Hunger Strike of Rajabian Brothers in Protest Against 'Lack of Medical Care and Absence of Leave'

The International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported, citing 'an informed source', that Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian, two imprisoned artists, have been on hunger strike since November 7 in protest against 'negligence in medical care and lack of leave'. According to the report published on Saturday, November 8, these two artists have also announced that they will not meet with their family and lawyer as part of their protest against their situation. The report adds that Hossein Rajabian is suffering from a lung infection and Mehdi Rajabian is 'suspected' of having multiple sclerosis. In June of this year, an informed source had reported that Mehdi Rajabian, due to 'pressure and nervous concerns' during interrogation, is 'suspected of having multiple sclerosis' and the doctor stated that he 'needs to undergo an MRI every month and regularly receive injections'. Mehdi Rajabian is the founder of 'Barg Music', one of the most famous and active alternative music websites in Iran. The Rajabian brothers are two composers and musicians who were sentenced to six years in prison by Branch 28 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court of Tehran on charges of 'insulting sacred beliefs' and 'propaganda against the regime'. This sentence was changed in the appeals court to three years of imprisonment and three years of suspended imprisonment, and both brothers reported to Evin Prison on June 16. Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian also went on hunger strike on September 9 in protest against 'lack of medical care' and their separation from each other, and Mehdi Rajabian's transfer to Ward 8, which resulted in Hossein Rajabian's lung infection and his transfer to Imam Khomeini Hospital after nine days. He was hospitalized for a week and then transferred back to Evin Prison. In a letter, these two artists have requested that artists around the world show a respectful reaction to such treatments and condemn them. In the case of Mehdi and Hossein Rajabian, Youssef Emadi, a composer and three-string musician, was also arrested with them in October 2013 in their studio and office. The arrest and imprisonment of these three artists faced widespread domestic and international condemnation, including from Karima Bennoune, the UN Special Rapporteur on Cultural Rights, and David Kaye, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, who called for the release of these three artists. In December 2015, more than 400 people, including dozens of music activists, published a letter addressed to Ali Jannati, the Iranian Minister of Culture, demanding the release of these three individuals. The Association for the Defense of Freedom of Expression in Music, along with nine other international organizations, sent a letter to the head of the Iranian Judiciary and other officials of the Islamic Republic, calling for the acquittal of these three artists.