IFP Exclusive

Iran Judiciary Investigating Activist’s Torture Claims

A fact-finding mission formed by Iran’s Judiciary has travelled to Iran’s south-western province of Khuzestan to investigate claims by a worker saying he was mistreated during his time in prisons, a senior official announced.

“Upon the order of the head of the Judiciary, a special expert delegation was formed by Iran’s attorney-general [Mohammad Jafar Montazeri] to investigate rumours and claims about the torture of a detained worker of Neyshekar-e Haft Tapeh firm,” said Ali Akbar Bakhtiari, the head of attorney-general’s office, Mizan News Agency reported.

He was referring to Ismael Bakhshi, a former worker of a local sugar factory in Khuzestan, who had been detained on November 20 reportedly for his role in weeks-long protests over unpaid salaries at the factory.

Bakhshi, charged with disruption of public order and plotting against Iran security, was released on bail on December 12.

Nearly a month later, Bakhshi claimed in an Instagram post published last week that he was tortured to death during his stay in prison.

The protests at the Haft Tapeh factory, which has over 4,000 workers, were ended in December after the workers received their wages.

Anti-Iran Plot?

The development came after Judiciary Chief Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli Larijani ordered immediate investigations into the claim on Monday.

However, Ayatollah Larijani said even if the allegations are proven, violations by an interrogator should not be blamed on the whole security forces.

The broad coverage of the claims by anti-Iran media suggests the case could be the latest in a string of plots hatched to tarnish the image of Iran, he said in a meeting with senior judicial officials.

Meanwhile, Hessamoddin Ashna, an advisor to the Iranian president, said Hassan Rouhani has ordered that the case be examined quickly.

A parliament committee has also been authorized to investigate Bakhshi’s claims after lawmakers requested a probe.

IFP Editorial Staff

The IFP Editorial Staff is composed of dozens of skilled journalists, news-writers, and analysts whose works are edited and published by experienced editors specialized in Iran News. The editor of each IFP Service is responsible for the report published by the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website, and can be contacted through the ways mentioned in the "IFP Editorial Staff" section.

Recent Posts

Russia says ‘hotheads’ talking about sending EU forces to Ukraine

There is no consensus among EU countries on whether to send troops to Ukraine, Kremlin…

20 minutes ago

Leader’s aide: Iran-Azerbaijan joint military drill a turning point for regional peace, security

Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s Leader on international affairs, says the ongoing joint…

1 hour ago

Israel intensifies attacks on Lebanon but claims ceasefire agreement ‘close’

Israel’s military launched air attacks across Lebanon, unleashing explosions throughout the country and killing several…

1 hour ago

Iran FM urges intl. community to prevent normalization of Israeli genocide, crimes

Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi emphasized that the international community must not allow Israel's…

14 hours ago

Iranian govt. Spokeswoman announces consensus on ending Internet filtering

The spokesperson for the Iranian government, Fatemeh Mohajerani, has announced that the Supreme Council of…

15 hours ago

Official: Iran gas exports to Iraq stopped at one point

Saeed Tavakoli, CEO of the National Iranian Gas Company, confirmed to an Iranian news agency…

15 hours ago