Ailing Political Prisoner Denied Critically Needed Medical Care for Her Diabetes

Held with Violent Criminals at Vakilabad Prison for Criticizing the Government on Facebook

Political prisoner Nahid (Omolbanin) Gorji has been denied adequate medical care even though she is suffering from diabetes and heart disease, a source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. 

“Nahid used to take pills for her diabetes and heart disease before she went to prison…but now they won’t even allow her family to bring her pills to prison,” said the source. “She’s also suffering from leg pain and her bones are losing mass.”

“Vakilabad Prison does not have the proper facilities to treat her and she’s not being transferred to the hospital,” added the source.

Political prisoners in Iran are singled out for harsh treatment, which often includes denial of medical care.

“She’s sick and needs medical leave and she also has a young daughter who’s living with relatives now, but the judge said he would not release her on furlough [temporary leave] until she serves 20 months of her sentence.”

Gorji is being held with regular prison inmates, including dangerous criminals, because Vakilabad Prison does not have a ward for political prisoners. 

Gorji, 50, has been in the Women’s Ward of Vakilabad Prison in the city of Mashhad in Iran’s Khorasan Razavi Province since May 8, 2016. She was sentenced to three years in prison for allegedly posting content critical of the government on social media, especially Facebook, which is banned in Iran.

Gorji was arrested on October 12, 2014 at her home in Mashhad by security agents who confiscated her computer, mobile phone and other personal belongings. She was held for six months and released on bail on April 12, 2015. 

Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court in Mashhad sentenced her to five years in prison for “propaganda against the state” and “assembly and collusion against national security,” but the sentence was reduced to three years in prison upon appeal.