Hossein Ronaghi is an Iranian blogger,
and human rights activist who was imprisoned
in 2009 for his role in the post-election protests
that erupted in Iran.
He was arrested on December 13, 2009,
for providing VPN proxies that allowed
journalists and political activists to circumvent
the government’s website bans following the presidential
elections. He was also charged with insulting the
leadership for his critical blog posts.
Ronaghi was handed a 15 year sentence.
In prison, Ronaghi developed a kidney disease and
underwent many operations. When he went on a
hunger strike to protest his maltreatment and
torture, he was placed in solitary confinement.
In the summer of 2012, Ronaghi was given a short
medical parole, which was cut shorter after he
was beaten and arrested for joining a group of
relief workers who set out to aid the
earthquake survivors of Sarand, East Azerbaijan.
Physical abuse and torture, lack of medical
treatment, and the effects of several hunger
strikes led to Ronaghi’s kidney failure.
Throughout a ten-year period, Ronaghi
spent a total of 6 years in prison, he and
his family were under constant pressure,
suffered harassment and forced inspections.
Finally, in June 2019, his permanent release
was signed and Ronaghi’s legal case was closed.
Ronaghi has been actively advocating against
governmental propaganda. In October 12 2021, he published
an opinion piece in the Wall Street Journal titled
“Western media aren’t telling you the truth about Iran”.
Ronaghi was re-arrested on February 23. 2022 for
criticizing a plan to restrict the internet in Iran.
Ronaghi was temporarily released on bail while the
charges of “propaganda against the regime”
and “congregating and colluding against
national security” remained in place for
further proceedings.
On September 22, in the midst of Mahsa Amini
protests, Hossein Ronaghi appeared on a
London-based channel Iran International for
the first time. He escaped a kidnapping attempt
on Sep 22, 2022 by security forces, but later
appeared at the doors of the Evin courthouse
with his lawyers on Sep 24, 2022.
Security forces arrested Ronaghi and both
his lawyers upon their entrance into the
courthouse.
Ronaghi decided to go on a hunger strike again
starting Sunday, November 13, and that this decision
means that his life is in serious danger.
On Nov 22, 2022, Hossein’s father Ahmad Ronaghi
sent a letter to the prosecution office
indicating that his son’s life is at risk and that
he will burn himself in front of Evin prison if
his son is not released for treatment.