Arrests and Abuse Ayatollah Boroujerdi’s Followers

An informed source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that in the past weeks, supporters of Ayatollah Kazemini Boroujerdi have been subjected to abuse and mistreatment by security authorities in Mashad, and some have been arrested and detained inside Mashad’s Intelligence Office Detention Center. “Starting in mid-March, with the attack of security forces on the residence of the Khodadai family and the arrest of their son, Iman Khodadai, the abuse and mistreatment of the followers of Ayatollah Boroujerdi entered a new phase. After Iman Khodadai’s release, purple bruises were quite visible on his body,” a human rights activist who requested anonymity told the Campaign.

The source also told the Campaign about repeated threats on the families of Ayatollah Kazemini Boroujerdi’s followers and the arrest of another follower. “Security forces contacted Ayatollah Boroujerdi’s followers and unleashed verbal abuse and threats on them, and in an unusual move, they have their homes under surveillance from inside vans parked in front of their homes. Another woman related to this religious group, referred to as “Bibi” by other Ayatollah Boroujerdi followers, has been arrested,” the source said.

Previously, several news items pertaining to the arrests of those close to, or followers of, Ayatollah Kazemini Boroujerdi in Tehran were published. Only in November, six supporters of this cleric were arrested. Also, followers of Ayatollah Kazemini Boroujerdi who were arrested in October 2006 were tortured and threatened inside Ward 209 of Evin Prison during their interrogations. About 11 months later, all of them were temporarily released on bails of $50,000 to $100,000.

International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran