HRANA
The physical health of Siamak Iqani, an imprisoned Baha’i citizen from the city of Semnan, is seriously at risk.
Siamak Iqani has been imprisoned in Semnan since November 6, 2010 to serve a three year sentence. While imprisoned, he has suffered from three respiratory attacks so severe that each time he had to be revived with the help of oxygen supplies and sublingual tablets. His health condition deteriorated after each attack.
According to a specialized physician, Siamak’s lungs are highly sensitive to cigarette smoke. In the prison Siamak is exposed to a high level of smoke since there are over 20 prisoners in his ward who are smokers. Some days they are not permitted to leave the ward at all.
Although two physicians have given written testimonies that Siamak Iqani should be transferred to a hospital for treatment, the authorities have not yet taken any action to help improve the condition of his health.
There is a ward in the prison with smoking restrictions, and though Siamak has requested to be transferred to that ward, the guard in charge of the ward – who claims to be a psychotherapist – has stated that Siamak may only be transferred if he converts to Islam.
