Saharkhiz in critical condition in Iranian prison

Issa Saharkhiz

Issa Saharkhiz, detained Iranian journalist is in critical condition after undergoing surgery to stop internal bleeding.

Jaras opposition website reported that jailed journalist’s blood pressure rose dramatically yesterday but the prosecutor refused to give permission for his transferral to a hospital.

Issa Saharkhiz underwent surgery at RejaiShahr Prison infirmary after being diagnosed with internal bleeding six days ago.

Reportedly, the incision has become infected and he is in need of critical medical care.

Issa Saharkhiz has been jailed by the Islamic Republic authorities for over a year. According to opposition websites, he suffers from severe health complications which have gone unattended for long and all his lawyer’s applications to get him a temporary leave from prison to receive medical care have been turned down.

Saharkhiz is one of the founders of Society for the Defence of Free Press in Iran and was arrested in summer of 2009 during the widespread protests to the disputed victory of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the elections.

In the course of his imprisonment he has spoken out against being subjected to torture and has accused the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei of allowing the “tortures” to go on in Iranian prisons.