Political Prisoner Attempts Suicide in Tehran Prison

Hamidreza Sahlabadi, a political prisoner held in Tehran's Evin Prison, attempted suicide just days before his scheduled court appearance.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), Sahlabadi was transferred to Loghman Hospital at 5 AM on Saturday and is currently in the intensive care unit. 

Authorities have reportedly prevented his family from visiting him, escalating concerns about his condition.

His suicide attempt is believed to be a protest against his summons to appear at Branch 26 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on July 27.

Sahlabadi was arrested on July 3, 2023, by intelligence agents of the  Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and has been held in Ward 4 of Evin Prison. 

The political prisoner is facing multiple charges, including "assembly and collusion to commit a crime against national security," "disruption of public order," "propaganda against the Islamic Republic," "destruction of public property," "armed rebellion," and "membership in a rebellious group." 

These charges were heard in a court session on June 30, which was presided over by Judge Iman Afshari.

Previously, in August 2023, Sahlabadi was sentenced to two years in prison for "destruction of public property," a verdict upheld by the Tehran Province Court of Appeals in December of the same year.