Charge of 'Moharebeh or Baghi' in the Case of Manouchehr Fallah, Political Prisoner

Radio Farda has learned that the judge in the case of Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has raised the charge of 'Baghi or Moharebeh' during a review of his case. Informed sources told Radio Farda that while Mr. Fallah has been on a hunger strike for over 25 days, Ahmad Darvishgaitar, the head of the first branch of the Revolutionary Court in Rasht, announced that he is facing the new charge of 'Moharebeh or Baghi.' Moharebeh means 'using weapons with the intent to harm life, property, or intimidate people,' and Baghi means 'armed uprising,' and either of these can lead to a death sentence in court. The authorities of Lakan Prison in Rasht and judicial officials have so far prevented the release of this political prisoner, who is among those arrested during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, despite the end of his sentence. In this context, on the first of Mordad, Manouchehr Fallah stated in a statement that he is 'a prisoner of lawlessness and injustice' and that although the hunger strike is 'another blow to his health,' he has no other way to make his voice heard. His health condition has been reported as 'critical' for the past two weeks due to the effects of this hunger strike. Informed sources reported to Radio Farda on Tuesday, the eighth of Mordad, that Manouchehr Fallah was transferred to the prison infirmary due to 'low blood sugar' and 'weakness.' According to these sources, Mr. Fallah's health condition is currently very poor, and he has 'lost a lot of weight' and even lacks the strength to rise from his place. Five other activist women in Gilan have been sentenced to imprisonment in Lakan Prison. Eisa Choolandim, Hooman Taheri, Jamshid Azizi, Mohammad Miri, and Sasan Khanzadeh, five political prisoners in Lakan Prison in Rasht, have also gone on a hunger strike in solidarity with Mr. Fallah since the 22nd of Mordad. Manouchehr Fallah was arrested in July 2023 at Rasht Airport. He was sentenced to 22 months in prison in December of the same year on charges of 'insulting the leadership' and 'propaganda against the regime.' This political prisoner had also gone on a hunger strike last year in October in protest against his uncertainty and continued detention.