Continued Hunger Strike of Ismail Abdi in Prison; 'Drop in Blood Pressure and Dizziness'

Sources close to Ismail Abdi, a teachers' rights activist currently in prison, report that his ongoing hunger strike has adversely affected his physical health. The International Human Rights Campaign in Iran reported on Thursday, May 10, citing these sources, that Mr. Abdi has experienced symptoms such as weight loss, low blood pressure, and dizziness on the twelfth day of his hunger strike. Ismail Abdi, a senior member of the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association, has been on hunger strike since May 1 in protest against heavy sentences issued by the judiciary against activists of teachers' and workers' unions. One of his demands is to have his case's status changed from 'security' to 'ordinary', but as the International Human Rights Campaign notes, the officials at Evin prison have yet to respond to his hunger strike and requests. However, Amir Salar Davoodi, Mr. Abdi's lawyer, emphasized that these judicial and security officials are responsible for his client's life. Ismail Abdi was tried in the Revolutionary Court on charges such as 'propaganda against the regime' and 'gathering with the intent to disrupt public order', initially sentenced to 10 years in prison, which was reduced to six years on appeal. According to the International Human Rights Campaign in Iran, Mr. Abdi has filed a request for a retrial, which has been registered with the Supreme Court. In the days leading up to the Iranian presidential elections, reports have emerged of hunger strikes by several other political prisoners in Iran, including journalist Hengameh Shahidi and civil activist Atena Daemi. Organizations and entities such as Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders have condemned the continued imprisonment of these figures and warned about their deteriorating physical conditions due to the hunger strikes. In this context, Reporters Without Borders: the risk of death threatens Hengameh Shahidi. The Secretary-General of the Iranian Teachers' Trade Association was arrested by security agents. Hengameh Shahidi, Atena Daemi, and Ismail Abdi are on hunger strike. Concerns from Amnesty International regarding Atena Daemi's health after 31 days of hunger strike. After two months of wet hunger strike, Hengameh Shahidi switched to a dry hunger strike.