Members of Committee of Human Rights Reporters Under Pressure to Make Forced Confessions

Different sources told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran today that the arrested members of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters are under pressure to deliver forced confessions about the Committee’s affiliation with the Mojahedin Khalq Organization (MKO). Judicial authorities are trying to connect CHRR with opposition groups outside Iran in order to make serious charges against this independent civil organization. Previously, during a meeting with Shiva Nazarahari’s family, Tehran Prosecutor said that CHRR is “associated with MKO.”

Members of the Committee of Human Rights Reporters have been denied the right to an attorney, in violation of Article 35 of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Constitution and the Citizen’s Bill of Rights. Attorney of Kouhyar Goudarzi and Saeed Jalalifar had earlier quoted judicial authorities to have said that these individuals are not permitted to have lawyers.

The Committee of Human Rights Reporters’ website has also reported that Mehrdad Rahimi and Kouhyar Goudarzi have been charged as heretics, moharebeh. Kouhyar Goudarzi is a journalist and human rights activist who has been in prison since 20 December 2009. He was observed with a bandaged head inside the prison. He has been charged with moharebeh, propoganda against the state, and attending illegal congregations.

Mehrdad Rahimi has told his family in his first visit with them that his interrogators are charging him with moharebeh. Rahimi has said that he has not accepted such charges.

Parisa Kakaie, another member of CHRR, continues to serve time in ward 209 of Evin prison and no information is available about her charges. She told her family in her last visit not to expect her release any time soon.

Following the increased pressure on members of CHRR during the past six months and the “group arrest warrant” for the  Committee’s members, at this time seven members of this Committee are in prison and two other members, Saeed Habibi and Hessam Misaghi, who have not turned themselves in, are being pursued while they remain in hiding, facing serious danger. Additionally, Navid Khanjai and Sepehr Atefi are repeatedly threatened by individuals who seem to be government authorities.

The seven imprisoned members of Committee of Human Rights Reporters are: Shiva Nazarahari, Kouhyar Goudarzi, Saeed Kalanaki, Mehrdad Rahimi, Parisa Kakaie, Saeed Haeri, and Saeed Jalalifar.

Some of the individuals who have been arrested and charged with moharebeh and who have been threatened with death sentences are: Ali Mehrabi, Parviz Varmaziari, Majid Rezaee, Alireza Nabavi, Ali Massoumi, and Shirin Alam Holi.