Human Rights Activists in Iran
80 days after her arrest, the journalist and blogger Fariba Pajooh remains detained in ward 209 of Evin and is reportedly in a fragile physical and mental state. HRA- the prisoners’ rights unit of HRA reports that the family of the journalist was able to visit her in Evin today. Pajooh’s family had to wait for a long time before being able to see her through the glass divider of a visitation cabin. Prison officials continue to oppose prison visits for Fariba Pajooh and today’s visit took place after her family showed an authorization letter form the tribunal. The official who is in charge of Pajooh’s file has said that the investigations have concluded and her file has been sent to the Revolutionary Court. He has also authorized Pajooh to call her family every other day. None the less prison officials refuse to let her call her family and she is being denied face to face visits.
80 days of detention has had a devastating toll on Pajooh’s health. Doctors have prescribed Xanax to help her cope with anxiety but since yesterday prison officials are refusing to give her the medication. This could have serious consequences for Pajooh. The defense lawyer, Mina Jafari, continues her efforts to get information from the tribunal and is seeking permit to meet with her client. Fariba Pajooh was arrested at her parents’ house by agents from the Intelligence Ministry on the first day of Ramadan, August 22nd, 2009. She spent the first month of her detention in solitary confinement. During her detention, Pajooh has been subjected to verbal abuse and has been pressured by her interrogators into giving false confessions.
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