Balochistan: Iranian ministry of intelligence deny parole to Baloch political prisoners

ZAHEDAN: The Iranian Ministry of Intelligence has denied leave to a Baloch political prisoner in Iranian occupied Balochistan on several occasions despite his eligibility to parole.

According to the Baloch Activists’ Campaign, Abid Bampouri son of Murad Bakhsh was awarded a sentence of 21 years in prison on charges of ‘acting against national security’.

He has been in prison for 10 years now, but the intelligence agency of Iran continues to deny his leave on parole.

Abid Bampouri’s 21 years in prison included a 5-year restriction to apply for leave. He has spent 10 years of his sentence and is now entitled to parole but the ministry of intelligence of Iran has denied his leave.

The Ministry of Intelligence has conditioned his leave to ‘cooperation’ with the intelligence service in Iran.

According to one the closest sources of the inmate, two months ago the intelligence officials came to Zahedan prison and once again threatened Mr Abid Bampouri that the only way they would agree to his is to collaborate with intelligence agencies.

It is worth mentioning that Abid Bampouri was sentenced to 21 years in April 2008 on charges of ‘acting against national security’ by a court in Zahedan.

Previously another inmate at Zahedan prisoner, who has served 9 years of his 21-year sentence, has been prohibited to attend her mother’s funeral.

According to details, Ishaq Kelkali, the co-defendant of Mr Bampouri who was awarded 21-years imprisonment, is held in Zahedan’s central prison. He has been denied permission to pay his last respects to his mother on her death.

In 2017, Ishaq Kelkali’s mother has died of a stroke, and the prisoner has applied for leave to attend his mother’s funeral, but his application was rejected.

Sources reported that the judiciary had imposed a 5-year ban on the prisoners to apply for leave, but despite spending 9 years, the ministry of intelligence continues to be “harassed” and reject parole of both Baloch inmates.

The Ministry of Intelligence has asked him to “cooperate”, with the intelligence services which he has denied.

Ishaq Kelkali and his co-defendant Abid Bampouri were arrested on April 18, 2008, and were sentenced to 21 years on charges of “acting against national security.”