Amnesty International to Iranian Officials: Stop Playing with Arash Sadeghi's Life

Amnesty International, in a statement, accused Iranian judicial authorities of delaying the release of Arash Sadeghi and Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee, and called for them to "stop playing with Mr. Sadeghi's life." The statement, published on January 3, noted that Arash Sadeghi has been on hunger strike for over two months in Evin Prison in protest against the continued imprisonment of his wife, Golrokh Ebrahimi Iraee: "While his family members say he is coughing up blood and facing major heart, kidney, respiratory, and digestive issues." The human rights organization emphasized the need for Mr. Sadeghi's immediate release and access to specialized medical care, in accordance with medical and independent standards. Mr. Sadeghi, a political prisoner, has been on hunger strike for more than seventy days. His main demand is the release of his wife, who has been accused of "propaganda against the regime" and "insulting sacred values" due to a story she wrote about stoning that has not been published. The situation of Arash Sadeghi has attracted widespread attention on social media around the world, and the campaign for his release has gained significant traction on Twitter under the hashtag "Save Arash." According to Amnesty International, Iranian judicial authorities have demanded exorbitant bail instead of the immediate and unconditional release of Mr. Sadeghi and Ms. Iraee. Amir Reisiyaan, Arash Sadeghi's lawyer, stated on his Twitter account that the 500 million tomans bail for Golrokh Ebrahimi has been posted, and she is expected to be released by Tuesday, January 4, after administrative procedures are completed. Mr. Reisiyaan mentioned that after her release, Arash Sadeghi is to be transferred to a hospital. Amnesty International reminded that "Iranian officials know very well that even a few hours' delay in the release of Arash Sadeghi means life and death." Alongside him, Ali Shariati, another prisoner, is also on a long-term hunger strike, raising concerns about his health. Mr. Shariati began his hunger strike two months ago. He was sentenced to "acting against national security" for participating in a protest in front of the parliament against acid attacks in Isfahan. Mr. Shariati has announced that he will continue his hunger strike until this charge is removed from his case. Amnesty International also referred to the situation of this political prisoner, stating that from its perspective, Ali Shariati is a "prisoner of conscience" and his life is at risk due to the hunger strike. Other individuals, including Saeed Shirzad, Mohammad Reza Nokunam, Hassan Rostegari Majd, Mehdi Kouhian, and Lebanese businessman Nizar Zakka, have also been reported to be on hunger strikes in prison, and Amnesty International has mentioned their names. Reports from Tehran indicate that security forces prevented a group of civil activists and citizens from gathering in front of Evin Prison on Tuesday morning "to protest the situation of political prisoners on hunger strike."