More than 42 days have passed since the arrest of student activist from Sanandaj, Yaser Goli. Goli's family and attorney have not been able to meet with him yet. In an exclusive interview with Rooz, Goli's mother complains about the inhumane treatment of her son.
I have interviewed Goli's mother three times so far. The first time, she told me about the manner of her son's arrest; the second time about her husband's arrest; and the third time about their banishment from the Revolutionary Court.
"My son has been in detention for 42 days. We are not allowed to meet with him and he is not allowed to contact us. Two weeks ago, they arrested my husband because he was pursuing the release of my son. After six days, they released my husband on bail, but a few days later the prosecutor banned us from entering court premises."
I asked why they were banned from court.
"Except for the last two days and Fridays, I have gone to court almost every day. Each time I wrote a letter to court officials and gave it to them, but they threw the letter away or ripped it off in front of my eyes. Two weeks ago, they got angry and asked security guards not to let any of Yaser Goli's family members, meaning myself, his father and brothers, enter the courtroom, and that is what happened."
I ask, "So what do you to do follow up on your son's condition?"
"I went to the detention facility a few times and asked officers there to allow me to visit my sick son for even 30 seconds; but they did not accept, and when I submitted my request in writing, they said even if you write 100 letters, you won't see your son until we deem appropriate."
According to Yaser Goli's mother, Goli's attorney, Saleh Nikbakht, has not been able to review his client's files yet.
What adds to this family's concerns is Yaser Goli's heart condition and harsh detention conditions.
"I'm afraid of something happening to my son. His heart bothered him when he was normal, let alone now that he is in solitary confinement. What kind of treatment is this for a student and his family? They act as if they have captured a dangerous terrorist."
When Goli's mother said this last sentence, I remembered Goli's interview last year with Rooz. Goli spoke about the student movement in that interview. He said, "You can say that there is heavy pressure on universities. Students are the ninth administration's radical critics and are not willing to compromise. The other side has definitely raised the stakes. It reacts as soon as any student raises a criticism against the government. Nevertheless, students use every opportunity to voice their dissatisfaction, which really mirrors the society's dissatisfaction with the ninth administration's policies, particularly in limiting the citizens' civil freedoms."
The cost has now been born by him and his family. How high is the cost?
