Hengaw: Manouchehr Fallah's Hunger Strike Continues in Lakan Prison, Rasht

The human rights organization 'Hengaw' reported on Thursday, August 25, that Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner in Lakan Prison in Rasht, has been on hunger strike for at least 25 days. According to the organization, Mr. Fallah began his hunger strike on August 1 in protest against his 'uncertainty' and the new charges filed against him. Based on this report, Manouchehr Fallah, from Rasht, has been sentenced by the Islamic Republic's judiciary to a total of 22 months and 17 days of imprisonment. Hengaw, citing 'received reports,' stated that the physical condition of this political prisoner is 'concerning,' and prison officials consider him responsible for the hunger strike of five other prisoners and have pressured him. The report indicates that Ahmad Darvish Ghatari, the judge, is referring the case back to the prosecutor's office following the attribution of the charges of 'Moharebeh and Baghi' to Manouchehr Fallah. The charge of 'Baghi' can lead to the death penalty or long-term imprisonment. This judge of the first branch of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht told Manouchehr Fallah's lawyer: 'His charge is Moharebeh or Baghi. The prosecutor and the prosecutor's office have made a mistake, and I am returning the case to the prosecutor's office to re-inform him of the charges under one of these sections.' Simultaneously, five of his fellow inmates named Eisa Choulandi, Hooman Taheri, Jamshid Aziz, Sasan Khanzadeh, and Mohammad Miri have joined Manouchehr Fallah in a hunger strike since Sunday, August 21. Meanwhile, Aziz Qasemzadeh, a teachers' rights activist who was recently released from prison after battling cancer, wrote in a note on his Telegram channel that his condition 'is not very favorable considering his previous stomach problems.' This former teacher's rights activist and former prisoner referred to the 'unfair trial process' of Manouchehr Fallah, adding: 'In Shahrivar 1402, a bail of 400 million was issued for Fallah. This bail was secured, and the legal processes for Manouchehr Fallah's release were completed, and even a celebration was held for his freedom in the ward, but unfortunately, this did not happen, and he was prevented from being released.' He added: 'These days, coinciding with his hunger strike, his bail has suddenly been increased to 5 billion. It was expected that after months of uncertainty, the process would move forward with some resolution, but the knots for Manouchehr Fallah have become more and more entangled.' Manouchehr Fallah was arrested by the security forces of the Islamic Republic at Rasht Airport last July and was later transferred to the Misaq Ward of Lakan Prison in this city. In December of last year, he was sentenced by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasakhi, to one year, three months, and one day in prison for 'insulting' the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and to seven months and 16 days in prison for 'propaganda against the government.' The temporary release of Solmaz Hassan Zadeh, the sister of a rights seeker, from Urmia Prison, came after her eight-day hunger strike. Shakila Monfared was returned to Evin from the hospital; informed sources: her hunger strike continues. Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb from prison: 'Deception and trickery flow from under the mullahs' cloak and the sleeves of the Revolutionary Guards.' The government's pressure on the families of rights seekers; Maryam Mehrabi was sentenced to six years in prison.