According to reports received by the Karun Human Rights Organization, Mokhtar Alboushoukeh, an Ahwazi Arab political prisoner currently serving a life sentence, has been sentenced to an additional 10 years and one day of discretionary imprisonment following his exile from Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz to Arak Prison and the opening of a new case by Iranian regime security agencies.
The new case was filed under the charge of “communicating from inside prison with former political prisoners released from Sheiban Prison.” Reports indicate that since December 2024, a six-month detention order has been issued against Alboushoukeh in connection with this case, which was extended for the second consecutive time in March 2026.
Exile from Ahwaz to Arak
Previously, Mokhtar Alboushoukeh—along with Nazem Brayehi, another Ahwazi Arab political prisoner serving a life sentence—was exiled on January 27, 2026, from Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz to Arak Prison. This transfer took place despite the fact that Alboushoukeh has been imprisoned continuously since 2011 without a single day of leave, held in Sheiban and the former Karun prisons.
Transfer to “PAWA” Detention Center and Torture
Earlier, on December 5, 2024, Mokhtar Alboushoukeh was transferred from Sheiban Central Prison in Ahwaz to the Law Enforcement Public Security Police detention center (PAWA). According to informed sources, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological torture during this transfer.
Alboushoukeh has long suffered from a hernia, and reports indicate that ongoing security pressure, repeated transfers, exile, and torture have led to a serious deterioration of his physical condition.
Sources close to the Karun Human Rights Organization state that the exile, fabrication of new cases, and issuance of heavy sentences against Mokhtar Alboushoukeh are intended to intensify pressure, cause psychological exhaustion, and restrict his communications.
In the same context, Mostafa Halichi, an Ahwazi Arab poet and cultural activist imprisoned in Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison and a co-defendant in Alboushoukeh’s case, was sentenced last week by Branch 3 of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court to 13 years of discretionary imprisonment and two years of travel ban.
Halichi’s sentence includes 10 years on charges of “forming an anti-state group” and 3 years for “membership in groups opposed to the Iranian regime.” Additionally, a two-year ban on leaving the country was imposed as a supplementary punishment.
Earlier, Branch 13 of the Ahwaz Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office, presided over by investigator Saeed Lirki, referred Halichi’s case to Branch 3 of the Ahwaz Revolutionary Court, chaired by Rashid Kiani Deh-Kian, for final adjudication.
The Karun Human Rights Organization strongly condemns these actions, emphasizing that exiling political prisoners, opening new cases based on vague charges, and repeatedly extending detention orders constitute clear violations of prisoners’ rights and the principles of fair trial.
The organization once again calls for the immediate halt to case-fabrication against Mokhtar Alboushoukeh, the cancellation of his exile, and the full guarantee of his legal and human rights during imprisonment. It also urges international human rights bodies to closely monitor this case and take action to prevent the continued violation of this political prisoner’s rights.
