Mahdi Mahmoudian Temporarily Released from Prison Due to Deteriorating Health Conditions

Reports indicate that the judicial system of the Islamic Republic has approved a medical leave for Mahdi Mahmoudian, a political prisoner. It was previously reported that Mr. Mahmoudian was transferred to Taleghani Hospital in Tehran due to a dry hunger strike and his deteriorating health condition. The Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday, February 18, that this political prisoner was discharged from the hospital today, and the judiciary has also agreed to a five-day medical leave for him. Mahmoudian, a journalist and political and civil activist, announced on Tuesday, February 15, the start of his eight-month prison sentence and was transferred to Evin Prison. Two days later, in a phone call from Evin Prison, he announced that he had gone on a dry hunger strike and refused medication in protest against 'unjust sentences and repression.' Mahdi Mahmoudian's mother and several political activists expressed concern about his health condition in prison following his hunger strike. According to the lawyer of this political prisoner, the case against Mr. Mahmoudian dates back to a letter from Zia Nabavi regarding the presence of bedbugs in prison, after which the Mizan news agency, affiliated with the judiciary, denied the existence of bedbugs in prison, citing only 'an informed source.' According to Mostafa Nili, Mahdi Mahmoudian published two texts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in protest against this denial, which led to him being summoned to the Culture and Media Prosecutor's Office on charges of 'spreading falsehoods,' and subsequently, the charge of 'propaganda against the regime' was added to his case. The dry hunger strike and refusal of medication come while Mahdi Mahmoudian suffers from several serious illnesses, including diabetes and heart valve failure. Following the news of this political prisoner's hunger strike, prominent filmmaker Jafar Panahi released a video on Wednesday in which the mother of this imprisoned journalist states: 'If my son is not released by noon tomorrow, I will hold a sit-in in front of the prison.' Jafar Panahi himself wrote on his Instagram page: 'Mahdi Mahmoudian has been refusing medication, water, and food for three days. His condition is very concerning, and he is standing firm on a decision that is painful and tragic.' Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner, also expressed concern for the condition of this political prisoner in a message published on X and Instagram. On Wednesday, Ms. Mohammadi wrote: 'Refusal to eat water, medication, and food in prison conditions and lack of timely access to medical and therapeutic facilities threatens his health and life.' Narges Mohammadi also published a photo of Mahmoudian's medication prescription that his family had previously released. Meanwhile, Ali Mojtahedzadeh, a lawyer, also described Mahdi Mahmoudian's condition in prison as 'critical' and expressed serious concern for his situation. Radio Farda also received a letter from more than 40 cultural, social, and political activists to Mahdi Mahmoudian, urging him to end his hunger strike. Individuals such as Abdollah Momeni, Sedigheh Vosoughi, Jafar Panahi, Mehrangiz Kar, Mostafa Tajzadeh, Reza Khandan, Hossein Razag, Mohammad Rasoulof, Parastoo Forouhar, Abolfazl Ghadiani, Narges Mohammadi, Saeed Madani, and Mahdi Yarahee signed this letter.