The Islamic Society of Iranian Physicians says opposition leader MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi must be allowed physical check-ups by independent medical doctors.
The society expressed concern for their health in a statement published on the Kaleme and Jaras opposition websites. It describes the opposition leaders’ house arrest as illegal and calls for their release.
MirHosein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi and their respective wives, Zahra Rahnavard and Fatemeh Karroubi, have been under house arrest since they rallied supporters on February 14 to march in support of recent Arab uprisings in the region. The leaders have been completely cut off from the outside world and allowed only minimal visits with immediate family under very strict security measures.
The demand for their physical examination comes after Zahra Rahnavard’s mother, Navvab Safavi, reported that her daughter and son-in-law seemed pale and underweight during her latest visit.
The Islamic Society of Iranian Physicians is a political group inclined toward the reformist faction. During the past two years of protests against Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s disputed election victory in 2009, some of its members have been arrested and harassed by security forces.
In its latest resolution, the society writes: “Mousavi and Karroubi have only given voice to the desires and demands of the people and have committed no error that deserves punishment. In addition if there is a legal claim against them, then it should be processed in a fair trial with all the correct procedures so that they can defend themselves.”
The Society of Iranian Physicians has also called for: compensation for the families of people victimized in post-election events; the “unconditional release” of all political prisoners; an end to the “security atmosphere in the country”; and freedom for media and political activity as well as free and transparent elections.
