The Baloch Yakjehti Committee said on Sunday that the health of its chief organiser, Dr Mahrang Baloch, has “severely deteriorated” during nearly a year in what it described as unlawful detention under “fabricated FIRs,” despite what it said was the absence of any credible evidence against her.
In a statement, the group said Dr Mahrang and other BYC leaders had remained imprisoned for almost a year. It alleged that for the past six months her health had worsened in jail and that she repeatedly submitted written applications to the jail superintendent requesting medical attention, but these were ignored.
According to the BYC, her legal team later filed an application in court, after which a jail doctor examined her and recommended several medical tests. The group said she was not taken to any hospital for those examinations. Her condition worsened on 18 February, prompting jail authorities to shift her to Sheikh Zayed Hospital, where an MRI of her lumbar spine was conducted.
The statement said the MRI report identified multiple issues, including mild straightening of the lumbar spine likely caused by muscular spasm; diffuse disc bulges at the L4–L5 and L5–S1 levels causing anterior thecal sac indentation; mild to moderate bilateral neural foraminal narrowing with nerve root impingement; and a central annular tear at the L4–L5 level.
The BYC alleged that despite the seriousness of these findings, police initially refused to provide the MRI report to Dr Mahrang or her legal team and attempted to withhold it. The report, it said, was obtained only after ten days of continuous pressure.
The group said the medical findings clearly indicated a serious spinal condition requiring rest and proper medical care. Instead of ensuring treatment, it alleged that the court continued to deny her bail without valid legal grounds and insisted on a prolonged trial, despite what the group described as the absence of any legitimate charges.
“Dr Mahrang has committed no offence other than advocating for human rights and justice,” the statement said, adding that withholding medical care and restricting her liberty amounted to a serious breach of fundamental rights.
The BYC called for her immediate medical treatment and release, along with the release of all other detained BYC leaders.