Amnesty International calls for the immediate release of Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi, one of the signatories of Khamenei's resignation letter

On Wednesday, February 3, Amnesty International wrote a letter to the Head of the Judiciary of the Islamic Republic of Iran, referring to the long-term imprisonment of Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi in solitary confinement in an unofficial detention center of the Ministry of Intelligence in Mashhad, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of this political activist.

The letter, addressed to Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, states that Abbas Vahedian has been "arbitrarily" detained by the Ministry of Intelligence's security forces since September 1st of this year, solely for "peaceful exercise of the right to freedom of expression and association."

According to the report, the 51-year-old political activist has spent the past few months "almost 24/7 in solitary confinement" in an unmarked detention center in Mashhad, without access to fresh air and natural light, and deprived of medical care.

Amnesty International says intelligence agents told Abbas Vahedian that "in order to improve his conditions, he must denounce his political activities in writing and reveal his phone password."

This is despite the fact that such actions constitute torture and ill-treatment of prisoners and are considered a crime under international law.

Amnesty International adds that this political activist already suffered deep injuries to his mouth and gums due to beatings by security forces during his arrest, and faces the risk of "aggravating gum infection and losing his teeth" due to delays in treatment.

His transfer to solitary confinement took place during the coronavirus pandemic, further endangering the prisoner's physical health.

Mr. Vahedian has been sentenced to a total of 21 years in prison on charges such as "acting against national security" and "collaborating with groups opposed to the regime."

Abbas Vahedian Shahroudi is one of 14 civil and political activists inside Iran who, on June 11, 2019, on the eve of the anniversary of the disputed 2009 presidential election, published an open letter calling for Ali Khamenei to resign as leader and for a fundamental change to the constitution. Most of the authors of this letter were eventually imprisoned and received severe sentences.

Source: Radio Farda