Belgian MPs condemn brutal Iran Evin prison raid

                   

Belgian MPs have condemned a 'brutal raid' on political prisoners in by state security forces in Iran's notorious Evin prison.

The regime's intelligence agents and revolutionary guards raided Ward 350 and attacked prisoners with batons, punches and kicks, also insulting them and depriving many critically injured from medical treatment.

Thirty two prisoners were transferred to solitary confinement blindfolded, being kicked and abused again as they were lead away. Some were also stripped and threatened with rape, according to reports.

Amnesty International has called for urgent action and expressed concern about the fate of the prisoners after the raid. Prisoners families also staged a protest in front of Hassan Rouhani’s office and chanted for their freedom.

A statement by the Belgian Committee of parliamentarians for a Democratic Iran said: "We condemn this brutal raid and cowardly act of barbarity against defenceless political prisoners and join the call of the leader of the Iranian opposition Mrs Maryam Rajavi 'for an independent international investigation on the savage attack on Evin Prison on April 17.

"We support the call by Euro MPs during the adoption of a European Parliament resolution on Iran on 3 April, that any expansion of political and economic relations with Iran must be conditional to serious improvement of human rights."

The statement was signed by: Gérard Deprez, Ministre d’État, Senator from French-speaking Liberal party (MR), Nele Lijnen, President of Equal Rights Committee of Belgian Senate (Open VLD), Karl Vanlouwe, President of Foreign Affairs Committee of Belgian Senate (NV-A), Els Van Hoof, Senator from Christian Democratic and Flemish party (CD&V) and David Clarinval, Mayor and Federal MP from French-speaking Liberal Party (MR)