The spokesman said specifically: “Based on the law, a judge can render a decision for a person to be incommunicado detention, in solitary confinement or imprisonment.” Solitary confinement, also known as “white torture”, has been used as a punishment and interrogation tactic by many judges and security agencies.

Psychologists consider solitary confinement torture, and human rights groups define it as a human rights violation. This harsh punishment is not something reserved for just extreme cases, in the last 30 years it has been used on most political prisoners in Iran.

Solitary confinement is used against political prisoners during the interrogation process. Interrogators place political prisoners alone in a bare room for consecutive weeks and months, allowing no interaction with any other human beings. Often these political prisoners will confess to crimes they did not commit just to escape the horrors of solitary confinement.

The damaging effects of solitary confinement are long lasting. It is common for survivors of solitary confinement to experience the paranoia, depression and flashbacks associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.