Prisoner update: Journalist Issa Saharkhiz in state of paralysis

GVF -- Prominent Iranian journalist Issa Saharkhiz is in a state of “paralysis” and is “unable to move.”

The veteran pro-reform journalist was moved to Rajaei Shahr after the sudden execution of five prisoners in early May 2010. Inmates at the prison are said to be under harsh conditions and the prisoners’ well-being seems to be the last thing on the minds of prison officials. Saharkhiz’s recent health problem is only one in a series of physical condition he has developed in Iran’s prisons since his arrest shortly after the rigged 2009 election. According to reports, he has been suffering from back pain and heart problems and despite this, prison officials have until now declined to grant him even a temporary leave.

Saharkhiz’s recent health problem, which has the potential to spread to other part of his body, began last Friday and requires urgent medical attention. The complication is said to be a neurological disorder accompanied with a severe facial pain. Despite the fact that urgent medical attention can prevent a further deterioration of his health, prison officials have denied Saharkhiz the right to seek treatment.

It should be noted that Saharkhiz has been in prison for more than a year now, and has even been tried for allegedly insulting the leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. It is still not clear whether the judge in charge of his case will grant him a temporary leave or not.

During his defence, Saharkhiz accused the leadership of the Islamic Republic of toppling the Islamic Republic and argued that his intention was to call on the leader to change his wrong ways. He also deemed the court unfit to investigate the charges against him.

For many years, Saharkhiz had been a representative for the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) in New York and published the Akhbare Eghtesad newspaper during the reform years (1997-2005). Prior to the fraudulent 2009 presidential election, Saharkhiz was responsible for publishing the monthly Andisheye Aftab which was shut down after the election coup. The journalist was arrested in the most violent manner after the election and has been in “temporary” detention for more than a year.

Since his arrest, Saharkhiz has stood firmly by his beliefs and considers the leader of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the person responsible for the injustices he’s been facing. He also recently joined four other imprisoned journalists in inviting Ahmadinejad for a debate after the illegitimate “president” called on US president Obama to engage in a debate with him in September at the same time as the United Nation's General Assembly in New York.