According to reports received by the Karun Human Rights Organization, the physical condition of Ali Halfy, an Arab Ahwazi political prisoner held in Ward 5 of Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz, has deteriorated alarmingly since Friday, December 6, 2025.
In recent days, Ali Halfy has repeatedly suffered from severe respiratory distress caused by a lung infection. Despite the critical nature of his condition, prison authorities have failed to provide him with effective or adequate medical treatment. Last month, after spending 20 years in detention, he was granted a 20-day medical leave upon posting bail of 5.1 billion rials, but the short duration of the leave prevented him from completing his medical treatment.
During this period, Halfy was transferred several times to the prison infirmary; however, due to a lack of medical equipment and the absence of specialist physicians, no meaningful medical care was provided.
Meanwhile, sources told Karun that the overall health conditions in Sheiban Prison, which houses more than 4,000 prisoners, have sharply deteriorated in recent days. A widespread influenza outbreak has infected dozens of inmates, while shortages of medication and inadequate medical facilities have further compounded the crisis. According to these sources, many prisoners suffering from high fever, severe coughing, and extreme physical weakness have been left without proper medical attention. Families of inmates have expressed serious concern for the lives of their loved ones, yet prison authorities have offered no response.
Ali Halfy, son of Abdolnabi, is married, has children, and is a resident of Hamidiyeh. In addition to his current respiratory illness, he also suffers from bleeding hemorrhoids and requires knee surgery, but continues to be denied appropriate medical care.
Halfy was arrested in 2005 and charged with “acting against national security,” “enmity against God (moharebeh),” and “corruption on earth (efsad fel-arz).” He was initially sentenced to 30 years of imprisonment in exile and over the past two decades has been held in multiple prisons, including Karun Prison in Ahwaz, Gonabad, Masjed Soleyman, and ultimately Sheiban Prison in Ahwaz.
