Criticism from Mohammad Sediq Kaboudvand’s Wife over Officials’ Lack of Accountability
Following the deterioration of Mohammad Sediq Kaboudvand’s condition, a journalist and head of the Kurdistan Human Rights Defense Organization, who was transferred to hospital after a hunger strike in prison, his family criticized officials for their lack of accountability.
Perinaz Baghban Hasani, Mr. Kaboudvand’s wife, told BBC Persian about her husband’s latest condition: “Due to hunger strike, Mr. Kaboudvand’s blood potassium level has dropped and doctors warn of possible cardiac arrest, but officials have not yet responded to any of our requests. Mr. Kaboudvand has served 9 years of his sentence with one year remaining until his release, but if officials wish to and care about people’s lives, they could do something.”
Ms. Hasani, referring to Mr. Kaboudvand’s transfer to intensive care, said: “Two days ago, Mr. Kaboudvand agreed to use medication and intravenous fluids.”
Mohammad Sediq Kaboudvand began a hunger strike approximately three weeks ago in protest of his prison conditions.
Mohammad Sediq Kaboudvand has been detained and imprisoned since June 30, 2007.
He was sentenced by the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran to 10 years in prison on charges of acting against national security by establishing the Kurdistan Human Rights Defense Organization, and to one year imprisonment on charges of propaganda against the system through contact with international organizations and writing a letter to Kofi Annan, the former UN Secretary-General.
Mr. Kaboudvand was also the responsible editor and chief editor of Payam-e Mardom weekly, which was published in two Kurdish and Persian languages in Tehran and Kurdish regions. The weekly was shut down in 2004, and Mr. Kaboudvand, after his arrest in 2006, was sentenced to six months imprisonment and revocation of publishing license due to his activities with that publication.
Under the new Islamic Penal Code, which has been implemented experimentally from May 2013 for five years, when a person receives multiple sentences for different crimes, only the most severe punishment is enforceable. Accordingly, in Mr. Kaboudvand’s case, only the 10-year prison sentence should be executed.
Jafar Azim Zada’s Condition ‘is Critical’
The Free Workers’ Union of Iran also announced that Jafar Azim Zada, chairman of the union’s board of directors who is imprisoned, has been admitted to the emergency department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran due to his critical condition.
Mr. Azim Zada has been on an indefinite hunger strike since May 1 of the current year in protest of security charges against labor activists and other trade union activists.
According to the Free Workers’ Union’s report, Mr. Azim Zada was returned to prison hours after being transferred to the hospital.
In the concluding section of the Free Workers’ Union’s statement: “A comprehensive conspiracy against him [Jafar Azim Zada] has been organized among judicial officials, prison authorities, and hospital and healthcare officials at Evin Prison. A tragedy and a killing is taking place. We must stand against this and not allow Jafar Azim Zada’s life to be taken.”
Source: BBC
