Iran: RSF express Distress over fate of journalists in Evin prison

Iran is the biggest prison for journalists

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is outraged by the lack of transparency and denial of justice surrounding the hospitalization of Mohammad Sedegh Kaboodvand, a journalist on hunger strike since 8 May in protest against his continuing detention and the judicial harassment to which he has been subjected in recent months

Kaboodvand was taken to hospital on 21 May after collapsing in his cell in Tehran’s Evin prison but, after 24 hours of observation, he was returned to his cell. His family was able to visit him today but he was very weak and was unable to remain standing. He is continuing his hunger strike and his condition is very worrying.

Iran: youths released from prison face enormous difficulties

Sho’le Pakravan, the mother of Reyhane Jabbari in Iran

By: Mrs. Sho’le Pakravan

Fereshte Asanlu hosted a gathering of mothers in Iran. We were all worried about a young man recently released of prison and engulfed with heavy debts. For a few days after returning home they see their friends and relatives. Then, real life kicks in. Unemployment, living problems… Let me explain more.

Omid Alishenas, the son of Simin, is a construction engineer. He was sentenced to 10 years behind bars for his activities for labor children! It has been a few months since he has been released from prison under a very heavy bail. However, he remains unemployed.

Months ago when Arash Sadeghi and my dear Golrokh came to my home I asked him what is your job? He said I am unemployed. I said it is obvious there will be no government jobs for you. But what about opening a store to sell goods? He said for such a permit he would have to work for many months to finally earn a profit. I said yes. He also said how do I know how long I will remain out of prison? At any moment they may issue a new verdict and force me to return to prison.

Political prisoners ask the UN to investigate Iran’s human rights dossier

Political prisoners at Gohardasht prison

Nine political prisoners of Gohardasht prison, in Karaj, north of the capital Tehran, have written an open letter and expressed their support for Ahmad Shaheed, the UN special Rapporteur’s report on human rights violations in Iran. 

The letter reads in part, “we the political prisoners not only reiterate and support the contents of this report, but also ask the UN to investigate Iran’s human rights dossier independent of the its’ nuclear and state terrorism files.”

Iran: Nowruz celebration in jails

Ancient Nowruz, Iranian New Year, has already come to Iran. Iranians celebrate their new year at the springtime when the wintery cold and darkness goes away to give way to Iran’s season of   growth and prosperity. The meaning of Nowruz for Iranians goes beyond just a new year to a sort of national identity.

For more than a thousand years Nowruz has brought sprite and happiness to the utmost corners of Iran and love and friendship among its masses. This is why Political prisoners, although enchained in Mullahs jails, show their hope for a free Iran by celebrating Nowruz in their cells.

Three Iranian Kurd activists get 100 years jail in total

 Kamal Sharifi, Mohammad Hossein Rezai, and Afshin Sohrab Zadeh at Minab Prison

Mullahs’ court in the southern city of Minab sentenced three Kurd political activists to long term imprisonment for sympathizing Kurdish organizations and fighting against IRGC. Mohammad Hossein Rezai, Kamal Sharifi, and Afshin Sohrab Zadeh got 45, 30 and 25 years respectively.

Iran: regime imposing continuous pressure on Sunni Baluchi community

Agents of the Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS/VEVAK) and Revolutionary Guards in the region of Sarbaz in Sistan & Baluchistan Province (southeast Iran) are continuously imposing pressure on Sunni Baluchis, especially their youth. Currently it has been more than four months and there is no information of a Sunni cleric by the name of Hafez Abdulrahim Kuhi and his family is not informed of their loved one’s status.

Iran: mullahs deceive int’l monitors visiting Evin Prison

Tehran – Report on deceptive measures practiced by the Iranian regime in Evin Prison to divert attention of foreign visitors.

According to reports received from inside the mullahs’ regime, Evin Prison officials have launched a pool complex and professional sauna in this jail to deceive visiting international monitors.

Iran: Evin prisoners in Tehran denied access to Japan human rights delegation

Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence (MOIS/VEVAK) agents prevented Evin Prison inmates from being able to speak with a visiting Japanese human rights delegation. The warden of Evin Prison described the prisoners as terrorists.