Iran MPs to investigate torture claims

Iran’s parliament will investigate claims by a labour protest leader that he was tortured in prison following strikes at a sugar factory, the Isna news agency reported on Sunday.

Alireza Rahimi, a member of parliament’s presiding board, said his request for an investigation had been accepted by Speaker Ali Larijani, according to Isna.

It followed claims by Esmail Bakhshi that he was tortured during 25 days in detention in Khuzestan province last year.

Bakhshi was one of the organisers of weeks-long protests at the Haft Tapeh sugar factory in Shush over unpaid wages and alleged criminal activity by new private owners.

Ali Motahari, an outspoken member of parliament, wrote a column in Etemad on Sunday titled “Source of shame”, demanding answers from the intelligence ministry.