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Mir Hossein Mousavi, once a prominent reformist figure and former Prime Minister of Iran, is now in the fourteenth year of his house arrest—a prolonged detention marked by health crises and restricted medical care. His ongoing struggle symbolizes the human rights abuses faced by political prisoners in Iran.
In December 2024, Mousavi was hospitalized after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a medication—a drug previously known to cause adverse effects for him. According to reports from Kalameh, Mousavi’s condition became critical before he was transferred to a medical facility. The publication stated that his condition is now “under the supervision of trusted physicians,” yet continued monitoring and treatment remain essential for his recovery.
This is not the first time Mousavi’s health has been jeopardized. At 83, he has faced recurrent health issues, including severe heart problems, exacerbated by years of inadequate medical attention. Despite recommendations from trusted doctors, the authorities have delayed or denied necessary treatments, raising concerns about deliberate negligence.
Ardeshir Amir-Arjomand, Mousavi’s former campaign advisor, described the situation as a form of “systematic torture.” He wrote on social media: “Every aspect of the lives of Akhtar’s prisoners—including their health—is in the hands of incompetent jailers serving a tyrannical regime. What transpires is a form of continuous torture aimed at their gradual silencing.” (Akhtar refers to the street where Mousavi and Rahnavard’s home is).
Mehdi Karroubi, a fellow leader of the Green Movement and a former Speaker of the Iranian Parliament, has also endured prolonged house arrest since 2011. Known for his courage in challenging the regime, Karroubi has repeatedly criticized Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and the systemic repression in Iran. Over the years, Karroubi’s health has also deteriorated due to the harsh conditions of his detention, including limited access to medical care. Like Mousavi, Karroubi has refused to retract his stances, remaining steadfast in his calls for accountability and reform. His resilience serves as another testament to the enduring spirit of the Green Movement leaders.
Mousavi’s detention began in February 2011 following his call, alongside Karroubi, for a demonstration in support of uprisings in the Arab world. The Iranian government viewed this call as an attempt to incite unrest, resulting in the extrajudicial house arrest of Mousavi and his wife, Zahra Rahnavard, without trial.
Their detention follows Mousavi’s contested role in the aftermath of Iran’s 2009 presidential election, where allegations of fraud in Mousavi’s run-off with the conservative populist Mahmoud Ahmadinejad led to widespread protests. Mousavi, along with Karroubi, openly criticized the election results and the government’s violent suppression of demonstrators.
Over the years, officials have hinted that an apology from Mousavi and Karroubi might lead to their release. However, both leaders have remained steadfast, refusing to retract their criticisms of the regime. In a 2019 statement, Mousavi condemned the government’s actions during the November 2019 protests, describing the crackdown as a “blatant crime.” He directly held Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei responsible for the nation’s systemic failures and widespread dissatisfaction.
International human rights organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, have repeatedly expressed concern for Mousavi’s deteriorating health and the conditions of his detention. In 2012, the group issued a warning to Iranian authorities, holding them accountable for Mousavi’s wellbeing and demanding his immediate release.
Mousavi’s health issues have worsened over the years, with multiple hospitalizations for heart conditions, high blood pressure, and other complications. His wife, Zahra Rahnavard, has also endured significant health challenges, including rapid weight loss during the early months of their detention.
Despite these hardships, Mousavi and Rahnavard remain symbols of resistance. Their continued advocacy for human rights and democratic reform has placed them at odds with a regime determined to silence dissent.
As Mousavi’s detention approaches its fifteenth year in February 2025, it is critical to focus attention on his case and demand accountability for the broader human rights violations in Iran. The National Iranian American Council urges Iranian authorities to immediately end the house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karroubi, and Zahra Rahnavard, provide them with comprehensive medical care, and allow them and other political prisoners the freedom and dignity they deserve.
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