NCRI, August 25 – The Iranian Resistance today called on the United Nations Secretary General, the High Commissioner for Human Rights and all international human rights bodies to act immediately to save the lives of political prisoners in Iran and exert every effort to get them released unconditionally from the medieval dungeons of the clerical regime.
Due to increasing pressures, including long-term solitary confinement and lack of medical care and essential needs, prisoners are in critical condition and the lives of some who suffer from serious illnesses are in danger.
Mr. Khalil Shalchi, 65, a political prisoner under the Shah’s regime, has been in prison for more than five years for having members of his family in contact with the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran. He was first sent into exile to Yazd prison in central Iran and now is being held in Ward 350 in Tehran’s Evin prison. Despite his serious illness, the Intelligence Ministry has been refusing a request for his leave to receive medical treatment. He would only be allowed a leave for treatment if he repented in a televised interview where he would have to denounce the PMOI and his children’s involvement with the organization.
Saeed Masouri, who has been imprisoned for more than four years, has been sentenced to death. He was transferred from the General Ward of hall one of the Evin prison to Ward 209 in the same prison which is under the Intelligence Ministry’s control. He has been held in a closed environment under constant control with no chance of contact with other prisoners. Since his capture and following the removal of part of his digestive system, he has been suffering from serious digestive problems.
Mr. Hojjat Zamani, 29, who has been in jail since 1980 and sentenced to four times execution, is in an extremely critical state. He was transferred to Gohardasht (Rajaii Shahr) prison in Karaj a while ago where ordinary and criminal prisoners are held. He has been subjected to torture. His two brothers, Khaz’al and Fallah Zamani, and one of his uncles were murdered by the Revolutionary Guards and agents of the Intelligence Ministry for their support for the PMOI.
Valiollah Feiz Mahdavi and Jaafar Eqdami who were arrested in 1980 for their support to the PMOI are also kept under increasing psychological and physical pressures.
Alireza Shariat-Panah, who is suffering from various serious illnesses, was released last October after 11 years of imprisonment in Evin and Gohardasht prisons but he was rearrested just before recent sham presidential elections and taken to an unknown location.
Secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran
August 25, 2005
