Critically ill Iranian-American pensioner's readmission to notorious Tehran jail 'a death sentence', government admits
Critically ill Iranian-American pensioner's readmission to notorious Tehran jail 'a death sentence', government admits
An elderly American citizen has been readmitted to a notorious Iranian jail after treatment in hospital, a move even government medics say could lead to his death.
2 min read
Baquer Namazi and his son Siamek are being held in Iran (Babak Namazi-AP)
An 81-year-old American has been readmitted to a notorious Iranian jail following urgent treatment at hospital, despite the government's medical examiner warning the move is "tantamount to a death sentence".
Baquer Namazi, a dual American-Iranian citizen, has been accused of spying for the US and held at Tehran's Evin Prison since entering the country in October 2015.
He was admitted to hospital on 28 January for treatment following a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart problems.
Surgeons installed a pacemaker in Namazi due to irregular heartbeat, while the government's medical authority recommended Namazi stay in hospital for at least three months to recover.
Namazi was then ordered back to the infamous Evin Prison after the surgery was completed, even though the government's medical examiner said this was "tantamount to a death sentence".
The former Iranian provincial governor and ex-UNICEF official's son Babak said the order was a "spectacular display of cruelty", Reuters reported.
Washington-based Babak fears for his father's life at the jail where torture is routinely reported, despite Iran's constitution officially banning the practice.
Baquer Namazi was arrested in 2015 when he visited his son - Siamak Namazi - in Iran who had been detained on accusations of spying.
He was also charged with spying for the US and sentenced to ten years in jail.
His son Siamak Namazi has been tortured in jail, including with a stun gun, Babak said.
Babak has called for Donald Trump's administration to do all they can to secure the release of Baquer and Siamek.
Baquer Namazi, a dual American-Iranian citizen, has been accused of spying for the US and held at Tehran's Evin Prison since entering the country in October 2015.
He was admitted to hospital on 28 January for treatment following a sudden drop in blood pressure and heart problems.
Surgeons installed a pacemaker in Namazi due to irregular heartbeat, while the government's medical authority recommended Namazi stay in hospital for at least three months to recover.
Namazi was then ordered back to the infamous Evin Prison after the surgery was completed, even though the government's medical examiner said this was "tantamount to a death sentence".
The former Iranian provincial governor and ex-UNICEF official's son Babak said the order was a "spectacular display of cruelty", Reuters reported.
Washington-based Babak fears for his father's life at the jail where torture is routinely reported, despite Iran's constitution officially banning the practice.
Baquer Namazi was arrested in 2015 when he visited his son - Siamak Namazi - in Iran who had been detained on accusations of spying.
He was also charged with spying for the US and sentenced to ten years in jail.
His son Siamak Namazi has been tortured in jail, including with a stun gun, Babak said.
Babak has called for Donald Trump's administration to do all they can to secure the release of Baquer and Siamek.
![President Pezeshkian has denounced Israel's attacks on Lebanon [Getty]](/sites/default/files/styles/image_684x385/public/2173482924.jpeg?h=a5f2f23a&itok=q3evVtko)
Follow the Middle East's top stories in English at The New Arab on Google News
More In News
