For more than two months, prison officials at Qezel Hesar have prevented political prisoner Akbar Bagheri from being transferred to specialized medical centers, despite his deteriorating health. Bagheri is suffering from serious gastrointestinal disorders, including intestinal inflammation and persistent stomach pain. According to those close to him, his condition has worsened to the point that even routine daily activities have become difficult. He urgently requires a colonoscopy and ultrasound. Nevertheless, Iranian authorities have so far refused to allow his transfer to a hospital.
Security Prosecutor Prevents Access to Hospital Despite Chronic Illness
In addition to gastrointestinal issues, Bagheri suffers from several chronic conditions, including hemoglobin disorders, liver problems, and hemorrhoids—some of which may require surgery or long-term medical supervision. The denial of treatment and the absence of adequate medical care in prison pose a serious threat to his life.
Unjust Judicial Process
Akbar Bagheri was last arrested on November 10, 2024, by security forces. After two months of interrogation at a detention facility run by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Intelligence Organization, he was transferred to Qezel Hesar Prison. In May 2025, Branch 26 of Tehran’s Revolutionary Court sentenced him to three years and seven months in prison on charges of “assembly and collusion to act against national security.”
This sentence was issued despite Bagheri being denied access to a lawyer of his choice and the right to a fair trial. Like many other political cases in Iran, his conviction was based on vague accusations and lacked credible supporting evidence.
History of Repression and Repeated Arrests
This is not the first time Akbar Bagheri has been subjected to intense security pressure and punitive restrictions. He was initially arrested in March 2018 during a protest by defrauded investors in front of the Iranian parliament. He was later sentenced to nine years in prison by Judge Abolghasem Salavati of the Revolutionary Court.
Over the years, Bagheri has been transferred multiple times between prisons, including Evin, Greater Tehran, and Rajaei Shahr. He has also been assaulted by prison inmates allegedly acting under orders. Following the fire at Evin Prison in October 2022, Bagheri was transferred to Rajaei Shahr and temporarily released in May 2023, only to be re-arrested a few months later. He is currently held under intensified pressure at Qezel Hesar Prison.
