Friday 13th August, 2010
Translation by Negar Irani

Incarcerated journalist Isa Saharkhiz continues to suffer from severe pain in his right leg. A member of the Central Council for the Defense of Freedom of Press in Iran, Saharkhiz who has been incarcerated since July of last year, has been suffering from severe pain in his back and all the way to the toes in his right leg.

In a meeting with his relatives, Saharkhiz expressed appreciation for the medical and paramedical team at Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj. He reiterated however, that despite taking a variety of pain medications, he continues to suffer from severe pain in his right leg, the cause of which has not been diagnosed to date.

The family members of this political prisoner, asked prison authorities,yesterday, Thursday August 12th, that a number of arrangements be made (such as providing him with a wheelchair and western style toilet) in order to accommodate Saharkhiz’s deteriorating condition. In addition, in a letter addressed to Tehran’s prosecutor, Saharkhiz’s wife once again requested that immediate attention be paid to the deteriorating condition of her husband, asking that he be allowed to visit outside specialists in order to address his condition. It is worth mentioning that doctors have recommended an MRI in order to determine the exact cause of Saharkhiz’s ailment and pursue the correct course of treatment.

Saharkhiz, former Press Director for the Ministry of Islamic Guidance during Mohammad Khatami’s first administration, has been incarcerated for approximately 14 months, without the ability to leave prison temporarily in order to receive medical treatment. He remains in Rajai Shahr prison alongside other political prisoners and journalists (such as Amhad Zeydabadi, Davood Soleymani, Mehdi Mahmoodnia, Massoud Bastani and Mansour Osanloo), most of whom were arrested after the rigged election in June of 2009.

Source: SahamNews http://www.sahamnews.org/?p=5999