Exclusive: Letters from Two Political Prisoners Regarding 'Pre-determined' Sentences and 'Torture' in Detention

Shakila Monfared and Behfar Lalehzari, political prisoners in Evin Prison, in separate letters obtained by Voice of America, reported on the issuance of 'pre-determined' sentences and 'torture' during their detention. In a letter seen by Voice of America, Shakila Monfared mentioned a 'pre-determined' court sentence of 15 months in prison, a two-year ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, and additional penalties such as a ban on using smartphones and membership in political and social groups. In part of this note, she referred to Eman Afshari, the judge who issued this sentence, as a 'signature machine for the IRGC.' Activists and human rights organizations have consistently criticized the lack of independence of the judicial system and judges in Iran, assessing the sentences issued, especially against political and civil defendants, as a result of pressure from intelligence agencies on judges. Shakila Monfared, who has been imprisoned for four years, pointed out that the punishment of being banned from residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces means 'none of the cities in Iran, including Borazjan and Sistan and Baluchestan, are places of exile.' Recently, Ashkan Monfared, the brother of this political prisoner, reported on Judge Afshari's order to transfer his sister, Shakila, to Sistan and Baluchestan. Shakila Monfared has been imprisoned for four years on charges such as 'propaganda against the regime,' 'insulting Islamic sanctities,' 'spreading falsehoods,' and 'membership in opposition groups.' Behfar Lalehzari, in a letter seen by Voice of America, described the 'sudden raid' by security officers for the arrest of him and his wife, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi, along with four other friends in September of this year. According to this former political prisoner, plainclothes officers violently assaulted them without presenting a warrant, broke 'household items and dishes,' and severely destroyed their property, seizing 'documents and other personal belongings' and taking them away. Behfar Lalehzari named the Fifth Police Security Base in Yaftabad and the Public Security Police office on Vezara Street in Tehran as two locations where he and his companions were subjected to 'torture and interrogation.' Based on the court ruling, a copy of which was obtained by Voice of America, these six individuals - Behfar Lalehzari, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi, Pouria Shokouhi Rad, Mohsen Haj Mohammad, Hamed Mohagheghi, and Sajad Bakhshali - were charged with 'collusion and conspiracy against national security.' The ruling specified instances of this charge, including 'creating a communication line on social media' and using 'subversive and anti-security expressions' and 'modeling' after opposition groups 'such as monarchists.' Behfar Lalehzari and his wife, Rezvaneh Ahmadkhanbeigi, were sentenced to five years in prison in this case. Recently, the niece of Mohsen Haj Mohammad, one of the defendants in this case, reported to Voice of America about the torture and beating of this political activist by plainclothes officers. Following the nationwide protests of 2021, the Islamic Republic has intensified security and judicial crackdowns against political, civil, and labor activists. These actions have faced criticism from human rights organizations and the United Nations.