Eight days after a report was published regarding the 'torture' of disabled individuals with 'chains and dogs' at a care center for physically and mentally disabled persons, the prosecutor of Alborz province confirmed the 'assault on 20 disabled individuals' and the use of 'ropes and chains' for their care at this center. According to ISNA news agency, Haji Reza Shakeri stated on Tuesday, September 23, that 'no evidence has been found regarding the use of dogs for torturing the disabled.' He also reported that the case of this center has been sent to the judiciary in Fardis. Shakeri's statements come as Morteza Makari, the director of the Alborz Welfare Organization, announced that 'no dogs or chains' were found in this care center. On September 16, the Mehr news agency reported, without naming the center, that one of the care facilities for disabled individuals in Alborz province was closed months ago due to 'proven torture and abuse' of the disabled, as well as inspectors' reports regarding issues such as 'assault,' 'dog therapy,' and 'chain therapy.' Meanwhile, Haji Reza Shakeri, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Alborz province, stated that the 'use of ropes and chains' for the care of physically and mentally disabled individuals at this center has been 'established.' According to Shakeri, this center used 'ropes and chains' instead of hiring nurses to 'reduce costs.' He added that 'signs of assault and injury were observed in 20 disabled individuals at this center, and 2 of them were seriously injured.' Shakeri also mentioned that 'staff and cooks dressed in nursing uniforms' were taking care of the disabled. Furthermore, according to ISNA, the Alborz prosecutor emphasized that tying disabled individuals 'with ropes and chains' has caused them 'serious harm' and this act is considered a 'crime.' The Mehr news agency reported that Ms. Safaei, the foster mother of a disabled individual named Ali, stated that staff at this center had once 'set a dog on' her foster son, causing him to run away in fear and dislocate his shoulder. However, the Alborz prosecutor stated in an interview with ISNA that 'although a dog may have been kept at this facility, no evidence has been found so far regarding the use of dogs for torturing the disabled.' The Mehr news agency also reported that this care center began its operations in 2000 with a license from the Alborz Welfare Organization and later expanded its operations with the help of donors and fees received from parents, caring for 139 disabled individuals. Mr. Farzin, a former manager of this center, also stated that the center was 'illegally' charging 500,000 tomans monthly for the care of each disabled individual instead of the legal rate of 370,000 tomans. Meanwhile, according to the Alborz prosecutor, this center should have charged 400,000 tomans monthly for each disabled individual according to welfare law, but in some cases, this amount reached 'one million tomans,' and 'the subsidies for disabled individuals who left this center were also taken again from the Welfare Organization.' Private care centers for disabled individuals operate with the permission of the Welfare Organization. Meanwhile, Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpay, the head of the Welfare Organization, stated that the organization is currently examining this incident 'from a legal perspective.' He added that 'we need to be more careful because the person who establishes a center usually has a benevolent intention, and perhaps a staff member or an individual at that center may commit a mistake, but the intention of the founder and benefactor of the center is not.' According to the website of the Welfare Organization of the whole country, in Tehran province, with the permission of the Welfare Organization, there are 11 centers for the care of mentally disabled individuals under 14 years old and 25 centers for the care of mentally disabled individuals over 14 years old. Some care centers for disabled individuals in Iran are also run as charities, and the website of Iranian charities lists more than 140 charitable organizations caring for disabled individuals.
Alborz Prosecutor Confirms 'Torture of Disabled Individuals' at Care Center
The Alborz prosecutor confirmed reports of torture involving disabled individuals at a care center, including the use of ropes and chains, while denying evidence of dogs being used for torture. This incident has raised serious concerns about the treatment of disabled individuals in care facilities in Iran, prompting legal investigations.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
The prosecutor of Alborz province confirmed reports of abuse involving the use of ropes and chains on disabled individuals at a care center, while denying evidence of dogs being used for torture. Legal investigations are underway to address these allegations.
- 20 disabled individuals showed signs of assault and injury.
- The care center allegedly used ropes and chains to cut costs instead of hiring adequate staff.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran's care facilities for disabled individuals are often underfunded and face allegations of mistreatment. This incident is part of a broader pattern of challenges in the welfare system.
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