Fifteen people were arrested in Ahwaz last Thursday during protests against the execution of four political prisoners.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency reports that following the execution of four Arab political prisoners in Ahwaz, the city erupted in protests, during which at least 15 people were arrested.

Three brothers — Teh, Nasser, and Abbas Heydarian — together with Ali Sharifi Naami were transferred to an unknown location on June 9, and 10 days later their families were informed that the prisoners had been executed.

The four had been arrested in April of 2011 during protests in the Mollashieh neighbourhood of Ahwaz.

Reports from their cellmates indicate that they had been subjected to torture in prison. They were charged with murdering a security officer, but their families insist that the charges were false and any confessions extracted from them were coerced.

In recent years, Khuzestan Province has seen several mass protests, which have triggered a severe government crackdown.

Protesters claim the government treats the Arab community with widespread discrimination in housing and employment as well as social and political rights.
Source: Radio Zamaneh