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Politics

Tortured, Family Threatened: Two Prisoners In The Black Holes Of Iran’s Repressive System

December 14, 2022
4 min read
This report tells the stories of two prisoners: Elahe Mirmehdi, an artist from the central province of Isfahan, and Amir Azizi, a poet and student in architecture in Tehran
This report tells the stories of two prisoners: Elahe Mirmehdi, an artist from the central province of Isfahan, and Amir Azizi, a poet and student in architecture in Tehran
Like many relatives of those detained over the past weeks, the Mirmehdi family have been threatened to remain silent over Elahe’s arrest
Like many relatives of those detained over the past weeks, the Mirmehdi family have been threatened to remain silent over Elahe’s arrest
Amir Azizi, a 25-year-old student in architecture at Tehran University, was violently arrested on October 2 and incarcerated in Evin prison
Amir Azizi, a 25-year-old student in architecture at Tehran University, was violently arrested on October 2 and incarcerated in Evin prison

At least 490 people so far have been killed across Iran and 18,242 others have been detained, without their names being officially announced, in the state crackdown on nationwide protests that erupted nearly three months ago, according to human rights organizations. Only 3,670 of those taken to custody have been identified by rights defenders working outside of Iran.

Some of those arrested were sentenced to long prison terms or handed capital punishment on charges including spreading "corruption in the earth" and waging "war against God". An unidentified number of prisoners were released on bail, but thousands continue to languish in jail with their families ignoring their whereabouts. Many of these families are now breaking the silence surrounding their loved ones.

This report tells the stories of two prisoners: Elahe Mirmehdi, an artist from the central province of Isfahan, and Amir Azizi, a poet and student in architecture in Tehran.

“They keep threatening me not to talk about her, but I have no fear”

"My sister is a professional painter. She has a bachelor's degree in painting from Isfahan Art University and is a well-known tattoo artist. She lives and works in Shahinshahr, but our family home is in Golpayegan," Amineh Mirmehdi said in an audio clip sent to IranWire.

Amineh, who lives outside of Iran, said her sister Elahe Mirmehdi was arrested on December 3 after she was tricked into going to her parents' house.

"Elahe stopped her work in respect of the Iranian people after the protests erupted. That day, two ladies called her on the pretext of needing tattoo training, and they made an appointment. At around noon, a large number of security agents stormed my father's house and arrested her”.

During their raid, the security forces broke the fingers of the mother, who has a heart condition, Amineh said.

“My mother is still in shock and keeps fainting, and her mental and physical condition is critical."

Like many relatives of those detained over the past weeks, the Mirmehdi family have been threatened to remain silent over Elahe’s arrest.

Elahe's husband, father and brother were arrested when they went to the police station to get information about Elahe.

"My father and brother were released that night after they were threatened to not talk to the media. My brother-in-law was released on December 7. Directly and indirectly, they threatened my family and said that if we speak to the media, they will shoot Elahe".

Amineh said the pressure exerted by the security agencies forced her family to cut off contacts with her.

"They threatened me several times, saying, 'If you don't shut up, our friends abroad will find you.' My brother-in-law and my family have lost contact with me. [The authorities] keep telling my family that if they keep silent, nothing will happen to Elahe, but they haven't even explained why my sister was arrested."

"My sister is still in Golpayegan prison. They falsely said that she was working with a group of 100 people. They keep threatening me not to talk about her, but I have no fear of their threats. And I ask all human rights organizations to be the voice of Elahe and the other detainees."

“Amir was interrogated and tortured in a solitary cell”

Amir Azizi, a 25-year-old student in architecture at Tehran University, was violently arrested on October 2 and incarcerated in Evin prison, a relative told IranWire.

"He asked me to be his voice day and night because it’s the only way for him to be released”.

“Amir is a writer and a poet and a very knowledgeable person. Amir was arrested in Valiasr Square in Tehran and released after a few hours of interrogation. But after his release, he received suspicious messages and calls from unknown numbers and predicted he would probably be arrested again”.

“Amir was not at home that night [on October 1], when 12 agents broke the lock of the door and had a fight with his father as they began searching the house. Finally, they took Amir’s belongings, his books and manuscripts”.

The agents told the student’s parents he should hand himself over to the Evin prosecutor's office the next morning.

"Amir said he would go to the prosecutor's office the next day and that he did not do anything wrong. But [he added that] if he is arrested, the family should not remain silent".

At the prosecutor's office, an officer beat up Azizi and broke his glasses on his face.

Amir's family did not hear from the student for four days. When he finally managed to call the family, he announced he was being held in Evin prison.

The family's communication with Amir was cut again for 20 days after the short phone call.

"The judiciary not only prevented the family lawyer from following Amir's case, but they arrested him. Twenty days later, it became clear that after his brief contact, Amir was interrogated and tortured in a solitary cell".

When Azizi asked for new glasses, his interrogators replied, "Thank God that your eyes are healthy".

Azizi’s trial ended on November 22 without the presence of a defense lawyer.

"He was sentenced to five years for acting against national security, two years for disturbing public minds, 74 lashes for insulting the leader [of the Islamic Republic] and three years for conspiracy and collusion…he must serve five years in prison, along with the inhuman sentence of flogging".

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