Ukrainian traveller accused of espionage and imprisoned in Iran
This was reported by Ukrainian traveller Artemiy Surin.
Ukrainian traveller Artemiy Surin shared his experience of being imprisoned by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran. He also explained why, in his opinion, expectations of a rapid fall of the Iranian regime may be overly optimistic.
According to Surin, the system of power in Iran is much tougher and more complex than it may seem from the outside. He noted that the IRGC actually acts as a separate power structure that controls a significant part of state processes.
The traveller claims that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has influence over law enforcement agencies and special services, the judicial system, a significant part of the economy and political processes in the country.
Surin said that he ended up in Iran during his round-the-world trip. There, he was filming with official permission.
Despite this, he was detained, charged with espionage and sentenced to imprisonment.
Under Iranian law, this charge carries two possible sentences: life imprisonment or the death penalty.
At first, the Ukrainian was held in a regular Iranian prison. According to him, harsh methods of detention were used there.
He recalls physical beatings, humiliation, rude treatment and prison violence.
He was later transferred to the KIVR prison. There, according to Surin, there was no overt physical violence.
However, he felt under constant psychological control. The traveller describes the atmosphere as being trapped, where the system operates calmly but at the same time creates a strong sense of danger.
During conversations with KVI officers, he noticed that they had detailed information about his movements.
In particular, they knew about his previous trips, his route and his stay in the United States several months before his arrest.
According to Surin, one of the KGB officers changed the court's decision in his case without any procedures or appeals, using his own authority.
In his opinion, such political systems are not based solely on force. Fear, ideological fanaticism and complete control over state institutions play a significant role.
That is why the traveller is sceptical about predictions of a rapid fall of the regime in Iran under external pressure.
After his release, Surin was able to leave Iran thanks to a special evacuation operation.
It was organised by the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ukrainian Embassy.
The traveller noted that he was grateful to Ukrainian diplomats for their help.
At the same time, he stressed that it was from the QEIR prison that he managed to escape on his own. He described
his story in more detail in a book and documentary film dedicated to these events.
