Request by 2222 Doctors and Civil Activists for the Release of Farhad Mishtami

As reports emerge about the poor physical condition of Farhad Mishtami, 2222 doctors and civil activists have written a letter to the Ministers of Culture and Health and the heads of the Cultural and Health Commissions of Parliament, demanding his release and attention to his situation. The authors of the letter emphasized that such treatment of him is "not only unworthy of a teacher, a doctor, and a publisher" but also "unworthy of any opposition figure in a Shia country." These civil activists and doctors, expressing concern for Farhad Mishtami's condition, have called for "his release on bail and for his charges to be addressed in a calm and non-volatile environment." Mr. Mishtami, a 48-year-old civil activist and doctor, was arrested on July 30, and according to his mother, has been on a hunger strike since then in protest against his detention and "unjust charges." Sediqeh Pishnamaz, Mr. Mishtami's mother, stated in an interview with Radio Farda that the reason for her son's arrest was possessing several badges that read "I protest against compulsory hijab." Meanwhile, Mohammad Ghaemi, Mr. Mishtami's lawyer, announced that his client's physical condition is "very alarming," with his weight dropping to 57 kg and his blood pressure at 6/5 over 5. Reza Khandan, the husband of Nasrin Sotoudeh, also reported from prison that Mr. Mishtami was forcibly transferred to a room in the medical ward of Evin Prison on Wednesday, October 4, but continues to "refuse to eat, take medicine, or receive intravenous fluids." Farhad Mishtami has turned his hunger strike into a "dry" hunger strike since September 8, and in a message sent from Evin Prison, he emphasized that he will continue his hunger strike until the "unconditional release" of Reza Khandan and the cessation of summons, interrogation, and investigation of his sister, Zhila Makvandi, and Davood Farhadpour. He stated without providing details that these individuals have been detained and summoned due to his case. Reza Khandan was arrested on the morning of September 4 after agents visited his home. His charges include "conspiracy against national security," "propaganda against the regime," and "promoting and spreading non-hijab." The seventh branch of the Evin Prosecutor's Office has issued a bail of 700 million tomans for him. Ms. Sotoudeh was arrested on June 12 of this year and it was reported that since September 24, she has been on a "wet hunger strike" in protest against her illegal detention and the harassment of her family and friends.