Status: 27.11.2022 9:37 a.m
Prominent Iranian blogger Ronaghi has been released on bail. The 37-year-old had been on a hunger strike for weeks. The imprisoned ex-national player Ghafouri was also released.
Iranian authorities have reportedly released prominent blogger and activist Hossein Ronaghi on bail. As the Iranian news agency Isna reported on Saturday, the release from the judiciary was justified by the victory of the Iranian national soccer team against Wales at the soccer World Cup in Qatar.
Ronaghi’s brother tweeted that his brother was “released on bail tonight to receive medical attention.” His father posted a photo of him in hospital and said he was released from custody after a 64-day hunger strike.
Concern about health
Ronaghi, who campaigns for freedom of expression and writes for the Washington Post, among other things, was arrested on September 24 after criticizing the brutal crackdown on the mass protests. Ronaghi’s family accuses the security apparatus of torturing him in the notorious Ewin prison and breaking both of his legs.
After his hunger strike, concerns about his health had recently increased. According to his family, he was in mortal danger because of kidney problems. The well-known activist was recently treated in a hospital after his condition deteriorated. The 37-year-old is one of the best-known human rights activists in Iran.
Former national team player Voria Ghafouri is also said to have been released.
Image: AFP
Former national player Ghafouri was also apparently released
Soccer player Voria Ghafouri was also reportedly released on bail on Saturday. Ghafouri, who played 28 times for the Iranian national team, was arrested on Thursday on charges of anti-state propaganda.
Ghafouri and Ronaghi are among the most prominent Iranians arrested for supporting the mass protests. According to the United Nations, around 14,000 people were arrested during the crackdown on the protests – human rights groups assume at least 18,000 people. Among them are many prominent journalists, cultural figures, lawyers and athletes.
The trigger for the protests was the death of the 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody – she was arrested by the vice squad in mid-September because she is said to have worn her headscarf improperly.