Baghi’s Condition Alarming

Reporters Without Borders today issued an alarm on the health of Emadoldin Baghi, the Iranian journalist and human rights activist. Baghi suffered double heart attacks at Evin prison on 26 December and was transferred to the emergency room at Qamar Bani Hachem hospital. He was returned to the prison yesterday.

“The conditions in which Baghi is being held are unacceptable,” said Reporters Without Borders. “He has been in solitary confinement ever since he was first taken to Evin, as if imprisonment was not already enough punishment. As his state of health has worsened steadily during the past two months, it is inconceivable that he should be expected to convalesce in prison.”

Saleh Nikbakht, Baghi’s lawyer, said the deterioration in Baghi's health was mainly due to the appalling conditions in the prison and to the harassment to which he has been subjected during interrogation sessions. “Emadoldin Baghi will not survive another heart attack,” he said.

Human Rights Activist Arrested in Tehran

Emadeddin Baghi

Emadeddin Baghi, a prominent human rights activist and the head of a prisoner rights’ group, was attested today in Tehran.

IRNA quoted unnamed officials as saying Baghi was “doing his activities against national security under the cover of defending prisoners' rights.”

In 2003, Baghi was sentenced to three years in prison on similar charges. He served two years and one year was suspended. Now the suspended term reportedly will go into effect.

Baghi has been a vocal critic of the Islamic Republic’s treatment of political and all other prisoners.