CLOSED Iran: Jailed trade unionist needs urgent medical treatment

Prisoner of conscience Mansour Ossanlu has had a heart attack on 11 February 2011 in Rajai Shahr Prison, Iran. He was transferred to a hospital where he is reportedly shackled to his bed by metal cuffs on hands and feet. Over preceding days contact with his family has been restricted and access to the open air has been limited. We are deeply concerned about his health.

Despite the recommendation by the Coroner, and Medical Examiner, in both 2008 and 2009 that Mansour be treated outside the prison, the authorities continue to refuse to allow him to leave for treatment. Mansour Ossanlu is leader of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed), was arrested on 10 July 2007.

UPDATE 18 FEBRUARY 2011:
Mansour Ossanlu was transferred back to prison on Wednesday 16 February. We are concerned that he will face the very conditions which have lead to his serious health problems.

Background information

In August 2008 Mansour Ossanlu was transferred to Rejai Shahr prison, west of Tehran, where he was placed among prisoners who have been convicted of crimes such as murder, rather than among political prisoners.

He has been denied permission to leave the prison for treatment for pre-existing medical problems, and new ones gained through the denial of access to treatment. He was denied treatment by the case judge, despite a referral by the prison doctor following his fourth medical examination.

Mansour Ossanlu was previously detained for eight months, from December 2005 to August 2006, and again for a month from November to December 2006 in connection with his trade union activities. He had reportedly been sentenced to five years' imprisonment in May 2007, but was believed to be free on bail at the time of his arrest.

In October 2007, upon learning that Ossanlu was at risk of losing his eyesight unless he was given urgent medical treatment that was being denied him by the prison authorities, Amnesty International and the Global Unions mounted an urgent appeal which resulted in his transfer to hospital. Though his eyesight has been saved, he continues to be denied urgently needed medical treatment.

Prisoner of conscience Mansour Ossanlu has had a heart attack on 11 February 2011 in Rajai Shahr Prison, Iran. He was transferred to a hospital where he is reportedly shackled to his bed by metal cuffs on hands and feet. Over preceding days contact with his family has been restricted and access to the open air has been limited. We are deeply concerned about his health.

Despite the recommendation by the Coroner, and Medical Examiner, in both 2008 and 2009 that Mansour be treated outside the prison, the authorities continue to refuse to allow him to leave for treatment. Mansour Ossanlu is leader of the Union of Workers of the Tehran and Suburbs Bus Company (Sherkat-e Vahed), was arrested on 10 July 2007.

UPDATE 18 FEBRUARY 2011:
Mansour Ossanlu was transferred back to prison on Wednesday 16 February. We are concerned that he will face the very conditions which have lead to his serious health problems.

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