WUNRN
Iran - Women of Ashraf in Iraq
Arrested on Tehran Arrival for Family Visits
Voice
of America TV on January 17, 2009: 'According to human rights activists in
Iran, 18 women were arrested at Mehrabad airport [in Tehran] yesterday and were
taken to solitary cells of ward 209 in Evin prison. It is said that these
women, whose ages were between 55 and 80, had gone to the airport with the
intention of visiting their children in Camp Ashraf in Iraq and had valid
visas.'
____________________________________________________________
Middle East Times
United Press International
January 22, 2009
Camp
Ashraf Women Arrested in Iran, Coming for Family Visits,
Said
to Have Correct Documentation - Imprisoned
TEHRAN,
Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Elderly members of the dissident People's Mujahedin of Iran
were arrested at an Iranian airport and transferred to the notorious Evin
Prison, the group said.
The PMOI said family members of residents from its Camp Ashraf enclave in
Iraq's Diyala province were arrested Friday by members of the Iranian Ministry
of Intelligence and Security at Mehrabad Airport in Tehran.
The PMOI is an Iranian resistance movement seeking regime
change in Iran. It is considered a terrorist organization by several countries,
including the United States and Iraq, though the group is under U.S. military
protection as protected persons under the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The National Council of Resistance of Iran, the Paris-based
political wing of the PMOI, said most of those detained ranged in age from 60
to 80 years.
The NCRI said the MOIS agents transferred the detainees to
Evin Prison, where several political prisoners are held. There is speculation
that Ron Arad, the Israeli air force pilot captured by Hezbollah in 1986, was
held at Evin Prison for a short time.
Both groups noted the PMOI members were traveling from
Iraq to Iran carrying the appropriate documents and called on the international
community to intervene to protect the detainees as Evin Prison is notorious for
its human-rights violations.
Another PMOI member, Abdolreaz Rajabi, died Oct. 30 while in
detention at Gohardasht Prison from alleged torture at the hands of Iranian
authorities.
© 2009 United Press International.
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