Iran: Fatemeh Karroubi Says Oppsotion Leaders Denied Basic Detainee Rights
During a brief release from house arrest, Fatemeh Karroubi managed to speak to Saham News about the ordeal she shares with her husband, opposition leader Mehdi Karroubi before being put under arrest again.
Fatemeh Karroubi, who has been under house arrest with her husband since February, was allowed her first trip out on Saturday but then swiftly returned to custody.
The two Iranian opposition leaders, MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, have been under house arrest since people responded en masse to their call for demonstrations on February 14. The two leaders and their wives have been denied all access to the outside world and especially have been prevented from issuing any announcements.
Fatemeh Karroubi told Saham News that they are not merely under house arrest, given that “the security forces have not only taken over the apartment complex in which we live, they have also invaded our apartment.”
She added: “Prior to Norooz (Iranian New Year on March 21), our situation was very difficult, and they treated us with severe violence, and we were denied even the basic rights of a prisoners in solitary confinement. But since the New Year the situation has somewhat improved.”
She noted that they are not even allowed to get fresh air each day, and in the past 71 days they have not been allowed a single telephone call.
She maintained that her husband is maintaining a high morale and is still willing to pay any price to reach his demands.
Fatemeh Karroubi described attacks on her residence by violent mob, adding: “Resorting to attack by thugs and hoodlums is a simple matter for dictatorships, and we see many examples of it in the region as well. But its mark of shame will remain with the establishment.”
The other Iranian oppostion leader, MirHosein Mousavi and his wife Zahra Rahnavard have been under a similar house arrest since February.
Several international human rights organizations and countries have called for the release of the Iranian opposition leaders, but the Islamic Republic has ignored their demands.
