Exclusive; Nazila Maroufian's Contact with Family; Informed Source: She is on a 'Dry Hunger Strike'

An informed source close to Nazila Maroufian told Voice of America that this imprisoned journalist is in very bad condition on the eighth day of her 'dry hunger strike', and her family's concern for her health has increased. According to this source, Nazila Maroufian had a brief contact with her family a week after her arrest, and 'she was not well'. Nazila Maroufian, a journalist who was arrested for the umpteenth time on September 8 during an attack by Islamic Republic forces on her home, revealed in an audio message from Evin prison on Wednesday that she had been 'assaulted' while in 'the worst possible condition'. On the seventh day of her hunger strike, referring to all women who face 'physical violence' in 'police stations, ministerial detention centers, and courts', she stated that this hunger strike is not only a protest against her own situation but also 'for all women who are struggling to live in Iran.' On September 12, a source close to this political prisoner told Voice of America that Maroufian's family is under 'pressure' and has requested that the media be their voice. According to this informed source, 'seven agents' broke down the door and took this journalist 'while she was asleep' in 'the same nightgown' and with 'beating'. This person close to Nazila Maroufian told Voice of America: 'They want to eliminate this girl by any means, but please make it public and do not let it happen. I hope you will be our voice because we are really under pressure.' According to him, Nazila Maroufian's parents, who traveled from Saqez to Tehran to follow up on her detention and visited the court on Sunday, accidentally saw this imprisoned journalist in court, who, although she was 'mentally well', was in 'very bad physical condition'. Nazila Maroufian, a journalist from Saqez and residing in Tehran, was first arrested last year after an interview with Amjad Amini, the father of Mahsa Amini. She was arrested for the umpteenth time on September 8 during an assault by Islamic Republic agents on her home. According to a report by Reporters Without Borders regarding media freedom published on May 2, 2023, Iran ranks 177th among 180 countries in the world. The International Federation of Journalists, while updating the list of imprisoned journalists in Iran, reiterated that journalism is not a crime and the Islamic Republic must free all imprisoned journalists and media activists. The U.S. State Department has called for the release of Iranian journalists who were 'unjustly' detained in Iran following the death of Mahsa Amini and in connection with its coverage. Nazila Maroufian, one day after supporting Mehdi Yarahai, was arrested with 'beating' by agents.