New Accusations Against Shakila Monfared; This Political Prisoner Has Gone on Hunger Strike Despite Severe Health Condition

Ashkan Monfared, the brother of political prisoner Shakila Monfared, imprisoned in Evin, announced on Wednesday, July 31, on his social media account on 'X', about his sister's hunger strike. He stated that his sister is facing new charges from the prosecution due to a complaint by Masoumeh Shaghaghi, the deputy prosecutor of Evin, adding: 'Shakila is not well. Ongoing medical issues and constant pressure have affected her mental and physical condition, and for these reasons, she has been on hunger strike for the past two days.' Ashkan Monfared also expressed concern that the new charges against his sister could lead to long-term sentences or the death penalty, noting: 'Shakila and her family have been under immense pressure, harassment, and targeted abuse from two interrogators of the case, and efforts to file complaints regarding the judicial process, the harassment during detention, and subsequent fabrication of cases and interrogator pressures have gone nowhere.' He further reminded that the interrogators intend to extend his sister's sentence through continuous pressure and case fabrication, aiming to 'torture her.' Shakila Monfared, a monarchist political prisoner, confirmed in a letter dated July 1, which VOA has obtained, that the 'head of the prosecution protection' physically assaulted her during her detention, and 'the beating was so severe' that her hands became 'completely bloody.' She was arrested on July 1, before the end of her five-day medical leave, while visiting the prosecutor's office to request an extension of her leave and was transferred to the women's section of Evin prison. In this letter, she wrote: 'After undergoing an endoscopy at Mehrad Hospital, I went to the eighth district prosecutor's office and faced insults and beatings from myself and my father.' She emphasized that 'my treatment process was not completed, and the ultrasound of the pelvis and abdomen, blood and urine tests, and pathology results were not completed,' announcing her diagnosis of peptic ulcer disease, adding: 'I have two six-millimeter ulcers and severe reflux from the stomach to the esophagus, which is evident in the images and results.' Shakila Monfared was sentenced to four years in prison in 2020 on charges including 'propaganda against the regime and insulting Islamic sanctities.' Then in 2021, while imprisoned, she was sentenced to two years and eight months for 'membership in opposition groups.' In June 2023, she was tried on charges of 'gathering and colluding to commit a crime against national security,' which was closed with a 'non-prosecution' order, but in April 2024, she was again sentenced to 12 months in prison.