Kurdish Political Prisoner Faces Torture and Neglect in Iranian Detention

Political prisoner Motaleb Ahmadian, 42, has been in prison since 2010 without respite.

His interminable days behind bars have been plagued by excruciating pain inflicted by numerous ailments, including testicular infection and duodenal cancer.

The relentless agony, exacerbated by the negligence and procrastination of prison officials in facilitating necessary medical treatment, grows increasingly unbearable with each passing day.

He is serving a 30-year sentence in Ward Four of Evin Prison amidst deteriorating health conditions. He has been charged with "waging war against God" by allegedly being a member of the Komala Party of Iranian Kurdistan - an opposition group.

The physical state of Ahmadian, a Kurdish political detainee, deteriorates steadily due to the lack of medical attention within Evin Prison.

Despite his numerous physical afflictions, he has been denied medical furlough and timely specialized care owing to the apathy and pretexts of prison authorities.

To ascertain the plight of this political detainee, IranWire interviewed one of his acquaintances.

This informed source revealed, "The individual has endured all manner of torture across various detention centres, including Sardasht, Urmia, Mahabad, Saqqez, Sanandaj, Kermanshah, and Evin."

"Shortly after his arrest, he suffered severe injuries, including three fractured vertebrae, broken front teeth, a damaged knee, and a broken nose due to beatings. "

His subsequent afflictions, such as ruptured testicles, urinary tract infections, severe immune system suppression, and nervous disorders, are all consequences of the brutal treatment inflicted by officers during his detainment."

Tanaz Kolahchian, Ahmadian's lawyer, highlighted the inadequate medical facilities in Tehran prisons and beyond.

"Had he been promptly transferred to medical facilities and received proper treatment during the initial years, his condition wouldn't have deteriorated to its current severe and extensive state," she said.

During the most recent instance of interference by prison officials in October 2023, Ahmadian's transfer to the hospital was obstructed under the directive of Hedayat Farzadi, Evin Prison's head.

Despite the urgent need for medical attention, Ahmadian was informed, "There are no available vehicles to transport you to the hospital."

Such delays in hospitalizing Ahmadian contravene note two under Article 60 of the "Executive Regulations of the Organization of Prisons and Security Measures," which stipulates that seriously ill inmates must be promptly transferred to medical facilities.

Amirsalar Davoudi also highlighted the "significant expenses of Ahmadian's medications," which he must cover monthly, noting, "The prison does not bear any of his medical expenses." This is even though many of Ahmadian's ailments stem from his harsh initial detention conditions.

According to a knowledgeable source interviewed by IranWire, Ahmadian endured instances of "hanging for hours with a broken shoulder" and "a month in solitary confinement within a dark, damp cell measuring one meter by one meter, devoid of blankets and with only one meal."

One particular incident occurred in 2009 when Ahmadian was subjected to repeated sexual assault with a baton at the Urmia Intelligence Department.

Similarly, during the winter of the same year, he was left naked for hours in Sanandaj's prosecutor's office, drenched in cold water before being beaten.

Six months of complete muscular paralysis in solitary confinement ensued as a result of these tortures.

Following Ahmadian's worsening physical condition and subsequent reports by human rights organizations, a delegation comprising representatives from the Ministry of Intelligence, Judiciary Protection, and the Kurdistan Governorate visited him in 2017.

Shortly after, Ahmadian was transferred from Sanandaj prison to Tehran prison in critical condition.

Following an emergency hospitalization, he received injections to alleviate his pain.

Regarding the outcome of this treatment, the IranWire source revealed, "Following his discharge, Ahmadian experienced some relief initially, but unfortunately, due to inadequate care, the injected substance entered his spinal cord, leading to spinal canal stenosis, resulting in numbness and recurrent paralysis of his extremities."

After fourteen years of enduring torture and illness, Ahmadian's physical condition remains dire.

Although diagnosed with duodenal cancer six months ago, his medical visits to the hospital have been delayed due to the "misplacement of his medical file."

According to the source, due to "lack of adequate treatment in his prior experiences," Ahmadian refuses to undergo surgery under any circumstances while imprisoned.

Additionally, medical documents provided by reputable forensic doctors indicate that this political detainee lacks the physical capacity to endure punishment due to his incurable illness and unstable health condition.

Kolahchian described Ahmadian's case as enduring "constant stonewalling."

The lawyer, now living outside Iran, recounted previous encounters with the Evin prison administration, where she was repeatedly met with the response, "Because the primary case is not within our jurisdiction, we cannot assist you."

Given that Ahmadian's case has been relocated to Evin prison, a request must be submitted to transfer his files from Saqqez and Sanandaj.

However, in recent years, the execution of sentences and oversight by the assistant prosecutor at Evin prison have practically obstructed the handling of this political prisoner's situation by failing to process and exchange cases.

Kolahchian expresses regret over not acceding to Ahmadian's plea for immunity from punishment, telling IranWire, "According to the expert opinion of the Forensic Medicine Commission, Mr. Ahmadian is eligible for immunity from punishment, and under these circumstances, expert commission approval is unnecessary."

Kolahchian stressed that Ahmadian's medical conditions have worsened due to the lack of proper treatment, asserting that his life is in grave danger.