Political prisoner Dr. Assadollah Assadi in grave danger in 10th day of hunger strike

HRANA News Agency – Dr. Assadollah Assadi, a political prisoner in Evin is in grave danger due to continuing his hunger strike in protest of his situation.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), This political activist is in hunger strike from Friday, November 16, 2012 in protest of his medical leave rejection by prison's authorities.

Political prisoner Dr. Assadollah Assadi’s attempted suicide two times, once on Sunday March 11, 2012 failed due to prompt action by his cellmates in Ward 350 of Evin prison.

Dr. Assadollah Assadi Daghdegan who has been incarcerated in limbo for more than twenty months, attempted to commit suicide on Sunday March 11, but the quick reaction by his cellmates saved the life of this 49 year old physician.

Dr. Assadi was arrested in Tabriz on July 12, 2010 and was incarcerated in solitary confinement for five months in Tabriz prison.

Dr. Assadi who is accused of cooperation with enemy states, was incarcerated in Evin’s Wards 240 and 209 in solitary confinement after he was transferred to Evin prison from Tabriz.

While in Tabriz prison, he sustained injuries under torture during more than 180 sessions of interrogations.

Dr. Assadi sustained injuries to his kidneys & urinary tract from being kicked in the abdomen and head, and has vision problems from being in dark solitary cells for long periods of time.

During interrogations, he was threatened with execution, with being thrown in the open sewage line, being buried alive, his head pushed into a dirty toilet bowl…. all of which has caused him to go into severe depression.

Dr. Assadi’s being forced to stand for 5 days and nights without even being able to lean against a wall is one of the torture methods which has caused severe mental and physical problems for him.

Dr. Assadi has so far been summoned to Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Salavati, five times to force him to accept in court the confessions he gave under torture.

He has refused to do so and the court has not been able to convict him due to lack of evidence in his case.

Dr. Assadi has passed multiple polygraph tests (lie detector) with results that can not be used to confirm charges on his indictment.

He has severe vision problems, is almost blind in both eyes, and suffers from a bleeding ulcer.

Not being able to withstand all the pressures of incarcerations, Dr. Assadi attempted suicide by taking 20 tablets of 2 milligram lorazepam and slashing his radial artery but fortunately was saved by the quick reaction of his cellmates.

Keeping political prisoners in a limbo status for long periods of time was also cited in UN Human Rights Commissioner Ahmed Shahid’s report, which is rejected by the Iranian Judiciary officials.

Dr. Assadi’s case is one among 12 political prisoner cases that are in limbo status in Ward 350 of Evin prison.

On February 5, 2012, Dr. Assadi was taken to the secret detention center under the control of security forces in Tehran and was interrogated under severe mental pressure repeatedly. He was also put under more polygraph tests. He was returned to Evin Prison Ward 350 after 11 days in the secret detention center.

He was taken to the secret detention center under the pretense of being taken to court. Neither his family, his cellmates, or Evin prison authorities were informed of his transfer to the secret detention center.

New light on death in detention of blogger Sattar Beheshti

Reporters Without Borders, November 26, 2012
Reporters Without Borders, intent on ensuring the death of the blogger Sattar Beheshti does not go unpunished, awaits with great interest the final outcome of the investigation by the Iranian justice authorities.
State prosecutor’s investigation
On 22 November, the Tehran prosecutor’s office published a statement on “progress in the investigation and identification of those responsible for the death of Sattar Beheshti, and its responsibility regarding citizens’ rights”. It described the sequence of events, from the day of his arrest to the discovery of his body in his cell at the headquarters of the FTA, Iran’s cyber police.
“Since the first day of the investigation, the prosecutor’s office has questioned officers implicated in the case and the victim’s fellow prisoners … A number of people, including police officers, those responsible for interrogating him and warders at the detention centre have been charged and placed in custody to enable further investigations to reach a clear conclusion,” the statement said.
These comments mirror those made in the past two weeks by various government leaders but the statement also gives new information about the cause Beheshti’s death: “The latest opinion of the medical commission published on 20 November 2012 indicates, at the current stage of the investigation and with the available information, that determination of the definitive cause of death is not possible, but as no reason or evidence of illness leading to death was observed during the examination of the corpse and the supplementary investigations, the most likely cause of death can be the phenomenon of shock, which if verified, could be caused by a blow or blows on sensitive areas of the body or through severe psychological pressure.”
Reporters Without Borders acknowledges that the latest statement by the prosecutor is a step forward. However, the organization deplores the lack of clarity and transparency. “Vital elements of the case are still missing, and too many questions remain unanswered concerning the cause of his death and the part played by the police and the Iranian justice system,” the press freedom organization said.
“We are afraid that the results of this investigation will be a disappointment and will not lead to the identification of those implicated in the death of Sattar Beheshti. The final result must not reiterate these half-truths with the aim of appeasing national and international pressure. The justice system must allow his family to speak and to attend hearings and the trial must be held in public. The courts must allow the truth to come out.”
Contradictory statements
The prosecutor’s statement was published after a series of statements and denials by various government officials.
Ahmad Shojai, a representative of the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, said in an interview for the Mehrnews agency on 19 November that “although we have not reached a final conclusion, the results of several examinations carried out on Sattar Beheshti’s body indicate no trace of poison or any suffocation (…) In our view this individual died a natural death.”
These comments were initially contradicted by the journalist Abolfazl Abedini Nasr, one of his fellow inmates in Section 350 of Tehran’s Evin prison. Nasr said Beheshti “complained of having been beaten and tortured by the police.” In reprisal, Nasr was placed in solitary confinement in Evin’s high security wing, Section 209.
In a statement issued on 21 November, the Iranian Legal Medicine Organization, distanced itself from the comments of its leader, Shojai, saying “the organization has submitted its report to the justice authorities and denied all statements made in its name about the results of the inquiry”.
Mehdi Davatgary, a judge appointed by Parliament’s national security commission to conduct his own inquiry, told the Mehrnews agency on 19 November: “Even if Sattar Beheshti died of natural causes, those responsible for assaulting him will be prosecuted.”
The Tehran state prosecutor announced on 13 November that several people had been arrested in connection with the investigation into the blogger’s death but did not identify them. The next day, General Esmaïl Ahmadi Moghadam, the chief of police, said they had been brought before the public prosecutor for questioning.
Mohammad Hossein Asfary, a member of parliament’s national security commission, nonetheless told the official news agency Irna the same day that, while seven people had been arrested by the Tehran military prosecutor’s office (in charge of prosecuting crimes by members of the army and police), some had been released on bail of 50 million toman.
Beheshti’s family under pressure
Reporters Without Borders is concerned by the treatment of Beheshti’s family and deplores the vile methods used to silence them and deny them their legitimate right to file a complaint and have access to legal advice.
In an interview posted on the Sahamnews website on 21 November, Beheshti’s mother clearly confirmed that the family was being subjected to pressure and she requested justice for her son.
“They came with an arrest warrant for my daughter,” she said. “They told us to say nothing or she would be arrested. I know that my son was not suffering from any ailment … He was in good health when they arrested him and he was dead when they brought me the body. I ask international authorities and organizations not to leave me on my own. The people responsible for my son’s death must be punished.”
Nasr, the journalist who denied that Beheshti died from natural causes, has been detained since 2 March 2010 and was sentenced in April 2011 to 11 years in prison for his journalistic activities.
He is one of the inmates who saw Beheshti during the 12 hours the blogger spent in Evin prison’s Section 350 on 31 October. After being questioned by a member of the investigation into Beheshti’s death, Nasr was transferred to Karon prison in Ahvaz (in Khuzestan province) on 15 November. He was transferred back to Evin on the Tehran prosecutor’s orders the next day but was placed in an isolation cell in Section 209.

According to his family, he has been on hunger strike since 15 November in protest against these punitive measures. He was moved back into section 350 of Evin prison on 22 November.

بازداشت امید دهدارزاده فعال سیاسی اهوازی توسط پلیس فتا

Omid Dehdar-Zadeh, Political activist, has been arrested by the Iranian regimes Cyber police!

امید دهد

ار زاده از فعالان سیاسی اهواز عصر روز یکشنبه ۵ آذرماه توسط پلیس فتا در اهواز بازداشت و به مکان نامعلومی منتقل شد.

به گزارش منابع خبری، این اقدام پلیس در حالی صورت می گیرد که هنوز ابعاد پرونده جنایت کشته شدن ستار بهشتی توسط پلیس فتا برای افکار عمومی روشن نشده و در شرایطی که احساسات میلیون ها ایرانی از این فاجعه دردناک جریحه دار است و مقامات مسوول در پاسخگویی نسبت به این قتل عوام فریبی پیشه می کنند و خانواده بهشتی را تحت فشار قرار دادند تا از افشای ابعاد این جنایت خودداری کنند، پلیس فتا همچنان به اعمال فشار بر فعالان مدنی در فضای سایبری ادامه می دهد.

امید دهدار زاده فعال سیاسی طی سال گذشته بار‌ها توسط نیروهای امنیتی بازداشت و چندین بار در دادگاه محاکمه شده بود. آخرین بار دهدارزاده در ۲۵ مهرماه گذشته به اتهام اقدام علیه امنیت ملی به تحمل شش ماه حبس تعلیقی به مدت یکسال؛ به اتهام توهین به مسولان نظام به تحمل ۷۵ ضربه شلاق و همچنین به دلیل تمرد و درگیری با ماموران امنیتی به پرداخت ده میلیون ریال جریمه نقدی محکوم شده بود.

Statement by Mr Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights situation in Iran Press Conference – Oslo – 22 November 2012

Good afternoon.

I would like to first of all offer my thanks to the governments of Germany, Sweden, and Norway for unconditionally accepting my request to conduct my latest fact-finding mission in their countries. The mission has been very successful, as I was able

to collect a wealth of valuable information on subjects relevant to my mandate in Berlin, Stockholm, and Oslo.

Over the past twelve days, I have met and spoken with several dozen individuals of Iranian origin, human rights workers, government officials, and academic experts. I would like to thank everyone who took time to share information with me, particularly those who were able and willing to offer first-hand witness testimony related to the situation of human rights in Iran.
I have and will continue to apply rigorous standards in assessing the credibility of every individual account and piece of testimony I encounter. With that said, the credible testimonies I did receive on this trip have largely confirmed patterns I had previously encountered, and paint a very concerning picture of the human rights situation in Iran.

I speak at a time when the execution rate in Iran seems to have accelerated to an alarming pace in recent weeks and months. There are credible reports, in many cases corroborated by the government itself, that the number of executions carried out in just the past two weeks is at least 32, and possibly as high as 81. In October, the government executed 10 individuals, including Mr. Saeed Sedighi, despite impassioned calls from the international community to halt the executions in light of serious concerns regarding due process. I am extremely alarmed by this apparent spike in executions, and I reiterate my call on the government of Iran to adhere to its own international legal obligations in guaranteeing due process and ceasing the use of the capital punishment, except in cases narrowly defined as acceptable by the UN Human Rights Committee for the ICCPR.

I am troubled by the treatment of various minority groups in the country, who all too often bear the brunt of repressive policies. These include unrecognized religious minorities like the Baha’i and Yarsan, as well as recognized but increasingly suppressed religious communities like Christians and certain Sunni Muslim communities. I am also deeply concerned about ethnic minorities, including the Baluch, Kurdish, Ahwazi Arab, Turkmen, and Azerbaijani peoples, whose plights are often compounded by linguistic and cultural subjugation, in additional to political repression.

The situation for women in Iran has worsened in recent months, as new segregationist education policies have been implemented, and women’s rights activists are being harassed and sometimes arrested for various forms of free expression, including for the defense of women’s rights or for educational or cultural expression. A new bill, currently in the Parliament, would extend the age required for women to obtain the consent of a parental guardian for a passport to 40.

The situation for sexual minorities in Iran is also extremely alarming, as the government tightly controls all forms of consensual relations.

The Iranian government continues to harass, detain, and imprison human rights defenders, who are often themselves lawyers, raising serious concerns about the independence of lawyers and of the judiciary in the country. While I was pleased that the government released Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani in September, I was disappointed that only days later, authorities summoned his lawyer, Mohammad Ali Dadkhah, to serve a prison sentence for spurious charges. Ms. Nasrin Sotoudeh, another lawyer and human rights defender currently in prison, is on a hunger strike related to the authorities’ treatment of her family, and I am worried about her condition.

Of course, I am extremely troubled by reports that Mr. Sattar Beheshti, a blogger imprisoned for exercising his legitimate right to free expression, died while in custody, possibly because of injuries sustained from torture. I expect the Iranian government to conduct a comprehensive, impartial, and transparent investigation into his death, to make the methodology and results of that investigation public, and to punish anyone responsible and compensate his family appropriately. I also once again extend this call for investigations to cases dealt with by previous mandate holders, and to the events following the 2009 presidential elections. In this regard I echo the concluding observations made by the Human Rights Committee in their review of Iran last year.

Unfortunately, it appears that the space is narrowing for any independent thought or expression that

Iranian government authorities do not approve of, for any reason, in contravention of Iran’s international legal obligations and, indeed, some of its own laws.
I remain hopeful that the government of Iran will substantively engage the specific findings that I have outlined today, and in more detail in my reports, and that we can work together to reverse these trends and promote respect for human rights, freedom, and rule of law.

I would now be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Imam Hossein knew that he was at a crossroads, having to choose between a life of dishonor or standing up for justice, and he chose the latter. Imam Hossein broke his silence knowing what suffering awaited him as a result of the path he had chosen.

Senior Iranian commander: Iran transfers Fajr-5 missile technology to Gaza’s Hamas

November 21, 2012
TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has supplied Hamas in Gaza with the technology to “quickly” produce longer-range missiles on their own without needing direct shipments, said a report Wednesday that quoted the head of Iran’s powerful Revolutionary Guard.
The comments by Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari offer some of the clearest insights on Iran’s weapons support for Hamas, whose Iranian-engineered Fajr-5 missiles have struck near Tel Aviv and Jerusalem during weeklong battles with Israel.
“Gaza is under siege, so we cannot help them. The Fajr-5 missiles have not been shipped from Iran. Its technology has been transferred and (the missiles are) being produced quickly,” Jafari was quoted as saying by the semiofficial ISNA news agency.
Iran has repeatedly denied it directly supplied Hamas with the Fajr-5. The ISNA report gave no further details on the level of missile know-how sent to Gaza or the channels used.
Israel charges that Iran sends weapons, including rockets, to Gaza through a network of smuggling tunnels under the 15-kilometer (9-mile) border between Gaza and Egypt.
Iran also backs the anti-Israel faction Hezbollah in Lebanon, which fired thousands of rockets into Israel during a monthlong 2006 war.
Iran’s parliament speaker, Ali Larijani, meanwhile, said his country was “honored” that Iran could help Palestinians with “material and military aspects.” He did not elaborate.
He criticized Arab countries for failing to help arm Hamas and other Palestinian group. “The Palestinian nation does not need speeches and meetings. Arab countries should send military aid,” he was quoted as saying by the semiofficial Fars news agency.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei also chided other Muslim nations for not rallying behind Gaza in the latest showdown with Israel.
“Some of them sufficed with words, and some others did not condemn” Israel, Khamenei said, according to the official Islamic Republic News Agency.
Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Gaza over the past week in an operation it says is meant to stop daily rocket salvos by Gaza militants at Israel.
Iran and Israel are bitter enemies, and the two nations are locked in a deepening dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. The West and others fear Iran could eventually produce nuclear weapons, and Israel has left open the option of staging a military strike at its nuclear facilities.

Iran says its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes such as power generation and cancer treatment.

How much time is left?

In the first 3 days, the body is still using energy from glucose. After that, the liver starts processing body fat, in a process called ketosis. After 3 weeks the body enters a "starvation mode". At this point the body "mines" the muscles and vital organs for energy, and loss of bone marrow becomes life-threatening. There are examples of hunger strikers dying after ~50 days of strike.

یک مقام مسئول: خامنه‌ای بیشتر وقت‌ها مقروض است و از محافظان خود پول قرض می‌کند

رسولی محلاتی مسئول "وجوهات و مسائل شرعی" دفتر علی خامنه ای رهبر جمهوری اسلامی گفته است که رهبر جمهوری اسلامی بیشتر وقت ها مقروض است و حتی از محافظان خود پول قرض می کند.

رسولی محلاتی در گفت و گو با تازه ترین شماره ماهنامه "پاسدار اسلام" وابسته به دفتر تبلیغات حوزه علمیه قم درباره معاش خامنه ای اظهار داشته است: "خانه ای از قدیم در خیابان ایران داشتند که آن را اجاره داده اند و همچنین از محل بخشی از هدایا و نذوراتی که برای شخص ایشان می آورند " امرار معاش می کند.

او ادامه داده است: "غالباً هم ایشان مقروض است. حتی گاهی از پاسدارهای شخصی خودشان قرض می کنند. گاهی که نذورات را برایشان می برم، می بینم که مثلاً صدا می زنند: آقا رضا ! بیا قرضت را پس بگیر. نذورات برای ایشان زیاد می آید."

رسولی محلاتی درباره وضع فرزندان خامنه ای گفته است: " فرزندان ایشان هم طلبه هستند و ایشان شهریه ای که به بقیه می دهند، به آنها هم می دهند.

یک بار احساس کردم یکی از این بچه ها گرفتار است. برای آقا پیغام دادم که احساس می کنم بعضی از آقازاده های شما گاهی در سختی زندگی می کنند.

گاهی پول هایی پیش من می آورند که وجوهات نیست و می شود به یک طلبه داد تا درس بخواند. اجازه بدهید گاهی از این پول ها به آنها بدهم. فرموده بودند: چنین کاری نکنید. لازم باشد خودم این کار را می کنم."

احمد زیدآبادی دبیرکل سازمان ادوار تحکیم وحدت به بیمارستان منتقل شد

ادوار نیوز: در پی بروز مشکلات جسمی برای احمد زیدآبادی دبیرکل سازمان دانش آموختگان ایران (ادوار تحکیم وحدت) ساعاتی پیش این زندانی سیاسی به بیمارستان منتقل شد.

به گزارش ادوار نیوز، دکتر احمد زیدآبادی روزنامه نگار و دبیرکل زندانی سازمان ادوار تحکیم وحدت که مشغول گذران ایام محکومیت ۶ ساله خود در زندان رجایی شهر است به دلیل شرایط نامناسب زندان رجایی شهر کرج مدتهاست که دچار مشکلات حاد ریوی شده است و سرانجام پس از چندین بار درخواست خانواده وی برای انتقال احمد زیدآبادی به بیمارستان و درمان وی شامگاه دوشنبه ۲۹ آبان ۱۳۹۱ از زندان رجایی شهر به بیمارستان منتقل شد.

احمد زیدآبادی در ۲۳ خرداد ۸۸ تنها ساعاتی پس از اعلام نتایج انتخابات جنجالی ریاست جمهوری دهم از سوی ماموران امنیتی بازداشت و ۱۴۱ روز در سلول انفرادی بند ۲۴۰ زندان اوین تحت شکنجه برای حضور در دادگاه نمایشی قرار گرفت اما با وجود شکنجه‌های شدید جسمی و روحی حاضر به پذیرش اعترافات ساختگی نشد.

وی در آذر ماه ١٣٨٩ از سوی شعبه ٢٦ دادگاه انقلاب تهران به ۶ سال زندان و تبعید در گناباد و ممنوعیت دائم از فعالیت‌های اجتماعی و سیاسی محکوم شد. این رای در دی ماه همان سال از سوی دادگاه تجدید نظر شد.

احمد زیدآبادی برنده جایزه قلم طلایی سال ٢٠١٠ موسسه جهانی مطبوعات و جایزه جهانی آزادی مطبوعات سازمان یونسکو و گیامورو کانو در سال

وزارت اطلاعات: بين اپوزيسيون جمهوری اسلامی اتحاد شکل نمی‌گيرد

وزارت اطلاعات ايران در گزارشی که روی وبسايت خود منتشر کرده است، «اتحاد اپوزيسيون نظام جمهوری اسلامی» را کار «سرويس های جاسوسی» دانسته و گفته است که اين اتحاد ولو به صورت ظاهری، بين اپوزيسيون جمهوری اسلامی شکل نخواهد گرفت.

وزارت اطلاعات ايران گزارش خود را با عنوان «تلاش سازمان های جاسوسی آمريکا برای اتحاد عناصر شکست خورده عناصر ضد انقلاب خارج‌نشين» منتشر کرده و گفته که «دشمنان قسم خورده نظام اسلامی» در صدد بر آمدند تا به گفته آن، «پس از شکست فتنه ۸۸، با دادن تنفس مصنوعی به فتنه آن را احياء کنند.»

گزارش وزارت اطلاعات ايران در زمانی منتشر می شود که گروه های اپوزيسيون جمهوری اسلامی ايران در روزهای شنبه و يکشنبه نشستی ديگر در پراگ، پايتخت جمهوری چک، برگزار کردند.

در این نشست، مباحثی مانند چشم انداز تحولات سياسی در ايران و گذار مسالمت آميز به دموکراسی، ديالوگ ملی، انتخابات آزاد و همگرايی نيروهای اپوزيسيون، مساله قومی- ملی و ارايه راهبرد، بررسی موانع مشارکت گسترده زنان در فعاليت های سياسی، ايران و روند های جاری در منطقه، وضعيت اقتصادی در ايران و فرجام روند های جاری مورد بحث و تبادل نظر قرار گرفت.

اين وزارتخانه، تلاش گروه های اپوزيسيون نظام جمهوری اسلامی برای برگزاری نشست در «پاريس و لندن» و اتحاد ميان خود را بخشی از اين طرح دانسته و گفته است که «سوخت رفتن پروژه دولت در تبعيد و نفوذ سردار مدحی در عمق اين پروژه، تمامی نقشه های شوم سرويس های جاسوسی غرب نقش بر آب شد.»

محمدرضا مدحی که رسانه های جمهوری اسلامی از وی با عنوان «نفوذی وزارت اطلاعات» ياد می کنند تا پيش از بازگشت به ايران، با برخی از گروه های ايرانی در خارج از کشور ارتباط برقرار کرده بود.

تلويزيون دولتی ايران در ۱۸ خردادماه ۱۳۹۰ مستندی با عنوان «الماسی برای فريب» پخش کرد که در آن ادعا شده بود وزارت اطلاعات ايران توسط فردی به نام «محمدرضا مدحی» به تشکيلات اپوزيسيون ايرانی خارج از کشور نفوذ کرده و «ايده دولت در تبعيد» آنها را افشاء و در نطفه خفه کرده است.

وزارت اطلاعات ايران در گزارش اخير خود می گويد که «مطرح شدن اين پروژه» باعث شد تا به ادعای آن، «عناصر اپوزيسيون به فحاشی عليه هم پرداخته و يکديگر را به مدحی شماره ۲ و ۳» متهم کنند.

اين وزارتخانه برگزاری نشست ميان گروه های اپوزيسيون جمهوری اسلامی در استکهلم، پايتخت سوئد، را «يکی از مهمترين اهداف اين پروژه ضد ايرانی» عنوان کرده و می گويد که هدف اين نشست، «برقراری اتحاد اپوزيسيون از هم گسيخته برای احيای فتنه در آستانه انتخابات مجلس نهم شورای اسلامی بود.»

نشست استکهلم در روزهای چهارم و پنجم فوريه امسال و با حمايت بنياد اولاف پالمه به صورت غيرعلنی برگزار شد و گزارشی رسمی از هويت و تعداد شرکت کنندگان در آن منتشر نگرديد.

وزارت اطلاعات جمهوری اسلامی حمايت بنياد اولاف پالمه از اين نشست را زير سوال برده و می گويد که «خرج نشست را سازمان جاسوسی سيا پرداخته بود» و «حضور نداشتن رسانه ها برای پوشش خبری اين نشست عامل تفرقه و دعوا بين عناصر ضد انقلاب شد.»

اين وزارتخانه نشست «گذار به دموکراسی» در واشينگتن که در روزهای هفتم و هشتم آوريل امسال برگزار شد را «يکی از برنامه های ميز ايران در سازمان سيا» ارزيابی کرده و گفته که هدف از اين نشست، «گردهم آوردن طيف ها و گروهک های مختلف برانداز و محارب و فرقه های استعمار ساخته و ايجاد همگرايی عملياتی ميان آنهاست.»

وزارت اطلاعات ايران بار ديگر اين ادعای رسانه های نزديک به نظام جمهوری اسلامی در ماه های گذشته را تکرار کرده است که در گزارش های خود گفته بودند که نشست واشینگتن، «با پول عربستان سعودی برگزار شده است.»

اين نهاد امنيتی، ايده و چگونگی اتحاد ميان اپوزيسيون جمهوری اسلامی ايران را برگرفته از «مدل شورای ملی مقاومت ملی» و «سازمان مجاهدين خلق» عنوان کرده و در پايان نتيجه گيری می کند که «با وجود اختلافات فاحش، به نظر می رسد به هيچ وجه اتحادی ولو به صورت ظاهری، بين اپوزيسيون نظام جمهوری اسلامی ايران شکل نخواهد گرفت و در حقيقت اين خواب پريشان سرويس های اطلاعاتی دشمن تعبيری نخواهد داشت.»

مسوولان وزارت اطلاعات ايران بارها ادعا کرده اند که بر روی گروه های اپوزيسيون و فعاليت های آنها «اشراف کامل» دارند.

در همين رابطه، حيدر مصلحی، وزير اطلاعات جمهوری اسلامی، روز ۲۴ تيرماه  سال ۱۳۹۰ گفت که «وزارت اطلاعات هم اکنون موضع تهاجمی نسبت به اقدامات دشمنان جمهوری اسلامی ايران اتخاذ کرده است، ايجاد ترديد و شکاف در جريان ضد انقلاب‌های خارج‌نشين از جمله تازه‌ترين اقدامات وزارت اطلاعات جمهوری اسلامی ايران است.»

U.N. experts ask Iran to explain blogger's death in jail

GENEVA  - U.N. human rights experts called on Iran on Thursday to say how Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti died in police custody.

In a case that sparked international outrage, Beheshti who wrote a blog critical of the government, was arrested on October 30 and died some days later after saying he had received death threats and was being tortured in jail.

"It is imperative that people who are potentially involved in committing such gruesome crimes are investigated and brought to justice, as failure to do so promotes a culture of impunity," said Ahmed Shaheed, special U.N. rapporteur on human rights in Iran.

Shaheed and other U.N. experts welcomed Iran's decision to investigate the 35-year-old's death and said the findings should be made public.

"On 6 November, prison authorities contacted family members of Mr. Beheshti to collect his body. Although the circumstances around his death remain unclear, allegations suggest he might have been tortured to death during his investigation," they said in a joint statement issued in Geneva.

Christof Heyns, special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions said whenever someone dies as a result of injuries sustained while in custody, "there is a presumption of state responsibility."

The experts, who report to the U.N. Human Rights Council said there had been several cases reported of detainees dying in custody due to mistreatment or torture, lack of medical attention or neglect.

They called on Iran to release journalists and bloggers jailed in violation of a U.N. treaty on civil and political rights.

Iranian authorities have arrested seven people suspected of involvement in Beheshti's death, a lawmaker said on Wednesday. The suspects' identities have not been disclosed.

The Beheshti case has renewed international concerns about human rights in Iran. In October, the European Parliament awarded its human rights prize to Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer who, opposition websites report, is on hunger strike in prison.

Two Executions in Tehran and Zanjan, Iran

HRANA News Agency – Two men convicted of Murdering and drug trafficking were hanged in Tehran and Zanjan, Iran

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), quoted  from Iranian governmental News Agencies, a prisoner convicted of Murdering was hanged in Tehran on Wednesday, November 14, 2012. And also a prisoner from Zanjan was executed on charges related

They [the ruling establishment] are highly sensitive to web blogs and newspapers, for they realize that expanding the seeds of awareness will eliminate the continuation of a monolithic national discourse, replacing it with the ability for all our citizens to participate in defining the fate of our nation.

Mir Hossein Mousavi – May 13th, 2010

12 Men Hanged in Rajai Shahr Prison

HRANA News Agency – 12 men convicted of drug trafficking were executed in Rajai Shahr prison on Tuesday, November 13, 2012.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), 12 men convicted of drug trafficking were sentenced to death by revolutionary courts of Karaj and Shahriar, were executed in Rajai Shahr prison on Tuesday morning.

One of them was Rajai Shahr prison's ex-guard who was convicted of entering drugs into prison and been sentenced to death.

IHR calls for international investigation into death of blogger Sattar Beheshti and widspread use of torture in Iranian detention centers

Iran Human Rights, November 8: Reliable sources in Iran have reported that Sattar Beheshti, a blogger, died recently as a result of severe torture in detention.
Sattar Beheshti, 35, whose blog’s name is "My life for my Iran", was arrested by Fata, Iran’s cyber police, on October 30. He was charged with "Attempts made against the nation’s security through cyber activities". Beheshti’s family was told to collect his dead body on November 6. According to the family, he was in good health before his arrest and detention.
Beheshti’s body was buried at Robat Karim cemetery in Tehran on October 7. Prior to Beheshti’s burial his body was reportedly seen briefly by at least one eye witness. According to the eye witness, there were visible wounds on Beheshti’s body, including blood stains on sections of his feet and knees. The eye witness also reported signs of trauma to Beheshti’s face and head.
Reports from several sources indicate Sattar Beheshti was transferred one day after his arrest to ward 350 of Evin Prison. There he filed a complaint against interrogators, saying that he had been detained without an arrest warrant and that his interrogators had tortured him. Beheshti mentioned tortures like being tied to a table and kicked in the head.
The reports say that Beheshti’s injuries are also related to other tortures he endured, like having been hung by his wrists from the ceiling. Beheshti spent time in the prison’s medical clinic before he was transferred to an unknown location on the evening of November 1.
Iran Human Rights (IHR) calls for the UN Special Rapporteur on torture to start an urgent investigation on the death of Sattar Beheshti and the reports on the widespread use of torture in Iranian prisons.
Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, the spokesperson of IHR, said: "All the reports indicate that Mr. Sattar Beheshti died as a result of torture while he was in detention." He added: "Torture is very common during interrogations in Iranian detention centers. The number of prisoners who die under torture is much higher than the numbers reported by the media or human rights organizations. Iranian leaders must be held responsible for the widespread use of torture in Iranian prisons."

Reliable sources in Iran say prison doctors are often told to write false death certificates stating drug overdoses as the cause of death for prisoners who die under torture.

Two Prisoners hanged- One In Public And One In The Prison. 27 Official And 47 Unofficial Executions In One Week In Iran

Iran Human Rights, November 13: The Iranian state media has reported the hanging of two prisoners.
The official website of the Iranian judiciary in the province of Fars (southern Iran) has reported the public hanging of one prisoner, identified as F. B., in the town of Neyriz (south of Shiraz) on November 12. The prisoner was reportedly convicted of trafficking 4 kilograms of opium and 4,700 grams of heroin.
A total of 11 prisoners were executed in the province of Fars in the past seven days.
The official Iranian news agency, IRNA reports the hanging of a prisoner in Zanjan prison (western Iran) today. The prisoner was not identified by name.
Official Iranian sources have reported a total of 27 executions in the past seven days.
47 Unofficial Executions:

Unofficial sources have reported a total of 47 executions in Iran in the past seven days. Human Rights and Democracy Activists in Iran (HRDAI) reported the secret execution of 35 prisoners in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad (northwestern Iran) on November 7. HRANA has reported the execution of 12 prisoners in Rajai Shahr prison (west of Tehran) today. The prisoners were allegedly convicted of drug-related charges.

Call on Iranian Authorities to Ensure Health and Rights of Nasrin Sotoudeh and Nine Female Prisoners of Conscience on Hunger Strike

International women activists and women’s organizations have issued a statement expressing grave concern over the health and wellbeing of ten female prisoners of conscience who started hunger strikes to protest illegal and inappropriate treatment in prison. Two-hundr

ed and seventy five individuals and 22 organizations representing 35 countries, have called for the immediate release of these prisoners of conscience. They have also urged the Iranian authorities to ensure the rights of the women while in prison and have called upon the judiciary, security and prison officials to end their harassment of female prisoners of conscience.

Background: On October 30th nine women prisoners of conscience, including journalists, human rights defenders, women’s rights and student activists, went on hunger strike after the prison was violently stormed by guards and the women were subjected to an invasive, unnecessary and illegal body search, that some have likened to an assault. The tenth woman, Nasrin Sotoudeh, human rights lawyer, had been on hunger strike since October 17, to protest lack of in-person visitation with her family and a travel ban placed on her 12 year old daughter. She was moved to solitary confinement against her will on November 4th and as of Sunday November 5th, when her husband visited with her, she had not ended her hunger strike.

There is no news on her current condition, which has added to worries about her health. On November 6th Bahareh Hedayat, Nazanin Dihimi, Jila Baniyaghoub, Shiva Nazarahari, Mahsa Amrabadi, Hakimeh Shokri, Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi and Nasim Soltan Beygi ended their hunger strike. Rahele Zakaii had ended her strike earlier in the week. The 8 women in Evin prison’s general ward, ended their hunger strike, after receiving assurances from prison authorities that the abusive behavior of guards would be investigated. The women also filed a complaint against the guards and have received assurances that authorities will pursue the complaint.The statement, signed by 275 women’s rights defenders and 21 organizations, form almost 35 different countries, appears below:Call on Iranian Authorities to Ensure Health and Rights of Nasrin Sotoudeh and Nine Female Prisoners of Conscience on Hunger StrikeTen female prisoners of conscience in Tehran’s Evin prison have embarked on a hunger strike to protest the illegal treatment by Iran’s security, prison and judiciary officials. Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights lawyer who is serving a six year prison sentence in relation to her human rights activities began her hunger strike on October 21. She is protesting the state's harassment of her family including limitations placed on in-person visitation with her family and a travel ban by the Judiciary issued against her 12 year old daughter, Mehraveh Khandan.

Despite pleas to Iranian officials to end their illegal treatment and harassment of Sotoudeh and her family, no steps have been taken to remedy the problem. Instead some hardliners have threatened and defamed her further in the state controlled media. Meanwhile over two weeks into her hunger strike, Nasrin’s health has drastically deteriorated her wellbeing is at great risk. At the same time, officials stepped up their harassment of other female prisoners in Evin. On October 30 2012, the Women’s Ward at Evin, which is home to human and women’s rights activists, journalists, political prisoners and religious minorities, was violently and illegally raided by 20 special guard forces, who proceeded to insult and humiliate the female prisoners. In response nine of these women have begun a hunger strike to protest the violent and illegal treatment they have received, including Bahareh Hedayat, Jila Baniyagoub, Shiva Nazarahari, Nasim SoltanBeigi, Mahsa Amrabadi, Nazanin Deyhami, Hakimeh Shokri, Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi, and Raheleh Zakaee.

We as defenders of women’s rights internationally and in our own countries recognize that most of the female prisoners in Evin have been sentenced to serve long prison terms as a result of activities in defense of justice, freedom and rights. We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation of human rights in Iran and the illegal treatment of political prisoners, including the women at Evin prison. We the undersigned, express our grave concern over the health of Nasrin Sotoudeh and the other female prisoners on hunger strike. We urge the Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to release these prisoners of conscience and to take all steps necessary to ensure that their rights are fully adhered to while in prison.

We call upon the Iranian Judiciary, security and prison officials to end harassment of female prisoners of conscience and their families, including the lifting of the travel ban imposed on Nasrin Sotoudeh’s daughter. We further call on authorities to adhere to national and international laws and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all prisoners, allow them regular in-person visits with their family members, regular furloughs, access to health care, access to legal aid, and regular phone calls.
International women activists and women’s organizations have issued a statement expressing grave concern over the health and wellbeing of ten female prisoners of conscience who started hunger strikes to protest illegal and inappropriate treatment in prison. Two-hundred and seventy five individuals and 22 organizations representing 35 countries, have called for the immediate release of these prisoners of conscience. They have also urged the Iranian authorities to ensure the rights of the women while in prison and have called upon the judiciary, security and prison officials to end their harassment of female prisoners of conscience.

Background: On October 30th nine women prisoners of conscience, including journalists, human rights defenders, women’s rights and student activists, went on hunger strike after the prison was violently stormed by guards and the women were subjected to an invasive, unnecessary and illegal body search, that some have likened to an assault. The tenth woman, Nasrin Sotoudeh, human rights lawyer, had been on hunger strike since October 17, to protest lack of in-person visitation with her family and a travel ban placed on her 12 year old daughter. She was moved to solitary confinement against her will on November 4th and as of Sunday November 5th, when her husband visited with her, she had not ended her hunger strike. There is no news on her current condition, which has added to worries about her health. On November 6th Bahareh Hedayat, Nazanin Dihimi, Jila Baniyaghoub, Shiva Nazarahari, Mahsa Amrabadi, Hakimeh Shokri, Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi and Nasim Soltan Beygi ended their hunger strike. Rahele Zakaii had ended her strike earlier in the week.

The 8 women in Evin prison’s general ward, ended their hunger strike, after receiving assurances from prison authorities that the abusive behavior of guards would be investigated. The women also filed a complaint against the guards and have received assurances that authorities will pursue the complaint.

The statement, signed by 275 women’s rights defenders and 22 organizations, form almost 35 different countries, appears below:

Call on Iranian Authorities to Ensure Health and Rights of Nasrin Sotoudeh and Nine Female Prisoners of Conscience on Hunger Strike

Ten female prisoners of conscience in Tehran’s Evin prison have embarked on a hunger strike to protest the illegal treatment by Iran’s security, prison and judiciary officials. Nasrin Sotoudeh, an Iranian human rights lawyer who is serving a six year prison sentence in relation to her human rights activities began her hunger strike on October 21. She is protesting the state's harassment of her family including limitations placed on in-person visitation with her family and a travel ban by the Judiciary issued against her 12 year old daughter, Mehraveh Khandan. Despite pleas to Iranian officials to end their illegal treatment and harassment of Sotoudeh and her family, no steps have been taken to remedy the problem. Instead some hardliners have threatened and defamed her further in the state controlled media. Meanwhile over two weeks into her hunger strike, Nasrin’s health has drastically deteriorated her wellbeing is at great risk. At the same time, officials stepped up their harassment of other female prisoners in Evin.

On October 30 2012, the Women’s Ward at Evin, which is home to human and women’s rights activists, journalists, political prisoners and religious minorities, was violently and illegally raided by 20 special guard forces, who proceeded to insult and humiliate the female prisoners. In response nine of these women have begun a hunger strike to protest the violent and illegal treatment they have received, including Bahareh Hedayat, Jila Baniyagoub, Shiva Nazarahari, Nasim SoltanBeigi, Mahsa Amrabadi, Nazanin Deyhami, Hakimeh Shokri, Jila Karamzadeh Makvandi, and Raheleh Zakaee. We as defenders of women’s rights internationally and in our own countries recognize that most of the female prisoners in Evin have been sentenced to serve long prison terms as a result of activities in defense of justice, freedom and rights.

We are extremely concerned about the deteriorating situation of human rights in Iran and the illegal treatment of political prisoners, including the women at Evin prison. We the undersigned, express our grave concern over the health of Nasrin Sotoudeh and the other female prisoners on hunger strike. We urge the Iranian authorities to take immediate steps to release these prisoners of conscience and to take all steps necessary to ensure that their rights are fully adhered to while in prison. We call upon the Iranian Judiciary, security and prison officials to end harassment of female prisoners of conscience and their families, including the lifting of the travel ban imposed on Nasrin Sotoudeh’s daughter. We further call on authorities to adhere to national and international laws and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all prisoners, allow them regular in-person visits with their family members, regular furloughs, access to health care, access to legal aid, and regular phone calls.

Signatories:

Afghanistan

Hassina, Afghan Women's Network - Tariq Sapi, ABC - Wazhma Frogh, RIWPS – Zainab ,SW

Australia

R E Russell, Ruth Elizabeth Russell, Anne S Walker, Beth McMon, Karen Nobes

Bangladesh

Kazi Rabeya Ame, The Hunger Project Bangladesh

Bahrain

Mariam Alkhawaja

Belgium

Nuozzi Cynthia

Canada

Diana Sarosi, Narges Kermanshahi, Rachael Dempsey, Saira Zuberi

Costa Rica

Laurencia Saenz

Colombia

Patricia Guerrero, Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas

Dominican Republic

María Cuervo

England

Kamran Hashemi, Soudeh RAD, Helen Gambold, Syma Sayyah-Afshar, Theresa Evans

Egypt
Claudia ruta, UN WOMEN - Rana Korayem, Rana Korayem, Dina Wahba, Noha Roushdy, Sally Zohney, Yara Sallam

Fiji

Merewairita Naisua-Moci, Fijian Teachers Association - Paulini Turagabeci, YWCA Fiji - Vanessa Griffen, Individual, Matelita Ana Rakacikaci, Noelene Nabulivou, Sian Rolls, Sima Chand

France

Ilène , Ilène Grange - Mathilde Roué, OLF, Amélie SAINTEMARIE, Aurore Valverde, Boillet, Camo, Catherine Charrier, Cathy Lavigne, Cathy Lavigne, Chahla Chafiq, Christele Rebillon, Darmon Léa, Eleonore Hasle, Florianne Garonne, François Léonard, Jean-François DEVANNEAUX, Jean-michel Selle, Justine BOUHEY BERNARD, Laurine Bricard, Léna Olivier, Lydia Narciso, Marie Estrade, Marie-laure Plantadit, Marion Castellanos, Mathilde Bertrand, Quesne Greg, Sarah Werner, Stéphane Thuault, Moussier Marion

Germany

Kadriye Baksi, sehrazat, Anna Dremel, Christiane Alisch, Ismail H. Polat, Rezvan Moghaddam, Rupert Rosenberger, Shokoofeh Montazeri, Stephanie Zorn, Stephanie Zorn

Ghana

Euphemia Akos Dzathor, African Women's Active Nonviolence Initiatives for Social Change (AWANICh)

Iraq

Batool Al- Daghir, Woman Rights Center in Samawa - Ilham Makki, Al-Amal association - Janet Salim Benjamin, Etana Women Organization - Lamia Talebani, VOICE OF INDEPENDENT WOMEN ORGANIZATION – mjareh , muafaq hassan jareh - Noaman Muna, Iraqi Al-Amal Association - Peshawa Lateef, Private - Saadia F.Hassoon , Together to protect Human & the environment Association - Souad Aljazairy, IWMC – SALAR, Al Amal Association - Ala Ali, Iraqi Al-Amal Association - حقي كريم هادي, جمية حماية وتطوير الاسرة العراقية - Hanaa Edwar, Hikmat Hussein, Ta'meem Al.Azawi

Organizations

ALmahaba we ALsalam fourm for student and youth, Iraqi Women Network, Salam AL-Rafidain.org, Women Empowerment

Ireland

Michelle Foley, Front Line Defenders, Conor Scott, Grainne Kilcullen, John Rogers, John Rogers, N. Nakhshab

Italy

Sabri Njafi, Assoiazione Studi e Riceche sulle Donne iraniane, Eleonora Cordovani, Amir Rashidi

India

Aniket Alam, Sonali Roy

Indonesia

Hayu Dyah

Iran

Dorsa Sobhani, Maryam Hosseinkhah, Marziyeh Bakhshizadeh, Naghmeh Gh., Nahid Mirhaj, Saghar Qyasi, Somaye Rashidi, Maryam Ahari, Navid Mohebbi, Parisa Kakaee, Roja Bandari, Sepideh Yousefzadeh, Shadi Sadr, Shahnaz Irani, Sima Hosseinzadeh

Japan

Kaoru Ueda

Netherlands

Krisztina Kovacs, mahshad, Rahman Javanmardi, Cheng Ong

Norway

Asieh Amini

Lebanon
Faysal El Kak, Lebanese Society of ObGyn - Toufic Sarieddine, Toufic Sarieddine, Bassem Chit, Bernadette Daou, Cynthia Aoun, Farah Kobaissy, Hiba Abbani, Lynn Darwich, sarah chreif

Organization

Nasawiya, a feminist collective

Libya

Razan Naeem ALmoghrabi

Oman
Usama, Usama Mohamed

Papua New Guinea

Rachael Tommbe

Philippines
Mary Jane Real

Portugal

Almerinda Bento

Papua New Guinea

Rachael Tommbe

Portugal

Almerinda Bento

Pakistan

Y. Zaidi

Serbia
Gordana Subotic, Women in black

Spain

CEIPAZ

Sewden

Sara Mohammad, Never Forget Pela and Fadime Organisation- Sweden- www.gapf.se – acb, ann-charlotte bjorklund - Anna-Klara Bratt, FEMINISTISKT PERSPEKTIV - Hilde Selander, International Female Film Festival Malmö - Jenny Rönngren, Feministiskt Perspektiv - Nima Korhasani, SKF - Nina Karlsson, HOMA Kommitén - Sabbir Khan, International Forum for Secular Bangladesh - Samuel E Rajeus, Samuel Rajeus - Tahmoures Yassami, Iranian and Swedish Association – Malmö - Tom Toiviainen, from a democracy - Nina Nazanin Karlsson, Iransk-svenska förening, A. Noroozi, Azar Mahloujian, Bengt Backlund, Birgitta Englin, Elisabeth Hellman, Emilie Mikkelson, Eva Nyblom, Eva Svegborn, farahroz Rangbar, Fredrik Elg, Gertrud Wincrantz-Wernstedt, Gursimer Singh, Hanna Jörgensen, Hans Ollaiver, Jamshid Moshkani, Jila Mossaed, Jonas Alwall, Kristina Hultman, KvR, Lady Michelle Einarsson, Layla Khairallah, Lena Olsson , Maj-Britt Pamp, Margareta Johansson, Martin Ullander, Nazi Raha, Peter Nordevang, Ragnhild Blomdahl, Richard Rosengren, sholeh irani, Ulrika Winbäck, Viola Ollaiver, Ylva Rehnberg, Zayera Khan

OrganizationIra

Feminist dialog

Saudi Arabia
Wajeha Al-Huwaider

Sri Lanka

Kumudini Samuel

Syria

Fadi Saleh

Tunisia
Ahlem Belhadj, Association tunisienne des femmes démocrates - Arabya KOUSRI, Chehida Rakia, khadija Arfaoui, khadija Arfaoui

Turkey

Pinar Ilkkaracan, Çiğdem Şahin, Emre Daşar, WOMEN FOR WOMEN'S HUMAN RIGHTS, Arzu Küçük, Derya çiçek, Free İranian, Hulya, Hak Savunucuları, Nihal Boztekin, Asuman, Ayse Coskun, Ayse Ulku Ozakin, Burcu Arıkan, C. Oral Ozdemir, Efsa Kuraner, Enta, Eylül Dizdaroğlu, Ezgitatlıoğlu, Gizem Haspolat, Gökçen Durutaş, Gülüm Albut, Hülya Türker, Işık Ergüden, Mine Sak, Namık Tolunay, Oktay Cicek, Pınar Yıldız, Ronida Heval, Şehlem Sebik, Serap Kalkan, Suzan Bayhan, Elif Can, Raduza, Öğretmen, Ayşe uysal, Dilsah Saylan, Amargi - Elif Berk, Rainbow Women Association/Gökkuşağı Kadın Derneği – Yasemin Öz, Kaos GL – Ağbulak, hayal – Kaan, Burak - Seyit Bilgin, Seyit Bilgin - Iranda kadın hak. Ihl., hak savunucuları

United States

Samuel reshi , haku social organization - Nancy K, CODEPINK Women for Peace - Negar Chevre , Negar Chevre - Elahé Hicks , Partners for Rights – L.A. Hyder, Niki Akhavan, Ahmad Arbaboun, Nayereh Tohidi, Arman Rezakhani, Evelyne Accad, Holakou Rahmanian, James Fine, Jennifer Wiens, Negar Sammaknejad, NuNu Win, Soheil Parhizi, Soraya Fallah, Aida Saadat, Esha Momeni

Organization

WNN - Women News Network, International Campaign In support of Nasrin Sotoudeh, Neda For Free Iran, PersianIcons.org

Others

Iran: Infighting escalates over death of blogger

According to reports by Iran’s state-run media (Fars, Asr-e Iran and Mehr) International condemnation over the torture and death of Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti by the regime’s henchmen has escalated infighting between factions.
“This incident has in recent days resulted in foreign media to make statements in this regard; foreign governments have raised an uproar, why aren’t the Foreign Ministry and Judiciary giving any explanations in this regard? There has been a death and explanations must be given”, said Tavakoli, member of the Iranian regime’s Majlis (parliament).
Kouchekzadeh, another member of Majlis, reacted to Tavakoli’s remarks calling it an embarrassment for the establishment.
Coincidently, cleric Abu-Torabi, Vice President of the Majlis, who chaired the session, gave news of the establishment of a special committee within the Majlis Security Commission to look into the issue.

CPJ demands Iran explain imprisoned blogger’s death

Committee to Protest Journalists
New York, November 9, 2012–Iranian authorities must immediately explain the sudden death of imprisoned blogger Sattar Beheshti, who had previously complained about severe mistreatment in custody, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. CPJ also demands that the government launch a full investigation into the suspicious death and to immediately halt its intense harassment of the victim’s family.

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran

Police arrested Beheshti in late October on allegations that he was “acting against national security,” according to news reports. Beheshti, who wrote about politics and human rights on his own blog, was highly critical of high-ranking officials. News reports differed on the exact date of his arrest, although it appeared to have occurred on or after October 28.
The reformist news websites Kaleme and Saham News first reported the blogger’s death on Tuesday. Authorities told Beheshti’s family to claim his body from the Kahrizak Medical Examiner’s Office, Kaleme reported. Beheshti’s sister told Kaleme that authorities summoned her husband, Beheshti’s brother-in-law, and told him: “Buy a grave. Come to get the body tomorrow.” She said her husband was told that Beheshti had been ill and was warned not to speak to the news media about the death, Kaleme reported. Beheshti had been in good health prior to his arrest, she told Kaleme.
The exact circumstances of Beheshti’s death are unclear. The BBC Persian service, citing an unnamed source, said Beheshti was seen in Evin Prison on October 31 with severe bruises on his wrists. Such bruising can indicate that an individual has been hung from the ceiling by his wrists for a long period of time, a technique known to be used in Iranian prisons, according to the report. The source said Beheshti was transferred from Evin to an unknown location on November 1.
Kaleme said it had received a letter from Beheshti dated October 31 in which he said he had been subjected to “physical and verbal abuse” during his interrogations. The letter also said any confessions he may have made were untrue and extracted under torture, the website reported.
Beheshti’s uncle told Saham News that the family had sought information about Beheshti’s death but was rebuffed and told to keep quiet. Saham News reported that the body was buried on Thursday, but authorities prevented Beheshti’s family from undertaking the Muslim cleansing ritual, during which the body is exposed and washed.Saham said family members were allowed only to see Beheshti’s face for a few seconds before the body was lowered into the grave.
Family members observed a head injury and blood covering the body, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported, citing an unnamed source. The source told the group that security forces confiscated the family’s cellphones, photographed and videotaped each family member present at the burial, and placed the family’s home under surveillance.
The government has not publicly disclosed any details about the death, news reports said.
“The authorities must immediately launch a thorough and credible investigation into Sattar Beheshti’s death,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “His family deserves the truth and should not be intimidated by authorities for demanding it.”
On his blog, Magalh 91, the 35-year-old Beheshti wrote critical articles about the regime, specifically citing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other high-ranking officials for poor policy decisions, corruption, and other abuses. He also accused Khamenei of deflecting attention from regime failures by expressing empty rhetoric about Palestinian rights. His latest posts criticized Iran’s foreign policy in Lebanon and covered the hunger strike of imprisoned human rights lawyer Nasrin Soutoudeh.
In one of his last blog posts before his arrest, Beheshti said he faced constant harassment and threats from the security services. “Yesterday they threatened me, saying I should tell my mother that she would soon be wearing black clothes if I did not shut up,” he wrote on his blog. “I cannot keep quiet even if it means the moment of my death is expedited.”At least two other journalists have died in Iranian custody under suspicious circumstances, CPJ research shows. In 2009, CPJ documented the death of blogger Omidreza Mirsayafi in Tehran’s Evin Prison from suspected torture, although prison officials claimed he committed suicide. In 2003, CPJ documented the death of Iranian-Canadian freelance photographer Zahra Kazemi who died in a Tehran hospital after being transferred from government custody in a coma.

HRW - Iran: Investigate Detained Blogger’s Death

HRANA News Agency – (Beirut) – Iranian authorities should investigate the death of a 35-year-old blogger in custody and immediately provide his family with information about the circumstances of his death. Initial reports suggest that he may have died from ill-treatment or torture.

The blogger, Sattar Beheshti was arrested by Iran’s cyberpolice on

October 30, 2012, when they raided his mother’s home in Robat Karim, 25 kilometers outside of Tehran. The police confiscated a number of his personal belongings, including his computer. The police unit, also known as “FATA,” was established in January 2011 to enforce laws aimed at regulating online speech and content considered to violate Iran’s national security or moral legislation. People who spoke to the family told Human Rights Watch that the family tried to get information about Beheshti’s whereabouts and the reason for his arrest from security and judicial officials, but that they heard nothing until November 6, 2012, when police officials told the family he had died in custody.

“With more than a dozen deaths in the past four years, Iran’s prisons are rapidly turning into death traps for detainees, including people who should never have been behind bars to begin with,” said Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East director at Human Rights Watch. “The onus is on Iranian officials, including high-ranking prison officials and members of the judiciary, to immediately come clean about what happened to Beheshti and punish those responsible.”

The exact circumstances and cause of death are not known at this point, and the authorities have not publicly accepted any responsibility for Beheshti’s death.

His death brings to at least 15 the number of people detained for exercising their basic rights who have since 2009 died in custody or as a result of injuries during their detention from alleged mistreatment or neglect. Human Rights Watch has compiled information from witnesses, family members, and other sources suggesting that at least 13 of them died as a result of physical abuse or torture. No high-ranking officials have been brought to justice for any of these deaths.

According to a report on BBC Persian, authorities buried him in Robat Karim, his hometown, but allowed only his brother-in-law to attend the funeral. A source close to the family told Human Rights Watch that after the family gave interviews to opposition websites about Beheshti’s death, the authorities have put tremendous pressure on the family to stop.

On November 6, 2012, reports surfaced on several opposition sites, including Kalemeand Saham News, both of which are close to opposition figures, that witnesses inside Ward 350 of Evin prison, where many political prisoners are held, had seen Beheshti with injuries on his arms, legs, and face. The unconfirmed reports said that Beheshti had been injured during his arrest and interrogation. The reports indicated that Beheshti’s family, including his ailing mother, became extremely worried about his health and tried to get information about his condition from Evin and other officials without success.

On November 8 Kaleme reproduced a copy of a letter allegedly written bv Beheshti in which he protested his ill-treatment at the hands of Tehran’s cyberpolice. The letter says the police threatened and beat him during interrogation sessions for two days. “I hold [the cyberpolice] responsible for anything that happens to me, and declare that any confessions taken from me were extracted under torture, which I was subjected to during my 12 hours in room 2 of Ward 350 [of Evin prison],” the letter was quoted as saying. Human Rights Watch has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the letter.

In an October 29 blog attributed to Beheshti called “Criticism,” the author said he had recently been threatened over his blogging activities: “Yesterday they threatened me [and said] tell your mother she will soon have to don a black shroud because you refuse to shut your big mouth.” The author, without identifying who is threatening him, wrote that his harassers threatened to do whatever they wanted to him until and unless he stopped writing, but that he would not stay silent. Human Rights Watch has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the blog post.

Officials had previously arrested Beheshti for his criticism of the government during student protests that took place in Tehran during July 2003.

Since 2009, Human Rights Watch has documented numerous cases of ill-treatment, torture, or medical neglect of detainees, some of which led to deaths. On March 6, 2009, Amir Hossein Heshmat Saran, a 49-year-old prisoner at Rajai Shahr prison outside of Tehran, died at the Rajayi Shahr public hospital in Karaj. It was not clear whether Saran died as a result of mistreatment or medical neglect. On March 18 of the same year Omidreza Mirsayafi, a blogger, died in a hospital, authorities said, after doctors diagnosed him with very low blood pressure and transferred him to the prison infirmary. According to reports at the time, his family said he bore signs of ill-treatment, including a broken skull and bruises on his body.

Three detainees – Amir Javadifar, Mohammad Kamrani, and Mohsen Ruholamini – died in July 2009 at Kahrizak detention facility outside of Tehran, which was operated by Iran’s police forces and housed protesters who participated in anti-government demonstrations after the disputed 2009 presidential election and the violent government crackdown that followed. In 2010, the victims’ families and rights activists reported that two other detainees, Ramin Aghazadeh Ghahremani and Abbas Nejati-Kargar, died after their release from the facility, due, they said, to injuries suffered in custody there. Authorities have denied that their deaths are linked injuries at Kahrizak.

In December 2009, a military court charged 11 police officers and a private citizen who allegedly collaborated with the police with murder over the deaths at Kahrizak. On June 30, 2010, Iranian media reported that the military court convicted and sentenced two of the defendants to death, fines, lashings, and monetary compensation to the victims’ families. Nine others received undisclosed prison sentences and fines, according to media reports. But the court acquitted the highest-ranking defendant, General Azizollah Rajabzadeh, who headed Tehran’s police force at the time, of all charges. No other high-ranking security or police officials implicated in the deaths were ever put on trial or brought to justice.

According to Ahwazi Arab rights activists, at least another six detainees have been tortured to death in the custody of security and intelligence forces in connection with anti-government demonstrations that swept across Khuzestan province in April 2011 and again in April 2012.

Hoda Saber, a journalist and political activist who was serving a prison sentence in Ward 350 of Evin prison, died on June 10, 2011, at a Tehran hospital after a hunger strike to protest the death of another political activist who died after security forces attacked her during her father’s funeral. On the eighth day of his hunger strike prison officials transferred Saber to the prison infirmary with chest and stomach pains. The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported that security officials posing as medical personnel severely beat Saber in the infirmary, and later failed to transfer him to the hospital in a timely matter after he had a heart attack.

International and Iranian law require prison authorities to provide detainees with adequate medical care. Iran’s State Prison Organization regulations state that, if necessary, detainees must be transferred to a hospital outside the prison facility. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners require authorities to transfer prisoners needing specialist treatment to specialized institutions, including civilian hospitals.

Both Iranian law and international law require prison authorities to provide basic necessities to all prisoners and to treat them with dignity and respect. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Iran is a state party, prohibits inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

FM EXCLUSIVE: Another tortured to death by Iranian Regime

45 year old Jamil Soidei, an Ahwazi citizen of Iran was recently killed during torture by the security forces of Iran.
According to Human rights activists in Iran, Jamil was working in a welding shop and was arrested approximately one month ago by the security forces.
Still, there is not a single report on what charges this Ahwazi citizen was detained for.
According to some sources, Jamil’s family repeatedly requested for an explanation but was neglected a respond during this period.
Human rights activists in Iran stated that Jamil’s corpse was accidently found by one of his friends in a morgue where his family was later informed.
Jamil’s body has not been delivered to his family where they are still pursuing to find the reasons of his arrest, unfortunately without any result at this time.
Prior to this; Six ahwazi citizens have reportedly been tortured to death.
Previously mentioned report with a similar scenario occurred in Tehran where a man named Sattar Beheshti was tortured to death for blogging and being active on social networks such as Facebook.
He is now buried in Rabat Karim, Tehran.

Iran: 23 executions in two days

HRANA News Agency – Seven men were executed in Shiraz on Thursday, November 8, 2012, five of them publicly. 16 executions in different cities of Iran, the day before.

According to the reports by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Iranian regime hanged 23 men within two days. Seven men were executed in Shiraz on Thursday, November 8, 2012, five of them pu

blicly. 16 executions in different cities of Iran, the day before: 10 men were executed in Evin prison, four men publicly in Shiraz and one in Kerman and one in Mashhad.


All of them were hanged on charges related to drug.


Iran, where murder, rape, armed robbery, drug trafficking and adultery are punishable by death, is among countries with the highest annual record of executions in the world, along with China, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Two weeks ago, an announcement by Iran that it had hanged 10 convicted drug traffickers prompted expressions of concern from the United Nations and the European Union.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was “appalled” by the executions while the UN special rapporteur on human rights in Iran, Ahmed Shaheed, said he was “shocked.”

Shaheed said at the time more than 300 people had been recorded executed in the first eight months of the year but the figure was probably much higher as Iran was restricting information on the number of people hanged.

He reported 670 executions in 2011 in Iran, which has the world’s highest per capita use of the death penalty.

London-based human rights watchdog Amnesty International has repeatedly called on Iran not to execute people convicted of drug trafficking, saying the sentence is excessive.

Three-quarters of executions in Iran involve drug traffickers netted in the Islamic republic’s severe anti-drug laws.

Amnesty reported on October 9 that 344 people had been executed since the beginning of the year in Iran, most of them traffickers. In 2011 it said that Iran had carried out at least 360 executions, three-quarters stemming from drug-related cases.

حکومت اسلامی ظرف دو روز 22 نفر را اعدام کرد

حکومت اسلامی ظرف دو روز 22 نفر را اعدام کر
The Iranian regime executed 7 prisoners in Shiraz city today. 8.11.2012. Total number of executions in the last tow days has reached 22.

صدا و سیمای رژیم: 7 قاچاقچی مواد مخدر امروز در شیراز به دار مجازات آویخته شدند.

خدائیان رئیس کل دادگستری فارس گفت: دادگاههای اول ، دوم و سوم انقلاب شیراز حکم این قاچاقچیان را پس از تایید در دادستانی کل کشور ، اجرا کردند.

5 نفر از این قاچاقچیان امروز در ملا عام و در خیابان های شیراز و 2 زندانی هم در زنـدان عادل آباد اعدام شدند.

گفتنی است حکومت اسلامی روز گذشته نیز 15 تن دیگر را به اتهام قاچاق مواد مخدر در شهرهای تهران و شیراز و کرمان بدار آویخت

Report on the Murder of Blogger Sattar Beheshti

Iranian blogger and activist, Sattar Beheshti was killed while in custody in Kahrizak detention, according to reports from inside Iran.
Beheshti, 35,  was targeted by authorities for his online activities, and was arrested at his home in Robat-Karim in the southwest of Tehran last week. After one week in custody, authorities informed Beheshti’s family of his death, and requested they pick up his body.
In an interview Beheshti’s Mother stated:”It was around noon and I was at home when I heard noises at the entrance of our home.  I opened the door and an individual asked me whether Sattar was home.  Someone yelled while I tried to close the door shut.  I tried to explain that my daughter may not be dressed appropriately, but they ignored my warning, entered the home and confiscated my son’s belongings, computer, notes and manuscripts.”
“They wouldn’t even allow my son to change his clothes before they took him.  I asked one of the agents to untie his hands so he could change his clothes.  They eventually did untie his hand and since that day I have had no news of my son.  I have no idea where they took him. Our relatives informed me that the media outlets had published news regarding Sattar reportedly having bruises all over his body (arms, legs and face) and that the interrogators had refused to grant him medical treatment.”
According to reports from inside Iran,  political prisoners in Evin’s general ward 350, encountered Beheshti, and detailed extensive signs of torture on his body.
In an interview, Behesthi’s Sister stated that authorities had called the house and said;  ”Buy a casket and show up tomorrow to collect his body” they said. That’s it! We know nothing else! We have no idea why they killed him! We have no idea what transpired. My brother left the house healthy. He left voluntarily. Everyone witnessed that he was healthy. My brother never even took headache medicine. He was 100% healthy!”
“”He was my brother! Oh God! Oh God! … He was my brother…  They killed my brother and told us they’d deliver his body tomorrow!”
” They told us not to give any interviews.  We were told not to say a word.  They said he had heart problems. What exactly had my brother done? He had done nothing! What had he said to deserve this?  Three people came on that day. They handcuffed him and took him without an explanation. Not a word was said and it ended like this!”
Before his arrest, Beheshti wrote a lengthy blog post detailing the threats he had received;

They threatened me that my mother should prepare herself to wear black clothes indicating my killing, or that if I didn’t close my big mouth; they would make sure it would always stay opened for prayers.
If I write anything I hear and see, they will deal with me in any way that they want until I shut up otherwise they would make sure that I would be silenced without leaving any marks and signs for anyone to know what happened to me! “You will be in no one’s memory and you are a traitor to this nation!”
My intentions are not against my nation thus I’m not a traitor, I love my people, you are the real traitors in our country who does this to our people!
Day and night they threaten us with phone calls and letters, I can’t be be silenced with every expression because I’m an Iranian! I cannot be silenced against this suffering and tragedy!

A full translation of Beheshti’s last blog post can be read here.
The Farsi version can be found here

Beheshti was not only active as a blogger, but also maintained an active Facebook page, spreading news and information and supporting other Iranian activists.
His activism was not only limited to the internet. He also reportedly filmed the following clip of security forces on the streets in Tehran on February 14th, 2012,  sharing the video online and spreading it abroad.
In a telephone interview, Beheshti’s Sister pointed to her brothers resolve to fight injustice  as the cause of his death.
“Do you know what my brothers crime was? He was humane, and said humanity should endure. My Mother also said, he wrote editorial’s, and wrote for Mrs. Soutoudeh.” [A reference to imprisoned human rights activist Nasrin Soutudeh]
“He saw the pain of society, and he suffered pain from that, he was tired of that pain”.
According to the latest reports from inside Iran, Beheshti was buried, in a cemetery in Robat Karim. His family is reportedly facing continued pressure and harassment by authorties.
The death comes a midst a crackdown against bloggers and Facebook users in Iran, as the regime cracks down on freedom of expression and information. A special cyber task force has been created named FETA, and has been responsible for tracking down and arresting online activists.
Sattar Beheshti stands as an Iranian hero, one who sacrificed everything in order to stand by his principles. His final blog post details the regimes fear of the spread of information, and his commitment to exposing the truth, no matter what the cost.
Behesthi’s concluded his last blog post with the following lines, which are both moving and powerful.

Iranian blogger Sattar Beheshti murdered in prison

Sattar Beheshti, seen with his mother, claimed to have received death threats

The family of an Iranian blogger taken into custody accused of opposition activism on Facebook fears that he has died under torture.
Police picked up Sattar Beheshti, 35, from his home in the city of Robat-Karim in the southwest of Tehran last week.
His relatives said on Wednesday they had received phone calls from the prison authorities asking them to collect Beheshti’s dead body from the notorious Kahrizak detention center on Thursday.
Beheshti’s alleged death cannot be independently confirmed but Baztab, a news website close to Mohsen Rezaei, a senior politician, reported that the blogger has lost his life during interrogations.
“Sattar Beheshti, who was arrested by Fata [cyber] police, has died while being interrogated,” Baztab reported. Iran is recently reported to have arrested a number of Facebook activists. Although Facebook is blocked in the country, millions of Iranians access it through proxy websites or virtual private networks.
Sahamnews, a website close to the opposition leader, Mehdi Karroubi, said Beheshti had died “under torture” during an interrogation session with security officials.
“They called us today and asked us to collect his dead body tomorrow from Kahrizak,” a family member told Sahamnews.
Kahrizak is a detention centre where Iran imprisoned many of the opposition activists caught up in the protests that followed the country’s disputed presidential elections in 2009.
Before his arrest, Beheshti wrote in his blog: “They threatened me yesterday that my mother would wear black because I don’t shut my mouth.”
Speaking to an Iranian journalist, , Beheshti’s sister said: “Last Tuesday they raided into our house and took my brother with them … Today they called my husband and asked him to prepare me and my mother and buy a tomb for his dead body.”
Commenting on reports about Beheshti’s death, the UK’s minister for theMiddle East and North Africa, Alistair Burt, said: “I am shocked at reports that Sattar Beheshti, a young Iranian citizen, may have died in detention in Iran. Beheshti’s only crime appears to be advocating the defence of human rights on the internet.
“Tragically, we have seen many similar cases of Iranians being locked up and mistreated in prison for expressing such views. If these reports are true, this is yet another disgraceful attempt by the Iranian government to crush any form of free expression by its citizens. The Iranian authorities have full responsibility for Beheshti’s welfare in prison and I call on Iran urgently to confirm what has happened to him.”
Many protesters are believed to have been tortured to death in Kahrizak, and several claim to have been raped. An Iranian doctor who examined the victims of Kahrizak was shot dead in September 2010.

Kahrizak became a scandal for the regime when Mohsen Rouholamini, the son of a former senior adviser to the Revolutionary Guards, was named among prisoners who had died at the centre.

Satar Beheshti, Iranian blogger, died in the detainee’s house of Cyber Police

HRANA News Agency – Iran’s cyber police replied to the family of Satar Beheshti, Iranian blogger: “He died in the detainee’s house”.

According to a report by Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), “When Satar’s brother-in-low went to follow his case, authorities told him, tomorrow come to Kahrizak Morgue, to give his body.” one of his relatives told HRANA’s reporter.

“After that, they (authorities) called his family to come to the security police in Shari’ati St. When Satar’s family asked what has happened to Satar, they replied you have not the right to ask questions and shut up. Satar was healthy and had not any disease when he was arrested.” He added.

Sattar Beheshti was arrested by the cyber police on national security charges on 30 October.

Beheshti, 35, is a worker from the city of Robat Karim, 25 kilometers southwest of the nation’s capital Tehran.

He was reportedly active on the social networking site Facebook.

After raiding his home and violently arresting Beheshti, the security forces confiscated his personal belongings, including his computer and handwritten notes.