Important: Click here to read this clarification about some of our previous statements regarding 'Moharabeh'.
Iranian Intelligence officials have informed the families of five Sunni prisoners that the men have been moved to different prisons. There had been no news about the five men since they were removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison on Wednesday 9th October 2013. The men are all at risk of execution.
According to the information supplied by the intelligence officials:
The families of the prisoners have been unable to verify this information, and have still not been able to contact the prisoners.
There has been no news about the condition of two other Sunni political prisoners who were also removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison. The two men, Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi, were transferred to an unknown location on Sunday 29th September 2013.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Iranian authorities are planning to transfer all Sunni prisoners on death row in Rajai Shahr prison to different locations. Many fear this move will make it easier for authorities to carry out secret executions.
There are at least 30 Sunni political prisoners facing execution in Iran for charges such as 'Moharebeh' (enmity against God) or 'membership of a Salafi group'. The men have all been tortured, with many of them forced to 'confess' to crimes they have not committed.
The men were all active in spreading Sunni Islam and speaking our against government oppression. In a country where Sunnis face discrimination, being outspoken in propagating Sunni Islam and criticizing the government is dangerous. Many prominent Sunni figures and teachers have already been executed by the Iranian regime.
Iranian Intelligence officials have informed the families of five Sunni prisoners that the men have been moved to different prisons. There had been no news about the five men since they were removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison on Wednesday 9th October 2013. The men are all at risk of execution.
According to the information supplied by the intelligence officials:
- Shahram Ahmadi was transferred to Arak Prison, Markazi province
- Behrouz Shah Nazari was transferred to Semnan prison, Semnan province
- Talib Malaki was transferred to Qom Central Prison, Qom province
- Kaveh Sharifi was transferred to Yazd Prison, Yazd province
- Arash Sharifi was transferred to Kashan Prison, Isfahan province
The families of the prisoners have been unable to verify this information, and have still not been able to contact the prisoners.
There has been no news about the condition of two other Sunni political prisoners who were also removed from their cells in Rajai Shahr prison. The two men, Kaveh Vaisi and Mokhtar Rahimi, were transferred to an unknown location on Sunday 29th September 2013.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Iranian authorities are planning to transfer all Sunni prisoners on death row in Rajai Shahr prison to different locations. Many fear this move will make it easier for authorities to carry out secret executions.
There are at least 30 Sunni political prisoners facing execution in Iran for charges such as 'Moharebeh' (enmity against God) or 'membership of a Salafi group'. The men have all been tortured, with many of them forced to 'confess' to crimes they have not committed.
The men were all active in spreading Sunni Islam and speaking our against government oppression. In a country where Sunnis face discrimination, being outspoken in propagating Sunni Islam and criticizing the government is dangerous. Many prominent Sunni figures and teachers have already been executed by the Iranian regime.