URGENT UPDATE APRIL 1, 2013: DR. KHAZALI HAS BEEN MOVED TO THE EVIN PRISON CLINIC WITH DANGEROUSLY LOW BLOOD PRESSURE (5) AND HEART RATE (37)!!

TODAY, APRIL 28, 2013 IS  DAY 120 OF DR. KHAZALI'S HUNGER STRIKE! PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR UPDATES ON HIS CONDITION, AND FOR 4 URGENT ACTIONS WHICH YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP HIM!

On Friday, April 19 Radio Zamaneh reported:

The wife of political prisoner Mehdi Khazali says her husband is being held in a “tight cell without any basic services” and his health is seriously at risk.

The Kaleme website reports that a number of political activists visited the family of jailed activist Mehdi Khazali, and they were told that his calls to the family have been getting shorter and the family is very concerned about his health in solitary confinement.

The report indicates that Khazali’s spouse has written to senior members of the clergy to urge them to break their silence in view of the “cruelty [her] husband is being subjected to.” She warned that Mehdi Khazali’s current circumstances at Evin Prison are threatening his life.

Mehdi Khazali, the disowned son of conservative clergyman Ayatollah Khazali, has been critical of the government crackdown on election protests over the past four years, and his critical blogs and his association with reformist figures have resulted in his persecution by the authorities.

http://archive.radiozamaneh.com/english/content/health-concerns-rise-jailed-iranian-activist

ON MONDAY, APRIL 8, 2013, DAY 100 OF DR KHAZALI'S HUNGER STRIKE, A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE WRITERS ASSOCIATION AS WELL AS FRIENDS OF DR KHAZALI HAVE LAUNCHED A HUNGER STRIKE IN SOLIDARITY WITH HIM.

Thanks to Persian Banoo for the below report (see link)

April 8, 2013--In a show of support, a number of the Writers Association members and friends of Dr. Mehdi Khazali launched a hunger strike on Monday April 8, 2013, coinciding with the 100th day of Dr. Khazali’s hunger strike.

Following is translation of a statement released by them announcing the launch of their hunger strike:

In the name of the God of the martyrs and the truth tellers,

A political venue can only be acceptable if it has not surpassed the realm of humanity and still upholds the true meaning of ethics and the human rights.

At this time, it has been 100 days and nights since the start of the struggle of our friend and compatriot, Dr. Mehdi Khazali, who, based on his beliefs, began his hunger strike.

ON APRIL 3, 3013 DR. KHAZALI'S SON REPORTED:

Yesterday evening my dad called, but before he had a chance to say anything, the phone was disconnected. Five minutes later he called again. His voice seemed weaker and strained. He said he had been taken to the medical clinic at Evin with blood pressure at 5 and heart rate at 37. An IV was administered.

The amount of hardship and torment that he suffers could be heard in his voice. I wish I could describe the tone of his voice!

Under these conditions even a healthy person should be admitted to CCU, much less my dad who had suffers from a heart condition. But apparently they wish something different for my dad.

My father spoke with that same sense of duty that he felt while fighting in the trenches of the war zone.

He always spoke of a sense of duty (we must perform our duty). Those unassuming men that, for the 96 months of the Holy Defense, gave of their lives and wealth, so injustice does not become prevalent over the people.

I emphasize that all the officials are aware of my father’s case and condition. Yes, all of them, without any exception

.

They have once again changed my father’s cellmate. They have now placed a Somali pirate in his cell. The responsibility for my father’s life and well being lies with all the officials who are aware of his condition and deliberately are not doing anything.

My apologies to everyone for keeping them worried. I’m sorry for the delay in reporting his condition. Much gratitude and thanks for all your support and kindness.

In my father’s previous contact, he spoke of inviting Mr. Hashemi Rafsanjai to become a candidate for the next presidential election. He said Mr. Hashemi’s presence is the way to save the country from the dangers.

I’d like to make a confession. When I see the pain in my sisters’ and my little brother Ali’s eyes, and see the tears of my mother, I become very weary and skeptical and many other things become meaningless for me!

At that point, I ask God to give me the strength to comprehend how one can remain loyal to their ideology, even under such harsh circumstances.

May God grant grace
Mohamad Saleh Khazali

(Thanks to Persian Banoo for the translation, see link below)

http://persianbanoo.wordpress.com/2013/04/03/imprisoned-regime-critic-blogger-dr-mehdi-khazali-in-grave-condition-on-day-95-of-hunger-strike/

HIS SON EARLIER HAD  ISSUED A DESPERATE APPEAL, STATING IN PART:

"At any moment, we may receive the horrible news. I am a son, my father’s absence is hard enough to bear, let alone losing him and being a witness to his martyrdom. The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamenei) is also aware of my father’s case and situation. I am saying this so no one can later claim that they didn’t know. I don’t know how else to say; At any moment my father’s heart may stop beating, free my dad." (SEE BELOW FOR THE FULL STATEMENT)

"Those who agree or disagree with me,religious or secular, left or right, nobody should be imprisoned for their thoughts."

"They want me to be Silent, I Shout. They want me to be Quiet, I Roar!"

"Hunger strike is the last defense against injustice "

"LAW DOES NOT ENTER THE GATES OF EVIN (PRISON)."

~ Quotes from  Dr. Mehdi Khazali, Iranian blogger and prisoner of conscience who, as of March 25, 2013 was on his 86th day of prison hunger strike and in failing health.

UPDATE: MARCH 24, 2013-- DAY 85 OF DR. KHAZALI'S HUNGER STRIKE:

STATEMENT ISSUED BY MEHDI KHAZALI'S SON:

In the name of God the Avenger,

Today is 85 days since my father launched a hunger strike, and, at any moment, we may receive the horrible news.

I am saying this so no one can later claim that they didn’t know. All the officials know, and are even better informed about my father’s situation than I am. None of the officials, from the highest to the lowest rank, can ever claim they were not aware of my father’s situation.

The Supreme Leader (Ayatollah Khamenei) is also aware of my father’s case and situation. I myself have personally informed the Leader, the Special Investigator at the Leader’s office, the Expediency Council, the Imam’s office, the Judiciary and……of the details of my father’s case and his situation.

As my father had said before, and I, after pursuing my father’s case, have concluded that my father’s release is only possible by the direct order from the Supreme Leader. With the judge’s order for release, my father’s detention is illegal.

I am a son, my father’s absence is hard enough to bear, let alone losing him and being a witness to his martyrdom.

I don’t know how to say this? Should I scream? Should I self immolate? With what language will they be satisfied? Should I cry? Should I groan? Should I humbly request? Should I beg?

I don’t know how else to say; At any moment my father’s heart may stop beating, free my dad.

Mohamad Saleh Khazali
4 AM, Sunday March 24

SOURCE: PERSIAN BANOO

http://persianbanoo.wordpress.com/2013/03/24/dr-mehdi-khazalis-son-at-any-moment-my-fathers-heart-may-stop-beating-free-my-dad/

UPDATE: MARCH 15, 2013-- DAY 75 OF DR. KHAZALI'S HUNGER STRIKE:

Dr. Mehdi Khazali’s son Mohamad Saleh posted this entry on his Facebook about his failed attempt to see his father on Thursday, day 75 of Dr. Khazali’s hunger strike:

“This morning I went to Evin to visit my father. A rude old man who is the Deputy Warden at Ward 209, shamelessly said, “He is banned from visits, banned from phone calls and is in solitary confinement”.

SOURCE: Persian Banoo:

http://bit.ly/12VMIc4

DR. KHAZALI, A MAN OF GREAT INTEGRITY, BRAVERY AND PERSONAL DECENCY, URGENTLY NEEDS OUR HELP! PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON HIS CASE, FOLLOWED BY AN URGENT ACTION DETAILING HOW YOU CAN HELP!

BACKGROUND:

Mehdi Khazali, born in 1965, a blogger, an ophthalmologist, Director of Hayan publishing and founder of Abasaleh Cultural Institute and Publishing. A prominent critic of Ahmadinejad, he has been imprisoned several times. Mehdi Khazali is the son of the hard-line cleric member of the Assembly of Experts Ayatollah Khazali. After the public criticism of Ahmadinejad by his son, Ayatollah Khazali publicly denounced and distanced himself from his son’s positions.

Following is a translation of a post on Dr. Mehdi Khazali’s son, Mohamad Saleh Khazali’s Facebook page, posted March 2, 2013.