Two Troubling Cases in Evin: Health and Life Risks for Imprisoned Christian Citizens
As concerns grow over the condition of prisoners of conscience in Iran, recent reports indicate that two Christian citizens detained in Evin Prison face alarming circumstances; one has begun a hunger strike in protest of a harsh prison sentence, while another, despite serious illnesses and urgent need for specialized treatment, remains deprived of effective access to medical services. Human rights activists warn that the continuation of these conditions could expose these two prisoners to serious health and life-threatening dangers.
“Gazal Marzbaan,” a Christian citizen and civil activist imprisoned in Evin, began her hunger strike in early June in protest of a sentence of nine years and eight months of imprisonment. According to published reports, this sentence was issued by Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court under the presidency of Judge “Iman Afshari,” with charges against her including “propaganda against the system” and “assembly and conspiracy against national security.” Human rights sources say that after several days of her hunger strike, her physical condition has deteriorated significantly.
Gazal Marzbaan’s case has also drawn the attention of international bodies defending religious freedom in recent months. Published reports show that she was arrested following a raid by security forces on her home in Tehran, and during the course of this case, her Bible and other items related to her Christian beliefs were also confiscated. Some organizations defending Christians’ rights have characterized her conviction as an example of ongoing pressures against Christian citizens in Iran.
In another case, concerns about the health of Mohsher (Mohsen) Parnadin, a Christian citizen imprisoned in Evin, continue. According to reports published by human rights organizations, he suffers from heart disease and several tumors in the head and neck area and requires urgent coronary angiography and surgery. However, reports indicate that his medical referrals have not yet resulted in effective specialized treatment, and his treatment process has effectively stalled.
Human rights sources have also warned that one of the tumors is located near the cerebellum and has affected this prisoner’s ability to move, maintain balance, and speak. Based on these reports, continued delays in treatment could have irreversible consequences for his health and even increase the risk of serious damage to his vision.
Mohsher Parnadin, an artist and family breadwinner, is serving his two-year sentence in Evin Prison. Human rights activists have repeatedly called for his immediate access to specialized medical services and the enforcement of the legal rights of ill prisoners.
These two cases are being raised at a time when international human rights organizations have again warned in recent months about the situation of prisoners of conscience, political prisoners, and religious prisoners in Iran. Multiple reports show that the issue of access to medical services, medical leave, and other legal rights of prisoners remains a serious challenge in Islamic Republic prisons; a matter that, according to human rights defenders, has raised widespread concerns particularly regarding prisoners of conscience and religious prisoners.
