NCRI – A Spanish national court has decided among of others, to investigate the use of psychological torture against the residents of Camp Ashraf.
Camp Ashraf, Iraq, is home to 3,400 members of the main Iranian opposition People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).
The Central Investigative Court of Spain No. 4 said in a ruling released on March 17 that it will probe the psychological torture of Ashraf residents which began in February 2010 using loudspeakers.
The loudspeakers blare round-the-clock threats of murder and mistreatment against the residents. The court will also investigate severe restrictions on medicine, medical equipment and treatment, food, energy, fuel and educational resources for the residents.
It said it will probe the denial of individual rights with regards to the residents of Ashraf as crimes against the international community in the context of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The court ruling summoned Ali Yaseri and Sadeq Mohammad Kazem, respectively the chair and director of the Committee to Close Ashraf at the Iraqi Prime Minister’s Office, along with Lieutenant Colonel Nezar and Lieutenant Heydar Azab.
The individuals are ordered to appear in court accompanied with a lawyer on May 31. Otherwise, a lawyer would be appointed for them in their absence.
Citing Article 29 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the ruling stresses that a government is ultimately responsible for the actions committed by its forces on its territory towards protected persons, which include Ashraf residents.
It added those accused of committing or ordering such serious violations should be prosecuted.
