Concerns About the Condition of Three Prisoners After Hunger Strike

According to reports, Mahdi and Hossein Rajabian, two imprisoned artists, and Ali Shariati, a civil activist, who have gone on hunger strike, are in poor physical condition. In recent days, Mahdi Rajabian and Ali Shariati have been transferred to the medical facility of Evin Prison. The International Human Rights Campaign in Iran, citing an 'informed source,' announced that Mahdi Rajabian was transferred to the prison's medical facility on November 12, and the medical staff stated that he 'needs to be transferred to the hospital, but Mahdi refuses to go due to his hunger strike.' According to this 'informed source,' a few hours' transfer of Mahdi Rajabian to the hospital 'does not solve the problem,' and after examination, 'he will be returned to prison.' The source added: 'Mahdi Rajabian's condition is critical after five days of hunger strike, and we are concerned that if he is not transferred to the hospital, he may face irreparable physical harm.' Mahdi and Hossein Rajabian, two imprisoned artists, have been on hunger strike since November 7 in protest against 'negligence in medical care and lack of leave rights.' Reports indicate that Hossein Rajabian is suffering from a lung infection, and Mahdi Rajabian is 'suspected' of having multiple sclerosis. Mahdi Rajabian is the founder of the 'Barg Music' website, one of the most famous and active alternative music websites in Iran. The Rajabian brothers, both composers and musicians, were sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran for 'insulting the sacred' and 'propaganda against the regime.' This sentence was changed in the appeals court to three years of imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment, and both brothers reported to Evin Prison on June 16. Reports also indicate that Ali Shariati, a civil activist, was arrested on Monday, November 10, while visiting the municipal office in Pardis for administrative work, and 'has been on hunger strike since the moment of his arrest.' Shayesteh al-Sadat Shahidi, the mother of this political prisoner, told the Kalemeh website that her son 'was transferred to the medical facility after feeling unwell due to the hunger strike.' She added that her son 'has had palpitations and numbness in his left hand and foot.' According to this report, Ali Shariati was convicted of 'acting against national security' due to a gathering in front of the parliament in protest against acid attacks in Isfahan and has stated that he will continue his hunger strike until this charge is removed from his case. Mr. Shariati was arrested on February 18, 2015, and was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison by Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolqasem Salavati, a sentence that was reduced to five years in the appeals court. In this context, the hunger strike of the Rajabian brothers in protest against 'lack of medical care and lack of leave' has raised 'serious' concerns from the UN Secretary-General about the human rights situation in Iran. UN special rapporteurs have called for the release of the three Iranian artists.