Protests Against Executions Continue; Tomaj Salehi and Zeinab Jalalian Join Hunger Strike of Prisoners in Evin

Following the announcement of a general hunger strike by 61 political prisoners in the women's ward of Evin prison in protest against the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi, Zeinab Jalalian and Tomaj Salehi announced that they would join this hunger strike on Thursday, January 25. The Kurdistan Human Rights Network reported on Wednesday, January 24, citing 'one of Jalalian's acquaintances,' that this political prisoner, sentenced to life imprisonment and currently in Yazd prison, will go on hunger strike 'in protest against the executions' and to 'stop the executions.' According to this acquaintance, despite being 'in isolated conditions' in Yazd prison and having 'severely limited phone calls,' she stated that 'today (Wednesday), after learning about the executions of political and ideological prisoners in recent months and in support of the public demand for the abolition of the death penalty in Iran,' she will also join the hunger strike with 61 political and ideological women prisoners in Yazd prison. Additionally, Tomaj Salehi's account on the social media platform 'X,' managed by his acquaintances, reported on Wednesday that this political prisoner plans to go on hunger strike 'in protest against the murders of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi' and to 'stop these killings' alongside 61 political and ideological prisoners in the women's ward of Evin prison on Thursday. Hassan Homayoun, the husband of Saeedeh Shafiei, a journalist imprisoned in Evin, also announced that he would 'not eat or drink on Thursday and will support the hunger strike of the women prisoners.' He emphasized that 'joining the hunger strike is an expectation that the women prisoners have at least from their relatives and friends.' Havaana Tamisi, the wife of Mohsen Mazloom, a Kurdish political prisoner, also wrote on X on Wednesday: 'As a freedom seeker and opponent of the Islamic Republic regime, I announce my hunger strike alongside 61 women prisoners in Evin prison and also Tomaj Salehi.' Ms. Tamisi urged the West not to 'be lenient' with the Islamic Republic and to stop the executions by applying pressure on officials and placing the IRGC on the terrorist list. She added: 'Now, not only my husband Mohsen Mazloom but also hundreds of prisoners are on death row across Iran; these governmental and inhumane killings must end.' Following the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi, two political prisoners, 61 political and ideological prisoners in the women's ward of Evin prison announced on Tuesday, January 24, that 'the news of the executions of Iranian youths has sparked a wave of anger and protest in society. The political-ideological women prisoners in Evin will be on a general hunger strike on Thursday, January 25, in protest against the recent executions and to 'stop the executions.' The execution of two political prisoners on the morning of Tuesday has triggered a wave of anger and protest on social media, with observers describing these executions as 'revenge' by the Islamic Republic against the Iranian people following the 'killing of its terrorists' in the region. Among them, Prince Reza Pahlavi emphasized in a message: 'The desperate regime of Khamenei takes revenge for the killing of its terrorists in Syria, Lebanon, Yemen, and Iraq from the Iranian people, innocent youths, and children; with the aim of giving hope to its few wavering supporters and discouraging the Iranian people in their struggle.' Other political figures and organizations with various political leanings have also condemned these executions. The spokesperson for the U.S. State Department also condemned the executions of Mohammad Qabadi and Farhad Salimi on Tuesday, January 24, and expressed condolences to their families.