Dissident Iranian cleric denied medical treatment in prison

NCRI - Supporters of Iranian dissident cleric Ayatollah Hossein Kazemeyni Boroujerdi have called for international pressure to force the mullahs' regime to end his imprisonment and maltreatment.

Ayatollah Boroujerdi, 57, has spent nearly 10 years in the Iranian regime's jails due to his opposition to clerical rule. He was arrested in Tehran on October 8, 2006. He is currently held in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison.

Reports from Evin Prison say Boroujerdi has faced brutal physical and psychological tortures behind bars. A new report said that in prison his health has drastically deteriorated and he is suffering from various illnesses, yet he has been denied proper treatment or medicine. In prison, he has developed a heart condition and kidney and respiratory problems. He has also lost about 90 percent of his vision in one eye and has lost a lot of weight. At present the only medication made available to him are pain-killers.

The report added that during his time in prison, Boroujerdi has spent a total of at least 440 days in solitary confinement.

Ayatollah Boroujerdi was prosecuted behind closed doors by the regime's Special Clerical Court.

According to Amnesty International:

“He was charged with some 30 offences, including ‘waging war against God’ (moharebeh); committing acts against national security; publicly calling the principle of political leadership by the clergy unlawful; having links with anti-revolutionaries and spies; and using the term ‘religious dictatorship’ instead of ‘Islamic Republic’ in public discourse and radio interviews. He was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment on 13 August 2007 and defrocked (banned from wearing his clerical robes and thereby from practicing his clerical duties), and his house and all his belongings were confiscated. His family had appointed lawyers for him but the SCC refused to allow them to defend him on the grounds that only clerics appointed by the Judiciary could make representations on his behalf.”

“He is now held in Evin Prison’s Ward for the Clergy: he was imprisoned for advocating the separation of religion and state. He has been under increased pressure to write and sign ‘confessions’. Prison officials have told him at least once, in October 2013, that if he does not write a letter recanting his beliefs, he will never be released.”