Amnesty International says detained Kurdish human rights defender at risk

Amnesty International says detained Kurdish human rights defender at risk
According to a press release from Amnesty International, Mohammad Sadiq Kabudvand, head of the Human Rights Organization of Kurdistan (HROK), is being mistreated by authorities in prison, Scoop Independent News reported today.

Kabudvand has been detained since July in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison. He reportedly said that he was being charged with “acting against national security,” “propaganda against the system” and “cooperating with groups opposed to the system,” although it is believed no formal accusations have been brought against him.

Suffering from high blood pressure, a skin disorder, and a kidney ailment, Kabudvand reportedly needs to be able to urinate frequently in order to prevent damage to his kidneys, according to the report. He has been told by authorities, however, that he needs to ask for formal permission in writing to use the toilet.

If three members of HROK turn themselves in, on the other hand, Kabudvand will be allowed access to a toilet whenever he needs it.

Amnesty International believes the treatment of Kabudvand is an attempt by the Iranian authorities to force board members of the HROK to present themselves to authorities, which may result in their arrest and eventual closing of the organization.

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