Since February 3, 2010, human rights activist Kaveh Ghasemi Kermanshahi has been detained in a centre run by the office of the Kermanshah Ministry of Intelligence (in western Iran). He is under “pressure and [endures] physical and mental torture” to confess to the charge of “espionage.”
Kermanshahi’s mother Farangis Davoodi was able to visit her son briefly on April 8, 2010, with the presence of the interrogator. After the visit, Farangis Davoodi described her son’s physical and psychological condition as “very unfavourable.” Kaveh stated that he “has repeatedly denied the charge and considers all his activities civil, peaceful, and legal.”
The honourable head of judiciary Ayatollah Larijani:
My name is Farangis Davoodi. I am a retired teacher. I am writing to let you know that my son Kaveh Ghasemi Kermanshahi is being held in custody at the Kermanshah security office since February 3, 2010.
During this period I visited the detention center frequently to ask about my son’s case and condition, but I have not received any answers from anyone. They have twice renewed his detention period, by the order of the ninth section of Kermanshah’s judiciary. I have only been granted permission to visit him twice.
I am writing to you, in your capacity as the head of the country’s judiciary system, not only because my son has been held in custody for a long duration of time without specific charges, but because his health condition during our last meeting was extremely worrisome. He acknowledged to us that he is under extreme mental pressure to accept the accusations against him and to confess to what he has never done.
In addition, according to the attached medical certification, my son should be under close monitoring by a specialist because of his mouth surgery. Unfortunately, however, we have received no response to our frequent requests to provide Kaveh with a visit from a specialist. As a consequence, his health could be seriously compromised. As a mother, even imagining the disastrous heath problems which he may face as a result of this, brings tears to my eyes every minute of every day.
I also have another concern. All of my son’s activities were clear-cut, peaceful, and according to the country’s laws. As such, detainment and tolerating hard conditions in prison are unfair for someone who honestly tries hard to improve society.
I urgently request that you order an end to the mental torment of my only child, speed up the court process, and finally release him.
May my prayers as a mother be with you so you issue a kind order,
Farangis Davoodi
12/04/2010
