A letter from Political Prisoner, Saeed Masouri, After his Exile to Ghezel Hesar Prison
10-September-2023
Category: Uncategorized
September 7, 2023
News Category: Uncategorized
Breathing in Confinement: Political Prisoner Saeed Masouri, who has been in prison for the past 23 years without a single day of furlough, has recently been exiled to Ghezel Hesar Prison along with a group of other political prisoners. He has detailed the inhumane and horrifying conditions of this prison in a letter.
This political prisoner describes Ghezel Hesar Prison as a “black hole” and writes, “After 23 years in prison, I thought I had seen and experienced the worst conditions and government atrocities in prisons, completely unaware of the existence of a black hole like Ghezel Hesar, which might be more appropriately called Ghezel Okhodood.”
He goes on to highlight the indescribable conditions faced by prisoners in Ghezel Hesar, stating, “If I were to write about the crimes that take place in this prison, it would be unbelievable to a sane mind, even to our fellow countrymen who have not yet set foot in this prison.”
Saeed Masouri, along with 12 other political prisoners, was exiled to Ghezel Hesar Prison on Monday, September 3rd, and since their exile, these 13 political prisoners have initiated a hunger strike.
The full text of Saeed Masouri’s letter follows:
After 23 years in prison, I thought I had seen and experienced the worst conditions and government atrocities in prisons, completely unaware of the existence of a black hole like Ghezel Hesar, which might be more appropriately called Ghezel Okhodood.
“Okhodood” is a term used to describe a pit where people were being thrown in and burned alive. The number of people in these pits was so high that mothers, fathers, children, and the elderly were piled on top of each other and burned in the fires ignited by the criminals. The victims were individuals whose only crime was their innocence.
(وَمَا نَقَمُوا مِنْهُمْ إِلَّا أَن یُؤْمِنُوا بِاللَّهِ الْعَزِیزِ الْحَمِیدِ)
Ghezel Hesar Prison is a black hole created by the will of the Supreme Leader, and with the complicity of criminals like Ejei, where the people of this land, young and old, are thrown into, to be burned by the flames of crime.
There is no access to nutrition, hygiene, healthcare, and not even half a meter of space to sit. In a room of approximately 9 square meters, they have crammed 15 to 16 people who have no right to even the slightest protest. No water, no food, and no suitable clothing are provided. They deprive prisoners to the extent that even the prison staff have given up their own place and food, giving it to the inmates.
All of these actions are driven by a so called human being named “Hayat al-Ghaib,” whose intention is to eliminate any form of Iranian life, human dignity, and honor, much like a dog that wags its tail for a cannibal named Ejei in anticipation of receiving a piece of bread. Additionally, these actions aim to secure a budget surplus and funds for the Supreme Leader’s government by exploiting and sacrificing defenseless prisoners, whose cries for justice fall on deaf ears. (Selling Rajai Shahr Prison was also for this reason)…
Shame upon you, a non-human, shame…
But if they think they are safe from the anger and resentment of the Iranian people, what a false illusion! They are profoundly mistaken! The Iranian people, young and old, daughters and sons, teachers and workers, students and retirees, all are waiting for an opportunity. If not in September, it will be in October. If not in October, then in November.
There is no escape for you… Septembers are on their way…
If I were to write about the crimes that take place in this prison, it would be unbelievable to a sane mind, even to our fellow countrymen who have not yet set foot in this prison.”
Right now, in the adjacent cells, several young people behind iron doors and concrete walls are awaiting their own execution. Even last night, when the guards took some of them, wounded and soaked in blood, for medical treatment, orders were given not to attend to them, not even for basic medical care and wound disinfection. They were only handcuffed and shackled and thrown into solitary cells, all while they were bleeding…
Even if they attack us, political prisoners, to delay their execution, and if they kill us, for a new murder case to be filed against them (which is customary), there is no blame to them. Because the only way for them to survive, or at least to postpone their execution, is this. A place where there is no investigation for complaints, and executions are only for suppression and intimidation and not a legal matter… no justice, no right to defense, no lawyer… everything is brutal.
This prison is a small example of what I mentioned earlier. Erasing any form of humane and decent life!
We are prepared to die in prison. Just as our youth on the streets, this is the price of freedom, and freedom comes at a price, not as an excuse!
So, September and November are on the way.
Death to religious fascism.
Long live freedom and democracy.
Saeed Masouri
Ghezel Hesar Prison
September, 2023