Friday , 29 March 2024

Where Are Eight Imprisoned Iranian Gonabadi Dervishes?

Iran Human rights – Eight of the imprisoned Gonabadi dervishes in Tehran were transferred to an unknown place 19 days ago and have had no contact with their families and friends. This is against the regulations of Prisons Organization and international obligations.

 According to a close source, since 19 days ago, there has been no information about eight of the Gonabadi Dervishes who were held at Great Tehran Penitentiary (Fashafuye). The prisoners have had no contact with their friends and families which has caused their families to worry.

The names of the Gonabadi dervishes are “Reza Entesari, Mohammad Sharifi Moghaddam, Kasra Nouri, Morteza Kangarlou Bilchi, Sina Entesari, Mehdi Eskandari, Amir Nouri, and Hesam Moeini”.

A close source told IHR, “When female dervishes were beaten at Qarchak Prison on June 13, male dervishes started a strike at Great Tehran Penitentiary, until on August 29, the prison guards beat the dervishes”.

He continued, “Ever since they broke up the strike, there has been no news about eight of the dervishes. Their families try to get some information about their whereabouts, but the authorities say that a new case has been brought against them and they don’t have the right to have visitors and we can’t say anything about them for now.  The dervishes were beaten up and were in a bad physical condition”.

Apparently, the physical condition of the rest of the dervishes, who were beaten during the strike, is also poor. Most of the dervishes are transferred to the non-political ward and the other prisoners are asked to not to interact with the dervishes.

About two months ago, Tehran Prosecutor announced that 285 of the Gonabadi dervishes, who were arrested on February 19, 2018, were issued a verdict.

The clashes between the Gonabadi dervishes and the security forces broke out on February 19 while a group of Gonabadi dervishes were protesting in front of a police station. Hundreds of them were arrested and at least one of them died during his detention. Furthermore, three police officers were killed after a bus ran over them. The Islamic Republic news sources identified the bus driver as Mohammad Salas, and a video was broadcast on TV showing him in a hospital when he confessed to his offense. Mohammad Salas was later sentenced to death three times in the court and his sentence was finally implemented at Rajai Shahr Prison on June 18.

It should be noted that, based on the regulations of the Prisons Organization and the Convention on the Rights of Prisoners, prisoners should have the right to contact the outside world, especially their families.

Article 37 of the Convention on the Rights of Prisoners: Prisoners should be allowed to contact their families and friends with adequate supervision at regular intervals. The communication can be in the form of letters, phone calls, or visits to prison.

Article 180 of the executive order of Prisons Organization and the Provisional and Educational Measures of the Country: All defendants and convicts are allowed to contact their relatives and acquaintances with proper supervision and in accordance with the provisions of this regulation; the communication can be established by letters and visits.

 

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