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🔴 Breaking ❓ Unknown

Hunger Strike of Three Political Prisoners in Qazalhesar Following Transfer to Solitary Confinement

May 6, 2026 May 6, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

Three political prisoners in Qazalhesar prison, Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, and Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab, are on hunger strike in protest against their treatment and the anniversary of the 1979 revolution. Their mothers have expressed grave concerns about their health and the conditions of solitary confinement. This situation highlights ongoing political repression in Iran and the growing dissent among activists.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The hunger strike of political prisoners underscores the critical state of human rights in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Arsham Rezaei (آرشام رضایی) ACTOR
Political prisoner
"'Please be the voice of my son, Arsham.'"
Reza Mohammadi (رضا محمدی) ACTOR
Political prisoner
"'The executionist government must be destroyed.'"
Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab (زرتشت احمدی رغباب) ACTOR
Political prisoner
"Currently, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab is on the fifteenth day of his hunger strike."
Prince Reza Pahlavi (پرنس رضا پهلوی) QUOTED
Opposition leader
"'specific and organized plan' to 'take back Iran and rebuild it.'"

⚡ Actions

Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab PROTEST Islamic Republic
"'The Islamic Republic must be overthrown,' 'The executionist government must be destroyed.'"
Confidence: 90%
Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab ANNOUNCE Iranian authorities
"'After all these years of crime, death to this rule.'"
Confidence: 90%
Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab ENGAGE Iranian authorities
"Currently, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab is on the fifteenth day of his hunger strike."
Confidence: 80%

📰 What Happened

Three political prisoners in Iran's Qazalhesar prison go on hunger strike after solitary confinement transfer.

  • Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab protest Islamic Republic
  • Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab announce Iranian authorities
  • Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab engage Iranian authorities

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: Because it highlights the ongoing repression and dissent against the Islamic Republic.
🌍 Regional: Because it may inspire further protests and unrest in Iran and the region.
🌐 International: Because it draws attention to human rights abuses in Iran.

📚 Background

The hunger strike of political prisoners underscores the critical state of human rights in Iran.

📝 Key Evidence

"'I have not heard my child's voice for the past four days.'"
→ This proves the dire conditions of political prisoners in solitary confinement.
📡 Source: OPPOSITION
📊 Confidence: 80%
Source is a Persian-language outlet focused on Iranian issues.

A source informed Voice of America that Arsham Rezaei, Reza Mohammadi, and Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab, three political prisoners who were taken to solitary confinement in Qazalhesar prison following protests against executions and violence, are on hunger strike. Following the hunger strike of these three political prisoners, Arsham Rezaei's mother expressed concern about her son's condition, who suffers from gastrointestinal issues, stating that he was supposed to be sent for an endoscopy on Wednesday. She also mentioned, 'I have not heard my child's voice for the past four days. Solitary confinement is poison for my child. Please be the voice of my son, Arsham.' According to information received by Voice of America, Reza Mohammadi, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab, and Arsham Rezaei had previously announced that from February 1 to February 25, they would engage in 'civil protests' by chanting slogans such as 'The Islamic Republic must be overthrown,' 'The executionist government must be destroyed,' 'After all these years of crime, death to this rule,' and 'Political prisoners must be freed,' in protest against '46 years of tyranny, repression, executions, violence, and censorship,' and in commemoration of the anniversary of the 1979 revolution, which they referred to as the 'decade of suffering.' Currently, Zartosht Ahmadi Raghab is on the fifteenth day of his hunger strike, while Reza Mohammadi and Arsham Rezaei have joined the hunger strike on the fourth day after being transferred to solitary confinement. These three political prisoners had previously issued a statement on the occasion of the forty-sixth anniversary of Ruhollah Khomeini's return to Iran, calling the revolution against Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi the 'great deception of 1979' and asserting that the Islamic Republic government is 'going to fall.' Pressure on political activists and citizens opposing the Islamic Republic in Iran has intensified in recent days. Prince Reza Pahlavi had previously announced a 'specific and organized plan' to 'take back Iran and rebuild it,' discussing a 'five-point plan' that outlines 'the path to victory and the roadmap for the day of victory.'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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