| Submit your comments on this article |
| Syria-Lebanon-Iran |
| Iran Police Chief blamed for Kahrizak prison deaths |
| 2009-08-10 |
| The Kahrizak prison controversy lingers on as a senior lawmaker blames the Iranian Police Chief for the sordid treatment of election protestors. Hamid-Reza Katouzian, a member of the Principlist faction that holds the majority of seats in the Parliament (Majlis), said Wednesday that Iran's Police Chief, Esmail Ahmadi-Moqaddam, is responsible for the death and abuse of detained opposition demonstrators in Kahrizak. "Unfortunately, the gross misconduct of Kahrizak officials have resulted in the murder of scores of young people," said Katouzian. "The Iranian Police Chief is duty bound to provide a clear explanation in this regard." Katouzian was referring to the mysterious death case of Mohammad Kamrani and Mohsen Ruholamini -- both of whom were arrested during post-election protests and died while in detention. The death of Ruholamini, whose father Abdul-Hossein is a prominent Iranian scientist close to the country's political elite, has sparked an outcry within the Parliament. Ahmadi-Moqaddam said Sunday that Ruholamini was not murdered, but died of "a deadly virus infection". Katouzian was quick to reject the statement out of hand, and said there was indisputable evidence that suggested the 25-year-old was beaten to death. "Mr. Ruholamini would like to see the murderer of his son to face justice. Whoever killed Mohsen has committed first-degree murder and should be punished accordingly," he said. Katouzian said the Police Chief's response to the murder case is not enough, and added, "Police officials should take necessary measures towards the gross prisoner abuse in Kahrizak." Located south of Tehran, Kahrizak became a scene of nagging controversy after grim reports surfaced about the mysterious death of some of the inmates. According to eyewitness accounts, Kahrizak was a 'substandard detention center' where inmates were physically abused by their wardens. The prison was subsequently ordered shut by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei two weeks ago. |
| Posted by:Fred |