(Doc. No. 142)
Letter to Khomeini, October 8, 1986
… Do you know that the crimes being committed in the prisons of the Islamic Republic in the name of Islam were never committed under the Shah’s Evil regime? Do you know that a large number of prisoners have been killed under torture by their interrogators?
Do you know that in Mashhad prison, some 25 girls had to have their ovaries or uterus removed as a result of what had been done to them, and because there were no physicians and medical care?
Do you know that in Sbiraz prison, a girl who was fasting in the month of Ramadan was executed on petty charges immediately after breaking her fast?
Do you know that in some prisons of the Islamic Republic young girls are being raped by force?
Do you know that interrogators foul mouth the girls and use disgusting words to insult them while interrogating them?
Do you know that as a result of unruly torture, many prisoners have become deaf or paralyzed or afflicted with chronic diseases and there is no one to listen to their complaints?
Do you know that in some prisons, prisoners have even been forbidden to perform their Muslim rites?
Do you know that in some prisons prisoners are not allowed to see daylight, not for one or two days, but for months?
Do you know that even once a prisoner is tried and given a sentence, he is beaten and abused? No doubt Your Eminence would be told that these are lies and Montazeri is naive. But let me also report to Your Eminence, if you permit me, what is happening outside prisons:
Do you know that people, while travelling in buses and taxis and waiting in queues for chickens, eggs, vegetable oil and beef or waiting in queues at petrol stations, are openly cursing the officials of the Islamic Republic, including,
I regret to say, yourself?
Do you know that the (Shiite) clergy are reviled by the people?
Do you know that even those who come to Friday prayers are mostly disenchanted and curse the authorities?
Do you know that bribery is rampant everywhere in government offices, ministries, and unfortunately in some prosecutors’ offices and courts?
Do you know that huge embezzlements of government funds are hushed up with some bribes, a telephone call, or a recommendation, while petty thieves are prosecuted?
Do you know that there have been so many robberies and thefts and plundering by persons in the uniforms of Revolutionary Guards and Komiteh that people feel no security for their lives and properties?
Do you know that more than two million Iranians are living in exile and many women have resorted to prostitution, discrediting Iran and Iranians in the eyes of foreigners?
Do you know that poverty and high costs of living are putting intolerable pressure on the people?
While the average income and salaries are the same as before, prices have jumped ten to twenty times higher. How can the poor live in such conditions?
Do you know that contrary to what we studied in Islamic jurisprudence, in the Islamic Republic a Muslim’s right to life is not respected, nor is his property…
Do you know that most good judges have become disillusioned and have resigned, leaving behind corrupt or weak individuals as judges?
Do you know that… everyday about a million Iranians go to doctors and pharmacies and hospitals and clinics, but the vast majority of them return?
Unsatisfied and disenchanted? This is not because of the war, but because of mismanagement and lack of planning…
Do you know that drug addiction is rampant in this country, and that executions, prisons, island concentration camps, etc., are no longer effective?… In conclusion, I think that the country is on a
Downward spiral and the majority of the people are disenchanted… For eight years, we have been ruling the country through violence, numerous executions, and inappropriate confiscation, and we have not got anywhere.
