Kouhyar Goudarzi held behind bars in solitary confinement

Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR)- Incarcerated human rights activist Kouhyar Goudarzi was again transferred from the public cells in Ward 209 to solitary confinement in Evin prison. According to reports, prior to this Kouhyar Goudarzi was being kept with another prisoner in a 10-meter cell in Ward 209. This area of the ward is comprised of very small cells referred to as “suites.” Kouhyar’s cellmate was recently taken to another location and Kouhyar was transferred back to solitary confinement.

After Intelligence Ministry agents detained Kouhyar Gourdarzi on July 31, 2011, there was no news of his condition or his whereabouts and he was kept behind bars incommunicado without the right to contact his family for 3 months. During this period of time, Kouhyar was kept behind bars in solitary confinement for 60 days.

During his court hearing which was held on January 17, 2012, Judge Pir-Abassi presiding over Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court charged Kouhyar Goudarzi with “propaganda against the regime” and “gathering and collusion against the regime.” As he awaits his sentencing, Kouhyar has objected to his continued incarceration in Ward 209, and has requested to be moved to the public ward of the prison.

Kouhyar Goudarzi is being kept in the detention center of Ward 209 despite the fact that his interrogations ended a while ago, indicating that the only reason he is still behind bars in this area is for the officials to continue harassing, intimidating and pressuring him.

Kouhyar Goudarzi, member of Committee of Human Rights Reporters (CHRR), was first arrested on December 20, 2009 and was sentenced to one year in prison. He was released on December 2010 after serving his time behind bars.

Kouhyar’s mother Parvin Mokhtareh was also arrested one day after he was detained. She is being kept behind bars in Kerman prison and she is waiting for the appellate court’s ruling regarding her sentence.