Family’s Letter Regarding Dr. Maleki’s Condition

Source: Rahesabz
Date: Saturday, February 20, 2010

Dr. Mohammad Maleki is reportedly in a dire physical condition as his detainment enters its seventh month. Based on information from multiple sources who were recently released from prison, he is unable to walk without assistance. In addition, during the last few days, prison officials have contacted his family and asked for more medicine, including chemotherapy medication subscribed for the ongoing treatment of prostate cancer. These were delivered to prison officials today. [The chemotherapy treatment had been terminated upon his arrest six months ago due to the inability for close medical supervision by his physicians in prison].

Another issue that is highly suspicious – and has immensely increased his family’s concern – is that he has been transferred to different cells several times over the past few weeks. Moreover, [prison] officials have postponed every visiting appointment. The weekly appointments have now been postponed for twenty days, with various excuses. This is a sign that the prison officials do not want his family to see the condition of his health.

Furthermore, none of the officials see themselves as accountable; nobody accepts responsibility for [Dr. Maleki's] condition. Apparently, the authorities of the Islamic Republic will be satisfied with nothing short of taking his life. It is unclear which authority insists on keeping him in prison, even denying him adequate hospitalization to continue medical treatment during detainment.

The Maleki family is fully aware that chemotherapy treatment [should only be administered] in a peaceful environment and should be combined with plenty of rest.  Consequently, we express our deep concern over the forcible injection of this medication in prison. We plead to all those who support freedom; to human rights activists and organizations. We ask them all to take immediate and collective action to help save Dr. Maleki’s life.

– Maleki family