Political prisoner Arjang Davoudi is at risk of losing sight in both eyes

Iran-HRM – Latest reports from Gohardasht Prison in Karaj indicate that Arjang Davoudi is at risk of losing sight in both eyes.

The 69-year-old political prisoner has been suffering from cataracts for two years without medical treatment. Now, Arjang Davoudi is at risk of losing sight in both eyes.

Doctors say he needs urgent surgery, but Gohardasht prison authorities have refused to send him to the hospital.

About two years ago, Arjang Davoudi went to an ophthalmologist in Zahedan prison and was supposed to have his eyes operated on in Zahedan. However, Morteza Piri, the head of the prison at the time, prevented the operation of the prisoner’s eyes because of the Coronavirus outbreak.

After being transferred to Tehran, Mr. Davoudi repeatedly followed up on the issue of his eyes with the authorities of Gohardasht Prison (Rajai Shahr).

Finally, in the winter of 2022, he was taken to Farabi Hospital for an examination. After performing the necessary tests, he was supposed to undergo operations in March 2022.

But the Gohardasht Prison authorities again prevented the operation of Mr. Davoudi’s eyes. Now, 14 months after his transfer to Gohardasht Prison, no serious action has been taken to solve his vision problem.

Background information

Political prisoner Arjang Davoudi, 69, has a degree in mechanical engineering and industrial management from the University of Texas.

He has been imprisoned since 2003 for 19 years without a single day of leave.

Arjang Davoudi was sentenced to 15 years in jail on charges of founding the “Freedom Movement of Iranians” and “the Iranian Students Confederation.” He was also deprived of enjoying his social rights for five years.

He was permanently dismissed from the management of the Parto-Hekmat educational-cultural complex. He also received an additional sentence of 74 lashes and was banished to prisons in southern Iran.

In October 2016, Mr. Davoudi was banished from Gohardasht Prison to the prisons of Zabol and Zahedan.

In the Prison of Zahedan, a torturer named Gholamreza Qadir pushed him down the stairs, resulting in a severely broken thigh bone in the right leg. He can no longer walk and move on his own. He needs to undergo surgery to fix his leg, as well.

He was returned to Gohardasht Prison from Zabol in April 2021.