Rising Concerns Over the Health of Hossein Ronaghi Maleki

Blogger and human rights activist Hossein Ronaghi Malkei one of the 30 social activists arrested after traveling to support Iranians in the earthquake stricken region of Azarbaijan contacted his family by phone,

informing them that he is is in poor physical condition as a result of extreme bleeding of the kidneys.

On August 22, 2012 security forces arrested more than 30 social activists who had traveled to provide aid to the earthquake stricken region in East Azerbaijan province. A number of those arrested were released on bail after a few days. The remaining detainees were transferred from the quarantine ward at Tabriz prison to the intelligence ministry where according to a source close to one of the detainees they were subjected to interrogation for a period of five days.

Previous reports indicate that Ronaghi Maleki was assaulted and severely beaten by interrogators of the intelligence ministry in Ahar and Tabriz.

Ronaghi Maleki who had just undergone a 7th kidney operation and a number of other detainees are said to have launched a dry hunger strike, an act that exasperated Ronaghi Maleki's physical condition and led to further bleeding of his kidneys.

There are rising concerns over Ronaghi Maleki' deteriorating physical condition given that the judicial and intelligence authorities have denied Ronaghi Maleki access to any medication and medical treatment.

An IRGC official said the following to one of Ronaghi Maleki's family members in relation to his recent arrest: " The IRGC disapproved of his arrest and was not aware that he had been arrested. Ronaghi Maleki's medical furlough took place in coordination with the IRGC and judicial authorities and during his time outside prison he had not been involved in any political or suspicious activities and as a result prior to his recent arrest, his medical furlough was extended three times."

The IRGC official added: "Had the IRGC been informed of Ronaghi Maleki's arrest, we would have undoubtedly disagreed for he had been charged by the IRGC's Intelligence unit and we were fully aware of all his activities. As a result, had there been a need to act, the IRGC would have undoubtedly taken the necessary measures on its own."

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki was first arrest by agents of the Intelligence Ministry following the rigged presidential elections in 2009 and sentenced to 15 years prison at the 26th branch of the Revolutionary Court presided over by Judge Pir Abbasi.

Translated by BanooyeSabz

Source: Kaleme: http://www.kaleme.org/1391/06/13/klm-111572/