Ayatollah Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi, a dissident cleric imprisoned since October 2006 for criticizing the Islamic Republic's system and advocating separation of religion and state in Iran, was "exiled" from Tehran's Evin Prison to another facility in the city of Yazd Nov. 24. Boroujerdi was taken away blindfolded, according to a report on the Human Rights Activists in Iran website.

"Ayatollah Boroujerdi was beaten and transferred to an unknown location, and following fruitless inquiries made to [Evin] prison officials, his worried family protested in front of the special clerical court," the report adds. After the family held a vigil outside the court building, the head of the Special Clergy Court finally informed them that Boroujerdi had been transferred to Yazd Prison. Boroujerdi subsequently telephoned his family, saying he did not know where he was because he was blindfolded during transfer. Prison officials confirmed that he is now in Yazd Prison—far from his family and supporters. (Iran VNC, Nov. 24)

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