The number of prisoners dyeing under torture in Iran are increasing
Another prisoner has died in Iran due to the tortures imposed by the Iranian regime’s prison guards. Mohsen Bikvand, who was being held at Karaj’s Gohardasht prison, lost his life under torture on Tuesday night local time. Mr. Bikvand was reportedly placed under cruel torture on numerous occasions by the regime’s agents. He died in Ward no. 6 in Hall 16. As a result of intense tortures, both legs of Mr. Bikvand’s had been broken and he had lost the use of one of his hands. There were also signs that parts of his body were burnt. The images of his tortured body had leaked out of the prison. Another prisoner died on the same manner in prison in Karoon prison in Ahwas. Shahin Rajabi Mourkani, 28, was arrested 8 years ago on charges of clashes with the security forces in Ahwas.
Calls for release of Iranian rights activist ahead of trial
There have been calls for the release of Iranian human rights activist Shiva Nazar Ahari, ahead of the scheduled start of her trial on September 4, RFE/RL’s Radio Farda reports. Ahari has been held in Tehran’s Evin prison since December 2009 on charges of waging war against God (moharebeh), endangering national security, and anti State propaganda. If found guilty, she could face the death penalty. The global advocacy group Human Rights Watch, the American Islamic Congress, and the National Iranian American Council have all issued calls for Ahari’s release in recent days. Faraz Sanei of Human Rights Watch told RFE/RL on September 2 that concern over Ahari’s case is growing. He described the situation as ’critical.’ Sanei said the Iranian judiciary also claimed Ahari has links to the banned Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization. But he believes the main reason for the charges brought against her is her human rights activities. ’Shiva is a member of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters, and as you know a few members of this committee were arrested following the June 2009 presidential election in Iran, and others fled the country, Sanei said, adding that Ahari’s colleague Kouhyar Goudarzi was also in Evin prison. On September 1, the American Islamic Congress named Ahari the recipient of its first Advocate Behind Bars award. The award is given to outstanding civil-society activists who have demonstrated leadership, had an exceptional impact, and are unjustly imprisoned.
A year in prison for possessing videos poking fun at Khamenei
The Iranian regime has given a year-long prison term for two Iranian workers at the Sugar Cane Factory of Haft Tapeh on charges of “insulting” the mullahs’ Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. Harana news agency reported on Thursday that the two received the sentence because their cell phones allegedly contained a skit about the regime’s Supreme Leader.
Neda’s mother: Her eyes will remain open until she obtains her goal
The mother of a young woman whose death last year became a symbol of the anti-regime uprisings in Iran has demanded the trial of her daughter’s murderer by the International Court of Justice at the Hague, the International Human Rights Campaign reported on Monday. Neda Agha Soltan was murdered by the Iranian regime’s agents during a peaceful rally on June 20, 2009. Scenes of her death, which were captured by a cell phone and broadcasted all over the world, provoked an international outcry against the clerical regime’s suppression of the protests. The Iranian regime tried to cover up the crime by producing a number of fabricated footage and outlandish documentaries to silence protests. In reaction to the documentaries broadcasted on state-run TV, Neda’s mother said, “Nobody believes these lies, neither the people of Iran nor the people of the world. I know who the murderer is, but the government doesn’t accept it.” “When I protested against a documentary that said Neda committed suicide, they replied that I should share my complaint with the media. But, what would I say in a state-run newspaper? … I replied that I know who Neda’s murderer is and that is why I will never appear on state-run TV and radio. … They discredited themselves even more by making such films.” Ms. Rostami, Neda’s mother also recounted scenes of her daughter’s death by saying, “Neda’s eyes were open and they will always remain open until she obtains her goal. … If her eyes were closed perhaps her influence would not have been as much. It was her open eyes that shook Iran and the entire world.”
