Iran: More Than 36 Prisoners Killed in Prison Riots
Published by Ali on April 20, 2020
International Liberty Association: According to Human rights sources have identified more prisoners killed by security forces in Ahvaz prison riots over fears of contracting the coronavirus. The state security forces responded to the rioting related to coronavirus, in prisons across the country late March by firing live ammunition and tear gas. The prisoners’ relatives have reported that dozens of prisoners were suffocated with teargas, burned to death during a prison riot, amid an outbreak of Covid-19.
The authorities have not released the real number of those killed and also have not yet provided accurate numbers of those killed.
The Intelligence Ministry office in Ahvaz has warned the relatives of the victims of Sheiban and Sepidar prisons, against disclosing the cause of death of their loved ones and also, in order to prevent the news of the repression of the prisoners, the prison phone lines are cut off, and the officials do not respond to the families.
Amnesty International has announce their concern of around 36 prisoners killed by Iranian regime enforcers attempting to suppress uprisings in at least eight prisons around the country.
Amnesty cited the sources inside Iran, and alleged live ammunition was used to quell protests by detainees fearful they would become sick with Covid-19. Amnesty has mentioned that according to the sources, at least one case in which a prisoner was possibly beaten to death.
It should be mentioned that, there are reports indicating that several other inmates have been harmed by security forces during the protests.
The reports also indicate that, the UN human rights spokesperson Rupert Colville voiced concern about the prisoners after reports of unrest in facilities prompted by worries over a coronavirus outbreak in a virtual briefing in Geneva on 4 April.
“As you see in Iran and some other countries, we are seeing riots, prisoners who are afraid, who are distressed at the big loss of contact from family members and so on. So, there are many, many issues surrounding this,” Colville said.
“We are horrified at the death of a juvenile offender after he was reportedly badly beaten by security officers,” Colville added. “Prisoners were protesting at prison conditions and the failure of the authorities to temporarily release them amid the COVID-19 pandemic.”
