Mahmoud Sarabi
Journalist, civil activist, and the wife of Emaddedin Baghi, Fatemeh Kamali speaks to Rooz about her husband's condition. Below is an excerpt of this interview.
Rooz (R): What is the status of Mr. Baghi's case?
Fatemeh Kamali (FK): He received a one-year prison sentence, part of which is related to Mr. Baghi's first prison term. After spending three years in prison [from 2000 to 2003], Mr. Baghi was released. Immediately after his release, he was summoned to the sixth branch of the Revolutionary Court by Judge Babaei.
He has another case on charges of acting against national security and conspiring to disrupt public order because of his participation in a human rights workshop on Dubai, which is currently in the appeals process. The reality, however, is that Mr. Baghi never went to Dubai and never participated in this workshop because he was banned from traveling. A third case is related to Mr. Baghi's involvement in the Committee for the Defense of Prisoners' Rights. The main charge there is publishing confidential prison documents in conferences and gatherings.
R: How would you inquire about Mr. Baghi's condition when he was transferred to the hospital?
FK: In the hospital I was allowed to meet him once. First his attorney met with him for one hour and then I was given five minutes. My two daughters were also given five minutes, and my son-in-law and youngest daughter were given fifteen minutes.
R: We heard rumors that Mr. Baghi called you from prison to tell you that he was not in a good condition, but his phone call was disconnected.
FK: That was not a rumor, it actually happened. After the first [heart] attack, we received a phone call at home. Mr. Baghi could not speak properly, but said that his lawyer, who had went to prison that morning to meet with him, was not allowed to do so and was sent home. That morning prison officials had told Mr. Nikbakht Saleh that Baghi is being interrogated, and he returned. Later we found out they lied to Baghi's attorney because of his condition.
R: Did you visit hospitals to find Mr. Baghi?
FK: Yes, we visited several hospitals, but could not find him.
R: Did prison officials or people from the Ministry of Intelligence contact you to let you know what was happening?
FK: After visiting the Revolutionary Court and the prison, not only did we not get a response, but we actually were more worried. We became certain that something had happened. My daughters, who were standing in front of the prison gates, saw an ambulance and an escort vehicle leave the prison. They heard that the ambulance belonged to Section 209. At that time I was in court along with Mr. Baghi's attorney. After my daughters told me about that incident we visited every hospital that we could, but did not find him. Finally, thanks to efforts by ayatollah Karoubi and other gentlemen, Mr. Baghi called us at midnight. His voice was weak but we were immensely happy to hear his voice.
R: How is he doing now?
FK: Right now he is in Evin's general ward #350, and is doing fine. But we are worried that if he is not treated on a regular basis - as his doctors have told us - he may have another stroke and that could cause irreversible injuries to him.
R: What do you want to say to officials at the Ministry of Intelligence?
FK: Eliminate parallel detention centers and pay a little respect to the law when interrogating or treating detainees. Put aside threats and intimidation tactics.
