Jailed Iranian Web Designer, Saeed Malekpour, Suffers Heart Attack

Saeed Malekpour before his arrest

Saeed Malekpour, a 43-year-old engineer and web designer, has been imprisoned in notorious Evin prison in Iran since 2008. He was sentenced to death following a conviction of masterminding an online pornography network. According to Malekpour’s supporters, he developed an Internet photo-sharing tool which was used without his knowledge to share pornographic photos. He was accused by Iranian authorities to “discredit the country’s clerical regime”.

Maryam Malekpour, Saeed’s sister, had to flee Iran due to his sentence. She testifies that the IRGC issued a warrant for her arrest after she spoke to journalists about the case, forcing her to leave Iran. She found refuge in Canada under a special visa program for endangered women. Today, Maryam is a Canadian citizen. In a letter to Canadian authorities, she stated her worries:

“Saeed’s overall physical situation is dangerous and he requires proper care before he suffers further complications. He had no major health issues prior to prison. His heart problems, prostatitis and arthritis, arose during his imprisonment…

I understand the situation is difficult for everyone involved; the Iranian authorities seem to be dead set on keeping Saeed. But imagine what Saeed and I are going through every day”