Ali Shariati Ends His Hunger Strike

Ali Shariati, a political prisoner in Iran, ended his hunger strike on Saturday, January 25, after 75 days. A family member of Mr. Shariati announced this news in an interview with Radio Farda, stating that he has now been transferred to the medical facility of Evin Prison for treatment. This family member added that judicial authorities have not yet approved his medical leave. According to the website Kalemeh, Ali Shariati ended his hunger strike at the request of his family and a group of political activists, as well as the recommendation of Mohammad Khatami, former President of Iran, after discussions with prison officials. The website Zeyton reported that several former political prisoners visited Ali Shariati's home on Friday, January 24, urging him to end his hunger strike. Among these former political prisoners were Mostafa Tajzadeh, Ahmad Zeidabadi, Keyvan Samimi Behbahani, Bahareh Hedayat, Hossein Nourani Nejad, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Sajedeh Arab-Sorkhi, and Mostafa Nili. According to Kalemeh, Ali Shariati emphasized that despite ending his hunger strike, he will not abandon his legitimate demands and will pursue his requests for a fair review of his case and a request for leave until the re-examination is completed through other means. Ali Shariati was sentenced to 'actions against national security' for participating in a protest outside the parliament against acid attacks in Isfahan, and after his arrest on November 1, he announced that he would continue his hunger strike until this charge was removed from his file. On Wednesday, January 15, the hashtag calling for Ali Shariati's release (#sosAli) trended globally on Twitter. Meanwhile, Amir Salar Davoodi, the lawyer for political prisoner Saeed Shirzad, who is currently on a hunger strike, warned about his client's physical and health condition and urged judicial authorities to 'talk to this political prisoner before it is too late.' According to Mr. Davoodi, Saeed Shirzad is in a 'dangerous and alarming condition' due to 'extreme weakness,' 'severe weight loss,' and 'significant pressure' on his kidneys and digestive system. He stated in an interview with the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran that judicial, prison, and security officials have not spoken to his client, 'as if he has not gone on a hunger strike.' On Thursday, January 23, reports emerged about Saeed Shirzad being transferred to a hospital. He had also been transferred to the medical facility of Rajai Shahr Prison on Tuesday and Wednesday of the previous week due to 'low blood pressure' and 'stomach and chest pain.' In recent weeks, reports have emerged about the hunger strikes of several other prisoners, including Nizar Zaka, Mohammad Reza Nekounam, and Mehdi Kouhian, but there has been no news about the continuation or cessation of their strikes. Ahmadreza Jalali, a doctor with residency in Sweden, has also been on a hunger strike for the past 12 days. Vida Mehranian, Mr. Jalali's wife, informed Radio Farda that her husband was arrested on May 5 on charges of 'collaborating with the enemy' in Tehran.