Iran accused of campaign of revenge' as doctors arrested for treating protesters

"Doctors are being arrested in Iran for helping save the lives of some of the tens of thousands injured during Iran's brutal crackdown on anti-regime protests, with at least one surgeon now at risk of being sentenced to death. The arrests and death sentence are part of a campaign of revenge, say human rights groups, after healthcare workers and doctors refused to ignore the plight of badly injured protesters shot or stabbed at close range, and in some cases set up makeshift treatment centres."

"An Iranian surgeon, Alireza Golchini, 52, from the central city of Qazvin, has been charged with moharebeh (waging war against God), which can carry the death penalty, according to the Norway-based rights group Hengaw. The US state department yesterday called for his release. The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, whose figures have been reliable during previous crackdowns, says it has verified more than 6,000 dead and has more than 17,000 more recorded deaths under investigation."

"Speaking to the Guardian, his cousin, Nima Golchini, who is based in Canada, said that Golchini was taken from his home on 10 January. He was arrested in a violent manner in front of his wife and son, who is only 11. They beat him up so badly during arrest, they broke his arm, ribs and dragged him out of his home."

Iranian medical personnel are being arrested and prosecuted for treating thousands of protesters wounded in the government's brutal crackdown. One surgeon, Alireza Golchini, 52, from Qazvin, has been charged with moharebeh (waging war against God), an offense that can carry the death penalty. Human rights organizations characterize the arrests as a campaign of revenge after healthcare workers set up makeshift treatment centres and treated protesters shot or stabbed at close range. Rights monitors report more than 6,000 verified dead and over 17,000 additional deaths under investigation. Golchini was forcibly taken from his home on 10 January and suffered broken bones during arrest.

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