Exclusive; Mehraz Khorrami's Uncertainty in Sari Prison and Denial of Medical Treatment

A source close to Mehraz Khorrami's family, a detained photographer and social activist in the Kazemi detention center in Sari, informed Voice of America about her lack of access to necessary medication and medical care. The informed source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, stated that ten days have passed since Khorrami's detention, during which she has only been able to make a few phone calls to her mother. In her last call, she mentioned that she is still in uncertainty and her case status is unclear. According to this source, Khorrami's mother has been able to speak with the case investigator at the prosecutor's office in recent days, who has repeatedly stated that the social activist could be released on bail; however, no bail has been set to date. The source added that during her visit to the prosecutor's office, Khorrami's mother learned that the charge against her daughter is 'unauthorized virtual activity,' but it is unclear what this charge entails and whether any other charges have been brought against Khorrami. The informed source also pointed out the poor conditions of the Kazemi detention center, located in the Tirkala prison in Sari, and expressed concern for Khorrami's physical condition, stating: 'Mehraz was under medical care before her detention and needs to receive her medications, but in prison, she has no access to her medications or the specialized care she had before her arrest and imprisonment.' Previously, another informed source told Voice of America that Mehraz Khorrami, a photography graduate and a critical social activist during the protests of the past year, was arrested by the IRGC agents at her home in the early hours of September 22. She is being held in the Sari detention center without access to a lawyer or family visits. This source also mentioned that the Kazemi detention center is the same facility where Jawad Rouhi, a detained protester, was held before his death, which has heightened concerns among Khorrami's family and friends about her situation in this detention center. Jawad Rouhi was arrested in connection with the protests of 2022 in Mazandaran and was sentenced to three death penalties. He was transferred to the hospital in early September and his death was announced suddenly, sparking a wave of protests. Concurrently with the anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death in police custody, the crackdown on dissent has intensified, with many protesting citizens or cultural, artistic, and social activists being threatened, summoned, or arrested by various government agencies in Iran.