continued speaking out against the government, a move that analysts said opened the way for their possible
arrest....
Ayatollah Khamenei said Friday that the system tolerated differing opinions but that it would confront what he
called “lies and rumors,” in what analysts saw as a reference to the charges of rape and torture of prisoners. In
the past, he has said that if such accusations were true, those responsible should be punished, although he
stressed that the reputation of the Islamic republic was, in the end, more important than any violations.
”Confronting the system and the principles of the establishment, resisting it and drawing a sword against it will
have a harsh response,” he said in the speech, which was broadcast live on state-run television . (The New York
Times – Sep. 12, 2009)
Iran to hold fifth hearing Monday in protesters' mass trial
An Iranian revolutionary court is to hold on Monday the fifth hearing in a mass trial of protesters accused of
rioting after the June presidential election, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Some reporters for Iranian media will be admitted to the 9:00 am (0430 GMT) hearing before the Tehran
revolutionary court but foreign media will be barred, IRNA said. (AFP - Sept 13, 2009)
Judge intentionally postpones trial of imprisoned student activists to keep her in undetermined state
According to reports from the Revolutionary Court, the trial of student political prisoner Shabnam
Madadzadeh and her brother Farzad was postponed 7 months after they have been kept in an undetermined
state in Evin Prison's ward 209.
This student activist and her brother were recently told that on Sunday September 13 they will be tried in the
28th branch of the Revolutionary Court presided over by the head of this
branch, Judge Mohammad Moqissei, who was a member of the 'death commission' responsible for the execution
of thousands of political prisoners in the 1988 massacre.
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On Sunday morning, the Madadzadeh family who had come all the way from Tabriz to Tehran with their lawyer
to this court was told in the last minute that the trial will not be held. They have still not been given a new court
schedule for the next trial. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 13, 2009)
Elderly mother forced to sign agreement saying that her son was not killed under torture
According to reports from the Shahpour Detention Center, the mother of a man killed under torture in the
Shahpour Detention Center was summoned to this detention center and forced to sign an agreement saying
that her son was killed due to natural causes and not under torture.
Mahin Shad-pour, 67, the mother of Hossein Tavakoli Barazjani who was killed under torture in this detention
center in 2008, and Abbas Tavakoli Bararzani who is currently in ward 6 of Gohardasht Prison in an
undetermined condition, was put under pressure and threatened after she disclosed the death of her son.
Agents from the Shahpour Detention Center called her several times in the past threatening her that she should
not inquire about her son's death, otherwise they will sentence her other imprisoned son to death and the life of
the other members of her family especially young girls in her family will be put at danger and they will
disappear.
After she was threatened and intimidated in these phone calls or in person, she was summoned to the detention
center on Wednesday September 9. She was interrogated by major Narimani along with three other agents for a
few hours.
"We will execute (your other son). Don’t say a word because no one is going to hear you anyway. It's a waste of
time and no one will listen to you. You will endanger the others in this way", Major Narimani told her. Then he
put the paper in front of her and said that she had to sign it to prevent future incidents. In the agreement, it
stated that her son Hossein Tavakoli Barazjani, 33, died of natural causes and that she did not want to press
charges against anyone. Mrs. Shad-pour initially disagreed but was threatened by the major that she would be
arrested and detained. Narimani said that if she did not sign the agreement, she would be arrested with her
other children on charges of conspiring and that they had a warrant for this arrest. She was finally forced to sign
the paper. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 15, 2009)
Iran Guards warn of Quds Day crackdown
Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have warned of a 'decisive' crackdown if OPPOSITION supporters stage
demonstrations at a Quds Day rally on Friday, the official IRNA news agency reported.
'We are warning people and the movements who want to help the Zionist regime that if you seek any disruption
or disorder during the glorious Quds Day rally, you will be decisively confronted by the courageous children of
Iran,' the Guards said in a statement.
But this year the Quds Day rally is expected to see opponents of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad stage
demonstrations against his hotly disputed re-election in June.
IRNA quoted the statement as saying that the Guards, the police and the volunteer Basij militia would confront
any 'divisive and anti-revolutionary movement'.
'The enemies of the regime and the revolution and those who were defeated in the recent election are trying to
take revenge for what happened on election day,' the Guards said, referring to the official election results giving
Ahamdinejad a landslide victory which his rivals have rejected.
The Guards also said that there was a plan by 'foreign networks, especially the Zionist regime's intelligence
service to create disruption and division in the people's united movement.' (AFP - Sept 17, 2009)
Hardliners beat, detain Iran OPPOSITION supporters at rally
A group of hardliners, dressed in plainclothes and riding on motorcycles, beat several Iranian OPPOSITION
supporters with batons and detained them as they were returning from the annual Quds Day rally in Tehran on
Friday, witnesses said.
'The plainclothes men on motorcycles rode into the crowd of OPPOSITION supporters as they were returning
from the rally, detained several of them and beat them with batons,' a witness told AFP, adding the incident
occurred at Haft-e Tir Square in the city centre. (AFP - Sept 18, 2009)
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husband take turns every day to visit the General Prosecutor's Office, aka Dadsara, in the hope of finding some
clue as to why their loved one was arrested Aug. 28 and whether she would be released anytime soon. Their
ordeal offers a glimpse into the attempts of thousands of families to find loved ones who were detained in the
crackdown following the disputed June 12 presidential election. Often without lawyers, an accountable system,
and the rule of law, families are forced to handle the nightmare of a complicated legal bureaucracy on their own.
They very rarely have any information about the whereabouts, health, or conditions of their loved ones. In
addition, the prisoners themselves are denied medical care and legal representation and do not even know on
what charges they have been arrested.
Fariba Pajooh's lawyer Nemat Ahmadi has not yet seen his client. Ahmadi was out of town when Fariba was
arrested. When he returned a week later, not much he could do …Two days after the arrest, the family received
first word from their daughter. Three women had seen Fariba brought to the Dadsara that morning. Fariba had
told them she was in solitary confinement in Section 209 of the Evin Prison, controlled by the Intelligence
Ministry.
She also allegedly said she was being pressured to confess to espionage and immoral behavior and that she had
been threatened with execution if she refused…
'They usually tag an immorality label on women as evidence of extramarital relationship,' said Hamid Reza, a
close relative of Fariba's. 'Things that are normally considered positive - being sociable and making friends easily
- are used as negative traits against prisoners. Fariba is an extremely kind and friendly person. They claim to have
listened on to her phone conversations as proof of her promiscuity. Maybe they want to frame someone else and
destroy him and are using Fariba as a scapegoat,' said the relative…
Mrs. Pajooh tried to visit her daughter at Evin Prison, but was told those in solitary are not allowed to receive
visitors.
'It's more than a month that our lives have turned upside down,' said Mrs. Pajooh. 'I can't do my work. The
most I can do is sit in front of the computer and check the Web sites. Fariba's face comes in front of my eyes.
Nothing is important to me anymore… (AP – Sep. 19, 2009)
RGC banns injured post election protesters from receiving medical files from hospital
The Sarallah Base in Tehran (RGC Base) has announced in a confidential and immediate announcement to the
Ministry of Health that hospitals do not have the right to hand over the medical records of those who were
injured or wounded in the recent events after the elections.
"Handing over medical records and documents to all those injured and wounded in the recent events is
banned", this announcement said. The commander of the Sarallah Base is Mohammad Hejazi.
This announcement is signed by second brigadier general Ali Khalili, the assistant head of support and the head
of the Medical Committee of the Tehran Sarallah Base and was announced (to hospitals) by the Ministry of
Health on July 26. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 21, 2009)
Iran officials intentionally keep families of detainees in the dark about jailed loved ones
According to reports, more than 100 family members of recent detainees who were mostly arrested on
September 18 (in the Quds Day protests) held a protest gathering outside Tehran's Revolutionary Court and
Evin Prison today. They demanded information on their loved ones and their release from prison. The names
of the new detainees have not been confirmed by the Revolutionary Court yet.
One of the methods the Revolutionary Court uses to harass families is not confirming the names of the
detainees for a number of days. This causes grave concern for their families and puts great pressure on them.
Another method, used especially to harass the mothers of detainees is that when the mother goes to have the
name of her child confirmed as an arrestee in the Revolutionary Court and shows her ID card, she is told that
her ID card is not acceptable and that she has to bring her husband's ID car or the detainee's ID card. This is
while the name of the detainee has been documented in her ID card as her child. In light of this, the anxious
mother is forced to go back to her home, it is sometimes a long journey, and come back the next day with her
husband's ID card to get an answer.
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The families of detainees were told today to go home and that they cannot do anything for them and in this
way, they evade answering the families. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Sep. 21, 2009)
Iran summons Karoubi to court
Mehdi Karoubi was summoned to court. The Advar Tahkim Website quoted Mr. Karoubi as saying that, "I will
do anything that I see as my duty and will tolerate any consequences that it might have". (VOA Website – Sep.
21, 2009)
Univ. officials threaten students in new academic year
The assistant head of Tehran University's Student Affairs started the new academic year with threats against
students.
"In light of the concerns expressed by a number of families of the students and the suggestions of a number of
student residing in the dormitory, to prevent events that disrupt the peace and security of students in the
dormitories, those who are in any way involved in organizing or participating in gatherings which lead to
violence will be dealt with according to rules", the Assistant Cultural Department said in an announcement.
This announcement has also stated that the condition for holding a gathering is getting a permit. This is while
experiences with university officials show that they never issue permits for protest gatherings, especially for
widespread protests. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 21, 2009)
Students threatened against participating in protests
It was published before that 50 students were summoned to security institutions and the Revolutionary Court
simultaneous with the opening of Tehran University and the start of university exams.
The summoned students… were told that if they participated in any of the protest gatherings in the new
academic year, their families would be subjected to extreme pressure. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 22, 2009)
Students in Iran face purge over protest fears
Authorities in Iran have launched a purge against student activists in an effort to stop the country's universities
turning into breeding grounds of protests against President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's re-election.
Several students have been jailed and others suspended from their studies in a move opponents say is intended
to create an atmosphere of fear and intimidation on campuses as the universities return for the start of the new
academic year.
Some are said to have been punished for relatively innocuous activities such as protesting about the quality of
food. The penalties were handed out after students were summoned by campus officers during the summer
break. Officials are believed to fear an outbreak of campus unrest that could reignite the widespread nationwide
demonstrations that followed June's poll, which Ahamdinejad won amid accusations from opponents of
widespread fraud.
However, student leaders say they will not be harassed into silence and will continue their activities…
In the days after the election, security forces launched attacks on students at several universities. Eight students
are believed to have died in one such attack at Tehran University. Last week three activists at the university were
arrested and taken to the city's Evin prison, according to the student website AUT news.
The latest clampdown has also targeted those at provincial institutions. One university, Mohaghegh Ardabili in
the northern city of Ardebil, which was reported to have been free of post-election unrest, suspended several
students after learning they had worked on the campaigns of the defeated reformist candidates Mir Hossein
Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi. Eleven students at Râzi University in the western city of Kermanshah were given
various punishments including suspensions, fines and being deprived of campus facilities after being found
guilty of 'disrupting order and damaging university assets'. Similar reports have come from other provincial
universities, including Bushehr, where the parents of students have been called before the authorities, and
Babol in the Caspian province of Mazandaran, where three students were sentenced to 10 months in prison.
(The Guardian – Sep. 22, 2009)
Security forces boost control of Tehran Univ. to prevent student protests
Two weeks after the opening of the Tehran University dormitories, there have been extreme security measures
taken by officials at the dorms. Plainclothes agents are very evident in the dorms and openly patrol the area
along with Protection Department agents.
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Student Bassij Forces, who sometimes do not live in the dorms can also be seen in the dorms.
A new antenna has been installed on the building adjacent to the temporary mosque in the Amir Abad region,
which according to students probably belongs to the Revolutionary Guards Corps or the Bassij. A room in the
top story of this building, which is used by security forces, is also linked to the antenna.
Some students also believe that it is used (to control) tapping devices, which have been installed in some of the
dorm rooms. On the other hand, Farhad Rahbar, the head of the university, is looking to decrease the number
of students residing in the dorms. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 22, 2009)
Head of Zanjan student association expelled and exiled to Yazd Univ.
Surosh Shekarchian, the secretary of the Islamic Association of the Medical Science University of Zanjan was
exiled to Yazd University in a sentence from the Disciplinary Committee.
He was previously suspended for a semester from university and after receiving his final sentence was transferred
to Yazd University.
He was charged with promoting illegal groups (Office for Consolidating Unity), insulting Islamic rites, and
disrupting the general order of the university. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 23, 2009)
Security forces shoot and injure tradesmen in Orumieh
A few days ago, regime forces attacked tradesmen in the Rajan Viallge in Orumieh, opened fire on them and
violently beat them.
A number of the tradesmen were wounded and taken to hospital because of the shootings. These forces,
especially their commander also threatened the people of the region to deathAccording to reports, security
forces have recently tried to force the people in this region to join their armed forces but they refused to
cooperate with them, therefore these forces have increased the pressure on them. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 23,
2009)
Officials increase control of students in Tehran's Beheshti Univ.
According to reports, in the ongoing illegal activities by the Protection Department of the Beheshti University in
Tehran, students who have criticized university officials in social internet networks, have been dealt with under
the pretext that they have insulted university officials.
The Protection Department in this university also confiscates and searches students' laptop computers and cell
phones on charges of dealing with immoral material.
Severe measures and illegal searches are also going on full force in the male dormitories. Kulivand, the head of
the dormitories who is a former assistant of the Protection Department, randomly attacks a room every night
and confiscates laptops and cell phones of the resident students. This is while five employees of the Protection
Department have criminal records in the judiciary for theft in university and complaints filed against them.
A woman identified as Rezayi who is in charge of controlling the dormitory curfew of female students and their
appearance, accuses girls of attending parties and having dates with their boyfriends if they come back after 9pm
and sends them to the Disciplinary Committee under this excuse.
Despite the fact that university officials’ claim that they have a budget shortage, it seems that the Protection
Department does not have this shortage. From the summer of last year, an ultra professional control system has
been set up in the university by the Sharq Fakhr Iman (East Fakhr Security) Company with a budget of more
than 500,000 dollars.
Every day, in addition to the normal patrols in the university by agents of the Protection Department and
Disciplinary Committee, unidentified men also patrol the university campus and constantly deal with students
for various reasons. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 23, 2009)
Isfahan students receive warning for participating in demos
The head of the Industrial Isfahan University said, "The families of 50 students who had committed offenses in
the events after the elections have received a special letter in which they were given notices".
"In this letter to the students' families, they were notified of the process and how their children created
commotion and disturbances", Gholamreza Qorbani added. "It has been seriously emphasized in this letter that
if one of these students so much as commits another wrongdoing, it will not be tolerated and they will be
decisively dealt with", said the head of the university. (Asr-e Iran Website – Sep. 24, 2009)
Judge denies bail to jailed student activist
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Two months after the arrest of Majid Dori, an expelled student activist from the Alameh Unviersity in Tehran,
despite the fact that the case interrogator had accepted he be freed on bail, Judge Hadad (Hassan Zare Dahnavi)
disagreed and demanded that this student activist be imprisoned until his trial.
Majid Dori is a member of the Council in Defense of Education and was arrested for the first time on June 23
in the events after the elections. He was freed and was once again arrested on July 9 and was charged with
having links to the Monafeqin (PMOI). (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 24, 2009)
Iran starts new wave of filtering free press
(Iran) is carrying out new measures of filtering, deleting, and attacking free press and reformist websites.
This new wave started with the activities of the 'Gerdab Group' and went on with filtering, and internet attacks
against websites and weblogs. Now it has entered a new phase by means of putting pressure on weblog servicers.
These pressures have reached the point where two famous weblog servicers, Persianblog and Blogfa are forced to
delete a large number of website, which belongs to supporters of the green movement, every day. (Green Wave
of Freedom Website – Sep. 24, 2009)
Regime forces attack and shut down students' association office in Zanjan Univ .
Zanjan's Medical Science University officials on Thursday broke the lock on the door of the Students' Islamic
Association office and emptied all the members' belongings from inside the office. This is while none of the
members of this association had received prior legal warnings.
After emptying the office, they painted over the walls. Officials have not answered as to why they have shut
down the office .
The sentences for the suspension and expulsion of the secretary of this association, Sorush Shekr-chian and the
suspension of Taimaz Amir-Aslani, a member of this association have been carried out as well. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Sep. 27, 2009)
Arrest warrant issued for student activist despite incompletion of court procedure
An arrest warrant was issued for Kaveh Rezayi, a former member of the Central Council of Bu-Ali Sina
University's Islamic Association without due process .
This former student who was expelled from university last month was sentenced to 18 months of prison but
despite his request for a retrial, an arrest warrant was issued for him without the legal procedures for a court of
review. (Azadna Website – Sep. 27, 2009)
Internet 'offenders' sentenced to 'corruption on earth'
The assistant Tehran Prosecutor and head of the Special Computer and Communications Technology Court
said that five main culprits in the case of internet website have been indicted for being 'corrupt on earth'.
"The work on the case of the immoral websites and investigations regarding the managers of these websites has
ended", Reza Jafari said. (JRS Website – Sep. 27, 2009)
No news on young man arrested 10 years ago at home
The parents of a young man who was arrested 10 years ago by security forces do not have any news on his
condition and whereabouts. In a letter to officials, they requested information on the condition of their son.
In this letter, the father of Sayid Zinâli, who was arrested in 1999 in his home, said that agents called his home
twice that year and told him that his son was in good health but in the past 10 years despite persistent pursuits
of his condition and whereabouts by his family from judicial and security institutions, they have not received
any news on his fate as yet. (Ayandeh News – Sep. 28, 2009)
Regime to station two judges in Friday's football match to sentence 'offenders' on the spot
A judicial official said that two judges will be stationed at the Azadi Stadium during the football match between
Esteqlal and Piruzi to immediately deal with offenses in the stadium.
"These two judges will issue the suitable dates for those who commit offenses", the official who asked not to be
named said. (IRNA state-run news agency – Sep. 28, 2009)
Those who honked horns in post election protests will be summoned
Tehran's Governor said, "The owners of cars who used the atmosphere of the recent unrest to harass people by
repeatedly honking their horns and blocking roads will be summoned".
"They will be questioned because they have committed road violations", he added.
While the governor of Tehran said that these people "have committed road violations", Hashemi, the head of
Tehran's traffic police said that this is a "security and intelligence issue and has nothing to do withus".
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"This issue has to be pursued through the security police", he added. (Etemad state-run Daily – Sep. 28, 2009)
Iran will deal with websites which covered protests
The head of the Special Court for Computer and Technology Offenses said that some websites that promoted
unrest, insecurity and civil disobedience (in the post election protests) will be dealt with. (Amir Kabir Newsletter
– Sep. 29, 2009)
Iran banns several Tehran Univ. students from using dorms to quell protests
The Disciplinary Committee of Tehran University has banned a number of students who reside in the
university dormitories from living in the dorms. According to a number of students who live in the dorms, a
Protection Department agent went to a number of the dorm rooms in buildings 14, 17 and 18 on September
29, and gave a number of students letters informing them that they had no right to live in the dormitories
anymore. These letters has so far been given to more than 50 students and close to 100 students who lived in
the Tehran University dormitories are banned from living in the dorms until 'further notice'. (Iran News Agency
– Sep. 30, 2009)
IRGC sends heavy interference signals to obstruct satellite TV waves
Several sources from Tehran have reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corp has started a new round
of sending interference signals on satellite TV waves. While it has been proven that these signals have a very
detrimental effect on the psychological and physical health of humans, the power of the new signals has
significantly increased.
Reports say that the new system for sending this interference has been recently bought from Russia.
There have been rumors that the reason the Tehran Air One plane crashed near the town of Qazvin was
because of problems in the plane's navigation system caused by interference signals. Government officials have
still not clearly stated the reason behind the plane crash. (JRS – Sep. 30, 2009)
October
17 student activists in Kermanshah receive heavy punishments
In the second wave of summonses of students of the Razi University in Kermanshah, at least 17 other students
received heavy punishments such as suspension from education, ban from using university facilities, and paying
fines. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 1, 2009)
Files of dissenting Shiraz University students in Disciplinary Committee
According to reports, the head of Shiraz University has stressed the necessity for 40 to 50 students in this
university be dealt with. Mohammad Hadi Sadeqi said, "The files of a number of students who have committed
offenses in the recent events (post-election protests) are being examined".
"In the last few weeks it was determined that less than 40 or 50 people are amongst the students who are the
elements of the illegal gatherings and the university has to deal with them", he added. (Etemad daily – Oct. 1,
2009)
Prominent lawyer banned from leaving Iran
The Iranian authorities banned a prominent human rights activist from leaving the country on Friday, Amnesty
International has learned. Abdolfattah Soltani was due to travel to collect a human rights award in Germany…
According to his family, Abdolfattah Soltani was stopped in Tehran as he was about to board a flight to
Germany early on Friday .He was approached by plain-clothed men who confiscated his passport and told him
that his permission to leave Iran had been “revoked”. The men instructed him to go to the Presidential office
next week to follow up on the matter .Abdolfattah Soltani was on his way to the city of Nuremberg where he was
due to receive the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award on Sunday. .. (Amnesty International – Oct.
2, 2009)
Iran states 'discovery of new evidence' as pretext to keep post-election protesters in jail
Farhad Tajari, a member of a committee to pursue the case of detainees in the recent events said regarding the
release of a number of people whose legal cases have been completed, "Judicial officials have new evidence
against some of the detainees who were on the verge of being released and therefore their release has been
postponed".
He did not announce the names of these offenders. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 3, 2009)
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Bahman Hagatnian, the head of Tahlil Rooz, also said that his paper, published in the southern city of Shiraz,
was closed by the commission 'without any reason,' IRNA reported.
Since 2005, under the administration of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, Iranian newspapers, websites and
news agencies of all political persuasions have been hit by a string of closures. (AFP - Oct 6, 2009)
Expelled student and blogger summoned to Revolutionary Court
Abed Tavancheh, a blogger and an expelled student of the Polytechnic University in Tehran
is one of the 55 students who was arrested in 2007 and was released on bail. Tavancheh was
summoned by phone to make his last defense and his sentence will be issued sometime next
week.
He has been charged with acting against national security, participating in demonstrations
and publishing communist beliefs. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 7, 2009)
Friends of fatally shot girl not allowed to hold ceremony in univ.
The head of the Amir Kabir University (Polytechnic) in Tehran banned students from holding a ceremony for a
former student and current employee of this university who was killed a few days ago by security forces.
Somayeh Jafar-Qoli, who was a master's degree graduate of computer engineering from this university and
worked in the Center for the Completion of Virtual Skills was mistakenly shot and killed while going from
Qom to Tehran along with her husband and 8 month old daughter. She was wounded by security officers who
were chasing another vehicle in the Tehran-Qom highway and then passed away as a result of her wounds.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 7, 2009)
Dissenting students summoned to Disciplinary Committee
A number of students of the Sharif University who were chanting (anti-government) slogans outside the library
of this university when the Science Minister (Minister of higher education) Daneshju, came to this university
were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee. The assistant head of Students' Affairs at this university in
Tehran confirmed this report saying that student who cried Allah O Akbar in their dormitories will also be
summoned to the Disciplinary Committee. (Asr-e Iran state-run website – Oct. 8, 2009)
Tehran Prosecutor: Those who endanger national security will be severely dealt with
Abbas Jafari-Dolatabadi, Tehran's Prosecutor said, "Those who act against national security should not expect
not being dealt with and the Judiciary will act according to its duty (regarding these people)."
"All government must have a reaction in the face of a coup, ousting or the formation of illegal groups", he
added.
"Those who revolt against the government should not expect the government to be indifferent and should
expect to be dealt with according to the law. Those who have committed offenses in the issue of national
security should know that the law is severe in dealing with them", Dolatabadi stressed. (IRNA state-run news
agency – Oct. 8, 2009)
Actor and actress banned from going to US
Protection Department agents of the Tehran airport banned Fatemeh Moatamed-Aria, a renowned Iranian
actress and actor Mojtaba Mirtahmasseb from leaving Iran.
This happened when a group of Iranian stars were intending to leave Iran to go the US after being invited by
the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (Oscar) to participate in the a program to asses Iran's cinema
industry in the US. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
Iran tries to control school girls with security cameras
The state run Mehr daily reported that the heads of a number of girl's schools in Tehran have installed security
cameras without any legal orders in various locations to control and monitor the students. The goal of these
security cameras is to 'control the behavior of students and identify students who bring cell phones to school'.
The Fars news agency also reported that the Hushmand School in Orumieh has been equipped with security
cameras to control its students. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 8, 2009)
Interrogators threaten family of political prisoner
The pressure and threats of the head interrogator of the Intelligence Agency in ward 209 nicknamed 'Alavi' has
increased against the family of political prisoner Mohssen Dokmeh-chi. Alavi has called this family on several
occasions and has summoned them for interrogations after threatening them over the phone.
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Mohssen Dokmeh-chi, 52, is a member of Tehran's Bazaar who was arrested on September 7 in his place of
work by intelligence agents and taken to ward 209 of Evin Prison. There is no information on his condition
since his arrest. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Oct. 10, 2009)
Two student publications threatened for calling student protester killed by security forces a 'martyr'
Two publications in the Science and Industrial University of Teheran were summoned by the Publication
Monitoring Committee of the University for using the word 'martyr' in regard to Kianush Assa.
The Prochista and Kolbeh publications were also summoned for publishing a report and picture of a ceremony
to name a park after Kianush Assa. Assa was a master's degree student in this university who was killed by
security forces in the protests after the elections in Tehran.
Before this, another publication named Gelavezh was banned for confirming the Holocaust. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Oct. 11, 2009)
20 students of Teheran's Free Uni. summoned to Disciplinary Committee
After students of the Central Tehran Free University held a number of gatherings to protest the widespread
suppression of people by the government, a number of these students were summoned to the office of the head
of the university.
Twenty students were summoned last Thursday by the head of this university, Dr. Gozashti to explain about the
gatherings in the university.
Gozashti warned these students of the consequences of holding any kind of gathering in the Central Tehran
Free University. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 11, 2009)
Children of Kurd activist summoned and interrogated
Agents of the Protection Department of the Revolutionary Guards Corps in Marivan summoned Suror and
Sarveh Mohammadi, the daughters of Ghafur Mohammadi, a Kurd civil rights activist, and interrogated them
for six hours.
This is while Kazhal Sheikh Mohammadi, the civil rights activist's wife has been detained for 12 days and is
banned from visits.
Ghafur Mohammadi left Iran less than two years ago and is living abroad. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Oct. 12, 2009)
Sharif Univ. students summoned to Disciplinary Committee for organizing peaceful rally
The head of the Industrial Sharif University in Tehran cited the summonses of a number of students to the
Disciplinary Committee and said, "The Committee of First Instances of the Sharif Industrial University has
summoned 5 or 6 of those involved in the organization of the gathering outside the library". (Nurooz Website –
Oct. 12, 2009)
Another lawyer banned from leaving country
Mohamamd Seifzadeh, a prominent Iranian lawyer and a member of the Center of
Human Rights Defenders was banned from leaving Iran.
Seifzadeh confirmed this to BBC and said when he intended to board the plane, an agent
confiscated his passport. (Radio BBC Website – Oct. 13, 2009)
Iranian Journalists Flee, Fearing Retribution for Covering Protests
For two months Ehsan Maleki traveled around Iran with a backpack containing his
cameras, a few pieces of clothing and his laptop computer, taking pictures of the reformist candidate Mir
Hussein Moussavi during the presidential campaign. He did not know that his backpack and his cameras would
soon become his only possessions, or that he would be forced to crawl out of the country hiding in a herd of
sheep .
Mr. Maleki, 29, is one of dozens of reporters, photographers and bloggers who have either fled Iran or are trying
to flee in the aftermath of the disputed June presidential election. Reporters Without Borders, a Paris-based
organization that promotes press freedom and monitors the safety of journalists, said the number of journalists
leaving Iran was the largest since the years after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The wave of departures reflects the journalists’ anxiety over the retribution many of them have faced for
reporting on the government’s violent suppression of the post-election protests…
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Many journalists in Tehran, including a Newsweek reporter, Maziar Bahari , who is also an independent
filmmaker, were among the hundreds of Iranians arrested and jailed. Some are defendants in the mass trials the
government is conducting. The wife of one journalist, Ahmad Zeidabadi, said he had been tortured while in
prison .
The editors of some OPPOSITION blogs, which reported the killings and the mass burial of protesters, have
gone into hiding, and their whereabouts are not clear. The homes of some journalists, like Mr. Maleki, have
been ransacked .
Mahmoud Shamsolvaezin, a veteran journalist and media expert in Tehran, estimated that 2,000 Iranian
journalists had lost their jobs recently. He said about 400 of them had approached him for reference letters so
they could get work abroad. “Journalists are leaving more than other groups because the government has closed
newspapers and it has intimidated and terrorized them,” he said in an interview.
Mr. Maleki was covering a demonstration on June 20 when he and dozens of protesters were chased by
members of the Basij paramilitary force. They fled to an apartment building, where Mr. Maleki had enough time
to hide his camera inside a chimney before members of the militia arrested them. He was jailed with hundreds
of others for a day. Without his camera, authorities could not identify him as a photographer, but they recorded
his national identity number .
Mr. Maleki never went home. A few days later a neighbor told him that his house had been ransacked and that
his computer and personal documents, including his passport, had been taken. “They found out that I was
sending pictures to Sipa ,” he said, referring to an international photo agency.
The exact number of journalists who have left is not clear. Some worry that their families could be harassed if
the government learns they are gone. Others are reluctant to reveal their locations in neighboring countries like
Turkey and Iraq, fearing that government agents might find them and return them to Iran. (The New York
Times – Oct. 13, 2009)
Five Khajeh Nasir Univ. students summoned to Ministry of Intelligence
Following a ceremony on Sunday to commemorate the memory of those killed in the protests after the elections
in the Khajeh Nasir Industrial University in Tehran, five students who attended the ceremony were summoned
over the phone to the Ministry of Intelligence Inquiry Office on Tuesday.
The Inquiry Office is a well known building in the Ministry of Intelligence which is used to threaten political
and social activists. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 14, 2009)
Industrial Babol Uni. Officials summon families of student activists
The appointed head of the Babol Industrial University has summoned the families of student activists in fear of
student protests and has threatened them to prevent the political activities of their children. This is while
groups, centers and newsletters affiliated to the Bassij students can freely be active with complete support from
the university and the Babol Revolutionary Guards Corps. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 15, 2009)
Renowned director banned from leaving Iran
Jafar Panahi's passport was confiscated in the International Khomeini Airport while intending to leave for Paris
on Wednesday.
This renowned Iranian director was arrested for a short period after going to the Behesht Zahra Cemetery with a
group of directors and producers to put flowers on the graves of those killed after the elections.
Panahi was to go to India two weeks from now to take part in a judging committee in the Bombay Film Festival.
(Kalameh Website – Oct. 25, 2009)
Dozens of Iranian journalists flee after polls: rights group
At least 35 journalists have left Iran out of fear for themselves and their families and 24 reporters and bloggers
are still in jail following June's disputed election, a press rights body said Wednesday.
'It is the biggest exodus of journalists since the revolution of 1979 (which brought the Islamic regime to power)
and we are snowed under... there are many cases to deal with,' said Reza Moini of the Paris-based Reporters
Without Borders.
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Moini put the number of journalists who had fled since the June 12 announcement of President Mahmoud
Ahamdinejad's re-election at 35 but estimated that the real number could be between 40 and 45.
'All of them are accused of acting against national security, of having taken part in illegal protests or of writing
propaganda articles against the Islamic regime,' he said, adding that 19 journalists and five bloggers were still
being held by the Iranian authorities. (AFP - Oct 14, 2009)
Students banned from wearing green in univ.
The Alameh Tabatabayi University in Tehran has banned its students from wearing green and will deal with
students who do.
A student who was wearing a green mask because of the spread of the influenza in the university was told to take
his mask off when he entered the university because of the color of the mask. (Salam News website – Oct. 15,
2009)
Concern about exodus of journalists, as regime steps up suppression of news
Reporters Without Borders keeps on getting requests for help from terrified Iranian journalists who have been
forced to flee their country after receiving summonses from the authorities.
With 32 of their colleagues now detained in Iran and with a president and a Supreme Leader bent on
suppressing all criticism, around 30 journalists have fled since last June’s disputed elections.
”This is the biggest exodus of journalists since the 1979 revolution,” Reporters Without Borders said.
“Describing news media as ‘means used in an attempt to overthrow the state’, the regime is ridding itself of
undesired witnesses by jailing them or getting them to flee.
Photographers, cameramen, bloggers and reporters for newspapers that have been closed down - all are being
accused of ‘acting against national security“.‘
The press freedom organisation added: “The luckiest are able to get to Europe or the United States, but most
have to expose themselves to great danger by fleeing with the help of smugglers. (Reporters Sans Frontières –
Oct. 15, 2009)
Iran cleric warns against planned opposition protest
A top Iranian cleric warned the opposition on Friday against holding an anti-government demonstration to
counter an official commemoration of the storming of the US embassy by students 30 years ago.
November 4 'is a day of struggle against oppression worldwide,' Ahmad Jannati, head of the powerful Guardians
Council, said in a Friday prayer sermon broadcast on state radio.
'Some people who have made plans for this day must know that their plans will fail,' he said.
On November 4, 1979, Islamist students stormed the US embassy in Tehran and took American diplomats
hostage, holding them for 444 days in a crisis that provoked the severance of diplomatic relations with
Washington.
Since then the authorities have organised an annual demonstration to commemorate the event, but this year
calls have gone out on the Internet for the opposition to stage a counter-demonstration.
Jannati said in his Friday sermon also accused opposition supporters of having links to the United States and to
the Jewish state, saying they wanted 'to show their American-Israeli nature' on November 4.
'If they could, they would chant 'Long live America, long live Israel'... but any action that goes against the path of
the people and against Velayat (religious rule) is destined to fail,' he said.
'May God slice off the hands of those who wish to play with the blood of our martyrs and fighters.'
He accused opposition supporters of 'seeking to overthrow the regime,' and demanded that the authorities act
firmly against them. 'If the judiciary and the intelligence services act lightly, this would be a betrayal,' Jannati
said. 'You cannot treat with kid gloves those who have acted like our worst enemies.' (AFP - Oct 16, 2009)
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2009
Soldier suspiciously shot to death in base; regime hides cause of death from grieving parents
Arman Mamandi, a conscript in a base in Mahabad was mysteriously killed while serving his last days of military
service in this base on October 1.
According to reports which have been confirmed by this Kurd soldier's family, a bullet shot from a J-3 firearm
led to this death. After his family persistently followed up the death of their son from base officials, the base
commander announced in an unofficial and verbal statement that Arman had committed suicide. This is while
sources in the base have told this family that another conscript in that same base was arrested on charges of
killing Armand. After close to one month and the pursuit of his family regarding the cause of his death,
unfortunately they still have not been able to get a clear answer from judicial and military sources in Mahabad.
(Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Oct. 25, 2009)
Assistant minister writes confidential letter demanding censorship of
news on Nov. 4 protests
In its last suppressive measure in creating a closed atmosphere for the
press and in fear of the extensive presence of supporters of the green
movement on Tehran streets on November 4 (Pupil's Day), the
government has sent an order to all media, newspapers, new agencies
and websites, inviting them to censor all news related to (events of)
November 4.
In this letter stamped with the words 'confidential' and 'urgent', the press
assistant of the Guidance Minister wrote, "emphasizing that the issue of
the 10th presidential elections in light of the confirmation of legal and
official sources has ended, we request that you seriously restrain from
publishing any news, pictures or contents which causes tension in the
society or disrupts public order". (Green Wave of Freedom Website –
Oct. 27, 2009)
Tehran Free Univ. separates male and female classes
The School of Political Science of the Central Tehran Free University separated the classes of girl and boy
students. This was done on the request of Dr. Ashrafi, the head of the Political Science Group. This matter has
not only led to discontent amongst students and professors but has also caused problems in class schedules.
(Nurooz Website – Oct. 27, 2009)
MP: protesters will not be freed because they might cause more unrest
Farhad Tajari, Member of Parliament representing Qasr-e Shirin said, "There is this probability that some of the
people who played a key part in the unrest after the elections will cause more unrest in the future, therefore,
with the end of investigations in their cases, there is no hope of their release from prison". (Human Right
Activists in Iran – Oct. 27, 2009)
Regime closes down children's rights NGO
According to reports from activists from the Group for a World Worthy of Children, the office and educational
center of this NGO active in children's matters, especially street and labor children, was closed by agents
without a specific warrant. The attempts of the officials of this organization to open the center have so far been
futile. This organization has been active since 2004 and has made great efforts on the grounds of defending the
rights of children. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 27, 2009)
Tehran's Public Prosecutor files suit against human rights lawyer
Tehran's Public Prosecutor has filed a complaint against Mohammad Oliayifard, a lawyer
and human rights activist.
In the written summons sent to this lawyer, no charge has been stated which is against
the law and it has only obligated him to come to the first branch of the government
employee's court three days after receiving the summons.
It is noteworthy that Oliayifard is the lawyer of a number of political and civil rights activists. This lawyer has
another open case in this court on charges of 'insulting and slandering Ministry of Intelligence agents'. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 28, 2009)
Iran: Criminalising freedom of expression
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Amnesty International is calling on Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to immediately retract his statement on Wednesday
that criticising the outcome of June’s presidential election is a crime. The Supreme Leader’s remark was carried
by state television in a report from Khamenei's meeting with scientists in Tehran. “The Ayatollah’s statement
seeks to criminalise legitimate peaceful dissent and dissatisfaction with the political process,” said Malcolm
Smart, Director of Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa Programme. “In dealing with the
aftermath of the elections, the Iranian authorities are continuing to commit violation after violation after
violation of fundamental human rights. They are trying to muzzle their own people and cow them into silence,”
The official result of the 12 June election was widely disputed and was followed by mass demonstrations
throughout the country. Dozens were killed by the notorious Basij militia and other government forces;
thousands were detained, many of whom are alleged to have been tortured and ill-treated; and scores - if not
hundreds - have been put on trial. Amnesty International has condemned such “show trials” as a “mockery of
justice”. “Anyone held solely for the peaceful expression of their views concerning the election should be
released immediately and unconditionally and all detainees should be protected from torture or other ill-
treatment”. (Amnesty International – Oct. 29, 2009)
November
State Security Forces threatens crack down on Nov. 4 protests
On the eve of November 4 (national Pupil's Day in Iran but marked as anti-American day by the regime) and the
announcement by the Greens (Green Movement) to attend marches on this day, State Security Forces in the
Greater Tehran District announced in a statement that "any gathering held anywhere other than outside the
Den of Spies (former US Embassy building) is banned and the police will only not deal with those gathered
outside the Den of Spies".
"According to the Islamic Advertising Council, only the march outside the American Den of Spies has a legal
warrant and any other gathering or march is forbidden", the commander of the SSF wrote in this statement.
There are unconfirmed rumors that members of the Green Movement of Iran will gather outside the Russian
Embassy on this day.
"In line with their legal duty, Security Forces will deal firmly with groups or people who intend to cause disorder
or unrest or take any illegal actions". (Nurooz website – Nov. 2, 2009)
Security forces beat families of Nov. 4 detainees
Reports from outside the Vozara Detection Center in Tehran say that security forces confronted a number of
the families of those arrested in yesterday's gatherings.
More than 50 families of November 4 detainees gathered outside this detention center to get information on
their loved ones. A number of the detainees were taken to this detention center.
"Agents beat and verbally abused these families and told some of us not to go after the release of our children", a
mother of a detainees said. (Radio Zamaneh – Nov. 5, 2009)
Prison officials pin bogus charges on political prisoner
According to reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj, political prisoner Ali Saremi was taken to the 3rd branch
of the Security Interrogation Department of the Revolutionary Court where new charges
were made against him.
The head of this branch identified only as Majd charged the 62-year-old political prisoner,
who was arrested in a ceremony to mark the 19th anniversary of the 1988 massacre of
political prisoners, with 'insulting the officials of the Islamic Republic' and 'insulting Friday
prayer Imams'.
(Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 7, 2009)
177 MPs demand harsh treatment of arrested peaceful protesters
Mohammad Dehqan, a member of the head committee of Majles (parliament) read a
statement signed by 177 other MPs in today's public meeting in Majles.
"We … condemn the irrational actions of the small number of people who stood against the nation and request
from legal sources to deal severely with these elements of the seditions", the statement said. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Nov. 10, 2009)
Islamic Republic sentences female political prisoner to 'enmity with God' because of family ties
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2009
The trial of Atefeh Nabavi which was supposed to be held on December 5 in the 12th branch of the
Revolutionary Court was held today in this branch.
In this court, which went on for 3 hours, Nabavi was trialed on charges of 'enmity with God by having contacts
with the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran'.
Nabavi, 27, was arrested on the night of June 15 along with her cousin and six friends. She was detained in
ward 209 in Evin prison for 95 days before being transferred to the public ward.
"It seemed that the judge, who was supposed to view my case with impartiality, looked at my case with total bias.
He said a number of times in court that the case interrogator has requested sentences ranging from 5 years of
prison to the death penalty for me. Then he mocked me saying that 'we will no execute you though'!" Atefeh
said regarding her trial.
"He (the judge) asked me if I was afraid of the threat of being sentenced to death and I said that of course I am
afraid, but I am used to this kind of verbal violence from you and the interrogators. Then the judge said that, 'I
was joking, we will not hang you'. I then asked him if anyone had ever joked with him about sentencing him to
death", she added.
Nabavi said that the judge had told her that her crime is evident because of the history of her family and that
they will not 'issue sentences on the grounds of the evidence in the case' but because 'we know your intentions
and will sentence you on the grounds of your intentions'. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 11, 2009)
48 Nov.4 protesters trialed in Shiraz
The trial of 48 people who were detained on November 4 in Shiraz was held today on Wednesday.
All the detainees except detained students were issued bail orders. The trial of the jailed students was postponed
to next Sunday. This is while the representative of Shiraz's prosecutor has told their families that their detention
orders may be extended for after December 7 (Student's Day).
Saied Rezayi, Ahmad Aref, Khabir Safarpur, Ayub Purfat-hi, Ehsan Pursoltan, Abvala Harari are amongst these
students jailed in the Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 12, 2009)
Women's activist banned from leaving country
Modares Gorji, a women's rights activist in Sanandaj who intended on going abroad on Friday morning was
banned from leaving the country. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 15, 2009)
Political prisoner kept in prison for years in state of ambiguity
According to reports, the trial of political prisoner Arjang Davudi was postponed for the fourth consecutive
time.
Davudi was summoned to the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court by Judge Salavati on Saturday November
14, but he postponed the trial in the last minute without informing his family and lawyer. When his family
called the court to inquire about the postponement, they were falsely told that the court would be held on
Monday. On the other his lawyer was told on the same day that the court had been postponed and that it was
scheduled for an unknown date.
Arjang Davudi was arrested on October 2003 and was trialed by Judge Hasan Zare Dehnavi known as Judge
Hadad after being detained for 16 months and was sentenced to 15 years of prison and 70 lashes. His sentence
was never announced to him on paper. Despite the fact that he has been in prison for years, his final sentence
has yet to be announced to him and he is awaiting trial. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Ministry of Intelligence puts pressure on family of death row political prisoner
According to the latest reports, intelligence agents from Sanandaj have threatened Habibollah Latifi's family to
not give any reports on the condition of their son to foreign media. This family was threatened that (security
institutions) would create criminal records for all of them and will sentence them to a few years of prison. Habib
Latifi was Ehsan Fatahian's (recently executed in Sanandaj Prison) cellmate and according to a confidential letter
written by the Judiciary, this 26 year old student is in danger of being executed. (Kurosh News Agency – Nov.
19, 2009)
He said he was held for some 58 days in a shipping container and was only allowed to contact his family after 43
days.
'During interrogation, he was told that his son had been detained and would be raped if he did not 'confess' and
he was then beaten with a baton until he lost consciousness,' the report said.
'He said there were more than 70 other detainees held in the container with him'.
Amnesty called on Khamenei to allow two key UN human rights experts to visit Iran to help conduct an
investigation.
'The supreme leader should order the government to invite in UN special rapporteurs on torture and on
summary and arbitrary executions to help ensure that investigations are both rigorous and independent,' Hadj
Sahraoui said.
'To date, the investigations announced by various Iranian authorities seem to have been more concerned with
covering up abuses than getting at the truth.' (AFP - Dec 10, 2009)
Iranian leader issues stern warning to opposition
Iran's supreme leader issued a stern warning to the pro-reform opposition on Sunday, accusing it of violating the
law by insulting the late leader of the Islamic Republic.
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a speech broadcast by state television, also said the opposition had encouraged Iran's
enemies to undermine the Islamic system.
Referring to a disputed June election which the opposition says was rigged in favor of hardline President
Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, Khamenei said: 'The election is over. It was legal and they could not demonstrate their
claim'.
Earlier, the opposition expressed concern that the authorities were preparing to step up action against it after
official media said pro-reform students had torn up a picture of the Islamic revolution's father, Ayatollah
Ruhollah Khomeini, during a rally last Monday.
Khamenei said the opposition rallies were illegal and he urged authorities to identify 'those behind the insult to
imam Khomeini'.
State television has broadcast footage of what it said were opposition supporters tearing up and trampling on a
picture of Khomeini during the anti-government demonstrations on December7.
A student rally on that day turned violent when reformist students clashed with security forces.
The elite Revolutionary Guards said in a statement: ''We, as followers of Imam Khomeini, will not tolerate any
shortcoming in identifying, trying and punishing those behind the insult and those who carried it out'. (Reuters-
Dec. 13, 2009)
Tehran Prosecutor: those who insulted Khomeini will be severely dealt with
The Revolutionary Public Prosecutor of Tehran said that those who insulted the 'sanctity of Imam Khomeini
will be severely dealt with'.
'We will not have any tolerance for those who were arrested in illegal gatherings on December 7 and all those
who carried out anti-revolutionary measures in illegal gatherings including insulting the great architect of the
revolution', Dr. Abbas Dolat Abadi said.
'Decisions will be made very fast and firmly and without tolerance regarding one of the offenders who
participated in the demonstrations and made a clear insult', he stressed.
'Agents have provided reports regarding offenders and these reports will be quickly pursued and will be firmly
dealt with and referred to court', he added. (IRNA state-run news agency – Dec. 12, 2009)
Iran judiciary says evidence exists to try opposition chiefs
Iran's judiciary warned opposition leaders on Wednesday that prosecutors had enough evidence to try them and
accused them of offences tantamount to those of the rebel People's Mujahedeen.
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2009
'I say to the leaders of the sedition that we have enough evidence against you,' ILNA news agency quoted
judiciary chief Sadeq Larijani as telling prosecutors in the strongest threat yet that opposition leaders could be
tried.
'If the regime has shown tolerance until now, don't suppose that we do not understand. How can we not find
out when it is the duty of the judiciary to deal with such cases'?
For the first time, Larijani compared the actions of opponents of hardline President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's
controversial June re-election to the regime's most despised enemy, the People's Mujahedeen.
Using the regime's standard term of abuse for the rebels, he likened the 'actions of the leaders of the sedition to
those of the hypocrites at the start of the revolution.'…
Larijani said the behaviour of the opposition leaders was 'contrary to national security' and a 'clear crime.'
They had made statements that allowed 'Western countries to make out that the government of the Islamic
republic was in disarray,' he said.
He singled out their allegations of the sexual abuse of detainees arrested during June protests over Ahmadejad's
re-election, saying they had 'lied in their claims that rape had been committed in detention centres.' (AFP - Dec
16, 2009)
Regime forces break grave stone of executed political prisoner
Agents of the Iranian regime in Kermanshah broke the grave stone of Ehsan Fatahian in the Baq Firdose
Cemetery in this city last Friday. This was done in secret. (Iran Press News Website – Dec. 17, 2009)
Security forces storm home of slain young man
After security forces attacked the apartment building where Sohrab Erabi, who
was killed three days after the elections in the demonstrations, lived and while
two of his neighbors and friends were arrested in this raid, a large number of
security forces and Bassij forces were prowling the streets of his neighborhood
and the sounds of shots being fired could be heard last night.
On Monday evening, a number of security forces attacked the block were
Sohrab Erabi lived and ripped off all his posters and pictures which were on the
walls of the hallway. These forces violently entered an apartment which had a
poster of Sohrab hanging from its balcony. These forces stayed in this block for
a few hours and ripped and tore all of Sohrab's pictures. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Dec. 23, 2009)
Iran bans services for dissident cleric Montazeri: report
Iran has banned most memorial services for dissident cleric Grand Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri after his
funeral turned into an opposition rally, a reformist website reported on Thursday.
Parlemannews.ir, the website of the reformist minority faction in parliament, said it had learned of a ban after
security officials prevented a mosque ceremony for Montazeri in the town of Kashan in Isfahan province on
Wednesday.
'Security officials warned the organisers and hung a banner in front of the mosque which read: 'At the order of
the supreme national security council, holding any ceremonies across Iran for Mr Montazeri is banned, except
in Qom and Najafabad,'' it said.
Parlemannews and some opposition websites also carried a picture of the banner.
The cleric was an inspiration to reformists and human rights activists and came out in bold support of the
opposition movement challenging the disputed June re-election of President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad. (AFP -
Dec 24, 2009)
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2009
The journalist and manager of the blog (http://mohammadnurizad.blogfa.com/), Mohammad Norizad, was
arrested on 20 December after he answered a police summons. The previous evening, he had posted on his blog
that he had been summoned - by telephone - for “insulting the head of the judiciary…".
Tehran prosecutor’s office said in a statement released on 20 December that the journalist was under
investigation for “publicity against the regime and insulting the authorities”. Since he did not have the funds to
pay bail, he was held in custody.
The documentary maker and journalist worked for several years as a columnist on the daily Kayhan, the leading
conservative publication. But following the contested re-election of Mahmoud Ahamdinejad as president on 12
June 2009, he began to openly criticise the Supreme Leader of the Revolution, as well as the government and
the Iranian justice system.
Several journalists were also arrested or physically assaulted on 20 December in various cities in the country
(including Qom and Isfahan) by the security forces or pro-government militia, on the fringes of burial
ceremonies for Ayatollah Montazeri. Two journalists working for the official news agency Mehr were arrested in
Isfahan and taken to an unknown location.
Fariba Pajoh and Nafiseh Zareh Kohan were on 23 December released respectively after 120 and 50 days
detention in section 209 of Evin prison.
Pajooh, journalist for reformist newspapers and a contributor to international media such as Radio France
International (RFI), had been arrested on 22 August 2009. She also runs the blog [http://www.after-
rain.persianblog.i... ]. Kohan was working for several reformist newspapers before she was arrested with her
husband on 4 November, during demonstrations marking the 30th anniversary of the storming of the US
embassy in Iran in 1979. She was freed after paying bail of 100 million tomans (75, 000 euros). (Reporters Sans
Frontières – Dec. 23, 2009)
Regime forces interrogate hospitalized injured protesters
According to reports, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence with the cooperation of the Protection Department
in hospitals interrogate injured people who have been brought to hospital and records their names and details.
On Sunday December 27, intelligence agents who were stationed in the Protection Department and Intelligence
Department in hospitals from before took pictures of the faces of injured patients. They were then given forms
to fill out with questions like, 'Where were you injured, why were you injured, and did you participate in the
protests.' They also recorded the addresses and phone numbers of the injured people and asked several other
questions. This is while the injured protesters were bleeding and in great pain. Most of the injured people were
young men and women who had fractured heads, noses, legs and hands.
The medical personnel in these hospitals tried to quickly treat the patients and release them to prevent their
arrest from the hospital. The doctors had no other choice than to release a number of the protesters who had to
stay hospitalized as a result of severe beatings by security forces. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran
– Dec. 28, 2009)
Iran holds bodies of slain protesters
Iranian authorities said Monday that they were holding the bodies of five slain anti-government protesters,
including the nephew of the opposition leader, in what appeared to be an attempt to prevent activists from
using their funerals as a platform for more demonstrations.
Hardliners, including clerical groups and the elite Revolutionary Guard, issued statements urging the country's
judiciary to take action against the opposition for violating Islamic principles and insulting the head of Iran's
religious leadership, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
IRNA, Iran's state-run news agency, said the bodies of five protesters, including the nephew of opposition leader
Mir Hossein Mousavi, were being held pending autopsies. The family of the nephew, Ali Mousavi, alleged that
he was shot by security forces or government-backed militiamen, and his funeral would likely galvanize another
outpouring of opposition anger.
The opposition has alleged that Mousavi's nephew had received death threats in recent days and was shot by
assassins who drove to his house. Reformists believe the killing was an attempt to pressure Mousavi to back
down, and that the government took his nephew's body to prevent mourners gathering in the street for his
funeral.
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2009
The Parlemannews.ir site said three Mousavi aides were detained Monday, including top adviser Ali Riza
Beheshti.
Also Monday, a Dubai television company said it had not heard from its correspondent in Iran since he went
missing near his Tehran house on Sunday.
Dubai Media Inc. said it was in touch with Iranian officials about the fate of Reza al-Basha, a 27-year-old Syrian.
Dubai Media is the government-owned parent of a handful of television stations in the emirate. (AP – Dec. 28,
2009)
Body of Moussavi's nephew buried in silence and under strict security
measures
Security forces asked the family of Seyed Ali Moussavi, the nephew of
Mir Hossein Moussavi, to receive his body in silence and without any
media attention.
The body of Moussavi is currently being prepared for burial in Behesht
Zahra Cemetery in media silence and under strict security measures.
(Jaras Website – Dec. 30, 2009)
UN rights chief says shocked by Iran violence
The UN's human rights chief said Wednesday she was shocked by recent violence in Iran after a crackdown on
opposition protesters, and urged Tehran to rein in 'excesses by security forces.'
'I am shocked by the upsurge in deaths, injuries and arrests,' Navi Pillay, the United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights, said in a statement.
'The information available once again suggests excessive acts of violence by security forces and the paramilitary
Basij militia'…
Dozens of journalists and activists were also detained Monday, including the sister of Iranian Nobel Peace Prize
winner Shirin Ebadi.
'People have a right to express their feelings, and to hold peaceful protests, without being beaten, clubbed and
thrown into jail,' said Pillay. (AFP - Dec 30, 2009)
Iran prosecutor threatens opposition with trials
Iran's state prosecutor warned opposition leaders Thursday they could face trial if they do not denounce this
week's anti-government protests - the worst unrest since the aftermath of June's disputed presidential election.
The prosecutor, Gholam Hossein Mohseni Ejehei, said the opposition leaders could be accused of supporting
people who defy God by protesting against the government last Sunday, when Shiite Muslims observed the
sacred day of Ashoura.
He said the leaders may face charges of 'supporting apostates,' or those who go against God. At least eight people
died during the protests and hundreds were arrested.
Also Thursday, a group of government supporters, wearing white funeral shrouds to symbolize a willingness to
die in defense of the clerical rulers, staged a rally in southern Tehran and gathered outside the offices of
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, state radio reported.
At mass pro-government rallies around the country on Wednesday, some called for the execution of opposition
leader Mir Hossein Mousavi and another top figure Mahdi Karroubi - both losing candidates in the disputed
June 12 presidential election. The opposition contends the election was rigged and that Mahmoud
Ahamdinejad won by fraud…
Ejehei said prosecution of the opposition leaders would not be forgotten.
'The charge of supporting apostates and those who defied God will be added to their past charges,' he said.
Iran's deputy chief of judiciary, Ebrahim Raisi told the official IRNA news agency on Thursday that those
detained over Sunday's unrest would be charged with violating public order and 'Moharebe,' which is Farsi for
defying God.
The Iranian police released Thursday on its Web site about 100 pictures of protesters involved in Sunday's
rallies, asking the public to help identify and report them to the police because they were suspected of 'damaging
public property and insulting sanctities'. (AP – Dec. 31, 2009)
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2009
Right to education
January
Six medical students banned from entering Shiraz University
The offices of the Islamic Association in Shiraz Medical Sciences
University were raided at night by orders of the head of this
university. All of the door locks were broken and all the
Association's belongings including computers, papers and
documents, membership forms and … were stolen. Following
the raid, university security forces shut down a number of its
offices. In addition to this, six members of the Islamic
Association were banned from entering all university compounds including the dormitory by orders of the
university president. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan. 11, 2009)
MOIS arrests two other Shiraz University students
Arash Roostayi and Hadi Alam-li were arrested after presenting themselves to Shiraz's Intelligence Agency.
Yones Mir-Hosseini, another Shiraz student who was arrested last year and detained for 14 days was summoned
to the Intelligence Agency again. He has been charged with "acting against national security". (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Jan. 12, 2009
New wave of summonses, suspensions, and banning for Alameh University students
Saeid Feizollah-Zadeh, Mahdeih Golrue and Sadeq Shojayi, three Alameh University student activists were
summoned to the Disciplinary Committee once again to participate in a defense meeting. Saeid and Mahdieh
had been suspended for four terms from university and Sadeq was suspended for three terms in the past. They
were also banned from entering the university for 18 months. Although their suspension terms have ended they
are still not allowed to enter the university and their educational files are still closed. (Bamdad Khabar – Jan. 14,
2009)
Another Shiraz University student arrested
Hamdollah Namjoo, a Shiraz University student was arrested. With the arrest of Namjoo, the number of
arrested Shiraz University students in Shiraz University has reached 11 just for two weeks.
Also threats and pressures against Ismail Jalilvand, Alma Ranjbar and Yunes Mir-Hossieni three students who
were summoned to the Intelligence Agency have increased. These three students did not present themselves to
the Intelligence Agency in protest to receiving a judicial summons from a non-judicial agency.
With the start of exams, suspension sentences have also intensified. In addition to the seven suspension
sentences issued on Monday, other suspension sentences were also issued for students today. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Jan. 14, 2009)
9 Bahai students expelled from Kerman University
On January 14, the educational files of nine Bahai students who were able to enter Kerman University with
many problems in the past two years were closed for unknown reasons and they have been banned from
registering in the new term.
Bina Momtazi, Sepehr Qodrati, Mehnoosh Dehqan, Qazal Sadeqi, Daniel Motaheri, Lava Baghi, Niloofar
Kanani, Nasim Mo'atar and Arman Roshani are these nine students. Their protest to their expulsion has been
futile. According to reports, in answer to the protests of these students regarding receiving expulsion notices
from the university, an officials of this university's "Protection Department" told them, "We have been ordered
not to give you any evidence for your expulsion so you won't be able to use it against the Islamic Republic in the
International Community". (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 14, 2009)
Six Shiraz University students banned from exams
Six students of the Shiraz Medical Sciences University who have been banned from entering this university by
orders of the Disciplinary Committee will not be able to participate in exams. Doctor Shahram Bolandparvaz,
head of the Disciplinary Committee and assistant dean of this university confirmed that these six students,
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2009
Sa'adat Delfani, Mojtaba Vakili, Nader Dinari, Tayebe Jahangir-Faam, Yaser Rahmani and Mohsen Fakhri have
no right to participate in the final term exams. (Farhang-e Ashti state-run daily - Jan. 19, 2009)
Three Babol University students banned from entering university
Hossein Barzegar, Ahmad Mohammad-Nia and Ehsan Baqeri, three students in the Industrial University of
Noshirvani in Babol were banned from entering this university. Before this four other students had been
summoned to the Disciplinary Committee for organizing Student Day ceremonies. The Intelligence Agency also
put pressure on the families of some of these students. (Amir Kabir Newsletter - Jan. 19, 2009)
Student held in prison without charge for 26 days
Twenty six days has passed since Vahid Sheikh Bagloo was first arrested and still Judge Hashem-zadeh (the judge
on his case) has announced that investigations on his case have not ended yet. This is while when he was first
arrested he was taken to the Intelligence Agency in Tabriz and after interrogations was taken to Tabriz Prison.
(Bamdad Khabar - Jan. 20, 2009)
8 student activist trialed in Tabriz
A trial for Maqsood Ahdi, Mansour Aminian, Aydin Khajeyi, Amir Mardani, Faraz Zahtab, Sajad Radmehr,
Tabriz University students, Bahram Majid Makooyi, student of Malek-e Ashtar University in Isfahan, and
Daryoush Hatami, an officer in the army was held on Saturday January 17 in the first branch of Tabriz's
Revolutionary Court.
Naqi Mahmoudi, these students' lawyer said that his clients were charged with "spreading propaganda against
the government", and "organizing and being members of an illegal group to disrupt national security". (Amir
Kabir Newsletter - Jan. 21, 2009)
Two Shiraz University students still in detainment
According to Shiraz University students, Hamdollah Namjoo and Alma Ranjbar (f), students of this university
are still detained although a bail was paid for them.
Hamdollah Namjoo has been detained since January 14 and despite the fact that a release on bail notice has
been issued for him and the bail has been paid, the Intelligence Agency has prevented his release for unknown
reasons.
According to other reports from Shiraz, Namjoo has been under severe pressure in the last couple of days and
his family has become extremely worried after seeing his condition in a visit with him.
Alma Ranjbar has been in the custody of the Intelligence Agency since January 15 and there is still no
information on her condition. Her family's efforts to visit her have been futile. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan.
21, 2009)
Arak University newsletter shut down because of "insulting sanctities"
'Negah-e No student newsletter has been shut down in Arak University for six months. The Committee for
Supervision on Student Newsletters wrote in a letter that this newsletter has not followed rules and has insulted
the sanctities and therefore banned its publishing permit. This is while this letter was given to members of the
Islamic Association secretly. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan. 18, 2009)
8 student newspapers banned in Shiraz Medical Sciences University
Peik Azadi newspaper (belongs to the Islamic Association of the School of Nursing of Shiraz Medical Sciences
University), Iran-e Armani newspaper (belongs to the Islamic Association of the School of Medics), Tutem
newspaper (belongs to the Islamic Association of the School of Pira Medics), Rahe Sevom (the Third Way)
newspaper (belongs to the Islamic Association of the School of Dentistry), Rahpooye & Nasime Shomal
newspaper (belongs to the Islamic Association of the School of Pharmacists), Talaye newspaper (belongs to the
Islamic Association of the School of Medical Management) and Ideye No (New Idea) newspaper (belongs to the
Islamic Association of the School of Hygiene and Nutrition) are eight newspapers which have been banned by
orders of the president of the Medical Science University in Shiraz. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Jan. 22, 2009)
Head of Shiraz University: I sanctioned students' arrests
The head of Shiraz University underlined in an interview with Farhange Ashti (state-run) daily that he approved
the arrest and detainment of students by organizations outside of the university. Doctor Mohammad Hadi also
cited that the reason he approved this method of dealing with students was the contacts these students had with
outside of the country.
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"Unfortunately some of these (students) had contacts with outsiders, were paid by them, provided reports for
them and let outsiders use them", he said.
"Some of the crimes they committed are worrying. What I am saying is that they had to be dealt with so as to
prevent more serious deviations like cooperating with the Monafeqin (PMOI) or getting paid and such", he
added. (Amir Kabir Newsletter - Jan. 25, 2009)
February
Student activist suspended for one term
Noorollah Edy, member of the Central Council of Ilam University's Islamic Association was sentenced to one-
year suspension from education by the Disciplinary Review Council.
This sentence was announced to him amidst the exam season. The Disciplinary Council has been reviewing his
records for a year now and Edy has objected to this process and has stated that this suspension sentence is
illegal. He has been charged with inciting other students and disrupting university programs and schedules. This
sentence is executable from the second half of this academic year and bans him from entering university
grounds. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 1, 2009)
Eight Sistan & Baluchistan University students to be thrown out of university
Following the summoning of a number of Sistan and Baluchistan University students to the Disciplinary
Committee under the pretext of participating in a recent protest sit-in in this university, on Thursday January
30, this committee announced that eight students have received expulsion sentences. They have also been
banned from entering this university. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 2, 2009)
Seven Tabriz students sentenced to 21 years of prison
Five Tabriz university students who were recently arrested along with Daryoosh Hatami and Majid Makooyi
were all sentenced to three years of prison by the 4th branch of Tabriz's Revolutionary Court.
The sentences for Sajad Radmehr, Aydin Khajei, Faraz Zahtab, Amir Mardani, Ehsan Najafi Nasab, Daryoosh
Hatami, Majid Makooyi, Mansour Amnian and Maqsood Ahdi were issued in one court session which lasted
only three hours and half. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 3, 2009)
Kermanshah student summoned to Intelligence Agency
A computer student at Payame-Noor University in Kermanshah, Ali Rezai has received a written summoning to
present himself to his city's Intelligence Agency on February 4 to answer some questions. This student activist is
the editor of a student newspaper and was probably summoned regarding this newspaper. (Iran News Agency –
Feb. 3, 2009)
Secretary of Islamic Association forcefully transferred to Tehran University
The head of Boo-Ali Sina University's Protection and Intelligence Department has announced that the head of
this university's Islamic Association, Siavosh Hatam, has been transferred to Tehran University and if Hatami
objects to this sentence, he will be trialed in court. Siavosh Hatam is a prominent activist and has lead many of
the gatherings and protests in this university. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 3, 2009)
News College student activist suspended for one term
Ehsan Mazandarani, student activist in his last term of journalism in News College was suspended for one term
from education by the Disciplinary Committee. Mazandarani is the former secretary of the News College Islamic
Association, which was disbanded by the head of this college. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 4, 2009)
Amir Kabir student trialed on charges of "waging war against God"
According to reports, an Amir Kabir University student, Ma'soumeh Mansouri was trialed in the 15th branch of
the Revolutionary Court presided over by Salavati on charges of "waging war against God" and spreading
propaganda against the government. She was trialed according to article 186 known as the "waging war against
God" article and article 500. With these charges, she can even be sentenced to death and the judge can give her
very severe sentences.
Mansouri was arrested for pursuing her father's case who was arrested for participating in a ceremony to
commemorate the anniversary of the massacre of political prisoners in 1988. She was arrested on orders of
Judge Rasekh, the head of the 1st branch of the Revolutionary Court after going to the Revolutionary Court to
ask about her father's case. She was subsequently taken to a solitary cell in ward 209 in Evin Prison and was
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physically and mentally tortured there for three weeks. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Feb.
9, 2009)
Student of Tehran's Science and Industrial University suspended for one term of education
Sajad Hosseini Fakhr, a student of Tehran's Science and Industrial University and editor of a student newspaper
was sentenced to suspension for one term of university.
This university's Disciplinary Committee sentenced Fakhr because of this student's protest to the management
of this university and his participation in a protest gathering in this university's presidential building. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 16, 2009)
Four Amir Kabir University students banned from entering university; two students summoned to
Intelligence Department
Four Amir Kabir University students were banned from entering this university and two others were summoned
to the Intelligence Department. Ahmad Qasaban, Sajad Veis Moradi, Ali Asqar Sepehri and Yusef Rashidi were
banned from entering university after their protests in the last couple of days to the arrest of four members of
this university's Islamic Association and organizing a petition in protest to burying soldiers from the Iran-Iraq
war in this university. In other reports, Babak Zamanian and Soheila Nahi (f) were summoned to the
Intelligence Department. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 19, 2009)
Four more Amir Kabir University students banned from entering university
After the protests of students to the burial of dead soldiers from the Iran-
Iraq war, four other Amir Kabir University students were banned from
entering this university.
After Ahmad Qasaban, Sajad Veis Moradi, Asqar Seperi and Yusef Rashidi,
four active Amir Kabir students were banned from entering this university
last week, yesterday Yaser Turkeman, Kurosh Mahmoud Kelaye, Arvin Taha
and Lida Mahmoudi were also not allowed inside this university. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Feb. 23, 2009)
March
Female student dies in Gorgan University due to university officials' negligence
Sayideh (Keanu) Abdollahi, a student at Gorgan University's School of Agriculture and Natural Resources,
passed away due to the negligence of dormitory supervisors.
Last night Keanu had a heart attack and given that there was no ambulance at the dormitory and dorm
supervisors did not allow students to call emergency centers saying, "We make the decisions here", the
ambulance did not arrive in time and Keanu died on the way to the hospital.
University officials have claimed that Keanu committed suicide and have even called her family stating that she
died after committing suicide.
This is the second time in this year that a girl has died in this dormitory due to the lack of emergency medical
facilities, wrong decisions and limitations set by dormitory supervisors. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – March
3, 2009)
Student activist expelled from university after serving prison sentence
A student activist was expelled from university after being banned from entering the university. Security forces
arrested Jamal Rahmani, an industrial engineering student at Isfahan's Dahaqan Free University, in his home
on May 23, 2008 and took him to Sanandaj Prison.
After serving his prison sentence, he went to university to register in the new term but Protection Department
agents did not allow him entrance into the university and banned him from registering. Rahmani has been told
in an illegal fashion that he has been expelled from university. (Human Rights Activists in Iran- March 3, 2009)
Amir Kabir University students receive severe disciplinary sentences
In the past two weeks after students protested the burying of fallen soldiers in Amir Kabir University, this
university's Disciplinary Committee has issued 50 summonses, 15 terms of suspension from university, 10
written reprimands, and 10 parent summonses.
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The "Protection Department" at this university has also in an unprecedented act called the fathers of about 10
students threatening them that they have to come to university and that their children's name are in the to be
arrested list. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – March 17, 2009)
April
Another student summoned to Revolutionary Court
Salman Yazdan-panah, a senior student majoring in international affairs in Tehran University who is also a
human rights activist, was summoned by the 3rd branch of the Revolutionary Court. According to this citation if
he does not present himself to court within three days, an arrest warrant will be issued for him. The reason for
this citation is not known. Before this, after a complaint by the president of Amir Kabir University against him,
he was suspended for two semester and was suspended for another semester for protesting to the presence of
Ahmadinejad in Tehran university. He was also expelled from Tehran University's dormitory upon orders from
the head of the Disciplinary Committee. (Iran news agency – Apr. 4, 2009)
Abdullah did not sign under the allegations made against him, he has been retransferred to solitary cell to be
interrogated again".
Pour Abdullah has been banned from making phone calls and having visits since his transfer to ward 209 and
his family has no information on his condition. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Apr. 15, 2009)
Teacher Training College student summoned to Disciplinary Committee
Sadra Buluki, a student of Tehran's Teacher Training University was summoned the Disciplinary Committee.
Six other members of this university's Islamic Association were previously summoned to this committee. These
summonses come after members of a pro-government student association attacked members of the Islamic
Association with chains, protests to the initiation of security gates in the university and the fact that students
had started gathering signatures in support of changing the university food program. (Tehran Teacher Training
Student's Newsletter – Apr. 16, 2009)
19-year-old female student's prison time extended for two
more months
According to reports from the notorious Evin Prison,
Mahsa Naderi, an imprisond student will be held in ward
209 for another two months.
Naderi, 19, is a student of economics at Qom Mofid
University and has been kept for close to two months in
ward 209 of Evin Prison under mental and physical torture.
Intelligence Agency interrogators have subjected her to
severe pressure to force her to accept bogus charges. The
head of the 3rd branch of the Revolutionary Court,
Hosseini, has personally come to ward 209 and
interrogated this young girl , threatening her and putting
inhumane pressure on her. Subsequently, Hosseini
extended her prison time for two more months. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Apr. 19, 2009)
Iran's Judiciary lays groundwork to convict jailed students with false accusations
The Security Deputy of Tehran's Revolutionary and General Court said in an interview, "Seven people were
arrested in a ceremony to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Bazargan (Iran's first PM) and five
others were arrested the day after that in a ceremony to bury martyrs (in Amir Kabir University). Five of these
students who were less involved were released and currently seven people are in jail".
Hadad stressed that after investigations it was determined that these people had contacts with the Monafeqin
(PMOI) and were lead by them and said, "This information was obtained in the past two weeks and it was
determined that these people lead the radical student movement with the guidance of the Monafeqin".
"A number of these people were in direct contact with the Monafeqin while some of them were not in direct
contact but knew where the orders came from", he added.
"These people intended to carry out some activities in the university with regard to the upcoming elections but
fortunately with their arrest and obtaining this information, these actions were countered. (ISNA state run news
agency – Apr. 28, 2009)
May
IRGC Commander: “IRGC will deal with you!”
Ongoing repression of pro-democracy students surge across Iran
Mazandaran University issued permission for activities of a military institution inside the university under the
pretext of “Independent Islamic Association.” Therefore, Students Islamic Society issued a statement calling this
forged society to be distinguished with the real one.
Abbasi, Mazandaran top commander of Bassij Forces – Paramilitary forces of IRGC in all state-run body – called
the Secretary of the Student Islamic Society and ordered him to deny publishing the statement. When he faced
the reasons for the approval of the statement, he threatened members of the student society.
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Secretary of the students’ society of Mazandaran University explained after he told him: “you must not be in
university anymore,” he repeated four times: “you have dig your grave, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
(IRGC) will deal with you.” Then he cut off the line.
An excerpt of the statement: “People in charge of Mazandaran University have agreed to form a sham student
body under the name: ‘Independent Islamic Society of Mazandaran University’,
“Hence, one of the offices of the secretariat of the university’s institution will provoke hatred and reactionary
activities inside the university. This institution intends to start election game and influence students by inviting
Davoud Ahmadinejad, brother of the President. It has spent enormous budget just in the first week of its work.”
(Amir Kabir newsletter – May 3, 2009)
SSF intangible control over Tehran University on brink of sham election
There have been surge in number of SSF around Tehran University. Many of students have encountered them
and confirmed the news. They think the reason is coming election and students’ position on the issue.
They attempt their most to control the university on brink of the election preventing political turmoil in the
country, they are going to use anything in this regard. (Iran news agency – May 14, 2009)
Minimal published repressive figures in universities between Student Day 2007 and 2008
At least 561 students, have been summoned, suspended or deprived, fired, arrested or imprisoned from
December 6, 2007 to December 6, 2008. According to this news, students have paid 80,440,000,000 rials
(almost 80,440,000 dollars) amount of bail for their release. In addition, there were 15 students receiving stars –
those punished giving stars are under monitor all the time and deprived from many students’ rights– 107 were
suspended, or deprived from students’ privileges by “protection department”.
There were 20 students fired, 111 detained, 82 released by payment of bail amounting to 80,440,000,000 rials,
and 16 were imprisoned.
This study shows there are 18 students’ newsletters banned mostly under the pretext of acting against national
security. (Amir Kabir newsletter – May 14, 2009)
Assuming the academic year, every day 2.5 students were assaulted by the regime’s agents.
Masters Degree student banned from giving exams due to "improper veiling "
On May 19, the Protection Department of the Free Kashan University prevented a girl student from entering
the exam session on the pretext that she was not wearing the chador. The female student who came from
Isfahan to participate in Exams practically came to tears from this act and begged the Protection agent to let her
inside .‘I am in my last term for getting my master's and if you don’t let me go in the university and participate
in the exams, I will flunk this course and because this course isn’t given in the summer, I will have to wait until
October to register again because of this course", she sobbed .
However, the agent did not heed her begging and refused to let her participate in the exams .
"This has nothing to do with us, you should have worn the chador like a good girl!", answered the agent. (Iran
News Agency – May 20, 2009)
June
SSF brutally suppress Isfahan University students
In protest to widespread vote rigging in Iran's presidential elections, students of the Industrial Isfahan
University broke dorm windows. After a few minutes, about 700 students started marching towards the Central
Building of the university. About 300 Special Police Forces violently attacked the protesters to disperse them.
A number of students were arrested and a number hid in the jungle behind the university complex. Security
forces then entered dorm number 2 and after breaking down doors, dragged the frightened students who had
locked the doors from the inside, to grounds around the university. Security forces brutally beat them with
clubs, coke glasses, broken lamps, and sprayed them with pepper spray. They were kept face down on the
ground for about two hours. State security forces also shot a few rounds in the air to disperse the crowds. At
about 3am, after security forces took pictures and films of the students they were released to go back to their
dorms.
More than 100 students were injured and sent to the university medical center while 500 others, who had
lighter injuries were treated and released. (Iran News Agency – June 14, 2009)
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The cousin reports that the dean and a number of students and professors at Qazvin University along have been
arrested and jailed at Evin Prison. She said that the police have warned people not to shout 'Allah-o Akbar''
from their rooftops -- a widespread but heretofore safe protest action begun last week -- and that anyone heard
doing so risks arrest. Most students and other protesters will be going to Tehran for a planned march on the
bazaars.
Mobile-to-Mobile communication is still possible but hard. However, landline communication is becoming
increasingly impossible as to block internet users! (The Guardian - June 23, 2009)
Hamedan students still in jail
A number of Hamedan University students are still in jail. These activists were beaten by the university's
Protection Department before being handed over to Security Forces. Security Forces then turned them over to
the Intelligence Ministry in Hamedan and they are currently in solitary confinement.
Their names are Siavash Hatam, Reza Jafarian, Puria Sharifian, Mehdi Mosafer, and Hojat Bakhtiari. (Iran News
Agency – June 25, 2009)
Two student activists abducted in Ahvaz
After Ahvaz's Oil College students protested election results, unidentified persons abducted two students in this
university named Hossein Rahimi and Amin Nick Zadeh.
Amin Nick Zadeh was a student activist in the Islamic Association while Hossein Rahimi is an activist in the
Student Science Association. They were both abducted while leaving the college.
According to students, a student member of the Bassij had reported the time that these two students left the
college. The students had been under surveillance by the head of the Bassij in the university from the office of
the Protection Department.
Last night, the political deputy of the governor's office told students who were on strike in protest to these
abductions, that Nick Zadeh and Rahimi were arrested by the Revolutionary Guards Corps.
He claimed that the RGC had warrants for their arrest but according to Amin Nick Zadeh's friend who was on
the scene of his arrest, those who abducted him did not show him a warrant. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – June 28,
2009)
July
Two other students arrested in Babol
Ali Taqipour, and Nima Nahvi, two students in the
Babol Industrial University were arrested. Security
agents attacked Taqipour's house on Tuesday night
and arrested him. He was the former Technical
Secretary of Mazandaran University. The day after
that, while three of the Nunshirvani University
students were going to their dorms, plainclothes
agents blocked their way with three cars. They
attacked and arrested Nima Nahvi, but the two
other students were able to escape.
Currently seven students from this university are
under pressure in prison. These students are Iman
Sadeqi, Mohsen Barzegar, Hesam Adin Baqeri, Siavash Salimi Nejad, Hamidreza Jahan Tiq, Ali Taqipour and
Nima Nahvi. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 2, 2009)
Ministry of Science vice president: students active in the recent unrest will be suspended from education
The students' advisor to the Ministry of Science, Investigation, and Technology said, “Students who have
committed an offense during the recent elections have not only violated the material rights of the people but
have violated the spiritual rights of the people as well.”
“Therefore they will be dealt with and if specified will be suspended from education.”
“If they made the mistake unknowingly, they will be forgiven but otherwise, the law will be implemented
depending on their offense,” he stipulated. (IRNA state-run news agency – July 4, 2009)
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These students were summoned in the end of the summer while 120 students were arrested by plainclothes
agents and security forces on June 15 and 16 for protesting to election results. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug.
17, 2009)
Iranian campus openings may face delays
Back to school in Iran may mean back to mass protests - a prospect that could lead authorities to delay opening
university classes in Tehran and other major cities .
While Iranian officials denied plans to delay the scheduled Sept. 23 opening, the Supreme Cultural Revolution
Council issued a statement last week suggesting that many universities might stay closed to avoid outbreaks of
swine flu. The council is in charge of educational institutions .
The son of an Iranian academic and member of the council - who asked to be identified only by his first name,
Mehdi, to avoid government retribution - told The Washington Times that his father had attended a council
meeting at which the consequences of a probable shutdown of universities was discussed . He said the council
was concerned that students would protest the June 12 elections, which gave a tainted victory to incumbent
President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad .
Classes did begin this week in the southern city of Shiraz, with security guards on every corner and leaflets
warning students about political activities ...
An engineering student at Sharif University - who asked to be identified only by her first name, Aliyeh - said the
authorities fear that with the start of semester, the students may orchestrate new demonstrations against Mr.
Ahamdinejad and his administration .
Amir Hossein, a student at Azad University in Tehran, said, 'We are being told that the country's universities
will start the next semester as usual, but many of our professors are still in custody and the rest are not willing to
teach in the absence of freedom of speech '.
If the government does allow the universities to reopen, students say, they fear that large numbers of
plainclothes security agents will be sent to campuses to prevent or crush demonstrations . (The Washington
Times – Aug. 28, 2009)
Tehran Governor: if protests continue, Tehran Univ. will be shut down for one semester
In a letter to the head of Tehran University Dormitory, Tehran's governor requested that this university be shut
down for at least one semester.
According to a number of students in this university, when they went to the office of Baqerzadeh, the head of
the dormitory they saw a letter from the governor labeled confidential.
This letter said that "if students continue their protests in the university dormitory, the university dormitory and
the university have to be shut down for at least one semester". (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 31, 2009)
September
Iran may purge schools of Western thought
The government body overseeing universities will purge Iranian universities of Western influences, a deputy of
the supreme leader said Sunday. 'Many of the syllabuses taught to students majoring in humanities are not in
line with Iranian and Islamic culture and therefore their revision is a must,' Hamid Reza Ayatollahi said in a
statement published by Iranian news agencies. He announced a plan for the revision, including the formation of
a committee to 'eliminate certain curricula and replace them with Islamic materials.' Critics, calling this a purge,
said it is another in a 30-year series of attempts to impose on the country's society puritanical values espoused by
the hard-liners who dominate political life in Iran, the Los Angeles Times reported. (UPI - Sept. 6, 2009)
Iran to 'Islamise' study of humanities at university
Iran is set to Islamise humanities studies in universities after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei charged
that Western teachings make students question religion, state news agency IRNA reported on Sunday.
'The Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies was tasked by the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council to
revise the human sciences curriculum,' the agency said.
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'In our country a large part of the syllabus... is not in line with our Iranian-Islamic culture. This calls for a
revision,' it quoted institute head Hamid Reza Ayatollahi as saying. He said the body would revise the syllabus
'based on the supreme leader's recommendations.'
During a meeting with academics last week, Khamenei criticised human sciences taught in the Islamic republic's
universities.
'If we teach a copy of what Westerners have said and written to our young people, then we are conveying to
them both doubt and disbelief in Islamic principles and in our values,' he said…He said he was 'worried' that
nearly two million students are currently majoring in human sciences… (AFP - Sept 6, 2009)
Students in Kermanshah expelled and suspended for political activities
Heavy disciplinary sentences were given to a number of students on Tuesday September 8 after dozens of
students from the Razi University in Kermanshah were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee.
Several students received suspension from education. Most students did not receive any sentences but were
made to promise not to get involved in any political activities. Ashkan Mossaibian, a mechanics student, was
suspended for two terms and sentenced to a 5,000 dollar fine. Siaman Ghiathi, a student majoring in science in
this university, was expelled from university. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 10, 2009)
Female master's degree student activist banned from university
Ameneh Qassem-pour, a psychologist major, who was accepted in the Master's Degree Exams of State
Universities in Iran, was banned from entering university. She was a student's activist in the Tabriz University.
After her family looked into the issue, education officials announced that she does not have the general
qualifications to continue her studies.
Ameneh Qassem-pour is an Azeri activists and a member of the Azerbaijan Center in Tabriz University. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 12, 2009)
Babol University students punished for political activities
A court in the city of Babol issued suspension and prison terms for a number of the Industrial Nunshirvani
University in Babol on charges of taking part in post election gatherings and acting against national security. Ali
Mojtahed-zadeh, a lawyer representing these students called these sentences "heavy and unfair" and stressed that
charges like having "contacts with the Monafeqin (PMOI)" were not brought up in the bill of indictment and "as
a result, the students and lawyers were not given the opportunity to defend themselves". (Radio Germany
Website – Sep. 16, 2009)
Ten Razi Univ. students abused and beaten in Kermanshah Intelligence Agency
Ten students of the Razi University in Kermanshah were summoned to the Intelligence Agency in this town.
These students were identified as Heshmatollah Mata’i, a master's degree student, Siaman Ghiathi, Abtin Pegah,
Ashkan Mosaibian, Babak Ghiathi, Roshanak Amirian (f), Akram Sheikh-pour (f), Ronak Mohammadi (f),
Mohammad Jafari, and Shokuh Ahmadi (f). They were abused when they went to the agency and a number of
them were beaten. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 15, 2009)
Student activists banned from continuing studies
Ali Qolizadeh, a student activist who was banned from education in the Master's Degree Exams said, "According
to the figures we able to provide till now, at least 20 students were banned from education despite getting
acceptable and well above acceptable grades in the master's degree university exams".
"In the year 2009, because handing out report cards was simultaneous with the election campaigns, we were able
to get our report cards and pick our majors. But after we went to see our final grades we were surprised to see
the "failed" option (on the exams) and after going to the Evaluation Department, we realized this is new method
to ban us from education". (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 21, 2009)
Iran disqualifies many students in Univ. interviews and banns them from studying for Ph.D.
After the announcement of the conclusion of university Ph.D. exams in Iran, more than 30 Kurd students who
had passed the exams were disqualified in the pre-entry interviews. These students were disqualified without
reason and only after participating in a short interview. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 23, 2009)
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Mazandaran Univ. students deprived from their right for political activities
In the ongoing pressure on students of Mazandaran University, 28 students majoring in the Russian language
were sentenced to receiving zero (F) in two of their classes because of "political activities".
A raid by plainclothes agents and security forces on the Pardis of Mazandaran University on June 16, the
widespread arrests of students and the events after the elections led a number of students studying Russian to
not show up for their exams. After three months, university officials sentenced them to receiving fails in two
lessons and 6 units. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 24, 2009)
Science Ministry rejects entry to student activists
Students deprived from postgraduate studies were told that they were not admissible. It is noteworthy that
through presidential debates, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad denied any students being deprived from education due
to their activities. Nevertheless, until now, 25 students have been deprived from postgraduate studies this year.
(Amir Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 24, 2009)
Letter of jailed student from Evin Prison
Letter of Shabnam Madadzadeh, jailed student activist from the methadone ward in
Evin Prison: It was the last days of winter when I was forced to leave the Teacher
Training University and come to Evin. I was supposed to be amongst my fellow
classmates in the sixth semester of university. Now ward 209 is the scene of my life
and education… I have stepped in a school where every day in solitary was like 10
days. I lived in this situation for 71 days. (There were) repeated interrogations and
not having any information about my family…
In this way I finished my last semester of university in ward 209. This is while I
wanted to finish my exams with my friends from behind the usual benches. I
wanted to be with my friends in the last years of spring and welcome the hot
summer days with them… September starts and now I have entered another
university: 'the Methadone Ward’, which has no similarities with my course and
does not at all resemble my beautiful university. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 26, 2009)
13 Zanjan Univ. students get suspended from univ.
Thirteen Zanjan University students were suspended for 14 semesters all together .
Three of the students identified as Massoud Heidarifar and Arash Ryeeji were suspended for one semester while
Siamak Yaquti was sentenced to two semesters of suspension. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 27, 2009)
Kurd student expelled because of activities of brother
According to reports from Piranshahr, a student identified as Edris Kamelan, who is in his third year studying
engineering at the Orumieh University was summoned by the Protection Department of this university in the
new academic year. It was announced to him that he is banned from continuing his studies because he helped
his brother flee. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 29, 2009)
Kermanshah students receive heavy disciplinary sentences for political activities
New (disciplinary) sentences have been issued for dissenting students of the Razi University in Kermanshah.
In the past months, dozens of students in this university were sentenced to heavy punishments in the
Disciplinary Committee. Students have said that this new wave of summonses and sentences is unprecedented.
(Nurooz Website – Sep. 29, 2009)
Babol University students sentenced to heavy punishments for political activities
Even after a number of student activists in the Babol Industrial University were given heavy sentences by the
Babol Revolutionary Court, student activists studying in this university and their families are still subjected to
severe pressure.
A number of students were also summoned to the Intelligence Agency in this city. With the start of the new
academic year, there is repressive atmosphere in the Babol Industrial University and student gatherings are
severely controlled and monitored. According to students, plainclothes agents have also been seen patrolling the
campus.
The Disciplinary Committee has also sentenced a number of students to suspension from education. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Sep. 29, 2009)
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Officials pin bogus charges on student activists to lay ground for expulsion
According to reports, the 'case of masked men in (Tehran) Univ. dorms' has been opened by the Intelligence
Agency in Tehran which comprises the names of 30 student activists who live in the Tehran University
dormitories. These students are to be identified and introduces as the masked men (who attacked Tehran Univ.
dorms on the first days of protests after elections which led to a number of student deaths) and be expelled from
university. Their education files will initially be reviewed by the Intelligence Agency, and if they are not able to
find an academic reason to expel them, this case will be put into action. (Iran News Agency– Sep. 30, 2009)
October
Hundreds of students banned from using Tehran Univ. dorms for political reasons
A confidential letter was published by the Amir Kabir Newsletter which stated that students who were
summoned to Tehran University's Disciplinary Committee would be banned from entering the university dorms
until their punishments were announced to them.
After this order, a large number of students have been banned from entering the dorms. According to students,
they have seen a confidential list containing the names of several hundred students who have been summoned
to the Committee for participating in post-election protests in the dormitory who will be banned from entering
the dorms. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 5, 2009)
Officials 'deal with' student protesters in Shiraz
Mohammad-Hadi Sadeqi said, "About 10 to 15 students of Shiraz University have caused disruption in
university dormitories and it is necessary that they be dealt with as soon as possible".
"Currently 20 to 30 student files are in the Disciplinary Committee in hand for examination regarding events
after the elections", he added. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 5, 2009)
Student who protested to pro-Ahmadinejad official in Tehran Univ. will be dealt with
The assistant head of the Students Affairs of Tehran University said that the offenses of students who treated
Hadad Adel (pro-Ahmadinejad official, and former parliament speaker) unsuitably will be examined in the
Disciplinary Committee.
"Tehran University will definitely deal with any offenses by students", Mehdi Qomssari said.
"The university has specific rules for students who protested to Hadad Adel and this issue will be treated as an
offense", he added. (Khabar Online website – Oct. 5, 2009)
Univ. budget goes for suppression; students deprived of scientific facilities
The facilities and services of Tehran University's students' library have been reduced by the university
management while the number of guards and Protection Department agents have been increased by direct
orders from the head of this university, Farhad Rahbar. A large number of these forces can be seen patrolling
the campus university grounds in various hours of the day and night. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 6, 2009)
Girl students expelled from dorms because of political activities
Eight female students of Tehran University were expelled from this university's dormitory.
According to reports from the Fatemieh Dormitory, a number of girls residing in this dormitory have been
banned from using the dorms. According to reports, the Disciplinary Committee and the Office for Dormitory
Affairs issued the expulsion sentence of these girls.
The officials of these bodies have expelled these students under the excuse that they have violated dorm rules
and regulations. There are no exact figures on how many students were expelled but the expulsion of eight
students has been confirmed. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 6, 2009)
Officials heighten suppression in Ilam Free Univ.
According to reports from Ilam, officials have increased the suppression in the Free Ilam University. Male
students with short sleeved shirts and girls students not wearing the chador (traditional head to toe black garb)
are not allowed into the university. Students are also banned from talking about political issues and if they do,
they are summoned to the university's Disciplinary Committee and Protection Department. (Iran News Agency
– Oct. 6, 2009)
Students of Gilan Univ. punished for peaceful protests
According to reports, in the past few days with the heightening of the security atmosphere in Gilan University,
17 students have so far received punishing sentences for attending student protests after the elections. These
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sentences include suspension from university for two semesters and a heavy fine. According to other reports,
there is list containing the names of 50 students who will gradually be summoned to the Protection Department
to receive their sentences. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
Three girls banned from residing in Mazandaran Univ. dorms for attending protest demo
In an illegal measure, the officials of Mazandaran University banned three female students in this university
from living in the dorms and from other university facilities in a phone call. These students are Sudabeh Saeidi,
Parvaneh Rahmani and Mahdieh Alijani who are members of the Central Council of the Islamic Association's
Women's Unit.
University officials prevented these students from entering the dorm to stay the night even while they had still
not found a new place to live. Finally after they spent a few hours behind closed dorm doors, dormitory officials
let them spend the night in the prayer hall of the dormitory.
After these students pursued this issue asking which institution issued such a punishment, none of the
university officials took responsibility and only said that these students had attended a sit-in in the university on
June 16. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 8, 2009)
Condition for not being expelled from Univ: cooperating with regime
A number of students whose registration in university was conditioned on them giving promises (not to
participate in political activities) were interrogated in the Evaluation Organization building and one of the exam
centers of the Free University.
These students who had been accepted in the master's degree level of Free University and were starred (meaning
they had stars in their academic files for political activities) said that they were interrogated in these building for
a lengthy amount of time.
One of the students said that he was interrogated for more than 4 hours and all the questions asked by the
interrogator were related to his activities while in university.
The interrogators told the students in these sessions that they can only continue their studies if they cooperate
with security institutions. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 9, 2009)
Four Kermanshah students banned from univ.
Siaman Ghiassi, mathematics major, Ashkan Mossibian, mechanical engineer major, Babak Ghiassi, agriculture
major and Mohammad-Hossein Faraji, a veterinary major were banned by agents of the Protection Department
from entering the Razi University in Kermanshah two days ago.
These students were each sentenced to two semesters of suspension from education and banned from all
recreational facilities.
Mohammad-Hossein Faraji was also thrown out of the dormitory and Ashkan Mossibian was fined 5,000
dollars. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 12, 2009)
Officials suppress Isfahan's Industrial Uni. Students
After protests of students of the Isfahan Industrial University against election results and the ensuing
suppression of student activists, the heads of this university have started a widespread effort to 'settle scores' with
the students.
About 100 students were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee last summer. From these stutters 30 were
sentenced to one semester of suspension while 16 were suspended for two semesters for causing 'unrest in the
university'.
More than 1000 students received various punishments or have been summoned by security institutions.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 14, 2009)
Suppression and threats in Qazvin Univ.
There were widespread protests in the International Khomeini University in Qazvin following the elections. As
a result, 8 student activists in this university were summoned to the Qazvin Intelligence Agency over the phone
and then interrogated there last month. In the past few weeks after reopened for the New Year, aside from
dozens of students who have been summoned every day and threatened with suspension and being banned from
recreational facilities, more than 30 students were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee on charges of
being involved in the unrest. More than 50 students have also been banned from recreational activities and
from using the university dorms. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 14, 2009)
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This is while according to the regulations of the Disciplinary Committee, the issuing of more than a two
semester ban from education is not in the mandate of this committee.
According to reports, these sentences were issued for a number of students who did not attend any of the
protest gatherings. (Committee of Human Rights Activists – Oct. 26, 2009)
Two Kurd activists banned from education
Two Kurd civil rights activists named Peiman Nodinian and Azad Lotf-pouri who were accepted in Free
University in their master's degree exams were banned from continuing their education.
Peiman Nodinian, a teacher and the secretary of the Teacher's Association in Kurdistan was accepted at the
Karaj Unit Free University in English literature while Azad Lotf-pouri, a civil rights activist was accepted in
political science in the science and investigation unit at master's degree level but they were both banned from
continuing their education. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 28, 2009)
Student activist banned from education for 1 year and a half for political activities
Shâhin Naqashahn, a student of political science at the Alameh Tabatabayi University in Tehran was sentenced
to a one semester of suspension from education.
Naqashan attended protest gatherings after the election and gave speeches in protest to the government,
university officials and in defense of an expelled university professor, Dr. Mahyar Dâshâb. He was immediately
summoned to the Disciplinary Committee and was charged with 'creating tumult and commotion with prior
coordination in the university', 'causing disruption in the schedule and order of the university' and not
following rules and regulations.
Naqashan was sentenced to a 1.5 year ban from university and from entering university grounds on charges of
not following rules and regulations.
Government officials have called him 'the main element of all the sedition' and have told him that he should
'not even dream of completing' his education. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 28, 2009)
Suspension of student activist illegally renewed by Imam Hossein University
Meqdad Islam-Khah, the head of the Republican Association of the Imam Hossein University in Tehran is
under pressure from this university to prevent him from continuing his education.
He was previously sentenced to 3 years of suspension for protesting a speech by Hosseini, former assistant head
of the Ministry of Science and the present Guidance Minister regarding expelled students. His sentence ended
on September 23.
In an illegal measure, this university has extended his suspension for another semester without providing a
sentence from the Disciplinary Committee. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 29, 2009)
November
More than 20 students of Karaj Free Univ. suspended from education
More than 20 students of the School of Technique of the Free University in Karaj were sentenced to 1 or 2
semesters of suspension from education on orders of the head of the university Ramin Haji Khani for
participating in a protest gathering on October 20. Professors who cancelled their classes on that day were also
summoned by the heads of this university's Protection Department. (Iran News Agency – Nov. 16, 2009)
Two Tehran Univ. students suspended from education
Milad Changizi and Mohammad Hamzeh Nejadi who are both literature students at Tehran University were
sentenced to two semesters of suspension from education by the Disciplinary Committee for participating in
June 12 protests. (Iran News Agency – Nov. 18, 2009)
Alameh Univ. student suspended from education for political activities
Mohammad Nikkhah, a student activist at the Alameh Tabatabayi University in Tehran was sentenced to one
semester of suspension and banned from entering this university by the Disciplinary Committee.
This university also issued the same sentences for Suleiman Mohammadi, Amir Yaqubali and Puria Poshtareh.
(Advar News – nov. 21, 2009)
Abadan student activists suspended from education
According to reports, new suspension sentences have been issued for a number of students in the Oil Industry
University in Abadan.
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In a Disciplinary Committee session in this university, six students received heavy sentences. These sentences
are as follows:
1- Mostafa Ahukhosh, member of this university's Islamic Association was sentenced to one semester of
suspension and was permanently banned from using university facilities.
2- Payam Peikari, expelled from university
3- Khosro Musa Vand, banned from getting university degree
4- Hojat Arabi, suspended for one semester
5- Sahand Bakhtiar Pour, suspended for one semester (initial sentence)
6- Amin Nikzadeh, suspended for two semesters (initial sentence) (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 21,
2009)
Nearly 100 Ahwaz Free Univ. students summoned and threatened by university
Close to 100 Ahwaz Free University students were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee. They were
threatened with expulsion and long suspensions from university and some received heavy disciplinary sentences.
After student protests in this university especially on November 4 which led to the temporary closure of the
university, the pressure and threats against students has significantly increased. (Roydad Website – Nov. 24,
2009)
Two Shiraz students suspended from education
Two students in the Shiraz University received disciplinary sentences. Sayid Khosro Abadi was sentenced to one
semester of suspension from university while Shahab Bahrami Nejad was sentenced to two semesters of
suspension by the Disciplinary Committee. These two students are banned from entering university grounds in
this time. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 27, 2009)
Orumieh student expelled from university
A student in the Orumieh University was expelled after receiving a suspension sentence.
Puya Gholamrezayi, an architect major at this university was expelled after getting 4 semesters of suspension
from the university. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 27, 2009)
Regime punishes three Shiraz students for their opposition
Three Shiraz University students were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee in this university. Massoud
Mahdavifar, Seyed Mohammad Hosseini and Sayid Lotfi who are all law students were summoned to the
Disciplinary Committee some time ago. Mohammad Seyed Hosseini was sentenced to a ban on using the
welfare facilities of the university including the dormitory until the end of his education while Massoud
Mahdavifar was sentenced to receiving a written notice and suspension from education for half a year.
Neda Eskandari, Khadijeh Qahremani, Kazem Rezayi and Yahya Tavusi, other students in this university are still
detained in the Shiraz Intelligence Agency Detention Center. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 28, 2009)
University punishes students who protested presence of government rep. in university
The Payam Noor University Disciplinary Committee sentenced 12 students who protested the presence of a
government official in their university to heavy punishments. According to student activists, after students
protested the presence of Hamid Resayi, a MP who supports the government, in this university in Mashhad, the
Disciplinary Committee sentenced these students to 18 semesters of suspension all together without the
presence of student members of the committee and without inviting the dissenting students to defend
themselves. Six of these students were sentenced to one semester of suspension while six others were sentenced
to 2 semesters of suspension. (Kalameh Website – Nov. 30, 2009)
Students in Shahre Kurd banned from education on eve of Student's Day
Twenty three students of Shahre Kurd University who were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee in this
university received heavy disciplinary sentences.
These sentences are as follows:
Abas Pashmi (Secretary of the Islamic Association) - suspended for two semesters
Ali Moradi (political secretary of the Islamic Association) – suspended for two semesters
Hadi Delbahari (member of the Islamic Association) – suspended for two semesters
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Maryam Malek Sha'bani (head of the cultural commission of the Islamic Association) – suspended for two
semesters
Arman As'ad (former secretary of the Islamic Association) – suspended for one semester
Aqil Esfandiarpour (secretary of the School of Technique Islamic Association) – one semester suspension
Mohammad Heidarzadeh (member of the central council of the School of Technique Islamic Association) –
suspended for one semester
Saied Sepahi – suspended for one semester (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Nov. 30, 2009)
December
Khajeh Nasir student activists suspended from education
After protests by students of the Khajeh Nasir University a few weeks ago, 10 students were summoned to the
Disciplinary Committee in this university and received heavy sentences.
These students were sentenced to 12 semesters of suspension all together on charges of holding gatherings,
going on a hunger strike and protesting an insulting speech by Safar Harandi (government rep.)
In this sentence, Milad Asadi, Mahnaz Rabani and Raha Lak were each sentenced to two semesters of
suspension while Behnam Safari and Puyan Karami were each suspended for one semester. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Dec. 1, 2009)
Nine Yasuj students suspended from education
Nice student activists in Yasuj University received suspension sentences from this university.
Eight of these students are student activists who had expressed their opposition to government officials and
university administrators in various ceremonies in the university.
All of these students were each sentenced to one semesters of suspension from university and Saman Taqva
Sooq and Saber Miri were suspended for two semesters. (JRS Wesbsite – Dec. 1, 2009)
Shiraz University officials crack down on student dissent
In the past week in Shiraz University, students Ali Saleh Pour, Ehsan Hashemi, Puya Mehregan, Ashkan Qandi
and Parnian Taqi Zadeh have each been sentenced to two semesters of suspension from university while Sajad
Fatahi and Amir Yaldayi received a written notice. These students were charged with participating in a ceremony
on November 4.
More than 25 Shiraz University students are still in jail after more than one month. They were only just recently
tried in court. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 2, 2009)
Tabriz Free Univ. officials pressure student activists, ban them from education
After a Student's Day Ceremony was held in the Tabriz Free University, 20 student activists were summoned to
this university's Disciplinary Committee and three of them were sentenced to 2 semesters of suspension each.
Their charges as stated by the committee were attending illegal gatherings and chanting slogans against the
government of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. This is while according to the constitution, peaceful gatherings inside
universities do not need a permit. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 14, 2009)
Regime bans student from univ. and dorm
Meqdad Mahzuni, a student at the Arts University in Tehran and a member of this university's Islamic
Association was banned from entering this university and the university dormitory after widespread Student's
Day protests of students in this university.
According to reports, university officials intend expel him from university as well.
According to the officials at this university's Protection Department, the head of the university has personally
issued his expulsion sentence himself.
In a meeting with the head of this department, Mahzuni was threatened that he has to return to his own city as
soon as possible or else he will be arrested by security forces. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 16, 2009)
Yasuj Univ. officials ban 10 students from education for peaceful protests
The Disciplinary Committee of Yasuj University issued the final sentences of 10 students banning them from
education.
In these sentences, one of the students was expelled from university while nine others were banned from
education for 1 or 2 semesters. These students had demonstrated on November 2 and 4 in protest to sexual
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segregation by the university management and limitations on the activities of student associations, demanding
the resignation of the head of the university. (JRS – Dec. 19, 2009)
Regime bans more than 30 Isfahan students from education for peacefully protesting
After student protests at Isfahan University and the Medical Science University in this city on December 7, 8
and 9, the Isfahan University Disciplinary Committee issued suspension sentences for more than 30 students.
According to reports, the Disciplinary Committee of Isfahan University has so far issued suspension sentences
for 30 students and has announced that summonses to this Committee will continue.
According to the head of this university's Protection Department, the expulsion sentences of three students will
soon be issued according to a letter sent by the Intelligence Agency.
According to the head of the Disciplinary Committee, six Medical Science University students have directly
received their expulsion sentences. A number of other Medical Science University students have been
suspended from education. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 21, 2009)
Regime suspends jailed university student from education
Jailed student activist Salman Sima was sentenced to studying in exile and changing his major by the Free
Tehran University's Disciplinary Committee Review Board.
This student activist was sentenced to 3 semesters of suspension before this. This sentence was reviewed by the
Review Board despite the fact that Sima had not requested an appeal. He was finally sentenced to study
economical science in Khorasgan or to Khomein in Markazi Province to study economy. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Dec. 21, 2009)
Right to employment
January
Iran arrests number of bus union activists
According to reports, Alireza M., Reza Q. and Farshad M. who are bus union activists were arrested on
Thursday January 8, 2009.
According to this report, they were arrested because of talks they had in a private meeting about increasing
salaries and lowering taxes. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 11, 2009)
Nestleh shut down because of "Zionist" stockholders
Employees of Nestle Iran and Nestle Water companies temporarily stopped their work due to pressure put on
them by a group who calls themselves anti-Zionist Bassijis – IRGC’s militias.
This group claims that these companies' stockholders are Zionists. According to reports, the shutdown of these
two companies will lead to the direct unemployment of 3,600 workers and the indirect unemployment of 12
thousand others. (Ayandeh News – Jan. 13, 2009)
Factory officials threaten and fire Sugar Cane Worker Union members
According to reports from workers of Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory in Khuzestan, after the appointment of a
new director, the assistant director and members of the managing board of this factory threatened and fired the
main members of the workers’ union of this factory.
These union members had asked to meet with the newly appointed managing board members for introductions.
But, every time the managing board cancelled this meeting under various excuses.
Yesterday, Abdollahi, a former member of the Protection Agency in this factory who is also an agent of the
MOIS told union members in the presence of the new director and assistant director, "We do not recognize you
and will not talk to you until you bring us a letter from the Labor Department".
"We will fire you and if we see fit, order for your arrest", threatened Abdollahi.
This factory's director and assistant director who were present in this meeting also agreed with Abdollahi. He
even intended to physically deal with the union members which was met with the union members calm
response. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran– Jan. 14, 2009)
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A worker participating in the gathering said that every two weeks five workers are fired under the pretext of
inactiveness, laziness and there are workers who have not received their salary for four months, but there is no
body defending the rights of workers in the country.
Fired workers of Ahvaz Tubing Factory held a protest gathering everyday
Since April 4, workers who have been fired from
Ahvaz Tubing Factory have held protest
gathering outside the factory. Workers hold
Banners such as “Expenditure model began with
firing of workers”, “We are sons of Iran, we are
committed to get our rights”, and “livelihood is
our right.” (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Apr. 7, 2009)
Six hundred and fifty workers of Ahvaz Tubing
Factory held a protest gathering against the
delaying payments of their salaries. Formal
workers face nine months retardation of their
wages, while the contractual workers who are
more than 200, demand 13 months of delaying
wages. Despite their protest, officials have done
nothing for them. (Amir Kabir newsletter – Apr.
15, 2009)
Ahvaz Tubing Factory has fired 18 hundreds workers by now, and they hold gathering outside the factory every
day. (ILNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 17, 2009)
Workers’ salaries not paid in Qazvin
“200 workers of Poushineh Baft Textile Company and 100 from Naqsh Iran Company held a protest gathering
outside governor office in Qazvin against indifference of officials towards their basic right to get their salaries
which have been postponed for four months.” Aid-Ali Karimi, executive secretary of house of workers in Qazvin
Province – Tehran’s adjacent northwest Province – announced. (ILNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 7, 2009)
MP from Ardabil: number of unemployed workers is very chilly
“There are more than 50,000 unemployed and if we add the seasonal unemployment to this number, we’ll get
to a chilly number, better not to announce it,” Seyyed Kazem Moussavi, Ardabil representative of parliament
said. (ILNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 7, 2009)
A child labor died
Vahid Sharifi, a 13-year-old child, while crossing street died because of a car crash on
April 4, 2009. This is not the first time a child labor’s life has lost.
He was under protection of ‘community defending child labor and street children’; he
was also an elementary second grade student.
According to convention of children rights, which Iran is a member; exploitation of
children under 15 in any economical and political affairs is forbidden.
Despite these basic rights of children, there are 380 thousands children aged from 10
to 14 working permanently, and also there are almost 370 thousands seasonal child
labor in Iran. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – Apr. 10, 2009)
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teachers’ trade unionist has 26 years of experience in his educational service at high school. The charges against
him include: participating in a coordination council’s meeting of organizations across Iran in Tehran in 2007,
writing lies and other subjects in an article published in Iran’s Outlook Magazine in summer 2007, introducing
himself as teachers’ trade unionist of Mammasani, and inciting teachers. (Association of Political Prisoners in
Exile – Apr. 15, 2009)
Teacher dismissed from work for protesting bad living condition of teachers
Gudarz Shafi'ian, a high school English teacher in Fars Province has been dismissed from work for two months
and has been banned from receiving wages and bonuses in this time. Shafi'ian, who has 26 years of experience
in his line of work, had been summoned by the Educational Ministry a number of times in the past and banned
from continuing his activities after protesting the living conditions of teachers, the lack of budget and facilities
allocated to educational purposes and activities in this regard. (Jomhuriat state-run daily – Apr. 15, 2009)
Security agents violently arrest 90 laborers in Sanandaj
Security and intelligence forces arrested and detained 90 members of the Coordinating Committee of Assisting
to Create Labor Associations who went to visit Ghaleb Hosseini in his house in Sanandaj. After a few hours and
going through interrogation, they were set free. Ghaleb Hosseini is a worker activist in Iran and was in prison
since March 2009 for participating in the International Labor Day. (Persian Language Program of Radio France
– Apr. 17, 2009)
Workers of Tubing Factory in Ahvas fired
“1,800 workers of Ahvaz Tubing Factory have been fired, and they hold protest gathering ouside governor
office, employment office and the factory every day.” Hamid-Reza Abbasi, representative of fired workers of
Ahvaz Pipe Factory said. (ILNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 17, 2009)
OUEC of Assalouyeh, Iranian Oil Consortium fired technicians and contractor workers
300 technicians and contractor workers of OUEC, Engineering, and Construction of Oil Consortium – a
company in charge of gas refineries of Southern Pars number 9 and 10 areas – were fired. They had between
four to six years of experiences. (Radio Deutsche Welle – Apr. 18, 2009)
Note: get to know a hell called Assalouyeh
Pars Southern Gas field is the world biggest gas field of inter-shores. The living condition of workers in this field
is awful and inhuman with no sponsor.
There were 60,000 workers before the embargo – the cause of embargo is the secret nuclear weapon program
and confrontation with the International community for survival of their illegal medieval reign in Iran–but now
there are less than 15,000.
Asslavieh’s outlook is beautiful at night. However, if people visit the place where workers are living they cannot
differentiate it with animals’ stall. The furniture and equipments are in the worst possible quality. After twelve
hours of unbearable work in a very hot and sultry weather, thousands human beings are in a contaminated
overcrowded bedrooms with no recreation center. On average, it is 45 Centigrade – in summer between 50 to
60 Centigrade and 90 degree of sultry. A twelve square meters bedroom for inexpert workers places ten to
twelve men. Most of the time coolers are out of work or have no electrical safety, which have led to deaths of
several workers.
A worker enters Assalouyeh and leaves it forever, because there is no furlough for workers. If someone asks for
leave to visit his family, he will be told ‘never return!’ Therefore, workers have no contact with their families for
many months. There is no place for physical and mental refreshment. This hardship tends them to use narcotic
drugs. Narcotic drugs are available easily and overtly, and no one pays any attention to it. This is the cause of
addiction of the majority of workers. They mostly use marijuana or heroin.
There are large numbers of workers who stay in Asslavieh for a year with no family contact. Therefore, there are
abnormal sexual relationships. All kind of offenses, even murder happens there. Because of this hardship life,
many workers are violent and aggressive.
There have been people who tried to help workers to become cognizant, but ‘Herasat’ – Protection Department
– or State Security Forces (SSF) summoned them. Frequently ‘Herasat’ search bedrooms for leaflets, or labor
magazines. They have sometimes identified labor activists and fired them. Almost all unskilled workers are daily
paid and no one is after contractual work.
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Workers have accepted that furlough is equivalent to being fired. They work seven days a week. ‘Herasat’ and
SSF observe all the offenses, including addiction and other abnormalities but do nothing exclusive of noticing
some words on the employment rights, in such cases they summon the worker immediately.
There is no trade union, legal magazine, or book. Newspapers and books are very rare. Workers usually suffer
from skin or respiratory diseases. Every day workers’ bedrooms are spray poison, instead of preparing hygienic
bedrooms and standard livelihood; this has led to general respiratory suffering. During summer, it is like sauna.
Even under the shade, their clothes are all over wet. “Assalouyeh is our slavery camp,” some workers say. (Radio
Germany Website – Apr. 26, 2009)
Four months salaries not paid
There are 25 workers in Raman Channel Construction Company have not received their salaries for four
months. (Salam Democrats – Apr. 20, 2009)
20 workers arrested by anti-riots police for participating in peaceful gathering
Around hundred workers from the Keyan Tire Factory held a protest gathering outside the parliament. Anti-riot
police arrested about twenty of workers. (Salam Democrat – Apr. 20, 2009)
13 workers killed due to negligence of holding to workers safety
Thirteen workers of Delta 1000 Company died in ‘Bab Nizoo’ Mine in Zarand City of Kerman Province due to
explosion of Methane Gaz. In addition, nine workers were killed by explosion of Methane Gas in a similar
accident in 2003. (ILNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 20, 2009)
According to witnesses, this accident could be prevented and they had warned about the excessive amount of
gas a day before.
SSF raided protest gathering of workers
Workers of Industrial Company of Arak – Center of Markazi
Province, Tehran’s adjacent southwestern province – held a
protest sit-in outside the governor office.
The State Security Forces laid a siege around them and then
attacked the gathering, since they were worried that the sit-in
could be spread to an uncontrollable vast protest in the city.
(Association of Political Prisoners in Exile – Arp. 21, 2009)
Mullahs’ regime refuses to give permission for First of May
Students of Tehran University said that they had demanded
to get permission to take part in the International Workers
Day, but they faced refusal.
The official in the university said that top officials ordered
them not to give permission to the students to take part in
the International First of May Day. (Iran news agency – Apr.
21, 2009)
Last year more than 200,000 workers and employees were
unemployed
According to experts and workers unions, because of
economical incapability of the government last year many
factories and companies were bankrupted leading to
enormous unemployment of workers and employees.
“According to consideration of parliament last year were 400 work unit closed,” the head of workers committee
in the parliament said. “Accordingly almost 200, 000 people became unemployed,” he emphasized. (Aftab, state-
run website – Apr. 21, 2009)
Increasing number of suicide among workers and drivers
Mr. Alireza Parssa, a driver in the BRT-2 line in Tehran, committed suicide on April 18, but fortunately was
survived by an adequate medical care, although his condition was very critical.
He is a driver of Sherkat-e Vahed, and the reason for his self-immolation was poverty and difficulty to provide
the minimum needs of his family. Unfortunately, desperation to provide the basic needs of living are the cause
of increased the number of suicides among workers and drivers and other sectors of society living under poverty
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line.However, another annoying matter, which disturbed his colleagues, was the indifference of IslamicCouncil
of Tehran to transfer him to hospital by the Ambulance available on the scene, instead his colleagues took him
to hospital by an ordinary car. (Iran news agency – Apr. 21, 2009)
Child Labors exploited in narcotic drug smuggling, and dealt with instead of the main dealers
Fatemeh Qassemzadeh, the head
of assistance network for child
labor warned that children
exploitation in narcotic drug
trade is increasing.
“Unfortunately, instead of the
main offenders they are dealt
with as offenders,” she added.
“There are 4,000 child laborers
in Tehran, Karaj, and Shahr-e
Ray, of course this number
increases much higher due to the
seasonal labors,” she informed.
(ILNA, state-run news agency –
Apr. 21, 2009)
A man hanged himself in
Khaniabad because of poverty
On April 19, Akbar Qobadi hanged himself at his home in Khaniabad – impoverished neighborhood in of
southern Tehran. Prior to suicide, he sent his wife and his only child to his mother’s house. Then he hanged
himself to get rid of the miserable life imposed on him and millions of Iranian by this corrupt regime. (Iran
news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Illegal Afghans refugees exploited in Evin Prison
On April 18, Mehdi Rostam-zadeh, a henchman in the Evin Prison, brutally beat and injured an employee in
the prison. According to news from the prison, the henchman ordered employee to distribute narcotic drug in
the Ward number 5 but he refused to do so. Hence, Rostam-zadeh was outraged, and beat him severely such
that he was transferred to the medical unit of the Evin Prison.
It is noteworthy to mention that most of the employees in the Evin Prison are from Afghan Refugee who are
illegally live in Iran, and they are deprived from the basic human rights. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Member of directorate of Union of Workers sentenced 12 months in prison
Davoud Razavi, member of directorate of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company
(Sherkat-e Vahed), who was arrested in 2005 and was set free on bail, sentenced to 12 months of prison in
Branch 14 of Revolutionary Court.
He opposed the verdict and it was considered in the Court of Review of Branch 36, but it was confirmed by this
court. Therefore, he can be imprisoned 12 months according to the order of regime’s henchmen in any time
during the next three years. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Workers are fired or exploited in Iran Khodro Company
Iran Khodro Company makes three months contracts with the workers, while making no commitments to
provide the basic rights of the workers.
In addition, every three months they fire the previous workers and employee new workers for the next three
months, repeating this cycle every three months unless they accept any inhuman deprivation of their rights and
obey them like a slave. They receive their salaries with 20 days delay every month. Some of them have BSC
degree and were supposed to be officially employed after eight years of experience. (Iran news agency– Apr. 22,
2009)
Workers in Qom faced dismissal after New Year holiday
After the Iranian New Year Eve holiday, more than 20 contractual workers were fired from
Eideh-Negar Factory in Qom. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Workers with ten years of experience fired from Alborz Company
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2009
Twenty-five workers are going to be fired from Alborz Ceramic Company from late April, some of them have
more than ten years of experience. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
One of five biggest factories in Iran on the verge of bankruptcy, increasing unemployed workers
Sanandaj Tractor Factory, one of the five biggest industrial factories in Iran, is on the verge of complete closure.
This will add more than 200 workers to the gigantic unemployed workers in Iran. The managing director said
the banking system and governments relevant offices have refused to cooperate with the factory therefore, they
couldn’t make more than 350 Tractors leading to its bankruptcy last year. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Workers activists arrested on the brink of International
Workers Day
On April 20, Abdullah A., Rouzbeh Shams, Danial
Mohammad-nia, and Soroush Kaheni, four former members
of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus
Company (Sherkat-e Vahed) were arrested outside their
houses.
They were arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents for inviting
people from different sectors of the society taking part in the
International Workers Day in Laleh Park in Tehran. They
were told the indictment against them is causing anxiety
among public. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Two months salaries for 12 months of work
Employees of Sabalan Textile Company in Ardabil – Northwestern Province in Iran – protested for their basic
right of receiving their salaries on time. There are two thousands workers in this company. They complain that
they have only received only two months salaries for twelve months of work.
They said that they have pleaded all the relevant officials and offices in this regard but nothing has been done
for them. (Jomhouri, start-run daily – Apr. 22, 2009)
Closed circuit cameras in schools for controlling teachers
Some of schools in Tehran Province have installed closed circuit cameras in both elementary and high school
classes. This is for controlling teachers and students overtly. Then give notification to teachers and students in
several occasions. This treatment has caused disorder and insecure state of mental for both teachers and
students. These schools include Saba Technical School and Holiness Masoumeh School in Shahriar, and
Sediqeh Tahereh High School in Shahr-e Ray. (Association of Political Prisoners in Exile – Apr. 23, 2009)
Repression of trade unions in Iran and this year’s May
Day
The government of Iran is intensifying its repression against
independent trade unionists ahead of May Day 2009 and
the June presidential elections.
As we near May Day 2009, EI, ITF ITUC and IUF again wish to draw international attention to our common
struggle in support of fundamental labour and trade union rights in Iran. The right of workers to organize, to
bargain collectively with employers and the right to strike are essential human rights as enshrined in the ILO
Conventions. Workers in Iran must be free to exercise these rights that workers everywhere are entitled to. We
call on the authorities to let workers in Iran freely join their sisters and brothers around the globe in celebrating
this May Day, and we demand the immediate and unconditional release of, Mansour Osanloo, Ebrahim
Madadi, Farzad Kamangar and all other Iranians currently imprisoned or facing imprisonment for attempting to
exercise their fundamental rights as workers and trade unionists. (IUF, EI, ITF, ITUC – Apr. 27, 2009)
Ten dissident professors fired from Seqez Free University
According to reports from Seqez in the west of Iran, ten dissident professors were fired from the Free Seqez
University under various pretexts. These people, who were mostly experienced in their field of work, were
replaced by people from outside of this city.
The university president has stated that the reason behind the dismissal of these professors is that the courses
they taught are no longer taught in this university but students have denied this excuse saying that all the
replacement professors teach those same courses. (Iran News Agency – Apr. 30, 2009)
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More than 1500 labors in Qasr-e Shirin staged a rally at 10am on May 1, 2009. Demonstrators were holding
placards demanding their labor rights such as “labors don’t want government’s charity,” “Sham elections
boycotted, boycotted” etc. Massive repressive forces of the Iranian regime were dispatched to prevent the Labor
Day Ceremony, hence it ended to clashes.
Repressive forces of government beat and assaulted labors and arrested several dozens of them in Qasr-e Shirin.
In Arak, about 500 labors form Azar-Aab Industrial, Pars-Wagon, and some other companies staged a
demonstration outside the governor office from 7.5am on April 30. (Iran news agency – May 1, 2009)
More than 200 men and women beaten and arrested for commemorating Labor Day
More than 200 laborers, women, labor activists and other people were beaten and arrested by State Security
Forces and undercover intelligence agents. On Friday May 1, more than 1,500 labor activists, laborers, women,
and university students gathered in Tehran's Laleh Park to commemorate Labor Day.
When all the participants gathered to celebrate this day by eating sweets and pastry, SSF patrols surrounded the
whole area with their cars and undercover police and regime vigilantes attacked the gatherers with clubs and
fists, shouting insults and curses. These agents beat and arrested more than 200 of the participants and forced
others to leave the park. They also confiscated mobiles and cameras to prevent people from filming the scene.
(Committee for Creating Free Labor Unions – May 2, 2009)
SSF assaulted Sanandaj rally on May Day
As it was announced, several hundred of workers and
inhabitants of Sanandaj – Center of Kurdish Province -
gathered in Amirieh Square at five pm on May Day. They
were rallying towards Kouhnavard Square while holding
placards and crying slogans. Slogans included “long live
workers”, “political prisoners must be freed”, “imprisoned
workers must be released”, and placards called for “welfare,
education for everyone”, “women, workers, students,
teachers united, united”, “contracted temporary
employment must be annulled”, “imprisoned activists must
be released”, “worldwide unity of workers”, etc.
Demonstrators were rallying for about 300 to 400 meters
when the SSF and plain-cloths attacked the beat them.
More than ten demonstrators were arrested. This morning five labor activists were also arrested but set freed on
bail. (Rozaneh website – May 2, 2009)
As’ad Ibrahimi and Mehdi Amizesh are among arrestees of May Day Ceremony
As’ad Ibrahimi, worker of the Tubing Company and child rights activist arrested on May 1. The SSF raided and
searched his house seizing his documents, equipments including his computer.
Mehdi Amizesh, a fired student of Shahr-e Ray University and another child rights activist was also arrested in
workers ceremony on May 1, 2009. According to news, arrestees were transferred to intelligence centers for
interrogation. Over hundred were arrested, names of 35 are available by now. (Students Committee for
Defending Political Prisoners – May 2, 2009)
60 metal workers arrested on Labor Day
On May Day, about 60 members of the Discount Resident Metal Workers Group were arrested in the Discount
store of this factory. Agents released 15 people on the condition that they go to court and transferred the other
45 workers to Vesal Detention Center.
Their families have not received any information on their condition and location. (Center of Political Prisoners
in Exile – May 3, 2009)
Latest news on conditions of arrestees on May Day in Tehran
They are detained in Ward 240 of Evin Prison. They are over hundred and are in Isolation (Quarantine) Ward.
For the first 24 hours they were not given any food. They are being detained in a difficult condition.
Their families protested and were told that the men cases had been considered and they would be released on
bail. However, files of the female detainees are yet unidentified. Names of 53 arrestees in Laleh Park on the May
Day in Tehran are obtained. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 3, 2009)
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Families of arrestees of International May Day gathered outside Tehran Revolutionary Prosecutor Office
yesterday, but the SSF threatened them and tried to disperse them. Some of the families went to Evin Prison to
visit the women arrestees since today is visiting day for women prisoners. However, they were told that the order
issued by Judge Hadad barred them from visit. They
told families that we wouldn’t answer them and
wouldn’t release anyone. (Change for Equality website
– May 5, 2009)
In Qazvin, 20 industry units closed down and their
workers unemployed
“Since two years ago 20 industry units have been
suspended and their workers were unemployed,” Aid-
Ali Karimi, secretary of house of workers – state-run
body – said in Qazvin.
“At present there are 60,000 workers wandered since
they have between 18 and 29 years of experience and
not qualified for retirement,” he declared while
expressing 100 industry units have been closed since
1997. (ILNA, state-run news agency – May 5, 2009
Ongoing firing, unemployment and unpaid workers
and employees
On Tuesday May 5, a large number of workers of a
manufacturing unit in Iranshahr, a city in Sistan va
Baluchistan Province, gathered outside Social Affairs
and Employment Organization calling for implementation of their rights. “Since we do not have employment
security we do not dare protest otherwise we easily and unjustly get fired,” a worker said.
About 100 drivers protested outside Social Affairs and Employment Organization in Kermanshah Province
given that they had become unemployed since March 2009.
More than 50 fired Khorramshahr’s municipal workers called for an immediate consideration of their rights.
There are over 100 fired workers of Khorramshahr’s municipal. They were working there for four years as daily
paid labor, when fired in March 2009 while there have been no concerns on their conditions, and are in
miserable state of life.
During last two weeks, Iran Poya (Jeneral Steel) Company has fired about 200 workers, 60 were contractors, and
the rest were contractual labors. According to the general director of this factory, in the coming June all
manufacturing sections of the factory except Aluminum plates will be closed leading to more fired workers. (Iran
news agency – May 5, 2009)
Teachers brutally beaten in peaceful gathering
Baqeri, member of the Managing Board of Iran's
Teacher's Center (report on the peaceful gathering of
teachers outside the Ministry of Education): We got to
the ministry at about 12:45 pm. At about 1:30 pm the
number of teachers was on the rise and I saw them
coming in groups. Then I noticed that 10-15 police
officers and State Security Forces approached the 100
strong crowds to disperse them. The agents pushed,
shoved, and insulted the teachers.
In the middle of all this, one of the co-workers of the
Managing Board, Bodaqi, was brutally beaten by agents in
front of everyone and was pulled away from the crowd.
Another one of our colleagues who came to protest this action was also violently beaten. An agent struck him in
the face so hard that his eyeglasses were thrown a few meters to another side and another officer punched him
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in the chest. Bohluli, another one of our colleagues, was beaten even more violently. After an agent struck his
back with a club, he fell to the ground and was unable to get up. (Radio Germany website – May 5, 2009)
130 are still detained since May Day
More than 130 men and women are still detained in Ward 240 of Evin Prison in detrimental condition, since
their arrest on May Day. Families of them are frequently and continuously go to security and judiciary centers
including Revolutionary Court in Mo’alem Street, but the SSF threatened them to arrest and suppressed them,
and the judiciary officials give contradicting replies. (Association of Iranian Political Prisoners in Exile – May 6,
2009)
Ongoing arrest of workers
Intelligence agents arrested Mahmoud Bahrami, a labor activist, on May 6. The reason for his arrest is reading a
statement on the May Day. (Iran news agency – May 7, 2009)
They detained in Evin Prison under inhuman condition:
Families of arrestees of May Day
Arrestees of the International May Day are still in Quarantine
Ward of Evin Prison in a very bad condition. There is no news
on men, but some of the women had a short call with their
families. They complained of inhuman condition imposed on
them in this ward. They also complained that on the May Day
the repressive forces beat and hit them violently such that some
of them had their cloths torn out and are still with their torn
out dresses.
There are about 70 to 80 men and 18 women detained. Families
of detainees who were over 60 gathered outside the Revolutionary Court, calling for their loved ones release.
Hassan Zare Dehnavi aka Hassan Hadad, refuses to visit families, sending Fallah, his deputy to talk to them.
“I told you not to spend all your money, but you did, and now you're going to have to face the music,” Fallah
said.
“They are in Quarantine Ward and barred from any visit and telephone contact. Their fate will be defined
between 30 to 45 days,” he continued. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 9, 2009)
Ongoing repression of journalists in Iran, Reporters Without Borders
According to Reporters Without Borders, in addition to Alireza Saqafi, editor in chief of banned Raah-e
Ayandeh paper, Kaveh Mozafari and his wife Jelveh Javaheri, Amir Yaqoub Ali and Nikzad Zanganeh were
arrested on the First May Day.
Reporters Without Borders added that Islamic Republic officials continue baseless repression against journalists
without any warrants.
According to Reporters Without Borders, Alireza Saqafi, also member of Iranian writers trade union was
arrested by intelligence agents before demonstration on the May Day.
The report adds that Kaveh Mozafari, blogger of Madresseh Femenisti Website was also arrested by intelligence
agents on the same day.
After arresting Kaveh Mozafari, intelligence agents enterred his house without any warrant while searching the
house and seizing personal belongings and documents also arrested Jelveh Javaheri, his wife without any
warrant… (Farda Radio – May 10, 2009)
No information on teacher arrested a week ago
Mohammad Malek, a teacher in Ilam, western city, was arrested a week ago, but his family was not informed.
On May 3, the SSF raided Shariati School in this city and arrested him.
He is one of active members of teachers’ trade union and had an important role in organizing teachers’ protests.
In a statement, the teachers’ trade union in Ilam condemned his arrest. (Iran news agency– May 10, 2009)
Ongoing arrests after May Day
Subsequent of the First of May Day, arrests, threatening, and rigging of activists is ongoing. On Thursday May 7,
about 10 members of directorate of metallurgical mechanic were arrested. On Saturday May 9, they have
threatened other labor activists, intimidating their families. This trend has spread to activists in Keyan Tire, and
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Industrial Metallurgic Companies, even including Vahed trade unionists and other activists close to Mr Saqafi,
and painters’ syndicate. These repressive measures have extended to freelance workers and political activists.
Government officials relate all these arrests to the May Day and want to make the file of the International
Worker May Day more severe and grave. (Iran news agency – May 12, 2009)
Multiple pressures imposed on Ata Baabaa-Khani, supervisor of Tehran’s Bus Company
Since protests in 2005Ata Baabaa-Khani, supervisor of syndicate of workers of Tehran and suburbs bus company
who was in a very bad financial condition given that he was fired and unemployed. He has been working in a
private bus company since a month ago, but Herasat (‘Protection Department’) imposes pressure preventing him
from his new job.
On May 11, while he was filling petrol in district six, his bus’ booklet seized and when he went to pursuit the
case noticed that Mr. Morshedi, head of Herasat of Sherkat-e Vahed has ordered this new restriction. They
prevent him to continue his job by some false charges made against him such as causing public disorder, and he
was ordered that he should not work on this bus or any other buses. (Iran news agency – May 13, 2009)
Reporters Without Borders concerned on mounting arrest of journalists in Iran
In a statement on May 3, Reproters Without Borders once again declared its concern about mounting arrest of
Iranian journalists and bloggers.
The statement stipulated that fifteen bloggers and journalists in Iran were imprisoned including Massoud
Loqman and Sajad Khaksari.
The statement accuses Islamic Republic officials of violating the “freedom and rights of journalists” secretly…
(Farda Radio – May 13, 2009)
12 months salaries of Sari Chemistry Chromium workers unpaid
More than 50 workers of Sari Chemistry Chromium Factory protesting against a year of unpaid salaries, bonus,
and not receiving coupons for five years gathered outside the governor general office of Mazandaran Northern
Province, but not received any answer.
The workers said that the employer has decided to close the factory since he imports Chromium with cheaper
price and has turned off the factory’s stove. This factory belongs to private section and has more than 90
workers. (ILNA – May 14, 2009)
Hopeless of freedom without American Passport
At present, there are at least 16 known Iranian journalists and bloggers in prison.
Roxana Saberi’s freedom, although welcomed worldwide but at the same time reminded us about a group of
Iranian journalists and bloggers who barely have any support hence spending their lives behind bars. The only
offence they have committed is like Roxana Saberi to endeavor after their media prophecy. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – May 14, 2009)
Firing drivers of Tehran and suburbs Bus Company: Report
Management of Sherkat Vahed (Tehran and suburbs Bus Company) summons drivers to ‘Disciplinary
Committees’ and fires them with confirmation of Islamic Council which is totally an illegal body. The
employees are fired under different pretext such as old age, infrequent and low work, not annulling tickets,
disobeying the orders, hesitating to work on official vocations, using extra medical and merit leave, link with
members of Syndicates of Workers of Bus Company etc. (Iran news agency – May 16, 2009)
Amnesty International condemned widespread arrests in Iran on the verge of Presidential
elections
Excerpts fo the AI Public Statement issued on 15 May 2009 are as follows:
Amnesty International has today called on the Iranian authorities to ensure that the forthcoming
presidential election to be held on 12 June 2009 are free of discrimination - particularly against
women - and that candidates and voters are guaranteed effective exercise of their rights to
freedom of expression and assembly during the election campaign.
Amnesty International is also concerned at ongoing repression of dissent in Iran, which has worsened in recent
months, and fears that Iranians who wish to express their opinions or exercise their right to assembly during the
election campaign may face restrictions including harassment, arbitrary arrest, and unfair trial.
Amnesty International has received reports suggesting increased waves of arbitrary arrests and harassment
targeting in particular members of Iran’s religious and ethnic minority communities, students, trade unionists
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June
Confessing to economic bankruptcy and its pressure on Iran’s workers and toilers
“Workers of Farsh-e Parcel Factory have not received their salaries for three months,” Aid-Ali Karimi, executive
secretary of state-run house of workers in Qazvin said.
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“This company had more than 1000 workers previously,” he added while saying that there are 280 workers in
the company. (ILNA official news agency – June 2, 2009)
Bakers in Kurdistan forced to participate in election
On Tuesday June 2, a session was held including employers, and officials in charge of bakers’ trade union.
Khamenei’s representative in Kurdistan declared in that meeting that each one of organizations of different
trade unions must pay 40,400,000 rials (almost 40,400 dollars) to government. Although the person in charge of
the union told them, they cannot afford to pay this sum of money, but still they charged each baker with 80,000
rials.
Sanandaj Governor and officials in charge of corn said that they would not give any subsidies to bakers anymore
and they have to provide it from free market, this has raised protests by people.
Pressure imposed on Kurdish to participate in election is ongoing. Hassan Abbasi, Governor of Bukan declared
to trade union office that all merchants must participate in (sham presidential) election, and should they
prevent participating their work permit would not be renewed and they would face problem. (Radio of
Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) – June 4, 2009)
Worker from Gazvin’s gelatin factory: I never participate in any election, the root is spoiled
“We did not receive any New Year's bonus, our salaries for six months have not paid, but employer overtly tells
us that they won’t do anything until six more months. When we protest, they label our protest as political. Our
colleagues who were arrested on the International May Day are still not released. For what sake should we face
with the SSF and Intelligence agents?” said a worker of Qazvin gelatin factory.
“The regime is like a ruined house, changing the cabinet just changes its appearance but nothing will really
change because the root is spoiled, and giving votes won’t change anything therefore I won’t participate in the
(presidential) election,” he replied on taking part in coming election. (Iran news agency – June 6, 2009)
Women's activist and reporter summoned to intelligence agency
Nazi Oskuyi, editor of the "Digar" publication and a women's activist was summoned to the Intelligence Agency
again. This summons was by orders of the Revolutionary Court after her house and office were searched.
Computers, publication, and financial documents were confiscated in this search. Ali Amini and Yashar Amini,
both employees of the "Digar" publication were also summoned. (Shahrzad News website – June 8, 2009)
A writer and journalist is in state of limbo in prison
The family of Taqi Ahmadi Azar Moqadam, a writer and journalist in Tabriz, who was arrested two months ago,
say that he is in a state of limbo in prison.
Security agents searched his house twice after his arrest, confiscating some of his books and articles.
"They arrested my husband on April 4 outside our house and they have not given us any information on his
current situation", his wife said. "They searched our house twice. It is not clear what his charges are and there
has been no court to see to his case", she added. When asked if he had a lawyer or not, Firuzeh Hematju said
that they had gone to get him a lawyer a few times but "they said he was not allowed" to have one.
"They have threatened us that if we get him a lawyer, they will not let us contact him on the phone or have any
visits", she added.
"I do not know if they torture him or not but he is not in a good state. He has been incarcerated for about 65
days and he has been kept in solitary the whole time", she added. (Radio Farda – June 9, 2009)
Regime arrests teacher in Tehran
According to reports from the Teacher's Center, Jafar Ibrahimi, a member of this center who had seven years of
teaching experience as a teacher of social science and has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and a master's
degree in social science, was arrested on June 10. Unknown men searched his house and confiscated his
computer, books, pictures, and CDs before arresting him. There is no information on his whereabouts. (Human
Rights Committee Reporters – June 11, 2009)
Dutch journalists thrown out of Iran
THE HAGUE - Iranian authorities have arrested two Dutch journalists covering the disputed presidential
election and ordered them to leave the country, public broadcaster Nederland 2 said Sunday.
NOVA journalist Jan Eikelboom and cameraman Dennis Hilgers must leave Iran,' Nederland 2 said in a
statement posted on the company's Internet site.
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They 'were filming in front of the headquarters of Mousavi, Ahamdinejad's main rival, when they were arrested
by police.
'They were pushed against a wall and their tapes were seized. Their filming permits were withdrawn and they
have to leave the country immediately,' the statement said. (AFP - June 14, 2009)
Iran asked to explain Canadian journalist's arrest
Canada's foreign minister said Monday he has called in Iran's envoy to explain the brief detention of a
Canadian journalist covering protests in Tehran after hotly contested elections.
'The security forces' brutal treatment of peaceful protesters is unacceptable,' he said.
'An officer grabbed me, pinned my arm behind my back and led me into the bowels of the Interior Ministry
headquarters -- where so many Iranian dissidents disappear,' wrote freelancer George McLeod in an article.
He said he was allowed to leave a few hours later, with 'bleeding welts' on his neck and 'a swollen arm.' (AFP -
June 15, 2009)
Iran steps up curbs on foreign media
Iranian authorities on Tuesday banned the foreign media from covering 'unauthorised' rallies, a day after its
disputed presidential election sparked deadly clashes…
In effect, foreign journalists were being confined to their bureaus and barred from reporting on the streets…
Several journalists working for foreign media outlets have complained that Iranian authorities have been
blocking them since protests broke out following Ahamdinejad's re-election on June 12.
Television crews say some recordings of clashes between demonstrators and security forces have been seized and
foreign journalists who travelled to Iran for last Friday's election have been told to leave when their visas run
out. (AFP - June 16, 2009)
Iran tightens grip on media
Iran tightened its grip on the media on Wednesday…
'Those who promote riots and threaten people in cyberspace are warned that they can face very heavy legal
action from us. We want them to remove such material,' the Revolutionary Guards statement said.
The journalist have effectively been confined to their bureaus and banned from reporting from the streets. (AFP
– June 17, 2009)
Iran journalists arrested or in hiding: RSF
A dozen Iranian journalists and bloggers have been arrested and many others are in hiding after authorities took
steps to restrict the media, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said Wednesday.
'We have lost contact with many of them,' RSF secretary general Jean-Francois Julliard said of the journalists .
The organisation also condemned a decision to ban foreign journalists from attending mass rallies.
'This is absolutely scandalous, but also worrisome, because it suggests a heightening of repression.
'Clearly the Iranian authorities want the foreign media to leave the country so that it can crack down on the
movement away from the world's gaze,' said Julliard.
Foreign journalists have been effectively confined to their bureaus and banned from reporting from the streets
since the order was issued on Tuesday. (AFP – June 17, 2009)
Media becomes priority target since shaken regime of Iran does not want to let this perception endure
The Islamic Republic of Iran now ranks alongside China as the world’s biggest prison for journalists. The
crackdown has been intensified yet again following Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s endorsement of the result
of the 12 June presidential election and the opposition’s decision to call another demonstration on 20 June.
Iran now has a total of 33 journalists and cyber-dissidents in its jails, while journalists who could not be located
at their homes have been summoned by telephone by Tehran prosecutor general Said Mortazavi.
"The force of the demonstrations in Tehran is increasing fears that more Iranian journalists could be arrested
and more foreign journalists could be expelled,” Reporters Without Borders said. “The regime has been visibly
shaken by its own population and does not want to let this perception endure. That is why the media have
become a priority target.”
The press freedom organisation added: “The international community cannot continue to ignore the situation.
It must have a clear and unanimous reaction that is proportionate to the gravity of these events. And there will
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never be any question of recognising the results of the 12 June election. (Reporters Sans Frontières - 21 June
2009)
Iran arrests Greek journalist working for US media: Fars
TEHRAN- 'The director general of foreign media at the culture ministry confirmed the arrest of a Washington
Times reporter of Greek origin,' Fars said, without giving the name of the journalist.
But Moghadaszadeh added: 'I call on foreign reporters to work within our laws when travelling to Iran for news
coverage... because if they act against national security and spy, they will be arrested by security institutions and
handed over to the judiciary.' (AFP – June 23, 2009)
Iran arrests staff at Mousavi's banned newspaper
TEHRAN - Iran has arrested 25 journalists and other staff at a newspaper owned by defeated presidential
candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi, one of its editors told AFP on Wednesday.
The arrests come after the newspaper Kalameh Sabz (Green Word) was shut down by the authorities in the wake
of the disputed election that returned President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad to office.
Among those arrested on Monday were five or six administrative employees while the rest were journalists. (AFP
- Iran, June 24, 2009)
At least 140 political activists, journalists, and professors jailed in Iran turmoil: reports
TEHRAN - Iran has jailed more than 140 political activists, journalists and university lecturers since the
disputed election, which returned President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad to power, reports said Thursday.
A list published by Etemad newspaper carried the names of 71 prominent reformist leaders, journalists and
campaign workers of defeated candidate Mir Hossein Moussavi, who has dismissed the election as a 'shameful
fraud'.Moussavi's website Kalemeh said another 70 academics and members of Islamic associations at various
universities were arrested after meeting him on Wednesday. (AFP - June 25, 2009)
Iran arrests local British embassy staff: Fars agency
TEHRAN, Iran - Iran has arrested eight local staff at the British embassy in Tehran on accusations of having a
role in post-election riots, the Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
Fars, without giving a source, said those arrested had a 'considerable role' in the violence that erupted after the
disputed re-election of President Mahmud Ahamdinejad.
Iran has repeatedly accused Britain of stoking the unrest. It has expelled the BBC correspondent in Tehran and
arrested a British-Greek journalist, as well as a number of other British passport-holders it says were involved in
rioting. (AFP - June 28, 2009)
July
Teacher transferred to Evin
Jafar Ibrahimi, an activist and member of the Teachers' Center who was arrested on the morning of June 10 was
taken to section 7 of Evin Prison. He was a student activist in the late 90's in Zanjan and a member of the
Central Council of the Zanjan Islamic Association. He was an active blogger after he finished university.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 19, 2009)
August
Iran arrests head of Tehran's Oil Refinery
The Alef Website has reported that the head of Tehran's Oil Refinery Plant has been arrested. It seems that he
was arrested due to the probability of a strike in this plant. (Saham News website – Aug. 4, 2009)
Two other journalists arrested in Tehran
Security forces arrested two journalists, Mir Hamid Hasan Zadeh and Reza Nurbakhsh in Tehran.
On August 4, Hasan Zadeh who was the Manager of the ISNA news agency was arrested in his office in the
ISNA News Agency Offices. Security forces also arrested Nurbakhsh, the editor of the Farhikhtegan daily in his
office on Tuesday night. (Radio Farda Website – Aug. 5, 2009)
Iran shuts down journalists' association
Iranian authorities have shut down a leading journalists' organization, members of the group said on Thursday,
a move condemned by international press groups.
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Armed men raided and sealed the Tehran offices of the Association of Iranian Journalists late on Wednesday,
said the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which also called for Iran to free up to 42 reporters
currently, jailed. ‘It is true, it has been closed down,’ said a member of the Iranian association who declined to
be named. (Reuters – Aug. 6, 2009)
Security forces arrest two univ. professors
Security forces went to the house of economist Massoud Nili (to arrest him) but he was away on a pilgrimage.
The agents then arrested Dr. Kermanshah, a Sharif University professor who is Nili's neighbor because he
protested to the agents. There is no information on Nili's whereabouts or why they went to his house. This is
while this economist has announced that he does not support any group or political idea and did not vote for
any particular candidate in the election. (E'temad Meli state-run daily – Aug. 9, 2009)
Iran bans daily, which disclosed prison rape
A hardline Iranian cleric called on Monday for OPPOSITION leader Mehdi Karroubi to be lashed over his
controversial claims that some election protesters were raped or tortured in custody.
The Iranian authorities have also banned the defeated presidential candidate's reformist newspaper after it
printed the allegations of prison abuse, his aides said.
Karroubi's son Hossein said on his father's party website that a prosecution official had ordered a 'temporary
ban' on the publication of his newspaper Etemad Melli (National Confidence) on Sunday.
He said the action was launched because his father had printed 'responses to insults against him' over the rape
claims, which the hardliners charge played into the hands of Iran's foreign critics. (AFP - Aug 17, 2009)
Jailed labor activists denied leave from prison
The Revolutionary Court has disagreed with a leave for the members of Tehran's Bus Union from prison.
Firuzi, a court official, disagreed with a leave for Ibrahim Madadi, the assistant head of this union. He claimed
that he and Mansour Asalu, the head of the union, would start their activities again once on leave. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 24, 2009)
They were taken to the Karoon Prison in Ahwaz last Wednesday. In a telephone call, the intelligence agency has
told the family of Rahimi that he has been charged with supporting workers and having communications with
leftist parties and opposition organizations. (Committee in Defense of Political Prisoners – Sep. 14, 2009)
Univ. official beaten and arrested for defending students
About 20 students of the Arts University in Karaj were summoned to the Disciplinary Committee and
Protection Department while at least one student was summoned to the Revolutionary Court.
According to other reports, Dr. Sayed Hassan Sultani, the assistant head of Student Affairs at this university was
arrested by security forces and severely beaten in a detention center for supporting students when plain clothes
agents wanted to attack them in their dorms and campus. He will be removed from his position once he is
released from prison.A representative of the Leader (Khamenei) has been appointed as the new assistant head of
Student Affairs in this university. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 17, 2009)
Security forces stormed reformist journalist’s home at night
Mohammad Naeimipour, a member of the central council of the Islamic Cooperation Front of Iran was arrested
after security forces stormed his home early Friday morning.
According to informed sources, security forces arrested him after they searched his home. (Roydad Website –
Sep. 18, 2009)
Only Bassij members allowed employment in new Seqez dam project
Those without Bassij member cards are not allowed employment in the construction of the Cheragh Veis Dam
between the Cheragh Veis Village and Mireh Dey Village.
The officials in charge of the construction of the dam only hire those who have Bassij member cards without
regard for expertise. Therefore, a large number of people with diplomas or university degrees have not been
hired because they did not have Bassij member cards. (Kurdistan Media – Sep. 19, 2009)
Security forces beat reporters and cameraman with electric clubs
In a football match between Tehran's Esteqlal football (soccer) team and Mashhad's Abu-moslem team in
Mashhad, the clashes between protesters and riot police reached the point where two reporters and a
cameraman were beaten by security forces. These reporters were beaten so badly with electric clubs that they
were taken to the hospital while unconscious. (Rooz Online – Sep. 27, 2009)
Professors purged in universities by orders of Khamenei
After Khamenei stressed that the curriculum of social sciences has to be revised in all universities, a new wave of
purges and changes has started in the Alameh Tabatabayi University in Tehran. According to this report, an
informed source has said that five law professors, who specialized on the issue of human rights, have been
banned from teaching in various ways.
The most important of these purges, is the purge of Doctor Mohammad-Reza Zia-Bigdeli, a leading International
Law professor in Iran and the former head of the School of Law and School of Political Science at this
university, who was forced into retirement and banned from teaching from the start of the new semester.
According to reports, university officials even banned a professor from teaching by charging him with immoral
acts. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Sep. 28, 2009)
Workers' wages in Tehran factory not paid and their basic rights violated
A worker in the Punel Factory in Tehran's Pakdasht region said in an interview, "We have not received our
wages for three months now and no one gives us any answers".
"We are under a lot of pressure in providing our daily needs. A new law has been enforced in which labor
representatives have not vote in company matters and all the decisions are made by the head of the factory and
the government. So, even when they make decisions that harm laborers, the workers have to obey. It is like the
era of slavery and workers have no right to express their opinions", he added. (Iran News Agency –Sep. 30,
2009)
October
75 factory workers fired for filing complaint against employer
The head of the Aram Soda Factory fired 75 of its workers. These workers were fired after they complained to
the Labor Department that they were not receiving their pay for doing extra work. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Oct. 8, 2009)
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While a large number of students have been arrested and put in solitary confinement on the eve of Student's
Day, special committees have been formed in all of Iran's university to fire and force university professors into
retirement. These committees have been formed with the help of the Science Ministry (Ministry of Higher
Learning) and government officials. (Nurooz Website – Nov. 25, 2009)
Man fired from job because of religious beliefs
Mehdi Mardani Rad, a Neimatollahi Dervish was fired from his position in the Refah Worker's Bank in
Gorgan.
According to the head of the Personnel Selection Committee he was fired because of reports from the Golestan
Province's Intelligence Agency regarding Mr. Mardani Rad relationship with the Neimatollahi Dervishes.
Mardani Rad, who has a master's degree, had worked in this bank since the year 2000. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Nov. 26, 2009)
Human rights activist fired from work
Narges Mohammadi, the spokeswoman of the Center in Defense of Human Rights and a
member of the National Council of Peace was fired on November 19 from her job because of
her human rights activities. She is the wife of political activist Taqi Rahmani. In a letter to
Ahmadinejad she explained the summoning and problems that the Ministry of Intelligence
created for her. She also explained the stages of being fired from her job, in which she had 8
years of experience. She was fired from the Iran Engineering Inspection Company on
November 19. (JRS – Nov. 30, 2009)
December
Labor activist says Islamic Labor Council has no right to fire detained labor activists
According to a labor activist and according to the rules of the Islamic Labor Council, this council cannot agree
to the expulsion of workers without written notices.
"According to the Labor Law, the Council can only agree to the expulsion of workers who have at least received
3 written notices for their offense ", Kazem Farajollahi said.
He said regarding the expulsion of detained Haft Tapeh Sugar Cane Factory workers, "The fact that these
laborers, who were sentenced to prison terms because of their labor activities, were fired is not right".
"None of these five workers have committed any crimes which would lead their employer to fire them", he
added. (ILNA state-run News Agency – Dec. 12, 2009)
Iran fires opposition leader from state-funded post
Iranian opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi was dismissed on Tuesday from his last remaining state-funded
position as president of the Academy of Art, the Fars news agency reported.
'Members of the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution dismissed Mir Hossein Mousavi as head of the
Academy of Art,' council member Mohammad Mohammadian told the news agency.
'Ali Moalem Damghani replaced him'.
Mousavi, a former prime minister, had headed the Academy of Art ever since its establishment in 1999.
Hardline President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, whose controversial June re-election Mousavi continues to reject,
heads the council which dismissed the opposition chief.
The Academy of Art is a state-funded body supervised by the president's office which has a stated mission to
'preserve Islamic and national art' and 'confront invasive cultures.' (AFP – Dec. 22, 2009)
Iran fires teacher because of political activities
Samira Sadri, a member of the Policies Council of the Office for Consolidating Unity was fired after seven years
of teaching.
"After being summoned a number of times to the Protection Department of the Ministry of Education and
Ministry of Intelligence it was verbally announced to me that because of my political activities in the past and
my current political activities and because of the activities of my husband (Ali Jamali the head of the Politics
Committee of this Group) I am banned from teaching". (Committee of Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec.
25, 2009)
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Suppression of religious
and ethnic minorities
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In the end of November of last year, a number of Tehran residents gathered in Behesht Zahra Cemetery to
commemorate the death of those killed in the Iran-Iraq war independently from state run ceremonies but
security forces arrested several of these people. Currently, 33 of these people are in prison. (Kurdistan Human
Rights Reporters – Jan. 14, 2009)
Widespread arrest of Bahais in Tehran
In the early hours of the morning, security forces went to the houses of 10 Bahai families in Tehran in a
coordinated move and after searching these houses and confiscating religious books, pictures and computers,
arrested a number of Bahais and took them to Evin Prison. Jinoos Sobhani, Shahrokh Ta'ef, Azizollah
Samandari, Payam Aqsani, Didar Ra'oof, Nima Haqar are some of the detained Bahais. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – Jan. 15, 2009)
Kish police arrest six Gonabadi Devishes
Six Gonabadi Dervishes were arrested after security forces raided their houses in Kish Island. Following the
shutdown of the place of worship of these Dervishes in Kish last week, security forces raided the house of
Mohammad Jafar Entesari and violently arrested the residents of this house taking them to Kish's Intelligence
Detention Center without any arrest warrants.
According to reports, the names of those arrested are Mohammad-Jafar Entesari, Abdol-Reza Goudarzi, Ahmad
Goudarzi, Omid Hasan-Zadeh, Mehran Asad-pour and Tooraj Yeganeh. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan.
16, 2009)
SSF arrests several Isfahan protesters
State Security forces arrested several people participating in a demonstration in a square in the city of Isfahan
organized by an opposition group at noon January 16, 2009. These demonstrators were taken to an unknown
location. Eye witnesses have reported that dozens of people were arrested but their names and location is not yet
known. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan. 16, 2009)
Security agents completely destroy Baha'i cemetery
At midnight last night a truck and bulldozer with a number of
undercover police agents came to the Baha'i cemetery in Zikla in the
city of Qaemshahr and leveled the ground breaking the gravestones.
While these agents were at work in the cemetery, the power of the
whole area was completely shut off. A local resident who witnessed this
scene was arrested after these agents shot in the air. After they tied his
hands and foot they released him in the cemetery. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran - Jan. 19, 2009)
3 Christians arrested in Tehran
Security forces simultaneously arrested three Christians in Tehran on unknown charges and took them to an
unknown location.
According to reports from Farsi Christian Network on January 21, security forces went to the house of Hamik
Khachekian, 51, who is the caretaker of a church in central Tehran and arrested him after searching his house
and confiscating his personal belongings including Christian books, notes, computer and even telephone book.
In another similar measure on the same date a number of security forces arrested a newly converted Christian
couple after searching their house and confiscating their personal belongings. Security forces took Nadereh
Jamali, 44 and her husband Jamal Qali Shoorani, 49 to an unknown location.
According to reports there is no information on the location of the detainees and their families and friends are
worried for their safety. There has also been no answer on the reason for their arrest. (Iran Press News – Jan. 24,
2009)
SSF attack Baha'i homes in Mashhad
Security forces raided homes of Baha'is in the city of Mashhad on January 26. These intelligence agents raided at
least 10 houses including the homes of Baha'i leaders in this city searching and confiscating their personal
belonging including religious pictures, books, and computers. During these raids, at least three members of the
Baha'i society named Simin Eshraqi (f), Rozita Va'eqi (f) and Jalayer Vahdat were arrested and taken to an
unknown location. There is still no information on their whereabouts. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jan.
27, 2009)
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It is probable that these seven people referred to by Hadad are seven leaders of the Baha'i Society in Tehran who
were arrested last year in an attack to their homes. These seven people have been imprisoned for eight months
and no evidence has been presented against them so far. In addition to this, they have not been allowed to see
their lawyer, Shirin Ebadi, during this time. (The Global Baha'i Society – Feb. 14, 2009)
Student Dervish suspended from all university courses
The Iran Free Islamic Universities Central Committee sentenced Mohammad Ismail Salahi, a Gonabadi
Dervish who is currently in Yazd's Ardakan Prison after the Yazd Intelligence Department filed a complaint
against him, to suspension from all university courses. Salahi who was accepted in law in the Free Islamic
University in 2006, was expelled from this university in 2009 after a decision by the Disciplinary Committee.
Salahi's lawyer objected to this decision but the Disciplinary Committee in Tehran University increased the
expulsion sentence to suspension from all courses in free universities.
Omid Behruzi, a former lawyer, said the reason this Dervish was suspended was because of his case in court and
charges such as insulting the leadership and founding father of the Islamic Republic which existed against him.
(Majzoobian Noor website – Feb. 15, 2009)
Iran's Attorney General: activities of the "Baha'i cult" are illegal and banned
Iran's Attorney General reiterated the previous orders of the 1984 attorney general and chief Judiciary of Iran
on the banning of Baha'i activities and said, "The organization of the Baha'i cult is illegal and unofficial and
their affiliation with Israel and their animosity towards Islam and an Islamic system is evident. The danger they
pose to national security is also evident and it is necessary that any organization which is active in its place has to
be dealt with according to rules and regulations".
The heads of the illegal Baha'i cult have been arrested by the Intelligence Agency and their cases are currently
being dealt with in the judicial system. With orders of the Attorney General, this organization will be seriously
dealt with until it is completely destroyed. (Fars state-run news agency – Feb. 15, 2009)
Intelligence agents destroy Dervishes' places of worship
A place of worship that belonged to Gonabadi Dervishes was
destroyed in the middle of the night. On Tuesday February 17,
at 12:30 am, undercover agents affiliated with the Ministry of
Intelligence entered the Hosseinieh (Dervishes' place of
worship) from its eastern wall. This is while they did not have a
warrant from judicial sources. Six undercover agents entered the
Hosseinieh guards' room via a window and threatened the
guards at gun point telling them that Station 16 had reports
that 200 kilograms of drugs are kept inside the Hosseinieh.
They subsequently handcuffed the guards and confiscated their
mobile phones. After this, 3 bulldozers and 15 dump trucks
were brought to the scene and started destroying the building.
The guards who were detained in police cars across the street
from this place of worship witnessed the demolition of the
Dervishes' Hosseinieh.
The day after that on February 18, a few hours after midnight,
security agents raided the meeting center of these Dervishes.
Agents demolished this building using a number of bulldozers,
after arresting the caretaker and a number of Dervishes who
were in the building. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Feb. 19,
2009)
acting against national security. He also stated that four of the arrestees named Mohammad Sadeq Moradi
Saroostayi, Amin Karampoor, Reza Moti'e Qavanin and Ali Akbar Bankdar are kept in solitary cells in ward 242
of Evin Prison. There is no information on the other imprisoned Dervishes. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Feb. 23, 2009)
16 Dervishes imprisoned in Isfahan Prison
According to reports from the Quarantine ward in Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison and Isfahan's Detention Center, a
large number of Dervishes who were arrested after security forces demolished their place of worship were taken
to the A-T ward of Isfahan's Intelligence Detention Center. On Sunday February 22, 16 of these Dervishes were
taken to the Quarantine ward of Isfahan's Dastgerd Prison. Prison guards do not let other prisons communicate
with these Dervishes and according to reports this is because of the torture and abuse these Dervishes have been
subjected to and in this way prison officials want to prevent the publication of reports of this torture. According
to reports, many of these Dervishes are in very critical condition. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in
Iran – Feb. 23, 2009)
Regime agents attack 2 Baha'i homes in Semnan
A group of people attacked two homes with explosives which belongs to Baha'i families in Semnan.
On February 25, a group of people threw handmade grenades at the windows of two apartment buildings which
belonged to the Pirasteh and Pour-Hosseini families. They intended to burn down the apartments but
fortunately, the grenades hit the windowsill and did not enter the apartments. Intelligence agents raided this
apartment on December 15 and confiscated these families' personal items. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Feb. 25, 2009)
Three arrested Kurds in unknown condition
Three Kurds by the names of Aram, Arman and Kazem Nurizadeh residents of Avihnag village in Sanandaj were
arrested by security agents on February 11 and taken to an unknown location. According to reports, agents
confiscated their personal belongings after searching their house. The charges of these three men in still
unknown and there is no news on their condition. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News Agency – Feb. 28,
2009)
Officials refrain from handing over executed "Ahle Haq" prisoner's body to family
The family of Mehdi Qasem Zadeh, a resident of Miandoab and follower of the Ahle Haq religion who was
executed in prison, has said that officials refrain from handing over his body to his family. On Sunday February
28, Qasem Zadeh's family went to Khomeini Prison in Oromieh to get Mehdi's body, but prison officials
announced that the Intelligence Agency has his body and representatives of the coroner's office would not hand
over his body to his family. According to other reports, human rights activists in Azerbaijan are concerned
about the possibility of the execution of Eunice Aqayan, another Ahle Haq prisoner in Oromieh Prison. (Iran
Press News – February 28, 2009)
March
Imprisoned Dervishes not allowed lawyers
The Dervishes who were arrested on February 21 are kept in ward 209 and 242 of Evin Prison. Many of the
Dervishes have been taken to solitary confinement or quarantine sections. According to reports, there are
currently 41 Dervishes in Evin Prison. Judge Hadad, the security advisor to Judge Mortazavi, Tehran's Public
Prosecutor has banned the Dervishes from family visits and has not issued clearances for lawyers to take up their
cases. All the Dervishes in Evin are banned from visits and their lawyers have not been able to see them. They
are in good mental health but because they have only fed bread and cheese in the past 10 days they have become
very thin and weak. These Dervishes are also not allowed fresh-air time in the prison yard. (Darvish Info website
– March 3, 2009)
“In recent months, pressure on the Facilities with Turkish name in Azerbijan has been increased, if they don’t
change the Turkish name after receiving the first warning, then their facilities will be sealed.” Human rights
sources claimed. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Mar. 22, 2009)
Security agents arrest Christian blogger
According to reports, a Christian blogger named Mazaher R., 30, who was active on the field of preaching
Christianity and the bible through the internet became friends with a man who introduced himself as "father
Reza", resident of Isfahan over the internet. This man asked this young blogger to meet him on the subject of
preaching Christianity and cooperating in his activities.
On February 22, Mazaher went to this meeting along with his sister and Christian friend.
After they talk, "father Reza" invites them to a house to participate in a baptism ceremony for a newly converted
Christian.
After entering this house, undercover and security agents attack them and take them to an unknown location
with blindfolds and handcuffs.
According to informed sources, security agents abused and insulted Mazaher's sister while interrogating her.
(Farsi Christian News Network - March 24, 2009)
Church closed down on orders of Revolutionary Court
The representative of Iranian Assyrians in Iran's Parliament announced that the Assyrian Church of Shahr-Ara
will be closed down in a few days upon orders of the Revolutionary Court.
On Thursday March 19, which Christian Assyrians celebrate as father's day, a ceremony was held in this church.
In this ceremony, Jonathan Bot Kelia, the Majlis representative of Christian Assyrians said during his speech
that the "Assyrian Church of Shahr-Ara will soon be closed upon a verdict issued by the Revolutionary Court".
According to this report, the reason behind the closing of this church is the presence of newly converted
Christians and their participation in the ceremonies in this Church. (Christian Committee of Human Rights
Activists in Iran – March 25, 2009)
Iran ousts only Sunni governor in Javanrud
Naser Salim-Zadeh, the only Sunni governor in Kermanshah's Javanrud was relieved of his post. Salim-Zadeh
was popular in this town but was ousted due to pressure from government institutions. According to reports,
Salim-Zadeh expressed his disagreement with a plan to heighten security measures in this city in a meeting in
this city's City Hall, after which he got into an argument with the Mayor of Kermanshah.
His substitute is a former RGC official who was head of the Revolutionary Guards Corps in various cities
before, infamous for his role in creating an atmosphere of fear in these cities. (Iran News Agency – March 30,
2009)
April
Azeri activist forced to change Turkish name of store
Ardabil's Security Council has extended the time Azeri activist Abas Lesani has to change the Turkish name of
his store to a Farsi name. According to reports, undercover agents came to Lesani's store and announced that
the Security Council of Ardabil Province has extended the time to April 8 and if he fails to follow this order, his
store will be shut down. The Security Council had issued the order for this Azeri activist to change the name of
his store. (Savalan Sassi website – April 2, 2009)
Imprisoned newly converted Christians under harsh mental pressure
SSF and undercover agents arrested two newly converted Christians in their
apartment in Tehran on March 5, 2009. These two women, 30-year-old
Marzieh Amir-zadeh, and 27-year old Maryam Rostam-pour, are still in an
undetermined status after 35 days in Evin Prison.
These Christians were subjected to frequent interrogations and
psychological pressure to be forced into giving confessions. Judicial sources
finally charged them with "acting against national security", without
presenting any evidence.
Any political charge against these women, which was extracted through forced confessions, is false for they were
only detained for their religious beliefs.
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Maryam and Marzieh are in Ward 2 of the temporary detention center of Evin Prison with 27 other female
prisoners. According to reports, both are in a bad psychological condition because of the pressure they were
subjected to. (Human Rights Activists – Apr. 9, 2009)
Baha'i woman arrested in Hamedan
Suror Surorian, was arrested in her house by security forces in Hamadan on April 11.
Agents of the Intelligence Agency searched her house confiscating some of her personal items including
religious books. After their search, security agents took this 25-year-old master's degree student of business
management with them to the Intelligence Agency in Hamedan but now, she is being kept in an unknown
location. Her parents are extremely concerned for their daughter's safety. (Human Rights Activists in Iran– Apr.
12, 2009)
Baha'i arrested in Babol
A Baha'i resident of Babol was arrested by the Intelligence Agency in this city. On the morning of April 15,
agents of the Intelligence Agency in Babol came to Moshfeq Samandari's house with a warrant for his arrest and
a search warrant. These agents confiscated his CPU, printer, scanner, a number of books and CDs and some of
his personal belongings. Samandari was also arrested and is currently in prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Apr. 15, 2009)
Baha'i prisoners not freed on bail despite prosecutor's verdict
According to a verdict passed by the General Prosecutor of Fars Province, Haleh Hushmandi, Keyvan Karami,
Farham Ma'sumi and Afshin Ehsanian who had been arrested by agents of the Intelligence Agency in the last
two months in Shiraz and kept in Detention Center # 100 were supposed to be freed on April 2 on bail.
However, the case interrogator has so far prevented the release of these four Baha'is.
Haleh who has been under mental and physical pressure in prison is suffering from a serious heart disease and
is banned from any kind of treatment. There are serious concerns for her physical health. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Apr. 16, 2009)
Imprisoned Dervish in need of surgery
Firuz Bidabad, an imprisoned Dervish, is suffering from kidney stones and cannot easily move about. He is
under treatment in the prison medical clinic and the doctor has told him that he needs to have the stones
surgically removed.
There are 15 Dervishes in prison and almost all of them are educated and specialists in their line of work. (Iran
Press News – Apr. 21, 2009)
Regime agents attack and terrorize Baha'i family in Semnan
Unknown assailants attacked the house of a Baha'i three times in seven days.
The city of Semnan has witnessed extensive pressure and abuse against Baha'is in the last few months. Some
examples of this abuse are attacks against Baha'i homes with hand grenades, the destruction of their cemetery
and widespread summonses and arrests along with house searches and seizures.
In the past week, motorcycle riders assailed the house of Yahya Hedayati three times in the middle of the night
with stones. During these attacks, the windows of Hedayati's house broke and his family especially his old
mother was subjected to serious danger. These attacks have put severe mental pressure on this family.
The legal pursuits of this family has not had any results and there are fears that these attacks are organized.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – Apr. 21, 2009)
Three Baha'is summoned to Intelligence Agency
Three Baha'is were summoned to the Intelligence Agency in Mashhad.
Soheil Nasirzadeh, Babak Ruhi and Ezatollah Ahmadian were summoned to the Intelligence Agency on April
14 and they were forced to sign a written commitment not to participate in their religious ceremonies.
These men did not sign the commitment calling this measure illegal. Ruhi and Ahmadian were threatened that
if they did not sign the commitment their previous case would be opened again. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Apr. 21, 2009)
Cleric: all Baha'i leaders in Chalus have been arrested and exiled
A meeting of clerics was held yesterday in the Islamic Publicity Office of Qom's Religious Seminary in the city of
Chalus in Northern Iran. In this meeting Hakim, a cleric and secretary general of Intelligence in the province of
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Mazandaran pointed out the danger of the spread of Christianity and Baha'ism and said, "City officials have to
cooperate with each other in wiping out these sorts of conspiracies and introduce people to its danger".
"We have to be united in this regard", he added "Almost all Baha'i leaders in Chalus have been arrested and
exiled but there is no exact law for dealing with Baha'ism", the head of Intelligence said.
"Clerics have to do cultural work to guide people and avert their tendency towards Ahle Haq, Baha'ism and
Christianity", Hakim said. (Shomal News state-run website – Apr. 24, 2009)
Baha'i suffering from heart disease arrested in Shiraz
A Baha'i resident was arrested in Shiraz by security forces in the morning.
Security forces came to the house of Vahdat Dana with an arrest warrant and took him to an unknown location.
There is no information on the condition and location of this Baha'i man. There are serious concerns for his
physical health because he is suffering from heart disease and recently had a heart surgery. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Apr. 27, 2009)
Ahle Haq prisoner beaten and abused for practicing religion
According to reports, three Ahle Haq prisoners who have been exiled to Yazd prison are in bad condition. They
have gone on a hunger strike from April 21 in protest to the violation of their most minimum rights.
According to informed sources, prison officials prevented Abdollah Qasemzadeh from practicing his religion
and praying at night. Qasemzadeh was beaten for persisting to pray and was taken solitary confinement. Prison
guards sprayed his face with pepper spray and severely beat him after seeing his pray in solitary. There is no
information on the condition of Qasemzadeh in solitary confinement. (Iran Press News – Apr. 27, 2009)
Dervishes’ place of worship demolished for second time
The place of worship of Neimatollahi Dervishes in Isfahan was demolished once again with bulldozers.
A room that was about 20 meters and was the only building left from the ruins of the Dervishes' prayer hall was
completely demolished.
According to this report, after regime elements demolished the Dervishes prayer hall on February 18, these
Dervishes held their ceremonies on Mondays and Fridays on the ruins of this holy site. (Majzubian Nur Website
– Apr. 28, 2009)
Baha'i schoolchildren harassed and abused by school officials
According to reports, school officials increasingly harass and mistreat Baha'i schoolchildren in Iranian schools.
Report of mistreatment of Baha'i schoolchildren from September 2008 to February 2009:
Four expulsions from school
Twenty cases of insulting students
Two cases of refusing to register Baha'i students
Seven cases of threats of expulsion from school
Five cases of forcing students to sign commitment agreements
Five cases of staging anti-Baha'i seminars at school
Four cases of the distribution of anti-Baha'i papers
Four cases of forcing Baha'i students to participate in religious ceremonies
Six cases of summoning students and their parents to the intelligence agency and school Security Office
Two cases of encouraging Baha'i students to change or conceal their beliefs.
These are only reported cases and in many instances, students and parents do not report the threats and
pressures they are subjected to. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Apr. 28, 2009)
May
Iran deprives Christian teacher of pension
The retirement fund of a 58-year-old teacher in West Azerbaijan who has converted to Christianity was cut off
after a verdict by the fourth branch of a Penal Court in Orumieh. Although Fatemeh Paki has pursued this
matter with the relevant institutions on the reason this verdict was issued, no official is willing to answer her
requests.
Majid Mahmoudi-Tabrizi, her 68-year-old husband who had also converted to Christianity, was attacked and
brutally murdered by unidentified men after receiving threats to renounce Christianity on July 30, 2005.
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After this incident, the victim's family filed a complaint with the State Security Forces and the Judiciary to
pursue this case and identify the culprits, but after close to four years, the search for the elements of this crime
has been unsuccessful. According to Mahmoudi-Tabrizi's children, they had received threatening SMS and
messages forbidding them to pursue their father's case because it did not "benefit the family". (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – May 13, 2009)
Iran arrests Baha'i man
On May 17 at 7:30 am, police agents came to Behnam Mote'arefi's house with an arrest and search warrant.
After searching his house and confiscating his personal belongings including books, CDs, films and his mobile
phone, they arrested him. (Khabar Navard Website – May 19, 2009)
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They were initially taken to solitary cells in the Marivan Intelligence Prison and were subjected to mental and
physical torture for several days before they were transferred to Sanandaj Prison. Their families have attempted
to pursue their condition in prison but their attempts have so far been unsuccessful. They were threatened that
if they continue their actions, they will also be arrested and in a few cases, intelligence agents attacked them with
clubs. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 1, 2009)
Three Azeris arrested in Meshgin Shahr
Meshgin Shahr intelligence agents arrested three Azeri civil rights activists, Aydin Zakeri, Mansour Seifi and
Fardin Nobakht. According to Zakeri's relatives, a few hours before his arrest he had called to say that he had
come home. A few hours after his arrest, intelligence agents searched his office.
Informed sources have reported that Mansour Seifi and Fardin Nobakht were also arrested last night. According
to these reports, temporary detention orders have been issued for these three activists. (Savalan Sassi website –
June 2, 2009)
More than 500 people arrested in Zahedan will be sentenced to "maximum punishment"
Hundres of young Baluchis have been arrested in Zahedan for protesting the insult a Sunni leader, Mulavi
Abdolhamid and there is a probability they will face heavy charges.
Before the protesters were trialed, a State Security Forces commander stated that these people would be
sentenced to the "maximum punishment". The state-run Fars news agency has reported that 150 people have
been arrested. This is while local sources say that more than 500 people, who were mostly Baluch protestors,
have been arrested.
According to reports, mostly all the arrestees who were not Baluchistan natives have been freed. Baluchistan's
Prosecutor has also issued the release of all the Shiite arrestees because they "are mourning their loved ones". (25
Shiites were killed in a recent blast in a Mosque in this city.)
The existence of such prejudice in Baluchistan will spark a religious war in this region. (Human Rights Activists
in Iran – June 2, 2009)
Arrested Baluchistan protestors in grave danger
The arrests and environment of fear still exist four days after a blast in the Ali Mosque in Zahedan. More than
25 Baluchis who were attacked and injured in various places in this city and were hospitalized in Khatam al-
Anbia Hospital in Zahedan were taken to an unknown location along with their families who had come to visit
them in hospital. According to reports, the families of most of the arrestees do not dare pursue the cases of their
loved ones for fear of being harassed or arrested and are seriously concerned for their loved ones.
The Governor of Sistan & Baluchistan, Ali Mohammad Azad, confirmed this report announcing that "after the
elections, most of the arrestees will be ready for a sentence".
The life of these people is in great danger. (Association of Baluchistan Human Rights Activists – June 2, 2009)
Zahedan Prosecutor: 88 people arrested in recent unrest
The Prosecutor of Zahedan announced that in recent unrest in this city, 58 Iranians and 30 Afghans were
arrested. "58 Iranians were arrested after the recent clashes in Zahedan on charges of participating in the
rebellion, setting fire (to government buildings), and destruction", Mohammad Marzieh said.
"Regarding the fire and the death of six members of the Reza Treasury, three people have been arrested and if
proven guilty, they will be charged with waging war with god", he added. (ISNA state-run news agency – June 7,
2009)
More than 100 Azeri activists arrested in recent Azerbaijan protests
Protests in Azerbaijan's cities and universities instigated by insults by Khatami against Turks, lead to a new wave
of arrests in this province.
During these protests, 100 people in Tabriz, Orumieh, Ardabil, Meshgin Shahr, Miandoab and other Azerbaijan
cities were arrested. Only 35 arrestees have been identified by their names. They have been deprived of the right
to a lawyer and family visits. Most of them were beaten during their arrest. (Savalan Sassi website – June 7,
2009)
Kurd political prisoners pressured into giving insulting confessions
According to reports from ward 4 in Gohardasht Prison, prison officials have increased the pressure on Kurd
prisoners to force them into giving confessions.
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The prison warden asked a Kurd political prisoner to sign a confession saying that he is a drug addict and
involved in immoral deeds. This is while this political prisoner does not even smoke and has a good reputation
and is respected by political and normal prisoners. After the political prisoner protested this insult, he was
transferred to hall 16. Currently this hall is used to put pressure on political and ordinary prisoners. In this hall,
which has the capacity for 60 people, about 270 prisoners are kept. Prisoners are deprived of their minimum
hygienic needs and are given a very little amount of food.
Kurd political prisoners have been exiled to various prisons a number of times. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – June 7, 2009)
More than 3,000 Dervishes summoned and exiled in last four years
Mostafa Daneshju (former lawyer and editor of the Majzubian Nur Website which reports on the condition of
Dervishes in Iran) said, "Close to 3,000 Dervishes have been arrested, jailed and sentenced to punishments such
as flogging, prison and exile to other cities and provinces.
Unfortunately, Dervishes have to tolerate physical punishment for praying in their religious ceremonies. State
employees, teachers, professors, and students are sometimes expelled or fired from work for being Dervishes".
(Tribune Website – June 10, 2009)
Two Azeri activists arrested in Islamshahr
Two Azeri activists in Islamshahr, Behnam Sheikhi and Mahmoud
Ojaqli were arrested by intelligence agents on June 9 and taken to the
Ministry of Intelligence.
These two activists were arrested for writing slogans on a wall
demanding their right to be educated in their mother tongue.
When agents came to Sheikhi's home to arrest him, they also beat his
brother after he demanded that they show an arrest warrant.
These agents also arrested Ojagli for filming the arrest of Behnam
and beating of his brother. (Savalan Sassi – June 12, 2009)
July
Regime forces arrest people in Mahabad
A number of people living in Mahabad identified as Dr. Hossein Sheikh Aqayi, Taher Faramarzi, Karim Sufi
Moludi Jafar Vahab-pour, Hasan Atash Poosh and Suleiman Parviz Khani were arrested in the past few days.
Dr. Sheikh Aqayi is a cartoonist, Moludi Jafar is a writer and head of a council, Faramarzi is the head of the
Machinery Spare Parts Union, Parviz Khani is a shopkeeper and Atash Poosh has a shop in the Bazaar.
Judicial officials have so far not given any reason for these arrests. (Mukarian News Agency– July 21, 2009)
Security forces arrest two men in Miandoab in Western Azerbaijan
Two men who follow the Ahle Haq faith (branch of Shiite Islam) from the Ooch Tapeh Village in Miandoab
identified as Jahangir Qasemi and Farhad Khedmati were arrested a few days ago and transferred to prison.
There is no information on why these two men, who had been previously arrested and released on bail, have
been arrested again. They were taken to Mahabad Prison after their arrest. (Mukarian News Agency – July 27,
2009)
August
Baha'i mother and son arrested in Sari
Sari security forces arrested a Baha'i woman and her son in a village in the outskirts of this city. On July 28, a
group of ten intelligence agents attacked the house of Vesal Yusefi in the Mahfruzak Village in Sari and started
violently searching her home without showing an arrest warrant. After a few hours of searching and after
confiscating her religious items and pictures, they arrested Yusefi.
On August 4, intelligence agents once again came to her home and asked that Payam Yusefi, her 18 year old son
be handed over to them. Because he was not in the house, these forces made the family promise that Payam
would introduce himself to the Sari Intelligence Agency by Wednesday. There is no information on this mother
and son after their arrest. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 6, 2009)
Iran tries two Christian converts on charges of apostasy
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On Sunday August 9, the trial of two Christian women was held in Tehran's Revolutionary Court. Maryam
Rostam-pour, 27 and Marzieh Amiri Zadeh, 30, have been arrested and detained from five months ago in Evin
Prison's ward 209. The prosecutor had suggested that they be charged with "apostasy".
Judge Hadad who led the trial interrogated them on their religious beliefs in the court session insisting that they
change back their religion and deny Christianity both in writing and verbally.
Apostasy, murder, adultery, rape, insurrection, and drug smuggling are all punishable by death in the Islamic
Republic. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 11, 2009)
Security forces attack and arrest 15 Baluch teachers
In the past few days, security forces attacked the homes of 15 Baluch teachers in Zahedan, arrested them and
took them to an unknown location. These forces harassed the women and children in the raid.
There is no information on the condition and whereabouts of the teachers and no government institution
answers the families. There is also no information on the charges against them. (Human Rights Activists in Iran
– Aug. 12, 2009)
Seven more teachers arrested in Baluchistan
Security forces raided the homes of seven other teachers in Baluchistan on Thursday August 13 and arrested
them after searching their homes. Some of the arrestees were identified as Mohammad Saleh Islam Zehi and his
17-year-old son Mehdi, Alim Jangi Zehi an elementary school teacher and Baqerkhan Saravan.
There is no credible information on the cause of the unprecedented arrest of these Sunni teachers. There is also
no information on their whereabouts and the pursuit of their families has so far been futile. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Aug. 14, 2009)
More than 30 Christian converts arrested in past two weeks
There have been new reports on the arrest of Christian converts in the past two weeks. These arrests were made
in a number of instances around Tehran and the northern city of Rasht. According to this report, more than 30
Christians have so far been arrested. Eight of them are still imprisoned while the rest have been released on bail.
Some of the arrestees are Shahnam Behjatollah and six others identified only by their first names as Shahin,
Maryam, Mobina, Mehdi, Ashraf and Nariman who are currently detained in an unknown location. Their
families have not been able to contact them as yet. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 13, 2009)
Security forces arrest Baha'i man
A Baha'i man was arrested by security forces for the second time in Sari.
Security forces went to the house of Anvar Moslemi on Aug. 4 and arrested him after violently searching his
home and destroying and insulting his religious books. Moslemi was arrested before this on November 22, 2008
in the same way. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 19, 2009)
Baha'i woman arrested in Sari
Security forces raided the home of a Baha'i in the city of Sari and arrested her after searching her home.
On August 18, seven security agents in Sari went to the house of Didar Hashemi, 24, and showed her an August
3 arrest warrant and tried to arrest her without the presence of her husband. Before showing her the arrest
warrant, the agents entered her house with force and insult. After confiscating a number of her religious books
and pictures, they arrested Mrs. Hashemi. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 19, 2009)
No news of detained Baha'i after one month
There is no news of a Baha'i man who was arrested more than a month ago in the province of Mazandaran in
Qaemshahr.
Sohrab Laqayi, was arrested on July 8 in his office by intelligence agents without an arrest warrant, but there is
still no news on his whereabouts. Laqayi made a very short phone call to one of his children in the past few days
but did not mention where he was being kept or his condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 19,
2009)
September
Security forces violently raid homes in Iran's Kurdish regions
Security forces have raided a number of villages in Iran's Kurdish regions and have arrested and threatened a
number of its residents. Security forces have attacked the Tazabad, Tateh Rashid, Mirki, Shabani, Sarab, Haji
Peh Mokh and Quruchay Villages in Dahgelan and have raided and searched a number of homes. Those who
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protested the searches were beaten. A number of people from the Tateh Rashid Village were arrested. Two of
these men were identified as Nader Karimi and Salah Rashidi, a master's degree student in Orumieh University.
(Human Rights and Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
Four Kurds arrested in Kurdistan under severe torture
According to a statement by the Kermanshah Province Public Affair Intelligence Office, security forces in the
province arrested four people affiliated with the killing of the son of Marivan's Friday Prayer Imam.
According to this statement, Saman Rasti and Yaqub Marivan were two of the detainees. Regional and
unofficial sources have said that these men are under very severe torture in detention centers in Orumieh and
Sanandaj. (Human Rights and Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
Security forces violently raid homes in Iran's Kurdish regions
Security forces have raided a number of villages in Iran's Kurdish regions and have arrested and threatened a
number of its residents. Security forces have attacked the Tazabad, Tateh Rashid, Mirki, Shabani, Sarab, Haji
Peh Mokh and Quruchay Villages in Dahgelan and have raided and searched a number of homes. Those who
protested the searches were beaten. A number of people from the Tateh Rashid Village were arrested. Two of
these men were identified as Nader Karimi and Salah Rashidi, a master's degree student in Orumieh University.
(Human Rights and Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
Four Kurds arrested in Kurdistan under severe torture
According to a statement by the Kermanshah Province Public Affair Intelligence Office, security forces in the
province arrested four people affiliated with the killing of the son of Marivan's Friday Prayer Imam.
According to this statement, Saman Rasti and Yaqub Marivan were two of the detainees. Regional and
unofficial sources have said that these men are under very severe torture in detention centers in Orumieh and
Sanandaj. (Human Rights and Activists in Iran – Sep. 1, 2009)
No reports on fate of arrested Baluch teachers
Security forces in the city of Saravan attacked the homes of a number of teachers in August and arrested at least
22 people. It is not known why these arrests were made but all the teachers were Baluch and Sunni.
A month after the detainment of these people, only two of them have been released and the 20 other teachers
are still detained in an unknown location. The constant pursuit of their cases by their families has so far been
futile and they are still worried for their loved ones. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep.6, 2009)
Young men in Saqez arrested under bogus charges
Security institutions in Saqez in the province of Kurdistan arrested five men in relation with clashes two weeks
ago in the Feizollah Begi region in this city.
They were arrested on Sunday and taken to an unknown location on charges of having contact and cooperating
with members of the Democratic Party of Kurdistan who were killed in the clashes.
The detainees have not been identified yet. According to an informed source, the probability of more arrests in
relation to this clash is very high. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 7, 2009)
Dozens of people in Baluchistan arrested for being related to opposition group members
Dozens of people in Baluchistan were arrested by security forces in various cities.
In the past 10 days, dozens of people who were mostly young people were arrested in Zahedan and Saravan by
security forces and taken to unknown locations.
There are no reports on exactly how many were arrested or the reason behind their arrest but according to
informed sources, they are all related to Baluch political activists and Baluch opposition group members. These
sources say that the detainees were not involved in any political activities themselves.
Despite the fact that their families have persistently gone to judicial and security sources to pursue their
whereabouts, there is still no information on the fate of the detainees or where they were taken. (Kurdistan
Media – Sep. 8, 2009)
Iran arrests three Azeri activists
Hossein Lesani, Mohssen Rafi’e and Hamed Haidari, three Azeri activists were arrested in Ardebil by
intelligence agents in the Revolutionary Guards Corps in this city.
According to their families, security forces came to store of Mohssen Rafi’e without an arrest warrant and
arrested Rafi’e, Lesani and Haidari and took them to an unknown location.
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When the agents were asked to show their arrest warrants, they said, "We are the arrest warrants". They then
started searching the shop and confiscated computer and other personal belongings of Mr. Rafi’e. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Sep. 15, 2009)
Two Baha'is sentenced to prison in Mazandaran
Two Baha'is residing in Mazandaran were sentenced to prison and fined by the Revolutionary Court in this
province.
The Babol Revolutionary Court in Babol sentenced Moshfeq Samandari, 20, to six months of prison and a fine
on charges of spreading propaganda against the government and promoting the faith of Baha'ism. Samandari
who was previously detained for two months was released on June 28. Another Baha'i man identified as Sâman
Sabeti from Qaemshahr who was also in incarceration in winter was sentenced to six months of prison. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 17, 2009)
Family of deceased Baha'i banned from burying loved one in Semnan
According to reports, a Baha'i resident of Semnan, named Hassan Aqa Kassabian passed away on September 21
but his family was banned from burying his body in the Baha'i cemetery in Semnan situated in Sangssar…
Finally, the family is given a burial permit, but is made to promise to hold a short and quiet burial ceremony.
The burial ceremony is held the next day in the Baha'i cemetery in Sangssar but a number of people start
filming the ceremony and those who had attended from an adjacent hill. In the end of the ceremony, while only
a few family members of the deceased where by the grave, the men who were filming came down the hill and
started to insult the Baha'i faith and verbally abuse the family. This treatment led to serious distress and pain for
the widow of the deceased. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Sep. 22, 2009)
October
Dozens of Tehran Univ. students summoned to Disciplinary Committee for being Kurds
In the past few days, dozens of Kurd students were summoned to the Tehran University Disciplinary
Committee. In a letter given to the students, this committee accused these students of taking part in the recent
unrest and has summoned them for questioning.
According to reports, most of these students were not involved in any political activities in their time in
university and did take part in the recent events at university. The only reason they were summoned to is
because they are Kurds. (Iran News Agency – Oct. 1, 2009)
Regime affiliates terrorize Baha'is in Semnan
On Wednesday October 7, a number of unidentified men broke the windows of Adel Fanayian's vehicle and
quickly left the scene afterwards. Fanayian is a Baha'i residing in Semnan.
He reported this attack to the Semnan State Security Forces but it is expected that this force will do nothing to
arrest the culprits as always. Fanayian was recently released from Semnan Prison after spending six months
there. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 12, 2009)
Baha'i man arrested in Yazd
A Baha'i man was arrested by security forces and taken to an unknown location in Yazd.
Behnam Rohanifard who has been living in Tehran for a while, was arrested on Monday October 12 in Yazd in
his car and taken to an undisclosed location. He was in Yazd for the funeral of a fellow Baha'i. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 14, 2009)
Officials close down charity
The Vahdat Scientific Academy Charity for Girls in Karaj was closed by orders of the Karaj Prosecutor because
the head and founder of the charity, Azar Farizi is affiliated with the Nematollahi Dervishes and is a follower of
this faith. The charity was closed on October 10. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 14, 2009)
Regime forces shoot and injure young man in Paveh
On Saturday October 20, regime forces in the Paveh Terminal opened fire on a young man identified as
Ardashir from the region of Nudsheh. The young man was severely wounded and taken to the Paveh Hospital
for treatment. There are no details on why he was shot. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 21, 2009)
Regime forces open fire in village to terrorize residents
Revolutionary Guards Forces and Bassij Forces in the Turkan Bolagh village in Divandareh opened fire and
shot live bullets without reason. These forces entered the Turkan Bolaqh Village and caused disruption in the
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lives of the residents by shooting live bullets in the village for two hours. The residents of this village went to the
Gurbavali security base and complained but the base showed no reaction to this matter. (Kurdistan Media –
Oct. 22, 2009)
Regime forces arrest Baha'i in Yazd
A Baha'i resident of Yazd was arrested after being summoned by security forces.
Sohail Rohanifard, a 44 year old Baha'i resident of Yazd (the brother of Behnam Rohanifard who was arrested
about 10 days ago by security forces) was summoned to the Yazd Intelligence Agency on October 18 and was
arrested and taken to an unknown location after going to the Agency.
His home was searched by security forces on September 27 and his computer, cell phone and some of his
personal belongings were confiscated. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 24, 2009)
No news on jailed Kurd singer
Twenty days after the arrest of Shamsollah Rahmani, a jailed Kurd singer, his condition and location is still not
clear. He was arrested by intelligence agents 20 days ago without any reason. The family of this Kurd artist has
appealed to the Kamyaran Intelligence Agency on a number of occasions to get information on his condition,
but the officials of this agency have refused to allow them to visit Shamsollah and did not even give them the
slightest news on his condition and health. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 27, 2009)
Iran banns Sunni clerics from freely practicing religion
Mamusta Abdol-Hamid Ali has been banned from giving sermons while Mamusta Ahmad Rahimi has been
banned from holding Friday Prayers.
Mamusta Abdol-Hamid Ali was summoned to the clerical center of Kermanshah on October 20 and was told
that he was banned from delivering sermons and speeches in any location.
He is under severe pressure from security bodies and has been banned from riding taxis and going to Mecca. He
is occasionally summoned to the Intelligence Agency in Tehran, Kermanshah and Sanandaj. He was jailed and
kept in solitary for some time before being released on a 50,000 dollar bail.
Mamusta Ahmad Rahimi who was the Friday Prayer Imam of Mansour Aqay in Paveh (Kermanshah) was
banned from praying in this mosque by orders of court. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 25, 209)
Three Baha'i students expelled from univ.
Mojdeh Nurani, Farahnaz Felfeli and Ardalan Tabiyanian who were accepted in Semnan University in the 2009
exams were expelled by the Protection Department of this university and have been deprived of the right to
education.
Their persistent pursuits and inquiries from officials and the university administration has had no result and
their only answer is that (they were expelled) because of 'orders from above'.
It is noteworthy that university officials have stated that according to orders, they cannot provide any written
order or document regarding their expulsion. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 28, 2009)
November
Baha'i arrested in Yasuj
Security forces arrested a Baha'i resident of Yasuj.
On October 31 at 11 am, intelligence agents of Yasuj went to the home of Ali Bakhsh Bazrafkan and searched
his home after showing a warrant. They confiscated all of his books and some of his personal belongings. They
then took him to the home of his son, Arman Bazrafkan, and also searched his home confiscating all of his
religious books.
After the search which continued until about 2 pm, these agents arrested Ali Bakhsh Bazrafkan. According to
reports, he is still in the custody of security agents. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 1, 2009)
Baha'i man abducted and tortured by regime vigilantes
A Baha'i resident of Shiraz was abducted and tortured by unidentified people.
Ruhollah Rezayi, 46, was stopped by unidentified people and abducted on his way home to his wife and two
children on October 30. He was insulted and threatened after he was taken to an unknown location and was
even subjected to mock execution. His captors also stripped him in very cold temperatures and burned his hand,
chest and forehead with cigarettes. They then released him is a road close to this city.
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Rezayi was imprisoned in the 80's when he was 18 years old for five years in the Adel Abad Prison in Shiraz. He
tolerated the most severe physical and mental pressures only because of his religion. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Nov. 1, 2009)
3 Baha'is jailed for doing social services
A number of young people were arrested while
doing social services and humanitarian work in
the framework of a literacy program supported
by UNICEF in May 2006. These young people
educated poverty stricken and sometimes street
children in poor neighborhoods in Shiraz. They
were all arrested simultaneously in various
neighborhoods while giving these services. Fifty
four of these social workers were Baha'is. Those
who were not Baha'i were released the first night
but the 54 Baha'is were jailed for 6 days in
unsuitable conditions. Three of them identified
as Sasan Taqva, Raha Sabet and Haleh Ruhi were kept in temporary custody for one month.
Haleh Ruhi, 29, Raha Sabet, 33, and Sasan Taqva, 32, are still jailed in the Shiraz Intelligence Detention Center
after two years. Considering the fact that they are not kept in a public prison, they have been banned from their
minimum rights such as contacting the outside world, spending time in fresh air, using the telephone on a
regular basis and getting a legal leave from prison.
Sasan Taqva, who was not in good shape from the beginning of his imprisonment due to serious accident,
received surgery on his leg and was returned to prison from the hospital after one month. He currently suffers
from severe pain in his leg and has been kept in solitary the whole time of his incarceration. (Committee of
Human Rights Reporters – Nov. 2, 2009)
Baha'i woman sentenced to prison
A Baha'i resident of Semnan was sentenced to 3 years and 6 months of prison by the Revolutionary Court
presided over by Judge Zanguyi.
Manijeh Monzavian was jailed before this in June but was released on a bail. She has been charged with acting
against national security by advocating Baha'ism and having membership in an organization opposed to the
government and affiliated with Baha'is. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 3, 2009)
Security forces arrest two Baha'is in Mashhad
Two Baha'i residents in Mashhad were arrested by security forces and were taken to an unknown location.
At about 8 in the morning, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence stormed a religious ceremony held by Baha'is
in this city and asked the participants to continue their ceremony to the finish. These agents filmed the rest of
the ceremony and the participants.
In the end of the ceremony, these agents searched the home in which the ceremony was held in and announced
that they had arrest warrant for Sonia Ahmadi. These agents then went to Sonia's home because she had not
attended the ceremony and after searching it, arrested her and took her to an unknown location. Another
Baha'i identified as Mr. Qanvatian who was in the ceremony was arrested as well. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Nov. 3, 2009)
Agents search home of Baha'i man and temporarily arrest him
Security forces searched the home of a Baha'i man in Babol.
On Wednesday October 21, agents of the Babol Intelligence Agency stormed the home of Pejman Nikunejad, a
Baha'i, and arrested him after searching his home and confiscating some of his religious books and belongings.
He was temporarily released after two hours of interrogation in the agency. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Nov. 3, 2009)
Two Dervishes fired from Isfahan Municipality for their beliefs
Huri Loqmani and Maryam Loqmani, two Neimatollahi Dervishes were fired from the Isfahan Municipality for
the crime of being Dervishes.
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According to this reports, the Protection Department of the Isfahan Municipality summoned these two women
asking them to sign an agreement banning them from participating in Dervish ceremonies. They were fired for
refusing to sign the agreement. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Univ. officials expel Baha'i student from Semnan Univ.
Pedram Qanbari, an architectural engineering student at the Semnan University was expelled from university
for believing in Baha'ism. The managing board of this university called his family in the first week of the new
academic year telling them Pedram can only continue his education at the university if he does not believe in
Baha'ism. After a few weeks, when this student went to one his classes, he realized that his name was not among
the list of enrolled students and after going to see the head of the university, his expulsion was announced to
him. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters in Iran – Nov. 16, 2009)
Prominent priest arrested in Gilan for protesting forced Quran study
Yusef Nodrkhani, the head priest of the largest society of Christians in northern Iran was
arrested on October 12 after protesting a decision by local officials forcing Christian
students to study the Quran. He was transferred to the Lakan Prison in Rasht.
The jailed priest has only had three phone calls with his family and has not been allowed
any visits since his arrest. He has two small children. Nodrkhani was also arrested three
years ago on charges of acting against national security. (Committee of Human Rights
Reporters in Iran – Nov. 18, 2009)
Regime forces arrest Baha'i man and two others in Yasuj
A Baha'i resident of Yasuj named Ali Bakhsh Bazrafkan was arrested by security forces on
Monday November 16 by security forces in this city. He was summoned to the Intelligence Agency a number of
times before this after his home was searched by security forces on October 31.
After he was arrested, two of the Muslim workers of his home appliance repairing shop were summoned to the
Intelligence Agency. They were identified as Sayid Faridi and Zafar Mohammadi. This agency asked them to file
a complaint against Bazrafkan and claim that he was trying to convert them to Baha'ism but they refrained from
filing such a complaint which led to their arrest. According to the latest reports, Ali Bazrafkan and his two
workers are currently detained in ward 1 in Yasuj Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Nov. 24, 2009)
Iran Tortures Female Christian Converts
Two young Iranian women, Maryam Rostampour and Marzieh
Amirizadeh Esmaeilabad, suffered physical abuse and torture in
Iran’s notorious Evin Prison because they converted to Christianity.
Iran had in fact threatened to put them to death, much as the
depraved Roman Emperor Nero fed Christians to lions to entertain
his mob. Iran finally decided to spare these women’s lives, but it first
subjected them to torture and physical abuse in an effort to get them
to repudiate their beliefs. (Euro News - Nov. 25, 2009)
She has been held in a detention centre in Istanbul while awaiting possible deportation to Iran, the newspaper
reported.
Raelians reject the existence of any god and believe extraterrestrials created the earth.
Quoting people close to Azizmoradi, Hurriyet said she had asked the Turkish authorities not to extradite her to
the Islamic republic as she was 'certain' to be condemned to death.
She said the Iranian regime had persecuted her for years because of her beliefs and added that she took part in
the demonstrations that followed Iran's June presidential election.
'Secret service agents almost beat me to death after the demonstrations. I had my arm broken,' she said. (AFP -
Nov 30, 2009)
December
Regime arrests Azerbaijani musician for 'spreading foreign culture'
An Azerbaijani musician who taught music lessons in the border province of Ardabil and had formed a musical
group was arrested by security forces in Iran.
There is no information on the identity of this musician. According to the IRNA state-run News Agency, this
Azerbaijani national is charged with spreading foreign culture by teaching Azeri music and forming a musical
group. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 4, 2009)
Iran arrests three villagers in Sanandaj
Three Kurd men were arrested in a village in Sanandaj by security forces. They were taken to an unknown
location. Security forces initially surrounded their village and then arrested Barzan, Mujod and Hasan Zamani.
There is no news on why they were arrested. (Human Rights Activsits in Iran – Dec. 8, 2009)
Regime forces open fire on 4 Kurd tradesmen in Baneh
Security forces opened fire on a group of border tradesmen in Baneh on December 5 and as a result, 4
tradesmen were injured.
These forces confiscated the goods of these tradesmen which included four cars with the goods inside of it and
burned it. The identities of the injured men are still not clear. (Kurdistan Media – Dec. 9, 2009)
Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence arrested Shole Taef, a Baha'i resident of Semnan on Saturday December
19. (Human Rights Activsits in Iran – Dec. 20, 2009)
Iran attacks Christian ceremony days before Christmas
On the eve of Christmas, agents of the Ministry of Intelligence attacked a gathering of Persian speaking
Christians and arrested two of their leaders.
Security forces and plain clothes agents attacked this gathering on Thursday, December 17 and arrested two of
the heads of this home church. They have been taken to an unknown location.
According to this report, these 15 agents stormed this gathering in Karaj and prevented them from continuing
their ceremony.
This prayer ceremony in which 70 Christian converts attended was interrupted and Kambiz Saqayi and Ali
Keshvardoust were arrested.
Agents filmed all the faces of the participants and obliged them to be at hand for future interrogations. They
were told that they should quickly go to the relevant security institutions if they are to be summoned by judicial
institutions. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 21, 2009)
Iran arrests 4 Baha'i women; beats Baha'i man
Four Baha'is were arrested in the past week in north Iran.
On Tuesday December 15, Samira Samiei, a Baha'i woman in Sari was arrested. Sepideh Masumi, Sepideh
Zamani and Saha Zamani, three other Baha'i (women) were also arrested on December 19.
On December 15, security forces came to the home of Samira Samiei and her husband Fardin Yusefi at about 9
am. After ripping their religious pictures and confiscating their personal belongings, they arrested Samira
Samiei. Their arrest warrant was dated July 24 but was valid until December 19. Her husband was violently
beaten by 5 to 6 agents after protesting that the arrest warrant was not valid. Samira Samiei who intended to
protest to the beating of her husband was threatened by pepper spray by one of the agents. (Committee of
Human Rights Activists in Iran – Dec. 22, 2009)
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Suppressive maneuvers
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Suppressive maneuvers
January
SSF beat young man for having long hair
A police officer and two soldiers stopped a young man aged 21on the street on
Thursday January 7 on charges of long hair and "improper clothes" and
intended to arrest him. When met with the boy's opposition they started beating
him with batons. According to reports, this young man repeatedly said, "Is this a
crime, why are you hitting me?", while he was being beaten. (Iran News Agency –
Jan. 8, 2009)
SSF repressive measures against basketball fans in Sanandaj
According to reports, the spectators of a basketball match between the teams of
Kurdistan and Shahr-e Kurd started marching from Ostandari Street to
Enghelab Square after the game when State Security Forces interfered to
disperse them. This action by the SSF led to clashes amongst these basketball
fans and the SSF which resulted in the arrest of a number of these spectators.
(Mukerian News Agency – Jan. 11, 2009)
Bus driver beaten for playing "loud music" in holy month
According to reports, on January 8, security forces stopped a bus on the street for playing loud music in the holy
month of Moharam and started beating the bus driver in public. (Iran News Agency – Jan. 11, 2009)
Tehran Public Prosecutor: criminal websites will be severely dealt with
Saeid Mortazavi, the Public Prosecutor of Tehran said, "If the activities of websites is the source of corruption
and if the content of the websites is untrue, immediately after the Public Prosecutor's Internet office identifies
that website, the criminals will be prosecuted and arrested. (Radio Farda – Jan. 13, 2009)
Head of SSF confesses to abusive treatment of residents by police
The head of State Security Forces said, "Seventy percent of complaints
by citizens against the SSF are because of the inappropriate treatment
of the agents of this force".
"Most people go to the police to solve their problems but the
inappropriate behavior of some agents is so extreme that people
decide not to pursue their complaints", he added. (E'temad state-run
daily - Jan. 14, 2009)
The head of Isfahan's security police announced that nine men's hairdressing shops had been shut down after
inspections.
"In accordance to the social and moral security plan, men's barber shops and hairdressers were inspected for a
week", Abas Sufivand said.
He also announced that 34 other barbershops had received notices that they would be shut down if they did not
follow regulations.
The head of the security police added that the goal of this plan was to prevent the prevalence of western culture
and cutting and styling men's hair in western fashions and also to prevent (hairdressers) from making men look
like women. (Fars state-run news agency – Jan. 28, 2009)
Bassiji launches New Intelligence Patrols
On January 28, a top commander of Bassij (paramilitary) Force declared that a new plan called “Bassij
Intelligence Patrols” is going to be enforced, which involves searching of cars.
According to a report by Etemad newspaper on January 29, Reza Garshasbi, commander of Meqdad District’s
Bassij Force explained that the plan scheduled for ceremonies marking the anniversary of the 1979 Revolution
would start early next week. (State-run Shahb News Website – Jan. 29, 2009)
Young men hauled to jail in SSF car’s trunk
On Friday January 24, the State Security Forces (SSF) in Qom hauled two young men to police station in their
car’s trunk. An eyewitness said he had seen this disrespectful treatment by the 19th district police another 20
times this year, those who are put in the trunk might have trouble breathing and their lives are endangered and
they can even die from a small car accident" (Iran News Agency – Jan. 31, 2009)
February
"Western culture promoters" arrested in Shiraz
The head of Fars Province Intelligence and Security Police said, "The promoters of western culture and Satanists
were arrested in Shiraz".
"Our agents were notified that a number of people were active in the field of advertizing and promoting goods
with symbols and emblems of vulgar western groups including heavy metal rock bands and Satanists groups in
stores in the northern streets in Shiraz", he added.
"The promotion and advertisement of pictures and stickers and emblems of vulgar western groups among
teenagers leads to the promotion of the culture of corruption and the elimination of religious values", stressed
this head of police. (Fars state-run News Agency – Feb. 8, 2009)
Security forces violently attack people in line to see movie
On Tuesday February 10, security forces attacked and beat people in line to see the movie "About Eli". Close to
1,500 movie fans had gone to Esteqlal Cinema to see Asqar Farhadi's newest movie but were met with the
violent reaction of State Security Forces and undercover agents and beaten.
The reason behind this inhumane act is not yet clear.
Many undercover agents were also present in the scene beating and hitting people and arresting the youth.
There is no information on how many people were actually arrested and their fate but the girls and boys who
were arrested were forced into cars parked across this movie theater. It has been confirmed that security agents
shot tear gas and uses pepper spray against the moviegoers. (Khordad website – Feb. 11, 2009)
SSF confiscate satellite dishes in Qazvin
State Security Forces in Qazvin have confiscated satellite dishes in residential homes of villagers around the city
of Qazvin. These agents mistreated these villagers and forced them to pay a fine and sign a contract not to use
satellite dishes anymore. (Iran News Agency – Feb. 16. 2009)
SSF conduct 350,000 "street interrogations" in Mazandaran
The State Security Forces in Mazandaran have interrogated and harassed more than 350,000 people under
various pretexts in the past 10 months.
A Mazandaran SSF commander, Noori, said that in the past 10 months Mazandaran's SSF agents corrected the
conduct of more than 353,000 people.
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"In the past 10 months, with the start of the activities of the Guidance Patrol in this province, 6,000 people
were arrested and about 6,000 automobiles and motorcycles were confiscated for creating noise pollution", he
added pointing to the so-called Social Security Plan. (Iran Press News Agency – Feb. 17, 2009)
SSF harass and abuse women and youth in Gorgan
The chief of staff of the Gorgan State Security Forces announced that the first stage for a plan to "guide and give
notices to those who do not have proper veiling" has ended.
"This plan was targeted at identifying and preventing social damages, giving verbal notices and guiding those
who did not follow Islamic regulations", he added.
"In this plan, buildings were inspected and those who appeared in the public with heavy makeup, and western
hairstyles and beards were given notices". (Iran Press News – Feb. 21, 2009)
Iranian regime intensifies punishment for "crimes" in new plan
A number of the government's supporters in Majlis (Iran's parliament) announced that the "plan to increase the
punishment for disrupting mental security" has been passed in the Cultural Commission of Majlis. According to
this plan, "creating an atheist website or weblog" is in the category of vicious crimes and it has been appointed
the punishment of "waging war with god" and "corruption on earth" (death penalty). According to Javad Arin
Manesh, with the ratification of the "plan to increase the punishment for disrupting mental security" in the
Cultural Commission, the punishment for some crimes increases.
The vice president of Majlis's Cultural Commission added that "if courts ratify this plan they are obligated to see
to these crimes faster and place them as their priority in a special branch".
"According to this plan, the punishment for these crimes are not subject to reduction, change or suspension", he
added. (Rooz Online – Feb. 23, 2009)
March
26,000 vigilante forces to counter "improper veiling" in New Year holiday in Isfahan, Regime official
The vice chief of the Prohibiting Vice and Promoting Virtue Staff in Isfahan announced that 26,000 vigilantes
will be stationed in hotels, terminals, airports, train stations, busy streets, tourist areas and bridges.
"These people have the obligation to guide travelers and also the people of Isfahan and to prohibit vice and
promote virtue on the New Year holiday", said Mohsen Mortazavi.
"With the support of the Judiciary, an itinerant judge will also be present on the scene to deal legally with these
sorts of cases", he added.
"Currently, 220,000 shops in Isfahan are under the supervision of the police and their transgressions are
documented and are being dealt with day and night ", Mortazavi said. (State-run IRNA – March 13, 2009)
Feast of Fire disturbers will be held in custody until mid April, judicial official
Mahmoud Salarkia said, "Two special branches have been initiated in Tehran's Court systems to deal with those
who create disturbances on the last Wednesday of the year (traditional Feast of Fire Day) to deal in a special
manner and seriously with these offenders".
"Those who cause disorder in any manner or causes obstruction or traffic will be held in custody with serious
charges until mid April. The automobiles of offenders will also be confiscated until the end of the holiday
season and some will not be given back until mid-April", added the Tehran Deputy Prosecutor. (Fars state-run
news agency – March 15, 2009)
Iran's clerical rule despises Feast of Fire traditional celebrations
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi, a cleric in Qom emphasized, "Unfortunately on (Feast of Fire Day) we are
witnessing some improper deeds by the youth in the society and relevant officials have to prevent such deeds".
"Feast of Fire has no place in Islam", he said adding that this ceremony is a superstitions ceremony which comes
from the incorrect cultures of the past.
"Islam has very good cultures and traditions and these cultures have to replace the incorrect culture of Feast of
Fire", this cleric said. (Fars state-run news agency – Mar. 17, 2009)
All Khorasan Razavi forces in state of alert
The commander of Khorasan Razavi's State Security Forces officially announced that all forces in this province
are in a state of alert.
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According to this report, more than 1,790 forces that have been trained in a training center in this city are
currently in a state of alert to counter the youth on Feast of Fire celebrations.
State Security Forces have taken all possible measures to counter and arrest the youth on Feast of Fire Day. The
head of Mashhad's SSF announced that five central prisons in this city and three prisons outside the city have
been dedicate those who are arrested on the last Wednesday of the year and they will be transferred there
immediately after being arrested.
"These people will subsequently be punished according to law", he added.
Female patrols will also be active on the last Wednesday of the year and more than 287 women have announced
their readiness to deal with troublemaking girls and women on this night.
"On this night, improper veiling and improper relationships between girls and boys will be seriously dealt with
and offenders will be detained in Prison number 3 in Azadi Boulevard", said the commander of Women's Police
in Mashhad.
This SSF commander also announced that on Feast of Fire night the relationship between girls and boys will be
looked at differently and warned all teenagers.
According to reports, the last Wednesday of the year, also known as Feast of Fire Day, is known as ‘Burning
Wednesday’ by security forces and security forces use this night to identify "offenders and troublemakers". (Iran
News Agency – Mar. 17, 2009)
Security forces stage curfew to cause fear and terror
A Tehran resident reported that security forces are stationed in Enqelab Square, Satarkhan and Sadeqieh. These
forces were geared with cars or motorcycles. They were wearing special uniforms and gears to cause terror and
fear amongst the people. These forces do not even let people stand and do not let cars stop.(Iran News Agency
– Mar. 17, 2009)
SSF takes high security measures to counter Feast of Fire night in Ardabil
The head of Ardabil's police forces said, "Our red line for Feast of Fire ceremonies is to deal with those who
cause trouble or create problems for residents and we will prevent those who want to light firecrackers by
stationing our forces in the city".
"Those who sell and buy illegal firecrackers will be arrested by the police and seriously dealt with", he added.
(Iran News Agency – Mar. 17, 2009)
High security measure on verge of Feast of Fire day
The head of Ilam's police and security forces banned the public from taking part in Feast of Fire ceremonies and
announced that people are only allowed to celebrate in limited locations and under severe police control.
SSF officials in Ilam have persistently warned people in TV shows and TV programs and have banned them
from celebrating Feast of Fire in any location beside the locations they have specified.
On the days before Feast of Fire, SSF and Bassij forces have gone to stores and shops investigating the buying
and selling of firecrackers and have arrested a number of people and closed up their shops. (Iran News Agency–
Mar. 17, 2009)
Arrestees of Iranian traditional Fire Festival are transferred to Gohardasht Prison
According to news, almost two hundreds of those arrested on the Feast of Fire Ceremony were transferred to
quarantined ward of Ghohardasht Prison in Karaj. They had been held in Police Stations before their transfer.
Before being transferred to this notorious prison, their families were told that they would be detained until the
end of the Iranian New Year Holiday which ends on April 2, and then the their status would be defined. They
are detained under pretext of ‘public disorder’ and ‘acting against national security’. (Center in Defense of
Prisoners in Iran – Mar. 19, 2009)
Tehran is the safest capital in the world, top commander of SSF
There are 2700 mobile and on foot patrols during Norooz twenty-four hours a day to prevent any insecurity,
Ahmadi Moqadam the top commander of the State Security Forces of Iran said.
Security and Discipline Plan will be continued more seriously in order to be institutionalized, he added.
“Tehran is the safest capital in the world,” Ahmadi Moqadam said. (Tabnak state-run website – Mar. 22, 2009)
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"Seventy percent of complaints by citizens against the SSF are because of the inappropriate treatment of the
agents of this force".
"Most people go to the police to solve their problems but the inappropriate behavior of some agents is so
extreme that people decide not to pursue their complaints", he added
Suppresive internet maneuvers and bills, and TV confessions
In the last days of the previous Iranian year, there was news of destroying the largest ‘corrupted’ web network.
News was expressing that directors and members of this network were arrested and had link with foreign groups
for providing ‘velvet revolution’ projects by receiving US funds.
This sort of news and manipulated files are not new, but are paving ground for more suppressive measures
against bloggers and Internet users in Iran as a whole.
The arrestees have been under tremendous pressure during the interrogation and were forced to make TV
confession and confess on heavy charges against themselves.
Last year, this suppressive plan started against bloggers by ratifying “internet offences bills” providing heavy
sentences against bloggers and internet users, and now proceeding more vigorously. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Mar. 23, 2009)
April
SSF top commander: men with unconventional dress will be death with
"The social security plan is not against women and of course men with improper behavior and unconventional
dress will be dealt", Ismail Ahmadi Moqadam, top commander of the State Security Forces, explained in a news
conference on the social security plan.
"Female agents of the SSF will give verbal notices to improperly veiled women", he added. (IRNA state news
agency – Apr. 5, 2009)
SSF Patrols blackmail innocent people
According to a soldier who works in the Farjam Police Station in Tehran
State Security Forces patrols force innocent people on the street to pay
bribes and blackmail them.
"For 12 months I have been doing my military service as a driver in a
State Security Forces patrol car. Under various excuses, we stop cars
telling drivers that they have to take their cars to the parking to be
confiscated and that the driver has to come with us to the station. And
they are forced to pay us. We are three people in the patrol car and at
the end of the day we divide the money between us. We earn about
400,000 to 500,000 rials (almost 400 to 500 USD) each", he said. (Iran
news agency – Apr. 8, 2009)
Ahmadijejad’s Interior Minister: State security plans
are intensified
Sadeq Mahsouli, Ahmadinejad’s Minister of Interior
emphasized that troublemakers should be dealt with
more tightly. He said that the table of functions of the
SSF commanding headquarter was defined. (Berna,
state-run website – Apr. 11, 2009)
Youngsters are objectives of repressive SSF plans in
Ilam
“Plans promoting social security in Ilam has not been
stopped and the operational and executive
commanding system is attempting its utmost and using
all its equipments and efforts to activate these plans.
And in a drubbing maneuver, 27 people were
identified and arrested,” Sadeqian, the head of State
Security Forces (SSF) in Ilam – a Western Province in Iran – said. (Jomhouri, state-run daily – Apr. 12, 2009)
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“This plan includes addicted women as well, and there will be some work for them after giving up addiction,”
he proposed.
“In Tehran, police will deal harshly with small drug dealers as well,” Tehran top commander of SSF said. (Asr-e
Iran, state-run daily – Apr. 22, 2009)
It should be noted that Ahmadinejad recently said the addicted would be used as forced labors in nine camps
designated for such plans.
SSF: Hosts of wedding parties must warn guests every 20 minutes!
“According to the Public Places Department (PPD) regulation, hosts of wedding parties must warn their guests
every 20 minutes obeying Islamic codes. This is compulsory while bride is leaving the hall and ending party on
time is obligatory,” Colonel Tibia, the head of Intelligence and Security office of the State Security Forces (SSF)
in West Azerbaijan declared in an interview with ISNA, state news agency.
“According to PPD regulations, if infringing repeats the wedding party hall will be sealed more than a month –
implying that the first time leads to a month of sealing – and new recurrent of infringement annuls the work
permit forever,” he added. (Shahab New, state-run website – Apr. 22, 2009)
SSF raided Boutiques in Tehran
A group of State Security Forces affiliated to ‘ordering to obey rules and avoid vice’ department raided
boutiques in well-known shopping center Chin-Chila at cross road Fatemi and Valiasr streets. The raid by the
plain –clothes shocked the shop owners. They warned the shop owners to remove the entire Manikin from
window shops or their shops would be sealed and they would be dealt with.
They also ordered the shop owners to remove posters, which were used to attract the attention of the customers.
(Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
Controlling internet users and summoning them to court
In an unexpected act, the Iranian regime’s Judiciary summoned a number of groups of internet users to court.
What makes it unexpected is that it includes groups of different ages, with various jobs. The majority are young
members of recreation internet groups. The summoning is in line with imposing more restriction on
information circulation. According to the Judiciary, membership in recreating websites of Yahoo such as Yahoo
360, various chat rooms, and Iranian websites, which are refreshing, and for searching friendship is an offence,
leading to judiciary operations against active users of these websites. Judiciary forbids Iranian of membership in
these sites and other websites of Yahoo while they are recreating and not immoral sites. (Iran news agency –
Apr. 22, 2009)
SSF: Guidance Patrols come after 15 days
“Guidance Patrols are not just suspended but they will become operational after removing some drawbacks,”
Azizollah Rajabzadeh, chief commander of Tehran said.
“Social Disciplinary Plans will be launched in district 12 of Tehran from April 30…” Rajabzadeh added. (Shahab
news, state-run website – Apr. 30, 2009)
190 satellite dishes and 34 receivers confiscated in Ilam Province
The Iranian regime suppressive forces, have discovered and confiscated 190 satellite dishes and 34 receivers in
western province of Ilam since March 21, 2009. This suppressive measure erupted many protests in Ilam. (Iran
news agency – Apr. 30, 2009)
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May
Intimidating maneuvers in Kurdistan on brink of Supreme Leader’s trip
On the brink of Khamenei’s trip to Sanandaj, night checkpoints are launched and a number of IRGC’s agents
and Bassijis (Paramilitary Force of the IRGC), stationed everywhere, in particular across the city. Checkpoints
stationed every 100meters. The government offices have stopped their daily job. Since Saturday May 2, plan of
seizing motorcycles is running in Sanandaj and the SSF agents are spread across the city. Closed circuit cameras
are mantled in the main streets such as Pasdarans, Ferdossi, Safari, and Shahpour, and Vakil Cross road
providing films of all vehicles and their passengers. (Iran Press – May 6, 2009)
High restriction of movement in Kurdistan Province
Concerning Khamenei’s trip to Kurdistan, the movements of people even in the evening are strictly controlled,
for example at midnight Monday May 4, suddenly spate of shots broke the silence and calm over a district inthe
city, such that the people in the neighborhood lie down the ground in their houses. It is noteworthy to mention
that the mass presence of plain-clothes security agents and those with uniform imposes very unbearable
atmosphere in Sanandaj. (Iran news agency – May 7, 2009)
Khamenei’s trip turns Sanandaj to a war zone
On the brink of the Supreme Leader of terrorist regime of Iran, Sanandaj is filled with military, security armed
agents, and there is a de-facto curfew.
Anti-aircraft machine guns are stationed around the city, movements of commando forces of Army and the
IRGC, and military heavy vehicles for stationing cannons and anti-aircraft has turned Sanandaj to a warlike
zone.
A large number of military forces have been transferred to Sanandaj, and other cities of Kurdistan including
Sarvabad, Marivan, and Saqez from East Azerbaijan, Kermanshah, Hamedan and Zanjan Provinces. People also
witness several hundred buses carrying civilian or military passengers entering Sanandaj and going to military
headquarters.
All government offices and most of schools are closed and are used by these forces dispatched across Iran to
Sanandaj. Abider wooded park which is one of the main recreation center is forbidden for civilian use and is
used by military forces.
According to news, the main goal of dispatching such enormous military and security forces is trying to disguise
them as civilians welcoming the Supreme Leader of the reactionary regime. (Iran news agency– May 10, 2009)
Widespread arrest of Kurdish youth surged on brink of Khamenei’s visit
On Wednesday May 6, Six youths named Keyahn, Qahreman, Saman, Ribvar Parvizi, Fardin Vaissi, and Akam
Pir-Moghani were arrested in Alk Village in Kamyaran, and their houses were searched.
In Nilkoui Village also in Kamyaran, three inhabitants were arrested, there is no information on their
whereabouts, and their names are unknown.
Javad Marabi, an attorney and director of an insurance company, was arrested in his office by the SSF and was
taken to unknown place.
Others arrestees include Khalid Gholami, a young inhabitant of Palangan Village who had gone to get medicine
for her mother and was arrested by the SSF. Later they raided their house searching everywhere and announced
that Serajeddin, his younger brother to introduce himself to the Intelligence Office in Kamyaran. Their mother
died the next day but still the SSF insist on Serajeddin’s introduction. Simultaneously, they arrested another
inhabitant of Palangan Village, not yet identified.
On Thursday May 7, the SSF went to Shahini Village also in Kamyarn, and arrested Moslem Khateri, Zahed
Qiadi, and Anvar Rostami they were also taken to unknown place.
Amir Babakri and his wife are among those summoned to headquarter of the Intelligence Ministry. He is an
exiled teacher from Piranshahr to Shahin-Dej, and has already spent 16 months in prison. Mr. Babakri is a
person in charge of a seized Rivan Kurdish and Persian language newspaper.
According to reports, security agents raided the homes of a number of villagers in Salavatabad Village and beat
and arrested a number of the youth.
Last week three university students from Negl Village of Marivan who study in Orumieh and Sanandaj
Univeristies were among students arrested.
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2009
According to security condition in Kurdistan, families of arrestees have difficulties to get information on
whereabouts of their loved ones and have not received any information yet. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
May 10, 2009)
Villagers compelled to welcome Khamenei
The governor general office of Sanadaj, along with governor offices of other Kurdish cities compelled villagers to
participate in welcoming ceremony provided for Khamenei.
Buses and various vehicles stationed in different villages to transfer deprived villagers who are mostly members
of Imam Committee to Sanandaj.
The IRGC and Bassij (Paramilitary Force of the IRGC) and other government bodies attempted their most to
demonstrate strong welcome for Khamenei in Kurdistan by dispatching people under many different pretexts.
(Iran news agency – May 10, 2009)
SSF raided a house arresting a young inhabitant of Sanandaj
On Friday May 8, the SSF raided Farshad Jalali’s house arresting him.
They searched his house, seizing his personal belonging including his books and computer case.
There is no information on his whereabouts. It is noteworthy to mention that detaining young people in
Sanandaj and transferring them to prison have increased on the verge of Khamenei’s trip to Sanadaj.
Also on the same day, forces in a checkpoint opened fire on a civilian car with three passengers injuring all three
of them near the Nanleh Village at 2330pm. (Iran news agency – May 10, 2009)
Mounting restriction measures in Kurdistan
Pipes from both sides that no one can get into the street have closed the traverse from airport to the city. At the
middle of the street concrete blocks has made it impossible for u-turn in the street or on foot passers to cross the
street unless at cross roads. They have also blocked the pedestrian pass ways in the side roads making it
impossible for a group of people walk together. The crowded pedestrian traverses have been divided such that
not more than a person can pass through under very high surveillance.
Several containers, makeshift prefabricated rooms, are improvised in the Freedom Square in Sanandaj, most
probably for espionage and wiretapping. At the same time a large number of cars equipped by very powerful
wireless walkie-talkies while helicopters fly very law over the city. In addition, the big camps are filled with
Special Forces.
They have gathered 15,000 Bassijis (paramilitary forces of the IRGC) in Shahoo Mountain under the pretext of
mountain climbing, they are mostly settled there with their families making the crowd over 50,000, and if you
walk there, you can only hear Persian Language. (Iran news agency – May 10, 2009)
Compulsory participation of people in a sham welcoming ceremony for Supreme Leader
A large number of people including government employees, students etc are threatened to take part in the
welcoming ceremony of Khamenei visiting Sanandaj. The regime has provided wide spread security measures for
Khamenei’s visit to Sanandaj. Despite dispatching several thousand agents impersonated with Kurdish dress,
they have also threatened people to take part in the sham welcoming ceremony.
They have declared to retired employees of the governmental offices, Martyrs Foundation, welfare organizations,
and Imam Relief Committee, if they do not attend on time in the traverse from the airport and their
surrounding streets their salaries would not be paid. This warning included military retired servicemen,
Ministries of Health and Education as well.
Sanadaj looks like a military base rather than a city, and there are five helicopter covering the air simultaneously.
(Komala TV – May 11, 2009)
Repressive surge in Kurdistan continues as Khamenei visiting Sanadaj
A few days earlier, the intelligence agents arrested Saman Mansouri, 23, inhabitant of Salavat Villiage in Sanadaj
and his properties were confiscated. The next day, Chipa Rahimi was arrested by the same agents and there is
no information on them yet.
The repressive forces of regime searched houses and harassed people in Saeen-Qaleh City under the pretext of
seizing satellite dishes on May 8, 2009. Moreover, on May 9, the regime forces are on alert in the city.
On May 9, the regime forces shot and killed a retailer named Shirzad Mollaii in Sardasht.
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2009
On May 10, the regime’s agents of Nossod in cooperation with the intelligence and protection office of Paveh,
raided the Bazaar and searched the shops under the pretext of detecting smuggled materials causing public
discontent. (Democratic Party of Iranian Kurdistan (KDPI) Radio – May 11, 2009)
Two Kurds arrested in Paveh
Two Kurd residents of Paveh were arrested and taken to an unknown location.
Soheil Sadeqi and Youness Qaderi were arrested in Paveh, a town in Kermanshah, for unknown reasons and
taken to an unknown location. In the past two weeks, many Kurdish political and civil rights activists have been
arrested.
The pursuit of their family for their whereabouts has so far proven unsuccessful.
Dozens of Kurds have been arrested and taken to unknown location in the past few days. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – May 13, 2009)
Iran's Supreme Leader threatens youth promising more suppression
In a speech on Saturday in Marivan, Khamenie once again supported Ahmadinejad criticizing those who "repeat
the words of westerners to draw the attention of the people to themselves".
"This sort of talk is not considered a bonus and is actually considered opposition to the Islamic-Iranian ideas
and identity", he added.
"Of course I should tell you this with great confidence that the pious and faithful forces of the Islamic Republic
will deal severely with elements of insecurity and will take any opportunity for insecurity away from them", Iran's
Supreme Leader stated at the end of his speech. (Iran state-run Television – May 17, 2009)
Seqez schoolchildren and employees forced to participate in Khamenie's welcoming ceremony
During Khamenie's trip to the city of Seqez, 10 thousand school students were forced to participate in his
welcoming ceremony and were told that whoever did not participate would be punished. All employees were
also told to participate in this ceremony or face the consequences. Even fire department workers, who were on
shift, were forced to participate. (Radio of the Iran's Kurdistan Democratic Party – May 21, 2009)
Welcoming Khamenei or arranging military war zone?
24 hours after Khamenei left Kurdistan, evacuation of military forces started and depicted visibly how enormous
amount of military equipments including artillery and even armored tanks were taken into the province. It was
more like a movement for a war rather than welcoming scene. This was very clear in the areas of Sanandaj to
Kermanshah, in particular in Sanandaj.
A number of buses, minibuses were, heavy vehicle including artilary and armored tanks were transferring
welcoming forces, it seemed it is the end of Iran-Iraq war. (Iran news agency – May 25, 2009)
Iran to start plan of evicting singles from homes
The SSF head of the Greater Tehran District announced that homes in region 12 of Tehran in which singles
live will be closed down in the Social Security Plan.
"One of the plans which will be carried out in the Social Security Plan is clearing houses in which single
(unmarried) people live in because these houses are the centers of crime in this region", Azizollah Rajab-Zadeh
said. "Police are currently identifying these homes and we will start clearing them from tomorrow", he added.
(Mehr state-run news agency – May 1, 2009)
SSF: discovery of 900 Satellite receivers is promotion of social security plan!
Alipour, head of State Security Forces in Tehran said: “nine hundred satellite receivers were discovered while
executing social security plan in district No. 12. (Asr-e Iran, state-run website – May 3, 2009)
SSF defeated to carry on suppressive measures in a Tehran shopping center of Laleh-Zar
Laleh-Zar is the main electrical shopping center in Iran, and the strike there on May 3 defeated the failed plan of
“social security” to seize motorcycles in that street.
On Saturday May 2, SSF along with the “anti-riot” special guards tried to intimidate the people in the district 12
of Tehran, which includes Laleh-Zar shopping center.
One of the main parts of their repressive maneuver was raiding the “houses of bachelors” in this district, which
is called by SSF as “corrupt nest.”
They raided the shopping center taking all motorcycles in the street. This led to turmoil among the shop owners
reacting immediately. They closed their shops as a protest reaction and announced that they would not open
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2009
their shops until the situation becomes as it was. Prior to this victorious strike, the strike of Bazaars in Tehran,
Isfahan and Tabriz forced the government to dismantle their new tax law. (Khordad newspaper– May 3, 2009)
Mullahs’ transnational repressive maneuver and abduction in Iraq
On April 24, Mr. Ali-Aid Nasiri, a refugee from Ahvaz was abducted by transnational terrorist forces of mullahs
with cooperation with employees of Iraqi Ministry of Interior and was secretly taken to Iran.
The camp housing refugees from Ahvaz is placed in the Tribil zone in Iraq-Jordan border, near the US Army
headquarters, was threatened recently by employees of Ministry of Interior of Iraq and some unknown agents
who were supposed working with Iranian intelligence services. Therefore, some of the refugees including Mr.
Ali-Aid Nasiri escaped the camp. However, after a few days this political refugee was arrested in Amara and was
secretly detained in a house in Amara for several days, before smuggled illegally to Ahvaz.
Mr. Nasiri is in Intelligence detention center in Ahvaz at present, and there is no more information on his
condition. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – May 3, 2009)
SSF murders arbitrarily people under pretext of ‘trouble makers’
“The SSF in Taibad in Khorassan Province – bordering with Afghanistan – identified an armed ‘trouble maker’
there and after an armed clash between the SSF and this ‘trouble maker’ he was killed,” Hossein Sajedi,
operational deputy commander of SSF said. (Jomhouri state-run newspaper – May 5, 2009)
Forced labor in camps to fight against narcotic drug
“The drug retailers will be kept in indoor workshops while major traffickers and sellers will be working as forced
labor in especial camps instead of being kept in prisons,” Colonel Assadi, deputy secretary of cooperation
council of fight against narcotic drug in Fars Province announced. (Jomhouri state-run newspaper – May 5,
2009)
Social discipline plan: being bachelor is a charge, the sentence is deserting house
The social condition increases the statistics of bachelors every day in Iran and factors such as surging inflation,
unemployment, mounting statistics of divorce, change of life style etc… While there have been discussions now
days about closing ‘bachelor houses’, this has provoked worries among citizens who have no choice than leaving
in this way.
Rajabzadeh, head of SSF in Tehran announced that at the beginning of social disciplinary plan the ‘bachelor
houses’ along with offenders and drug traffickers in district 12, central district in Tehran, are the cause of all
crimes, and will be closed down.
Dr. Qaraii Moqadam, a sociologist and professor in Tehran University believes that: “a number of the youths
have no choice except living in collective houses. When SSF expresses such matters it only increase the
discontent among young generation, increasing irreversible cultural, psychological damages to this social section.
The SSF is in charge of guarding security in the society instead it will aggravate insecurity and Pessimistic views,
inciting espionage among the people. Also sealing houses of people without any prove on committing any
offense is just ruining the regime’s prestige.” (Amir Kabir newsletter – May 6, 2009)
Main cause of sham election’s candidates to renounce SSF is the hatred of people against it
“Those who are after collecting people’s vote are talking to close
down guidance patrols, but they must know that guidance patrols
are for the national security and no one has the right to
blackening its image,” Ismail Ahmadi Moqadam, head of SSF
stated in Kerman. (Fars news agency – May 6, 2009)
Ahmadinejad himself protests against guidance patrols! Why
everybody attacks the government?
“Should Ahmadinejad to be president next term he would do
changes undoubtedly in this regard,” Majid Doost-Ali, the
secretary of Ahmadinejad cabinet proposed.
“Of course we do not claim that the government has been free of
mistakes, and according to Mr. Ahmadinejad a football coach
who directs the team makes mistakes,” he added.
“Guidance patrols are not belonged to Ahmadinejad’s
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2009
government as some candidates proclaim stopping them, and the government is protesting against some of the
violent dealings,” Doost-Ali said.
“Why the government which really serves people and the Supreme Leader has frequently approved it should be
under tremendous attacks?” he added. (Aftab, state-run website – May 6, 2009)
Commander of SSF declared readiness to repress Afghan refugees more vigorously
“Security Council of the Province (Kerman) expressed concerns on Afghans presence, therefore officials, and
people in charge of the province agreed to expel Afghans, and the SSF declared readiness to implement it,”
Ahmadi Moqadam, head of the State Security Forces said in a press conference in Keraman.
“The SSF is executive body to implement the policies, therefore Security Council of Kerman ordered expelling
of Afghans, and the SSF will take the course more influential,” he added. (ISNA, state-run news agency – May 6 ,
2009)
SSF: 84,000 satellite dishes confiscated in one
year
"In the past year, 84,000 satellite receivers and
other satellite appliances have been discovered
and seized by police,” The head of the
Smuggling Department of the State Security
Forces said.
"Fighting against forbidden and anti-cultural
goods is the priority in our department,” he
added. (Fars state-run news agency – May 6,
2009)
SSF mounts repressive measures against
youngsters in East Tehran
The SSF in Tehranpars, Rashid district arrest youngsters more aggressively and increasingly.
On May 6, patrols of the SSF and Police Station number 147, guidance patrols and SSF motorcades stopped 17
cars and arrested 10 boys and 7 girls, transferring the cars with their passengers in to police car park.
On May 6, the SSF sealed Kandoo Restaurant and Coffee shop in the morning, which is used mostly by
youngsters. The reason said to be entering boys and girls with ‘improper veil’. (Iran news agency – May 7, 2009)
Intelligence Protection interrogates arrestees of Laleh Park; guidance patrols intensified in this park
Arrestees of the First May Day were transferred to ward 240 of notorious Evin Prison, detained with criminals.
According to those arrested, interrogations in the police station carried out by the intelligence protection and
they asked two questions was common during their interrogation: Are you a university student? Do you have
Satellite or not?
Guidance patrols are intensified in Laleh Park since May 1. On May 6, 24 people were arrested there from 11am
to 16pm. A more concerned matter is that they savagely arrest girls and deal with them awfully forcing them
into the Guidance Vans. (Iran news agency – May 7, 2009)
Coffee nets are object of new arrests and repression
The SSF raided coffee nets and the aggregation sites of youth attempting to restrict them using internet.
On Wednesday May 6, the SSF agents raided the coffee net in Enqelab Square, searching it. According to
internet users and the owner of coffee nets sometimes plain-clothes and intelligence agents impersonating
themselves as internet users go to coffee nets for espionage and collecting information. (Iran news agency– May
7, 2009)
Head of Moral Security Police: we will deal severely with western style clothing
The head of the State Security Forces Moral Security Police said that according to the law, printing
indecent western writings and pictures on clothing is forbidden.
"Police will severely deal with Satanist groups without any tolerance,” he said.
"According to the law, the writing of the slogans of the Arrogance (reference to the US), and printing
indecent pictures and words on clothing is forbidden and will be dealt with", he stipulated.
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"The distribution of the culture of chastity and the veil in the society is one of the most important
tools for fighting against the propaganda and weapons of the enemies,” said Ruzbehani. (Mehr state-
run news agency – May 9, 2009)
Receivers, Satellite dishes, and positions seized in Tabriz
“The SSF raided house of Hossein N. in an abrupt operation in a district in Tabriz – Center of East Azerbaijan.
They discovered and seized 42 receivers, 57 satellite dishes, and 44 satellite positions,” Amir Abbas-zadeh, head
of information center of the SSF in East Azerbaijan said.
“He was arrested and transferred to a judicial body,” he added. (Fars state-run news agency – May 9, 2009)
SSF repress people for producing and wearing dresses having ‘arrogance’ pictures, and slogans
“According to law, dresses with arrogance slogans, pictures, and writings are forbidden and those wearing or
producing them will be dealt with,” Ahmad Rouzbahani, head of moral division of State Security Force stated.
“The promotion social-moral security plan has been dealt with such clothes since 2007… Until the officials in
charge of culture do not impose their duty, the SSF will carry out their responsibility… Police won’t allow
western indecent groups to harm Iranian culture and values,” he said.
“The promotion social security plan includes dealing with trouble makers, street irritators, sound impurity, and
improper dressing of women and men,” he added.
“The plan does not just include the guidance officers but also
consists of widespread presence of the SSF in the recreation
centers,” he said. (Fars state-run news agency – May 10, 2009)
Youngsters street-paraded in a humiliated manner in Babolsar
The SSF criminal
agents committed
anti-human
offense by street-
parading five
youngsters in a
very humiliating
manner across the city.
Agents of the Mullahs’ regime arrested these youth for causing
disorder. (Resistance Forces in Babolsar – May 10, 2009)
Police crack down in second phase of Social Security Plan
Rajabzaeh, head of Tehran State Security Forces declared the
second phase of social security plan started in the district 12.
“By now almost 407 with 100 square meter and 13 to 14 hut were identified which are rented between 300,000
to 700,000 rials (almost equivalent to $300 to 700) monthly. Eighty percent of the population use these
desolated places for living are from other cities, in near future the permission to evacuate and demolish them…
there are also some families living there… 30 people were also
arrested there,” Rajabzadeh said.“The social disciplinary plan
started since 10 days ago… thirteen police stations are launched
in the district 12to achieve the SSF goals,” he added.
“Should any offense takes place there police will deal with it
harshly,” he added while pointing out that there were various
experts in these police stations. (ISNA state-run news agency –
May 11, 2009)
Extraordinary control imposed in parks and men working in
women shops forbidden
Rouzbahani, head of the moral division of the SSF in a press conference declared that extraordinary control of
recreation centers and parks would be launched on June 22, 2009. News agencies did not explained clearly what
meant by “more extraordinary control” but pointed out that permanent police stations would be placed in big
parks and police patrols would be checking small parks.
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“Men sellers working in women dress shops are forbidden… should police encounters with such a case after
verbal notification and fine the shop will be sealed,” he added. (Farda Radio – May 12, 2009)
Ongoing seizure of satellite dishes
On Tuesday May 12, the SSF raided houses, harassing people and seizing satellite dishes in Shahin Shahr-Dej.
According to eyewitnesses, the SSF agents attacked houses using equipment, which directed them to places
having satellite, throwing down dishes from the roof. This inhuman and suppressive measures intimidated
public causing their anxiety and driving them to protest. They had no permission entering any house. (Iran news
agency – May 13, 2009)
Ongoing social security plan: 470 demolished houses, 50 addicted arrestees, and fate of 1400 unknown
“50 were arrested today, whom 15 were addicted to narcotic drug, and 35 were signed addicted,” Colonel Seyed
Javad Kashfi, head of anti-drug department of Tehran State Security Forces said while running towards Harandi
Aquare in the district number 12 yesterday.
“470 abandoned and cave like houses were identified accommodating 1400 people. The SSF after arresting the
addicts introduce them to the labor camps designated for stopping their addiction,” he added. (Amir Kabir
newsletter – May 14, 2009)
Repressive maneuver continues despite getting close to bogus election
On May 12, Guidance Patrol with code 204, arrested four youths in the entrance of Mahdieh Street in
Islamshahr and transferred them to Imamzadeh Aqil Police Station number 15. They were 22 and 23 years old
and their only charge was having fashion hairstyle, and wearing cloths, which was identified by government as
western and repulsive.
In addition, few days after imposing the social security plan in district 12, a number of youngsters were arrested.
Baharestan Police Station has launched a checkpoint in the southern part of Ferdossi Square, and there are
about eight soldiers equipped with truncheons standing at the both sides of streets, stopping motorcyclists then
two noncommissioned officers checking their identity cards and other documents. (Iran news agency– May 14,
2009
For those prone to commit offense, offense certificates will be issued and arrested before committing any
crimes: Top commander of SSF in Tehran
“For arrested trouble makers, offense certificate will
be issued by police,” Azizollah Rajabzadeh, head of
the SSF in Great Tehran said.
“By now, about 90 trouble makers have been
ident
ified
by
polic
e,
and
the
SWA
T teams are on alert in four locations in Tehran on a 24-7 basis,”
he added.
‘Trouble makers in the capital are under control of police and the SWAT teams will strike them before
attempting any crime…,” he said.
“407 shelters, and huts prone to offense have been identified in this district and our survey shows 80% of their
residents are not Tehran’s citizens,” Rajabzadeh add while pointing out to impose social disciplinary plans in
district 12 of Tehran.
According to the head of SSF in Great Tehran, in line with social disciplinary plan and cleansing of shelters
prone to crime, 25 shelters were destroyed by district 12 municipality of Tehran. (State-run TV network website
– May 18, 2009)
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2009
Head of Tehran's Security Police: those with petty criminal records who are "prone" to troublemaking will all
be arrested
The head of the Greater Tehran Public Security
Police announced the initiation of the activities of
SWAT teams made up of security police to arrest
troublemakers.
Referring to the plan to round up troublemakers in
previous years in which first degree and second degree
troublemakers were arrested, Mohammad Reza
Alipoor said, "After investigations it became clear that
a number of convicts and troublemakers who had still
not reached the level of first degree or second degree
troublemakers but are prone to troublemaking are
causing disturbances in the city".
"In light of these findings and with necessary co-ordinations with Tehran's Prosecutor, Special Forces and other
police forces will undertake operations to deal with the troublemakers", he added.
"Until now 50 troublemakers who have petty criminal records but are prone to troublemaking have been
identified and every single one of these people will be arrested in the city", he stressed. (Fars state-run news
agency – May 18, 2009)
SSF arrests and suppresses under excuse of "troublemaking"
The head of the Greater Tehran Crime Prevention Police in the State Security Forces announced the arrest of
237 people in the framework of the Social Order Plan in the past 24 hours in the capital.
"In the mentioned timeframe we discovered five 220 liter barrels of alcohol in a place where alcohol was
produced", he said.
According to Bigi, three people were arrested in this operation and handed over to judicial authorities.
"Last night we also arrested 6 troublemakers in the Social Order Plan", he added. (IRNA state-run news agency –
May 18, 2009)
SWAT teams arrests youth under pretext of "dealing with troublemakers"
While in the past year no pictures or news have been published on the cruel treatment of the SSF with
"troublemakers", State Security Forces started (openly) dealing with them again on Monday in a show of power.
Security police agents and SSF special forces started a new phase in the "SWAT Team Plan to arrest
troublemakers" on Monday night. This new plan started upon the orders of the SSF commander in the capital.
A few hours ago, a number of the "troublemakers" in Tehransar and Khake-Sefid regions were violently arrested.
This treatment was much like the treatment of "troublemakers" in the beginning of the plan for advancing social
security. In those days, some SSF commanders called this treatment a kind of "show of power" against
"troublemakers". (Shahab News state- run website – May 19, 2009)
Iran's Supreme Leader endorses
suppressive "Social Security Plan"
The Head of the State Security Forces
Politics and Doctrine underlined that the
Plan to Advance Social Security is "not
subject to suspension ."
"The Plan to Advance Social Security which
is a blessed plan is connected to the SSF,
and the Supreme Leader persistently
endorses it", Cleric Torab Bahrami said in
an interview .
"The Plan to Advance Social Security is in
line with practicing 'prohibiting vice and
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2009
promoting virtue' which is a necessity in religion", he stressed .‘This plan is not very old and it is indeed new and
as time goes by it will become more complete but the Supreme Leader had stressed that this plan be ongoing
and permanent", he said . ‘According to the guidelines of the Imam (Khamenie, founder of the Islamic
Republic) and the Supreme Leader we all have the duty to endorse and support the
authorities in carrying out these sorts of plans", added the head of Politics and Doctrine. (Aftab state-run daily –
May 20, 2009)
Upsurge of ‘guidance patrols’ and ‘moral security police’ in Tabriz
Since last week, guidance patrols and moral security of SSF have been mounted since a week ago.
The SSF has increased its activities against mullahs’ so called ‘mal veiling’ and controlling ‘moral security’ across
Tabriz, center of East-Azerbaijan.
Guidance and moral security patrols are stationed in all squares and brutalize and sneer those who have
clothing and hairstyle not approved by them.
Above controlling public passages by closed circuit cameras, the SSF prevents any gathering and threat them
roughly. The majority of people are protesting against their presence and behaviors. Moreover, there are also
‘social urgent patrols’ in addition to police patrols. (Iran news agency – May 21, 2009)
Security pressure imposed on villagers Kermanshah’s border area
Pressures on people of Ravansar, and Javanrood Villages have been increased for few days and the SSF attacks
and searches houses of people under various pretexts.
On May 19 and 20 the SSF raided villages of Badrabad, Zirchoobi, Qeshlaq, Mansour Aqaii and caused fear and
intimidation of the villagers.” (Iran news agency – May 21, 2009)
More than 40 people arrested in Sistan & Baluchistan in new wave of suppression
Heavy pre-election security measures in Baluchistan
have so far led to the arrest of at least 40 residents in
this region.
Military maneuvers and the stationing of
checkpoints in residential areas like Iranshahr,
Zabol, Zahak, Khash, Saravan, Zahedan… have been
carried out and military defense points have also
been created in these areas along with widespread
searches in residential homes. This has created an
atmosphere of fear in this province. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – May 22, 2009)
Several people beaten and arrested in Tabriz protests
A group of Tabriz residents who had gathered in Ael-Guli (Shah-Guli) Park for a sporting event chanted slogans
condemning the insult of Turks and demanded an official apology from Mohammad Khatami (for insulting
Turks).
Security forces shot tear gas at the protestors and used violence to disperse the crowds. A number of people were
injured and several others were arrested. (Advar News website – May 23, 2009)
According to state-run TV network, number of participants in the rally was 300,000.
SSF assaults barbarically against people’s residences of Khorramabad
The State Security Forces assaulted people’s houses and arrested 45
persons.
“Promoting social security plan carried out for three days in unclean
locations,” Moradi, top commander of the SSF in Lorestan Province,
western Iran, said while announcing the number of arrestees. (Resalat,
state-run daily – May 24, 2009)
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2009
June
Iran cracks down on popular riots in Iran
Iran cracked down on reformist leaders on Sunday after
President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad's landslide election win
sparked riots across Tehran and complaints of vote-rigging
by his defeated rivals.
Amid the turmoil, Iranian security forces arrested at least 15
reformist leaders who backed ex-premier Mousavi and
another defeated presidential candidate Mehdi Karroubi in
Friday's vote, sources close to them told AFP .
On Saturday, baton-wielding riot police firing tear gas
clashed with protestors who pelted security forces with
stones and set rubbish bins and police vehicles ablaze as
demonstrators shouted 'Death to the Dictator.'
An AFP correspondent touring riot-hit areas reported a heavy police presence around the interior ministry,
while a bank building was burnt to a shell and the road to Tehran University's student dormitory locked down.
'Last night after midnight they came to our door, Taghi went to open the door and they arrested him right there
and pushed him into a car,' said Narges Mohammadi, wife of Taghi Rahmani, a prominent dissident who has
previously been jailed for harming national security. (AFP - June 14, 2009)
Police raid hospital to arrest injured protesters
According to reports from the 1000 Bed Hospital in Tehran, Special Police Forces have raided the emergency
treatment ward intending to arrest the injured protesters .
At about 1:30 pm, groups of special guards forces along with intelligence agents came into the hospital. They
dealt violently with the doctors and nurses in the hospital. Intelligence agents intended to arrested the injured
protesters but the doctors and nurses firmly prevented this measure. The hospital employees were threatened
with arrest. These clashes went on for a long time in the hospital and the hospital personnel were not able to
treat patients in this time. Some of the wounded protesters are in very critical condition .
This event went on until 3:30 pm and the security forces were not able to arrest the protesters after hospital
personnel stood their ground .
Most injured protesters are only lightly
treated for fear of arrest and even those
who are severely injured are only
bandaged and leave the hospital for their
homes and feel insecure in the hospitals .
This measure by security forces resembles
measure taken by forces in the 1980's
when they did the same thing to injured
protesters and threw them in jail from
hospital .
Even hospital personnel were not secure
in yesterday's clashes and were frequently
under threat and insult from suppressive
forces. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran website – June 14, 2009)
Violence against demonstrators marks new presidential term in Iran
Thousands of demonstrators faced a violent response when they took to the streets in Iran on Saturday to
protest against the announcement of the victory of incumbent president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Friday’s
presidential elections.
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2009
Witnesses claimed some marchers were beaten with batons by security forces or metal pipes wielded by the
militiamen known as Basijis, who are directed by the powerful Revolutionary Guard.
One witness told The Associated Press that people came from apartments to aid the wounded demonstrators or
allowed them to take shelter. Helicopters hovered over central Tehran until dusk.
The witnesses told AP that between 50 and 60 protesters were seriously beaten by police and pro-government
militia and taken to Imam Khomeini hospital in central Tehran. People could be seen dragging away comrades
bloodied by baton strikes.
Iranian authorities have placed strict limits on the ability of foreign media to cover events, banning reporting
from the street and allowing only phone interviews and information from officials sources such as state TV. (AP
– June 20, 2009)
Police severely suppress Iran protest
Teargas and water cannon are turned on the crowds as Tehran's security forces and militiamen outnumber
protesters on streets.
The momentum of Iran 'green revolution' - triggered by allegations of electoral theft earlier this month -
appeared to stall yesterday, as thousands of plain clothes and uniformed security officials swamped Tehran,
using tear gas and water cannon on a hard core of about 3,000 demonstrators.
Eyewitnesses said that protesters who had tried to gather for demonstrations were beaten by police, who also
fired warning shots into the air. Video footage showed scattered knots of protesters fleeing as tear gas canisters
were fired amidst shouts of 'Allahu Akbar' - God is Great, one of the calls adopted by the protesters.
In other places, witnesses described demonstrators holding their ground against motorbike-mounted members
of the feared Basij militia.
Helicopters hovered over Tehran and the sound of sirens echoed through the streets as up to 60 injured
demonstrators were taken to the Imam Khomeini hospital. Tehran's university campus - another focal point for
the protesters - was also blocked off yesterday by lines of police.
'This is like [the revolution in] 1979,' said one older man on the streets yesterday. 'But it's more dangerous.
People had money in 1979 to escape and to get by for months. Now they don't.'
After stern warnings from Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during Friday prayers and amid a
climate of growing fear in Iran, the vast majority of the hundreds of thousands who had earlier marched against
what they claimed has been the rigging of elections to favour Ahmadinejad, appeared to have remained at
home. Khamenei warned opposition leaders to end street protests or be held responsible for any 'bloodshed and
chaos' to come.
In a sign of the regime's determination to prevent further large protests, police and Basij militia deployed in
almost every major square in Tehran, while fire engines were being used to block roads, eyewitnesses said. One
told al-Jazeera that in most areas protesters were outnumbered by riot police. Ahmad Reza Radan, a senior
Iranian police commander, had warned his men would 'strongly confront any illegal gatherings and those
without permission .'
Up to 10 people have been killed and scores of reformists have been arrested since the protests began.
Authorities have also cracked down on foreign and domestic media .
The violent interventions of the Basij militia - one of Ahmadinejad's bases of electoral support - armed with
bicycle chains, batons and Kalashnikovs and dressed in a mixture of civilian clothes and fatigues, is an
increasingly significant factor in the crisis.
Special units of the Army of Mohammad Rasulallah, part of the Revolutionary Guard noted for its iron fist
tactics, have also reportedly taken over law enforcement in the capital. The Basij is a volunteer force, drawn
mainly from the poorer section of society, who gain favours and privileges by acting as enforcers for the Islamic
state. (The Observer – June 21 2009)
Bloodbath in Tehran demo
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2009
Kayvan Z, 18, shot in the elbow in Leili Street. He did not go to hospital for fear of arrest and is being treated at
home.
Farzaneh V.M, 26, housewife- She was passing by in Amir Abad when she was shot in the shoulder. She is also
being treated at home for fear of going to hospital. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 29,
2009)
July
Students terrorized by security forces
Independent student sources in the country have reported that security forces are still trying to implement an
atmosphere of terror in universities.
Security and intelligence forces are still trying to keep the security atmosphere in universities at any cost. They
have put pressure on student activists, suspended students, some well known university professors and even
their families to prevent them from their activities and to keep them from distributing news on those who were
arrested. On the other hand, with the help of the protection department and disciplinary committees in the
universities, dissident students are arrested without reason and without arrest warrant.
Security forces and Bassij forces in Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Babol, Mashhad, Hamedan, Tabriz, and
Kermanshah have turned university campuses into their own turf. According to reports, these forces have a
heavy presence in various universities and dormitories and use any excuse to threaten and arrest students.
In the past few days, security and intelligence institutions have illegally summoned students and made
threatening phone calls to senior members of the Office for Consolidating Unity. These threats and summonses
are ongoing. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – July 5, 2009)
Iran cracks down brutally to suppress peaceful demonstrators
A demonstration by the people of Tehran to mark the anniversary of the student uprising in 1999 was met with
severe suppression by security forces. According to eyewitness reports, at about 9:30 pm in Rudaki Street,
security forces attacked a young man with clubs and beat him so much that his head split open. People helped
him and took him to hospital. There were a very large number of security forces on the streets. Even traffic
police were armed with tear gas and pepper spray.
Security forces even attacked taxis that stood to pick up the people and broke their windows.
At 6:30 pm in Abbas Abad, Motaheri and Fatemi Streets, there were severe clashes and Bassijis severely beat the
protesters. Soldiers also helped the security forces in their suppression. There were shots made with
Kalashnikovs. The windows of cars that honked in support of the protesters were shattered by security forces.
Those who were detained today were handcuffed with plastic bands. People who were going towards Enqelab
suddenly felt the plastic handcuffs on their hands from the back. Security forces started detaining protesters
even before the demo started. (Iran News Agency – July 9, 2009)
Plainclothes agents attack Polytechnic Univ. dorms
Plainclothes agents armed with guns and knives along with agents on motorcycles attacked a number of the
Polytechnic (Amir Kabir) University dormitories. These agents stormed the dorms beating a number of students
and the dorm guards.
They also vandalized some parts of the buildings and facilities. The agents used tear gas against the students and
stormed the reading hall, restrooms and baths, praying hall and other floors of the Golshan Dorm.
There is no information on the condition of a number of students who were attacked in this raid. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – July 9, 2009)
Many people arrested in demo to mark anniversary of students uprising
Many people were arrested outside of the vicinity of the demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the student
uprising in 1999. Security forces and paramilitary forces attacked and arrested many people who were walking
on the streets and this has led to a high number of arrests. There is no information on where they have taken
the detainees.
The interesting point in today's arrests was that detainees were taken to cars and vans that did not have the
police emblem and were personal cars.
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2009
According to eyewitness accounts, when people were being arrested, plainclothes agents would use very offensive
language especially when arresting girls, and brutally beat them with clubs. In many cases, it was reported that
they would also spray pepper spray at very close range at the detainees, which can lead to serious eye damage.
Until this moment, it is not clear how many people were arrested, who they are or where they are being kept.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – July 9, 2009)
SSF official: police will deal firmly with illegal gatherings
Iran's police chief deputy Ahmad Reza Radan said that police would act firmly with any illegal gathering.
"The upholding of order and security in the society is the duty of the police and therefore any illegal gathering
which causes disorder in the society will be firmly dealt with", he said.
"There were rumors of new gatherings in Tehran on Tuesday and we will deal with these illegal gatherings". (Fars
News Agency – July 21, 2009)
August
Hospitalized protesters in critical condition severely controlled by intelligence agents
According to reports, in the course of widespread protests on July 30 for the 40th day from the killing of
protesters in demonstrations, a large number of people were arrested and many others were battered and
injured by security forces. Injured protesters are currently hospitalized in the 7 Tir Hospital.
These protests were met with brutal attacks by security forces, Special Guards Forces, RGC and Bassij forces and
plainclothes forces. They brutally beat young people in the demo with clubs which led to the arrest and injuries
of many of them.
More than 18 injured protesters are currently hospitalized in the 7 Tir Hospital. Most of them have been struck
in the head, neck and face with clubs. A number of the injured protesters have been transferred to unknown
locations by security forces and intelligence agents. Three protesters are in critical condition. They are:
Seyed Mohsen M. 23, electrical student, Shahrzad F, 26 and Amir A. 27, who has a computer degree. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 1, 2009)
Deputy SSF commander: 70 people arrested
last Thursday
The deputy commander of the State Security
Forces announced that 70 people involved in
the recent events were arrested last Thursday.
"These people were arrested in all the restive
areas". (Fars state-run News Agency – Aug. 3,
2009)
Iran arrests dozens of demonstrators outside
parliament building
Dozens of protesters who had gathered in a
peaceful demonstration outside the
parliament building in protest to the
swearing in ceremony of Ahmadinejad were
arrested. Despite a denial by State Security
Forces officials, eyewitnesses have said that a
number of protesters were arrested and a
large number of protesters were beaten.
One of detainees is a 28-year-old woman
named Fahimi Asadi. One of her friends said
that she witnessed the scene of her arrest.
Her family still has no information on her
whereabouts. (Muj-e Azadi Website – Aug. 6,
2009)
Security forces attack and beat peaceful
protesters
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2009
According to reports from Tehran's Bazaar area, there were protests and clashes in the Bazaar. Security forces
attacked the people beating in the head and face with clubs. As a result of the brutal attacks, a number of the
protesters sustained injuries. Eyewitnesses have said that they saw four people in one area who were severely
injured and bleeding. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Aug. 12, 2009)
Security forces violently attack worried parents of detained protesters outside Evin Prison
According to reports from a Evin Prison, prison guards attacked families who were concerned for their loved
ones on the orders of a judge in this prison. These guards pushed the elderly men and women to the ground
violently throwing the worried parents out of the building.
At about 10:15 am, the families of detained protesters went to the building where the prison judge is stationed
and protested the fact that no one answers their questions about their loved ones. The guards present initially
attempted to deceive the families with lies about their loved ones. They then ordered their forces to throw the
families out of the building using force. The security forces pushed the elderly men and women on the ground
and threw them out of the building and under the scorching sun. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in
Iran – Aug. 15, 2009)
SSF deputy: those who eat in Ramadan will be firmly dealt with
Radan, the deputy commander of the State Security Forces said, "In the month of Ramadan, security forces will
definitely deal with lawbreaking food stores.”
"Those who cause disturbance in any way on the sidewalks will also be dealt with", he added. (Mehr state-run
news agency – Aug. 16, 209)
Security forces attack peaceful protesters in Tehran
A group of people, especially younger
people, gathered outside and around
the E'temad Meli Daily offices in
protest to a government ban on this
newspaper.
After 5 pm, this area was filled with
protesters who were protesting in
silence and in some cases chanted
Allah-O Akbar or raised their hands
in peace signs.
Special Guards Forces attacked the
silent protesters in many cases and a
number of people were severely
injured as a result. According to
eyewitnesses, more than 10 people
were arrested by security forces. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 17, 2009)
Military forces shoot and injure innocent passerby
After military forces opened fire on number of passersby from a military base in Marivan, a Kurd man was
seriously wounded.
Abdollah Faraji, from the Be-radeh-rah-sh Village in Marivan, was passing by from the Jalaneh area with his
friends for recreation, when he was shot and injured by military forces from a military base. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Aug. 17, 2009)
Security forces impose martial law in Marivan
Security forces and agents have been deployed in the Javeh Roy region in Marivan and have stationed guns on
the rooftops of houses.
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2009
These forces have created the atmosphere of martial law and control the movement of the people. In some
villages, they put pressure on the family members of the Democratic Party and harass the villagers. (Kurdistan
Media – Aug. 17, 2009)
SSF: people should introduce those who eat in Ramadan
The State Security Forces wrote in a statement: "We request from the general public to cooperate with security
forces and if you see any kind of offense (in the months of Ramadan) immediately call 110 so that the offenders
can be legally dealt with". (Asre Iran Website – Aug. 19, 2009)
September
Security forces confiscate satellite equipment from homes in Kermanshah
In the past few weeks in Sarpul-e Zahab, a town in Kermanshah, regime forces have entered people homes with
permits, to confiscate their satellite equipment.
Dozens of satellite systems have so far been confiscated by these forces and their owners have been fined. These
forces also confiscated satellite systems in a number of villages in the area including the Juri Village. (Kurdistan
Media – Sep. 10, 2009)
Head of Tehran Moral Police: those who disturb peace will be severely dealt with
The head of the Greater Tehran District Moral Police said that the police would deal with drivers who cause
noise pollution and they would be handed over to judicial officials.
"Dealing with those who bother women, noise pollutants and those who wander on the streets to disturb
families are some of the main and natural missions of the police".
"The police will deal severely with noise pollutants who, put on indecent music (in their cars) and those who
disturb women and this mission is uninterruptable".
According to the Fars News Agency, article 618 of the Islamic Code states that "Those who disturb the peace or
general peace of the people or prevent people from doing their daily occupation by making a commotion or
taking unconventional measures will be sentenced from 3 years to one year of prison and 74 lashes". (Farsstate-
run News Agency – Sep. 22, 2009)
Iran stations police forces outside schools under pretext of dealing with troublemakers in fear of student
protests
The Assistant head of the State Security Forces announced that schools would be controlled to deal with drug
dealers and troublemakers on the streets near schools.
"In light of the opening of schools and the start of the new academic year, uniformed and undercover police will
control the areas around all schools in the county to deal with people who intend to sell drugs or those who
cause trouble". (Mehr state-run News Agency – Sep. 22, 2009)
Police beat young man in Tehran
According to reports, from Sunday September 27, the commander of police station 147 named second
lieutenant Mahmoud Rezayi was transferred to another police station and third lieutenant Ali Maleki took his
place. Maleki was standing today in a park on the intersection of Rashid and 150 West Streets which is the
hangout of teenagers and threatened everyone .
"I will kill all of you and from now on no one will dare walk on this street. Don’t think I am like Rezayi", he
said.Then he chased the teenagers and beat 20-year-old Arash in public to intimidate the young people. (Iran
News Agency – Sep. 27, 2009)
Security forces beat teenagers on streets for so-called 'moral offenses'
According to reports, on Thursday September 26 from 5 to 11 pm, a checkpoint in the Andarzgu Street in
Tehran stopped about 70 cars and physically abused a number of the female and male passengers. The girls were
beaten for 'improper veiling' while the boys were beaten to 'looking at girls'. When one of the teenagers asked
why they were doing this, he was severely beaten and his license plate was confiscated. (Iran News Agency– Sep.
28, 2009)
Iran installs security cameras in schools to control students
The Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Education said, "According to recent decisions made by the
Supreme Council of Education, installing closed circuit security cameras … in the hallways and campus of
schools is admissible. (Tabnak Website – Sep. 27, 2009)
Shop shut down for selling automobile sound devices
According to reports, agents of the Majidieh Police Station raided and shut down the Zanguleh Systems Store
on Wednesday September 26 only because it was selling automobile sound devices. (Iran News Agency – Sep.
28, 2009)
Iran stations fire department forces in Azadi Stadium under pretext of 'providing security' to quell protests
The assistant head of operations at Tehran's Fire Fighting Department said that fire department forces would be
stationed around Azadi Stadium.
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2009
"Fire Department cars will be stationed in the western and eastern parking lots of the stadium to secure all the
parking lots", he said. He also said that fire fighters on motorcycles will also be on the scene to provide
immediate assistance.
"On Friday (when there is to be football match) 50 fire fighters will be stationed in Azadi Stadium to prevent
any possible incidents by use of heavy and light automobiles", he added. (Borna News Agency – Sep. 29, 2009)
IRGC acquires 50 percent stake in Iran’s Telecommunications Company to control phone and internet
networks
Finally after the bid for stakes in Iran's Telecommunications Company was cancelled four times, companies
affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps were able to take over control of this important and
strategic company. In this way, the Telecommunications Company has joined the group of companies and
institutions under the power of the leader of the Islamic Republic and outside the jurisdiction of the
parliament. This is while a few hours before the bid, the only other seemingly private telecommunications
company offering to buy was rejected for lack of “security credentials”. By giving 50 plus one percent of the
stakes of the Telecommunications Company (to the IRGC), all its sectors including landlines, cell phones, the
Dita Communications and its infrastructure is moved out of the control of the government and transferred to
the IRGC. (JRS Website – Sep. 28, 2009)
Iran militarizes Tehran to curb student protests
With the start of the academic year in universities and the renewal of student protests to the elections, the city
has been militarized once again after officials stationed a large number of securityforces all over Tehran.
Security forces were tightly stationed around the Enqelab Square and Enqelab Street.
It seems that the new deployment of security and military forces in Tehran is because of the start of the
academic year and fears of student protests. (Nurooz Website – Sep. 30, 2009)
Iran filters more than 10 million websites and weblogs
In the past five months, new policies including the interest and security of the nation has led to widespread
filtering of many news and information websites. This has even slowed down internet access in the country.
According to an internet activist who asked not to be named, more than 10 million websites have been filtered
so far. (Sarmayeh state-run daily – Sep. 30, 2009)
200 security cameras installed in Iran to curb street dissent
From the 400 security cameras that were bought to be installed in the country, 200 have been installed in
various cities so far. (ILNA state-run news agency – Sep. 30, 2009)
Security forces harass people on Tehran road
On Wednesday, September 30 security forces along with other regime forces stopped cars going in the Yadegar
Imam under the excuse of conducting drug tests and harassed the people. (Iran News Agency – Sep. 31, 2009)
October
Universities in hands of suppressive forces
Farid Hashemi a member of the central council of the Office for Consolidating Unity said regarding the
situation of universities, "Universities have reopened this year in the middle of a soft cultural revolution.
Officials have tightened their grip on the academic environment and under the name of controlling the
scientific atmosphere of universities and creating a calm environment, the security atmosphere has heightened
in universities. Student activists are suspended from using the dormitories and university facilities more than
before. The activities of the Disciplinary Committee have intensified and the control of universities has been
entrusted in the hands of the Protection Departments". (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 1, 2009)
Security forces turn Tehran's Azadi Stadium to military base
From this morning, a large
number of people moved
towards Azadi Stadium (to
watch a football game
between the Persepolis and
Esteqlal teams). Security
forces body searched the
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2009
football fans attending the game and in some case, confiscated their cell phones.
According to reports, a large number of fans who had come from other towns from Tehran and slept outside
the Azadi Stadium were attacked by security forces. Some were beaten while others were arrested and taken to
unknown locations.
A large number of security forces have been stationed inside and outside of the Azadi Stadium. Eye-witnesses
have said that they saw 20 special guards' forces cars entering the stadium. (Human Rights Activists in Iran –
Oct. 2, 2009)
Rep. of Tehran's Prosecutor attends football match to 'give necessary judicial orders in case of offense' in
stadium
A representative of the prosecutor said that he will be present in the Azadi Stadium with the football fans of the
(the Persepolis and Esteqlal game).
"When the audience are present in the (stadium) to watch the game, I will also be present so that I can monitor
the offenses carried out from up close and if there is an offense, issue the necessary judicial orders", Habib
Hashemi said.
"I am announcing that I will deal very severely with those who disrupt order in the stadium in the game between
Persepolis and Esteqlal", he added. (ISNA state-run news agency – Oct. 2, 2009)
Iran disrupts cell phone communications near Azadi Stadium
While there is less than two hours left to the start of the 67th game between the Esteqlal and Persepolis football
teams, the capacity of the Azadi Stadium has reached its peak and many of the football fans have stayed behind
the closed doors of the stadium.
Cell phone services have once again been disrupted. Reports show that these services have been disrupted in
Western Tehran especially in the Azadi Stadium and its vicinity. (Nimruz state-run website – Oct. 2, 2009)
Plainclothes agents attack football fans
Security forces arrested 10 Persepolis and Esteqlal fans in Azadi Stadium. The IRNA (state-run) news agency
called these people "seeming spectators" saying that they were arrested for "clashing". In the last minutes of the
game, which was played under severe security measures, slogans in support of Moussavi were chanted in the
stadium.
Riot police entered the field after these chants. According to other reports, plainclothes agents attacked the
spectators. (Ruydad Website – Oct. 2, 2009)
Head of IRGC: Student Bassij does not have to wait for orders to quell student protests
The Commander of the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps has told members of the Bassij in
universities that they have to react to unrest in universities and do not have to wait for orders from their
superiors.
Citing the differences in various universities, Major General Mohammad-Ali Jafari said on October 2 in a
conference for the heads of Student Bassij Forces in Iran's universities that the "student Bassij can act
independently in the soft war field and the commandment of this fighting field is not concentrated one".
"The young commanders of the soft war front have to be familiar with the political and cultural grounds of this
filed to show the proper reaction in any location that they might be. They should not wait for orders from their
superiors", he added. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 2, 2009)
Plan to deal with 'improper veiling' to be executed again in Iran cities
The assistant head of the State Security Forces announced that the plan to counter improper veiling will be
carried out again in line with the Social and Moral Discipline Plans.
"Another issue of social security which is related to the plan to counter improper veiling and troublemakers will
be carried out again in the near future", he said.
"In the issue of improper veiling we stress that the appearance of people on the streets is not the only issue and
the locations that produce and present these clothing will also be (dealt with)". (Sarmayeh Daily – Oct. 5, 2009)
Head of Tehran SSF rationalizes violent suppression of peaceful demos in Tehran
The head of the State Security Forces in the Greater Tehran District said in answer to a question by a reporter
on the treatment of people in the events after the elections and that people are not satisfied with the police in
light of recent events, "Too bad you are a reporter, otherwise I would really answer you"!
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2009
In strange remarks, Rajabzadeh said, "If someone riots and destroys people's belongings, I want this person not
be satisfied with the police"!
"We have not come to the streets for his satisfaction and we do not need the satisfaction of these kinds of
people", he stressed. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 6, 2009)
SSF fines wedding celebrators
According to reports, the State Security Forces Public Places Department fines those who hold wedding parties.
The head of a band said that the SSF Public Places Department fines those who hold wedding parties and the
band playing in the party if the party does not end on schedule.
"This order which was approved in August and was verbally announced to all musical groups and orchestras
states that if the party does not end at 12am sharp, they will be fined according to the duration of their delay",
he said.
He also said that last week their group and the host of a party were fined 12,000 dollars because of a 15 minute
delay.
"In many cities there is an official curfew upheld by security forces and if someone is on the streets in the middle
of the night, these forces interrogate them", he stressed. (Iran News Agency – Oct. 8, 2009)
RGC surround villages after heavy bombardment, assault houses and arrest people
A number of Kurd residents from villages around the Shahu Mountain in western Iran were arrested in the past
few days by Intelligence Protection agents of the Revolutionary Guards Corps.
After heavy bombardment in this region and the Suzandan region, RGC forces surrounded the villages in this
area and forcefully entered a number of homes without warrants arresting several of the residents. One of the
detainees was identified as Karim Baqeri. (Kurdistan Media – Oct. 10, 2009)
Iran police keep heavy presence in schools
The head of the Greater Tehran District State Security Forces said in a ceremony in Alborz High School,
"Various police including anti-narcotics police and social police have a continuous presence in different
schools".
"The police have reached the conclusion that it cannot enforce total security without the cooperation of citizens,
therefore they have decided to use groups of school students for this end", he added. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Oct. 11, 2009)
Bassij forces attack peaceful demonstrators in Tehran Free University
A peaceful gathering of more than 2,000 students of the Free University Central Tehran Unit in protest to the
government and the recent treatment of student activists in this university and other universities, turned violent
after about 100 Bassij forces that were brought in from the morning by buses attacked the students and threw
tear gas into the protesters.
A student who was arrested by Bassij forces was detained in the office of the representative of the Leadership in
this university. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 13, 2009)
More than 70 shops in Saqez shut down for political reasons
According to reports from the town of Saqez, more than 70 stores in various part of this town have been shut
down by security forces.
Government agents shut down these shops in the past 24 hours. A number of the shop owners who pursued the
reason behind these closures were informed that their shops were closed because they supported (protests
against elections) in July.
These shops were closed without the presence of the owners which is an illegal act. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Oct. 13, 2009)
Regime awards Bassijis who helped quell peaceful demos after elections
The Financial Affairs Department of the Industrial Ministry (run by Ahmadinejad's nephew) has granted checks
to some of its employees with the words, 'for controlling events after the elections' written on them.
Bassij workers in the Industrial and Mining Ministry received a 5,000 dollar check for controlling events after
the elections. This award was given to those who were active in dealing with protesters after the elections by
orders of this ministry's highest officials. (Salam News website – Oct. 13, 2009)
New SSF plan to control neighborhoods
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2009
The head of the Tehran State Security Forces announced a new plan to control Tehran neighborhoods by
stationing small police stations and expanding SSF stations.
Azizollah Rajab-zadeh said while visiting an SSF exhibition in Tehran that "only exhibitions cannot provide
security", emphasizing that the new plans of this force are to "expand SSF stations in neighborhoods and to
station small police stations".
Ismail Moqadam, commander of the SSF also said in this exhibition that the neighborhood security plan will be
carried out with 120,000 neighborhood guards and more than 100,000 Prevention Police agents in the country.
(Nurooz Website – Oct. 18, 2009)
Security forces arrest women peddlers
In a new measure, security forces stand outside the doors of the female section of the metro to control women
coming out of the metro. If a woman has a large bag or suitcase, she is taken aside and her bags are checked. If
she has any goods in her bags, she is arrested and all her goods are confiscated.
Women who run away out of fear are chased by the agents.
Most of these peddlers are women and girls who do not have any other source of income and are unemployed
and are forced to sell these goods in metros to make a living. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran–
Oct. 20, 2009)
Suppressive forces raid praying ceremony arresting 60 people
The number of people arrested last night in a prayer ceremony for the freedom of a political prisoner has
increased. According to the latest reports, close to 60 people were arrested in this ceremony which was held in
the home of Shahab Tababayi's father in law. (Nurooz Website – Oct. 23, 2009)
Security forces crack down on peaceful students' rally in Mashhad
According to student activists, in a ceremony on Monday in the Payam Nour University in Mashhad, Hamid
Rassayi, a representative of the government, compared dissident students to a 'dog'stail'.
Only Bassij members from Mashhad universities were invited to take part in this ceremony. According to
reports, a number of students chanted (anti-government) slogans in the ceremony demanding that the official
representative of the government leave their university.
The doors of the university were subsequently closed a few hour ago and students inside and outside the
university were surrounded by security forces and Special Guards Forces. Bassijis and security forces then
attacked the dissident students with clubs, tear gas and pepper spray. Pro-government Bassijis also severely beat
these students.
Unconfirmed reports also say that a number of these students were arrested. (Green Wave of Freedom Website
– Oct. 26, 2009)
Regime forms 'resistance units' in schools in fear of widespread protests on Pupil's Day
The head of the Pupil and Teachers Bassij Organization said that resistance units called the 'Omidan Resistance'
will be formed in elementary schools in Iran.
"In the days ahead, which means in the week of Bassij Pupils, Omidan Resistance Units will be formed in
elementary schools in the country", Mohammad Saleh Jukar said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"We have not had resistance units in elementary level until now and we will form these units in 6,000
elementary schools this year. These units have the duty of encouraging the culture of Bassijis and the
responsibility of this issue lies with Bassiji teachers. (ISNA state-run news agency – Oct. 27, 2009)
November
Iran plans to control internet
The social deputy of the State Security Forces said that they will not back down in "fighting social corruption
and virtual activities of the soft war elements and will deal with these crimes forcefully".
"The experiences of velvet revolution in other countries shows that these kinds of revolutions initially start with
changing the methods of people's lives and gradually enter the society's way of thinking without paying any
expenses which leads the country astray", Bahman Kargar said.
"Concerning the fact that the enemy in the soft war has entered the hearts of families via virtual tools, it is
necessary that security forces also enter the virtual zone and the preliminary actions be taken by the security
forces", he said.
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Kargar stressed that virtual police will soon start their work to counter soft threats. (State-run Jam-e-Jam Online
– October 31, 2009)
Iran warns of crackdown on any OPPOSITION protest
Iran's police warned on Sunday of a crackdown if OPPOSITION supporters stage protests this week when the
Islamic republic marks the 30th anniversary of the US embassy's seizure by radical students.
'The police will act against any illegal gathering on the 13th of Aban,' deputy police chief Ahmad Reza Radan
told the Mehr news agency, referring to the November 4 anniversary…
Radan said the police has the 'obligation to prevent any disturbance of order in society.'
November 4 has emerged as an anti-American day in Iran, with thousands of Iranians, mostly students,
gathering annually outside the US embassy building to shout slogans against the United States and Israel.
This year the event could be marked by street protests against Ahamdinejad, whose re-election on June 12
triggered the worst political crisis in the 30-year history of the Islamic republic. (AFP - Nov 1, 2009)
Iran to appoint clerics in all schools: report
Iran's government is planning to appoint a cleric in every school, a reformist newspaper reported Sunday on a
move that could radicalise education in the Islamic republic.
'We are now defining the details of a plan called 'permanent appointment of clerics in schools',' the daily
Hayateno quoted education ministry official Ali Asghar Yazdani as saying.
'As per this plan, clerics will take care of issues such as collective praying and answering religious questions and
ambiguities in schools,' Yazdani said…
The reported change appears to be part of Iran's plan to Islamise studies after supreme leader Ayatollah Ali
Khamenei recently charged that Western teachings make students question religion. (AFP - Nov 1, 2009)
Military official: we will confront foot soldiers of unrest
The Cultural Assistant of the Armed Forces Chief of Staff said, "The relevant sectors of government dealt with
the recent American-British coup which was executed by their mercenaries in Iran, in a way that we (were able
to) identify a considerable spectrum of the foot soldiers of the seditionists and they will be dealt with in time".
(IRNA state-run news agency – Nov. 2, 2009)
Security forces violently attack and arrest peaceful protesters
The November 4 march in Shiraz was marked with widespread clashes between security forces and the people.
According to reports, 20 people were arrested while a number were
injured and security forces shot more than 100 bullets in the air.
At 11 am on Wednesday, when the state run ceremony for November 4
in Shahcheraq had ended under severe security measure, there was still
a very heavy police presence in Namazi Square and Alam. The gathering
of the people continued in this area and Pardis Square when suddenly
the crowd was attacked with 50 masked motorcycle riders. Plainclothes
agents were also on the scene taking films and pictures of the
protesters. A number of students who were holding hand made
placards were immediately arrested and this issue and the people's
resistance increased the clashes. The students' chants led security forces to shoot in the air and beat the students
and more than 20 people were arrested. After a riot police officer attacked a student with an ambiguous object,
the student's shirt was slashed in half and covered with blood but was able to escape from the hands of security
forces. But another injured protester who had fallen on the ground with a bloody face and head was taken away
by a masked riot police on a motorcycle before the people had a chance to save him. (JRS Website – Nov. 4,
2009)
According to reports security forces severely beat people near Tehran University and Hafte-Tir Square.
Eyewitnesses have said that people who were marching from Tehran University to Hafte-Tir Square were
violently beaten by riot police. Regime forces attacked these people with tear gas and batons. (Green Wave of
Freedom – Nov. 4, 2009)
Iran Clashes on Anniversary of Embassy Takeover
Police firing tear gas and wielding batons clashed Wednesday with anti-government demonstrators in Tehran
who sought to turn a rally commemorating the 30th anniversary of the takeover of the American Embassy into a
renewed protest against the disputed June 30 election, news reports said.
The protesters had turned out to display OPPOSITION to the government of President Mahmoud
Ahamdinejad, whose victory in Iran’s disputed elections last June provoked Iran’s biggest political crisis since
the Islamic revolution in 1979.
Reuters quoted a reformist Web site, Mowjcamp, as saying police “opened fire” on protesters at Haft-e Tir
Square, but there was no independent confirmation of the incident in which an unspecified number of people
were reported injured. It was not clear whether the police opened fire with guns or were launching tear gas
canisters.
Witnesses quoted by Reuters said police wielding batons clashed with hundreds of protesters chanting “Death
to dictators” and “God is greatest.”… (The New York Times – Nov. 5, 2009)
Security forces increases suppression using 'technology'
Ahmad Reza Radan, the deputy commander of State Security Forces said on Wednesday that the progress of the
technological equipment of the SSF in various regions of the country has been impressive.
"One can cite the new local technology used for identification… We are moving towards the path were we can
identify criminals even when they have masks on with this technology".
Radan also cited intelligent cameras installed on roads in Tehran, Khorasan and Mashhad as another
achievement of the SSF in using equipment and technology. (Mehr state-run news agency – Nov. 11, 2009)
Judiciary will deal strictly with unrest
Iran's Public Prosecutor cited the unrest after the elections and said in a TV interview, "The government of the
Islamic Republic will deal with any measure that leads to disruption of the system without any tolerance". (Radio
Germany Website – Nov. 18, 2009)
SSF head: police will deal harshly with illegal Student Day
gatherings
The head of the State Security Forces said in answer to a
question on police measures on December 7 (Student's Day),
"All gatherings have to be called from before and have to be
legal and if they are illegal, police will firmly confront them".
(ILNA news agency – Nov. 24, 2009)
Head of RGC stresses on Bassij's part in future crack downs
Mohammad Ali Jafari, the head of the Islamic Revolutionary
Guards Corps said that the most important role of the Bassij
is confronting soft threats.
"Before this, the duty of the Bassij was in the military field but
now, considering the orders of the Supreme Leader that confronting soft threats is part of the duty of the Bassij,
this confrontation has been defined in the political, and science fields and (confronting) threats in beliefs in the
Islamic Revolution", he said.
"The Bassij has no limitations and any measure needed to uphold the Islamic Revolution in the non military
field is relevant to the Bassij". (IRNA state-run news agency – Nov. 26, 2009)
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Mothers of those who were killed or detained (after elections) and families of political prisoners held a gathering
in Laleh Park at 5 pm. They started marching around the Ab Nama Square when they were met with violence by
security forces and were prevented from continuing their march.
Security forces and plainclothes agents used tear gas against them and a number of the women had a hard time
breathing. These forces insulted and treated offensively the mothers and young girls in the gathering. (Human
Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – Nov. 28, 2009)
December
SSF will deal with any 'illegal' gathering on Dec. 6, Student's Day
The head of the State Security Forces in the Greater Tehran District said in an announcement that the police
would deal with any gathering or ceremony on December 6 held outside the boundaries of locations that were
announced in advance.
"It is a given that all gathering and ceremonies outside of the locations that were announced in advance are
considered illegal and the commander of the SSF in the Greater Tehran District will act upon its legal duty to
take out the necessary measures", he added in this announcement. (Asre Iran state-run Website – Dec. 3, 2009)
Mazandaran Univ. officials bring tank into university to confront student protests on Student's Day
The Protection Department of Mazandaran University intends to prevent Student's Day ceremonies in this
university by putting severe pressure on student activists and their families. In line with this issue, the Bassij
Association of this university has announced that they will hold a festival tomorrow evening (Student's Day) and
have brought a tank into the university under the pretext that they want to use its headlights to light up the
festival.
When met with protests by students, they added a number of projectors to the tank to make their excuse more
legitimate. (Iran News Agency – Dec. 5, 2009)
Iran forces fire warning shots at OPPOSITION protest
The security forces fired shots into the air as they clashed with
supporters of OPPOSITION leader Mirhossein Mousavi at a
state rally marking the killing of three students under the former
Shah, the reformist website Mowjcamp said.
'Security forces are beating demonstrators, men and women.
Some of them are injured and bleeding,' said one witness in
Tehran's central Haft-e Tir square.
'I saw at least 10 people being arrested and taken to minibuses,'
said one witness, while another said police fired teargas at
demonstrators in Vali-ye Asr Square.
Authorities shut down the mobile phone network in central
Tehran to stop OPPOSITION protesters from contacting each
other, the reformist website Rah-e Sabz said.
'Security forces shot into the air to disperse demonstrators in the Enqelab square ... still there are sporadic
clashes between police and protesters,' the Mowjcamp website said.
Security measures taken by the authorities on 'Student Day' displayed their determination to uproot the
OPPOSITION movement, which Mousavi said on Sunday would continue despite pressure.
Riot police surrounded Tehran University, where the main state rally was held, to try to prevent OPPOSITION
protests.
'Police have covered metal bars around Tehran University campus with white cloth to prevent passers-by from
seeing inside the university,' said a witness.
'There are hundreds of riot police, (they are) everywhere around Tehran University and nearby streets,' said
another. (Reuters - Dec 7, 2009)
Defiant Iran protesters stage new demos despite crackdown
Iranian protesters defied police firing tear gas on Monday as they used an annual commemoration to stage fresh
anti-government demonstrations despite a crackdown by security forces, witnesses said.
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Clashes were reported between protesters, mainly university students, and policemen at several universities and
prominent districts of Tehran, which was flooded with security forces who arrested several demonstrators, they
said.
Among those reported held was student leader Majid Tavakoli from the prominent Amir Kabir university.
'Police fired tear gas at groups of protesters chanting slogans against President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad in Vali
Asr intersection and Enghelab Street,' one witness said. (AFP Dec 7, 2009)
Head of SSF: we will deal more fiercely with seditionists
The head of the State Security Forces said, "The anti-revolutionary nature of the elements of recent events after
the elections has become clear for us and we will deal fiercely with these people from now on".
"There is no line between the seditionists and anti-revolutionaries and the hostility of sedition elements towards
sanctities and the constitution has been proven", Ahmadi Moqadam in Mashhad. (Human Rights Activists in
Iran – Dec. 10, 2009)
Intelligence agents threaten people not to participate in dissident cleric's funeral
Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence threatened political and media activists that if they participated in the
funeral of Grad Ayatollah Montazeri, they would be arrested.
A number of political activists have so far confirmed these reports.
One of these people said that agents had threatened him that if he intended to participate in Montazeri's
funeral, he would be arrested before reaching Qom (where Montazeri is to be buried). (JRS Website – Dec. 20,
2009)
Iran police, mourners clash after Montazeri funeral: website
Iranian police clashed with stone-throwing protesters on Monday after the funeral of dissident cleric Grand
Ayatollah Hossein Ali Montazeri, attended by vast crowds of mourners in the holy city of Qom, websites said.
Montazeri, a fierce critic of the clerical regime he helped create and an inspiration to reformists and human
rights activists, died aged 87 on Saturday.
Opposition websites said hundreds of thousands of mourners poured onto the streets, many chanting slogans
and displaying the green of Iran's opposition -- effectively turning the funeral into a massive anti-government
rally.
A report on parliament's reformist minority faction website Parlemannews.ir said 'shots were heard fired into
the air at the shrine of Masoumeh' where Montazeri was buried.
Another website, Kaleme.org, said police and security forces clashed with a groups of chanting mourners who
had gathered in front of Montazeri's house after the funeral.
'The police cracked down on people who were shouting (anti-government) slogans in front of his house and
people threw stones at them,' the website said.
Hundreds of hardline basij militia members and clerics also gathered near Montazeri's house and chanted
slogans in favour of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and against the protesters, it added.
Rahesabz.net said a group of 'basijis attacked Montazeri's house and tore up his funeral banners.'
There were no immediate reports of injuries or arrests.
Montazeri's son Saeed was quoted as saying the family had cancelled a memorial service on Monday evening at a
Qom mosque after they learned the 'mosque was filled basij and (revolutionary) guards forces'.
Rahesabz and kaleme quoted him as telling the BBC's Persian-language service that 'police equipped with batons
and shields are deployed around the house and are not allowing anyone in or out'.
Opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi attended the funeral ceremony, which was
marred by brief clashes between hardline pro-government vigilantes and mourners, reports said.
Hardline vigilantes attacked Mousavi's car as he was returning from the funeral, his website said.
'A group of plainclothes people on motorbikes attacked Mousavi's car today and slightly injured one of his
companions,' Kaleme.org said.
It said the group had followed Mousavi's car, blocked its way several times and finally broken the car's rear
window.
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The authorities slowed Internet connections to a crawl, as has been the case whenever opposition
demonstrations are anticipated. (AFP - Dec 21, 2009)
Deputy SSF Commander warns of arrests and crack down on Ashura mourners
The Deputy Commander of the State Security Forces stressed that the SSF will deal with any illegal gathering
which crosses the red lines.
"Other than gatherings for Ashura and Tasua (Shiite Muslim religious mourning ceremonies to mark the death
of Imam Hossein), we will deal with illegal gatherings, as is our duty, and we have announced this issue before as
well", Ahmad Reza Radan said.
"The police will initially give warning to illegal gatherings which have not crossed the red lines and if this
gatherings cross the red line it will be dealt with and obviously there will be arrests", he stressed. (ISNA state-run
News Agency – Dec. 23, 2009)
Iran police 'fiercely' clash with opposition-website
An Iranian opposition website said riot police were 'fiercely' confronting opposition supporters who used a
religious mourning ceremony on Saturday to revive anti-government protests in the Islamic state.
'Riot police are fiercely confronting the opposition supporters in different parts of Tehran… they (the police) are
also breaking windows of cars passing the area,' the Jaras website reported. (Reuters – Dec. 26, 2009)
Iran's police chief warns opposition
Iran's police chief on Wednesday warned supporters of opposition leader Mihossein Mousavi only to expect
harsh treatment if they participate in illegal rallies, three days after eight protesters were killed in protests.
Raising the stakes further in the crisis, a representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said
on Tuesday that opposition leaders were 'enemies of God' who should be executed under the country's Sharia
law.
Iran's police chief said on Wednesday 'there was no more room for tolerance over participants in illegal rallies'.
'Those who participate in illegal rallies will be confronted more harshly and the judiciary will confront them
more decisively,' said Esmail Ahmadi-Moqadam, the official IRNA news agency reported.
'Some of the protesters on Sunday are considered as mohareb (enemy of God) and will be confronted firmly,' he
said. (Reuters – Dec. 30, 2009)
Iran hardliners call for killing rivals at rallies
Tens of thousands of hard-liners poured into the streets in support of Iran's clerical rulers at state-sponsored
rallies Wednesday, some chanting calls for the execution of opposition leaders as the country's internal strife
turned more bitter…
Hard-line cleric Ahmad Alamolhoda called opponents of the supreme leader cows and goats, and said they were
supporters of Satan.
'Enemies of the leader, according to the Quran, belong to the party of Satan,' Alamolhoda told demonstrators in
Tehran in comments broadcast on state TV. 'Our war in the world is war against the opponents of the rule of
the supreme leader.'
The Internet threat against the opposition leaders appeared on a blog in the name of an unknown group calling
itself the Bright Shooting Star Suicide Bombers Brigade. It said a group of suicide attackers has been set up in
the holy city of Qom, 80 miles (130 kilometers) south of the capital.
'We are giving judiciary officials just seven days to put an end to this sedition. After that, we will punish ... riot
leaders anywhere and at any event,' the group warned…
Police chief Gen. Ismail Ahmadi Moghaddam warned opposition protesters to stay off the streets or face harsh
consequences…
'In dealing with previous protests, police showed leniency. But given that these opponents are seeking to topple
(the ruling system), there will be no mercy,' Moghaddam said, according to IRNA. 'We will take severe action.
The era of tolerance is over. Anyone attending such rallies will be crushed'.
Iranian authorities were questioned about a graphic video broadcast on the Internet purportedly from Sunday's
demonstrations. It showed two white and green police pickup trucks plowing separately into a group of
protesters.
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One truck is first seen driving into the crowd, then reversing away from a body lying face down on the asphalt.
The second truck then speeds up and runs over the body, lying in a pool of blood, as people nearby cry out. (AP
– Dec. 30, 2009)
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Kolsum, who was a freshman at high school, came from an extremely poor background. Her classmate said she
was under extreme pressure from her family's poverty. Her two younger brothers had been forced to quit school
and do heavy labor to make a living.
According to reports, a few days before Kolsum committed suicide, she had told one of her classmates that she
was tired of her life from not having new clothes and shoes and feeling humiliated in front of her peers.
(Baluch Radio – Feb. 28, 2009)
March
New plan to suppress women
On the eve of the (Persian) New Year and start of the
spring season that has been known as the summit of State
Security Forces activities and severity, the deputy
commander of the SSF announced new plans to counter
improper veiling.
"New standards for improper veiling in the new year will be
set and announced in the next few days", Radan said.
Radan announced that Bassij Patrol cars will deal with
what he called "public signs of corruption" from now on.
The SSF deputy did not elaborate on what "public signs of
corruption" meant. He also underlined that prisoners "are
not supposed to have a good time in
prison" and that places have to exist where criminals do not have a good time. (Farhang-e Ashti state- run daily –
March 1, 2009)
15-year-old girl commits suicide in Tehran metro
On February 28, travelers on Navab Metro saw that a young girl went and stood on the railway just minutes
before the arrival of the train. A number of passengers tried to grab her hand and pull her off the railway but
she resisted and was tragically crushed between the train and platform. This 15-year-old girl named Leila has told
her friend that she was going to commit suicide but her friend had not believed her. (Iran state-run daily – Mar.
1, 2009)
SSF head of Public Places Department: Taxi drivers who don’t have proper appearance will be dealt with
The head of the State Security Forces Public Places Department announced that from now on women who go to
rent cars and also drivers of rental companies who give services have to have proper appearance according to
Islamic norms.
"If a women goes to a car rental but does not wear proper
clothes according to the specified standards or treats the
driver in an improper fashion, they will both be seriously
dealt with. This means that the Public Places Police will
deal with the driver or company while the SSF deal with
the improperly dressed woman", Najafi said.
"This plan will be carried out in Tehran which includes
the cities of Tehran, Shahre Rey and Shamirant", he
added. (State-run ILNA – March 3, 2009)
SSF head of Public Places Department: Women who wear "unconventional manteaus" will be dealt with
The head of the State Security Forces Public Places Department of the Islamic Republic of Iran pointed to the
execution of the clothes and fashion law and said that this law cannot be cancelled in any season.
Mohammad Najafi threatened women who "spread the culture of improper veiling or clothing in the society by
wearing vile clothing or those who make our society look secular or unreligious", saying that they will be
"severely dealt with".
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According to him, "after buying a conventional manteau from a store, women quickly take the manteau to a
tailor and turn it into an unconventional manteau and then wear it and the SSF will deal severely with these
people". (Radio Germany – March 3, 2009)
(Note: A manteau is a long cloak women are forced to wear in public.)
SSF ban hiring of men in women's clothing stores
The head of the State Security Forces in the Greater Tehran Region said, "From now on, hiring men in shops
which sell women's clothing is banned and those who do
not follow this will be seriously dealt with".
"Shop owners will be warned that from now on men will
be prevented from working in women's clothing stores and
only the cashiers can be men and the rest of the employees
have to be women. Also, those who do not have a proper
appearance and are out of the norms, for example the
sellers or even the buyers will be seriously dealt with", he
added.
"Women who go to clothing stores should give the
necessary warnings to sellers or shop owners who are
improperly dressed or have improper veiling", Rajab Zadeh stipulated. (Entekhab state-run daily – March 3,
2009)
Female university student murdered mysteriously in north Tehran
Police officers of Qolhak Police Station 124 were informed of the discovery of the body of a young girl in her
house in Ekhtiarieh Street on March 4, 2009. Banafsheh, 18, was an industrial engineering university student.
The murder scene was prepared in a way to show that Banafsheh had committed suicide, but it was discovered
that she had been killed by a severe blow on the head. The murderer cut Banafsheh's vein attempting to show
that she had committed suicide. (Iran state-run daily – March 7, 2009)
SIU’s dean: Students who do not follow Islamic dress code will be
summoned to ‘Disciplinary Committee’
The dean of Sharif Industrial University (SIU) said that SIU is the only
university, which has had continuous surveillance on improper veiling
for 12 years without a break.
"The communiqué that was announced to all governmental
institutions on veiling in the past is still being carried out", he added.
"Women who have unconventional veiling will receive notices from
female employees at the university entrance", he said.
This head of university said that after four or five times of verbal
notices, students will be summoned to the university's disciplinary
committee. (Mehr state-run news agency – March 10, 2009)
Poverty-stricken mother self-immolates in Qaraveh
A 30-year-old woman known only as S. Kh. Set herself ablaze because of family problems due to poverty in
Qaravah (a city in Kurdistan). She died in Sanadaj Hospital.
Her husband was unemployed and they had two very young children. (Kurdistan Human Rights Watch News
Agency – Mar. 15, 2009)
Teenage girl sets herself ablaze in Islamshahr
According to reports, and 18-year-old girl named Mahssa, set herself ablaze at 6am on Friday March 25 in
Islamshahr. According to this report, she committed suicide due to family and financial pressures. (Iran News
Agency – March 25, 2009)
So-called security leads to frequent disappearances of women
Twenty-four girls have disappeared in Arak City – southeast of Tehran, center of Markazi Province – from a few
days before the Persian New Year to the sixth day of the New Year –less than two weeks – and no news has been
published on that to alert the population on these incidents. There is still no information on these girls.
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Considering that Arak is a small city and therefore important news gets out immediately, there is no
information on these horrible incidents and no adequate investigation has been done, proving the
incompetence of the State Security Forces. (Iran News Agency – Mar. 28, 2009)
Teenager sets herself ablaze in Kermanshah
Sixteen-year-old Samira Jamali, set herself ablaze in Qazanchi Village in Kermanshah Province on March 24,
2009, and unfortunately died in the hospital.
Samira committted suicide after her father banned her from continuing her education.
The suicide rate has increased in Kurdish areas in the recent month, but these incidents are not published in
state-run media. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Mar. 29, 2009)
April
Woman political activist sentenced to 4 years of prison
In the beginning of this week, a court announced that the probation sentence of Zeinab
Bayazidi, a Kurd activist, has been changed to a prison sentence and therefore she is
sentenced to four and a half years of prison.
Bayazidi was arrested in July 2008 in Mahabad and is currently serving her sentence in
Zanjan Prison. She was arrested before this on charges of "publishing lies" and "spreading
propaganda against the government" and sentenced to 6 months of probation. (Kurdistan
Human Rights Watch News Agency – April 2, 2009)
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The security and judiciary officials prevent details of the serial murders of women in Abadan and similar cases
in Karaj, Varamin and Gilan to be published.
Last year, at least fifty women in four different serial murders were killed but even state-run newspapers such as
Iran were banned to publish the news.
During the interrogations, those identified as main convicts and were introduced as suspects to SSF of almost all
cases were either set free, or discharged of any conviction after a while.
The judiciary and security officials have never explained any reasons for their actions.
In August 2001, news of serial killings of women in Mashhad leaked to public; almost all victims of the case
were either imprisoned or arrested by the SSF and had file with them. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 6, 2009)
Court of Review confirmes prison sentence of Armenian women's rights activist
The Court of Review confirmed the three years prison sentence of Silvia Harotunian, an Iranian Armenian. She
was charged with allegedly attempting a "velvet overthrow.”
State Security Forces arrested Harotunian on August 2008 and took her to ward 209 in Evin Prison.
She was kept in solitary during this time and is still suffering from the ensuing psychological damages. Security
agents subjected her to severe pressure to force her into giving fake confession on Iranian state run television.
The Court of Review confirmed the exact sentence issued by the 15th branch of Tehran's Revolutionary Court
headed by Judge Salavati. This American citizen is detained in Evin Prison along with three others who were
convicted in this case. (Human Rights Activists – Apr. 7, 2009)
Security agents arrest women's rights activist in Marivan
State Security Forces arrested Najibeh Sobhani on March 7 in Marivan. She is women's rights activist whose
activities are against honor killings in Marivan and is a member of the Marivan Center in Defense of Children's
Rights. Najibeh was also active in organizing Women's Day and Children's Day ceremonies.
She was detained by the SSF for organizing a ceremony for International Women's Day and there has been no
information on her location and condition since her arrest. (Association Defending Political and Human
Rights Prisoners in Iran – Apr. 2009)
Hezbollah: women drivers who do not have ‘proper veiling’ must pay fine
Ya-Sarallah, publication of Ansar-e Hezbollah in its latest issue while criticizing the SSF for not punishing
women drivers with ‘mal-veil’ to pay fine asked them to define similar fines for such drivers, and those who
listen to load music, as those who cross legal speed. (Asr-e Iran, state-run website – Apr. 8, 2009)
According to mullahs’ law, father does not punish for setting ablaze her daughter!
On August 1, 2008, officer in charge of the Police Station No. 130, in Naziabad district, was informed on a
tragic death of Somayeh, 27-year-old woman.
Eventually Kazem, her 56-year-old father confessed that he killed her daughter on his own because she had many
suspicious telephone contacts; hence, he guessed that she had possibly affair with stranger men.
“I tied her feet and hands not to let her run away then took her to bath room and smearing her with gas,” he
said. According to article-220 of Islamic punishment law, father and predecessor of father are not charges for
killing their child. However, according to the Jury, Kazem sentenced to 10 years in prison for making public
disorder. The verdict can be reviewed within 20 days. (Siasat-e Rooz daily – Apr. 9, 2009)
On March 23, the third day of Iranian New Year known as Norooz Eid, a 7-year-old girl with a very poor-health
was wondering in north of Tehran. She was moaning and her back had signs of cigarette burnt. Arefeh was not
able to talk and was in a physical and mental disastrous state.
When she was four her parents were divorced because of psychological, disorder of Farshid, her father.
According to law, Farshid was her sponsor and he got married again. Her stepmother tortured Arefeh. Her state
was so disturbing that the fostering court denied her sponsorship to Farshid, giving it to her mother.
Nevertheless, Arefeh’s mother could not keep her because of financial poverty and eventually registered her in a
public nursery.
Farshid who was aware where Arefeh was looked after, presented a request to sponsor her again, and he
succeeded to take her back from nursery in November 2008. (Etemad, state-run daily – Apr. 11, 2009)
According to mullahs’ law, when a father can kill his daughter without any punishment, is violence against a
small girl avoidable?
Architecture like prison for girls’ schools
According to many experts, blocking girls’ school from outside world surrounded with very high walls, or
buildings encircling the yard, is prison like architecture. (Amir Kabir newsletter – Apr. 12, 2009)
Kurd women's activist sentenced to six years in prison
The court sentence for Ronak Safa-zadeh, a Kurdish women's activist was announced to her lawyer Dr.
Mohammad Sharif. According to this sentence, Safa-zadeh has been condemned to six years in prison, but
cleared from the allegation of ‘waging war against God’. (Free University Students Website– Apr. 13, 2009)
Bassiji Forces in university affront feminists
Bassiji Forces (paramilitary forces of IRGC in universities) in Technical Department used their graffiti board in
presenting feminist women as ‘pro-immorality’ through offensive photos and writings.
This informal pro-government repressive body in the Technical College of Tehran University used its board as
graffiti warfare against those defending equal rights for women. (Iran news agency – Apr. 13, 2009)
Minister of Guidance: The media causing confusion in SSF fight against ‘improper–veiling’ dealt with
severely!
Mohammad-Hossein Safar-Harandi, the Minister of Guidance, warned that media causing disorder in the State
Security fight against ‘improper-veiling’ would be harshly dealt with. Mehdi Kolhar, Ahmadinejad’s informant
advisor, announced in a strong support letter to Ahmadi Moqadam, the head of SSF to deal firmly in ‘mal-veil’
plan. Safar-Harandi while supporting the plan to deal with ‘improper-garment’ of girls and boys declared that he
wouldn’t let public media to cause disruption in the SSF related job. He said the SSF mission does not
contradict the relevant work carrying out by chastity and veil staffs; on the contrary, they are supporting the
activities of them. Ahmadinejad advisor emphasized that this job was a kind of worship and negligent paving the
way for vice would be dealt with. (Etemad, state-run daily – Apr. 14, 2009)
GEM of 108: Iranian women ranked 103
According to the latest figures published in a report on gender competency prepared by the UN, Iran ranked
103 out of total of108 countries. The UN definition on Gender Enabling Measures (GEM) depicts direct
relation with the economical and political active role of women. This measure illustrates the quota of women in
the parliament, legislation, top officials, and their position among technical workers and experts and it shows
the effect of gender inequality in country’s economical independence and earning. This report illustrates the
worse gender inequality leads to decreasing trend in human development. (Sarmayeh state-run daily – Apr. 15,
2009)
Repressive measures against university students led to new suicide
At night April 24, a female student committed suicide in the Tehran University’s dormitory compound
surprising students. The Ministry of Science, Tehran University dean had restricted that the news on students
suicide should not be leaked to the media.
The female students of the dormitory immediately informed the male classmates that Ms. Sondos Mohammadi
had committed suicide. She is a first year Kurdish student studying communication in the Social Science
Department of Tehran University.
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The reasons for her suicide included, getting annoyed by ‘Herasat’ – “Protection Department of University” –
on several occasions, ordering her continuously on the dress code and her appearance while her family imposed
her to get married.
The third suicide was not published since ‘Herasat’ and ‘Disciplinary Committee’ imposed restriction.
On March 10, the third suicide happened; she was a 23-year-old student in technical department. She had
committed several times by using a large number of pills, who was also survived by transferring her to an
emergency unit. (Iran news agency – Apr. 15, 2009)
A teenage, 14-year-old girl, torched herself
A few months after the tragic murder of Fereshteh Nejati by his father, Roqieh Nejati, her cousin set herself
ablaze in Kani Dinar town – place of Fereshteh’s murder – on April 13, 2009. She was transferred to Marivan
Hospital but died few hours later with 90% burnt body. The cause of her death is protest against improper
treatment and her harassment by her family. (Amir kabir newsletter – Apr. 17, 2009)
Note: Fereshteh’s father who caught her throat was set free.
Last year in Iran: large increase on harassment, detention, and trial of women activists
Spokesperson of International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran while talking on
condition of Iranian women activists said that open support of women rights has become a
crime. He added that Alieh Eqdamdoost was sent to prison since she called for insuring
International convections of women rights, therefore hundreds human rights defendants
would have the same fate. (International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran – Apr. 16,
2009)
Brother set ablaze her sister
On April 13, 17-year-old Sara died and her file full of her wishes closed.
Sara lived in a poor family, and was forced to work since 15. After a while, she decided to marry but faced with
her brother’s strong disagreement. One day when nobody was at home, he smeared Sara with oil and set her on
fire. Consequently, Sara died few days later. (Amir Kabir newsletter – Apr. 17, 2009)
Female journalist disappears after taking picture of student sit-in
On April 16, 11 local journalists were arrested in Arak University and only after the editor of their weekly gave a
written commitment (not to cover student protests), were they released. Ms. Bigluyi, who is one of the oldest
journalists in Arak and was able to take pictures of Arak University students' sit-in from outside the university
and print it in this weekly, has disappeared from a few days ago. (Iran News Agency – Apr. 18, 2009)
In a public court, even Nahid’s husband prevented to enter
On April 15, eventually the time approached to consider charges against Nahid Keshavarz, an
Iranian woman activist. The first charge against her was participating in a gathering outside the
Revolutionary Court, and the next was collecting signature in Park in April 2007. Both charges
against Mrs. Keshavarz considered as acts against national security.
It was not announced the court was secret neither in the court’s record nor by the judge, hence
it was a public session, but even her husband prevented to enter the court. (Radio Farda – Apr.
19, 2009)
It is worth mentioning that according to mullahs’ law woman should have permission of husband going to
work, to trip etc, but husband is not allowed to be present in the court considering his wife’s charges!
A woman hanged in southern Tehran
On April 18, a worker faced with a hanged body of Mina, 46-year-old woman in her hut while working in a field
in southern suburb of Tehran. In the onset of the investigation, signs of kicking her back were observed on her
dress, and the autopsy proved that she had broken scalp and right arm, but the cause of death was hanging,” the
investigation officer of Tehran’s district 37 proposed.
“Most probably, perpetrator or perpetrators hanged her after beating and injuring her while she was
unconscious and defenseless,” he added. (ISNA, state-run news agency – Apr. 20, 2009)
More than 60,000 women in prison in Iran
Director of cultural organization of prisons in Iran announced that there are more than 60,000 women in
Iranian prisons.
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According to him, women include 5 to 7% entries to prisons and their average age is between 27 and 29. The
most prevalent offense is narcotic drugs.
“22% of prisoners are young and between 27 and 33 thousands youngsters from 19 to 25-year-old are being
imprisoned annually,” he added. (Shahrzad News, state-run website– Apr. 21, 2009)
SSF beat hit and arrest a girl in Tehran for ‘improper-veiling’
On April 21, the State Security Forces in Tehran attempted to arrest a girl for ‘improper – veiling’ but she
resisted and the SSF agents started beating and hitting her, pushing her forcefully into the police car. Then they
searched the crowd, seizing mobile telephones and destroying all information inside them to prevent any picture
or film taken from their savage operation. (Iran news agency – Apr. 22, 2009)
SSF: Guidance Patrols start their operations firmly after 15 days
“New round of Guidance Patrols’ activities is going to start within 10 to 15 days,” the top commander of SSF
announced. In a press conference, he informed that they start their
activities firmly and strongly. According to Rajabzadeh, Guidance
Patrols never suspended but by removal of some failures in the
past, they will be operational. (Shahab News state-run website –
Apr. 22, 2009)
Ten percent of repressive maneuvers include ‘women-veiling’
Azizollah Rajabzadeh, chief commander of Tehran said: “The
social security plan is not only limited to patrols warning women
about ‘improper-veiling’, for example last year there were 314 run
away women and girls arrested and detained in the moral security
plan. “ Only 10% of social security plans related to ‘mal-veiling’,”
he added. (Asr-e Iran, state-run daily – Apr. 22, 2009)
Professor verbally abused and threatened to beat girl student for
‘improper veiling’
Yesterday on April 22, a literature professor verbally abused a
female student of the Literature Department of Razi University in Kermanshah for not following what he called
“Islamic veiling.” A large number of students witnessed this scene. The professor verbally abused this student
threatening her with beatings and attempted to seize her university ID card. Witnesses report that the
appearance of this female student was quite normal and plain. (Amir Kabir
Newsletter – Apr. 23, 2009)
All of those charged of intentional murdering of Dr. Zahra acquitted
“In relation to intentional murder of this case a verdict was issued banning any
prosecution against all offenders. This communiqué was instructed all governments’
staffs by the first branch of Prosecutor’s office of district 28 on April 23, 2009,” this
was an official notification sent to Dr. Zahra Bani-Yaquoub’s family by General
Office of the Public Prosecutor and Revolutionary staffs of government.
“The prosecution ban means all the convicts have been acquitted. This implies that
the judge did not pay any attention to all the documents we and the team of lawyers
presented to the court,” Said Mr. Abol-Qassem Bani-Yaqoub, father of the victim. (Iranian Women Center –
Apr. 24, 2009)
Background information: Ms. Zahra Bani-Yaqoub 27-year-old physician who voluntarily served in very far away
and poor villages in Iran. On October 12, 2007, while she was with her fiancée in the park in Hamedan (a
western province), she was arrested by ‘prohibiting vice, promoting virtue’ agents – corrupt agents of the regime
forcing people, in particular women, to obey their medieval orders but violating the minimum standards of
human behavior themselves – and transferred her to ‘anti-vice’ detention center. Two days later, the agents
announced she had hanged herself in the detention. Mullahs’ officials have destroyed all the evidences
including her dress and the garment they claimed she used for hanging herself, and they did not hand in the
victim’s belongings to her family and her lawyer.
Orumieh’s Imam: Women, who challenge Islamic veil, should die together with their husbands and fathers!
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“I don’t know how women with ‘mal-veil’ are still alive 28 years after Islamic Revolution. These women who
challenge ‘Islamic veil’ must die together with their husbands and fathers,” Gholam-Reza Hassani, Friday
Prayer’s Imam of Orumieh – Center of Western Azerbaijan, said in one of his sermon talking on women issue.
(Amir Kabir newsletter – Apr.25, 2009)
Arrested women's rights activist in Evin's 209
The International Human Rights Campaign announced today that Maryam Malek , a
member of the One-Million Signature Campaign and a reporter on family court issues in
Iran was arrested on April 24 after she was summoned to a police station. She was
interrogated in an Intelligence Detention Center and transferred to Evin Prison on April 25.
The assistant prosecutor of the second branch of the Revolutionary Court charged this
activist to "spreading propaganda against the government" and "membership in the One-
Million Signature Campaign.” A bail of 21,000 USDs has been confirmed for her release but she cannot afford
such a high bail. She is currently in Evin Prison.
This 26-year-old student has written many articles on violence against women and social injustice against women
in family courts in Iran. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Apr. 27, 2009)
The secret of Tous quarantine revealed
There is an educational center for women at the road between Mashhad and Tous
(East northern Iran). For a few months, people of that district observed peculiar
activities raising their curiosity. After enquiries, they found that this is a detention
center for ‘street women’ and there are 500 of them incarcerated in a very inhuman
condition. It is noteworthy that because of extreme sensitivity among people of
Mashhad against ‘street women’ some of them should live all their life in this
horrible detention center. (Iran news agency – Apr. 27, 2009)
17-year-old girl commits suicide for being harassed by school administrator
On Thursday April 23, a 17-year-old girl named Esrin R. in Sanandaj who attended the Parvin E'tesami School
in this city consumed a large number of pills to commit suicide after an inappropriate treatment by school
officials. She is currently hospitalized and in critical condition.
These school officials affiliated with the government had put pressure on this girl because she had brought a
mobile phone to school. (Iran News Agency – Apr. 27, 2009)
Heartbreaking condition of detention center of police
station running by women in Mashhad
This is the only detention center in Mashhad – center of
Khorassan Razavi Province and a very big city – for women.
This place lacks the minimum hygienic standards. The whole
detention is 60 square meters placing more than 50 women,
including a 13-year-old teenage. Those charged for smuggling
narcotic drug, old tramp women with Alzheimer disease,
adolescent girls who had arrested in ‘vice houses’ are all
detained together without any classification in this very small
place. The detention also lacks enough light. Today, there are
an eight-day baby, one and four-year-old infants.
Some are temporary detained and should be released soon but have been here for more than two months. The
prisoners are deprived from any hygienic appliance and bathroom. They are also denied from visiting right, and
providing their needs from outside. There are addicted convicts to Crack cocaine and Sheesheh (chemical
heroin) who vomit in such a closed unhygienic place causing more contaminated unbearable condition.
Their nutrition is disastrous, frequently prisoners beg for a piece of bread. Henchwomen as a common and
routine practice beat hit and humiliate them.
Mashhad women police station was launched with a lot of propaganda in 1999. At its opening ceremony, it was
said that this is an especial police station giving the women the chance to defend their rights easier while these
allegedly offender women are deprived from their basic rights even accepted and signed by the mullahs’ regime.
(Association of Political Prisoners in Iran – Apr. 28, 2009)
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Shahnaz Gholami, Azeri journalist and Azarmehr Blogger’s writer has been imprisoned for more than two
months. Mohammad-Ali Dadkhah, lawyer of her previous case, has expressed having no information about her
and stated that his client had no contact with him. According to Dadkhah, Ms. Gholami has received new
charge and for the reason he was not able, to get information about her and she didn’t have any contact with
him, and he cannot do anything as her attorney.
Ms. Gholami was arrested in Fall 2008 for two months in Intelligence Ministry detention center and then was
transferred to dangerous addicted women ward in Tabriz Prison. She was forced to go on hunger strike due to
her unbearable condition. She was put on trial and condemned to six months of prison after her release. Her
previous charge was “propaganda against the regime.”
She has a very young daughter and very old parents and has no one to follow up her case. That is why there is
silence and unawareness on this jailed journalist and blogger. (Human Rights Activists in Iran– May 3, 2009)
Is this Girls’ hostel or prison?
This is photo of female students’ dormitory in Hamedan – central city of western Hamedan Province. All the
windows are covered by fixed metallic cover - such that no light could get through the windows and nobody can
look out and the vice versa, even worse than bars! – This is among more restrictions imposed on university girl
students in recent years. As you can see, there is not much difference between their dormitory and prison. (Amir
Kabir newsletter – May 3, 2009)
SSF beat and hit girl for wearing white coat
On Saturday May 2, Guidance Patrol agents who were stationed in Rashid Street in Tehran-Pars District in
Tehran stopped a girl wearing white coat, wore her a black veil forcefully and led her to patrol car while telling
her off rudely. The girl was begging them to let her go but they beat and hit her, and throwing her into the car
taking her to the police station. (Iran news agency – May 4, 2009)
Tehran prosecutor defends installing closed circuit cameras in girls’ school!
Mahmoud Salar-Kia, deputy prosecutor of Tehran believes that school is not a private place and “school’s
officials must control the behavior of students.”
On Monday 4 May, in an interview with IRNA, state-run news agency while he was comparing the closed circuit
cameras with school principal stipulated that it was “useful.” (Farda Radio – May 4, 2009)
Publishing case of juvenile girl offence in media was the cause of her execution: Judiciary spokesman
A matter questioned in Judiciary press conference was the execution of Delara Darabi and a reporter asked why
she was hanged on Friday while as a tradition nobody is executed on this day? And on the other hand why her
lawyer and family were not present at the scene? And more importantly why the head of judiciary’s order for
stopping the hanging was not implemented?
“Friday is not an exceptional day for execution. As far as I know her lawyer and family were informed on the
matter. It should be considered that making the matter to the media and the internal and external fuss could
give the opposite result and blood owners would persist on execution more,” Jamshidi, Judiciary spokesman
replied. When Jamshidi’s speech was finished at the press conference Miss Dalara Darabi’s lawyer who was
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present in the press conference declared that he was not informed on her hanging. ‘If you have any claim then
you should refer the case to judiciary officials,” Jamshidi replied. (BBC Radio website – May 5, 2009)
Man killed his wife while visiting him in prison!
A man, 46, killed his 27-year-old wife while visiting him in Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. This man after having
quarreled with his wife strangled her to death by her scarf. The Supreme Court confirmed his execution
sentence. (Keyhan, state-run daily – May 5, 2009)
Note: This is dubious case, since prisoners’ visits either are not face to face or being controlled by prison guards.
SSF: cars carrying dogs and passengers with ‘improper cover’ to be seized for 2 months in Qom
The Head of Public Security Police in Qom announced that drivers and passengers who did not follow Islamic
and social norms in this province would be prosecuted.
"In light of the religious atmosphere in Qom and in line with advancing the social security and morality plan,
State Security Forces will deal with drivers who break the norms, rules and regulations", he said.
"Drivers and passengers who do not have proper (Islamic) covering will be prosecuted and their cars seized for
two months,” Khorasani said.
"Cars that carry dogs will also be seized and pounded and the relevant people will be legally dealt with,” he
added. (IRNA state-run News Agency – May 5, 2009)
Gender segregation in Najafabad University in Isfahan
Officials of Free Islamic Najafabad University in Isfahan have gender segregated transport services of the
university. The university officials had gender segregated the entrance by installing several searching gates. These
gender segregation attempts have raised students’ protest in universities including this university. (Human
Rights Activists in Iran – May 6, 2009)
No information on young female student
Mahssa Naderi, 19, a university student was arrested and transferred to solitary confinement in Ward 209 of
Evin Prison, which is run by Intelligence Ministry. She was charged for political activity and since her arrest, her
fate is unknown.
In February 20, she was arrested by Intelligence Ministry agents in her house.
It is noteworthy that Mohssen Naderi, Mahssa’s father has been imprisoned since a year ago on the same
charges. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – May 8, 2009)
Three women's rights activists arrested in Qom for defending a girl on danger of ‘honor killing’
Fatameh Masjedi, Maryam Bidgoli and Gholamreza Salami, three women's rights activists were arrested
yesterday in Qom. Fatemeh Masjedi and Maryam Bidgoli are women activists for encouraging traumatized
women in Qom to increase their ability for living. They were involved defending a young girl who was in danger
of ‘honor killing’ and in this case they were engaged with some influential figures in Qom. They are also
members of a campaign to gather a million signatures to a petition demanding equal rights for women in Qom.
Gholamreza Salami is a researcher and co-writer of ‘Movements of Eastern Women’ book. (Meidan Zanan
(Women's Ground) website – May 9, 2009)
Students protest to sexual segregation in university
Students of the Free University in Tehran staged a gathering in protest to sexual segregation at this university
and the reactionary plan to build a wall in the library to separate the girls and boys and prevented the building
of this wall.
More than 200 students blocked the area the wall was to be built, and forced university officials to retreat their
plan. (Aftab, state-run website – May 10, 2009)
Note: The reactionary regime of mullahs has attempted
most to carry out "Gender Segregation Plan" in all
universities across Iran, but because of students
resistance they have backed off. Nevertheless, there are
universities that they this reactionary plan have been
carried out, as an example: at Qom University, female
students are only allowed inside the university on the
three first days of the week and male students are only
allowed on the three next days. Qom University students
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According to reports, Guidance Patrol agents who are stationed on Vanak Square in Tehran beat a 20-
year-old girl in public on charges of "improper veiling" on May 12.
A female agent initially called the girl and forced her to a police booth. The girl who was extremely
terrified and begged for them to leave her alone was then beaten by agents and forcefully arrested. (Iran
News Agency – May 13, 2009)
Girls’ schools or Prisons?
In girls schools wearing short socks and jeans, and make up are forbidden, and for such cases, the parents are
summoned to school. All girls’ schools should install bars on the windows and paint them with dark color not
giving a chance for a glance from outside… (Iran Press – May 16, 2009)
Government agents beat and hit a reporter of state -run daily for her short coat not aware of her position
On Thursday May 14, when I got off taxi in Vanak Square quickly in the evening… Ms. ‘Samiran’, a guidance
force called me. She said your coat is over your knees four fingers. I accepted and said I will go back home right
away. Your colleague said how I could be sure that you would do that, and asked for my identity card. Your
other colleague whom I noticed she was Fatemeh M. added that it should be cleared if I have previous cases or
not for having coat four finger above my knees! I told them my name and surname. “how can be sure you are
telling us your true identity?” Ms. M. replied, and Ms. N. told me to give my mobile phone. “Communication
Minister has cut it off,” I replied. And suddenly Ms. N said are you making fun of us? And pushed me to the
floor and they dragged me on the pavement towards the guidance patrol car… They didn’t care not just about
my coat position covering my body even my scarf was not covering my
hairs. I didn’t want to get up the van, therefore they took my hands and
feet and threw me in the van. I don’t remember how many times my
head was banged… I don’t have any witness how many times they stoke
my shoulder in the van, because there were nobody there watching us.
In the van, Ms. N. threatened me strangely, explaining I am taken to
where and what they would do to me. Thinking of what would be going
happen to me was so horrifying that I pressed my finger to record her
words since there was no witness there may later I could find someone
to listen…
In the Vozara Detention Center, Colonel sat in front of me asking me
what I had recorded? “Your officers threatening words,” I replied.
He asked for the record player… the guidance officer’s voice was broadcasted, while there were some other
officers. Colonel told me I informed the top officials that you were arrested, they told me to seize your record
player and your journalist’ identity card… and I was eventually set free at 9 pm in Vanak Square… (Etemad,
state-run daily – May 16, 2009)
Note: The arrestee was a journalist of Etemad state-run daily, showing them her journalist identity card at the
onset of her case.
Masters Degree student banned from giving exams due to "improper veiling "
On May 19, the Protection Department of the Free Kashan University prevented a girl student from entering
the exam session on the pretext that she was not wearing the chador. The female student who came from
Isfahan to participate in Exams practically came to tears from this act and begged the Protection agent to let her
inside .
"I am in my last term for getting my master's and if you don’t let me go in the university and participate in the
exams, I will flunk this course and because this course isn’t given in the summer, I will have to wait until
October to register again because of this course", she sobbed .
However, the agent did not heed her begging and refused to let her participate in the exams.
"This has nothing to do with us, you should have worn the chador like a good girl!", answered the agent. (Iran
News Agency – May 20, 2009)
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22-year-old woman died after three hours of torture by his suspicious husband
“I tightened hands, feet, of Neda, my wife, then taped her mouth shut. After that I was beating her for three
hours, eventually marked her body by knife in order to cause sever pain making her regretful of her past
behavior. Neda was fainted and I was tired and slept for few hours. At 5p.m. I noticed that she was
uncouncious,” Hedayat, 23, said. (Fars state-run news agency – May 26, 2009)
Main offense amongst SSF is sexual abuse
There have been more than 80 sexual abuse by the SSF across the country.
In a common session between the IRGC and the SSf in Rashtkhar, a participant said that from the beginning of
new year – Iranian new year started on March 21, 2009 –more than 80 sexual abuses by the SSF have been
reported involving more than 70 NCO of this force.
In a private session in eastern city of Birjand a participant had also reported that most sexal abuses had
been committed by military forces depicting their lack of believes. (Iran news agency – May 27, 2009)
Regime official: Improper veiling worse than murder
The head of Isfahan's Prohibiting Vice and Promoting Virtue said, "From our point of view, improper veiling is
the first vice and worst than murder because the pollution that is spread by improper veiling is mental.”
"The plan for Advancing Social Security has been carried out in Ardestan with the cooperation of State Security
Forces and dealing with those with improper veiling is in our program,” he added. (Fars state-run news agency –
May 31, 2009)
Court lashes 13-year-old girls 100 times
Written by a doctor- Today I had a patient which brought me great sorrow. My patient was a 13-year-old girl who
came in with her mother. The patient complained of pain in her side and in her own words her "kidneys.”
Her mother explained that about 10 days ago, she was sentenced to 100 lashes in court and after the execution
of the sentence and when her back was bleeding and bruised, she was allowed to come home.
When I looked at the delicate body of the girl, I could not believe that she could have tolerated all the pain and
suffering of 100 lashes on her frail body.
She said that during the lashing, they had tied her hands and legs on the bed and at first, it was painful but
"after the first few lashes I did not feel a lot of pain.”
The poor girl explained in childish words that after she came home, the pain started and in these last few days,
"I could not sleep or stand up or walk.”
Think to yourself about how a girl that is only 150 centimeters in height and only weighs about 40 kilos with
less than 13 years of age could have gotten such a heavy sentence. (Ruz Az Nou Weblog – May 31, 2009)
June
Explotation of backless women in Varamin Relief Committee
In official relief committee in Varamin, city in Tehran Province, employees sexually exploited women applying
for help with no caretaker. This was revealed during financial investigation and the case was reported to the SSF
but since SSF itself is involved in the same offenses hence nothing have been done in this regard. (Iran news
agency – June 1, 2009)
Medeival condition of women prisoners in Gohardasht Prison
Women prisoners are taken to the Protection and Security Department by the prison assistant warder, Ali
Mohammadi, Turabi the head of examinations, Kermani, head of Protection and Security, Faraj Zadeh, assistant
head of Protection and Security, and Khadem, the head of ward one. These prison officials sexually and
physically torture the prisoners. The tortures are so brutal and inhumane that it cannot be described (for moral
reasons).
The prison officials brutally beat prisoners with electric clubs in front of other prisoners until they pass out.
The pressure and torture is so severe that the number of women prisoners who commit suicide is very high.
Regime officials try to hide their atrocities in prison and prevent reports from getting out. If any news gets out, a
defenseless woman has to pay the price with brutal punishment on the pretext that she has leaked the
information.
These women have no right to protest or to request anything and if they do, they are subjected to sexual and
physical torture.
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Another method used against female prisoners is to turn them into drug addicts. Prison officials give prisoners
methadone or other addictive drugs. Prison officials prescribe dangerous addictive drugs as tranquilizer to
prisoners and insist that prisoners use them. This plan has been executed in Tehran's prisons by a person called
Mahalati for a number of years now. (Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 2, 2009)
Suspicious death of a young woman in Gohardasht prison
A female prison committed suicide to escape the unbearable torture by prison officials and passed away, reports
from ward 7 of Gohardasht Prison say.
Mahnaz Akbar Tehrani was initially taken to the Protection and Security Department in prison and was
subjected to brutal torture. The tortures where so severe that she was not able to walk on her own and was taken
to solitary with a bloody face. Female prisoners who are transferred to solitary cells get one ration of food per
day and are kept hungry. They are only allowed to use the bathroom twice in 24 hours, are banned from taking
a shower, and live in catastrophic hygienic situations.
Their condition in prison is intolerable and medieval and much worse than that of men's. Rape is a normal
procedure in the Protection and Security Department or in solitary used by prison officials as torture. Women
prisoners are forced to stay in solitary cells (aka doghouse) for more than three months in these unbearable
conditions. Mahnaz was one of the many women who are subjected to this sort of brutality. The 22-year-old
committed suicide at 7 am in her cell and they found her dead body at 12 pm. (Human Rights and Democracy
Activists in Iran – June 2, 2009)
Student activist summoned to Revolutionary Court
Mahdieh Gohroh, who has been expelled from Alahmeh University and has not been
allowed to continue her studies for three years now, was summoned to the
Revolutionary Court. According to the summons, she has to turn herself in to the
court three days after seeing the summons.
Mahdieh Golroh staged a sit-in along with three other expelled students outside
Alameh University in December 2008, which lead to her arrest. These students were
later transferred to ward 209 in Evin Prison. (Committee of Human Rights Reporters – June 2, 2009)
State radio and television encourages and promotes violence against women at home
“Official radio television’s serial programs and films encourage and promote culture of violence against
women,” Mehri Dehqan, professor and top expert in women and family issue in Yazd said to ISNA official news
agency. (Shahrzad News Website – June 3, 2009)
Head of women center blew a fuse on joining convention of removing discrimination against women
“Don’t you think future of country will be on the line when girls have occupied 70% of medicine seats in
universities?” Zohreh Tayebzadeh Nouri, head of women center of presidency, warned while expressing her
extreme concerns on women’s social presence.Tayebzadeh blew a fuse on Iran joining convention removing all
kind of discrimination against women. (E’temad state-run daily – June 3, 2009)
Three young girls arrested late at night
On June 1 at 12pm, three girls were stopped and arrested outside Melat Park, in Mosadeq Street by a patrol car
of the SSF with three agents on board. The girls asked the SSF to let them free but the SSF agent who was a
woman ordered them rudely to get on the patrol car taking them to the Vozara Detention Center. The girls
begged her to release them not taking them to detention center late at night but the patrolwoman brutally
slapped one them throwing her in the car and transferred them to the police station. (Iran news agency – June
4, 2009)
Student prisoner visits with family with presence of interrogator, her condition far
worse than last visit
On June 1, Shabnam Maddadzadeh and her brother had a visit with their family for the
second time after 102 days of incarceration in ward 209 of Evin Prison. This visit took
place with the presence of their interrogator. Their family described their children's
mental state as "not well".
While the judge on Shabnam's case has said that she has been transferred to the public
ward as of May 20 and has no problems in terms of contacting her family, Shabnam has
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had no phone calls with her family and her physical and mental state was far worse than in last visit. (Amir
Kabir Newsletter- June 4, 2009)
Annual Figure of runaway girls arrested by SSF
Dr. Mostafa Eqlimi, head of the Science Society of Social Workers in Iran while expressing annual figure of
runaway girls arrested by the SSF are 300 to 400 said: “Economic problems, increasing rate of inflation, edicts,
divorce and etc during some recent years is the cause of increasing rate of social damages and guilt in the society.
This in turn is origin of girls running away from their homes.
Eqlima said: “Presently in huge city of Tehran, there are social welfare centers for housing 50 runaway girls
while there are 300 to 400 of them being arrested by the SSF and transferred to these centers by court
warrants.” (Shahab News state-run website – June 7, 2009)
Note: the actual figure of runaway girls in Iran are annually over 300,000 to 400,000
Condition of women prison
A women activist who was arrested on the May Day and was released on bail from prison about two weeks ago
said that there were 28 women living in one cell that they could hardly sit on the floor, There were pregnant
women and mothers with very young children, a place very dangerous for them. (Ruz website – June 8, 2009)
Four women die suspiciously in prison
The first girl who was killed in prison was 17-year-old Leila who was jailed a few months ago on charges of using
drugs. Leila was an addict and had gone to the prison guards for treatment but instead of sending her to a drug
rehabilitation center, she was sent to prison and died after a short time.
Hedieh was another women who had become a drug addict after divorcing her husband and losing a child
custody case. She was sentenced to three years of prison. Her body was found hanged in her cell.
Shirin was jailed on charges of robbery. Her body was also found hanged in her cell.
Parisa was the last women who died in prison. She was arrested on charges of drug addiction. When her trial
was about to begin, they said that she had died in jail. (E'temad state-run daily – June 9, 2009)
Cruel sentence of 10 years imprisonment in exile for female student
According to reports, Masumeh Mansuri, a computer science student at Tehran's Amir Kabir University was
sentenced to 10 years of prison in exile to Qezel Hesar Prison.
The sentence for the 24-year-old was issued by the head of the 15th branch of the Revolutionary Court, Judge
Salavati.
Salavati summoned Hamid Mami Zadeh, Mansuri's guarantor, threatening him that if he did not turn Mansuri
in, he would be arrested.
Mansuri was arrested in 2007 by intelligence agents after going to the Revolutionary Court to pursue her
father's case. She was transferred to ward 209 of Evin Prison and was subjected to pressure and torture for
several weeks by intelligence agency interrogators.
Alavi, her interrogator, had threatened her to death on many occasions in the interrogations. (Human Rights
and Democracy Activists in Iran – June 10, 2009)
SSF attack and beat students in Tabriz
In the recent unrest in Tabriz, a number of girl and boy students were injured. Hundreds of people were
arrested. Among the arrestees, six female students were beaten and kicked in the vicinity of the university before
their arrest. A number of young people were stabbed by security forces and were injured. Three photographers
were also arrested in Abresan Street. Undercover police agents are on the streets and Ahmadinejad's supporters
beat and insult girls and boys on the sidewalks. (Aftab state-run website – June 14, 2009)
Human rights activist arrested in Tehran
According to reports at about 1:30 pm yesterday, Shiva Nazar Ahari, human rights activist and a member of the
Human Rights Reporters Committee was arrested in her office in Tehran.
This is while security forces raided her home at 1 am and confiscated some of her personal belongings. They
were not able to arrest her at that time because she was not in the house, but announced that she has to turn
herself in to the intelligence agency.
Shiva Nazar Ahari is an expelled student who had participated in peaceful protests along with other expelled
university students in the past few days. (Human Rights Reporters Committee – June 14, 2009)
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hanging black drapes on the outside of their apartment as a sign of mourning. (Amir Kabir Newsletter –
June 27, 2009)
Protesting mothers arrested in Laleh Park
Security forces arrested more than 20 women who had gathered in Laleh Park yesterday to protest the recent
arrests and violence by security forces against protesters.
Some of the detainees were taken to the Shapure Detention Center.
According to reports from Tehran, State Security Forces prevented the black clothed women from entering the
park, beating them. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – June 28, 2009)
Report on the condition of Evin's women's ward
The General Women's ward in Evin prison has turned into detention center for women who were arrested in
the recent protests in Tehran in addition to ward 240, 209 and 2A. Lack of space and facilities in the women's
ward increases the pressure on the detainees.
According to reports, about 60 of the women who were recently arrested in the protests are kept with prisoners
who take methadone (drug addicts) in hall 3 of the women's section. The lack of space has reached the point
where women who have recently been moved there sleep in the hallways with one blanket.
The hallways have not been used in this way since the 80's and it is very unhygienic, especially for female
prisoners.
A large number of women who were injured in the protests are also kept in the medical clinic of the prison.
The figures of the number of detainees stated in this report is only part of the real number of detainees and due
to high security measures in other sections, there is no information on the number of prisoners Evin Prison.
(Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 29, 2009)
Report on the condition of Evin's women's ward
The General Women's ward in Evin prison has turned into detention center for women who were
arrested in the recent protests in Tehran in addition to ward 240, 209 and 2A. Lack of space and
facilities in the women's ward increases the pressure on the detainees.
According to reports, about 60 of the women who were recently arrested in the protests are kept with
prisoners who take methadone (drug addicts) in hall 3 of the women's section. The lack of space has
reached the point where women who have recently been moved there sleep in the hallways with one
blanket. The hallways have not been used in this way since the 80's and it is very unhygienic, especially
for female prisoners.
A large number of women who were injured in the protests are also kept in the medical clinic of the
prison.
The figures of the number of detainees stated in this report is only part of the real number of detainees
and due to high security measures in other sections, there is no information on the number of
prisoners Evin Prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – June 29, 2009)
July
Mullahs regime put arrested girls and boys in same cells together
A student who was recently freed from prison wrote in a letter, "From the day before Neda was killed until
today, we were in jail. Today after threatening us and making us sign agreements, they let us go. We were about
20 people in a 5 meter long cell. All the girls and boys were put in the same cell together. The prison guards
would suddenly enter the cell and start beating the girls. Sometimes, they would take them out of the cell for a
while. They would raid the cell every 30 minutes and start beating everyone. They would also take people for
interrogation, which would last for a very long time. In the interrogations, they asked, who tells you what to do?
Why were you on the street that day? They would only feed us at night which was a sort of soup that tasted like
water". (Iran News Agency – July 1, 2009)
Female student arrested and tortured in Babol
Last week, Sugand Alikhah, a Mazandaran University student was arrested by the Ansar-e Hezbollah with the
complicity of an agent in the university's Protection Department. She was taken to a Bassiji Base in Feraidone-
Kenar and was beaten and tortured for three days by the Ansar-e Hezbollah.
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The signs of the torture were still evident on her face and body after she was released. (Bu-Ali Sina Newsletter –
July 4, 2009)
Young female prisoner dies after consuming lethal pills
Hedieh Movayedi who had been hospitalized and in a coma from few days ago after consuming lethal pills
passed away on Friday at 1pm in the Loqman Aldoleh Hospital.
A number of her cellmates say that she had not committed suicide and that a number of prisoners force fed her
the pills. (Iran News Agency – July 18, 2009)
Her story
A girl who was imprisoned in the Gohardasht Prison in Karaj for complicity in the murder of an inmate
committed suicide after her last trial and is currently in a coma in the Loqman Hospital.
"Hedieh Moayedi was born in 1990. In 2004, she went to her friends house, and after a person named Ali filed
a complaint against her she was arrested by the police", her lawyer Mohammad Mostafayi said.
"The police found some unmarked bills and alcohol in the house. She was charged and a criminal record was
filed for her. Instead of sending her case to a children's court and detaining her in a correctionalinstitution, her
case was sent to branch 1089 of the General Court in Tehran and then she was sent to Evin Prison (at the age
of 14)".
"Hedieh has endured many hardships in prison. This was to an extent that she was forced to use sleeping pills
and pain killers on a daily basis. She was transferred to Gohardasht Prison after a short time", her lawyer added.
"She sometimes used drugs to ease her pain.
In 2005, she was thrown into solidarity as punishment along with four of her cellmates. In the cell, Hanieh,
another prisoner, gets into a fight with another prisoner named Fereshteh and kills her. After this, Hedieh was
convicted of complicity in the murder. After three years, her case was sent to the 80th branch of the Criminal
Court in Karaj and on July 3 Hedieh did not accept the claimed charges against her."
Her lawyer also emphasized that in the past four years, Hedieh has been subjected to the worst mental pressures
to the point that she was forced to commit suicide". (Sarmaye state-run daily – July 14, 2009)
Iran arrests prominent feminist lawyer
A leading Iranian lawyer and women's rights campaigner, Shadi Sadr, was arrested on her way to Friday prayers
in the capital that were attended by scores of vote protesters, her husband
said.
'Shadi called me from an unknown location and said she was arrested by
plain-clothes officials who forcefully got her into a car,' Hossein Nilchian
told AFP.
He said Sadr was accompanied by her friends and she was the only one
taken away.
Sadr, 34, is a well-known women's rights activist who has campaigned
against one of Iran's internationally-condemned practices of death by
stoning for adulterers. She has defended several such convicts as a lawyer.
Rights group Amnesty International called for Sadr's immediate release,
after what it called her violent arrest.
'Shadi Sadr was walking with a group of women's rights activists along a busy road when unidentified plain-
clothed men pulled her into a car,' it said in a statement.
'She lost her headscarf and coat in the ensuing struggle but managed briefly to escape. She was quickly
recaptured and beaten with batons before being taken away in the car to an unknown location.'
Amnesty Middle East and North Africa head Malcolm Smart said: 'This was an illegal, arbitrary and violent
arrest in which no attempt was made by the authorities to show identification or provide any explanation for
their action. (AFP - July 17, 2009)
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August
Systematic method of interrogation; sexual harassment and abuse
Eyewitness accounts of female journalist Fereshteh Qazi: Three female guards attacked me in prison (after arrest)
and started violently taking off my cloths beating me at the same time. They stripped off all my clothes while I
was screaming and trying to free myself from them and then body searched me…
They opened my cell door and said that Haji (the interrogator) had come. They
blindfolded me in the cell, cloaked me in a chador and took me to the
interrogation room. On the way there, I told myself I would protest to the
interrogator…
I sat on a chair facing the wall with the blindfolds, ignorant to my surroundings. I
hear the voice of a man from behind me who says, "Who did you meat in
Afghanistan and what organization were you spying for?"
"I am a reporter for the 'Emrooz' website and that is why I have been arrested and
…", before I could finish my sentence he yelled and said, "How many packets of
birth control pills did you take with you?"
I could not believe this. He repeated this again and I protested. Then he said with a
Fereshteh Qazi
perverted tone, "You are either a spy or you had illegitimate relationships. Pick one!"
I was taken back to my cell.
I explained on various occasions that I was neither a spy nor had any sort of relationship but there was no point.
The interrogator which I do not see starts to describe the details of a sexual movie with a perverted tone. I am
sure he has a sexual illness and enjoys saying such things...
He asks about my acquaintances with various political figures especially my colleagues. I explained that I am a
journalist and have relations with all political figures. But the relationship that the interrogator is looking for is
not a journalistic relationship. He says the names of the political figures one by one and brings up the issue of
illegitimate relationship and says, "Write what I say!"
He starts describing a sexual movie and tells me to write down what he says.
I feel nauseated and I vomit. I pulled my blindfolds off and got up but something hits me from the back before I
could get up and my nose gets slammed on the chair and starts to bleed. I fell down and got kicked in the side
and back. Then he called the female guards and I was taken to my cell in that condition…
I was taken for interrogation again. He tells me what I actually did is not important and that I had to write what
he wanted, otherwise I would be taken to a cell and be "raped to death".
My hear starts to pound and he says, "We have a lot of men here who haven't seen a woman for years and crave
for a woman and…"
I had to write the false confession otherwise I would be group raped and my husband would die in an
"accident".
My interrogator who was a middle aged man known as Keshavarz said, "The accident rate in Iran is very high
and your husband can easily be one of the figures".
Or he threatened that he would arrest my husband and rape me in front of him and …
I am in total seclusion and have no information about what is going on outside. The interrogator comes and
tries to adopt a sad tone and says, "Your mother had a heart attack and unfortunately died. She has been in the
morgue for three days waiting for you. Do the right thing so that the spirit of your dead mother will not be
tormented more than this and …"
I could not listen more than this. I went on a hunger strike to force them to let me call my family.
Two days later, the judge residing over my case, Saber Zafar Qandi comes. I decide to tell him everything but
before I could say anything he yelled and said, "You went on a hunger strike?! So you’re a professional! I'll show
you what we do to professional prisoners. We can easily bring four witnesses and stone you to death on charges
of adultery…"
After I was released, I was summoned several times in the presence of Sayid Mortazavi, Tehran's prosecutor. I
protested the issues in prison but the strange thing is that Mortazavi says that these things are necessary in
interrogations!
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(In one of the summonses) he told his assistant to take my husband outside of his office and I was left in the
room with the prosecutor of Tehran. He came close and sat next to me. I had a strange fear and I felt like my
heart would burst out. He brought his face close and said that it 'seemed I did not take the warnings of the
interrogator seriously'.
He was so close that I was afraid to make a move or say anything.
"(The interrogator) was not joking about the rape or the accident", he says. I did not hear anything else. I was
desperately trying to distance myself from him as he was getting closer. He reminded me of my interrogator who
insisted I write the details of the sexual movie he was describing with glee…
I am left with an ill and broken spirit, terrified of all men. I cannot have a normal relationship with my husband
anymore. My spirit is so ill that I have to see a
psychiatrist. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Aug. 16, 2009)
Head of Bassij raped Taraneh Moussavi
The suppression of the protest gathering at the Qoba
Mosque in Tehran was under the supervision of the
Sarallah Base supervised by Tayeb (head of the Bassij
paramilitary forces). Detainees were taken away in black
vans which is a trademark of the Sarallah Base.
Detainees were taken to a center in the Sarallah Base in
Soal Street. This center is one of the most horrifying
detention centers in Iran and is known as Abu-ghuraib…
Tayeb personally interrogated a number of the prisoners
supposedly looking trying to find their 'leaders' and the
organizing network behind the protest. The name of Taraneh Moussavi (a young girl who was detained,
violently raped and then burned) drew Tayeb's attention because of the resemblance with Mir Hossein
Moussavi's name and he had his forces bring Taraneh to his room for interrogation.
Taraneh Moussavi was last seen by the people who worked in this complex while she was being taken for
interrogation and unlike other detainees who brought back to the detention center, Taraneh never returned.
Her name was erased from the list of detainees the next day…
Two things are certain. Tayeb ordered that Taraneh be brought to him for interrogation and Taraneh
disappeared after the interrogation. The first reports of this issue were leaked indirectly by the personnel in this
detention center and they were certain that the reason behind why Taraneh was not brought back to the
detention center was because Tayeb had sexually abused her. (Sohrabestan Weblog – Aug. 21, 2009)
Cooperation Front of Iran: women prisoners are forced to confess to false immoral acts
The website of the Cooperation Front has issued a statement disclosing the "heinous, immoral, and illegal" acts
of the government in violating the private space of prisoners. This statement says in part, "There are reports that
many respectable and political women were arrested only to put intolerable physical and mental pressure on
them in violation of their private space and to force them into giving immoral confessions against themselves or
other people". (Nurooz Website – Aug. 23, 2009)
Female journalist pressured into confessing to illegitimate relationships
Hengameh Shahidi, journalist and member of the National Confidence Party (which belongs to Karoubi) who
has been in detention from 55 days ago in ward 209 in Evin Prison has gone on a hunger strike in protest to the
actions and treatment of her interrogators.
This journalist was transferred to a two-person ward after 50 days in solidarity. According to her family, she
sounded very tired and ill in a recent telephone call from prison.
An informed source has told us that Shahidi is under severe pressure to confess to false immoral relationships
and since she is not willing to confess, she has been beaten. According to this source, she has gone on a hunger
strike in protest to questions asked by her interrogators. He family is very concerned for her mental and physical
condition in light of the fact that she suffers from a heart disease and low blood pressure. (Rooz website – Aug.
25, 2009)
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there. Because at night, I heard the sounds of screaming and begging and I was sure that, what happened to me
was happening to others as well…
A number of arrested boys were standing in front of us. The agents started to sexually abuse us. The boys
shouted for them to leave us alone. "Do anything you want to us", the boys said. The agents said, "What? Are
they your sisters?" The boys begged them to leave us alone and hit them instead, but the agents would move the
clubs on our bodies and would say, "Is this one your sister, is this one your wife?" (Radio Farda – Sep. 25, 2009)
Young married woman victim of jail rape
In a special report about the fate of the jail rape files (some were disclosed by Karoubi), the 'Taqir' website which
belongs to (Karoubi's) Eteamd Meli Party, said that the victims have been trialed instead of the culprits (in the
rape cases).
According to this website, not only young men and women are amongst Karoubi's (rape) witnesses, but a young
married woman can also be seen who was raped and sexually abused by agents. According to this report,
Karoubi still has more solid evidence and documents and will publish them if necessary. (Radio Germany
Website – Sep. 25, 2009)
Police arrest and harass girls on streets of Iran for 'improper veiling '
Three girls were arrested for the crime of improper veiling in Tehranpars in Tehran on Friday September 24 at
5 pm. They were taken to a bungalow in this area. The agents then called their parents and told them they had
to hand in their daughters ID cards. These families were also told that they had until Saturday to go the
"Corruption" Department in Vozara Street (regarding this case). (Iran News Agency – Sep. 26, 2009)
Security forces use tear gas and beat a woman trying to disperse protesters
According to reports from Tehran, security forces attacked protesters in Qâem Maqâm Street and beat a young
person. The forces also used tear gas against the protesters and beat a woman to try to disperse the crowds. (Iran
News Agency – Sep. 29, 2009)
October
Women journalist harassed and in limbo in jail
The family of Hengameh Shahidi, journalist and Mehdi Karoubi's aid on women's issues, were able to visit her
in Evin Prison.
According to her mother, this visit was supposed to be in person but a female guard
prevented this and said that they had to visit her from behind the glass partition.
"When they told Hengameh that the visit is from behind the partition, she became
extremely troubled and started pounding her body to the walls and glass of the partition
like a bird in cage and shouted that today is my daughter's birthday and I want to embrace
my mother instead of her", her mother said.
"She yelled and said tell everyone that they exert severe of pressure on me and do not even
let me use the bathroom", her mother added. Her mother said that she has developed
kidney problems in the prison and is only allowed to use the bathroom 4 times in 24 hours.
One of the female guards in prison also constantly harasses this journalist.
"It has been 90 days that I am spending my life behind the walls of Evin or in the corridors of the Revolutionary
Court or Prosecutor's Office and it is still not clear when they will release Hengameh. I am in a state of limbo",
Hengameh's mother added. (Green Wave of Freedom Website – Oct. 1, 2009)
Interrogators harass women in MOIS 'Inquiry Office'
The 'Inquiry Office' is a well known building in the Ministry of Intelligence which is located in the Valiasr
intersection in Tehran. Whenever interrogators and security forces intend to threaten political and social
activists without arresting them, they use this building which contains a hall and several rooms for
interrogations.
Students who have been summoned there say that interrogators put more pressure on girl students and try to
force them back for interrogations under various pretexts.
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These students have said that one of the new measures interrogators take is confiscating the girls' personal items
to summon them back to get their belongings in several stages. In a number of cases, the agents even confiscated
their purses and bags in addition to their cell phones to use to re-summon them.
"Such a despicable and unprecedented measure is not a normal threat used against political and social activists
and maybe one can say that it shows the psyche and personality of the interrogators", a student activist said.
(Rooz Online Website – Oct. 14, 2009)
Female political prisoner affronted, threatened and under inhumane treatment in lengthy interrogations
Fifty two days after the arrest of imprisoned journalist Fariba Pazhuh, she is still taken to lengthy interrogations
and put under pressure.
Interrogators mistreat, insult and use obscene language against her and her family and have done this
persistently in the past few weeks to bring down her morale in prison.
Her interrogators have even threatened her that they would arrest her family members and even showed her
their arrest warrants to put pressure on her. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Oct. 12, 2009)
Female students harassed by agents in Sharif Industrial Univ. in Tehran
According to reports, female (agents) with chadors (black head to toe garb) in groups of three walk around in
the Sharif Industrial University in Tehran and warn girls regarding their dress, makeup, nail polish, hair and
hair color and force them to write commitments not to appear in this way in university.
If students protest this treatment, they are taken to the university Protection Department and dealt more
seriously with. (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Oct. 25, 2009)
Gohardasht Prison personnel sexually exploit female prisoners
Two personnel of the Gohardasht Prison in Karaj were transferred to another prison because of illegitimate
relationships with female prisoners.
A doctor's assistant named Vashqani Farahani, who worked in the medical clinic of this prison had an
illegitimate relationships with a number of female prisoners. He used the opportunity of checking the female
prisoners and transferring them to the clinic for his own end and was transferred to Qezelhesar Prison after a
number of prisoners reported his actions. Another unidentified employee in this prison was also transferred for
this reason.
It is noteworthy that the punishment of these two personnel has been very light considering the punishments
set for these kinds of crimes.
Gohardasht Prison in Karaj is a prison for dangerous and violent prisoners and at least 60 prisoners of
conscience have also been exiled to this prison. There have been many reports and evidence of violence and
rape in this prison. The former head of this prison named Khadem was forced to marry a prisoner after his
illegitimate relationship with her was disclosed. He was then transferred to Qezelhesar Prison. (Human Rights
Activists in Iran – Oct. 29, 2009)
November
Detained girl protesters taken to notorious detention center
After the extensive arrests made in Tehran on November 4, especially the widespread arrests of women and
girls, there have been reports on the unclear state of these detainees in the past few days.
According to reports, the widespread arrest of women and girls in the protest marches on November 4 was pre-
planned by regime officials. State security forces have not taken the responsibility of the arrests of girls and other
protesters which shows that security forces affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards Forces and Bassij Forces
have executed a dangerous plan. This dangerous denial (on the part of the SSF) is made while existing evidence
shows that hundreds, made up of mostly women and girls, were arrested in the November 4 protests.
According to some reports, almost all the female detainees were taken to the notorious and uncontrolled
Khorin Detention Center which is situated near Varamin (Tehran suburbs).
Reports say that regime officials have transferred a number of normal prisoners who were detained in this
detention center from before to Evin Prison to give the idea that they are transferring November 4 detainees to
Evin Prison. (Rooz News – Nov. 7, 2009)
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Somayeh Rashidi, a women's rights activist was arrested on Saturday December 20 after answering a summons
to the Revolutionary Court and was transferred to Evin Prison.
Her lawyer, Afruz Moghzi confirmed this report and said, "According to a summons that was announced to my
client while (regime forces) were searching her home, she went to the Revolutionary Court in the morning. I
was not allowed to be present in the court with her. Ms. Rashidi was interrogated for about 2 hours in the
Revolutionary Court and later we were informed that she had been transferred to prison after her charges were
announced to her". (Amir Kabir Newsletter – Dec. 20, 2009)
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