Massoumeh Asgari, a teacher and political prisoner, has been subjected to prolonged detention under the Iranian regime, facing a combination of serious health issues and ongoing legal uncertainty. Despite her deteriorating health, she is being denied medical treatment by the authorities.
Ongoing Detention and Legal Uncertainty
Massoumeh Asgari, a teacher from Iran, was arrested in July 2024 by intelligence agents on charges of “propaganda against the regime” and alleged collaboration with opposition groups. Her case has been transferred to Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. However, as of now, no clear date has been set for her trial. Asgari’s case is one of many where political dissenters face indefinite detention without a timely legal resolution, highlighting the Iranian regime’s crackdown on critics.
Asgari, who is the sole breadwinner for her family, has been enduring a series of health issues. She suffers from chronic conditions such as diabetes, kidney and liver problems, and neurological disorders. These health concerns have been exacerbated by previous injuries, including multiple fractures in her legs, for which she required surgery. Despite the severity of her condition, she has been denied access to necessary medical treatment while imprisoned in Tehran’s infamous Evin Prison, one of the most notorious facilities for political detainees.
Previous Arrests and Harsh Treatment
This is not the first time Massoumeh Asgari has faced persecution by the Iranian regime. In 2018, during protests by teachers across Iran, she was arrested by security forces and briefly detained in Qarchak Prison in Varamin, located southeast of Tehran. After spending a few days in custody, she was released. However, in December 2018, Asgari was arrested again, this time spending a month in solitary confinement in Evin Prison’s Section 209, which is known for housing political prisoners and activists.
On February 18, 2020, Massoumeh Asgari was sentenced to five years in prison by Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court of Tehran. She was convicted of “assembly and collusion against national security,” following her participation in peaceful protests and activism within teacher’s rights groups. The Iranian regime often uses these charges to silence critics and activists who challenge the government’s policies.
Denial of Medical Care and Transfer to Prison in Karaj
The denial of medical care to Massoumeh Asgari has been a significant issue in her ongoing imprisonment. Despite her grave health conditions, she has been subjected to neglect and mistreatment.
On December 18, 2024, it was reported that Asgari, who has been languishing in Evin Prison, continues to be denied access to essential medical treatment. This is a stark example of how the Iranian regime uses its prison system not only to punish political opponents but also to harm them further physically and psychologically.
In a particularly troubling development, on December 21, 2021, Massoumeh Asgari was summoned by the prison authorities to meet with the head of Evin Prison’s prosecutor’s office. However, instead of being granted the meeting, she was unexpectedly transferred to a prison facility in Karaj, a city located west of Tehran, which is known for its harsh conditions and is often used to isolate political prisoners from their families and the media. This move is part of a broader strategy by the Iranian regime to further isolate political prisoners and make it more difficult for human rights organizations to monitor their treatment.
The case of Massoumeh Asgari is a powerful example of the Iranian regime’s ongoing repression of activists, teachers, and political dissidents. Her continued detention, the denial of medical treatment, and the uncertain legal proceedings against her underscore the broader pattern of human rights abuses under the clerical regime. International attention and pressure are crucial to ensure that such prisoners are not forgotten and that their rights are protected.
