Sufi activist Behnam Mahjoubi hospitalised in 'critical' conditions
His mother posted a video on social media saying that the 33-year-old “prisoner of conscience” was taken from Evin Prison to Loghman Hospital. He is an important figures in the Gonabadi Dervish order, and took part in a major protest in February 2018. In June 2020, the young man was sentenced to two years in prison.
Tehran (AsiaNews/Agencies) - International NGOs are sounding the alarm about the fate of Behnam Mahjoubi, an Iranian prisoner of conscience who was transferred to hospital unconscious after a panic attack, this according to his mother.
In a video posted on social media, shared by many, she expresses her fears about her son’s fate. He is a member of the Gonabadi Dervishes, the most important Sufi confraternity in the Islamic Republic.
The 33-year-old political prisoner, who has been in prison since June 2020, was hospitalised in “critical condition” a few days ago. According to some witnesses he can breathe only with ventilator support. Given the situation, his life is in danger.
Outside Loghman Hospital, where he was hastily moved from the Evin prison's internal clinic, his mother released a video in which she complained that the authorities banned her from seeing her son.
“I’ve been here since this morning. They won’t let me see my son despite my crying and begging. They say his vital signs are very poor, but the soldier won’t let me see my child. I’m a mother and I want to see my son,” she said in the video posted on social media.
Behnam Mahjoubi was sentenced to two years in prison for participating in protests held by Gonabadi Dervishes in February 2018, to complain about the ill-treatment and abuse suffered by Sufi communities in Iran.
The protests were one of the most impressive events in recent Iranian history, drawing crowds as well as government repression.
According to some international NGOs, more than 200 members of the community have been sentenced to a total of more than 1,080 years in prison for protesting.
Such harsh repression has sparked outcry and outrage in the international community, especially since the execution of two important public figures, boxer Navid Afkari and activist Ruhollah Zam.
According to Amnesty International, Behnam Mahjoubi suffers from a panic disorder and has been subjected to chemical treatment against his will, as well as torture and ill-treatment in prison. Despite his serious conditions, prison authorities have denied him special medical care.
“The events leading to the critical condition of prisoner of conscience Behnam Mahjoubi in the hospital must be criminally investigated,” Amnesty International tweeted.
“He suffered months of torture which included wilful denial of medical care. All officials and prison doctors are responsible for these cruel acts must face justice,” the rights organisation added.
Meanwhile, the latest request by Mahjoubi’s mother to visit him was refused once again.
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