Amnesty International has raised its voice to demand the release of an Iranian man, Vahid Afkari, who has endured a staggering 1,000 days in solitary confinement in jail.
Vahid Afkari, along with his two brothers, faced convictions for the murder of a security officer during protests over the cost of living five years ago in Iran.
However, all three brothers vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that they were coerced into false confessions through torture.
While Navid, the youngest brother and a champion wrestler, tragically faced execution, Habib was released last year following international pressure.
Vahid, on the other hand, continues to languish in isolation, his remarkable resilience shining through even in the darkest of circumstances.
Amidst their harrowing ordeal, the Afkari family’s troubles began in their hometown of Shiraz, where they joined fellow citizens in protesting rising prices and shrinking salaries.
According to the source, the three brothers – from a family of five boys and one girl – were raised in a loving environment even though money was tight.
“They got so much joy out of being together, the simplest things were the most exhilarating,” the source said.
Vahid and Habib were top students and attended university. Vahid never placed any burden on his mother.
The brothers’ arrests took place, with Navid and Vahid being detained in September 2018 and Habib three months later.
The shocking revelations of torture and coerced confessions have been substantiated by a wealth of verified documents obtained by the BBC.
In a haunting audio message shared on social media, Navid passionately proclaimed his innocence, emphasizing the lack of evidence against him and the authorities’ relentless pursuit of a scapegoat.
Vahid’s voice echoed through a smuggled voice note, shedding light on the mental and psychological torture he endured, leading him to embark on hunger strikes and contemplate suicide.
In an astonishing act of cruelty, the brothers were subjected to severe beatings in prison and confined to subterranean cells adjacent to the execution chamber.
Stripped of light, warmth, and basic amenities, they endured unimaginable suffering, their bodies bearing the scars of violence.
A former prisoner explained; “You’re handcuffed and your ankles are cuffed. Because of the cold, metal cuffs become razor sharp. The pain is so bad you’re forced to lie on your chest.”
The execution of Navid marked a devastating blow for the family and those advocating for justice.
He was sentenced to death by hanging, while Vahid and Habib were initially sentenced to 54 years and 25 years in prison respectively.
The authorities also, intensified their pressure on Vahid and Habib, denying them contact with the outside world for weeks on end.
During a visit, Vahid was presented with an unimaginable ultimatum: confess to the murder or witness the execution of his beloved brother Habib.
Despite his profound affection for Habib, Vahid unwaveringly maintained their innocence, refusing to compromise their integrity.
After enduring relentless interrogations and threats, Habib was finally released in March 2022, thanks to international pressure.
However, Vahid remains confined in isolation, his unwavering spirit unbroken. Reports suggest that he exercises daily in his cell, finding solace in physical activity.
A source close to the family told the BBC, “Every time the family visit Vahid in prison they try to support him, but he raises their spirits instead.”
Amnesty International, alongside a global campaign, is now rallying for Vahid’s release, condemning the injustice he has endured.
The organization’s statement demands immediate action, asserting that Vahid Afkari should never have suffered a single day in prison, let alone endure years of unjust incarceration and 1,000 days of solitary confinement.
