Continued Hunger Strike in Evin; Sepideh Gholian Calls for Transfer to Dezful Prison

Sepideh Gholian's brother, a political prisoner held in Evin, who is on a hunger strike, expressed concern about his sister's health. Mehdi Gholian wrote in a note on Instagram on Friday, April 6, referring to the third day of the political prisoner's hunger strike: 'Sepideh has digestive issues.' This family member of political prisoners reflected on the dangers faced by the family during the past six years in visiting his imprisoned sister, stating: 'Six years have passed, and no means could convince us to stop seeing Sepideh. Just as no hardship could convince Sepideh to bow down against exile.' Following the recent 'exile' of Saeed Madani, a sociologist and civil rights activist, from Evin Prison to Damavand Prison, Sepideh Gholian has been on an 'indefinite' hunger strike since April 15 in protest against the 'exile' of prisoners. This civil rights activist from Khuzestan, currently in Evin Prison in Tehran under 'exile,' has called for her 'transfer to the prison in her place of residence,' Dezful. In part of his note, Mehdi Gholian also mentioned Amir Nasr Azadani, a former football player and imprisoned protester, writing: 'Just as Sepideh is my sister, Amir is my brother; this is the custom of the Bakhtiari tribe. Leave our relatives alone.' Amir Nasr Azadani's account on the social media platform 'X' reported on Thursday, April 6, about his hunger strike in protest against his transfer to solitary confinement. The authorities of the Islamic Republic have repeatedly endangered the lives of the families of political prisoners by exiling them and creating obstacles for family visits, and in some cases, have caused their deaths. For instance, in 2013, the mother and wife of Peyman (Amir Reza) Arefi, a political prisoner exiled to Masjed Soleiman Prison, lost their lives in a car accident while returning to Tehran from visiting him. Sepideh Gholian announced an 'indefinite hunger strike' in protest against the exile of Saeed Madani and other political prisoners. Criticism from 21 political prisoners regarding Saeed Madani's exile to Damavand Prison: The rulers are seeking to create a hollow authority. Sepideh Gholian: International bodies should be the voice of civil society; the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement will not sleep. A letter from 11 female political prisoners: Revealing 'gender apartheid' is a way forward in the fight against discrimination.