Soheil Arabi, an Iranian blogger, political activist, and former political prisoner, has described new details about his recent arrest, conditions inside Ghezel Hesar Prison, and the security and economic consequences faced by detainees arrested after the January protests.
In an interview with a domestic Iranian media outlet, Arabi said he was arrested outside Avesta Park on March 11 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces. He said the charge in the case is “assembly and collusion with intent to commit a crime against national security.” According to Arabi, the allegations cited against him include helping injured protesters, assisting political prisoners with basic needs and legal matters, and publishing critical posts about economic hardship.
Arabi said that during the first two days of detention, he and several others were held inside a minibus. According to him, the vehicle was constantly moving during the recent war, amid drone activity and heightened security conditions. He was later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison, where he said he was held in a “suite” typically used for prisoners awaiting execution, disciplinary punishment, or isolation from outside contact. Arabi said the space was designed for solitary confinement, but because of overcrowding, as many as 12 people were sometimes held there together.
In another part of the interview, Arabi said most of his cellmates who had been arrested after the January protests came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He said the seizure of mobile phones, blocking of SIM cards, and confiscation of personal belongings had severely disrupted their daily lives and livelihoods. As an example, he referred to one detainee who worked as a building cleaner and depended on his phone to receive calls from clients. After his phone was confiscated and his line blocked, he effectively lost access to his income.
Arabi also said that his main profession is translation and editing, but because the internet had been cut off in Iran, he had been forced to work temporarily as a motorcycle courier and motorcycle taxi driver. He said repeated arrests had caused him to lose jobs multiple times, and that even this temporary source of income had now been taken from him. According to Arabi, his mobile phone, identity documents, and the motorcycle he used for work have still not been returned, despite a formal order from the investigating judge requiring their return.
He said that at the time of his arrest, officers initially appeared to be searching for Starlink equipment, although he said he had never even seen such equipment in person. After that search did not lead anywhere, he said his assistance to injured protesters and political prisoners became part of the case against him.
Arabi emphasized that his main demand is the enforcement of the law. He said actions such as beatings, insults directed at detainees’ families, and the refusal to return confiscated belongings have created serious legal and economic problems for detainees.
Arabi was first arrested in November 2013 on charges of insulting Islamic sanctities and was sentenced to death. That sentence was later commuted to seven years and six months in prison.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#Soheil_Arabi
In an interview with a domestic Iranian media outlet, Arabi said he was arrested outside Avesta Park on March 11 by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Basij forces. He said the charge in the case is “assembly and collusion with intent to commit a crime against national security.” According to Arabi, the allegations cited against him include helping injured protesters, assisting political prisoners with basic needs and legal matters, and publishing critical posts about economic hardship.
Arabi said that during the first two days of detention, he and several others were held inside a minibus. According to him, the vehicle was constantly moving during the recent war, amid drone activity and heightened security conditions. He was later transferred to Ghezel Hesar Prison, where he said he was held in a “suite” typically used for prisoners awaiting execution, disciplinary punishment, or isolation from outside contact. Arabi said the space was designed for solitary confinement, but because of overcrowding, as many as 12 people were sometimes held there together.
In another part of the interview, Arabi said most of his cellmates who had been arrested after the January protests came from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. He said the seizure of mobile phones, blocking of SIM cards, and confiscation of personal belongings had severely disrupted their daily lives and livelihoods. As an example, he referred to one detainee who worked as a building cleaner and depended on his phone to receive calls from clients. After his phone was confiscated and his line blocked, he effectively lost access to his income.
Arabi also said that his main profession is translation and editing, but because the internet had been cut off in Iran, he had been forced to work temporarily as a motorcycle courier and motorcycle taxi driver. He said repeated arrests had caused him to lose jobs multiple times, and that even this temporary source of income had now been taken from him. According to Arabi, his mobile phone, identity documents, and the motorcycle he used for work have still not been returned, despite a formal order from the investigating judge requiring their return.
He said that at the time of his arrest, officers initially appeared to be searching for Starlink equipment, although he said he had never even seen such equipment in person. After that search did not lead anywhere, he said his assistance to injured protesters and political prisoners became part of the case against him.
Arabi emphasized that his main demand is the enforcement of the law. He said actions such as beatings, insults directed at detainees’ families, and the refusal to return confiscated belongings have created serious legal and economic problems for detainees.
Arabi was first arrested in November 2013 on charges of insulting Islamic sanctities and was sentenced to death. That sentence was later commuted to seven years and six months in prison.
@iranhrdc
#DigitalBlackoutIran
#iran_strikes
#iran_human_rights
#iranmassacre
#Soheil_Arabi