Wikipedia

Draft:Elham Modaressi

الهام مدرسی
Elham Modaressi

Elham Modaressi (Persian: الهام مدرسی: born December 28, 1990) is an Iranian artist, and peaceful protestor, who was arrested in 2022[1] for participating in the Woman Life Freedom movement in Iran, that arose from discontent after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini who had been detained by the Islamic regime's Morality Police in Tehran, Iran. Elham attended peaceful demonstrations and when government forces began to wound and kill people,[2] she began to voice her discontent on social media.[3]

She was brutally arrested for participating in protests.[4] She imprisoned at Kachooie Prison[5] in Karaj. She was tortured in prison and her health declined severely.[6] To protest the abysmal conditions of the prison, she went on a hunger strike[7][8][9] with 14 other women. She was denied medical treatment until her condition became dire.[10] She was released in 2023 on bail.[11]

Early Life

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Elham was born on December 28, 1990, in Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, Iran. She is the youngest of 7 children. Her first run in with the morality police was when she was 12 years old.[12] This was a year after her father died.[13] At some point the family moved to Karaj.At the time of her arrest, she was living with her mother and her brother. Her sisters were living abroad.

Arrest

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Elham had been a peaceful protestor in the demonstrations that began after the death of Mahsa Amini. On the night of November 2, 2022, agents of the Islamic regime violently entered into the home she shared with her mother and brother.[14] Twelve agents from the Islamic regime with guns attacked the family.[15] They blindfolded Elham and abducted her. They also took the family's phones and computer. She was taken to the intelligence detention center but because there was no room, she was transferred to Kachooie Prison. Her family was not told where she was. After a few days, her family found out where she was through the efforts of another prisoner.[16]

Charges

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Elham was charged with "moharebeh" which is waging war against god.[17][18]This charge carries the death sentence.[19] The interrogators tried to force her into a false confession.[20] They wanted her to say that she was a member of the Komala party[21] and that she had weapons. She did not. She was only a peaceful protestor. She was not given a lawyer.[22]

Torture

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Elham was tortured severely in prison. She was taken from the prison to the intelligence detentions center daily for interrogation. There she was physically and mentally tortured.[23][24] Another way they tortured her was by denying her medical care.[25] Elham was also injected with unknown substances.[26][27][28][29]

Hunger Strike

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On January 1, 2023, Elham along with 15 other inmates including Armita Abbasi and Hamideh Zeraei began a hunger strike to protest against the horrible conditions in the prison. As the hunger strike went on, Elham's condition deteriorated.[30][31][32][33][34][35][36]

World Recognition

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During Elham's imprisonment, her sisters led a campaign to speak out about her situation in an effort to gather support to free her. Her sister's Nahid, Zhila, and Rose gave interviews with the media and participated in demonstrations to get politicians to take note of Elham's plight. Her sister started a petition on Change.org to free her. This resulted in celebrities bringing light to Elham and others who were in similar situations.[37] Several politicians became political sponsors for Elham, including: the United Kindom's Caroline Lucas,[38] Germany's Kerstin Vieregge,[39] France's Nathalie Goulet,[40] and Canada's Emanuela Lambropoulos.[41][42]

Release from Prison

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Elham was released from prison on January 22, 2023.[43]

Fleeing to Turkey

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On August 1, 2023, Elham left Iran for Turkey.[44] She decided to leave because she and her family was being constantly harassed by agents of the Islamic regime. She had difficulties getting medication.[45] And, she found out that she was she had liver cirrhosis and was unable to get proper treatment.[46][47][48][49] Elham gave interviews with media about what she had experienced.[50][51][52] Elham was in acute liver failure and doctors told her that she needed a liver transplant as soon as possible.[53] Friends realized that because Elham was a refugee in Turkey, she was not eligible for medical insurance and would have to pay all medical costs herself. So, a gofundme campaign was launched. Her sister, Nahid, searched for a hospital in Turkey that would do a live donor liver transplant.[54][55][56]

Elham received a live donor liver transplant on February 22, 2024 in a hospital in Istanbul, Turkey. It was successful and she recuperated there under care of her surgeons. The donor wished to remain anonymous. They were an altruistic donor.

Canada

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During the search for a hospital to find a hospital, activists in Canada ran campaigned to get Elham treatment in Canada. The Iranian Justice Collective was instrumental in getting Elham a visa to Canada.[57][58]

Elham arrived in Canada on May 8, 2024.[59][60][61][62][63]

References

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  1. ^ "'We will keep you here until you die': Elham is sick and needs urgent medical care but Iranian authorities are torturing her". ABC News. 2022-12-19. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  2. ^ "Iran is responsible for the 'physical violence' that killed Mahsa Amini in 2022, UN probe finds". AP News. 2024-03-08. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  3. ^ https://ipa.united4iran.org/en/prisoner/8193/
  4. ^ manotoofficial (December 21, 2022). "Elham Modaressi's life is in danger". Instagram. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  5. ^ "Child Inmates in Kachooie: A Life of Pollution and Violence". 22 April 2024.
  6. ^ Malekian, Somayeh (December 22, 2022). "'Dehumanizing': Actress' arrest highlights abuse, torture in Iranian prisons". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  7. ^ "Fifteen Women on Hunger Strike in Kachooie Prison". 6 January 2023.
  8. ^ "Fifteen Women on Hunger Strike in Kachooie Prison". Hrana. 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2024-07-12.
  9. ^ Goulet, Nathalie (January 3, 2023). "X post of Nathalie Goulet @senateur61".
  10. ^ Iran, Amnesty (January 18, 2023). "@AmnestyIran on X". X.
  11. ^ https://x.com/Nahidmmm/status/1617229313656471554
  12. ^ "Iran protesters targeted 1 year after Amini death – DW – 09/08/2023". dw.com. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  13. ^ Khan, Samana Qadr (December 20, 2022). "Elham Modaressi; Imprisoned in Kachooi prison at risk of losing her liver".
  14. ^ https://x.com/ModaresiEl38759/status/1716892875500490987
  15. ^ https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=27835
  16. ^ "Roses syster är fängslad i Iran – hör telefonsamtalet från fängelset". www.aftonbladet.se (in Swedish). 2023-01-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  17. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement". X.
  18. ^ AmnestyIran (January 18, 2023). "AmnestyIran X post". X.
  19. ^ "Iran Executes 25 Inmates Annually On "Waging War Against God," "Corruption On Earth" Charges". IRANWIRE. December 17, 2022.
  20. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement". X.
  21. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement". X.
  22. ^ AmnestyIran (January 18, 2023). "AmnestyIran X post". X.
  23. ^ https://x.com/ModaresiEl38759/status/1716894700966449504
  24. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "The statement of Elham Modaressi". X.
  25. ^ "Iranian Artist Reveals Brutal Torture, Forced Confession". Iran International. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  26. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement of Elham Modaressi". X.
  27. ^ "Gemarteld in de Iraanse gevangenis: 'Hij had blauwe plekken en afgebroken tanden'". nos.nl (in Dutch). 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  28. ^ Swolfs, Lennard (2023). ""Il avait des ecchymoses et des dents ébréchées" – ". trenddetail.
  29. ^ "Nahid Modaresi: "La mia Elham malata e torturata aiutatemi a salvarla dalla morte"". La Stampa (in Italian). 2023-01-18. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  30. ^ Alinejad, Masih (January 8, 2023). "Plea from Nahid, the sister of Elham Modaressi". X.
  31. ^ BBC Persia (January 6, 2023). "Nahid informs about the health of her sister Elham Modaressi". X.
  32. ^ Goulet, Nathalie (January 3, 2023). "French Senator Goulet tells about Elham's hunger strike". X.
  33. ^ "The hunger strike endangers the life of Elham Modaresi, the imprisoned Kurdish artist". Hengaw (hengaw.net). January 3, 2023. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  34. ^ "15 Iranian women start hunger strike against regime's prison conditions". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. 2023-01-06. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  35. ^ Farda, RFE/RL's Radio. "Fifteen Iranian Women Launch Hunger Strike In Prison Over Conditions". RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  36. ^ Liberty, Radio Free Europe/Radio (2023-01-05). "Fifteen Iranian Women Launch Hunger Strike In Prison Over Conditions". https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-women-launch-hunger-strike-prison-conditions/32211043.html. Retrieved 2024-07-13. {{cite web}}: External link in |website= (help)
  37. ^ "« Soyez leur voix ! » , ELLE se mobilise pour les Iraniennes, aux côtés de Golshifteh Farahani et 11 personnalités - Elle". elle.fr (in French). 2023-01-25. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  38. ^ Lucas, Caroline (January 6, 2023). "This is Elham Modaressi - an #Iranian artist detained without charge, tortured, sexually abused & denied health treatment We demand #ElhamModaressi be immediately released & stand with all in Iran championing democracy & freedom #WomanLifeFreedom @AmnestyIran". X.
  39. ^ Barntrup, CDU-Stadtverband. "CDU-Stadtverband Barntrup - Kerstin Vieregge übernimmt politische Patenschaft für inhaftierte Iranerin". CDU-Stadtverband Barntrup (in German). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  40. ^ Goulet, Nathalie (December 19, 2022). "I am proud to be political #godmother to #ElhamModaressi she was arrested Nov. 2 at 10:30 am at her home #FreeElham #SayHerName". X.
  41. ^ "Women's Liberal Caucus Sponsors Political Prisoners in Iran". Jenna Sudds, M.P. for Kanata—Carleton. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  42. ^ "'There's power in numbers': Almost 50 Canadian MPs (so far) have sponsored detained Iranians". The Hill Times. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  43. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2022). "Statement". X.
  44. ^ https://test.jinhaagency.com/en/actual/iranian-artist-elham-modaresi-leaves-iran-to-undergo-liver-transplant-33757
  45. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement". X.
  46. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "Statement". X.
  47. ^ "الهام مدرسی، معترض بازداشت شده در ایران، اکنون در ترکیه و نیازمند پیوند فوری کبد است". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian). 2024-07-13. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  48. ^ "Iranian Artist Reveals Brutal Torture, Forced Confession". Iran International. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  49. ^ "Tortured Iranian Protester Needs Urgent Liver Transplant". IRANWIRE. November 9, 2023.
  50. ^ BBCparham. "The first conversation of Elham Modaressi, protester and former prisoner, after leaving Iran". Instagram post. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  51. ^ Alinejad, Masih (September 22, 2023). "In this week's tablet program, I spoke with a brave woman who was arrested and imprisoned by government oppressors during the revolution of the free life of women". Tablet on Instagram. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  52. ^ "Un'attivista iraniana rifugiata in Turchia ha bisogno di un trapianto di fegato". lepersoneeladignita.corriere.it (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  53. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "And now I live in absolute uncertainty in Turkey. Due to the severity of my health condition and the loss of a major part of my liver, I am admitted to the hospital two to three days a week, and I do not know how long I can survive due the lack of health insurance". X.
  54. ^ "Una artista iraní, en peligro de morir tras ser torturada". La Vanguardia (in Spanish). 2024-01-14. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  55. ^ "Cara Italia, ci serve il tuo aiuto per salvare Elham Modaressi". La Stampa (in Italian). 2024-01-11. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  56. ^ Modaressi, Elham (October 24, 2023). "the very high costs of treatment. I ask freedom seekers and those leading this movement for help and cooperation". X.
  57. ^ "Push to bring once-jailed Iranian activist to Canada for life-saving transplant | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  58. ^ "Campaign to bring Iranian woman to Canada for liver transplant | Watch News Videos Online". Global News. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  59. ^ "«از حمایت‌ها متشکرم»؛ الهام مدرسی برای ادامه درمان به کانادا رفت". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
  60. ^ ورود الهام مدرسی به تورنتو؛ از معترضان بازداشت‌شده در اعتراضات سراسری ۱۴۰۱ (in Persian). 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-13 – via ir.voanews.com.
  61. ^ اولین گفتگوی الهام مدرسی پس از ورود به کانادا؛‌ معترضی که از شکنجه‌های جمهوری اسلامی پرده برداشت (in Persian). 2024-05-09. Retrieved 2024-07-13 – via ir.voanews.com.
  62. ^ Iran International ايران اينترنشنال (2024-05-09). ورود الهام مدرسی از آسیب‌دیدگان خیزش زن، زندگی، آزادی به کانادا. Retrieved 2024-07-13 – via YouTube.
  63. ^ "ورود الهام مدرسی به کانادا". ایران اینترنشنال (in Persian). Retrieved 2024-07-13.
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