Iranian political detainees suffering ill health

Media reports indicate that some Iranian political detainees are suffering from severe health conditions in prison. Reportedly, some of the detainees who were temporarily released, spent their furlough in the hospital and many who remain in custody are also in need of hospitalization.

Jaras website reported the hospitalization of Mostafa Tajzadeh, member of reformist group Islamic Iran Participation Front today due to “intense back pains” which probably require surgery, according to his wife.

Mostafa Tajzadeh has a history of back problems which have been exacerbated during his nine months in prison.

Javad Emam, member of reformist group reformist group Mojahedin of the Islamic Revolution, is intensive care following a heart attack.

Emam was in charge of MirHosein Mousavi campaign headquarters in Tehran and was arrested on June 16, 2009 in the early days of the protest movement against the alleged election fraud the returned Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to another term at the presidency.

Emam was released a while ago on a $200, 000 bail.

Behzad Navavi, another detained member of Mujahedin of the Islamic Revolution was hospitalized a few days back.

Reports from Evin Prison indicate that social activist, Ali Beekas is in immediate need of medical treatment. He suffers from periodontal disease which has caused him to lose all his teeth so he is currently unable to eat food. He has been in prison since June of last year.

Mansour Osanlou, Iranian labour activist and head of Tehran Transit Workers Union was reportedly transferred to the hospital with chains on his hands and feet. He was under medical examination for over nine hours without even removing his shackles.

Osanlou was arrested in July of 2007 to end his labour activities and has been sentenced to five years in prison. He suffers from heart disease as well eye and back complications.

Jaras also reports that Mehdi Mahmoudian is still suffering from lung infection and Issa Saharkhiz and Emadeddin Baghi are also struggling with grave heath problem in prison.

In the past ten months, Iranian prisons have been swarmed with thousands of political detainees in order to quell the popular protests against the alleged fraud in the elections. Detainees are reportedly languishing in harsh prison conditions which in the case of ailing prisoners are even more exacerbated.