Source:
International Campaign for Human Rights
in Iran
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.
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