Shiva Esmaeli, a political prisoner held in Evin Prison, recently underwent spinal surgery after years of suffering from spinal conditions and severe back pain.
The operation was carried out only after prolonged delays and obstruction, and its costs were covered by the prisoner herself.
Despite the urgent need for post-operative medical care, Evin Prison authorities have ordered her return to prison. This comes at a time when prison wards lack the facilities required to care for patients recovering from surgery, and an early transfer could seriously jeopardize her recovery.
The decision by prison authorities has raised serious concerns about the health and well-being of this political prisoner and the prospects for her recovery.
Shiva Esmaeli Handcuffed to a Hospital Bed After Surgery
Amid growing concerns over Shiva Esmaeli’s physical condition, prison agents handcuffed her to a hospital bed following the operation.
This action was taken even though, after spinal surgery, she requires rest, specialized medical supervision, and protection from unnecessary physical strain.
The denial of adequate medical treatment to Shiva Esmaeli is not a new issue.
Over recent years, numerous reports have documented restrictions on her access to healthcare and delays in carrying out the surgery she urgently needed.
Who Is Shiva Esmaeli?
Shiva (Masoumeh) Esmaili, born in 1965 and the mother of three children, is among the female political prisoners who have remained steadfast through years of imprisonment. A resident of Tehran with a degree in Agricultural Engineering, she was arrested in November 2020 on political grounds under circumstances lacking legal transparency.
After months of uncertainty, Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court sentenced her on May 14, 2023, to ten years in prison. The sentence included five years for “assembly and collusion,” one year for “propaganda against the state,” and four years for “acting against national security.”
In addition, she received supplementary punishments, including a two-year ban on leaving the country and restrictions on political and social activities.
