Death Row Prisoner Jafar Kazemi Subject to Severe Torture

According to reports from Human Right and Democracy Activists in Iran (HRDAI), political prisoner Jafar Kazemi has been subject to inhumane physical and psychological torture by security interrogator in ward 209 of Evin prison, to give scripted televised confession.

The 47-year old father of two children has been sentenced to death on charges of “Moharebeh” (enmity against God), organizing and propagating against the regime, and having family ties to previous political prisoners.

Jafar Kazemi was arrested on September 18, 2009 when his taxi was stopped by intelligence agents on Hafte Hoz Square. Kazemi and the taxi driver were forcefully dragged out of the vehicle and physically harassed by the agents.

Kazemi was subsequently taken to solitary confinement in ward 209 of Evin prison for 74 days, where he was subject to severe physical and psychological torture, leading to substantial wait loss, visible injury marks all over his face and body, and continual bleeding from nose and mouth. During the process, he was refused any medical treatment.

Kazemi was also threatened that if he does not conduct the televised confession, his wife and children would be tortured in front of is eyes. Refusing to give in to the interrogators’ demands, he was transferred to the ward 350 of Evin prison after 74 days.

The torture of Kazemi intensified following the Ashura protests on December 27, 2009, as he was further pressured to give in to a scripted televised interview to falsely confess for being arrested on Ashura. During the torture, Kazemi lost two teeth and his hands were severely injured.

Refusing to conduct the interview, Kazemi’s case was referred to section 28 of the Revolutionary Court where he was sentenced to death by Judge Mohammad Moghisei. It is important to note that Jafar Kazemi was previously arrested in 1988 for his political involvement, and was imprisoned for nine years. Judge Moghisei is infamous for his harsh judgement towards previous political prisoners, as he has openly stated on numerous occasions that former political prisoners should have been executed when initially arrested.

HRDAI condemns the physical and psychological torture, and forced scripted TV confessions of political prisoners. We demand an immediate action from United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and Special Rapporteurs on arbitrary arrests, tortures and execution, to save the lives of tens of political prisoners who are arbitrarily sentenced to death.

Human Right and Democracy Activists in Iran

This report is being sent to:

- The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
- The European Commission on Human Rights
- Amnesty International
- Human Rights Watch
-Special Rapporteurs on arbitrary arrests, tortures and execution

Translation by: Banoo Sabz | Persian2English.com