Health condition of Iran political prisoners deteriorates

The health of several Iranian political prisoners who have been denied medical treatment despite suffering from various illnesses has deteriorated, according to local reports.

Political prisoner Hadi Qaemi, who is a relative of members of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI or MEK) is suffering from various ailments including high blood pressure and prostate cancer in Ward 7 of Tehran's notorious Evin Prison. Mr. Qaemi was arrested at his home by intelligence ministry agents and taken to solitary confinement in Ward 209 of Evin Prison in late 2009 following major anti-regime protests. He is currently serving a 15-year sentence.

Iranian Kurdish political prisoner Afshin Sohrabzadeh, 23, who is incarcerated in Minab Prison, southern Iran, is being denied proper medical treatment despite a letter from doctors stating that he needs to be admitted to a hospital outside of prison. Mr. Sohrabzadeh is believed to be suffering from cancer of the intestine and his condition is said to be getting worse. He has sewn his lips and has been on hunger strike for the past two weeks in protest to the denial of medical care. He was arrested in June 2009 by the regime’s intelligence agents. The mullahs' court in Sanandaj, western Iran, charged him with "moharebeh," or "waging war on God," over his affiliation to a Kurdish opposition group.

Abdolfattah Soltani, a prominent lawyer who previously defended political prisoners and who is now a prisoner of conscience himself in Evin Prison, is said to be denied hospital treatment despite his heart condition, vacillating blood pressure and chronic pain in the back and neck. He was arrested in June 2009 by agents of the regime's notorious Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS) and transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. He was accused of propaganda against the regime and carrying out media interviews about his clients' situation and sentenced to 18 years imprisonment. He was also barred from practicing law for 20 years.

Iranian Kurdish political prisoner Hassan Farji, 31, in Orumieh (Urmia) Prison, north-western Iran, is awaiting a death sentence, according to reports from the prison. Mr. Farji was arrested by the Iranian regime's notorious intelligence agents in nearby Bukan five years ago. Mr. Farji's relatives say the regime's judge who presided over his case described him as a "counter-revolutionary" who "certainly deserves to be executed."