Iranian Authorities have refused to give extended leave to Christian prisoner Maryam Naghash Zargaran. They have disregarded doctors advice that she be allowed to spend further time outside of prison to complete her medical treatment.
She was requested leave on June 6, 2016 for medical treatment. Authorities have since ordered that she must return to prison midway through treatment
‘A source close to the Zargaran family said, “Her mother went to the court on Sunday asking for an extension to her leave, but they refused. She was told her daughter has stayed out of prison beyond her leave and needs to return to prison today”.’[1]
Prior to her leave, Mrs. Zargaran went on a hunger strike to protest against the authorities’ neglect of her regarding her health, mishandling her case and refusing her medical leave. Combining eleven days of hunger strike as well as extensive media coverage of her situation, authorities allowed her to go on a short leave.
During her leave, Mrs. Zargaran remained in hospital until the evening of Saturday, June 18, 2016 but is continuing to suffer physically. Mrs. Zargaran has a history of medical problems, ‘including a heart condition known as Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) for which she underwent a surgery years ago. More recently, she has been feeling numbness in her hands and feet and suffers from chronic pain in her joints and spinal cord.’[2]
Maryam is a Christian convert from an Islamic background who is currently serving a four year sentence in the women’s ward of the notorious Evin prison in Iran.
[1] www.mohabatnews.com
[2] www.mohabatnews.com
