Motaleb Ahmadian, a Kurdish political prisoner who has spent 15 years in prison without a single day of furlough, has sent a message from prison detailing his deteriorating health and the conditions of his detention. Addressing the “honorable and resistant people of Iran and Kurdistan,” Ahmadian describes his suffering and calls for immediate intervention to save his life.
15 Years of Incarceration Without Medical Leave
Motaleb Ahmadian, a 41-year-old Kurdish prisoner from Baneh, was arrested in 2010 at the age of 25. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison on charges of “enmity against God” (moharebeh) due to alleged membership in opposition groups. Now in his 15th year of imprisonment, he remains behind bars under dire conditions without ever being granted temporary release.
In his statement, Ahmadian recounts his experiences of systematic oppression against Kurds and his lifelong struggle for freedom and equality. “From my teenage years, I have fought for the liberation and equality of all people in my land,” he wrote.
Torture and Physical Abuse During Interrogation
Ahmadian describes in harrowing detail the torture he endured after his arrest. He was held in solitary confinement for months in Urmia Prison, where interrogators subjected him to extreme physical abuse, including breaking his leg, dislocating his shoulder, and fracturing his ribs. He lost nearly all of his teeth due to repeated beatings.
One particularly gruesome episode involved him being left naked in freezing winter conditions for 24 hours while handcuffed and shackled, as prison officers beat him with metal rods. A severe blow to his back left him temporarily paralyzed, forcing him to rely on diapers for six months. Subsequent medical examinations revealed three fractured vertebrae, further exacerbating his deteriorating health.
Severe Health Conditions and Denial of Medical Treatment
Ahmadian is currently suffering from multiple severe illnesses, including:
- Spinal canal stenosis, requiring urgent surgery
- Severe testicular infection
- Intestinal bleeding and colitis
- Hernia and torn diaphragm
- Chronic nausea and severe weight loss
- Heart palpitations and respiratory distress
- Duodenal ulcers and kidney failure
Despite approval from forensic medical authorities and Evin Prison’s medical center for his temporary release to receive urgent treatment, Tehran’s prosecutor, Ali Salehi, has repeatedly blocked his access to healthcare by increasing the required bail amount from 5 billion to 8 billion tomans—an amount his family cannot afford.
A Plea for Justice and International Action
Ahmadian warns that his condition has reached a critical stage, and Evin Prison’s medical staff have acknowledged that they can no longer provide adequate care for him. “The Tehran prosecutor has effectively sentenced me to a slow death,” he declares, adding that while he does not fear dying for his beliefs, he refuses to accept silent suffering.
In his final appeal, Ahmadian urges human rights organizations and the international community to intervene. He holds Tehran’s prosecutor directly responsible for his life and calls on the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran, Ms. Mai Sato, to take immediate action.
Background on Motaleb Ahmadian
Motaleb Ahmadian was initially sentenced to 32 years in exile at Minab Prison. He was later transferred to Evin Prison, where his health has steadily declined due to inadequate medical care and the long-term effects of torture. Following an intestinal surgery, he was returned to prison without proper post-operative care, leading to severe infections, abdominal swelling, and lung complications.
Despite medical authorities confirming his need for hospitalization, Iranian judicial officials continue to deny him release, effectively using medical neglect as a form of punishment.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly condemned Iran’s treatment of political prisoners, particularly the systemic denial of medical care. Ahmadian’s case is yet another example of the Iranian judiciary’s use of prolonged imprisonment and medical neglect as a tool of repression.
