Former MP says under pressure in jail - lawyer

TEHRAN, Sep 26 (Reuters) Former Iranian lawmaker Ali Akbar Khoeini, who was jailed in June while at a women's rights rally, says he has been put under pressure in prison to write a letter asking for a pardon, his lawyer said today.

Lawyer Mohammad Sharif told Reuters he had not met his client in prison since the arrest on June 12 at the Tehran rally, which the authorities said was illegal.

But he said Khoeini had shouted out comments about his condition to bystanders when he was being taken back to jail after spending a few hours outside jail to attend a traditional mourning ceremony to mark 40 days since his father's death.

''He (Khoeini) says he has been under pressure to write a letter and call for a pardon,'' said Sharif.

''Khoeini's wife had noticed signs of physical impact especially on his head,'' Sharif said but did not elaborate.

New York-based Human Rights Watch called for Khoeini's release. It said Khoeini had accused prison officials of torturing him to ''repent'' for his criticism of the judiciary and intelligence services for rights abuses and prison conditions.

''Iran's leaders have held Khoeini for more than 100 days without charge, much of that in solitary confinement,'' Joe Stork, deputy West Asia director at US rights group, said in a statement today.

''Iran has a notorious record when it comes to getting political prisoners to 'repent' under torture,'' he said.

The rights group quoted Khoeini as telling people at the mourning ceremony that he was being held in solitary and regularly interrogated.

''For the past 20 days, prison officials have chained my hands and feet. I am being tortured,'' he was quoted as saying.

Iran denies holding political prisoners and routinely dismisses charges of torture in its jails.

Iranian Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad said that Khoeini's claims could be assessed by a Tehran court if he wanted to lodge a complaint, students news agency ISNA reported.

Sharif said lodging such a complaint stood little chance of success and could make matters worse for his client.

''We would need a witness or some document to prove the violence and that makes it impossible,'' Sharif said. ''And I would be concerned of adding a libel charge to my client's other charges if I fail to prove his claims.'' REUTERS AB RK2016