Manouchehr Bakhtiari Goes on Hunger Strike; His Sister Calls on People to Be His Voice

Manouchehr Bakhtiari, a political prisoner in Iran, announced via an audio message from Qazvin prison that he has been on a hunger strike since November 7, which will continue until his release from prison, holding the Islamic Republic responsible for anything that happens to him. The father of Pouya Bakhtiari, a protester killed during the November 2019 protests, stated in this message that after five years since his son's death and subsequently his own imprisonment for seeking justice, he has been deprived of all civil rights and has suffered physical problems and illnesses due to negligence by prison authorities. He also mentioned that he has been denied his legal right to medical treatment outside of prison and is going on hunger strike in protest of this treatment, coinciding with the anniversary of his son's death. Meanwhile, Manouchehr Bakhtiari's sister, Saba Bakhtiari, posted on social media platform X, stating, 'My brother Manouchehr Bakhtiari is on a hunger strike, which is very dangerous for him.' She added, 'Over the years of imprisonment, exile, and solitary confinement, despite his illness and urgent need for surgery, and with numerous medical letters confirming the necessity of treatment and surgery, the judicial system of the Islamic Republic has prevented my brother's release and even medical leave.' She emphasized, 'My brother's life is in danger and he urgently needs treatment, please be his voice.' Pouya Bakhtiari was born on September 10, 1992, and was shot in the skull by government agents of the Islamic Republic during the popular protests in Mehrshahr, Karaj, on November 25, 2019. Manouchehr Bakhtiari, Pouya's father, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for allegedly launching an international campaign for 'seeking justice for his son and all victims' over the forty years of the Islamic Republic's rule. The 'endless' pressure from the government on the Bakhtiari family continues; a few weeks later, Pouya's uncle was also arrested. Prince Reza Pahlavi praised the 'steadfastness and resilience' of the families of victims opposing the Islamic Republic. The mother of the seeking justice for Mehrdad and Manouchehr Bakhtiari sarcastically suggested to the Islamic Republic to create a special prison for this family. The sister of the seeking justice for Manouchehr and Mehrdad Bakhtiari stated: 'The loud-mouthed government takes its 'hard revenge' from our frail mother.' The arrest of Mehrdad Bakhtiari; Saba Bakhtiari stated: 'They pointed a gun at my defenseless brother and brutally abducted him.' The Bakhtiari family addressed the Islamic Republic: 'We stand by Iran until our last breath.'