Decision to Drop Charges in Case of 'Torture and Abuse' of Disabled Individuals in Alborz Province

Despite the Alborz province prosecutor confirming 'assault' and the use of 'ropes and chains' to restrain disabled individuals at the Afarinesh care center, the second branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Pardis issued a decision to drop charges regarding the complaints filed by the parents of three disabled individuals against this center. According to a copy of this ruling published on the website of the Welfare Organization on Sunday, October 18, the prosecutor's office stated that based on forensic medical certificates, 'the injuries sustained by the clients are very old, making it scientifically impossible to determine the time and manner of their occurrence.' The second branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Pardis also deemed the footage in the case showing the chaining of disabled individuals at this center as 'unrealistic,' 'staged,' 'devoid of truth,' and 'fabricated.' The Mehr News Agency reported on September 7 that a care center for 'mentally disabled' individuals in the city of Fardis, Karaj, was shut down months ago due to 'proven torture and abuse' of disabled individuals, as well as inspectors' reports regarding issues such as 'beatings,' 'dog therapy,' and 'chain therapy.' Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the first deputy and spokesperson of the Iranian judiciary, also announced on September 20 the arrest of two individuals who, according to him, had 'committed violations' in this case, stating that several others are also under investigation. However, the second branch of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor's Office in Pardis, in a ruling issued on October 10, stated that Mohammad Hassan Shahriari, one of the disabled individuals from this center, was transferred to the hospital on June 17, 2012, and 'according to the existing documents and despite the investigation by the specialized forensic medical commission, the cause of the injury is unknown.' According to this ruling, 'the injuries and bruises on the left knee and right shin' of Mohammad Mehdi Bakhtiari, another disabled individual from this center, 'cannot be attributed to intentional injuries and torture and abuse at this center.' The prosecutor's office also referred to the footage of chaining disabled individuals available in the case as 'unrealistic, staged, and devoid of truth,' stating that 'the disabled individuals filmed are not agitated or hyperactive and can be easily controlled without the need for fixation.' The ruling indicated that 'the angle and manner of filming and its duration also suggest that it is fabricated.' This ruling was issued while Reza Shakerimi, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Alborz province, confirmed on September 14 the 'assault on 20 disabled individuals' and the use of 'ropes and chains' to restrain disabled individuals at this center. Mr. Shakerimi added that this center, in order to 'spend less money,' used 'ropes and chains' and its cook instead of hiring caregivers for the care of disabled individuals. The publication of reports about this center has had widespread repercussions, and Hossein Nahvij Nejad, the deputy of the Welfare Organization, stated on September 17 that not all care centers for disabled individuals are 'paradises' and that 'numerous violations occur daily' in these centers.