Iran: three decades of execution and hanging continues

By Akbar Kazemi

On the morning of 19 June 1982, we had just eaten breakfast in the IRGC prison in the northern city of Lahijan. We tried sat in the corner of our cell in order to read a book. There were nine of us and were confined in a 16 meter squared cell. We were all political prisoners and opposed the religious regime in Iran for the crimes it had carried out against youths and freedom-loving individuals. Suddenly, the cell door that was locked with a heavy chain opened. The guard looked at us and said: Mohammad and Abdullah Samizadeh, come out! Mohaammad and Abdullah were brothers; both stepped out of the cell after a moment. I was a bit surprised; why did they take Mohammad and Abdullah at 7 in the morning I thought to myself. We became worried.

Iran: Last Man Standing

By Assadollah Nabavi

After spending years inside various prisons across Iran due to my opposition against the regime, in 2008 I was transferred to Evin Prison in Tehran. Entering ward 209 I saw three middle-aged men with long beards and very wooly hair, with a difficult accent that made it hard to understand what Farsi they were speaking. However, very soon I realized that all three were young men in their 20s and 30s from the province of Sistan & Baluchistan whose locals have suffered much.