Jailed Reformist 'Cried During The Whole Meeting'

The wife of prominent reformist figure and journalist Saeed Hajjarian, who was arrested during the postelection crackdown, has said after seeing her husband in jail that his health situation is critical.

Hajjarian is known as the brains or the strategist of Iran's reform movement.

Hajjarian's wife said that her husband, who was paralyzed after he was shot in the head in 2000 during a failed assassination attempt, looked very pale and frail and that his complexion has turned yellow.

She said her husband cried during the meeting, which took place in the presence of several security officers. She said that Hajjarian was sitting in front of a camera and couldn't speak freely about his situation.

Hajjarian's wife was quoted by a reformist website as saying that his body odor was very bad. She added that Hajjarian said he had been held in the sun for a long time. Temperatures in Tehran are currently between 35 to 38 degrees Celsius.

The comments have added to the concern over the health of the 55-year-old Hajjarian, who was arrested on June 15.

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran has said that Hajjarian's life is in danger due to the torture and pressure he's been subjected to in detention. The rights group has called on the Iranian authorities to release Hajjarian immediately and stop torturing him.

Hajjarian was reportedly hospitalized at least once during his detention. He is confined to a wheelchair and has difficulty speaking. He needs constant medical care and special medication and physiotherapy.