Appeals Court Silence for Case of Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi

A source close to the case of Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that 3.5 months after filing an appeal on his sentence, no rulings have been issued. The source told the Campaign that Panahi remains in a state of limbo, unable to work. Last March, Panahi submitted the script for a new film to Iranian authorities, but his request denied.

Lawyer Arrested Based On Revoked Sentence

Mohammad Javad Sholeh Saadi, son of lawyer and former Member of the Parliament Ghassem Sholeh Saadi, who was arrested on 3 April, spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. “He was arrested based on a sentence of 1.5 years in prison for a letter he had written to the Supreme Leader several years ago; but that sentence had been revoked by the Judiciary. Article 18 had been invoked in his case, which revokes the sentence and asks for a retrial. There was also a statute of limitations [on that sentence], but they arrested him and carried out the sentence despite all this,” Sholeh Saadi told the Campaign.

Political Prisoners Transferred to Gruesome Prison to Place Maximum Pressure on Those Detained

Informed sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that several political prisoners and prisoners of conscience have been moved to Ghezel Hessar Prison in Karaj, and are currently detained under very harsh conditions at that facility, even though many of these prisoners are in “temporary detention” and have not received a final sentence. Ghezel Hessar Prison houses mostly prisoners with drug charges and other hardened criminals. An informed source told the Campaign that considering the types of prisoners kept inside Ghezel Hessar Prison, the lives of Mohammad Pour Abdollah and approximately ten other political prisoners are in danger.

Violent Suppression of Protests in Khuzestan Must Stop

(28 April 2011) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed deep concern about the violent suppression of the ethnic Arab population in Ahwaz, Iran, which has reportedly led to the death of dozens of protesters as well as numerous injuries and arrests since 15 April 2011. The Ahwazi Organization for the Defense of Human Rights reported that 48 people have been killed, and hundreds arrested.

According to information received by the Campaign, violence against peaceful protesters has occurred in Abadan, Khorramshahr, Ahwaz, Falahieh, and Hamidieh in the southwestern province of Khuzestan. The Arab population in Khuzestan has been subject of discrimination and severe repression, particularly during the past few years.

Pressure and Torture of Political Prisoner Result in Lung Collapse and Epilepsy

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Fatemeh Alvandi, mother of prisoner of conscience Mehdi Mahmoudian, said that her son has developed epilepsy in prison and is in dire physical and psychological shape. “As you know, Mehdi’s lungs were damaged seriously as a result of the psychological and physical torture he received in solitary confinement. One of his lungs has almost entirely collapsed. The Medical Examiner said six months ago that as a result of that pressure and torture, Mehdi should be transferred to a hospital and treated immediately. But authorities did not accept this at all and didn’t give him leave. With our continued pursuit of the matter and after going to many government authorities, a neurologist and an internist came to see him in prison. They determined that he must receive a brain scan and should receive serious cardiac examinations,” said Alvandi.

Prisoners in Karaj Demand Visit by UN Special Rapporteur to Address Poor Prison Conditions

Following a hunger strike by political prisoners at Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj, Ali Tabarzadi, son of political prisoner Heshmatollah Tabarzadi spoke with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran about his recent visit with his father. “I had a booth visit with my father last Thursday. He told me political prisoners from different age groups have joined the hunger strike and are following it together. He said that during the first week, the hunger strike took place for one day, then two days on the second week, and three days on the third week, and so on, with more days as the weeks go by. This strike will go on until the situation in the prison is noticeable,” said Ali Tabarzadi.

“My Client Is Under Pressure; His Life Could Be In Danger,” Says Mohammad Seifzadeh’s Lawyer

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Marzieh Nikara, lawyer of prominent Iranian lawyer, Mohammad Seifzadeh, said that he has been in detention inside the Orumiyeh Intelligence Office for the past two weeks.  Nikara told the Campaign that Seifzadeh had gone to Orumiyeh for a research project, adding that she [...]

Leading Human Rights Lawyer Detained on Spurious Charges

(24 April 2011) The Iranian Judiciary and Intelligence Ministry should immediately release prominent human rights lawyer Mohammad Seifzadeh, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran said today. The Campaign expressed serious concern regarding Seifzadeh’s baseless detention and reported ill health. He has been denied access to his attorney, and other internationally guaranteed due process rights.

“The arrest of Mohammad Seifzazeh is yet another illegal assault on Iran’s human rights defense community,” said Hadi Ghaemi, spokesperson for the Campaign.

Mahdieh Golroo Awaits Court Decision on Statement Allegedly Issued In Prison

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Amir Raeesian, Mahdieh Golroo’s lawyer, talked about the new case raised at Branch 28 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court against his client and two other prisoners of conscience, Bahareh Hedayat, and Majid Tavakoli. “In her first case, a verdict was issued and she was sentenced to prison, but the case that is currently under review in Branch 28 is raised against her along with Ms. Bahareh Hedayat and Mr. Majid Tavakoli on the charge of ‘propagating against the regime.’ We continue to await hearing about the court date,” Raeesian told the Campaign.

“Human Rights Organizations Should Defend The Rights of Prisoners,” Says Filmmaker’s Wife

In an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Fatemeh Maleki, the wife of journalist and filmmaker Mohammad Nourizad, said she has had no word from her husband for the past month. “My last meeting with Mr. Nourizad was on 18 March, and I have not heard from him since. He was in critical condition with his kidney problem, and [the problem with] his teeth; I think he may have lost all his teeth by now. The day he was recalled to prison, he was scheduled for treatment, but authorities said that we had to take him back to prison, and that they would pursue his dental work there, but it was never pursued and right now I have no information about him at all,” Maleki told the Campaign.