ahwazi members

Ahwazi political prisoners, Hashem Shaabani and Hadi Rashedi, were returned to Karoon Prison on 2nd of September 2013 following sever physical and mental torture by the Iranian Intelligence Service.

The two prisoners including other three were sentenced to death and were prohibited to be seen by their families during last two months. The Intelligence Services had transferred Rashedi on 8th September 2013 and Shaabani in last July from the Prison to unknown place and were tortured. Following their return to the prison Shaabani had suicidal attempt because of sever toture but his friends in the prison prevented him to do so. Shaabani suffers from sever depression and speaking problem, dysphonia, due to severe torture.

Rashedi and Shabani and their friends, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Jabar al-Boushokeh, and Mokhtar al-Boushokeh were previously sentenced to death early this year following convictions for "corruption on Earth" and "enemy with God". The Arab activists were members of "Al-Hewar" (dialogue) cultural association and were arrested in February 2011 following their involvement in cultural activities and raising awareness of youth in the area.

Amoori (35), the blogger of the association, graduated from Isfahan University with a degree in Aquaculture and Natural Resources. He was one of the founding editors of the student newspaper Torath (Heritage). He was a teacher in Khalafiya (Khalfabad) and fled the country and claimed asylum in Iraq in 2007. The Iraqi authority repatriated him to Iran on 13/01/2013 although he was ranted refuge by the UN.

Amouri suffers from deteriorated physical and psychological conditions and his ribs and four of his teeth were broken and he was prohibited from contacting his family. As a result his parents badly became ill and his mother was admitted to hospital.

Ahmad Shahid, the UN Special Rapporteur on Iran and Cathreen Ashton, The EU High Representative and human rights organisations all condemned human rights violations in Iran particularly against Ahwazi Arabs.

AHRO said that political prisoners were forced under severe torture by the Iranian security officers to give confessions on crime never committed. AHRO insists that Ahwazi Arab prisoners are innocents and call international community to rescue the activists by pressure on the Islamic Republic.

Ahwaz Human Rights Organisation

07/09/2013