Kaboudvand's Court Appearance with the Help of Prison Officers

The condition of Mohammad Sadegh Kaboudvand, a human rights activist and imprisoned journalist who has been on hunger strike for over two weeks, has been reported as critical. Kaboudvand, a founder of the "Organization for the Unity for Democracy in Iran" and the editor-in-chief of the suspended weekly "Payam-e Mardom," is serving an 11-year prison sentence. In 2009, he won the "Hellman/Hemmet" award from Human Rights Watch for persecuted writers. His wife, Parinaz BaghaBan Hassani, told Radio Farda that Mr. Kaboudvand appeared in court on Tuesday with the assistance of the head of the ward and two soldiers. Kaboudvand has faced charges since before the New Year, specifically in Esfand, with three interrogations conducted against him. The main accusation brought against him in court was propaganda against the regime, which he denied, stating that his hunger strike was in protest against these charges and the failure to consolidate his sentences. His health condition is alarming, having suffered severe kidney and liver pain, and he has lost approximately 15 kilograms during the 17 days of his hunger strike. The prison doctors have expressed concern about his increased blood density, risk of clotting, and balance issues. He was brought to court without a lawyer and defended himself against the charges. His wife mentioned that they have weekly meetings, and they are worried about his health due to the hunger strike and his medical conditions. Kaboudvand has stated that he will continue his hunger strike indefinitely until his demands for an end to harassment and his unconditional release are met, as he believes he is innocent and has already lost nine years of his life to imprisonment.