Exclusive | Fifth Day of Zahra Sarv's Hunger Strike in Evin with Demands for 'End to Case Fabrication' and Conditional Release

Following reports of Zahra Sarv's hunger strike, a political prisoner advocating for constitutionalism, a source informed Voice of America that on the fifth day of her hunger strike, 'her blood sugar has dropped to 74 and her blood pressure to 75 over 50.' The source stated on Monday, December 6, that Zahra Sarv, who began her hunger strike on Thursday, December 2, intends to refuse glucose and saline IVs starting Tuesday, December 7, if her demands are not addressed. According to this report, this political prisoner, held in Evin prison, has been on hunger strike for five days 'due to the lack of medical attention for her problems.' The informed source indicated that Zahra Sarv has been suffering from pain in her 'right knee' for some time, stating that 'if she had received timely care, she would likely have been treated with physiotherapy,' but 'some time ago, her right knee meniscus and cruciate ligament were torn,' and 'due to the lack of follow-up and not being sent to the hospital, she now has to undergo surgery.' According to this source close to Zahra Sarv, her demands are 'the end of case fabrication against her' and 'consideration of her request for conditional release,' and she intends to continue her hunger strike until these demands are addressed. The report states that Zahra Sarv, who has a history of imprisonment, is currently serving her sentence 'without visits or leave' in Evin prison. In her previous detention, she also dealt with 'severe sinus infections,' and 'her medical follow-ups were repeatedly postponed.' Zahra Sarv, born in 1986, was arrested by the Islamic Republic's security forces in early October 2021 and transferred to the detention center of the IRGC. In November, she was moved to the women's section of Evin prison and then to Qarchak prison in Varamin, which is designated for women. This political prisoner was sentenced to seven years in prison for 'gathering and collusion' and 'propaganda against the Islamic Republic,' of which six years are enforceable. Previously, Zahra Sarv had described the 'dictatorial government's performance' as 'double standards' during a gathering of female prisoners opposing the death penalty in Evin, stating that 'the occupying government of Zahhak' believes 'the best defense is an attack and intends to intimidate and push back the people with executions.' She emphasized that 'executions are not only not deterrent but will have the opposite effect,' addressing the leaders of the Islamic Republic, saying: 'Soon you will witness a nationwide uprising, and the overthrow is closer to you than your jugular vein. We will decisively end this bloodthirsty and misogynistic government.'