Security agencies oppose transferring a Baha'i prisoner to the hospital
"Vahed Khulusi," a Baha'i prisoner who has served more than three years of his sentence in prison, is denied the right to leave and transfer to the hospital, despite his poor physical condition and need for medical care.
A source close to the family of Vaheed Khuloosi told VOA on Monday, January 1, that Mr. Khuloosi was sentenced to five years in prison by Judge Moghiseh on charges of gathering and colluding against national security, propagating Baha'iism, and membership in human rights organizations. He is currently serving his sentence in Ward 4 of Sub-Hall 11 of Rajai Shahr Prison.
The informed source told VOA that Vahed Kholosi's family had approached the prosecutor's office several times to request sick leave for him, but each time they were told that security agencies would not agree to this request.
According to him, after his right to study at the university was denied, Vahedh Kholosi filed several legal complaints and sent them to the Measurement and Technology Organization, the parliament, the then president, and the Article 90 Commission. After that, in September 2011, he was arrested and taken to Evin Prison for some explanations, and after 23 days of solitary confinement, he was released on bail until the case was completed and the court session was held.
Vahedh Khuloosi was arrested earlier in September 2012 when he went to Tabriz to support the victims of the earthquake and spent 2 months in Tabriz prison.
This is not the first time a Baha'i citizen has been arrested in connection with the issue of the right to education. This summer, dozens of Baha'i citizens were also denied access to university.
The US State Department has repeatedly condemned the violation of the rights of religious minorities and the persecution of their followers in Iran.
In a speech last October, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called the Iranian government an example of violating the rights of religious minorities.
Source: Voice of America
