Amnesty International: Hossein Spanta is at risk of paralysis
Amnesty International has called on the Shiraz prosecutor to take steps to treat and save the life of Hossein Spanta, a security prisoner held in Adelabad. Spanta is serving a ten-year sentence and is unable to move due to a spinal cord disorder called syringomyelia.
Amnesty International has called on Shiraz Prosecutor Heydar Asiabi to prevent the paralysis of a security prisoner by providing and guaranteeing medical facilities.
The appeal describes the conditions of Hossein Spanta, a prisoner held in Adel Abad, Shiraz, as dangerous and requiring urgent attention. Spanta, 38, was arrested in 2013 on the Kurdistan border while illegally returning to Iran from Europe. He is charged with “collaborating with hostile groups,” “insulting the leadership and sacred places,” “propaganda against the system,” and “acting against national security.”
He was imprisoned for six months in 2000 on charges of being a member of the “Thunder Kingdom Society.” After his release, he traveled to Turkey, India, and Norway. He returned to the country to see his mother, but was arrested at the border.
Amnesty International wrote in a letter to the Shiraz prosecutor: "Hossein Spanta's physical problems have been exacerbated since his arrival in prison due to the lack of proper treatment. He is in chronic and severe pain, suffers from numbness, impaired movement, difficulty swallowing and inability to control his bladder and bowels, and his painful nighttime screams have also made his cellmates restless and disturbed."
Hossein Spanta is being held in Ward 14 of Adelabad Prison in Shiraz. He told other prisoners that his back and spinal cord were damaged during his initial arrest and during 17 days of interrogation in the “Plak 100” detention center of the IRGC Intelligence in Shiraz.
Amnesty International notes that the Shiraz forensic medical examiner confirmed three years ago that Sepana would be able to withstand imprisonment if he continued to take medication, had regular visits, used mobility aids, and received specialized medical care. This was in response to Hossein Sepana’s request for the use of the “zero-tolerance law.”
Amnesty International tells the Shiraz prosecutor that, instead of providing specialized care, Hossein Spanta's restraints are helping him walk, clean himself, and do personal things: "This has led to aggravation of his spinal cord injuries and complications. Adelabad authorities are refusing to send him to a hospital outside the prison and are also taking money from his family for dozens of weekly painkillers."
Amnesty International writes that prison authorities sometimes keep the Spanta medication with them, or say that there is no one in the infirmary to administer the injections.
A group of specialist doctors who examined Hossein Spanta a year ago said that 60% of his spinal cord was damaged and that the continuation of his current condition could lead to his complete paralysis.
The request for parole for this security prisoner, who has served six years of his ten-year sentence, has also been rejected.
Amnesty International has called on the Shiraz Prosecutor's Office to provide medical and treatment facilities to Hossein Spanta and to prevent any obstruction of the treatment of sick prisoners by investigating his allegations of torture and other ill-treatment.
Source: DW
