Followers of Ayatollah Boroujerdi Again Incarcerated

(3 November  2008) The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran expressed serious concern today for the imprisoned followers of Ayatollah Kazemini Boroujerdi, and for the health of the imprisoned cleric himself.

Hundreds of Boroujerdi’s followers were arrested for attempting to stop his arrest in October 2006. They were reportedly tortured and intimidated during interrogations in Evin Prison’s Section 209. After roughly 11 months in prison, they were temporarily released after posting bail in amounts between approximately $52,000 and $105,000 (between 500 and 1 billion Rials).A number of Boroujerdi’s followers were again detained and taken back to prison in the past week (listed below).

“Boroujerdi’s followers should be released immediately,” the Campaign said.  “They have been detained simply for supporting him—a blatant violation of their freedom of conscience and belief. Their basic rights as prisoners have been denied and they have been ill-treated while in custody.” 

The Campaign also stressed the positive obligation of the Iranian authorities to protect the health and basic rights of Boroujerdi himself. Ayatollah Boroujerdi has been in prison since October 2006, and, according to his associates, has been subjected to torture and severe ill-treatment during his detention.  As a result, his health has deteriorated considerably and he is in need of urgent medical care.

Boroujerdi’s Imprisoned Followers:

1. Massoud Samavatyan (47) has a Master’s degree in literature. He has two children and is serving a 5-year imprisonment in exile sentence in Khoramabad.
2. Alireza Montazer Saheb(37), married with one child, is serving a 4- year imprisonment in exile sentence in Kermanshah.
3. Habib Ghovati (30), has a Master’s degree in accounting. He is married and currently serving a 4- year imprisonment in exile sentence in Hamadan.
4. Majid Alsati (35), has a Master’s degree in development. He is serving a 4- year imprisonment in exile sentence in Zanjan.
5. Mehrdad Soori (36), is an electrical technician and was sentenced to 2 years in prison. He is currently being held in Evin Prison.
6. Mohammad Reza Sadeqi (36), is a computer engineer. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison and is currently being held in Evin Prison.
7. Hasan Harischian (35), is a development engineer. He is married and has one child. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison and is currently being held in Evin Prison.
8. Ali Arbabi (38), was sentenced to 2 years in prison and is being held in Evin Prison.
9. Kambiz Hosseini (28), was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He is currently being held in Evin Prison.