Iranian political prisoner denied medical treatment

Iran-HRM – Prison authorities in Rajai Shahr Prison have prevented the continuation of treatment and surgery of the gums of political prisoner Hassan Sadeghi.

Hassan Sadeghi went to the hospital for several sessions and his gums were operated on and sutured, but he was told that he was no longer allowed to be sent to a hospital outside prison.

“Political prisoner Hassan Sadeghi received treatment at his own expense and was sent to a dentist outside the prison for several sessions,” a reliable source said. “But suddenly he was prevented from being sent for further treatment and he was informed that he was no longer allowed transfer to hospital.”

“He had a gum surgery and his gums are sutured and treatment has not yet been completed,” the source added. “This condition can definitely lead to gum infection and further complications. How he should take out the stitches?”

Hassan Sadeghi is currently being held in Rajai Shahr Prison. Due to his many years in prison, the political prisoner suffers from various illnesses such as eye condition, severe back pain and foot pain, and gum disease.

According to the UN’s Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, which all UN Member States are expected to abide by, “…Sick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals.”

Iranian authorities however, deliberately deny prisoners, especially those convicted of politically motivated charges, of medical treatment to exert pressure upon them.

Hassan Sadeghi and his wife, Fatemeh Mosanna were arrested in 2014, because they had held a funeral service for Hassan Sadeghi’s father who was a member of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK).

The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced each of them to 15 years in prison.

Prior to his current incarceration, Hassan Sadeghi served six years in prison in the 1980s from the age of 15 to 21 for engaging in political activities related to the PMOI.