Fatemeh Sepehri Transferred from Prison to ICU Section of Hospital

Fatemeh Sepehri's brother reports that this political prisoner was taken to the hospital on Wednesday, November 3, and is currently hospitalized in the Critical Care Unit (CCU). Asghar Sepehri announced on social media that Fatemeh was transferred from Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad to Qaem Hospital, where she is now in critical care. On Tuesday, Ali Sepehri, another brother of this political prisoner opposing the Islamic Republic, provided details about Fatemeh's renewed detention and transfer back to prison, stating that the prison's disciplinary council had cut off her phone access until the end of Bahman (February), but due to her deteriorating health, she was allowed to meet with family. According to him, during the meeting on Tuesday, Fatemeh was in 'very bad' condition, unable to sit, and had 'not eaten food for almost a week due to prison pressures and poor food quality,' surviving only on a few dates with medication. He also emphasized that 'last Saturday, prison officials came for a visit,' and when Fatemeh complained about the blocked windows and the very bad smell in the room due to blocked sanitary facilities, Hadi Ismailzadegan, the head of Mashhad Central Prison, 'mocked her with loud laughter,' causing her condition to worsen. Ali Sepehri further added that 'since last Azar (December), to call family, she must go to the room of Leila Raminfar, the head of the women's section of Vakilabad Prison, and any conversation other than greetings would result in her phone being cut off, which is why my sister stopped calling.' Fatemeh Sepehri's deteriorating health and her transfer back to the hospital come after this political prisoner was returned to prison following open-heart surgery and while suffering from influenza. Her brother stated on Tuesday that 'two veins from her legs were removed in the surgery, making it very difficult for her to walk,' and that she is deprived of a proper diet and sanitary environment in prison, being kept under stressful and psychologically oppressive conditions. Before her transfer back to prison, Fatemeh described her situation: 'On Mehr 5, when I was sent to the hospital for open-heart surgery, the day after they were taking me to the operating room, two of my brothers were arrested by the agents of the Islamic Republic. From the moment I regained consciousness until now, I have suffered for my heart and for the arrest of my brothers.' She stated that 'on the ninth day after the surgery, I was returned to prison,' and described the prison conditions: 'The prison environment is very polluted and bad, and the two windows that allowed a little air have been closed. That week was very hard, and I caught influenza. I am sick. I feel bad.' Nevertheless, judicial authorities returned her to prison. Fatemeh Sepehri emphasized that 'the agents of Khamenei intend to kill me.' The increase in pressure on Fatemeh Sepehri despite her worsening illness comes after a prisoner named Faramarz Javidzad died in prison due to deprivation of proper medical treatment. Tanaz Kolahchian, a lawyer, told VOA that Faramarz Javidzad's Jewish identity led to increased pressures and strictures against him. The ongoing pressure on the Sepehri family continues as Fatemeh's brothers remain in Vakilabad Prison in Mashhad without resolution. The Human Rights Defenders Center has stated that Fatemeh Sepehri's life is in danger. Fatemeh Sepehri, after being summoned to prison, stated: 'If anything happens to me, Ali Khamenei must be held accountable.' Fatemeh Sepehri protested against the 'agents of Khamenei' preventing her discharge from the hospital: 'They want to kill me.'