Exclusive; Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb in Prison; 25 Days on Hunger Strike, Deprived of Contact and Visits

News and human rights sources reported that Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, currently on the 25th day of his latest hunger strike in Evin Prison, has been deprived of contact with relatives and visits from family for the past three months by order of prison officials. A source close to Zartosht told VOA on Wednesday, September 8, that this political prisoner’s communication with the outside world has been cut off, and he is now in the 25th day of his hunger strike. The informed source emphasized that in previous years and periods of imprisonment, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb had 'only met with his family once,' stating that 'rights and insurance' for this imprisoned civil activist have been cut off, and his family is in 'severe financial distress,' which is why, even before the visit ban, he was unwilling for his family to visit. Additionally, Pouya Jigarvand, a civil activist in Iran and a friend of this political prisoner, announced two days ago, on Monday, that 23 days have passed since Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb's latest hunger strike began. On July 17, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb stated in a message from Ward 6 of Evin Prison, which was provided to VOA, that 'the censorship process against political, civil, and human rights activists' continues 'so that no voice reaches the people from there.' Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb mentioned that his phone, along with those of Mehdi Maskinvaz, Mohammad Nourizad, and Yavar Fathollahi, 'remains cut off,' yet he expressed determination to 'make our voices heard to compatriots inside and outside the country,' asserting that the efforts of 'security agencies and prison guards to limit us are futile' because 'we continue to utilize our methods.' Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb was arrested shortly after his release on March 7, 2023, while attempting to join teachers at their gathering, having been 'beaten' during his arrest. With the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death and nationwide protests in Iran approaching, pressure on civil and political activists and the fabrication of cases against them by the security and judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic has intensified. Previously, an informed source told VOA's Persian section that a joint case had been opened by the IRGC Intelligence Organization against six constitutionalist civil activists, four of whom are currently in prison, with charges of 'gathering and collusion' and 'propaganda against the regime.' According to the informed source, among these six civil and political activists, 'Ali-Asghar Hosseini Rad, residing in Tehran, was arrested on July 30,' and 'Mehdi Gholami from Kabudar Ahang, Hamadan, was arrested on August 1,' both in Mazandaran, while Vahid Sarkh Gol from Kermanshah was arrested on Wednesday, August 9, after being summoned to the third branch of the Kermanshah public and revolutionary prosecutor's office, and simultaneously, Vahid Qadirzadeh was also arrested 'during a raid by IRGC agents on his father's house.' Kazem Ali Nejad from Tabriz is another defendant in this joint case who is currently in a safe location. Additionally, Arsham Rezaei, a human rights activist, based on a notification sent to Vahid Sarkh Gol on August 6, tweeted that he is the sixth person in this case. This constitutionalist civil activist reported yesterday, Tuesday, about a 'raid' by 12 government agents 'posing as electricity department officials' on his mother's house with the intent to arrest him, and in a video message addressed to the Islamic Republic forces, he emphasized: 'If I am running away from you now, it is not out of fear. I will not leave the playing field for a few hyenas like you.' Arsham Rezaei added: 'On September 16, we will see you in the streets, and rest assured we will stand against you there as well. We fear nothing. We will sacrifice our lives, but we will not abandon our Iran.' Previously, Yashar Tabrizi, a civil activist, reported the 'cutting off of phone and shopping cards' for several prisoners, including Zartosht Ahmadi Raghb, Mehdi Maskinvaz, and Mohsen Ghiyasi 'by order of the Ministry of Intelligence, the Disciplinary Council, and the prison chief,' an action that led to the transfer of Mohammad Nourizad to solitary confinement in protest. Pressure on plaintiffs has intensified ahead of the anniversary of Mahsa Amini; Farhad Zareh was also arrested, and Nazila Maroufian was detained 'with beatings' by agents a day after supporting Mehdi Yarah. Mohammad Hossein Sepahri stated: 'I am moving on the highway of patriotism.' The first trial session of Saleh Nikbakht, the lawyer in the Mahsa Amini case, was held. Mohsen Chavoshi and Mohsen Namjoo condemned the arrest of Mehdi Yarah: 'You are the fighter.' The case of two journalists, Nasim Soltanbeigi and Saeedeh Shafiei, was sent to the appeals court.