Pacemaker Installed for Mehdi Karroubi Due to Low Heart Rate

Mohammad Taghi Karroubi announced on Sunday that after two angiographies due to Mehdi Karroubi's low heart rate, a pacemaker was installed for his heart. Mehdi Karroubi, who has been under house arrest since March 2011, was recently transferred to the hospital due to a heart condition. Mohammad Taghi Karroubi expressed gratitude on Twitter for the 'unwavering love of dear people and friends' following the installation of the pacemaker for his father. In this context, Fatemeh Karroubi stated on Sunday regarding her husband's condition to Saham News: 'My husband, after two angiographies at Tehran Heart Hospital and the hospital where he is currently hospitalized, was diagnosed by doctors with a heart rate between 40 and 45, necessitating a pacemaker. This procedure was performed today, and he has now been returned to his room.' Fatemeh Karroubi, who herself spent some time under house arrest, called for the removal of security forces from their home in Jamaran, stating: 'Mr. Karroubi's condition is such that his house arrest requires a complete review. The presence of security forces in the house and the special conditions have created difficulties in his care, which, considering his heart condition, requires more attention and care regarding how he is kept under house arrest. The most essential point is the removal of security forces from our home in Jamaran.' Fatemeh Karroubi also thanked Engineer Mousavi and Mrs. Rahnavard, their dear children, and their brother and sister who brought flowers for Mr. Karroubi, as well as other respected members of parliament and political figures who have paid attention to this important matter. The Khabar Online website also reported that on Sunday, Abdollah Nouri, the interior minister of Mohammad Khatami's government, visited the hospital and inquired about Mehdi Karroubi's condition from Fatemeh Hashemi and Mohammad Taghi Karroubi. Mehdi Karroubi, Fatemeh Karroubi, Zahra Rahnavard, and Mir Hossein Mousavi have been under house arrest since March 2011 following protests against the results of the 2009 presidential election. After the announcement of Mehdi Karroubi's heart condition and the serious concerns expressed by the daughters of Zahra Rahnavard and Mir Hossein Mousavi regarding their parents' health, many political and social activists, student organizations, and members of parliament have called for the release of those under house arrest. Iranian officials have repeatedly stated, both directly and indirectly, that the decision regarding the lifting of the house arrest is up to Ayatollah Khamenei, the leader of the Islamic Republic. Ali Motahari previously quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying in response to his question about lifting the house arrest: 'If they are tried, their sentences will be very heavy, and you will definitely not be satisfied. We have currently shown leniency towards them.' During the recent presidential election campaign, one of the main slogans of Hassan Rouhani's supporters in almost all cities of Iran was: 'Our message is clear, the house arrest must be lifted.' Hassan Rouhani, in a campaign rally in Kerman, responded to calls for the lifting of the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi by saying: 'I promise you I will convey your message and pursue it with all my might.' In this regard, concerns have been expressed by Human Rights Watch regarding the health of Mousavi, Karroubi, and Rahnavard, a statement by over 100 political and civil activists for the lifting of the house arrest, the government spokesperson stating that the leadership does not see anything about the house arrest as unsolvable, and the Ministry of Health stating that no responsibility for the treatment of those under house arrest has been assigned to them. Karroubi was hospitalized in the intensive care unit after his heart angiography, and concerns have been raised by the children of Mousavi and Rahnavard regarding their parents' health.