Here is an audio message from Ahwazi Arab political prisoner Maher Kaabi from inside Ardebil prison, as he entered another hunger strike
Ahwazi Centre for Human Rights
Maher Kaabi, an Ahwazi Arab activist in the Central Ardebil Prison is on a hunger strike in support of political prisoners in Gohardasht Prison (Rajaee Shahr) with other prisoners.
In this audio message, Maher called on all human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the European Parliament to address the situation of Ahwazi and Iran’s political prisoners. Also, Maher asked the Human Rights activist Asma Jahangir (Pakistani human rights activist) who presses Iran to put an end to torturing human rights and political prisoners and stop Human rights violations towards minorities, human rights and political prisoners.
Maher Kaabi, civil rights activist and college student who was completing his Associate degree in civil engineering, in a hearing less than 10 minutes and without having a lawyer, was charged by the Iranian court with “being a member of the Ahwaz Liberation Organization” and “propaganda against Iranian regime and communicating with opposing TV channels” and “writing and sending fake news to destroy the image of the Islamic Republic of Iran at an international level” and “inciting citizens to stand up for themselves against Iranian regime”. The court sentenced Maher to 10 years in prison on 31st of august 2013 they transferred him to the Ardebil prison.
Maher Kaabi was arrested by intelligence agents at the security intelligence agency on 7th February 2012, when he was only 19 years old, after being interviewed by a foreign news agency.
Before his arrest in 2011, Maher from Shoosh provided comprehensive reports and news articles regarding the protests, repression of Ahwazi Arabs and detainees, such as Mohammad Kaabi and his pregnant wife Khadijeh Kaabi who miscarried after being tortured, to the foreign media and human rights organizations.
During Maher’s interrogation, he endured a variety of physical and mental tortures which lead to many injuries including his teeth being knocked out.
After 3 month of constant torture Maher was transferred first, to Dezful prison and 9 months later to Ardebil prison. In all this time, he has not been allowed visitors.
Ahwazi Centre for Human Rights
24/08/2017
