Seyyed of Quarters 15 (34)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

2017-6-19

Seyyed of Quarters 15

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Edited and Compiled by: Sassan Nateq

Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company

‎2016 (Persian Version)‎

Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

The loudspeaker of camp played songs of Mahasti, Moeen, and Daryoosh continuously. The songs which was chosen to sow despair seeds in the hearts of prisoners. Some prisoners had heard the songs so much that had memorized them. Suddenly, the song was cut and it was said someone comes to the camp to speak. "Is it possible they will be representatives of the Red Cross?" Prisoners asked each other. No one of us knew the answer, but the hope of presence of representative of the Red Cross was reinforced in our heart for a moment. We all were lined up at eleven o'clock. Three or four ones in suits entered the camp. They had no resemblance with foreigners or Red Cross representatives at all. Unlike other days, the number of guardians had increased and were stepping around them. One of those few people sat down on a chair and from the first words, we realized they are hypocrites’ forces and have come to propagandize. Speaking about freedom and betrayal of Iran authorities to the nation, he said: "join us to make our country free from the clutches of traitors. If you don’t join us, will be free to seek refuge in any country you want."

A few of prisoners whispered swear-words and some of them said, "he’s lying. Authorities of our country don’t betray the people. They just want to ruin our spirit."

They left, but the Iraqis came to the quarters every day and propagandized in favor of hypocrites. They showed the situation so much awful, as if that place is the end of world and prisoners had no choice but asylum. They said if you seek refuge, the Iraqi government is obliged by Geneva law to prepare job opportunities and studying in universities for refugees. Little by little, some prisoners were deceived.

A few days after hypocrites’ speaking in the camp, a clergyman appeared. I thought he has been captured too, but to my surprise, I saw he has been tricked by hypocrites and Iraqis, and promoted the interests of them indirectly. He didn’t say anything about hypocrites’ unfair assassinations and Iraqis’ invasions and aggressions. He raised some religious edicts and doubts and said, "The Iraqi government is hospitable and Saddam Hussein has asked to serve you."

Finally, propaganda of Mujahidin and Iraqis worked. We heard twenty-four prisoners has registered for seeking refuge. We had not tolerated so much tortures and captivity to ruin everything by asylum appealing of some prisoners. We should somehow awakened them to the truth. I consulted with Seyyed Mojtaba Jasemi and said, "We should stopped them by hook or by crook."

We put our heads together and came to the conclusion that we should approach and treat them well, so helped them to change their decision little by little. Seyyed Mojtaba went to share the issue with Karami. Karami had become known as a result of betrayal and the Iraqis had known he is one of brigade commanders. Seyyed Mojtaba Jasemi had seen him for a moment. "I couldn’t speak much with him, but he recommended we listen to you." When he came back, said.

Iraqis took Karami outside and kept him under sunbeam until sunset and sometimes ordered him to stand with one leg folded. Every day, they took him to the interrogation room to beat a confession out of him that he is a commander.

Seyyed Karim was in charge of bathroom building and gave each person two boxes of hot water to wash himself. Every fifteen to twenty days we could bath, and sometimes prisoners gave their bath turn and water share to another one, so that he could wash himself with four boxes of water. In the next turn for bathing, this was reversed. Seyyed Mojtaba Jasemi was washing his head and face with soap, when was pulled out of the bathroom, dressed and taken to the interrogation room. Seyyed Mohammad, Intelligence officer, had asked him about Karami and he had said he is his uncle and they had gone to pick up their households and furniture when had been captured. They had tortured Seyyed Mojtaba to loosen his tongue. Seyyed Mojtaba had said he and his uncle aren’t military ones, but Iraqis sent Karami to another camp.

We were intimate with those who had applied for asylum. The rest also was advised to treat them good and convey hopefulness with their behaviors and speech. We socialized and spoke with them so much until all twenty-four ones changed their minds and avoided to seek refuge. Iraqis went mad. They took and brought back Seyyed Mojtaba a few days until they sent him from quarters-14 to another one[1].

To be continued…