Six political prisoners in Evin Prison have contracted the coronavirus; health protocols are not being followed
The wife of Esmail Abdi, a teacher union activist, says that this imprisoned teacher and 11 other prisoners in Ward 8 of Evin Prison have been infected with the coronavirus, and some of them are currently in poor physical condition.
Munireh Abdi, the wife of teachers' union activist Esmaeil Abdi, told VOA on Monday, August 10, that in addition to her husband, Esmaeil Abdi, several other political prisoners, including lawyer Amirsalar Davoudi, labor activist Jafar Azimzadeh, Majid Azarpay and Mohammad Ali Mosaybzadeh, along with two other political prisoners, have contracted the coronavirus and are currently being cared for in the Evin Prison infirmary.
According to Ms. Abdi, for at least two weeks now, these prisoners have been experiencing some of the complications of the coronavirus, including the loss of their sense of taste and smell. Apart from these six political prisoners, six other prisoners in this section of Evin Prison have been infected with the coronavirus, says Munireh Abdi.
Regarding the conditions of these prisoners infected with the coronavirus, he said that they were transferred to the prison's health center yesterday and all six of them were transferred to two separate rooms without observing social distancing; they were tested for nasal mucus again and it was announced that the definitive result would be announced within 48 hours after the test, and they have currently been prescribed painkillers.
Ms. Abdi is concerned about her husband's health, saying: "Ismail Abdi has been suffering from a respiratory illness since his last hunger strike, which dates back two years ago, and is currently in poor health due to this virus. He has severe body pain and is having difficulty breathing. They have currently increased the dose of his respiratory medication, prescribed him an asthma spray and high-dose blood pressure pills." However, according to Munira Abdi, the family is concerned that the political prisoner's lungs may be seriously damaged.
Ms. Abdi, referring to the prisoners' inability to observe hygiene issues in prison, told VOA: "Last year, with the outbreak of the coronavirus and its spread in Iranian prisons, they only provided prisoners with two masks and a disinfectant once, and after that, no other hygiene items, including masks or disinfectants, were provided to prisoners, and prisoners are forced to buy hygiene items at their own expense and at high prices from the prison cafeteria."
The release of some prisoners began on Wednesday, March 27, with the issuance of a new circular by the head of the judiciary, according to which a limited leave order has been issued for a group of prisoners sentenced to imprisonment, subject to certain conditions. One of the provisions of that circular states that those political prisoners who have been sentenced to more than 5 years in prison on charges of “acting against national security” “are exempt from being sent on leave.” This is despite the fact that most political prisoners, including Esmaeil Abdi, Amirsalar Davoudi, Majid Azarpei, and Jafar Azimzadeh, have sentences of more than 5 years.
Esmail Abdi's wife told VOA: "We went to the prison prosecutor's office several times and requested leave. We requested that they observe health protocols in the prison or reduce the number of prisoners in each room, but no action was taken and no political prisoner was sent on leave from Ward 8 of Evin Prison."
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a press conference on Wednesday, April 26: "We have asked not only Syria, but also the Islamic Republic of Iran to release not only American citizens, but all those who have been unjustly imprisoned in these circumstances. This is a humanitarian act, and apart from the fact that these people have been illegally imprisoned, in these circumstances the principle of humanitarianism dictates that they be released from prison."
Source: Voice of America
