Sources have reported that the health of jailed activist Maryam Shafipour – held behind bars in the women’s ward of Evin prison – continues to deteriorate. In the past week her high blood pressure reached dangerous levels to a point where she went unconscious and was transferred to the prison’s infirmary.
Despite recommendations by the prison physician that Shafipour immediately receive an MRI, prison authorities did not comply. In addition during the past weeks Maryam Shafipour has been suffering from extreme toothache but she has not been seen by a dentist nor been allowed to receive medical attention for her teeth.
Maryam Shafipour, detained since August 5, 2013 had her first court session on October 21, 2013 and her second court date has been set for January 1, 2014 at Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court presided by Judge Salavati. According to her father, Maryam Shafipour is accused of “conspiracy against national security.” A source close to the family said that the charges brought against the student activist are “baseless” and “unfounded.”
A source close to the family said regarding Maryam Shafipour’s physical condition, “even though she has lost a lot of weight and is in poor health, she is in very good spirits and denies all charges brought against her.”
Maryam Shafipour is a former agricultural engineering student from Qazvin International University who was suspended after 2 semesters and was expelled from university on her eighth semester due to her student activities and her weblog. Shafipour was the first detainee in 2010 and was given a one-year suspended prison term by the Qazvin Revolutionary Court.
Shafipour was summoned to the Prosecutor’s office in mid July of this year. She appeared at Branch 2 of Evin prison’s Shahid Moghoddas Court on August 5th and was subsequently detained and transferred to Evin prison. She remains behind bars despite her ailing health and need for medical care.
