Athena Daemi Ends 54-Day Hunger Strike

Athena Daemi, a imprisoned civil activist, ended her hunger strike on Wednesday, June 10, after 54 days. Her family told Radio Farda that she concluded her hunger strike after seeing the acquittal ruling for her sisters. Athena Daemi and her two sisters had been sentenced to three months in prison for 'insulting' officials during Athena's arrest. Previously, in March 2015, Athena Daemi was sentenced in a court presided over by Judge Moghiseh in Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran to seven years in prison for 'gathering and colluding and propaganda against the state,' three years for 'insulting sacred beliefs and leadership,' and four years for 'concealing evidence of a crime.' This sentence was reduced to seven years in the appeals court. International human rights organizations state that her conviction was due to 'posting on Facebook criticizing executions, graffiti against executions, attending the graves of those killed in the 2009 elections, and informing about political prisoners.' Athena Daemi, who was transferred to Evin Prison in December 2016 to serve her seven-year sentence, began her hunger strike on April 8 in protest against the new ruling against herself and her two sisters. Earlier, her mother, Masoumeh Nemati, told Radio Farda that Athena could only drink water after taking a stomach syrup and that after her health deteriorated, she was given an IV in the prison infirmary. On Wednesday, Athena's family told Radio Farda that after 54 days of hunger strike, she had even lost the ability to drink water, which she ended upon seeing the acquittal ruling for her sisters. Masoumeh Nemati also stated that after breaking her hunger strike, Athena would need treatment to regain her ability to eat and drink. Previously, Amnesty International had included Athena Daemi in a global campaign defending human rights defenders, stating that her situation should be addressed. Meanwhile, Ismail Abdi, the imprisoned secretary-general of the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association, continues his hunger strike. He has been on hunger strike for 32 days since May 10 in protest against his trial process. Mr. Abdi has been sentenced to six years in prison for gathering and colluding with the intent to disrupt public order and propaganda against the regime, and he has been serving his sentence since November 2016. A close associate of his told Radio Farda that Mr. Abdi has suffered severe weight loss, fluctuations in blood pressure, and kidney problems and needs to be urgently hospitalized. More than 15,000 Iranian teachers have signed a letter sent to the judiciary demanding Ismail Abdi's release.