Nizar Zaka, Lebanese Citizen Imprisoned in Iran, Transferred to Hospital Following Hunger Strike

A family member of Nizar Zaka, a Lebanese citizen imprisoned in Iran, stated on Tuesday that he has been hospitalized due to a hunger strike and poor physical condition. According to the Associated Press, Zaka's brother said he was transferred to the hospital on Sunday but has refused medication and IV fluids. He also mentioned that if his brother is not released, he is prepared to continue his hunger strike until death. Zaka's brother further noted that prison officials had asked him to sign documents, but he refused because they were in Persian. Nizar Zaka, 50, a permanent resident of the U.S., is an information and communications technology expert who worked for a non-profit IT organization in Washington. He was arrested by security agents in Tehran during his fifth trip to Iran on September 18, 2015, and has been held in Evin Prison since then. Last year, Zaka was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $4.2 million. Iranian security officials and the IRGC have accused Zaka of 'espionage and collaboration with an enemy government,' but his family denies these allegations. In an interview with the Associated Press in Beirut, Zaka's brother stated that he has completely lost hope for his brother's life and is in a difficult situation. He said he spoke with his brother by phone on Tuesday and urged him to end his hunger strike. Zaka's brother also mentioned that he will request action from Michel Aoun, the President of Lebanon, regarding this matter.