Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, jailed activist in Evin prison has launched a hunger strike following his protest of issues including the prison condition and lack of attention to his medical needs.
According CHRR, in the past weeks this political prisoner had shared with his family during visitations that in protest of the authorities’ lack of care for the life and physical state of a human being, if nothing were changed he would embark on a hunger strike. Hossein Ronaghi launched a hunger strike on Friday August 9th.
Seyed Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, the father of the jailed blogger told CHRR in a recent interview that in addition to his kidney disease, Hossein now suffers from gastrointestinal bleeding and has been vomiting – prompting a physician’s order for him to refrain from taking the necessary medication for his kidney and prostate disease – yet medical furlough has been denied.
Hossein Ronaghi, blogger and Internet activist who is one of the founding members of Iran Proxy – a group that bypassed Internet censorship with proxy servers – was violently arrested on December 13, 2009 at his parental home in the city of Melikan located near Tabriz and was transferred to Ward 2A in Evin Prison [under control of IRGC]. Hasan Ronaghi Maleki, Hossein’s brother was also detained at that time despite the fact that he had not engaged in any political activities. Hasan was tortured and used as a tool in an attempt to intimidate his brother. For over10 months Hossein Ronaghi was held in solitary confinement in Evin’s Ward 2A which is under the jurisdiction of the IRGC. He was subjected to intense psychological abuse and physical torture in efforts to coerce him into making a false televised confession, which he refused.
On December 1, 2010 Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court presided by judge Pir Abassi handed Hossein Ronaghi Maleki a 15-year prison sentence. Among his charges were “membership in Iran Proxy”, “insulting the leadership”, and “insulting the Islamic Republic.” In 2010 Hossein Ronaghi went on 2 hunger strikes in protest of prison conditions and the mistreatment of prisoners. His mother also went on a 2-week hunger strike to voice her support for her son.
On August 22, 2012 Hossein Ronaghi who had been on medical leave from prison was detained along with his father and brother, Ahmad and Hasan Ronaghi Maleki, and 33 other volunteers and social activists who had gone to the aid of earthquake victims in the province of Azerbaijan.
Ronaghi received a 2-year prison sentence handed on the charge of “gathering and collusion against national security” in the Azerbaijan earthquake zone. Per a ruling handed down by Branch 112 of the Tabriz Public Court, he was also sentenced to 6 months in prison on the charges of “endangering public health through distribution of moldy bread,” and “disobeying an officer.” With the additional rulings, the total sentence for Hossein Ronaghi Maleki increased to 17.5 years in prison.
Ahmad Ronaghi Maleki, father of Hossein Ronaghi has been summoned to appear at Branch 8 of Hasheminejad Court tomorrow August 11th.
(Committee of Human Rights Reporters)