There is no information available on the condition of more than 50 Gonabadi Dervishes detained in Fashafouyeh Prison, south of Tehran. According to the families of these Dervishes, prison authorities have been summoning Dervishes in groups of 5 to 10 over the past few days and have transferred them to an unknown location. After 3 days, these Dervishes have not returned to their cells and have not had any contact with their families. Despite the severe injuries and beatings of the Dervishes in the Golestane Haftom incident, the wounded Dervishes’ condition remains unclear and the Prison Organization, which is responsible for the lives and well-being of these prisoners, has refused to respond to the family’s concerns.
A gathering on February 19, 2018, by Dervish Gonabadi protesters turned violent after police intervention. The Dervishes were protesting the detention of Nematollahi Riahi and the lack of accountability by agents about where he was detained and charges made against him. Nematollahi Riahi had gone to the Namju Police Station to follow up the condition of other detained Dervishes but was arrested by police.
The State Security Force attacked the protesters, firing bird shots and tear gas and using batons. At least three Dervish Gonabadi protesters were killed and more than 600 were arrested. 70 women arrested during the Dervish Gonabadi protests were transferred to Qarchak Prison, south east of the capital.
Many protesters were severely injured by anti-riot units using pellet guns. Reports indicate many injured protesters have been arrested in hospitals by intelligence agents.
