No News of Six Civil Activists Detained in Iran
Families of six civil activists detained in Iran have no information about their condition since their arrest. Twelve days have passed since the arrest of these six individuals. Security agencies are unwilling to answer to the families, which has caused them severe concern.
The website of Hrana news agency (the news organ of the Iranian Human Rights Activists Association) has reported on the lack of information among families of six civil activists regarding their children since their arrest.
According to this report published on Saturday (October 17), Shabnam Assouri, Alvar Gholi Vand, Neda Pir Khezranian, Arash Johari, and Andisheh Sadri were arrested in Tehran on October 6, that is, twelve days ago. The failure of security agencies to respond regarding their condition has caused concern for their families. Additionally, Loghman Pir Khezranian, father of Neda Pir Khezranian, has been missing since Tuesday, October 13, and his family is concerned about his condition.
The last time families of these civil activists contacted responsible authorities was on Thursday, October 15. They went to Evin Prosecutor’s Office to inquire about the fate of their relatives, but they received no clear response from judicial and security officials. No information is yet available regarding the reasons for arrest, the charges brought, and the place of detention of these individuals.
According to reports, officers searched the homes of some of the detainees and took a number of personal items including mobile phones and laptops.
Hrana’s website states that Shabnam Assouri, born in 1987, is married, a resident of Tehran, and the managing director and publisher of the publication “Agahnama.” “Agahnama,” which is published bimonthly, publishes articles on social and political issues, particularly regarding workers’ demands. Andisheh Sadri, Alvar Gholi Vand, Neda Pir Khezranian, and Arash Johari are other social activists who are active in the field of workers’ issues and demands.
Hrana has reported, citing Iranian student professional councils, that on Friday, October 16, security forces searched the home of Elham Samimi, an anthropology student at the University of Tehran, and confiscated a number of her personal belongings and those of other family members, including books, mobile phones, and laptops. She herself has been threatened with summons and security and judicial action by the officers.
Despite the prevalence of coronavirus disease in Iran, the Islamic Republic continues to suppress and arrest civil and ideological activists.
Recently (Saturday, October 5), Reza Khandan (Mahabadi) and Baktash Abtin, two members of the Writers’ Association board of directors, and Keyvan Bajen, a former member of the board of directors, were transferred to Evin Prison to serve their sentences. According to the Writers’ Association, Reza Khandan (Mahabadi) and Abtin have each been sentenced to six years and Keyvan Bajen to three and a half years in prison.
This behavior by the Iranian government has faced numerous protests both inside Iran and at the international level. A number of Iranian civil activists recently issued a statement calling for a pardon leading to the release of all sick prisoners “regardless of their beliefs and ideologies, fame or anonymity.”
Likewise, a group of Iranian lawyers including Mohammad Seif Zadeh, Zhinus Sobhani, and activists such as Zhila Makundy, Mehdi Mahmodiyan, and Mahmoud Bahshti Langarudi issued a statement calling for the release of prisoners such as Farhad Meysami, Farhad Fahandezh, Mohammad Nourizad, and Nasrin Sotoudeh who, despite being infected with coronavirus or other illnesses, have remained in prison because of their “beliefs and ideologies.”
Source: DW
