According to a media report, protesters in Iran have been systematically tortured mentally and physically since the start of the protests in the fall of 2022.
This was reported today by a research network of the NDR, WDR and “Süddeutsche Zeitung” and was based on consistent statements from more than a dozen affected people in Iran, as well as reports from a prison guard who fled to Germany.
Those affected report that Iranian security forces beat them with batons and fists during interrogations and arrests, and even broke some of their bones. In detention, she was tortured physically and mentally for days and weeks.
They would have to kneel blindfolded for 24 hours. Other people reported seeing people being whipped with water hoses and electrocuted with electric prods.
Also allegations of sexual abuse
In a total of three cases, those affected were reportedly tied to furniture and sexually abused with rubber batons and electric batons. The wounds, some of them massive, had not been treated for days. Several victims were threatened with the death penalty.
According to the research association, the former prison guard confirmed the common practice of torture. For over ten years, he and his colleagues should have been torturing prisoners in various detention centers in Iran and they should have shown no mercy.
While information from Iran is difficult to verify in the current situation, the research association was able to compare various details with publicly available information and additionally substantiate them with external documents such as medical reports and third-party statements.
German foreign ministry examines torture
A confidential situation report from the German Foreign Ministry, available to the research association, confirms “numerous reports of confessions extracted through torture and psychological pressure”.
Furthermore, “mental and physical torture and inhumane treatment during interrogations and detention” are common among political prisoners. In addition to existing sanctions, the ministry is examining other measures against the Iranian leadership.