Exclusive | The 11-Month Uncertainty of Emanollah Jalalinezad in Shiban Prison, Ahvaz

An informed source on Thursday, March 14, referred to the case of Emanollah Jalalinezad, a teacher from Zahedan imprisoned in Shiban Prison, Ahvaz, told Voice of America that he has remained in a state of uncertainty since his arrest by the security forces of the Islamic Republic on April 8 of this year. He added: The security forces of the Islamic Republic have attributed serious charges to Mr. Jalalinezad, including 'corruption on earth', 'propaganda against the regime', and 'membership in opposition groups', without providing any evidence for these accusations. This source told Voice of America that Emanollah Jalalinezad grew up in Zahedan and that the security apparatus has raised various charges against him solely because he is Baluch. He pointed out that Mr. Jalalinezad, along with 18-year-old Mahdi Memar and eight other students under 18, has been charged with 'rebellion', adding that while the eight student defendants in this case have been released on heavy bail, Mr. Jalalinezad and Memar remain in custody. This source noted that 'there is widespread corruption in the judicial process, and brokers linked to the judicial and security apparatus have conditioned the release of some defendants on the payment of large sums.' He stated that in the Revolutionary Court of Ahvaz, extensive corruption is ongoing, and cases like that of these two political defendants are initially framed with heavy and baseless charges, after which judicial intermediaries and security forces intervene and facilitate the release of some defendants in exchange for money. This source added: 'Large sums are exchanged in this process, sometimes several thousand dollars. If someone cannot pay this money, they remain in custody and face increasing pressure every day.' He mentioned that 'a young investigator from the same family is specifically working on security cases in Ahvaz' and, referring to the potential relationship between old corruption networks and the current processes of these cases, stated that Emanollah Jalalinezad's family is demanding transparency regarding the corruption behind this case. This source emphasized: 'It is time for the hands that are engaged in corruption in the shadows to be revealed, and for individuals' rights not to be so easily overlooked.' Emanollah Jalalinezad, who was accepted into the education system of Khuzestan province three years ago and was an art teacher at Amir Kabir Technical School in Ahvaz, was arrested on April 8 of this year along with a student named Mahdi Memar and several students. They have been accused of actions related to the nationwide protests following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody by the Guidance Patrol in 2022. The uncertain situation of Eman Jalalinezad, the imprisoned teacher in Ahvaz, continues. The 'No to Execution Tuesdays' campaign warns about the death sentence of a prisoner accused of rebellion, recounting the 'psychological and physical torture' in Ahvaz. The campaign warns of the confirmation of the death sentences of eight Arab and Baluch prisoners.