HRANA News Agency – The Court of Appeal of Hossein Rafie, political prisoner, was held without his presence. Prison officials refused to send the prisoner without handcuffs and prison uniforms, despite the Judge’s verbal agreement.
According to the report of Human Rights Activists News Agency in Iran (HRANA), the Appeal Court for Hossein Rafie was held by Branch 54 of Tehran province Appeals Court on 24^th January, with presence of the public representatives of the Attorney General and the Ministry of Intelligence and without the presence of the inmate.
Mr Rafie has written that; the judge agreed to transfer him without handcuffs and prison uniform, but he had not notified the prison in writing and the prison officials did not accept to verify that by calling the court office, so that he did not agree to be transferred in handcuffs and prison uniforms.
Hossein Rafie, political activist and member of the national-religious activists was arrested on Tuesday 16^th June. This political activist had been arrested earlier in 2001 and was sentenced to three years imprisonment.
He was summoned to Evin Court being charged with membership in an illegal group, propaganda against the regime and the use of satellite equipment, on 8^th September 2011.
Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Salvati sentenced him to six years imprisonment and two years deprivation of political and media activity and a fine.
Hossein Rafie was accused of subversive activities, due to peaceful activities such issuing statements, membership in the “Peace Council” headed by Shirin Ebadi, criticism of the Islamic Republic’s nuclear ambitions and holding connection with activists outside the country.
Doctor Hossein Rafie is a doctorate in chemistry and Emeritus Professor of Tehran University.
Hossein Rafie is now at ward 8 in Evin prison. He has described the poor conditions of ward in numerous letters from inside the prison.