Hossein Ronaghi

Ronaghi-Maleki was quietly arrested along with his brother Hassan on December 13, 2009, for renewing proxies that allowed journalists and political activists to circumvent the government's website bans following last year's contested presidential elections. He was also charged with insulting the leadership for his critical blog posts.

Although Ronaghi-Maleki suffers from heart and kidney problems, during his custody, the prison guards denied him medical treatment. When he went on a hunger strike to protest his maltreatment and torture, he was placed in solitary confinement.[3][4] Though his brother was released, scarred by beatings, Hossein Ronaghi's permanent release was not announced until June 2019.[5] He was under intense pressure to make a televised confession of his alleged wrongdoing. Ronaghi-Maleki was handed a 15-years long prison sentence.[6] Neither his lawyer nor his family were present for the verdict.[7][8][9][10][11]

In prison, Ronaghi developed a kidney disease and underwent at least four operations. More than 100 of Maleki's fellow prisoners wrote a letter to the authorities warning that he would die if not provided with appropriate medical care.[12]

In the summer of 2012, Ronaghi was given a short medical parole which was cut shorter after he was beaten and arrested for joining a group of relief workers who set out to aid the earthquake survivors of Sarand, East Azerbaijan. Having been recently operated on, he was specifically kicked in the kidney by security forces.[13] Physical abuse and torture, lack of medical treatment, and the effects of several hunger strikes led to Ronaghi's kidney failure. Consequently, his kidney was removed, and his remaining kidney was extremely damaged, threatening his life while in prison.[14]

Amnesty International designated Ronaghi a prisoner of conscience, stating that he appeared to be "held solely on account of his peaceful exercise of his right to freedom of expression". The organization called for him to be released immediately and unconditionally.[15]

In January 2016, Ronaghi was reported to be back in Evin prison after a period on medical parole that had been granted in June 2015.[16]

Throughout a ten-year period, Ronaghi spent a total of 6 years in prison, him and his family were under constant pressure, suffered harassment and forced inspections.[17] Finally, in June 2019, his permanent release was signed and Ronaghi's legal case was closed.

Since his release, Ronaghi has been actively advocating against governmental propaganda. Most recently, he published an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal titled "Western Media Aren't Telling you the Truth About Iran" in which he shared his own experiences and observations as an activist and citizen in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The first news of Ronaghi's re-arrest came up on 23 February 2022, when the media first reported the disappearance of Ronaghi and then his arrest by security forces.[2][18] The day before his arrest, he had criticized a plan to restrict the Internet in Iran, known as the Protection Bill, in a series of tweets.[19][20][21][22] His brother, Hassan Ronaghi, reported anonymous and threatening calls from state security agencies before Hossein disappeared.[23][24][25][26] Confirming the news of his arrest, Iran International News Agency stated that no information was available about the detainee and his whereabouts.[27] Human rights activists say the security forces have raided Ronaghi's home and confiscated some of his belongings.[28]

Three days after his abduction, Ronaghi finally called his family, informing them that he had gone on dry hunger strike immediately after arrest.[29] On the eighth day of his arrest, Ronaghi was temporarily released on bail while the charges of "propaganda against the regime" and "congegrating and colluding against national security" remain in place for further proceedings.[30]

• Babak Ejlali

• Official blog