December 4, 2023
We urgently petition for the release of Parviz Siabi Gorjan, a 77-year-old Azerbaijani political prisoner currently serving a 6-year term in Ardabil Central Prison, Iran. Mr. Siabi's advanced age and deteriorating health, including chronic prostate issues, high blood pressure, joint pain, and other ailments, render his continued imprisonment a serious risk to his well-being.
Despite a formal request last year for release on medical grounds, supported by detailed assessments from attending physicians, cardiologists, and neurologists, Mr. Siabi remains incarcerated. Regrettably, the forensic medical team's certification of his unsuitability for prison life has been undermined by the undue influence of security forces.
The General Department of Forensic Medicine of Ardabil Province, in a letter to the supervising judge, stated unequivocally that "Mr. Parviz Siabi… cannot bear the prison sentence" due to multiple severe health conditions. Yet, there have been attempts by security forces to manipulate the medical evaluation process, notably pressuring Ms. Negar Khoshnevis, Director General of Forensic Medicine, to alter the findings of the five-member forensic board.
Moreover, Mr. Siabi has raised legitimate concerns about the inappropriate involvement of the Director General in expert medical decisions, emphasizing that medical opinions should remain independent of external pressures.
Additionally troubling is the prison administration's disregard for proper segregation protocols. Mr. Siabi has been shuffled between overcrowded wards, mingling with general criminals, which is inconsistent with the nature of his conviction.
Originally sentenced to 16 years by the Islamic Revolution Court of Ardabil in November 2021, Mr. Siabi's term was reduced to 6 years on appeal. Following a brief release on bail, he was rearrested on November 9, 2022, and returned to prison.
We, the undersigned, call for the immediate recognition of the medical certification declaring Mr. Siabi unfit for imprisonment. We urge the court to facilitate his prompt release from Ardabil Central Prison. His continued detention under these circumstances is a grave injustice and a threat to his life.
زندانى سياسى بايد ازاد گردد