IHR seriously concerned about the health Ronaghi Maleki

Iran Human Rights (IHR) expressed serious concern about the health condition of imprisoned blogger Hossein Ronaghi Maleki.

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, 26, also known as "Babak Khorramdin" (his blog name), is a well-known Iranian blogger dissident, who was arrested on December 13, 2009 at his parents’ home in the Malekan suburb in Tabriz (northwestern Iran) and transferred to Evin prison. He was held for 10 months in solitary confinement. In October 2010 he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court on the charges of, "Membership in the Internet group Iran Proxy", "Propaganda against the regime", "Insulting the Supreme Leader", and "Insulting the President". His lawyer was not allowed to attend the court hearing. The Appeals Court upheld this sentence in December 2010. This is one of the heaviest sentences an Iranian blogger has received.

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki developed kidney disease while in prison and has been suffering from related complications at least since April 2010, according to news reports.

Human rights groups have reported that Hossein Ronaghi Maleki launched a couple hunger strikes in 2010 to protest against, the mistreatment by prison authorities, his unjust sentence, and the lack of medical treatment.

He was transferred to a hospital in March 2011 and then again in May, where he underwent a kidney transplant. He returned to prison within 14 days after the surgery, according to some websites.

Hossein Ronaghi Maleki’s father, who visited him last week, said that his son’s health condition is very poor and he may die if not provided with the appropriate medical care. His father has asked the Iranian authorities to allow Hossein to stay at home to recover but the authorities have not accepted this request.

IHR strongly urges the international community to pay close attention to the condition of Hossein Ronaghi Maleki and several other prisoners who are suffering from poor health.

IHR underlines that the Iranian authority leaders are responsible and must be kept accountable for the health of Hossein Ronaghi Maleki and other ailing prisoners.