Deteriorating Condition of Baktash Abtin; Iranian Writers Association: This is the Result of Prison Officials’ and Government’s Actions

The Iranian Writers Association again reported on the deteriorating condition of Baktash Abtin, an imprisoned writer and journalist, following his contraction of coronavirus, and stated that despite the transfer of this member of the Iranian Writers Association to another hospital after receiving medical leave, there has been no improvement in his condition.

The Iranian Writers Association, in publishing this news, wrote that following Abtin’s contraction of coronavirus and the worsening of his condition, and his transfer to medical leave on the 22nd of Azar and his transfer from Taleghani Hospital to another hospital, despite the efforts of medical staff, family follow-up, and friends, there has been no improvement in Mr. Abtin’s physical condition to date.

This association further stated: “What is happening to Baktash Abtin today is the result of the actions of prison officials and certainly the government, which through file-making and issuing long-term and baseless sentences places opponents and protesters in mortal danger.”

According to the Iranian Writers Association report, Mr. Abtin’s family and friends, who spent the initial days of his coronavirus infection in prison or bound to a hospital bed in uncertainty, psychological pressure, and under the protection of security forces, hope that his medical leave will be extended and no further disruptions occur in his treatment process.

The Iranian Writers Association also declared responsibility for the delay in transferring Baktash Abtin, a writer, journalist, and one of the members of this association, to the hospital and any harm to his life and health to the “government and especially the judiciary.”

The Iranian Writers Association previously, through a statement published on its Telegram channel, reported on the worsening of Mr. Abtin’s illness symptoms and his nocturnal transfer from prison to Taleghani Hospital, and announced that through family follow-up and after prison officials failed to respond, it became clear that Baktash Abtin had contracted coronavirus and both of his lungs were affected.

Based on available information, on Monday, the 22nd of Azar, Baktash Abtin’s family and lawyer succeeded, after obtaining approval from responsible authorities, in transferring him from Taleghani Hospital to another hospital so they could monitor his treatment process.

Raziyeh Zeidi, Baktash Abtin’s defense lawyer, also previously, referring to the fact that this member of the Iranian Writers Association was hospitalized in the ICU, told the Iran Watch news website: “Given that both of his lungs have been affected by the disease, his physical condition may deteriorate.”

The case of Baktash Abtin, Kiowan Bazhen, and Reza Khandan Mahabadi, three Iranian writers and former members of the Editorial Board of the Iranian Writers Association, was initiated in 2015 with a complaint from the Islamic Republic’s Ministry of Intelligence, and the sentences of these writers on charges of acting against national security and propaganda against the system were confirmed in December 2019 in the appeals court.

According to the issued sentences, both Reza Khandan and Baktash Abtin have been sentenced to six years each, and Kiowan Bazhen to three and a half years in prison.