Four days after the release of images and videos of some hacked cameras in Evin Prison on social media which is showing only a corner of the brutal and inhumane treatment with defenseless prisoners by the Iranian regime, many of the regime’s officials have been forced to react to this event.
This chain of desperate reactions started with the apology of Mohammad Mehdi HajMohammadi, the head of the prisons organization which was expressed in a tweet.
The shared reaction between all of them is the blow on the Iranian regime, fearing its consequences in the public, while the situation of the regime is very unstable and facing many challenges. This event was absolutely not with pleasure for the regime’s news President Ebrahim Raisi and his entering government who are trying to show a ‘Justice Seeking’ face of themselves.
Some fearing its consequences on the regime’s human rights case, especially at a time when the trial of one of the perpetrators of the 1988 massacre Hamid Nouri is taking place now in Sweden. Other officials and regime officials are fearing its impact on the JCPOA negotiations (Iran’s 2015 nuclear deal with world powers) and raising their concerns that the regime’s human rights case will be attached to the JCPOA case, and the regime will have no chance to reject or circumvent this situation.
But despite all this, this is just a small proof of the years-long struggle of the Iranian opposition, the MEK, and NCRI to attract the attention of western governments to the human rights situation in Iran.
Below are just some of the hundred reactions by the regime’s officials.
MP Ebrahim Rezaei at the parliament meeting of Wednesday said: “It must be dealt with the doers of the Evin events.”
Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said: “The Commission of Principle 90 has followed up on the issue.”
“A member of parliament called for dealing with the perpetrators of what happened in Evin prison. Prosecutor General’s Office investigates Evin prison pictures.” (State-TV, August 25, 2021)
“The First Deputy of the Judiciary is investigating the publication of images of Evin Prison.” (State-run news agency Daneshjoo)
“The Speaker of the parliament instructed the Commission on Article 90, in coordination with the Attorney General, to investigate the story of the films released from Evin.” (Parliament Session August 25, 2021)
“Mahmoud Sadeghi’s letter to Ejei following the publication of CCTV footage of Evin Prison: Your immediate order to address this issue, as well as the head of the Prisons Organization, to accept responsibility for the unacceptable behavior of the guards and to declare the commitment not to attempt to repeat such bitter events…” (Asr-e-Iran, August 25, 2021)
“Mir Mohammad Sadeghi, lawyer: The prisons organization’s stance after the publication of images of Evin prison should be taken as a good omen.” (Official Parliament website Mizan, August 25, 2021)
“The shock of leaking controversial images from Evin prison sparks storm. With the release of CCTV footage from Evin Detention Center, the country is in a strange shock. – These pictures are in Iran’s most famous detention center in the north of the capital, which has been repeatedly named because of the presence of political defendants…” (State-run website Hadeseh 24, August 25, 2021)
“Esmaili, the then head of the Prisons Organization, denied beatings in Ward 350 of Evin Prisons. In the recent issue of the leaked films of Evin Prison, an apology is not enough. The perpetrators of this tragedy, which shows that beating prisoners has been a routine task, including by the officers.” (State-run website Tik Tak, August 25, 2021)
The Jomhouri Eslami (Islamic Republic) newspaper reacted to the publication of Evin prison videos, saying: “Should public opinion know what is going on in prisons and what is all this violence for? And as soon as possible, Evin officials and the prison guards will be prosecuted so that the system is not more in the crosshairs of the opposition’s goals.”
“A TV presenter reacts sharply to leaked films from Evin prison. Television presenter Mohammad Delavari reacted to the footage released from Evin prison, describing it as unfortunate.” (State-run website Jamehe 24, August 25, 2021)
“Evin Prison from within: The release of CCTV footage of Evin Prison over the past two, three days has been met with widespread public reaction, especially from social media users.” (State-run website Rooz-e-no, August 25, 2021)
“Ejei order to the attorney general: Check the mistreatment of Evin prisoners without wasting time.” (State-run website, Ofogh News, August 25, 2021)
“Mohammad Hassan Asefri calls for treatment of sewing officers in Evin prison: The Representative of Arak, regarding the publication of images of Evin Prison, says that prison is not a place for creating criminal and that the perpetrators should be treated seriously.”
“What is behind the story of the images of Evin Prison? Some of the images from the Evin Prison are neither defensible nor acceptable. It is worthy to appoint an experienced team to handle and announce the results publicly.” (State-run daily Ofogh News, August 25, 2021)
“What pictures have been published of Evin Prison? The head of the Prisons Organization, emphasizing on respecting the rights of prisoners, promised to compensate for unacceptable behavior in Evin.” (State-run daily Aftab, August 25, 2021)
