Letter To UNHRC Special Rapporteur Landed Political Prisoners In Solitary Confinement

Four political prisoners were transferred from Karaj Gohardash Prison to Evin Ward 209 last month for writing a letter to UNHRC special rapporteur on human rights in Iran.

The four political prisoners have been in solitary confinement under physical and psychological pressure and torture.

Political prisoners Behrooz Javid Tehrani, Saleh Kohandel, Farzad Madadzadeh, and Mohamad Ali Manouri were moved to solitary confinement in Evin 209 on June 28, 2011 where they remain under constant interrogations and pressure by the Intelligence Ministry interrogators.

The reason for these interrogations, pressure and physical and psychological torture is the letter the prisoners wrote to the UNHRC special rapporteur describing and complaining about their conditions in prison.

The Intelligence Ministry interrogators fear any letter written to the UNHRC special rapporteur by prisoners describing their conditions in prison and try to prevent the prisoners from writing such letters.

According to Human Rights Activists For Democracy In Iran, families of these four prisoners have had no information or news from them since their transfer to solitary confinement in Evin ward 209.

The families of these prisoners have not been able to visit or speak with them since their transfer to Evin ward 209.

Also, political prisoner Afshin Baymani was transferred to solitary confinement in Gohardasht prison for writing a letter to the UNHRC special rapporteur describing the murder of his brother Mehdi Baymani. In his letter he detailed the hardships he and his family have endured since.

To protest his move to solitary confinement, Afshin Bayamani started a hunger strike and remains on a hunger strike as of the date of this report.

Source: Human Rights Activists News Agency

Asking The Leader To Intercede In His Case Resulted In Additional Charges For Abdollah Momeni

One year after political prisoner Abdollah Momeni’s letter to the Supreme Leader describing horrific tortures he endured during his interrogations, he was summoned to Court located inside of Evin to face new charges. Charges that according to the Tehran Prosecutor, Momeni will be put on trial for.

According to Kaleme site, Momeni a senior member of Karroubi’s 2009 presidential campaign and former Spokesman for Advare Tahkim Vahdat (The largest alumni association in Iran) is facing new charges of publishing lies and disturbing the public for which he will be put on trial.

Abdollah Momeni, a supporter of the Green Movement was part of the first wave of arrests that occurred in June 2009 following the fraudulent presidential election.

He was detained in solitary confinement in wards 209 and ward 240 of Evin prison for three months during his interrogation process.

More than two months after his family was kept in a total news black out about him, Momeni was put on trial in what became known as the “Show Trials”, presided by Judge Salavati. He was convicted and initially sentenced to eight years in prison. His sentence was overturned by the Appeals Court and was changed to five years in prison.

In September of 2010, Momemei published an open letter addressed to Ayatollah Khamenei with the emphases on, that by writing the letter he intended to reveal the atrocities that occur in prisons during the Leader’s reign.

Memeni’s letter caused much public outrage and was considered one of the more important evidence of atrocities and illegal actions inflicted on the innocent Green Movement political prisoners by the interrogators.

In his letter, Momeni described in detail the conditions he was kept under in solitary confinement, insults, assaults and tortures that was inflicted on him. Accounts that few were aware of prior to his letter including pushing his head inside a dirty toilet bowl, beatings, insulting him, his family, his mother and the leaders of the Green Movement with profanity.

Part of Momeni’s letter read, “Beatings, verbal abuse and degradation, and illegal treatments started at the very moment of my arrest. During my arrest, tear gas was used, which prior to this had only been used in the streets and open air. Breathing teargas in a confined space made me feel as if I were choking and rendered me unable to move. Still, the security officials did not stop at that. With great spite and hostility they began to beat me, punching and kicking me, so that they could turn me over to their superiors at Evin prison with a bloody nose, mouth and bleeding teeth, handcuffed and shackled.

Witnessing the expertise of the interrogators of the Islamic Republic, who are referred to as the unnamed soldiers of the Mahdi (the Messiah), in their use of vulgarities which I could never bring myself to repeat within this letter and some of which I had never heard before, was indeed a painful experience for me. In the continuation of these same interrogation sessions, the interrogator would say, “We will do something to you so severe, that when you hear the name of Section 240 outside of prison, your body will begin to convulse.” I would ask myself, how can a security agency utilize such strategies intent on inflicting fear and such threats to ensure the security of a nation, and what will be the end result of such strategies and tactics? How can you reach justice, by relying on the tactics intent on character assassinations of prisoners as a complimenting link in a cycle of torture and repression? How do the standards of forcing false confessions through any means possible in the behavior of law enforcers, correspond with religious, human rights or ethical standards?

The constant use of these derogatory terms and foul language by those who present themselves as the defenders of the Islamic Regime also targeted my martyred brother—our families sacrifice for our nation– whom they addressed as a hypocrite and enemy.”

After Momeni’s letter was published, Tehran Prosecutor General, Mohsen Ejeii reacted in a news conference by denying abuse and torture by the interrogators and called occurrence of torture in the prisons and detention centers are impossible.

In his letter Momeni also told Ayatollah Khamenei of his meeting with Tehran Prosecutor General and said he informed the prosecutor, in detail of the tortures by the interrogators and filed a complaint with the Prosecutor against the interrogators.

Despite the fact the Tehran Prosecutor General is legally obligated to pursue Momeni’s complain, and despite the fact that the prosecutor verbally had promised Momeni he will pursue his complaint, now, the place of accused and accuser have been reversed and eleven months after filing his complaint, Momeni was summoned from ward 350 and arraigned on new charges.

In March of 2010 while Momeni was on furlough his bail was revoked and he was returned to Evin prison on the request of his interrogators.

Momeni is summoned to Court again while former Tehran Prosecutor Saeid Mortazavi recently claimed he and his codefendants in the prosecution office, including Haydarifar who had worked on cases relating to the post election detainees, have been exonerated of all charges (They were implicated in the torture deaths of post election protesters at Kahrizak prison). Both Mortazavi and Haydarifar were included in Momeni’s complaint.

In the last 16 months Momeni has faced much pressure and limitations. Not only his furlough request has been denied but he has been deprived of in person visits with his wife and children.

Also despite a report from the medical examiner on the necessity of treating Momeni’s ruptured eardrum which was caused as a result of his tortures and despite Momeni’s skin condition that needs treatment, the Judiciary officials continue to deny him medical furlough.

Momeni was also summoned to Evin’s Court after filling a complaint along with 25 other inmates on being tortured by the interrogators. He also was summoned after taking part in the 12 inmates hunger strike in Evin prison.

During each summons, Momeni was pressured to retract his complaint and to change his ideological position.

During each summons Momeni’s reply has been, “More than ever the tortures and atrocities committed by the interrogators must be investigated.”

source: Kaleme Website

A Mother Breaks Her Silence One Year After Her Daughter’s Arrest

Political prisoner Haniyeh Sanee Farshi’s mother breaks her silence one year after the arrest of daughter. In an interview with Jaras site, Farshi’s mother called court’s verdict in her daughter’s case “Unjust”.

Farshi with no prior political activity, was interrogated in prison mostly about her Facebook and online activities. She, along with six other bloggers, were tried, convicted and received very heavy sentences.

These bloggers were put on trial April 16, 2011 in Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran. Their families and defense attorneys have recently found out the court’s ruling.

Initially all six bloggers were charged with “insulting the prophet” and “Moharebeh (waging war against God)” both of which, under the Islamic Republic’s Penal Code, carry the death penalty .

However, these charges were later dropped and all six bloggers were charged with, and convicted of, blasphemy and propagating against the system with intent to act.

Iman Masjedi and Sepehr Ebrahim were each sentenced to eight years in prison. Mohamad Reza Golizadeh and Haniyeh Farshi each were sentenced to seven years in prison. Hojat Nikouei and Ladan Mostofimoab were sentenced to five years in prison each and Amir Latifi was sentenced to seven years in prison and 74 lashes.

Haniyeh Farshi was put on trial without allowing her legal representation. She herself prepared her defense motion without having access to her case file or access to legal advise.

Twenty eight years old Hanieh Sanee Farshi, a citizen of city of Tabriz (N.E. Iran) is a high school graduate who was arrested on July 18, 2010 in a raid of her home by security forces for what mainly appears to be her Facebook membership and other Internet activities.

She was kept in solitary confinement under very heavy pressure and interrogations for two months before being moved to the general ward in Evin prison.

Haniyeh Farshi’s mother told Jaras, “We have filed an appeal in her case, but we have to wait for the Appeals Court ruling”.

Overall, Haniyeh seems to be in good spirits. Even though she was tried in a closed Court, but we were able to visit with her for about five minutes after her trial.

This is such a unjust ruling in her case. They did not allow her lawyer to see her or get her signature on the power of attorney papers. Her lawyer was only allowed to review her case file before filing a motion with Court of Appeals.

In reference to her charges, Haniyeh says the items in question on her site were not written by her but were comments sent to her by others.

Haniyeh has not committed Blasphemy, she has not insulted the sacred, others have written those things but in her sentencing papers the matter was described differently.

All Haniyeh has done is to tell the person she was having an online conversation with that “I don’t believe in
your kind of Imam Mahdi (the 12th Imam who is in occultation) but I believe in our kind of Imam Mahdi”. They have taken this statement as the reason for charging her with blasphemy.

Even though she was critical of the system, my daughter is not a political activist. She never had any political activity to cause them to arrest her as a political prisoner and sentence her to seven years in prison. She now has been in prison for one year.”

Haniyeh Farshi’s defense attorney Mina Jafari tells Jaras, “Haniyeh has been sentenced to seven years in prison on charges of blasphemy and insulting the Supreme Leader. I have filed an appeal with the Court of Appeals and am waiting to receive their ruling.

Unfortunately I was not present at her initial trial. In the appeals process, no appeals court session will be held; they simply review the defense motion, make a decision and issue a ruling.

Unfortunately in the Iranian Judicial system this has become the official appeals process. They don’t see any reason for holding appeals court except in special cases. This is a fallacy which we have always complained about. With this process, how can an attorney defend his or her client.”

She continues with stating that she still has not been able to see her client and said, “What can I say, when I can not see the appeals judge, and defense attorneys can not meet their clients with political charges. This a problem that defense attorneys have and it’s a matter that the Judiciary must address.”

Haniyeh’s mother also tells Jaras about her troubles with having to travel from Tabriz to Tehran to visit her daughter and complains about the high cost of plane ticket that she can not afford. She says she has to travel to Tehran once a week by bus for a twenty minute visit with her daughter.

She complains that her visits have all been through a glass window and she has not even been able to hug her daughter all this time.

Haniyeh’s mother says, “I don’t know who to turn to anymore, no one will give me an answer. I have repeatedly requested furlough for her. I was only able to see the Deputy Prosecutor General once, he said the Prosecutor General is not available and asked me to return.

I told him that I live in Tabriz, I can’t continue to impose on family and friends, I have been doing this for one year now and am embarrassed to keep imposing on them. He told me to fill out a form and they will get back to me. I still have not heard anything from them.”

In conclusion she said, “I hope the officials would reconsider their decisions on the verdicts they have issued. These are very heavy and unjust sentences. I was not expecting such verdicts. I thought to myself that they would release Haniyeh after the trial.”

Source: JARAS

And A Message On The Way – A Poem By Sohrab Sepehri

And A Message On The Way – A Poem By Sohrab Sepehri

One day,

I will come and I will bring a message, I will come and pour light in the veins.

I will chant: “O You! with baskets full of sleep! I brought you apple, The Red Apple of Sun!”

I will come, and I will give a jasmine flower to the beggar.

I will present the beautiful leper women a gift of earrings.

I will explain to the blind, how splendid the gardens are!

I will become a wanderer, I will stroll through the alleys,

I will chant, O Dew, dew, dew,

A passerby will say: “The truth has become impregnated with the darkness of the night”,

I will give him a piece of the Milky Way.

On the bridge, there is a legless girl, I will put a constellation of stars around her neck.

I will erase all the curses from all the lips, I will remove all the walls.

I will tell the bandits, the caravan has arrived, it’s only valuable merchandize, a “smile”.

I will tear into the clouds.

I will tie all the eyes to Sun Light, All the hearts to Love, all the shadows to Water and all the twigs to the Breeze.

And I will connect all the children’s dreams to the nightly humming of the crickets.

I will fly the kits sky high, I will water all the flowerpots.

I will come before the horses, before the cows, and I will lay down the green grass of endearment.

To the thirsty animals, I wil bring a bucket filled with dew.

I will come and plant a carnation atop every wall.

I will recite a poem by every window.

I will give each and every crow a pine tree.

I will tell the serpents, how splendid the frogs are.

I will make peace, I will make friends, I will stroll,

I will eat light, and I will Love.

و پیامی در راه

روزی خواهم آمد، و پیامی خواهم آورد.

در رگ ها، نور خواهم ریخت.

و صدا خواهم در داد: آی سبدهاتان پر خواب! سیب آوردم، سیب ِ سرخ ِ خورشید

خواهم آمد، گل ِ یاسی به گدا خواهم داد.

زن ِ زیبای جذامی را، گوشواری دیگر خواهم بخشید.

کور را خواهم گفت: چه تماشا دارد باغ!

دوره گردی خواهم شد، کوچه ها را خواهم گشت، جار خواهم زد: آی شبنم، شبنم، شبنم.

رهگذاری خواهد گفت: راستی را، شب تاریکی است، کهکشانی خواهم دادش.

روی پل دخترکی بی پاست، «دب ِ اکبر» را بر گردن ِ او خواهم آویخت.

هر چه دشنام، از لب ها خواهم برچید.

هر چه دیوار، از جا خواهم برکند.

رهزنان را خواهم گفت: کاروانی آمد بارش لبخند!

ابر را پاره خواهم کرد.

من گره خواهم زد، چشمان را با خورشید، دل ها را با عشق، سایه ها را با آب، شاخه ها را با باد.

و بهم خواهم پیوست، خواب ِ کودک را با زمزمه ی زنجره ها.

بادبادک ها، به هوا خواهم برد.

گلدان ها، آب خواهم داد.

خواهم آمد، پیش ِ اسبان، گاوان، علف ِ سبز ِ نوازش خواهم ریخت.

مادیانی تشنه، سطل ِ شبنم را خواهم آورد

خواهم آمد سر ِ هر دیواری، میخکی خواهم کاشت،

پای هر پنجره ای، شعری خواهم خواند.

هر کلاغی را، کاجی خواهم داد.

مار را خواهم گفت: چه شکوهی دارد غوک!

آشتی خواهم داد، آشنا خواهم کرد، راه خواهم رفت، نور خواهم خورد، دوست خواهم داشت

The Violent Arrest Of Outspoken Regime Critique Blogger Dr. Mehdi Khazali

Dr. Mehdi Khazali a blogger and physician and son of hard-liner member of the Assembly of Experts, Ayatollah Khazali was rearrested on Monday July 18, 2011.

This is the third time that Dr. Khazali has been arrested in the past two years. In his blog, Dr. Khazali is often very critical of the establishment and of president Ahmadinejad.

Dr. Khazali, posted on his blog the night before his arrest about being summoned to the Intelligence Ministry.

He wrote, “Haj Agha, the same interrogator who wouldn’t give me his name, and told me to just call him “Haj Agha” contacted me and summoned me to the dignified Ministry of Intelligence on Monday afternoon.

I asked, is this to talk with me or is it to send me back to solitary? He said no just to talk and also to return some of your previously confiscated items.”

Dr. Khazali was arrested after he reported to the Intelligence Ministry. Following is an account of his violent arrest as witnessed by one of his friends.

This friend reports he was contacted by Dr. Khazali prior to his arrest to go along with him and be a witness in case something happens to him.

He reports: “When Dr. Khazali arrived at the Intelligence Ministry they presented him with an arrest warrant. Dr. Khazali told them this warrant is 10 days old and he already posted bond for it four days ago.

The agent replied that he has to arrest him and the Court’s instructions don’t mean anything to him. Dr. Khazali told him this warrant is illegal and I wont go with you.

All of a sudden three people jumped on him and throw him to the ground and handcuffed him. They placed him in a car, positioned him laying down with one agent sitting on his neck and one sitting on his stomach as his teenaged son was watching in shock.”

He continues that he followed the car carrying Dr. Khazali to Evin and says the agents kept Dr. Khazali in this same position until they arrived at Evin prison.

This witness also went to court yesterday where they had brought Dr. Khazali to be arraigned. He says: “After they brought the doctor in, I was shocked, he was in prison attire, handcuffed and shackled, with his bruised swollen neck bent to one side and accompanied by two agents on each side.”

The friend also points out that Judge Banihouseini had mentioned earlier that Dr. Khazali was rearrested by mistake and he himself had issued bail order five days prior to his arrest and he will tell them to release him.

The witness says after they arrived in the courtroom the Intelligence Ministry agents presented the Judge with a piece of paper. At the same time the Judge received a phone call from Prosecutor General Jafari-Dowlatabadi giving him instructions.

After this, the Judge said that he had made a mistake five days ago in issuing the bail order and revoked the bail and issued a temporary detention order for Dr. Khazali.

The witness explains that, in the courtroom Dr. Khazali addressing the Judge, exclaimed, “You are a ….Intelligent Ministry agent, even though my neck is broken and swollen, I won’t request medical treatment. I will start a hunger strike as of today and will leave my corpse for you to carry on your shoulders.”

Sources:
Dr.Kahzali Website
Kaleme Website

Shocking Accounts Of Pressures And Torture To Obtain False Confession From Post-Doctoral Student Omid Kokabee

As his trial nears, Omid Kokabee, a University of Texas post-doctoral student in nuclear physics, currently in Evin prison, has written a letter to the head of Iran’s Judiciary, Ayatollah Sadegh Larijani.

In his letter Kokabee describes the pressures and tortures he was under in prison to give false confession and asks the Judiciary Chief for a fair and just trial in his case.

Omid Kokabi was arrested February 2011 when he was about to return to United States and has been held in Evin Prison ever since. He was kept under pressure and torture in solitary confinement for over a month before being moved to Evin ward 350.

Dr. Omid Kokabee received his Bachelor’s degree from Sharif University in Tehran. He obtained his Masters degree in Germany and his PHD from ​​Polytechnic University in Barcelona, Spain. In 2010 he received a full scholarship from the University of Texas where he went to study for his post-doctoral degree.

When Omid was arrested, they charged him with “Cooperation with an enemy state” and “earning income through Illicit means”.

In his letter to the Judiciary Chief, Omid Kokabi challenges the legality of his arrest and detention, talks about the tortures and pressures utilized by the interrogators to obtain a coerced false confession.

Omid writes, “there were repeated threats to arrest my university instructors that invited me to Iran for joint scientific and research work.

Repeated threats to turn me over to other interrogators that would employ harsher and stricter methods of beatings, imposition of more limitations on the use of bathroom facilities, cutting off all food services and banning all contacts with the outside world.

I was told repeatedly that my father was in poor health due to an open heart surgery. I was told he had suffered a heart attack because of my arrest and was in a hospital in very poor health. They told me they will keep me in solitary confinement, banned from any contacts with my family, and that I won’t be able to see my father again.

They mentioned my sister’s heart condition and said, her health has deteriorated because she has been under a lot of pressure from pursuing my case.

The interrogators knew very well my love and devotion for my family, particularly for my Father and Mother. My parents, despite being from a financially disadvantaged class and on only a teachers income and no additional income, have raised 9 children, all including myself to the highest academic and scientific levels of education.

They knew that it would put me under heavy pressure to accept their conditions by telling me that my parent’s illness and hospitalization is due to their worries for me being in solitary confinement. The only thing that I could think about was to be able to find out about my parent’s status and to be with them.

My first phone contact with my family was 24 days after my arrest and after having been under heavy psychological pressure and maneuvering by the interrogators, a call that lasted for two minutes only.

Later, I realized my interrogations became shorter with less pressure, threats and intimidation when I would write down what the interrogators wanted to hear.

Therefore I reached the conclusion that I should start writing down things that were more satisfactory to the interrogators and to write what they dictated to me. At the time, I did not think about or understand what the consequences of this action might be later.

At times, they threatened me with execution, saying that they could obtain an execution verdict from the Judiciary with no problem.

They told me if I would write down what they dictated, that my interrogation sessions would end within 2-3 days and I would be set free to go and see my family.

I also have to mention the methods they used in writing down my interrogation papers. They would either ask a question with an expected answer or would dictate to me what to write. However, they would ask me to leave couple of lines blank above my answers.

I don’t know what they later wrote in the blank spaces. I don’t know if they wrote anything that would be incriminating or used to bring up charges.”

Omid continues with explaining how the interrogators wanted him to write down and list all of his travels related to his studies and research, details of his research projects, what embassies did he visit and the name of the people he met in those embassies.

In particular they wanted the names of people he met and interviewed with at the American Embassy, insisting that those in the American Embassy were not regular employees but were Intelligence agents.

They accused him of speaking to American Intelligence agents. They even went further and accused many of his professors as American agents also. They interrogated him about his expenses, his scholarships and grants.

Omid continues, “Mr. Larijani, I still don’t know the real reason for my arrest.” He stresses, neither he nor his family are involved in politics and does not understand why he has been arrested.

Further on, Omid talks about how easy it becomes to succumb to the pressures and tactics used by the interrogators and to give in and confess to anything they want and even to make up things to please them.

Omid urges Mr. Larijani to allow him a fair trial considering all the illegal acts and violations in his case.

Omid Kokabi’s attorney, Saeid Khalili In a recent interview with Jaras also complained about not being allowed to visit his client so far.

Mr. Khalili told Jaras that he has made repeated attempts to see his client to prepare for his defense, but has not yet been able to obtain Tehran Prosecutor General’s permission.

Khalili says, “How can I defend my client in court properly without being able to see him and talk with him prior to his trial”. Khalili said he has also written to Judiciary Chief and has asked for his help and intervention in this case.

Sources:
kaleme Website
JARAS Website
RAHANA

Incarcerated Blogger Housein Ronaghi Maleki’s Father: “If Housein’s Kidneys Are Infected Once More, He Will Die”

Following is a translation of an interview by ICHRI with father of imprisoned blogger and human rights activist Housein Ronaghi Maleki:

On Monday June 11, 2011, Housein Ronaghi Maleki’s father, Ahmad Ronaghi, told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that has heard no news about the status of his son.

The worried father of Housein told ICHRI, “My son’s interrogators have told us before that they will kill him in prison and now they are acting upon what they said”.

“On June 6th, when I went to Tehran from Malekan (a town in East Azarbaijan) to pursue Housein’s case, I received a call from my wife saying she has been contacted from Evin and was told Housein is in poor health and that he was taken to Evin’s medical clinic.”

“Iimmediately, I went to Evin prison, told them I was his father and asked to visit him. They refused to let me see Housein. I told them we have heard he has suffered a seizure, let me take him to a hospital and I will take responsibility for all the financial charges just as I have done before. But they refused.”

“First, they said he is inside the ward, then they said he is taking a shower. I pleaded with them and told them I didn’t want to see him or talk with him, but to please allow him to call his mother and let her hear his voice to lessen her worries. They agreed, but no phone call was made.”

Ahmad Ronaghi continued, “From there, I went to Tehran Prosecutor General’s office and informed them of the situation. They made a phone call to Evin and were told the same thing, that Housein is in the bathroom and he is fine”.

On that same day, I wrote two letters, one I delivered to the Islamic Human Rights office and one to the Tehran Prosecutor General office.

I wrote in my letter that Housein’s life is in danger and if his kidneys get infected once more he will die. I am screaming out loud so the world can hear my outcries.”

According to Housein Ronaghi’s father, in the last couple of months, his 26 year old son has gone under two kidney operations, his left kidney has lost 80% of it’s function and the right kidney has lot 20% functionality.

Ahmad Ronaghi says even in the hospital they continued harassing his son and did not allow proper treatment. He said, “My son was operated on twice in Hasheminejad hospital, they did not allow us to visit him there. They would not even allow the nurses to perform their duties properly, saying that they feared the nurses would aide him to flee.

Housein’s feet and hands were cuffed to the bed and three security agents were at his bed side all the time.

After the first operation, the doctors prescribed one month home rest for him, and after the second operation, they prescribed two months home rest. But unfortunately, a medical furlough was denied and he was taken back to Evin prison each time.

I took all the doctor’s instructions prescribing medical furlough, and a letter by his attorney requesting medical furlough, which is allowed by law, to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court. But they would not allow me to even go upstairs and did not accept my letter either.”

Referring to threats from Housein’s interrogators, Mr. Ronaghi said, “When Housein was in solitary confinement, his interrogators called us every day and told us that they will kill Housein. They said, they wouldn’t allow Housein to survive and that the Judiciary can not do anything about it”.

“When Housein’s case went to court, they told us that we and his attorney would be allowed in the courtroom during his trial.

But unfortunately neither I nor his attorney were present during his trial, and they tortured and forced him to sign and accept his verdict even though he refused all of his charges.”

Housein Ronaghi Maleki’s father, expressing concern and very worried about his son’s health said, “Hussein was in solitary confinement under the worst conditions for thirteen months. He has lost functionality in his kidneys, has a 17 mm gallstone and is not in a good mental health state”.

Even now, he is under pressure in prison and his life is in danger. When we speak with the media or write letters to the authorities, they put more pressure on him asking him, “Why does your father talk with the media or writes letters”.

Even now that you have called, we are under pressure, because according to them, we should not be talking with you and should let them kill my son.”

Ahmad Ronaghi saying that he and his family are under constant threats and their lives are in danger said, “When I wrote a letter to Judiciary officials about my son’s case, my house was attacked and the attackers attempted to assault me. I filed a complaint and witness statement with the local Judiciary but no one paid any attention to it.

Also one night on my way home they attempted to attack me with an ax but I had a shovel with me and they were not successful in harming me and ran away on a motorbike. I reported this incident to Judiciary also.”

Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki said, “Hear my cries, I plead with the Supreme Leader, the human rights activists in Iran and internationally, the Judiciary officials and Tehran’s Prosecutor General to please allow Housein have medical furlough.

He is a scientist and not a criminal. They kept him in solitary confinement for thirteen months, under the worse conditions, and if we speak up they just put additional pressure on Housein. I plead for help to save Housein’s life. If attention is not paid to this matter Housein will loose his life.”

He added, “We used to have a fifteen minute visit once a week. To visit Housein, we have to travel overnight from city of Makan in East Azarbaijan province. We reach Tehran in the morning, visit with Housein and then travel back to Makan.

They have not allowed him to call us. Next Monday we will again go back to Tehran in an attempt to visit him.

His physicians have said, if he stays in prison, chance of success for his kidney transplant is 5%. They said prison environment is unhealthy for him.

I have taken all the letters and instructions from the doctors to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary court and the prison warden’s office but they would not allow me to give these document to the Judge handling his case.”

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

P.S.
Housein Ronaghi, known by the pen name “Babak Khoramdin”, a blogger and human rights activist, was arrested December 13, 2009. He was tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of membership in the Internet group Iran Proxy, propagating against the regime, insulting the Leader and insulting the president

Journalist Issa Saharkhiz Warns: They Plan To Kill The Protesting Prisoners Silently And Gradually

Prominent journalist and one of the founders of Society for the Defense of Press Freedom in Iran, Issa Saharkhiz, has written a letter from Rejaei Shahr prison to the UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur Dr. Ahmed Shaheed urging him to take immediate action and travel to Iran.

Issa Saharkhiz was violently arrested in July of 2009 during which time he suffered broken ribs. He was later tried and sentenced to three years in prison for “insulting the Supreme Leader and the regime”, banned from any and all political and journalistic activities for five years and prohibited from leaving the country for one year.

Following is translation of the letter from Isa Saharkhiz to Dr. Shaheed:

Dear Mr. Shaheed,

With greetings,

I, Issa Saharkhiz, one of the political prisoners arrested after the 2009 coupe election, after having served half of my prison sentence, have not been allowed to use my legal right of having even a single day leave from prison for needed medical treatment.

Mr. Ahmed Shaheed,

The news of your selection as the UN Human Rights Special Rapporteur to Iran was heart warming for me and many of other political prisoners, for we hope that you will be our voice in informing the public of the deplorable conditions of the prisons in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Mr. Ahmed Shaeef,

What is happening now in the Islamic Republic prisons is a crime against humanity and not any less than the Stalin’s inhumane treatment of prisoners in the forced labor camps of Siberia.

This treatment is not solely limited to the political prisoners, but the situation for the general prisoners is no less disastrous.

You have probably heard of the horrible death of Hoda Saber who died while on hunger strike after being beaten by prison personnel. Prior to that, you must have heard of Mohsen Dokmechi’s death.

You probably also are somewhat aware of my medical situation and are aware that they won’t even allow me to be hospitalized for my needed medical treatment, so I will not go into the details of my medical case.

My purpose for writing this letter is to remind you that such a dire situation exists that another tragic event could occur at any moment. For it is apparent to me and my fellow inmates that the strategy and objective of the authorities is “to kill the protesting prisoners silently and gradually”.

They have made a deliberate decision to destroy us and have planned a silent death for us, because they fear our survival even behind these walls and bars.

You, in the name humanity and because of the responsibility that has been bestowed upon you, are obligated to use everything in your power and act immediately to inform the public of the heinous acts that goes on behind these walls.

I hope you realize the value of time in this matter and know that any delay in taking an action will result in the death of more political prisoners.

Therefore, I urge you to take action immediately and travel to Iran without any further delay. If the authorities prevent you visiting with the political prisoners, that will only show another disgraceful act by a regime that is built on the foundation of lies.

Issa Saharkhiz
Tir 1390
Rejaei Shahr prison

Source: http://onlymehdi.posterous.com/60534220

Life Of 3 Political Prisoners In Danger, Say Tabarzadeh, Ronaghi Maleki And Sharifi Families

In an interview with Freshteh Ghazi of Roozonline, families of three political prisoners warn of their deteriorating physical condition.

Families of Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, Housein Ronaghi Maleki and Kamal Sharifi warn that the lives of these political prisoners are in danger and they fear that a disaster such as Hoda Saber’s faith awaits them.

National and religious activist Hoda Saber died due to lack of proper medical care while on a hunger strike protesting the death of Haleh Sahabi who was killed during her father’s funeral while she was on furlough.

Saber is not the only political prisoner that has lost his life due to lack of medical care in the Islamic Republic’s prisons.

Manouchehr Mohammadi, Heshmat Saran and Omid Reza Mir Siyafi have also lost their lives as a result of lack of medical care in prison.

Heshmatollah Tabarzadi’s Heart Disease

In an interview with Roozonline, Heshmatollah Tabarzadi’s son said his father suffers from heart condition in prison and he is asking the international institutions to not let another tragedy occur in prison.

Tabarzadi, the Secretary-General of the Democratic Front of Iran is sentenced to eight years and has been in prison for two years now.

Ali Tabarzadi says his father is in very poor physical condition suffering from heart disease. He says even the EKG taken from his father in Rejaei Shahr medical clinic shows he suffers from heart disease.

He adds, “the reason for his father’s heart disease is the extreme physical and psychological stress that he has endured in prison.”

“Currently phone communications with Rejaei Shahr prisoners are banned, visitations are short and are from behind a glass window. My father is currently in a ward located in the basement of Rejaei Shahr prison. We constantly hear horrible news of prisoner beatings in this ward which adds to our worries and concern.”

Ali Tabarzadi says his father considers his arrest and detention illegal and will not request a medical leave as long as he is being kept in prison illegally.

Ali Tabarzadi says they found out about his father’s poor physical health two days ago but have not been able to obtain any more information. “Phone communications are banned, authorities will not give any answers and we don’t know what condition my father is in. His attorneys have been imprisoned or disbarred. His attorney Nasrin Sotoudeh has been imprisoned, Pourfazel is ill and Jahan Biglou is disbarred. We have to find new attorneys to pursue my father’s case.”

No News From Housein Ronaghi Maleki

Housein Ronaghi Maleki is another political prisoner in poor physical condition. His family has told Rooz they are worried about loosing their son.

Housein Ronaghi, known by the pen name “Babak Khoramdin”, a blogger and human rights activist, was arrested December 13, 2009. He was tried and sentenced to 15 years in prison on charges of membership in the Internet group Iran Proxy, propagating against the regime, insulting the Leader and insulting the president.

His attorney Mohamad Dadkhah has said many times that Housein is a genius and does not belong in a prison.

On June 21, 2011, Housein was returned to Evin against the advise of his physicians after undergoing kidney surgery.

Housein’s mother told Rooz they received a phone call from prison telling them Housein has suffered a seizure but they have not been able to find out any more information.

Housein’s father Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki told Rooz they have no further information regarding his son. He said “They won’t give us any answers and they wont let us contact Housein; we don’t know his current status”.

Housein’s father adds: “Evin authorities won’t give us any answers, nor will the Prosecutor’s office give us any answers. Today we went to Medical Examiner’s office, they told us either the judge or the Prosecutors office will have to request information and they have not made such request as of yet. I called the Prosecutor’s office and his office manager said the Prosecutor has denied Housein’s medical furlough”.

Mr. Ronaghi adds that his son’s interrogator and Judge Pirabbasi’s office manager refuse to allow his son a medical furlough.

Mr. Roghani says that once bail was set, they did post bail but Housein was still not released. Mr. Roghani continues that on Wednesday he went to the Prosecutor’s office and told them about Husein’s seizure. He was told they had sent a medical team to check on him, that he is fine and not to worry, but “we don’t believe them.”

Mr. Ronaghi says, “If Housein is doing well, then why won’t they let him call us and tell us he is doing well? Both of Housein’s kidneys have been damaged. He has had two operations and doctors have prescribed medical leave for him. He suffers from a burning sensation during urination and also has a 17 mm gallstone. He needs to be treated and medical leave is his legal right”.

“They are denying his legal rights and when we give interviews about his situation they put Housein under more pressure. What can we do? Do we have any other alternative? I am afraid that my son will loose his life and no one seems to be concern.”

Mr. Ronaghi says his son needs medical treatment, “but for now, we urge them to allow him to call us so we can hear his voice and at least know that he is alive”.

“We can not stand this much worry any longer. What kind of law and Islamic system is this. We are extremely worried. We are praying that what happened to Hoda Saber does not happen to another prisoner or to our son.”

Kamal Sharifi Continues To Be On Hunger Strike:

Kurdish prisoner Kamal Sharifi is another prisoner that whose family is worried and concerned about his health. According to his family he continues to be on hunger strike in Minab prison.

Journalist and political activist Kamal Sharifi has been in prison for four years now. He was sentenced by the Revolutionary Court in Saghes to 30 years in prison.

Kamal Sharifi’s father Bayazid Sharifi tells Rooz he has no information about current status of his son. He says he heard the news of his son’s hunger strike from the media. He went to the Intelligence Ministry’s office but was not allowed in. He went to the Prosecutor’s office but did not receive any answers.

Mr Sharifi says he went to the Judge’s office handling his son’s case and asked for at least be allowed to have “a five minute visit with him so we can persuade him to end his hunger strike”, but was told by the judge “No, let him die”. “What can we do? They wont give us any answers, we don’t know what condition my son is in now.”

Mr. Sharifi says, the only news they have is that his son is still on hunger strike and was taken to the prison’s medical clinic. “We don’t know if he is in solitary confinement or is in the clinic, we don’t know his physical condition.”

“No one will give us any answer. We even went to the office of the Leader’s representative in Saghez seeking his help. They didn’t allow us to see him but took a letter from us and said they will pursue the matter, but we have not heard anything from them yet.”

Mr. Sharifi says, “we are extremely worried. My wife is crying all the time and is in very bad emotional state.

I don’t know what else to do. To whom can I tell about our suffering? We just want a few minutes with our son so we can urge him to end his hunger strike.”

Mr. Sharifi says, it’s been three years since he has seen his son. Since his arrest four years ago, they only saw him once in front of the prison when he was transferred from Sanandaj to Saghez prison.

“What crime have we committed? My son is a journalist. What has he done that they treat us in this way? If anything happens to my son, who is going to be held accountable?”

Mr. Sharifi told Rooz that his son was sentenced to 30 years in prison in exile and banned from visits for the duration. He says his son was only allowed a phone call once a week but they have not heard from him in over a month.

The only information they have is that his son started a hunger strike, protesting being held in a ward with hard core criminals. He has now been on a hunger strike for 39 days and they have heard that he is in poor health and not doing well.

Source: Rooz Online

A Father’s Plea For His Son’s Life: Help, My Son Is Slowly Dying In Prison

In an short interview with HRANA, political prisoner Housein Ronaghi Maleki’s father said he is unaware of his son’s current situation and has only received information about Housein’s dire health situation by information he has received from his cellmates.

Ronaghi’s father says, “in the last couple of days he has gone to Evin prison many times to find out about his son but no one will give me any information, I don’t know what I can do to save my son from this situation”.

Ronaghi’s father says, in his last visit with him last week, Housein was suffering from kidney infection. He had lost control of his urination and said he suffered burning sensation during urination.

Mr. Ronaghi continued saying that they were previously threatened by the interrogators that if we continue to pursue Housein’s case and his health status, they will keep him in prison until he dies.

Mr. Ronaghi told HRANA that his son is slowly dying in prison and he requested for the Human Rights Organizations to take immediate action to save his son’s life.

On Wednesday June 6th, HRANA reported sources have told them Housein’s heath was deteriorating and that he had been shaking and trembling for 2 days and had suffered seizures.

Brief History on Housein Ronaghi Maleki:

26 year old blogger and human rights activist Housein Ronaghi Maleki was arrested on December 13, 2009 and was transferred one day after arrest to Evin IRGC ward 2A solitary confinement where he was held for 10 months.

During his solitary confinement days, Housein was under severe pressure and torture to give false confession which he refused.

According to Housein’s father he developed kidney problem during his solitary confinement where his only source of drinking water was the toilet bowl.

Ronaghi was tried in a sham trial and was sentenced to 15 years in prison by Lower Court, on multitude of bogus charges. Court of Appeals upheld Ronaghi’s 15 year sentence.

Ronaghi has gone under two operations at a hospital outside of prison but each time was returned to prison before he had recovered fully, against the advise of attending physicians.

Housein’s father says that his son has lost 80% function in one kidney and has lost 20% function in the other kidney and he also suffers from a 17mm gallstone.

The Intelligence Ministry interrogators continue to deny Housein medical furlough. His father’s attempts to obtain medical furlough from Judiciary have failed so far. Lack of proper medical treatment is putting Housein’s life if serious danger.

Sources:
HRA NEWS
Human Rights House of IRAN