According to reports received by the Karoon Human Rights Organization, Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh, an Arab political prisoner from Ahwaz, resumed his hunger strike on Monday, October 6, 2023, in protest against the failure of Iranian authorities to fulfill their promises regarding his transfer from Arak Prison back to Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
Reports indicate that officials and judicial authorities in Arak have opposed Al-Boushokeh’s transfer to Sheiban Prison. Previously, on Saturday, September 19, 2023, he had gone on a hunger strike in protest against his transfer from Sheiban to Arak, which he ended after six days upon receiving assurances from security officials that he would be returned to Sheiban.
However, this promise was not honored, prompting Al-Boushokeh to strike again. An informed source had previously told Karoon that he considers his transfer to Arak an illegal, security-driven, and retaliatory action, demanding his return to Sheiban Prison. He also expressed skepticism about the new promises made by security officials, viewing them as an attempt to end his hunger strike.
Concerning Health Condition
Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh suffers from a hernia and, despite needing treatment, has been denied adequate medical care. Informed sources have reported that his health condition is extremely concerning.
Transfer to Arak and New Legal Case
According to received information, Al-Boushokeh’s transfer to Arak Prison was ordered by Amir Khalafian, the prosecutor of Ahwaz.
After his transfer to Arak, he faced a new legal case and was sentenced to an additional 10 years and 1 day in prison on charges of “communicating from inside the prison with political prisoners released from Sheiban.”
Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh, along with fellow political prisoner Nazem Barahi, was exiled from Sheiban Prison to Arak on Tuesday, January 27, 2023. This transfer occurred while Al-Boushokeh has been imprisoned without a single day of leave since 2011 in the former Karoun and Sheiban prisons in Ahwaz.
Transfer to Pava Detention Center and Reports of Torture
Previously, on Thursday, December 6, 2023, Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh was transferred from Sheiban Prison to the Pava detention center of the Public Security Police.
According to informed sources, during this transfer and his time in detention, he was subjected to severe physical and psychological pressure and torture.
This political prisoner has suffered from a hernia for years, and reports indicate that security pressures, frequent transfers, exile, and reported mistreatment have severely deteriorated his health condition.
Reduction of Life Sentence to 25 Years and 1 Day
The Karoon Human Rights Organization previously reported that the life sentences of three Arab political prisoners from Ahwaz, Mohammad Ali Amouri, Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh, and Jaber Al-Boushokeh, residents of Khalafieh (Rameshir), were reduced to 25 years and 1 day after serving over 15 years in prison.
Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh has been imprisoned in Karoun Prison in Ahwaz since 2010, before its closure, and then in Sheiban Prison.
According to received reports, Mokhtar and Jaber Al-Boushokeh, despite suffering from multiple illnesses, remain deprived of their right to medical leave, and their requests for leave have not been approved, raising concerns about their health status.
The “Al-Hewar” Case
The “Al-Hewar” case, meaning dialogue, is among the legal cases associated with these Arab political prisoners, in which Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh’s name has been mentioned.
The Karoon Human Rights Organization expresses concern over Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh’s health condition and his ongoing hunger strike, condemning his transfer to Arak Prison, the new legal fabrications against him, the issuance of heavy sentences, and his deprivation of adequate medical care. The organization calls for immediate medical attention to Mokhtar Al-Boushokeh’s condition, an end to the security pressures against him, his return to Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz, and full respect for the legal and human rights of this Arab political prisoner.
