Hedi Mehrganfar, a political prisoner in Adelabad Prison, Shiraz, faces critical health issues due to denied medical treatment. Urgent action is needed to save her life.
Iran Human Rights Society, Saturday, July 26, 2025 – Hedi Mehrganfar, a political prisoner in Shiraz’s Adelabad Prison, endures severe health challenges without access to critical medical care. Alongside her father, Mohammad Ali Mehrganfar, she has languished in detention for over nine months, with no clear legal resolution. Their case highlights systemic human rights abuses in Iran, including denial of medical care and fair trials. Urgent action from the international community is essential to address this crisis and protect their lives.
Hedi Mehrganfar’s Critical Health Crisis
Hedi Mehrganfar, a 38-year-old electronics engineer, battles a recurring endometrioma, a painful condition requiring specialized care. She underwent surgery before her arrest, but prison authorities have blocked access to a specialist and ultrasound examinations. A prison doctor noted severe pain and the risk of cyst rupture, yet the supervising judge refuses her transfer to a medical facility. Since April 2025, Hedi’s requests for routine check-ups remain ignored, endangering her life. This deliberate neglect violates her right to medical care under Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Mohammad Ali Mehrganfar’s Deteriorating Condition
Mohammad Ali Mehrganfar, Hedi’s 66-year-old father, also faces dire circumstances. A former political prisoner from the 1980s, he suffers from chronic heart disease and vision problems. Prison officials deny him necessary medical treatment, worsening his fragile health. Both father and daughter endure overcrowded conditions in Adelabad Prison, where poor sanitation and inadequate facilities amplify their suffering. The lack of care reflects a calculated strategy to suppress dissent, a pattern seen in Iran’s prison system.
Arbitrary Arrest and Legal Limbo
Security forces arrested Hedi and Mohammad Ali on October 23, 2024, in Zarghan, Fars Province, without a judicial warrant. After 58 days of intense interrogation in a Revolutionary Guard detention center, authorities transferred them to Adelabad Prison. They face vague accusations of “suspected ties to the People’s Mojahedin Organization,” unsupported by evidence. Without access to legal counsel, their detention violates Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which guarantees the right to a fair defense.
Judge Sadati’s Role in Repression
Branch One of the Shiraz Revolutionary Court, led by Judge Seyed Mahmoud Sadati, oversees the case. Sadati has a notorious record of issuing harsh sentences against political activists, including the death penalty for Navid Afkari, which sparked global outrage. Human rights advocates fear a similar outcome for Hedi and Mohammad Ali, given Sadati’s history. The prolonged legal uncertainty, with no trial date set, breaches Article 35 of Iran’s Constitution, which mandates fair and public trials.
Systemic Human Rights Violations
Hedi Mehrganfar’s plight underscores broader injustices in Iran’s prison system. Authorities routinely deny political prisoners basic rights, including:
- Medical Care: Refusing treatment for serious conditions risks lives and violates international standards.
- Legal Representation: Denying access to lawyers undermines fair judicial processes.
- Fair Trials: Prolonged detention without clear charges or trial dates defies justice principles.
- Freedom from Torture: Psychological pressure and medical neglect amount to “white torture,” breaching Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
These violations reflect a deliberate effort to silence dissent, as seen in cases like Maryam Delbari, another detainee in Adelabad Prison denied adequate medical care.
Urgent Call for International Action
The international community must act swiftly to address Hedi and Mohammad Ali Mehrganfar’s plight. Human rights organizations, alongside domestic oversight bodies, should pressure Iranian authorities to grant immediate medical care and legal representation. Furthermore, the global spotlight on Judge Sadati’s court could prevent harsh sentences. Hedi’s life hangs in the balance, and delays only worsen the risk. Advocates urge public campaigns, diplomatic efforts, and sanctions to halt Iran’s cycle of repression. Only collective action can ensure justice and protect political prisoners like Hedi and Mohammad Ali from further harm.
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