Iranian political prisoner dies after days in hospital
Iranian political prisoner Somayeh Rashidi died after several days in hospital following her transfer from Qarchak prison, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Thursday.
Iranian political prisoner Somayeh Rashidi died after several days in hospital following her transfer from Qarchak prison, the judiciary's Mizan news agency reported on Thursday.
Mizan said Rashidi, who was arrested in 2022 and 2023 for alleged ties with the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq (MEK), had previously been released under what it called “Islamic clemency” but later resumed contact with the group. It accused her of receiving money to carry out sabotage missions, including arson.
Rights groups and opposition outlets had earlier reported that Rashidi, 43, was repeatedly denied urgent medical treatment despite a serious condition.
Iran International reported earlier in the month that her level of consciousness had dropped and doctors had little hope of saving her.
Family members had voiced concern after Rashidi suffered several seizures and was moved to Mofatteh Hospital in Varamin in recent days.
According to sources who talked to Iran International on condition of anonymity, security officials attempted to pressure the family to describe her hospitalization as the result of a suicide attempt.
Rashidi, born in 1983, was detained in April while writing slogans in Tehran’s Javadieh district and initially held in Evin prison before being transferred to Qarchak after an Israeli strike on the facility in July. She was reportedly beaten during her arrest.
