Last May, a group of students were arrested in Amir Kabir University (AKU), following the suspicious distribution of student newsletter which insulted the Supreme Leader. Soon, there were strong reports that the newsletters were counterfeited to create the pretext for arresting and oppressing students. For the background and the related cartoon see here.
Recently, shocking details of the torture of the arrested students were surfaced, causing outrage in the Iranian blogosphere. The names of some of the arrested students are Ahmad Ghasaban (اØمد قصابان), Majid Tavakkoli (مجید توکلی) and Ehsan Nansouri (اØسان منصوری). Reportedly, the students underwent massive sexual torture. The Intelligence Ministry agents have reportedly raped the students using bottles, hot eggs, etc. As a result, their screams have been reportedly heard in other rooms in the prison. Reportedly, a few of the detainees have committed suicide, as a result of the excessive pressure, the traces of which are still visible on their bodies. According to a letter published by their parents, the students have been tortured for up to 12 hours by a team of seven, at the middle of the nights. Reportedly, the torture team have been using physicians to keep the students alive while make them suffer as much as possible. The students have been also denied access to washroom and were beaten up when they lost their control.
Source of the picture: Student Committee of Human Rights Reporters
Update: Human Rights Watch issues a statement.
Archer, the Great? or Kamangir, the Great? Thank you for keeping up with your excellent blogging.
This news is sickening and not a whisper from those who incessantly talk about Abu Ghraib and when we do the same thing about the atrocities occuring in Iran, we’re called all kinds of names…I guess as brown people, we somehow deserve this kind of treatment or perhaps they think we’re used it…I don’t know…
Kamangir: Thanks for the support, :)
Comment by serendip — July 27, 2007 @ 2:24 pm
What is wrong with these sickos? Is that sort of stuff all they ever think about?? Women have to cover up, wear “sacks”, because the men blame them for what’s in their thoughts, they can’t control themselves if they see a woman “tempting” them. There’s something called ’selfcontrol’ and how about taking responsibility for oneself. Sick, sick, sick. Sadistic bastards.
Those poor students and their parents! It makes my blood boil when I hear about some of the things humans do to each other. Stay well!
Comment by nachtwache — July 27, 2007 @ 3:40 pm
How low they will go to preserve their power?
if this is not an evil act, I don’t know what is. And they call themselves Muslims! How can they justify their actions, with religion, is beyond my comprehension.
May God save them for their own self.
Sad for day for a nation when they do this to their new generation.
Kamangir, please do keep us informed, maybe we should, collectively, send this news to all the Western media outlets and expose this news beyond Iranian blog world! I will do my part and will let you know.
Comment by Frieda — July 27, 2007 @ 9:32 pm
That’s a shame. Intelligent people like this need to learn that if all they do is speak up, all that will happen is they’ll get mowed down. Nevermind encouraging a rebellion.. people will join your cause when they’re no longer okay with what’s happening around them. Those who know better should band together, take up arms, defend themselves. They should get to safety if possible. If the democratic people of Iran decide that there’s a better way, eventually what starts as a small safe haven will expand to encompass the entire country. In the mean time, people have done to them whatever those around them are willing to allow.
Comment by Ross — July 29, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
Always appalling to see. Simply shameful.
I wonder if A.N. would give a Vice-President-Cheney-like explanation: “Things Happen” – speaking of Abu Ghraib
Comment by Manijeh — July 30, 2007 @ 2:46 pm
I just digg it. It was the topest google search of “Iranian students torture”
thanks arash
Comment by luna — July 31, 2007 @ 6:10 am
Thanks Arash for keeping us informed.
I translated this post in Italian, for our Italian readers.
Ciao
Giovanni
Comment by Giovanni B. — July 31, 2007 @ 7:22 am
Hi. Sorry for my english. Happy New Year!!!!!
Good Luck!
Comment by Sweta-Zinok — December 26, 2007 @ 12:48 pm