Journalist released from prison after years of poor health

 Journalist Issa Saharkhiz, who’s been behind bars for more than four years, was released from Rejai Shahr Prison on Thursday October 3

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According to Issa Saharkhiz’s Facebook page, the prominent journalist suffered severe health problems during his imprisonment. Saharkhiz had gone on hunger strike several times to protest the lack of attention to his medical needs.

Sahakhiz, who was the head of the Press Department of the Ministry of Culture and Guidance during the reform government of former president Mohammad Khatami, was arrested in July of 2009 in the aftermath of that year’s controversial presidential election.

He was held in solitary confinement on several occasions and, in 2010, he was transferred to Rejai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

He was sentenced to three years in jail for the charges of insulting the leader and propaganda against the regime. He was later given a further two-year sentence and banned from media and political activities for five years.

He had been transferred to hospital on several occasions during his incarceration and, at the time of his release, he had been in hospital for three months.

ZAMANEH