Kidnapped Iranian diplomat explains his torture by the US forces

Tehran, NU Online
Second Secretary of Iran's embassy in Baghdad Jalal Sharafi, who was kidnapped and tortured by the US forces, explained the details of his torture to domestic and foreign reporters in the venue of foreign ministry here Wednesday.

Sitting on a wheelchair, Sharafi said," a group of 8 from Iraqi Intelligence Service (Istakhbarat) who were under command of the US forces tortured me psychologically and physically in a cell somewhere close to the Baghdad airport."<>

He said because of the torture "my drum membrane tore up, my nose was broken, my lumbar vertebrae was damaged and my stomach started bleeding."

The tortured diplomat added," a man who spoke English and introduced himself as an official of the US embassy in Baghdad and in charge of my case interrogated me."

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Alireza Ali-Hosseini a dermatologist and Ali Sharifi, a psychologist, explained tortures inflicted on Mr. Sharafi.

Sharafi also showed the signs of tortures on his body to the reporters and photographers attending the meeting.

Sharafi was transferred to the venue of the press conference by an ambulance and then was taken to the hospital again.

Representative of the International Committee of Red Cross in Iran said on Wednesday that the committee will follow the case.

Jalal Sharafi was abducted in Baghdad on February 4, 2007 and was released on April 3, 2007. (irn/dar)