Systematic violations of the right to life
Executions, arbitrary killings, deaths in custody, and death sentences
Two prisoners executed in Shahr-e-Kurd
Two prisoners sentenced to death were executed on Sunday August 2, 2020 at Shahr-e-Kurd’s prison.
State-run news agencies confirmed the executions and quoted the Revolution and Public Prosecutor of the province’s capital as: “At dawn of Sunday August 2, 2020, two prisoners charged with ‘mediated murder’ were hanged.”
Abdolreza Alimohammadi added: “One of the prisoners B.D. and the other one F.A. were detained in 2017 in two separate cases on charge of murder and were sentenced to Qesas (equal retribution) …” (IRIB state-run news agency, Young Journalists Club – Aug. 02, 2020)
Three prisoners hanged at Hamedan Prison
Three prisoners sentenced to death were executed at Hamedan prison on July 26, 2020. Without naming them the state-run news agency said that they were charged with ‘rape’. As the state-run news agency Hamshahri Online reported: “Last week three young men were executed at Hamedan prison…” (Hamshahri state-run news agency – Aug. 01, 2020)
Iran’s official Judiciary news agency announced that Mostafa Salehi, a young man arrested for participating in late 2017 and early 2018 protests was hanged at dawn today in a prison in Isfahan, central Iran.
Mostafa Salehi was one of the protesters arrested during the nationwide protests in 2017-18 in the city of Kahrizsang, in Isfahan province.
He was tried in the 1st Branch of the Isfahan Penal Court and was charged with killing a member of the Revolutionary Guards using a hunting rifle during the protests, and beating and injuring six other people, the judiciary’s Mizan News Agency reported.
“Mostafa Salehi, who had murdered Sajad Shahsanayi with a bullet during the riots of (December 2017-January 2018), was executed this morning upon the request of the victim’s family,” Mizan said.
The Judiciary statement announcing his execution does not reveal any details except the charges brought against him. (Mizan state-run news agency, Fars state-run news agency – Aug. 05, 2020)
Young woman was hanged in Mashhad
A young woman, 32, was hanged in the Central Prison of Mashhad on Sunday, August 2, 2020. The woman identified only by her first name, Mehri, had already served 6 years in prison on the death row. The state-run Shahraranews.ir reported the woman’s execution on Tuesday, August 4, 2020. The executed woman was accused of murdering her husband. (Shahraranews.ir – Aug. 04, 2020)
Execution at Rasht’s Lakan Prison
Prisoner, Mehrzad Rahimi Jalalvand 33, who was arrested four years ago on charge of murder and was sentenced to death, was executed in the morning of August 6, 2020, at Rasht’s Lakan Prison.
An informed source said: “Mehrzad was so innocent. He unintentionally killed his neighbor’s son when the son attacked Mehrzad’s father with a knife and he wanted to defend his father…” (Iran Human Rights – Aug. 06, 2020)
Arbitrary killing
A Kurd Kulbar shot dead at Chaldoran Border
On Friday July 31, 2020, Reza Poor-Ismail a Kurd Kulbar (border porter) was shot dead by governmental forces at Chaldoran Border. He, among a group of Kulbars, was shot at without any warning. (Kurdpa– Jul. 31, 2020)
Death sentence
The execution of 5 detainees of nationwide protests denied
Mohammad Reza Habibi the chief of Isfahan’s prosecutor office denied that five detainees of the nationwide protests in years of 2018 and 2019 were executed.
As lies were posted again that 5 rioters were executed in Isfahan, Habibi restated: “No timing has been appointed for the execution of five rioters in Isfahan which has finished its legal process. The news spread about the execution of this decree is a lie.” (Fars state-run news agency– Jul. 31, 2020)
Inhumane treatment and cruel punishments
Amputation, flogging, torture and humiliation
Horrific tortures imposed on slain Mostafa Salehi
(Political prisoner) Mostafa Salehi who was executed on August 5, 2020 was under torture at prison.
During the last two years, the prison agents had seriously tortured him for compulsory confessions.
They wanted to make him to arbitrary confess to the killing of an IRGC member, Sajad Shah Sanaee.
An informed source said: “Mostafa was hardly tortured, one hand and his both legs were broken. One of the tortures imposed on him was inserting needles under his nails.”
The source added: “He was seriously damaged in neck and spinal cord due to the tortures. They tried hard to make him confess arbitrary under the torture.”
The source continued: “They made Mostafa’s family to keep silence. They told them that if they complained ‘it would be bad for Mostafa’, so they didn’t say anything but we see that eventually they executed him.”
Mostafa Salehi was father to a 6-year-old boy and a 4-year-old girl. (Javanehha.com– Aug. 05, 2020)
Three citizens convicted to an overall sentence of a century in prison and 740 lashes
The culprits charged with robbery were sentenced by branch3 of Khorasan Razavi Province Penal Court to more than a century in prison, 740 lashes, exile and other social deprivations collectively.
Sobh-e-Mashhad state-run website reported: “The head of the gang is called ‘Rahim’ aka ‘Saeed’. As this was a sensitive case it was sent to branch3 of Khorasan Razavi Penal Court and was scrutinized by experienced judges leaded by Judge Ismail Shaker.”
The source reported that these judges indicted the culprits with ‘participation in robbery, attaining signatures by force, and acquiring money by cashing (forcefully signed) checks. They were sentenced to more than a century in prison, 740 lashes, exile, paying heavy financial compensations and deprivation of driving for 2 years.” (Sobh-e-Mashhad state-run website– Aug. 06, 2020)
Prison
Prison conditions
Behnam Mosivand transferred to ward 8 of Evin Prison; his punishment
Yesterday (July 29, 2020) when political prisoner, Behnam Mosivand protested discrimination among inmates charged with embezzlement and the political prisoner, the existence of narcotic distributing bands at the prison and exploitation of poor prisoners, he was transferred to ward 8 of Evin Prison as his punishment.
Mr. Mosivand was sentenced in late summer of 2019 to six years in prison on charge of ‘gathering and collusion with the intention to act against national security’ and ‘propagating against the Nezam’. The decree was upheld by Tehran Province’s revision court. According to article 134 of Islamic Penal Court, 5 years of this decree is executable. (Kurdistan Human Rights Network– Jul. 30, 2020)
Political prisoner, Zainab Jalalian under pressure by security forces
Kurd Political prisoner, Zainab Jalalian is currently confined at the quarantine section of women ward at Kerman Prison. She was able to call her family only once. During the call she was forced by security forces to speak in Farsi.
As her sister puts it: “On Thursday July 30, 2020, Zainab called us at the presence of two security agent and told us that she was not allowed to speak Kurdish and must speak Farsi…”.
Deniz Jalalian described her sister’s condition as: “It is for 13 years that Zainab is imprisoned, being tortured and suffering from several diseases. Most of the pressure on her is to make her to confess arbitrary at the TV and cooperate with security forces…”
Zainab Jalalian’s sister announced: “All the pressure that the security forces impose on her is because she has become a symbol of resistance at the prison and so the pressures on her are increasing.
As Deniz Jalalian puts it, Zainab has been transferred from Khoy prison to Varamin Qarchack Prison, contracting coronavirus there and being in dire health condition. She has been facing shortness in her breath and even has not been able to talk. (Kurdpa– Jul. 31, 2020)
Kurd citizen was viciously battered at IRGC Intelligence detention center
On Sunday August 2, 2020, a Kurd citizen, Jafar Hassanzadeh, 49, was viciously battered at IRGC Intelligence detention center. He was so injured that he was transferred from the city’s hospital to Arefian Hospital in Urmia.
An informed source said that he is in dire health condition. This citizen was detained on Saturday August 1, 2020 by security forces affiliated with IRGC Intelligence. The reason of arrest is not known so far. (Kurdpa– Aug. 02, 2020)
Two political prisoners attacked at Urmia Prison
On the order of Urmia Prison’s warden, some prisoner thugs attacked two political pirsoners, Ibrahim Khalil Seddiqi Hamedani and Salar Seddiqi Hamedani at Urmia Prison and seriously battered them.
A credible source from inside the prison said: “At 8 in the morning of Monday August 4, six mercenaries of the head of the Urmia Central Prison from tdhe ‘health ward 1&2’ by the names of Vahid Afsharnia, Ali Taimouri, Farhad Talschi, Reza Taqipoor, Amir Shir Khoda and Vahid Mohammadi attacked two political prisoners Salar Sediqi Hamedani and Ibrahim Khalil Seddiqi Hamedani, battered and injured them.”
The source added: “This attack was under the supervision and command of Amir Baigi, the manager for prison’s internal affairs and on the order of the prison’s warden…The two political prisoners while injured and without receiving any medical care were taken to quarantine ward to be tortured.”
The two had formerly contracted coronavirus and again had received no medical treatment.
Ibrahim Sediqi Hamedani was arrested in late winter of 2019 along with his two children; Salar (m) and Maryam aka Mahsa (fe) by security forces in Urmia. On September 18, 2019, without having access even to a governmental appointed lawyer, they were each sentenced to 15 years in prison on charge of “being a member of PMOI/MEK”, one year in jail on charge of “propagating against the Nezam” and three years in jail for “videotaping military centers”. (Javanehha.com– Aug. 04, 2020)
Kurd political prisoner threatened by Intelligence Ministy
If Changiz Qadam Khairi, political prisoner exiled to Masjed Soleiman Prison wants to have a medical furlough for being operated on he must cooperate with Kamyaran Intelligence Bureau.
On the other hand, the prison’s authorities object his deployment to hospital for surgery on the excuse of coronavirus spread in the country. This political prisoner is in need of surgery because he is suffering from kidney infection and
mal-functioning. Ahwaz and Masjed Soleiman coroner offices have endorsed the necessity of the operation.
Mr. Qadam Khairi was born in 1988 and was arrested in 2011 and taken to Sanandai Central Prison. After two years he was exiled to Masjed Soleiman prison. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 04, 2020)
Political prisoners at Evin Prison; no separation of crimes
Four political prisoners; Behnam Mosivand, Behnam Mahjoobi, Amir Hossein Mir-Khalili and Jafar Azimzadeh, have been battered in recent days by prisoners of common crimes at Evin Prison.
On Saturday, August 1, 2020, labor activist, Jafar Azimzadeh was spontaneously battered by two common inmates at ward 8 of Evin Prison. When he referred to the prison warden to complain, one of the attackers threatened him to death.
On Thursday, July 30, Behnam Mosivand and Behnam Mahjoobi were beaten by two inmates of common crimes at ward 8 of Evin Prison.
An informed source said: “On Tuesday, July 28, after Behnam Mosivand was summoned to the deputy’s office he was threatened by the deputy that ‘you will never be freed’ and he was threatened that a new case would be opened for him. Behnam Mosivand formerly protested the fact that Mr. Mahjoobi was not given his medication and his medical case was not under pursuit. Eventually on July 30, at the time for prisoners’ count, he was battered by two of his cell-mates getting bruises and scratches in his face and neck.”
On July 26, Amir Hossein Mir-Khalili a supporter of Erfan Halgheh confined at Evin Prison was identically battered by a prisoner of common crimes. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 06, 2020)
Arash Sadeqi; cancer spreads to his shoulder and chest
Political Prisoner, Arash Sadeqi who is suffering from cancer is left unattended at the prison.
An informed source said: “In spring of 2018 Arash Sadeqi got Chondrosarcoma and was transferred to Khomeini Hospital for surgery. After surgery on the order of Tehran’s prosecutor and the pressure of IRGC Intelligence his treatment stopped. His
doctor announced in late winter of 2020 that the cancer has reached his shoulder, arm and the two upper bones of her chest and he was in dire health condition.”
The source added: “In January of 2020, after a three-month delay, Arash had 30 sessions of radiotherapy, but his doctor said that he did need more sessions. But by coronavirus outbreak and most of the hospitals turning to quarantine sites, his treatment was once again postponed.” (VOA news– Aug. 04, 2020)
Prison Authorities Incite Attacks on Political Prisoners in Iran Jails
There have been several attacks on political prisoners in Iran’s jails in the past few days. The attacks were carried out by common prisoners incited and hired by prison authorities.
On Tuesday, August 4, in Evin Prison, several financial convicts attacked and brutalized prisoner of conscience Behnam Mahjoubifar and Behnam Mousivand without any justification. They threatened to kill the latter.
On Monday, August 3, in the Central Prison of Urmia, six inmates incited by the prison’s warden brutalized and wounded political prisoners Ebrahim Khalil Sadiqi Hamedani and his son, Salar.
Since the attack had been carried out on the orders of the prison’s warden and the internal manager, Amirbeigi, the wounded political prisoners were transferred to the quarantine ward, instead of the infirmary.
These two prisoners have been frequently harassed and brutalized during their time in prison. They have already contracted the coronavirus. Ebrahim’s condition became critical on May 27 but the prison authorities did not take any measure to provide them care and treatment. The two prisoners were abruptly transferred to the solitary cells of the IRGC Intelligence on Tuesday, August 4.
In another case on August 1, in Evin Prison, one of the inmates attacked and beat up Jafar Azimzadeh in Ward 8. The inmate convicted for sale of narcotic drugs is detained in a separate hall of ward 8 and had not had any previous contacts with Jafar Azimzadeh.
In the evening on the same day, another prisoner from another ward attacked Jafar Azimzadeh while he was walking in the yard in the outdoor time.
The prison authorities have not taken any measures to protect and ensure safety of Mr. Azimzadeh. Prison authorities usually take immediate and harsh measures to prevent fights among inmates.
The Iranian regime is obliged to keep prisoners in different sections based on the severity of their crimes and their prior records.
Article 69 of the prisons organization’s regulations states that: “All convicts, upon being admitted to walled prisons or rehabilitation centers, will be separated based on the type and duration of their sentence, prior record, character, morals and behavior, in accordance with decisions made by the Prisoners Classification Council.”
But the authorities deliberately place political prisoners beside criminals, endangering their lives.
In a recent example of attacks on political prisoners, in June 2018, political prisoner Alireza Shirmohammadali was murdered at the Greater Tehran Penitentiary after being unlawfully held in a ward with inmates convicted of violent crimes. (Iran HRM– Aug. 06, 2020)
Prison sentences
A labor activist sentenced to two years in prison
Marivan Revolution Court sentenced a labor activist, Bakhtiar Rahimi, to two years in prison.
The court has convicted him to ‘acting against national security and gathering and collusion against the Nezam”.
Bakhtiar Rahimi was arrested on Wednesday November 27, 2019 at his work place at Marivan’s Power Bureau by security forces and was temporarily freed on bail on Saturday December 21, 2020. (Kurdpa– Aug. 02, 2020)
Arash Nasri sentenced to 13,5-years term
Political Prisoner, Arash Nasiri confined at Karaj Rajaee Shahr Prison is sentenced to a 13.5-year term.
According to a decree issued by branch 28 of Tehran Revolution Court on August 5, 2020, which was imparted to him at person, he is sentenced to 6 years in jail on charge of “membership in a dissident group and effective cooperation with intention to act against National Security”; on charge of “carrying and keeping undiscovered illegal weapons and ammunition” he is sentenced to 6 years in prison and on charge of “illegal departure from and entrance to the country” to 1.5 year in prison; the total of 13.5 years.
Arash Nasri was arrested on December 20, 2019 by IRGC Intelligence agents at his home in Varamin city and was transferred to Karaj Rajaee-Shahr Prison on January 28, 2020 when his interrogation was over. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 05, 2020)
Arbitrary arrests
Three locals of Mahshahr port arrested
Three locals of Mahshahr port at Khuzestan Province were arrested on Saturday July 25, 2020 and transferred to an unknown location.
They are identified as Ali Batrani son of Khalil, Hossein Batrani son of Khalil and Sadegh (surname not known).
The reason of arrests and, the organ making the arrests and their whereabouts is not known yet. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 01, 2020)
Six admins advertising clothing were arrested in Ardebil Province
Chief of Cyber Police (FATA) of Ardebil Province announced that six admins advertising unconventional clothing were identified.
Ali Qahreman Tale stated: “Through surveillance of cyber space by the force’s specialists, a group of admins of pages and channels advertising unconventional clothing were identified.”
He emphasized: “Cyber detectives gathered digital documentations and invited the six admins to the police station. Cases were opened for them after appropriate coordination, and were handed over to judiciary authorities for the due procedure. (Tasnim state-run news agency– Aug. 01, 2020)
A citizen arrested at North Khorasan Province
The head of North Khorasan intelligence, Naji, announced that a citizen was arrested for publishing a clip taped of the provinces Social Security Forces (SSF) while they were promoting virtue and prohibiting vice.
He added the person posting and publishing this clip on online pages was arrested in the shortest time possible by the efforts of North Khorasan Province Intelligence Bureau’s agents.
As state-run media had reported, a while ago, that an SSF agents has protested a girl about her veil in one of the Bojnoord’s shops and the clip was posted on the page of a dissident of the Nezam which led to objections against the Nezam and the SSF. (Tasnim state-run news agency– Aug. 03, 2020)
Kermanshah Province; 4 youths and juveniles arrested
During last week a juvenile and three young Kurds were arrested by Kermanshah province’s social forces.
Parsa Rostami, 17 is charged with membership in a Kurdish party and was arrested in Paveh by security forces. This juvenile was sent to the Kermanshah Correction and Training Center. Is bail being 180 million tomans. (Kurdpa– Aug. 07, 2020)
On August 6, 2020, three young Kurds; Arash Darabi 18, Yahya Seidmoradi 19 and Afshin Seimoradi 20, were detained.
An informed source said: “In the morning of August 5, a convoy of Special Security Forces surrounded Darab Village and without having a warrant arrested three young villagers. They provoked fear and while the families were sleep they entered their homes and searched them.”
Though the families are pursuing their cases they could not find out which security organ has arrested them, where they are kept and why they were arrested. (Kurdistan Human Rights– Aug. 07, 2020)
Religious and ethnic minorities
Baha’i citizen laid off for his faith
Baha’i citizen, Kyarash Moini, residing in Shiraz is deprived of voluntarily serving as a fire fighter for his belief.
He has been active there since two years ago and was informed on Saturday July 25, 2020, that the Fire Fighting Organization’s security has ordered his dismissal.
An informed source said: “On Saturday, July 25, his higher rank called him and asked him to refer to him to discuss an issue. He told him that the security section has put pressure for his dismissal…” Kyarash Moeini is 19 years old, unmarried and is a Baha’i residing in city of Shiraz. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Jul. 31, 2020)
Conviction upheld for a Baha’i citizen; 6 years in jail
https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26026/
Branch 36 of Tehran Province Revision Court upheld a 6 year in jail sentence for Ms. Sahba Farnoosh a Baha’i citizen residing in Tehran. She is charged with administrating a Baha’i organization.
Sahba Farnoosh was arrested on November 15, 2020, at the same day of the birth of Bahaollah the Baha’I’s prophet by Intelligence Ministry’s agents at her home in Tehran and was taken to Evin Prison. The agents broke the house’s door and confiscated some of her personal belongings including her lap top and cell phone. Eventually she was temporarily freed on a 200 million tomans bail till her trial. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 05, 2020)
9 Baha’i citizens; 9 years in jail
https://www.hra-news.org/2020/hranews/a-26048/
Kyanoosh Salmanzadeh, Ms. Jamileh Pakroo, Payman Manavi, Payam Shabani, Ms. Parvaneh Manavi, Ms. Elham Salmanzadeh, Hooman Khoshnum, Ms. Neda Shabani and Soroosh Agahi, 9 Baha’i citizens residing in Karaj were each sentenced by Shahryar Revolution Court to a year in prison.
They are charged with ‘propagating against the Nezam’. The decree was imparted to them on Thursday August 6. These citizens were formerly arrested in 2018 by security forces in Karaj and were freed on bail till their trial was over. (Human Rights Activists in Iran – Aug. 06, 2020)
Violence against women
Shops celling open-front and sheer mantua will be closed down
The social deputy of Kermanshah Province’s Social Security Force (SSF) Command announced that shops celling open-front and sheer mantua will be closed down.
Mohammadreza Amooie speaking of clothing being sold in bazaar added: “If you look all over the bazaar, you can barely find a decent mantua that a veiled woman can wear. On the contrary sheer mantua and open-front ones are everywhere on lowest price…”
He reminded: “Beside the allocated organs, people too play a role regarding the veil in the society. Those who are worried about that must warn those having improper veiling and the must promote virtue and prohibit vice.”
Then he continued talking about police’s role in that regard and said: “We act by both promoting and prohibiting measures regarding the veiling.”
About police’s prohibiting measures he added: “Shops selling open-front and sheer mantua will be closed down. Shops have been inspected by Site Police and inspectors of Guilds Room and some shops presenting such a mantua have been closed down.”
He added: “On the other hand we will deal with those with improper veiling. If they don’t change their attire, they will be apprehended and introduced to judiciary authorities…”. (ISNA state-run news agency– Aug. 01, 2020)
Shahr-e-Kurd City; clothing shops under control
Jafar Mardani, political deputy of Charmahal and Bakhtiari’s governor said that 23 organs are responsible for the veil and chastity across the province and stated that “we demand more actions of them.”
Mardani added: “We must control the clothing shops more by the Social Security Force’s department of public sites organization. Clothing with unconventional
drawings on them such as worshiping the Satan must be collected and the violators must be acted against.”
Regarding the situation in the parks of the province he said: “We must not witness men and women being close together in the parks and at morning exercises; for that we must add to our control, surveillance and management.”
Abolfazl Ahmadi the deputy for Promoting the Virtue and Prohibiting the Vice Headquarter speaking about the veiling and chastity in the province continued: “In controlling and confronting the violators, if the case is not defined by the law we must ask the representatives about it and pursue the case.” (Fars state-run news agency– Aug. 06, 2020)
Appendix
Coronavirus in Iran’s prisons
Iran prisons; coronavirus spread and catastrophic situation
Prisoners do not have adequate access to disinfectant material and masks. Prisons being compacted, prisoners suffering from mal-nutrition and, sick and old inmates being vulnerable to coronavirus have worsened the situation.
Reports received from different prisons of Iran shows that their status is catastrophic. In most of the prisons, inmates do not have access to disinfecting material even if they pay for it themselves.
Formerly, prison authorities have claimed that “disinfectant material is for free at the prisons. The prisoners’ temperatures are frequently checked. Rooms were couples met have turned to quarantine rooms and those contracting coronavirus are sent to training hospitals.”
An inmate from Rajaee-Shahr Prison in Karaj said: “There is no free disinfectant material given to us except our monthly ration of bleach which is used for cleaning toilets and showers. The mask, we must by from the shop, if there is any. Some of the guards have coronavirus but still they are here like before. They have cut all visits but the (infected) guards come into the ward for the counting and thus transfer the disease. They have put some trailers in the yard to quarantine the inmates suspected of having the virus. They have closed the wards limiting any movements. In saloon 3 of ward 1 a few have contracted the virus and the whole saloon has turned into a quarantine.”
Another inmate from the Great Tehran Prison (Fashafooyeh) added: “During the second wave of the virus, six inmates lost their lives at Fashafooyeh prison. During the recent days five have tested positive from ward complex No.5. This is the ward they keep political prisoners and the detainees of the recent protests. They don’t give us any masks or disinfectant material. A few months ago they came and told us if anybody
wants to buy such things with his own money, he can write his name down. We did so. There came nothing. The cultural section at Fashafooyeh is turned into quarantine section. Whoever wants to enter the prison whether he is coming back from a furlough or is a new inmate must stay there for 14 days and then he can enter the wards.”
A prisoner from Urmia Central Prison reported: “They give us no disinfectant material. Some inmates have contracted coronavirus and many have well died. The virus is spread throughout the prison and Saloons are isolated. I don’t have an exact number of the dead but they say they are more than 15. Though the Judiciary has ordered furloughs but they decide for it in the province. There is no furlough given here especially to those with narcotic charges no matter what the charge. In Urmia there is no furlough for such people.” (Iran Human Rights – Jul. 31, 2020)
Coronavirus catastrophe and at least five deaths at the Great Tehran Prison
Health deputy for the Great Tehran Prison, Mardi, has ordered the transfer of 1000 inmates from the ward complex No.2 to the ward complex No.5 of this prison causing a great number of prisoners being confined at this ward complex. Having in mind that some of the inmates from ward complex No. 2 are infected with coronavirus this will escalate the number on daily basis.
An informed source said: “At the beginning of the week, 40 inmates were infected, they are no 77 and they are increasing each day.”
On Mardi’s order and by the order of Orooji the head of ward complex No.5, its gym is allocated for confining prisoners who are sick with the virus. They are all in dire health conditions. Three of them have lost their lives and five have been transferred to hospitals.
Eyewitnesses report that at least two inmates have lost their lives at ward complex No.5 after contracting the virus.
The executive deputy of the prison, Kiani, is infected with coronavirus but in recent weeks he has been present at these two ward complexes to oversee the prisoners at their work stations, spreading the virus. (Javanehha– Jul. 31, 2020)
Semnan Province: 10 prisoners suspected of having coronavirus infection
The Dean of Semnan Medical Science University announced that so far 10 inmates are suspicious of contracting coronavirus in this province.
Navid Danaee citing that, stated: “So far 20 cases of the virus infection among the families of prisoners have been reported in the province.” (Mehr state-run news agency– Aug. 03, 2020)
Political prisoner infected with coronavirus at the Great Tehran Prison
Political prisoner, Akbar Baqeri is having coronavirus symptoms. The reports say that he constantly sweats, has fever, coughs and his body aches. At prison infirmary he has been told that he is having lung infection. He is also suffering from anemia and has kidney and liver problems.
The source said: “At least half of the prisoners of ward complex No.5, punitive section 3, saloon 1, have contracted the virus and have fever. They cough and they body aches. In each room more than a half of the inmates are sick.”
Akbar Baqeri was detained on February 21, 2018 in a protest gathering staged by the plundered (customers of regime affiliated organs) in front of the Majlis (parliament) and was taken to ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was confined for 48 days at solitary confinement of this ward under torture and interrogation. After being under detention for four months he was eventually sentenced to 9 years in prison for “gathering and collusion” and “propagating against the establishment”; a decree that was identically upheld at revision court. (Javanehha.com– Aug. 03, 2020)
Political prisoner, Gholam-Hossein Kalbi in danger of contracting coronavirus
Reports received say that a group of the prisoners at ward7 of Ahvaz Shaiban Prison have contracted coronavirus and the virus is spreading in the ward.
Political prisoner, Gholam-Hossein Kalbi, sentenced to life-in-prison who was transferred eight months ago as punishment to ward7 on the order of the head of prison’s security is now in danger of contracting coronavirus. He is in prison now for 20 years and has been deprived so far from minimum medical care.
Being 61, he is suffering from ear infection and not having been treated he is now deaf. He also gets deep wounds in his toes. He has also lost his teeth because of tortures imposed on him and malnutrition.
Mr. Kalbi was arrested on January 8, 2001 at Dezful County and was transferred to the IRGC’s detention center in Ahwaz (Prison No.6 of Ahvaz IRGC).
He was there under torture and interrogation for 14 months and then was transferred to ward 209 and later ward 350 of Evin Prison.
In 2002 he was convicted to death for having connections with PMOI/MEK and on charge of Moharebeh (enmity with God). Tehran Province Revision Court upheld the decree but eventually the decree was commuted to life-in-prion. (Javanehha.com– Aug. 07, 2020)
Appendix
Coronavirus in Iran
Discoordination, mismanagement, and disputes; reasons of the serious rise in coronavirus infections
Minister of Health, Saeed Namaki announced yesterday (August 3, 2020): “When coronavirus’s death toll was 30 persons a day I wrote to the leadership and told him about a three-figure death toll in coming weeks and months. It is predicted that in fall influenza and coronavirus will overlaps up to 80%.”.
Setareh Sobh state-run daily reported: “Today we are facing a mutated and strong virus that in its course of evolution it has turned to a very infecting one and its power of being contagious is 10 folds of its onset.”
The report continues: “Some studies show that the virus has entered Iran from China at least one month before it was officially announced, that is at the end of December. When it was announced, it was too late and in regions such as Qom, Tehran, Gilan, and Mazandaran…it had unabatedly spread dragging people to their deaths. In fact, wrong policy and not giving clear information to the people from its onset has led to discoordination and confusion in governmental health sector…”
The report reads in its other parts as:
“Some officials thought that continuation of shutting down everything can cause economic problems and challenges, so they hasted in removing the limitations and prohibitions since April 11. June was the peak of administrations mismanagement; travelling, going to vacations and then reopening of some universities, schools and religious centers and other gatherings drove Iran into the second phase of the disease. This happened while even at the US where it is the highest rate of coronavirus death and infection they have not yet entered the second wave. Many of the European countries have utterly controlled the disease by seriously continuing the quarantine…”
The report ends with: “It is possible that in late summer and at the beginning of fall, the country would witness the next wave and God forbid, the figure of the (daily) death toll would be four digits.” (Setareh Sobh state-run daily – Aug. 04, 2020)