The case of Ruhollah Korki, a political prisoner held in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, with charges such as “cooperation with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization” and “action against national security” has been referred to Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of Ahvaz.
Iran Human Rights Society, Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – The case of Ruhollah Korki, a political prisoner from Andimeshk, after months of detention and holding in Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz, has been referred to Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of Ahvaz with the issuance of an indictment. This is while his family says that the process of handling the case has been carried out in a security atmosphere and non-transparent manner, and Ruhollah Korki has been under pressure, threats, and torture during detention to accept security charges.
What charges is Ruhollah Korki facing?
Based on published information, Branch 9 of the Public and Revolutionary Prosecutor’s Office in Ahvaz has issued an indictment for Ruhollah Korki and referred his case to Branch 2 of the Criminal Court of this city. The charges raised against him include “publishing and disclosing confidential documents,” “cooperation with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization,” and “action against national security.”
Human rights activists say that the use of general and security charges in political cases has turned into a tool for exerting pressure on opponents and protesters in recent years. According to them, in many of these cases, clear documentation is not provided, and the trial process proceeds in a non-public atmosphere and under the influence of security institutions.
How was Ruhollah Korki’s arrest carried out?
Ruhollah Korki, born in 1978, is an architecture expert and an employee of the “Dreamond High Voltage Electricity” company. He was arrested on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, by plainclothes security forces while he was about to leave the house with his young daughter.
According to witnesses, his arrest was carried out without presenting a judicial warrant and with violence. Sources close to the family say that his young daughter, while extremely terrified and crying, informed the family of her father’s arrest. Human rights activists say that violent arrests without presenting a judicial warrant, especially in security cases, have become one of the common methods of dealing with activists and protesting citizens.
What pressure was Ruhollah Korki under during detention?
Based on published reports, Ruhollah Korki was transferred to one of the Ministry of Intelligence safe houses in Ahvaz after his arrest; a place where, according to family relatives, he was subjected to long interrogations and severe security pressures.
Informed sources say that interrogators tried to force him to accept security charges and forced confessions with threats and torture. The Korki family has said that signs of torture were visible on his body when he was transferred to Sheiban Prison.
Human rights activists warn that in many political cases, physical and psychological pressures to obtain forced confessions have become part of the interrogation process; confessions that are later cited in judicial cases.
Why is the trial process of Ruhollah Korki’s case described as ambiguous?
Ruhollah Korki has been transferred to Ward 8 of Sheiban Prison in Ahvaz since October 2, 2025; a ward where usually prisoners with heavy security cases are held. However, his family says that for a long time, no official charge explanation was made and no court session was held.
Human rights observers say that the referral of the case to the court has been carried out in conditions where there are still many ambiguities about the interrogation process, case documents, and the manner of judicial handling. According to them, the judiciary in recent months and simultaneously with wartime conditions and security atmosphere has increased pressure on political prisoners and their families, and many cases are examined in a closed and non-public atmosphere.
What concerns has the cutting of communication with the family created?
Ruhollah Korki’s family says that in the past weeks, his contacts with the family have been severely limited and he has been deprived of the right to telephone contact for some time. Also, he has not been granted regular visitation rights with his wife and children so far.
His family has described the current situation as: “We spend every day in complete ignorance and absolute worry and we do not even know in what conditions Ruhollah is being held.” Human rights activists believe that cutting off political prisoners’ communication with their families is considered part of the psychological pressure against the prisoner and his relatives.
The Korki family has previously been targeted by repression
Ruhollah Korki’s case is proceeding while his family has previously faced security pressures. Amin Korki, Ruhollah’s younger brother, was arrested during the December 2017 protests and died hours later in ambiguous conditions with signs of torture.
Also, two other brothers of this family were arrested and imprisoned in previous years due to seeking justice about Amin Korki’s death. Civil activists say that the continuation of pressure on the Korki family indicates security treatment of families of justice-seekers and protesters.
Human rights violations; Violent arrest, torture, and security case fabrication
Ruhollah Korki’s case is accompanied by serious concerns from a human rights perspective. Reports about arrest without a warrant, torture during interrogation, deprivation of contact, and non-transparent judicial process have increased concerns about widespread violation of the rights of political prisoners. Human rights activists say that using the wartime atmosphere to intensify pressure on political prisoners and security case fabrication is part of the policy of suppressing opponents.
Violated articles:
- Violation of the prohibition of torture and forced confession – Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: No individual should be subjected to torture or inhuman treatment. Applying physical and psychological pressure to obtain confession is a clear violation of this principle.
- Violation of the right to a fair trial – Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Non-transparent and security handling and the absence of an independent and public court violate the principles of fair trial.
- Violation of the right to liberty and personal security – Article 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Arrest without a judicial warrant and long-term holding in security conditions violate the fundamental rights of individuals.
- Violation of the right to communication with family and lawyer – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights: Depriving a prisoner of contact and visitation and restricting access to legal defense destroys the right to effective defense.
- Violation of the right of victims’ families to seek justice – Fundamental principles of human rights: Security pressure on families that have previously been victims of repression violates the right to seek justice and freedom of expression.
See also the below articles:
- Worsening Situation of Prisoners in Unit 2 of Qazal Hesar Prison
- Iran Forces Prisoners Into Street Propaganda in Babol
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