Mostafa Tajzadeh’s Condition Deteriorating

According to the latest reports from Evin prison, Mostafa Tajzadeh’s physical condition has become increasingly worrisome.

Mostafah Tajzadeh, a senior member of the Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution Organization [a reformist organization, not to be confused with banned opposition group MKO], who returned to Evin prison 9 months ago after seven reformists complained about Commander Moshfegh*, is reportedly in terrible physical condition. When Tajzadeh was summoned back to Evin prison to complete his 6 year prison sentence, due to interference by the IRGC’s Intelligence Unit, he was transferred to a cell under supervision of the Intelligence Ministry rather than the general ward reserved for most political prisoners.

For a while, Tajzadeh, who was the Political Vice Minister of the Ministry of Interior of Iran in during the administration of Mohammad Khatami, shared a cell with Mohammad Nourizad at Evin’s Ward 2A. However, after Ashura, Nourizad’s hunger strike and being transferred to a hospital, Tajzadeh was once again held in solitary confinement for long periods of time.

According to reports from anonymous Green sources at Evin prison, Tajzadeh also shared a cell for several months with an inmate with psychological problems, which was designed to be more difficult to endure than solitary confinement and increase the level of torture and inflict more pressure on him.

These sources also report that prisoners who accidentally witnessed Tajzadeh being transferred in recent days expressed grave concern for his well being.

In the past two years, Tajzadeh has endured a minimum 15 months in solitary confinement and in cells holding two inmates, 11 months of which show clear evidence of torture while in solitary confinement.

According to experts and political activists, Tajzadeh has been treated very poorly by IRGC agents in Evin prison. It appears that IRGC agents are determined to take revenge against this well-known political figure.

[*Translator's Note: Referring to a lawsuit filed by seven leading reformist political figures (including Tajzadeh) against several commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps for their intervention in Iran's rigged presidential election of June 12, 2009, and its aftermath. The basis for the lawsuit was a speech given by a hitherto little-known but high-ranking Guard officer, Sardar (commander) Moshfegh, who is linked with the Guards' intelligence unit and is deputy director of intelligence for the Sarallah military base.]

Translation by Banooye Sabz
Edited by Persian2English