Forensic Medicine Suspends the Imprisonment of Sadegh Zibakalam for Four Months

Sadegh Zibakalam, a political activist, states that the specialized commission of forensic medicine has suspended his imprisonment for four months due to 'advanced cancer.' On Tuesday, July 9, he mentioned that the head of the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office granted him leave to attend the commission's meeting. He wrote on his Telegram channel: 'Evin officials reminded forensic medicine that the prison cannot provide care for a prisoner suffering from advanced cancer.' He also noted that previously, forensic medicine had opposed 'conditional release' and stated that 'necessary care can be provided in prison.' This political activist further revealed about his illness: 'Apart from the initial site, unfortunately, it has metastasized to two other areas, and I am undergoing chemotherapy and other treatments.' The lawyer of Sadegh Zibakalam has expressed concern about the worsening of his cancer in prison. The judiciary of the Islamic Republic announced on May 12 that Zibakalam was transferred to prison due to having 'three cases' with 'final and enforceable' sentences. Reports indicated that he was arrested and imprisoned simultaneously with the unveiling of his new book at the Tehran Book Fair. The Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced this political analyst in March 2018 to 18 months in prison for 'propaganda against the regime,' along with a two-month ban from political parties and social media activities. Zibakalam was also sentenced to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the regime' in two other cases and six months for 'spreading falsehoods.' So far, several political prisoners and detained protesters, including poet Bakhtash Abtin, as well as a number of ordinary crime prisoners in the detention centers and prisons of the Islamic Republic of Iran, have lost their lives due to reasons such as 'lack of medical care,' 'prevention of hospital transfers,' and 'denial of medical leave.'