Urgent Action Request by
Amnesty International
Dr Mohammad Maleki, a
76-year old Iranian scholar and former Chancellor of Tehran University, has been
incommunicado in Tehran's Evin prison for 40 days. He is suffering from prostate
cancer and other illnesses, and Amnesty International fears that his life is in
danger.
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Mohammad Maleki
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Before his arrest in August, Mohammad Maleki
had been receiving regular treatment for prostate cancer, which he has not been
given while in custody. He also suffers from diabetes and an irregular
heartbeat. On 23 October, his wife, Ghodsi Mir Moez, expressed concern in an
interview with a German radio station that his health is likely to have
deteriorated. His family and lawyer were allowed to visit him once, on 14
September. Ghodsi Mir Moez said afterwards, "I noticed the doctor's physical
condition had worsened and his hands and feet were trembling constantly and he
did not have enough strength to stand on his own feet". She also said he had
complained he was "in severe pain and was suffering from an increased heart
rate, low blood pressure, and a burning sensation during urination".
Mohammad Maleki is being held without charge and his two-month temporary
detention order was renewed on 22 October. The officials who arrested him told
Ghodsi Mir Moez that he was being investigated for stirring up unrest and for
alleged links to the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, a banned
opposition group based in exile. Many of those arrested have faced similar
allegations. However, his family have stressed that Dr Mohammad Maleki is not
affiliated to any political party and did not vote in the disputed 12 June
presidential election in Iran. He criticized the conduct of the elections but
did not publicly express a view about any one of the four candidates that stood
for election. He appears to be a prisoner of conscience, held solely for the
peaceful expression of his views.
PLEASE WRITE IMMEDIATELY in
Persian, Arabic, English, French or your own language:
Expressing grave concern
for the health of Dr Mohammad Maleki, and calling for his immediate and
unconditional release, as he appears to be detained solely for his peaceful
criticism of the conduct of the Iranian presidential election;
In the meantime,
calling for him to be granted all necessary medical treatment, including outside
prison if necessary;
Urging the
authorities to clarify his state of health as a matter of urgency and to grant
him immediate and regular visits by his family and lawyer.
PLEASE SEND APPEALS
BEFORE 7 DECEMBER 2009 TO:
Leader of the Islamic
Republic
Ayatollah Sayed 'Ali
Khamenei
The Office of the Supreme
Leader
Islamic Republic Street –
End of Shahid Keshvar Doust Street, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via
website:
http://www.leader.ir/langs/en/index.php?p=letter (English)
http://www.leader.ir/langs/fa/index.php?p=letter
(Persian)
Salutation: Your
Excellency
Head of the Judiciary
Ayatollah Sadeqh Larijani
Howzeh Riyasat-e Qoveh
Qazaiyeh (Office of the Head of the Judiciary)
Pasteur St., Vali Asr
Ave., south of Serah-e Jomhouri, Tehran 1316814737, Islamic Republic of Iran
Email: via website
http://www.dadiran.ir/tabid/75/Default.aspx
Salutation: Your
Excellency
COPIES TO::
Speaker of Parliament
His Excellency Ali
Larijani
Majles-e Shoura-ye Eslami
Baharestan Square,
Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran
Fax: +98 21 3355 6408
Also send copies to
diplomatic representatives of Iran accredited to your country.
Please check with your
section office if sending appeals after the above date. This is the first update
of UA 233/09 (MDE 13/094/2009). Further information:
www.amnesty.org/en/library/info/MDE13/094/2009.
Additional Information
Dr Mohammad Maleki was in
poor health at the time of his arrest on 22 August, suffering from prostate
cancer, an abnormal heartbeat and diabetes. He was unable to walk unaided due to
severe pain in his legs. He was permitted to take medicines with him when
arrested, but he has received no chemotherapy since his arrest.
Dr Maleki's personal
physician, Hesam Firouzi, has also written publicly of the necessity of his
release in order to receive treatment for his illnesses and expressed fears that
his life is in danger while in detention (in Persian
http://www.mowjcamp.com/article/id/46921).
The Iranian authorities
frequently deny or delay medical care, including medication, to detainees as a
form of pressure on them.
... Payvand News - 10/27/09 ... --
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