Hossein Ronaghi expresses concern for teacher Mahmoud Beheshti on hunger strike

 

I was held in the same ward as Mr. Mahmoud Beheshti Langaroudi, one of the most outstanding and honorable teachers in Iran. When I was on hunger strike he supported and comforted me. As my health plummeted and I was too weak to hold my body up or walk, he took care of me and helped me. I would see the worried look in his eyes as he gazed at me like a father in distress over my physical condition.

Mahmoud Beheshti has been on hunger strike for several weeks in demand of adherence to his legal rights. He also embarked on dry hunger strike days ago, meaning in addition to not eating solids, he no longer drinks any liquids. I am immensely worried for him like a son who knows well what hunger strike means, the same way he was worried for me like a father.

I will share my experience of what hunger strike does to you.

Starting a hunger strike is difficult. The fist few days are agonizing with hunger pains and you lose all your energy. A few days later your vision becomes blurry and when you touch your hair it falls out into your hands. You forget words and talking becomes difficult. Every day this condition worsens as pain encompasses your organs, lungs and kidneys, often leading to bleeding. You feel pressure on your rib cage and it becomes hard to breath. When night falls you have no sleep and when you close your eyes you ask yourself if they will ever open again. Every night you ponder if this might be your last night and wonder if you will wake up again. You are engulfed with fear, but a power from within keeps you going despite all the pain and danger.

Dry hunger strike is much harsher than wet hunger strike; your throat gets parched and no matter how much you try to get some moisture through your saliva, it is useless. Your skin dries up and gets creased. You feel yourself shrinking. Your bones hurt and feel wrinkled. Even your smiles have sadness. You feel like you are crying when you try to smile. With every deep breath you try to take you feel like your life is escaping. You don’t have the energy to speak. You try to think of sweet and bitter memories from your life but the images in your head are blurry and seem to have lost color. The saddest and hardest part of being on dry hunger strike is that you are moving towards death with open arms.

Hunger strike is difficult for the person doing it and it also causes immense stress to those who are witness to it. The heaviest burden falls on the closest confidant who observes a friend getting more debilitated with every passing day. The closest person is witness to the weight loss and depletion of energy as the body dangerously weakens.

I am very worried for an honorable teacher who is a righteous human being.

~ Hossein Ronaghi

 
با آقای محمود بهشتی لنگرودی از معلمان شریف و نیک ایران زمین هم بند بودم و تقریبا طی اعتصاب غذا هر لحظه که من مریض و ناخوش می شدم و نای راه رفتن هم نداشتم من را همراهی می کرد و من از نگاهش نگرانی را می خواندم و چون پدری دلسوز هر لحظه جویای حال من میشد و وضعیت جسمی من او را نگران می کرد.
او چند هفته است که اعتصاب غذا است و چند روز است که اعتصاب غذایش خشک است یعنی آب هم نمی خورد. خواسته اش اجرای قانون است و آنگونه که او در حق من پدری کرد و نگرانم بود همچون پسرش نگران حالش هستم و می دانم وقتی می گوید اعتصاب است یعنی چه! آنگونه که دیده ام می گویم اعتصاب غذا چه می کند:
شروع اعتصاب غذا سخت است، چند روز اول بشدت گشنگی آزارت می دهد و بی حس و حال می شوی. چند روز که می گذرد مثل قبل واضح نمی بینی و تاری دید پیدا میکنی، دست به موهایت که می کشی می بینی موهایت می ریزد، کلمات را فراموش می کنی و در گفتار نیز با مشکل مواجه می شوی، هر روز این وضعیت تشدید پیدا می کند. سنگینی روی قفسه سینه، تنگی نفس، درد کلیه و معده و… که در اکثر موارد با خونریزی همراه می شود امان تو را می برد. شب ها خواب نداری هر لحظه که چشمهایت را می بندی به خودت می گویی نکند آخرین بار باشد که به خواب بروم و خوابم همیشگی شود. کمی ترس وجود آدم را می گیرد اما نیروی درونی بسیار قوی با تمام این خطرها و دردها، تو را مصمم پیش می برد.
اعتصاب غذای تر و خشک هر کدام داستانی جدا دارند اما اعتصاب غذای خشک داستانش فرق می کند، لبان و دهانت خشک می شود، و هر چه تلاش می کنی کمی فقط کمی گلویت را با آب دهانت تر کنی بی فایده است. پوستت چروکیده و خشک می شود و هر لحظه حس می کنی جثه ات را با فشار کوچک می کنند. استخوان هایت انگار مچاله شده اند و درد می کنند. دیگر خنده ات هم غم دارد می خندی اما گویی لحظه لحظه اشک می ریزی، مدام نفس عمیق می کشی که آنگاه انگار جان از بدن آدمی خارج می شود. نای سخن گفتن هم نداری. تصاویری را تار در ذهنت مرور می کنی از خاطرات تلخ و شیرین زندگیت که انگار آنها هم رنگ باخته اند و سیاه و سفید شده اند. اعتصاب غذای خشک که می کنی یعنی با آغوش باز به سوی مرگ می روی و این تلخ ترین و غم انگیزترین داستان اعتصاب غذا است.

اعتصاب غذا در هر صورت رنج آور است هم برای کسی که اعتصاب می کند و هم برای او که ناظر وضعیت اعتصاب کننده است بخصوص کسی که در کنار شخص اعتصاب کننده است و هر روز او را می بیند. او را می بیند که بدنش و توانش تحلیل می رود، لاغر می شود و جانش را درخطر جدی قرار می دهد. من نگران معلمی شریف و پدری عزیز و بزرگوار هستم که اعتصاب غذا هست و می دانم که چه انسان شریف و درستی است و اندیشه ای جز منافع ملی و پیشرفت ایران ندارد. محمود بهشتی لنگرودی برای من فراموش شدنی نیست.

http://www.ronaghi.me/2016/05/freebeheshti.html

 

Hossein Ronaghi: Imprisonment is not the answer.

Oh January 19, 2016 Hossein Ronaghi presented himself at the Tehran Prosecutor’s Office per orders of the IRGC Intelligence Unit to be taken back into custody.
Before leaving he posted on his Facebook page:

I believe that the answer to any opinion is never imprisonment.

This is why I am returning to prison:

My not returning will result in confiscation of the collateral set for my bail, which is morally wrong and unprincipled. Seizing the collateral would be legal only if I was not reachable or my whereabouts were unknown in case of need for arrest. Despite the fact that I provided my address to judicial authorities for my arrest at their will, this did not happen and ultimately I was told per orders of the IRGC Intelligence unit I was to return to prison.

Also as my mother says, “This is our homeland and we are not the ones who must leave.”

Tomorrow I will go to the Prosecutor’s office, will be taken into custody and imprisoned. What is clear to me is that I will always be beside my family and my friends.

In hopes of bright and clear days.

https://goo.gl/S2PeSZ

حسین رونقی
باور دارم که پاسخ هیچ اندیشه ای زندان نیست برای همین به زندان می روم؛بازنگشتن من مساوی است با جلب وثیقه ها و این یعنی سلب اعتماد وثیقه گذارها و سقوط تعهد و اخلاق، اجرای وثیقه ها زمانی قانونی است که برای بازداشت، من در دسترسی نباشم و این اتفاق در حالی رخ داده است که به صورت مکتوب آدرس خود را به مقام های قضایی اعلام کرده بودم تا در صورت نیاز بازداشتم کنند اما این اتفاق نیافتاد و در نهایت از داستانی گفتند که اطلاعات سپاه می گوید باید حسین را به زندان بازگردانید. از آن هم که بگذریم به قول مادرم «اینجا سرزمین ماست آن کسی که باید این سرزمین را ترک کند ما نیستیم»؛ فردا می روم دادستانی و نهایتا بازداشت و زندان، آنچه برای من واضح است همیشه در کنار خانواده و دوستانم خواهم بود. به امید روزهای خوب و روشن

زبان سرخ و سبز… این چه غوغایی ست!
نصیب خون ِ به دیوارها تباهی شد!
برای حرف نگفته به حبس خواهی رفت
برای کار نکرده به بند خواهی شد!
“اشرف گیلانی”

 

Father of Hossein Ronaghi handed 4-month prison sentence in absentia

Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, father of political prisoner Hossein Ronaghi has been sentenced to 4 months in prison for sharing information about his son’s illness and his situation in prison.

According to the Kaleme website, Branch 116 of the Tabriz Public (criminal) Court charged Hossein Ronaghi’s father with publishing lies in cyberspace and sentenced him to 4 months in prison based on Article 698 of the Islamic Penal Code and Article 19 of the Islamic Penal Code which was adopted in 2013. The court session for Ahmad Ronaghi was conducted in absentia without his knowledge, or presence of a lawyer on his behalf.

The Tabriz Public Court operating out of its legal jurisdiction, issued the indictment based on claimed evidence provided by the Intelligence Office of East Azerbaijan Province. The Code of Criminal Procedure stipulates that interrogations must be done in the presence of the accused and the resulting documents must be signed. If the accused is illiterate, a trusted witness must sign.

Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, whose son has confronted various illnesses as a direct result of his incarceration, is himself suffering from degenerative eye disease rendering him almost blind in one eye while the other eye has fifty percent vision. He also suffers from heart disease and has undergone surgery several times.

During the past 6 years since the arrest and imprisonment of his son, Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki has been summoned to the Tabriz Court numerous times and subjected to high-pressure interrogations in attempts to have him sign false confessions. Hossein Ronaghi’s family is constantly harassed and threatened by the Tabriz Intelligence Agency for publicizing information about the deteriorating health and situation of their incarcerated son. His brother Hassan Ronaghi has received threats to remain silent and his mother was once served with a warrant for talking about her son. His mother Zoleikha Mousavi who continues to speak out about her son despite the threats, recently shared that authorities told her the family’s efforts on behalf their son’s freedom would be futile.

In an interview with Rooz on July 6, a day after Ahmad Ronaghi was served his prison sentence, Zoleikha Mousavi said that even if her husband is taken away, the family will not remain quiet. Hossein Ronaghi’s mother said in the Rooz interview that authorities are aware that according to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code it is unlawful to return her son to prison. She said Hossein Ronaghi’s sentence should be terminated if the judiciary conforms to what is stipulated in this penal code. She added that because of his situation, Hossein Ronaghi has a pardon from the Supreme Leader. She said the IRGC and Intelligence offices told them they are not opposed to releasing her son, yet it seems Hossein Ronaghi is being held due to a personal agenda.

Zoleikha Mousavi said that they were given 10 days to follow up on the court order for her husband. Hossein Ronaghi’s mother stressed that the family has been subjected to unceasing threats to not conduct interviews during the years but they will not back down. For his birthday, Amnesty International, which has declared Hossein Ronaghi a Prisoner Of Conscience, launched an Urgent Action Campaign demanding that he not be returned to prison. Journalism Is Not A Crime was also among international human rights groups asking that the ailing blogger not be returned to prison.

According to reports by CHRR, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, jailed blogger and human rights activist was violently arrested at his home in the city of Malekan near Tabriz on December 13, 2009 during the mass unrest following the contested presidential elections. At the time he used the penname Babak Khorramdin and worked with Iran Proxy, a group that worked towards combating Internet censorship in Iran. His brother Hassan Ronaghi Maleki was also arrested and held in solitary confinement where he was subjected to severe torture to add duress and demoralize his brother. He was released on bail after one month and suffers permanent damage to his neck and spine from the torture. Hossein Ronaghi was held for 13 months in Evin prison’s Ward 2-A [under control of IRGC] where he endured severe physical torture and psychological pressure in an effort to coerce an interview and false televised confession, which he refused. Eventually Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court sentenced him to 15 years in prison.

While he was in perfect health when he was arrested, Ronaghi’s health has rapidly deteriorated throughout the years as a result of the torture, substandard prison conditions in Evin prison and lack of medical attention behind bars. He has endured 4 kidney operations and countless transfers to the hospital and back to prison during this time. The activist has embarked on several hunger strikes behind bars in protest of his situation along with that of other political prisoners. Despite the recommendation by the Official Forensic Office to release Hossein Ronaghi on medical grounds, he has been ordered back to prison after a short furlough. On July 5, 2015, Hossein Ronaghi’s 30th birthday, agents went to his family home and delivered the prison sentence for Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki – issued by a court session that was conducted without their knowledge.

Letter by father of Hossein Ronaghi to Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor

In a letter to Tehran’s Chief Prosecutor, father of ailing activist and blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki addressed his son’s medical situation behind bars.

Committee of Human Rights Reporters – Hossein Ronaghi who was detained in 2009 following the disputed presidential election results has since suffered serious health issues as a result of the torture he endured in prison. Behind bars Ronaghi was inflicted with multiple ailments, went through seven operations and lost function in one kidney. In very poor health, he was released on medical furlough in September 2014. On February 28, 2015 he was without warning or legal explanation ordered back behind bars to serve his remaining 15-year sentence. He is now held in Ward 7 of Tehran’s Evin prison.

With over a month since his last transfer to prison, Hossein Ronaghi has been deprived of his medication and has not received any medical treatment, resulting in the further deterioration of his health.

Following is the letter provided to CHRR, written to the Chief Prosecutor by Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki regarding his ailing son’s medical situation.

April 6, 2015

Honorable Chief Prosecutor of the Public and Tehran Revolutionary Court, Mr. Jafari Dolatabadi,

Greetings,

Without consulting us authorities are planning on transferring my son Hossein Ronaghi to Shohadaye Tajrish Educational Hospital and I cannot allow my son to be taken to this medical facility without being accompanied by us.

We are concerned that officials might prescribe treatments and inject Hossein with medications that further endanger his health and they could have plans to end Hossein’s life in this manner. I have informed prison officials along with the Prison Inspections Agency and Mrs. Hassani at the Office of Prosecution Follow-Ups that Shohadaye Tajrish is a teaching hospital with no specialty in kidney treatment.

I have asked in the past that they not transfer my son Hossein to any hospital without my permission. I must be updated about my son’s medical situation and be involved in the decisions made pertaining to his health. Since my son needs hospitalization again, it is imperative that I follow-up in a speedy manner in order to prevent what happened last time in the hands of officials resulting in my son losing function in one of his kidneys.

During the past month Hossein’s transfer to a medical facility has been prohibited and he has not been given any of his medication, resulting in his health plunging further. Now that Hossein’s health has worsened as a direct result of the actions of certain officials, they want to take him to the teaching center of Shohadaye Tajrish Educational Hospital, a facility with no expertise in Hossein’s condition.

Last time he was taken to Baqiyatallah Hospital, physicians had made recommendations for Hossein to be hospitalized and undergo surgery, and documents for his treatment were available. But unfortunately we were not informed of this and everything was concealed from us, leading to Hossein losing function in one kidney. The officials involved were directly responsible for worsening Hossein’s physical condition.

I have contacted the Prosecutor’s office, the Prisons Inspection Agency, and prison authorities and told them I will not allow my child to be admitted to Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital. They must let us know when they plan on transferring Hossein to a hospital so that we can be by his side. For we do not trust some of the officials and if we are not present they could use the opportunity to get rid of Hossein.

My request from the honorable Prosecutor is for a speedy inquiry in order to prevent further endangerment of my son’s life, and for an end to his incarceration as soon as possible.

Seyed Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki Father of political prisoner, Hossein Ronaghi Maleki

دادستان محترم دادسرای عمومی و انقلاب تهران جناب آقای جعفری دولت آبادی

۱۷/۱/۹۴ با سلام فرزندم حسین رونقی را بدون هماهنگی و بدون اینکه به ما خبر بدهند به بیمارستان شهدای تجریش میخواهند ببرند و بنده به عنوان پدر حسین رونقی اجازه نمی دهم بدون حضور ما حسین را به مرکز درمانی و آموزشی شهدای تجریش ببرند .

ما نگران هستیم که شاید دارو و یا آمپولی در آن بیمارستان به دستور برخی مسولین دیگر به حسین تجویز کنند که جان حسین را به خطر بیاندازد و شاید قصد از بین بردن حسین را از این طریق داشته باشند .چرا که شهدای تجریش مرکز پزشکی و آموزشی میباشد و هیچ گونه امکانات تخصصی برای درمان کلیه در آن وجود ندارد . وبا وجود اینکه به مسولین زندان و سازمان بازرسی زندانهای کشورو نیز دفتر پیگیری دادستانی خانم حسنی نیز گفته ام .

قبلا گفته ام که فرزند م حسین را بدون اجازه بنده به بیمارستان انتقال ندهند وبا هماهنگی بنده که در نزد پسرم باشم و ما هم از حال و وضعیت حسین آگاه شویم که اگر نیاز به درمان و بستری باشد پیگیر باشم و فرزندم را زودتر درمان نمایم تا مانند دفعه قبل توسط برخی مسولین فرزندم کلیه دیگرش را از دست ندهد و مشکل دیگری برایش ایجاد نشود .

در این یک ماه اجازه درمان وانتقال به بیمارستان ندادند و حتی نگذاشتند دارویی به حسین داده شود و این امر باعث شده حسین وضعیتش بدتر شود و حال بعد از آنکه بیماری حسین به دلیل عملکرد برخی مسولین بدتر شده است می خواهند حسین را بدون هماهنگی به مرکز آموزشی و درمانی شهدای تجریش که هیچ گونه امکانات تخصصی ندارد ببرند.

چرا که قبلا هم که به بیمارستان بقیه الله برده بودند و پزشکان نوشته بودند که حسین هر چه زودتر باید بستری و عمل جراحی و درمان شود و مدارک نیز موجود است ولی متاسفانه به ما خبر نداده بودند و قایم کرده بودند که این امرباعث شد حسین کلیه ش را از دست بدهد و عامل به خطر افتادن جان حسین و بدتر شدن وضعیتش بعضی مسولین مربوطه بودند .

بنده با دفتر پیگیری دادستانی و سازمان بازرسی زندانها ی کشورو مسولین زندان تماس گرفتم و گفتم اجازه نمی دهم فرزندم را به بیمارستان شهدای تجریش ببرند و در زمان انتقال به بیمارستان باید به ماخبر بدهند تا در کنار حسین باشیم چرا که به بعضی از مسولین اعتماد نداریم و امکان دارد دستور بدهند بلایی سر پسرم بیاورند و از نبودن ما در کنار حسین به عنوان فرصتی برای از بین بردن حسین استفاده نمایند .

از داداستان محترم تقاضای رسیدگی فوری و قانونی را تقاضامندم تا جان فرزندم بیشتر از این در خطر نباشد و تقاضای آزادی هر چه زودتر فرزندم را دارم .

سید احمد رونقی ملکی پدر زندانی سیاسی حسین رونقی ملکی

http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article21748

http://chrr.biz/spip.php?article21747

Norouz message from mother of Hossein Ronaghi Maleki

Zoleikha Mousavi, mother of Hossein Ronaghi Maleki shared the following message for Norouz:

As long as I’m alive I will not have a moment of peace. The day my son was kidnapped from me, my heart was penetrated with the weight of all the pain in the world. This is the 6^th year I spend the New Year without the presence of my son Hossein.

Six years have gone by and every year I ask God how I can handle this sorrow and pain.

Only a mother can grasp how I feel these days.

But know that maintaining honor is the reward for speaking of principles, and our children shall remain honorable.

I wish a happy New Year to all Iranians, specially the suffering mothers, the prisoners, and their families.

:متن پیام مادر حسین رونقی به مناسبت فرارسیدن عید نوروز و سال نو

تا زنده ام لحظه ای آرام نخواهم گرفت ، روزی که پسرم را از من ربودند ، تمام غم عالم بر قلبم فروریخت ، و اکنون 6 سال است که عید را بدون حضور فرزند دلبندم حسین می گذرانم…
شش سال شد و هر سال می گویم خداوندا ، چه سازم با غمش؟
حال و روز مرا فقط یک مادر می تواند درک کند…

اما بدانید که پاداش حرف حق زدن سربلندی است ، و فرزندان ما سربلند می مانند…
سال نو را به همه مردم ایران بخصوص مادران داغدار و زندانیان و خانواده هایشان تبریک می گویم…

Arrest and building case against Mohammad Yousefi

The “Black Spider” project extends to student activists.

Mohammad Yousefi, graduate student at Tehran’s Amirkabir University majoring in shipbuilding has for two months been quietly held in detention controlled by the IRGC while officials of the Cyber Police are creating a case against the former Green activist.

According to Daneshjoonews, the commander of the Cyber Police security forces in a statement announced the arrest of a 37-year old Amirkabir University student referred to as “M.Y.”

The Cyber Police report said the arrest of Mohammad Yousefi was an outcome of a program called “Spider Project” uncovering management of Facebook pages that contain content with opposing values to that of the regime.

The Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) in its report claims Mohammad Yousefi “in his posts ridiculed the highest values and holy figures of the Shiite religion.”

The criminal case against the former student activist is due to the alleged management of “fake” Facebook pages associated with several artists, soccer players, and famous personalities and harassing them.

New Cyber Police security project called “Spider”:

Student activist and former Green political prisoner

Mohammad Yousefi, student at Amirkabir University (Tehran Polytechnic) was arrested previously in 2009 and spent some time behind bars in Evin prison.

The Cyber Police in its report refers to the ’09 arrest of the student activist, saying “the accused has a prior record of arrest by security forces during the time of sedition activities and has close ties to sedition collaborators. He played a large role in fomenting social unrest in cyberspace after the time of sedition.” Mohammad Yousefi was released in May 2010 after spending more than five months behind bars.

Intelligence agents detained the Green activist on December 7, 2009 as he attempted to enter the Amirkabir University campus. He was held in Ward 209 of Evin prison for some time during harsh interrogations before being transferred to Ward 350 of the facility. Judge Salavati sentenced him to four years imprisonment on the charge of “assembly and collusion against national security.”

Majid Tavakoli, another student activist from Amirkabir University was arrested at the same time and Yousefi was put under great pressure by security forces for his friendship with Tavakoli.

Due to a lack of proper paperwork, Branch 54 of the Court of Appeals later lowered Yousefi’s sentence to a 5-year suspended prison term and he was released after spending 161 days behind bars.

The silence and secrecy of Intelligence forces regarding Mohammad Yousefi’s detainment indicates that they are building a case against the former student activist.

The Cyber Police in the same report revealed the arrest of another individual referred to as “Ae.R.”

Source: Daneshjoonews

Mahdieh Golru released after three months in detention.

Mahdieh Golru was released today on 700 million tomans bail after spending three months in temporary detention.

The student activist who is banned from continuing her education at Allameh University was detained on October 26 during a raid of her home by IRGC forces. Several days before her arrest Golru had taken part in a peaceful gathering outside the Tehran parliament building in protest of the acid attacks that had taken place on women in Isfahan. To date the perpetrators have not been apprehended.

After Golru’s arrest a group of close to 700 civil activists signed a letter to president Rouhani urging him to exercise his power and apply the law to secure her immediate release.

Other groups within the country and abroad also voiced their concern and demanded that authorities release the activist. Amnesty International in an “urgent action” said the prisoner of conscience had not been given access to a lawyer during prolonged interrogations and demanded her unconditional release.

Previous to her last arrest, Mahdieh Golru who had been detained several times during the past years was released on May 19, 2012 after enduring 30 months behind bars stemming from her peaceful activism. The ban on her education was not lifted after her release despite her efforts.

It is noteworthy that the past weeks have seen a new wave of arrests targeting women’s rights and student activists. Among those recently detained by Intelligence agents are Zahra Khandan and Saha Mortezayi from Amirkabir University, and Fereshteh Toosi from Allameh University.

Source: Daneshjoonews

Mahdieh Golru transferred to a 2-person cell in Ward 2A of Evin prison

According to the Jaras news website, Mahdieh Golru, political and civil activist who has been held behind bars for over 50 days in Evin prison has been transferred to a double occupancy cell. However the double cells are the same size as those used for solitary confinement.

The activist was arrested on October 26^th after taking part in a peaceful rally across the parliament building following a wave of acid attacks on women in the city of Isfahan. She was held in solitary confinement while undergoing interrogations for about 45 days before being transferred to a double occupancy cell.

A few weeks ago about 300 civil activists signed a letter to the president demanding that Mahdieh Golru be immediately released. In the letter they said, “She is one of hundreds of people who acted completely within the frameworks of the law, and through a civil manner conveyed to authorities their worry about the acid attacks that had taken place in the city of Isfahan. She is a well-known civil rights activist who joined other civil and women’s rights activists on October 22^nd in a sit-in gathering across the parliament in an effort to bring attention to the plight of women who face the terror of being attacked with acid. But unfortunately 4 days after these peaceful demands, on October 26^th Mahdieh Golru was arrested and to date she is being held in solitary confinement. Mahdieh Golru’s aim was simply to echo the voices of young women who were distressed and outraged by the acid attacks that had taken place.”

Golru was previously detained in December 2009 during the time of mass unrest following the contested presidential elections and was handed a prison sentence of 2 years and 4 months, which was reduced to 2 years by the appellate court. While she was in prison, the student activist who is a member of the Right to Education Council was handed another 6 months for “propaganda against the regime” stemming from a letter she wrote from prison in commemoration of Student Day.

She was released after spending 30 months behind bars. After her release authorities refused to lift the ban on her education and she was not allowed to continue her studies at her university.

source: Jaras  http://www.irangreenvoice.com/article/2014/dec/15/47892

Saba Sherdoust: Instead of arresting the perpetrators of the acid attacks, Mahdieh Golru was detained.

Daneshjoonews – While officials have made no arrests of the assailants who committed the recent acid attacks, their intense focus has been detaining those who spoke up against the attacks.

Mahdieh Golru who previously spent 30 months of her youth behind bars for her activism in support of the right to an education, is again in prison since her October 26 arrest by IRGC forces. Authorities have not disclosed the reason for her arrest but it is clear that it is not unrelated to Golru’s presence among crowds demanding that the government apprehend the perpetrators of the acid attacks.

The student activist who was banned from continuing her education at Allameh University is now also deprived of her freedom. We spoke to her friend, journalist Saba Sherdoust about the most recent updates on the condition of Mahdieh Golru.

According to Mrs. Sherdoust, her friend Mrs. Golru was arrested without notice as she was leaving her home on October 26^th. She had taken part in a peaceful gathering outside the Tehran parliament building in protest of the recent acid attacks on women in Isfahan.

Mrs. Sherdoust, when and how did Mahdieh Golru get arrested?

Mahdieh was arrested on Sunday October 26^th as she was leaving her home to go to work. It appears as though after seizing her, the officials took her back into her home and confiscated her personal items such as her cell phone and laptop computer.

What is the reason for her arrest and which government entity arrested her?

Before her arrest on Sunday, we had gathered across the parliament building on Baharestan Street alongside other women in protest of the acid attacks that had taken place against women in Isfahan. The next day Mrs. Golru got in touch with me and said that several unknown numbers, which she had not been able to answer because she was in her exercise class, had contacted her.

Considering her recent activities, I can say with certainty that Mrs. Golru was arrested for taking part in the rallies against acid attacks on women.

In addition as far as I know, Mrs. Golru’s activities were not political and were strictly geared towards social issues and women’s issues.

Were the security agencies sensitive to the issue of acid attacks or were they concerned about civil society becoming active again?

Both. When the outrage of the people triggered gatherings and turned into civil dissent, opposition to the acid attacks turned into what was deemed as a security issue. Others who were covering the protests were also arrested, among them an ISNA photographer and 2 other members of the press who had reported on the attacks.

On the other hand, the ruling establishment has intensified its pressure on civil activists in general. These events demonstrate that they will not tolerate activists taking any part in the civil arena. The rulers don’t wish see civil rights activists taking part in social issues, cooperating with NGO’s or taking part in non-violent rallies.

The fear of an increase in civil participation has resulted in heightened threats, summons and arrests, causing growing pressures on activists. Of course these conditions also existed during the presidency of Mr. Khatami. Foreign policy in the country moved forward as the internal pressures persisted. This goes on because being active and civil participation could pave the way towards democracy.

Has Mahdieh had any contact with the outside since her arrest and where is she kept?

She has made brief phone contacts about every 5 days to say how she is doing.

Considering she was arrested by the IRGC, she is being kept in the detention units under their control. To date she has not seen her attorney. But her family continues to follow-up on her situation with those in charge and at the prosecutor’s office.

http://www.daneshjoonews.com/archives/15380

Maryam Shafipour, student activist behind bars in Evin prison returned to the facility after a 6-day release on furlough

According to Sahamnews, 15 months after being held in prison without release, last week this political prisoner was finally allowed leave on furlough with a bail of 500 million tomans. Maryam Shafipour was detained without explanation on July 27, 2013 and was held under “temporary detention” for seven months under harsh interrogations before charges were filed.

Maryam Shafipour is a former agricultural engineering student from Qazvin International University who was suspended after 2 semesters and was expelled from university on her eighth semester due to her student activities, work on behalf of women and contents on her weblog. She was also a staff member of the women’s committee of Mehdi Karroubi’s presidential campaign.

Judge Salavati presiding over Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court handed Shafipour a 7-year prison sentence, which was appealed. Branch 54 of Tehran’s Court of Appeals later reduced the prison sentence to 4 years behind bars on the charges of “conspiring against national security” and “propaganda against the regime.”

http://sahamnews.org/1393/07/268222/