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Mounting suppression and pressures on political prisoners at Gohardasht prison on the brink of Iranian New Year
On the brink of the Iranian New Year, Nowrouz, the clerical regime in Iran has intensified suppression and increased pressures on political prisoners at Gohardasht prison in the city of Karaj near capital Tehran. According to National Council of Resistane of Iran’s statement on March 19, the prison’s water has been shut off since Tuesday and the hygienic situation at the medieval prison has deteriorated even more.
Visits with family members have been prevented. On Saturday and Sunday, Gohardasht prison guards attacked and beat inmates, absurdly alleging discovery of drugs and prevention of “setting fire to prison during Fire Festival.” Political prisoners Mansour Osanlou and Behrouz Javid Tehrani have been transferred to solitary confinement. Also Mr. Afshin Baymani has been placed under repeated interrogations.
Mourners Honor Victims of Iranian Election Violence
CNN reported on March 18 that mourners paid respect Thursday to victims of a government crackdown in Iran following last year’s disputed presidential elections, as security forces kept a close watch. Neda AghaSoltan, 26, became emblematic of the harsh government response to protests. It was the last Thursday before the start of Norooz, the Persian New Year, a day on which Iranians traditionally visit the grave sites of loved ones.
At the Beheshteh Zara cemetery in southern Tehran, the mourners included several who paid respects to Neda Soltan, who became known simply as 'Neda' after a video camera captured her final moments on June 20; she was shot to death during a post-election protest. According to other reports on the subject, the authorities made the visit difficult for the people. One of the authorities reportedly was sitting on Neda’s grave and when asked to stop the insult and move, he told the visitors to pay their respect by blue tooth.
Iranian regime plans to execute 6 arrested in protests
New York Times reported on March 16 that six people arrested in December protests will be put to death, Iranian authorities announced Monday, in what appeared to be strong warning ahead of a traditional annual celebration.
