Feb 29, 2008

West Balochistan: Brother of Activist Arrested


Ibrahim Mehrnahad, 16 years old brother of Yaghub Mehrnahad who is sentenced to death has been arrested by Iranian security forces.

Ibrahim Mehrnahad, 16 years old brother of Yaghub Mehrnahad who is sentenced to death has been arrested by Iranian security forces.

Below is an article published by Iranian Minorities’ Human Right Organisation:

Ibrahim Mehrnahad, 16 years old brother of Yaghub Mehrnahad who is sentenced to death has been arrested by Iranian security forces.

Arrest happened in raid style Iranian government. They raided Ibrahim Mehrnahad house about 5 PM last Tuesday. His family still does not know where they keep him. Ibrahim who is only 16 years old was spoke openly about death sentence of his brother.

He also was arrested earlier along with his brother in May 2007, and kept in solitary confinement for 72 days before his released.

Last week Alireza Jamshidi, speaker of Iranian judicial system confirmed the death sentence of Yaghub Mehrnahad

[…]

Mr. Yaghub Mehranahad is founder of Anjoman Sedayeh edalat (voice of justice association), which was recognised and registered by Iranian government. They organised cultural event like music concerts.

After large campaign and rumours that Yaghub Mehrnahad has already killed under torture, Iranian government allow his family to visit him. His family told IMHRO that he was weakened more than before and there was sign of keeping him awake for long time.

Both brothers belong to Baluchi community and from city of Zahedan.

IMHRO believes that arrest of Ibrahim Mehrnahad is an attempt at silencing minorities from giving information regarding their arrested relatives.

Long time keeping up a person is a practice commonly used by the Iranian security service. After few days no sleep they will break the person and force him to sign fake confession.

Background

Baluch minority are at least 5 Million people living in south east of Iran and they suffering from various forms of discrimination. As result of lack of state investment, unemployment rate is high.

Baluchi along side other minorities in Iran, can not speak in their mother tongue and are not benefited from social, economic and political right.

As Baluchi people are mainly Sunni, they also suffering from huge discrimination in job opportunity and education. Official ideology of theocracy government of Iran, indicate that non Shia means infidel.

Few days ago security forces open fire on fuel tanker without any warning and killed four Baluchi on board. Last week they arrested 3 Sunni students in city of khash.