Mohseni Ejei: Two Arrested in Connection with Disability Abuse Case

Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei, the spokesperson for Iran's judiciary, announced the arrest of two individuals in connection with the abuse of disabled persons at a care center in Karaj. On September 20, during his weekly press conference in Tehran, he stated that investigations have revealed these two individuals committed violations and that several others are also being pursued. The Mehr News Agency had published a report on September 7 regarding the treatment and care of disabled and mentally challenged individuals at a care center in the city of Fardis, Karaj. The report indicated that this center was shut down months ago due to 'proven torture and abuse' of disabled individuals, as well as inspectors' reports regarding instances of 'beating', 'dog therapy', and 'chain therapy'. Ejei also mentioned that a report regarding violations at this center had been submitted to the prosecutor's office, leading to the formation of a case based on it. Following the initial report, other Iranian news agencies identified this center as 'Afreenesh' and wrote that 'chains and dogs' were used to control disabled individuals, which constitutes 'torture'. In response to the reports, Reza Shakeri, the public and revolutionary prosecutor of Alborz province, confirmed on September 13 that '20 disabled individuals were beaten' and that disabled individuals were kept using 'ropes and chains' at this center, but stated that 'no evidence of using dogs for torturing disabled individuals has been found'. This judicial official also reported that the case of this center has been sent to the Fardis prosecutor's office. Shakeri added that the center, in order to 'reduce costs', used 'ropes and chains' and its own cook instead of hiring nurses for the care of disabled individuals. Hossein Nahvijad, the deputy of the Welfare Organization, also acknowledged on September 17 that 'violations' occurred at this center but stated that 'there is not enough documentation' to prove that the treatment of disabled individuals at this center was 'organized torture'.