Jailed Iranian lawyer Javid Houtan Kian is being subjected to further pressure by being moved to the methadone section of Tabriz Prison, the Human Rights Activists News Agency reports.
According to HRANA, Houtan Kian has been under steady pressure from Islamic Republic authorities since he was arrested in connection with his defence of Sakineh Mohammadi Ashtiani, the Iranian woman sentenced to stoning over charges of adultery.
The methadone section of the prison is reportedly where addicts and prisoners suffering from infectious diseases are held, and prison authorities have forbidden Houtan Kian’s cellmates from establishing any sort of contact with him.
Houtan Kian was arrested in September 2010 at his office, together with two German journalists and Sajjad Ghaderi, the son of Sakineh Mohammadi.
The lawyer has been accused of acting against national security and, according to reports from human rights organizations, he has been tortured in order to force him to agree to a so-called televised confession.
Houtan Kian has been sentenced to 11 years in jail.
