Free Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi

Jailed Iranian Journalist's Health 'Deteriorating'
pubblicata da Human Chain Project il giorno martedì 28 giugno 2011 alle ore 20.19

The wife of jailed Iranian journalist Ahmad Zeidabadi says his health is deteriorating and he has lost a great deal of weight, RFE/RL's Radio Farda reports.

Mahdieh Mohammadi told Radio Farda on June 27 that Zeidabadi has lost about 10 kilos in the past month and may be seriously ill, but is not allowed to leave the prison for medical tests.

Mohammadi said she last visited her husband on June 23. She said she is worried he may have contracted a disease from other prisoners with whom he has been kept for a long time.

Zeidabadi was taken into custody in June 2009, one day after the disputed Iranian presidential election. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment and five years' internal exile, and banned for life from political and civic activity.

Mohammadi said Zeidabadi has not been granted furlough "even for an hour" since his arrest two years ago.

She added that she has called the prison warden's office and infirmary, and has written a letter to the prosecutor demanding that Zeidabadi either be taken to hospital or allowed to leave prison for treatment, but to no avail.

The winner of the 2011 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, Zeidabadi is a board member of the Association of Iranian Journalists. He also heads Iran's largest pro-reform student organization, the Iranian Alumni Association.

Zeidabadi is a former professor of political science and editor in chief of the newspaper "Azad." He also contributed to other media, including the daily "Hamshahari," the BBC Persian Service, and the Rooz websit.