A Group of 'Exiled Political Prisoners in Qazalhessar' Calls for an End to Executions and Violence in Society and Prisons

A group of political prisoners has called for an end to the issuance and execution of death sentences, an end to blatant violence in society and prisons, respect for human rights and human dignity, and the non-arrest of civil political activists and the families of victims seeking justice. This letter, which has reached Voice of America, is signed by Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, Reza Salmandzadeh, Mostafa Ramazani, and Reza Mohammad Hosseini. In their letter, these prisoners condemned the raid on the women's political prisoners' ward in Evin Prison and the repression of girls and women in the streets, expressing their solidarity with the freedom-seeking people of Iran and emphasizing that 'they are willing to pay the price for the liberation of their people and homeland from the clutches of tyranny with their lives and souls.' The political prisoners, who introduced themselves as 'exiled political prisoners in Qazalhessar,' stated that 'the government may take our lives, but it can never take our freedom.' They added, 'Without a doubt, prisons are one of the bases of struggle and resistance against the ruling oppressors, but political prisoners always strive, based on their human duty, to shine light and hope on society by overcoming all limitations and pressures.' Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, Reza Salmandzadeh, Mostafa Ramazani, and Reza Mohammad Hosseini also noted in this letter: 'Following the increase in crimes called executions, using religion and law as a tool, we see that political activists in prisons have not succumbed to silence, including the political women prisoners in Evin Prison and the political prisoners in Qazalhessar. However, the result of these protests has been the shameless assault and beating of political women prisoners held in Evin by prison guards and the initiation of a war under the pretext of hijab against the freedom-seeking girls of our homeland.' These political prisoners described the actions of the Islamic Republic as 'a sign of the wickedness and fear of the repressive apparatus' and demanded an immediate end to executions and violence in society and prisons. Following reports of the beating of political women prisoners in Evin Prison, Reporters Without Borders and the American PEN Association issued statements calling for the release of these prisoners. Women political prisoners held in Evin Prison protested the execution of Reza Rasayi on August 7, gathering in protest, during which some of them were beaten by men from military and security agencies, and prison officials also prevented the treatment of the injured prisoners. There has been an increase in global calls for the release of Narges Mohammadi; the American PEN Association has launched a campaign to collect signatures. Shirin Ebadi warned about the situation of Narges Mohammadi and other political prisoners: 'The government has drawn its sword.' The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about executions in Iran. The death sentences of six prisoners accused of 'rebellion' were confirmed by the Supreme Court of the country. The aftermath of the attack by agents on political women prisoners in Evin Prison has left Narges Mohammadi's family worried about her health. Reports of the guards' blows to the chest of the Nobel Peace Prize winner; Taghi Rahmani reported on Narges Mohammadi's 'respiratory attack.' The Human Rights Campaign in Iran reported that 17 women prisoners were injured in the attack by the Evin guards. Exclusive: The direct role of the head of Evin Prison in suppressing protests by political women prisoners. Four political prisoners in Qazalhessar described the execution of Reza Rasayi as 'the poison of the executioners' in the run-up to the anniversary of the 'September Uprising.'