Facing the spread of Coronavirus, Iran’s authorities have granted furloughs for 70,000 prisoners — but almost none for political detainees.
Judiciary head Ebrahim Raisi (pictured) told a meeting on Monday, “The release of the prisoners should continue to the point where it doesn’t cause insecurity in society. Priority goes to those who have underlying health conditions.”
But political prisoners, including foreign nationals, were not included in the furloughs.p
Roghieh Zare Pourheydari, the wife of political detainee Rouein Otoufat, told the Center for Human Rights in Iran, “Except for two or three people, such as [human rights activist] Shahnaz Akmali and [labor rights activist] Mohammad Karimi, none have been allowed to leave.”
Relatives of two dual national detainees said Evin Prison ran out of medicines, sanitary, and hygiene supplies in late February.
The Health Ministry raised the official death toll to 237 on Monday, with a rise in cases to 7,161 from 6,566.
Javaid Rehman, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, said on Monday, “Recent reports indicate that the COVID-19 virus has spread inside Iranian prisons.”
Citing sources in Iran, the CHRI said at least eight prisoners have contracted Coronavirus, including four in Ward 4 of Evin Prison in Tehran; two in the central prison in Quchan in northesat Iran; and one in the central prison in Orumiyeh in northwest Iran.
Khamenei Cancels New Year Speech
The Supreme Leader cancelled his Iranian New Year speech on March 20 in Iran’s second city Mashhad, as part of the campaign to stop the spread of the virus.
Just over two weeks ago, Ayatollah Khamenei said Coronavirus was a “Western plot” to depress turnout at Iran’s Parliamentary elections, which had a historically-low participation rate of 42.5%.
But last week, the Government reversed its opposition to quarantines. Events such as Friday Prayers were cancelled, and checkpoints were introduced to monitor and limit travel between major cities.
See also Iran Daily, March 9: Coronavirus — “We Are Losing It. People Are Dying”
“Khamenei Cancels New Year Speech”
Because khamendei is hiding shitless in rat’s hole
“Coronavirus Prison Furloughs — But Not for Political Detainees”
Shahnaz Akmali and [labor rights activist] Mohammad Karimi, have been allowed to leave.”
A few days ago the MEK claimed that 2,000 had died in Iran from the coronavirus. Now Radio Farda – the Farsi language propaganda arm of the U.S government – is claiming that 927 have died according to unnamed”sources at the Ministry of Health” https://en.radiofarda.com/a/exclusive-radio-farda-investigation-shows-more-than-900-coronavirus-deaths-in-iran/30479123.html
We know very well you are [not bright], but reading plain language shouldn’t be hard
“The data is based on dispersed official comments made by provincial authorities, the sources affiliated with the Ministry of Health (MH) of the Islamic Republic, and local news agency reports”
The above statement is summary of what NAMED iri authorities from last few days. You are illiterate.
Which named authorities? Which officials? What news reports?