Iran Demands High Bail for Injured Protester, Denies Medical Plea

Iranian authorities have imposed a high bail of 5 billion tomans ($84,000) for the release of Amir Velayati, an imprisoned protester, stopping him from getting important eye surgery.

The bail amount is significantly beyond the means of Velayati's family, whose sole asset is a house worth about two billion tomans ($34,000).

Payam Derfashan, Velayati's lawyer, has highlghted concerns over the excessive bail and the dire medical condition of his client.

A medical certificate issued by Velayati's ophthalmologist warns that without immediate surgery, Velayati risks severe “eye infection and potential drainage,” alerting the urgency of his condition.

This disclosure counters a claim by an Islamic Republic judicial official, who asserted that "neither the lawyer, nor the family, nor even the prisoner himself submitted a request for hospitalization or provided a valid medical certificate."

Velayati was arrested on January 23 and is part of the numerous Iranians who suffered severe eye injuries during a crackdown on mainly peaceful demonstrations, where security forces used pellets, tear gas canisters, paintball bullets, and other projectiles.