Amnesty International has detailed allegations of torture against three young Iranian men facing the death penalty in a new report that raises deep concerns about Iran’s justice system.
One of the men, Mehdi Mohammadifard, was raped and severely beaten by prison guards, rights groups said. Amnesty International said it learned that Mohammadifard had suffered an anal injury and rectal bleeding that required treatment at a hospital outside the prison where he was being held.
The 19-year-old boy had gone into hiding after being summoned for questioning by the Revolutionary Guard before being arrested in the early hours of October 2. According to Amnesty International, he was thrown to the floor during his arrest, breaking his nose.
Mohammadifard, along with 18-year-old Arshia Takdastan and 31-year-old Javad Rouhi, were sentenced to death in connection with September 21 protests in Noshahr, Mazandaran state, in response to deaths in police custody five days earlier. rice field. of Masa Amini.
Their convictions for charges such as “corruption on earth” and “enmity of God” are subject to appeal in the Supreme Court.
Amnesty International said it had received information that Rohi had been subjected to severe beatings and flogging, including while tied to the soles of his feet and to a stick, and that ice had been placed on his testicles. Amnesty said Taqdastan was also repeatedly beaten.
According to Amnesty International, the defendant was denied the right to choose a lawyer after a hearing lasting less than an hour. He is seeking the cancellation of the death sentence.
Diana Eltahawy, Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa, Amnesty International, said: Any responsibility or complicity in sexual abuse or other forms of torture enjoys absolute impunity, highlighting the brutality and inhumanity of Iran’s justice system.
“The Iranian authorities must immediately annull the convictions and death sentences of these youths and drop all charges related to their peaceful participation in the protests. We must order a speedy, transparent and impartial investigation to ensure that all suspected criminals are brought to justice.”
The names of those suspected of being responsible for the treatment of the three men will be turned over to Western authorities.
