Jailed Iranian-Kurdish Activist’s Phone Access Cut Mid-Call for Speaking Kurdish

A phone call involving Motaleb Ahmadian, a Kurdish political prisoner incarcerated in Evin Prison, was abruptly terminated on Wednesday, October 25, due to his use of the Kurdish language. 

Prison authorities have forced Ahmadian to pledge not to speak Kurdish during phone calls in exchange for the reinstatement of telephone access privileges.

The incident is the latest in a series of reports detailing the increasing pressure and restrictions placed on political prisoners in Evin, particularly during the tenure of prison official Hedayat Farzadi as its head. 

Earlier this week, Ahmadian was also denied emergency transfer to hospital despite his grave physical condition.

Ahmadian has been held in Evin prison since 2009 and has suffered from a number of health problems, including testicular and bladder infections and a spinal cord ailment, which are believed to have resulted from torture.

In light of Ahmadian's deteriorating health, his family and relatives are concerned about his well-being and have called for his immediate release.