Imprisonment of Bahrad Ali-Konari, Protest Rapper; 2 Female Political Prisoners in Evin Denied Medical Care

In the ongoing pressure on protesters and political prisoners, the imprisonment of Bahrad Ali-Konari, a government-critical rapper, has been enforced, while two female political prisoners, Reyhaneh Ansari-Najad and Sarvanaz Ahmadi, remain deprived of medical services in Evin Prison. On Saturday, September 3, Bahrad Ali-Konari's Instagram page announced that the artist, sentenced to six months in prison, has been sent to Qom Prison to serve his sentence. Bahrad Ali-Konari, who was arrested on May 13 of this year and temporarily released on bail, mentioned in a message that the accusation against him was 'collaboration with hostile media to promote against the regime' and stated that despite his lawyers' efforts, his prison sentence was not reduced. This protesting artist emphasized that he is not afraid of prison but expressed concern about the potential negative psychological effects of imprisonment, stating, 'What worries me is the person I will become after these six months.' Bahrad Ali-Konari explained that after his release from prison in 2022, he no longer had the 'motivation and enthusiasm' for music and music production. The judicial authorities of the Islamic Republic have named Bahrad Ali-Konari as one of the defendants in the case of Rouhollah Ajami, a Basij member who died during the nationwide protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom,' claiming he was granted a general amnesty. According to the 'Dadban' legal advice center, the defendants in this case spent five months under 'severe torture' in prison. In his message, Bahrad Ali-Konari announced the continuation of his music activities during imprisonment, stating, 'Music work continues because we continue.' Meanwhile, the Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions of Iran reported the deteriorating health of Sarvanaz Ahmadi and Reyhaneh Ansari-Najad, female political prisoners held in Evin Prison. This teachers' union referred to the 'severe beating' of female prisoners protesting the execution of Reza Rasayi, a protester from the city of Sanandaj and a follower of the Yarsan faith, by Evin guards, reporting that Sarvanaz Ahmadi, a children's rights activist, suffered a nervous breakdown on Saturday morning due to pressures and lack of medical attention for her injuries, and despite needing medical care, she was denied treatment. According to this report, the physical condition of Reyhaneh Ansari-Najad, a labor activist, has also been described as 'poor,' and despite protests from female prisoners in Evin regarding the lack of medical attention for her, prison officials remain 'indifferent.' The Coordinating Council of Teachers' Trade Unions held the government responsible for the protection of prisoners' lives and emphasized that 'threats and repression' have not deterred activists from their demands and will make them more determined in pursuing their 'legitimate and legal demands.' Previously, Iran Human Rights Organization reported the medical deprivation of Jamal Ameli, a civil activist imprisoned in Evin, and the serious danger to his life. Additionally, two human rights organizations in their monthly report for August emphasized the intensification of human rights violations by the Islamic Republic of Iran, including executions, violations of individual and social freedoms, military and judicial violence, and the worsening economic situation leading to protests. Concerns from human rights organizations about further executions are rising as the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death approaches. Several female political prisoners in Evin remain deprived of phone contact and visits with their families. Protests from five legal and human rights organizations against the conviction of Mohammad Seyfzadeh have been reported. Mokhtar Asadi, a teachers' union activist from Kurdistan, has been transferred to Evin's quarantine section. Ebrahim Madadi, one of the founders of the Tehran Bus Workers' Syndicate, was arrested at Evin Prosecutor's Office. The Supreme Court has rejected the retrial of Davood Razavi, a jailed labor activist, for the second time. The Human Rights Campaign in Iran stated that the death sentence for Sharifeh Mohammadi reflects the dire situation of labor activists. The hunger strike of Reza Shahabi has been suspended following a promise for immediate attention to his demands.