Hossein Ronaghi

Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki حسین رونقی ملکی
Hossein Ronaghi
Born	Friday, July 4, 1985

Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki is an Iranian blogger and political dissident who was imprisoned in 2009 for his role in the post-election riots that erupted in Iran. He also wrote under the pen name Babak Khorramdin.^[1]

2009 Arrest

Ronaghi-Maleki was quietly arrested along with his brother Hassan on December 13, 2009 for renewing proxies that allowed journalists and political activists to circumvent the government’s website bans following last year’s contested presidential elections. In jail, Ronaghi-Maleki’s health quickly deteriorated and he is in desperate need of an operation in a medical facility outside of prison. He was subjected to torture, as was his brother - who had no role in the protests.^[2]

Ronaghi-Maleki suffers from heart and kidney problems, yet the prison guards have denied him medical assistance. When he went on a hunger strike to protest his maltreatment and torture, he was placed in solitary confinement.^[3][4] Though his brother was released, scarred by beatings, Ronaghi-Maleki remains in Evin prison today. He is under intense pressure to make a televised confession of his alleged wrongdoing. On October 3, Ronaghi-Maleki was handed a 15-year prison sentence. Neither his lawyer nor his family were present for the verdict.^{[5][6][7][8][9]}

Maleki has since developed a kidney disease and undergone at least four operations. More than 100 of Maleki's fellow prisoners wrote a letter to the authorities warning that he would die if not provided with appropriate medical care. ^[10]

Amnesty International designated Ronaghi a prisoner of conscience, stating that he appeared to be "held solely on account of his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression". The organization called for him to be released immediately and unconditionally.^[11]

See also

• Babak Ejlali

References

1. "Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki Returned to Prison before the Completion of His Treatment". 2011-05-10. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
2. "Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki". CyberDissidents.org. 2009-12-13. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
3. "Hossein Ronaghi Maleki, a 25 Years Old Blogger". Chrr.biz. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
4. "hossein ronaghi maleki". Iranhumanrights.org. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
5. "The Story of Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki | From Threat of Execution to 15 Years Imprisonment". Rahana.org. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
6. "Hossein Ronaghi From Hospital Back to Prison". En-hrana.org. 2011-08-30. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
7. Jillian York, USA (2009-12-22). "Iran: Jailed blogger Hossein Ronaghi in Danger". Global Voices Online. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
8. "Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki | tracking the status of political prisoners". Rahana.org. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
9. "They Want To Kill My Son: Father of Jailed Iranian Blogger". Payvand.com. Retrieved 2011-10-28.
10. Kamali, Saeed (2012-06-06). "Iranian blogger on hunger strike close to death, warn fellow prisoners | World news | guardian.co.uk". Guardian. Retrieved 2013-06-30.
11. "Iran: Jailed Blogger Denied Medical Leave". Amnesty International. 17 May 2012. Retrieved 4 June 2012.

External links

• The Story of Hossein Ronaghi-Maleki | From Threat of Execution to 15 Years Imprisonment