Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh’s husband recently announced that his wife has lost a considerable amount of weight in prison. He said that her weight has dropped from 58 kilograms ( 128 lbs) to 44 kilograms (97 lbs). He also said that, despite her vision problems, officials have refused to allow her to see an optometrist.The Daneshjoo News website reported on April 30th that Nasrin Sotoudeh, a jailed lawyer and human rights activist has been transferred from ward 209 in Evin prison to the methadone ward, the current location of the other female political prisoners.
The methadone ward is an enclosed hall no bigger than 30 to 35 meters. The ward is normally reserved for prisoners who are addicts and use methadone as treatment to battle addiction to narcotics. The prisoners are only allowed access outside for fresh air less than one hour per day. The prisoners are also banned from using facilities like the library and the phone. They are allowed cabin visits, but prohibited from face-to-face meetings.
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Mohammad Seifzadeh, prominent human rights lawyer and founding member of the Defenders of Human Rights Centre (DHRC) is reported that is not in a good health. On October 29, 2010, Seifzadeh had been sentenced to 9 years imprisonment and to a 10 years ban to practice as lawyer on charges of “acting against national security” through founding the DHRC, and “propaganda against the regime” through interviews with foreign media. He had appealed his sentence. Following a recent visit by his son, which lasted about two minutes, his son declared that his father was not in good health, had lost weight, and was limping. His lawyer was however not allowed to visit him.
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According to the latest reports from Evin prison, Mostafa Tajzadeh’s physical condition is “worrisome”. According to the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran, Mostafa Tajzadeh had a disc surgery before imprisonment. He currently suffers from arthritis in his neck and requires surgery.
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Haleh Sahabi was arrested in 2009 during a demonstration in front of the parliament that was protesting the inauguration of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who was announced winner of the presidential race amidst allegations of vote fraud.
Haleh Sahabi was charged with “propaganda against the regime by [her] repeated presence at illegal gatherings and disturbing public order.” She was sentenced to two years in prison and a monetary fine. She began serving her sentence three months ago, after it was confirmed by the appellate court.
************** Tehran’s prosecutor has refused to allow detained Iranian activist Haleh Sahabi to visit her father in hospital.
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| Ezatollah Sahabi |
Ezatollah Sahabi has served time as a political prisoner both before and after the Revolution in Iran.
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| Dr. Maleki at Haleh Sahabi's House *********** |
Laleh Hassanpour is a human rights and women’s rights activist. Her sentence was upheld by branch 36 of the Tehran Appeals Court. She was tried in branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court by Judge Pir Abbasi and charged with, “Membership in the Human Rights Activists [in Iran] group and activism in HRA News Agency”, “Gathering and collusion”, “Engaging in propaganda activities against the government system”, “Insulting what is sacred”, and “Insulting the Presidential rule”. Judge Pir Abbasi sentenced her to one year in prison and four years of suspended imprisonment.
Laleh Hassanpour was arrested on March 16, 2010 by Sepah (IRGC) Intelligence agents and taken to ward 2A (solitary confinement) of Evin prison (IRGC-run ward). She was released on bail on June 2, 2010. According to HRANA, Laleh Hassanpour was under intense pressure during her incarceration to give false televised confessions.
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Akbar Amini, the heroic protester who climbed atop of a crane holding a poster of Green Movement martyrs during demonstrations on February 14th, 2011, was transferred from Ward 209 to Ward 350 at Evin prison after almost two months in jail. According to Kaleme, his new cell mates stated that on the day of the demonstration, Akbar had also held a picture of himself so that if in the event that security forces threw him off the crane, people would still be able to identify him.
Additionally, according to the Center to Defend Familes of those Slain and Detained in Iran, last month, Akbar’s brother Hossein Amini, age 27-28, was confirmed dead under strange circumstances citing a “heart attack” by prison authorities at Evin prison, although he had no history of any physical health conditions or diseases.
Video of Akbar Amini on the crane:
