An informed source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that following the recall of some prisoners who were on furlough, the authorities of Ward 350 of Evin prison closed down the ward mosque during the month of Ramadan. The informed source told the Campaign that the security officials did this to put pressure on political prisoners. He added that there is no news of the fate of the prisoners in solitary confinement.

Prisoners of Ward 350 of Evin prison objected to the prison officials’ failure to observe the procedures delineated by the Prisons Organization pertaining to prisoner maintenance. They also protested the disrespectful treatment and insults of some officials toward the prisoners over the recent weeks. Subsequently, seventeen prisoners went on a hunger strike. Now the ward mosque, where the prisoners had the opportunity to talk to each other has also been denied to them.

The source also told the Campaign that prisoners of Ward 350, the majority of whom were arrested after last year’s post-election protests, used to gather in this mosque to do group prayers. Now, in order to stop the political prisoners from their group prayers, Evin prison authorities have closed down the mosque.

According to the report, the 17 prisoners on hunger strike were not allowed to have visitors nor to use the telephone.