Six Sunni political prisoners awaiting execution are believed to be in solitary confinement in Evin prison, Tehran. According to recent reports, they are being held under severe pressure, with at least one prisoner being psychologically tortured.
There is still no detailed news about their condition, with serious fears for four of the men, who we have received no new information about.
Two of the men, Sheikh Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi were able to contact their families yesterday and disclose a small amount of information about their harsh conditions. They are being held on the second floor of ward 240 in Evin prison, which is an extension of the notorious ward 209. This is under the strict authority of the Ministry of Intelligence, and not the prison authorities.
These wards are used as interrogation and detention wards for 'security' suspects. By operating outside the control of the prison authorities, the Ministry of Intelligence is able to operate without any concern for the law. The wards are notorious due to allegations of torture and unauthorized detention.
A relative told HRANA: "Kaveh told us he is being placed under systematic pressure, and [due to] solitary confinement has been completely forbidden from [leaving the cells] to get fresh air or use the shower. He also said he has no news about the remaining Sunni prisoners."
Concerns are growing for Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi, after it emerged that the authorities have seemingly disposed of the men's personal possessions. Their possessions were, until recently, still being kept in ward 10 of Rajai Shahr prison, where the men had been transferred from on September 29th.
A source told HRANA: "This caused concern for the families and friends of the two clerics, [who think] that their execution may be implemented soon."
He said, "Prison authorities came to Rajai Shahr prison and collected Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi's personal possessions and books, and told their cellmates that the two men were being held in section 8 of Evin prison. [However] During the [families] telephone call with Kaveh and Mokhtar, they discovered the two men were being held in solitary confinement, and their possessions had not been given to them."
It should be noted that we still do not have detailed information about the condition of four other Sunni prisoners who are believed to be held at Evin prison. Shahram Ahmadi, Kaveh Sharifi, Behrouz Shah Nazari and Talib Malaki, who are all awaiting execution, were removed from Rajai Shahr prison on the 9th of October.
Shahram Ahmadi was able to briefly contact his family, yet it is reported that as he was informing them about the harsh treatment he had to endure, the call was abruptly ended.
Shahram reported that he was being psychologically tortured in Evin prison, with guards simulating his execution on a number of occasions. He was only being given one meal every morning, and forced to remain hungry until the next day.
There are serious concerns about the welfare of the four men, with no new information about their condition.