Reza Valizadeh Ends Hunger Strike Due to His Mother's 'Poor Health Condition'

Reza Valizadeh, an Iranian-American journalist and former Radio Farda reporter, ended his hunger strike after six days in prison due to his mother's 'poor' health condition, who had been accompanying him in the hunger strike. Mohammad Reza Valizadeh, the journalist's brother, wrote on Instagram that Reza ended the hunger strike after learning about his mother's participation in the hunger strike and concerns over the worsening of her 'poor' health. According to his brother, their mother refrained from eating after learning about her son's hunger strike and, despite family members' efforts, went on a hunger strike alongside Reza. Reza Valizadeh's family urged him to end the hunger strike to prevent their elderly mother, who has a history of 'several mild strokes' and 'mobility issues', from deteriorating further. Reza Valizadeh had been on a hunger strike since the evening of March 8, protesting what he called the 'lack of examination and consideration of all aspects of his case during court sessions and the preceding interrogation process.' After ten years of working at Radio Farda, he resigned from the media outlet in November 2022 and returned to Iran on March 7, 2023, to visit his family, only to be arrested on October 23, 2023. His ten-year prison sentence was upheld in a court of appeals. Close associates of Reza Valizadeh told Radio Farda that he fell into a 'security trap' as some security forces had promised him there would be no issues in Iran, but he was later arrested and faced heavy sentences. He was sentenced by Judge Iman Afshari to ten years in prison, a ban on residing in Tehran and neighboring provinces, a ban on leaving the country, and a two-year prohibition on membership in political and social parties and groups. This sentence was issued against the journalist for 'collaborating with the hostile government of the United States.' He is currently held in Ward 8 of Evin Prison, known for its unsanitary and inhumane conditions. The news of Reza Valizadeh's arrest has sparked reactions, with organizations such as Reporters Without Borders and the Committee to Protect Journalists condemning his detention. The U.S. State Department and Radio Free Europe also condemned his arrest as a U.S. citizen, labeling the action as 'cruel' and 'contrary to international law.'