Rozgar Bigzadeh Protests 'Lack of Transparency in Trials' by Going on Hunger Strike

On Friday, February 8, the Iran Human Rights Association announced that Rozgar Bigzadeh Babamiri, a Kurdish political prisoner, has gone on a dry hunger strike in protest of the 'lack of transparency in trials' and 'pressure from security agencies during interrogations.' According to the report, he has been 'under torture and abuse' in detention for over 22 months and faces multiple charges, including 'Moharebeh' (waging war against God) and 'Baghi' (rebellion), which put him at risk of execution. The Iran Human Rights Association emphasized that these charges are solely due to his 'assistance in treating the injured during the nationwide protests of 2022 and providing them with medicine.' Zhino Babamiri, the daughter of this political prisoner, explained in an interview with Voice of America earlier in January that her father was tortured for four months after his arrest and was forced to confess. She added that agents broke into her father's house and belongings without a warrant and still found no evidence against him. Zhino Babamiri stated that her father was deprived of the right to a lawyer for the first six months, and even now, with a lawyer, the trial process is not being conducted in a 'transparent and fair' manner, and there is a possibility of a death sentence for him. She mentioned that her father was targeted by the security apparatus of the Islamic Republic for delivering 'humanitarian aid' during the protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom' when cities in Kurdistan were under severe repression and the injured could not access medical facilities. She added that due to government threats and to protect her father's life, she had to remain silent for a while. Rozgar Bigzadeh Babamiri was arrested on April 17, 2023, after being 'kidnapped' on his way to the village of Tikan Tappeh and spent 133 days in solitary confinement, enduring severe physical and psychological torture, including 'severe beatings that led to a ruptured eardrum.' Zhino Babamiri stated that her father was sentenced to 15 years in prison for 'instigation to murder' (a form of complicity in intentional murder) without any evidence presented in the criminal court. Another case against Mr. Babamiri is ongoing in the Revolutionary Court with charges of 'Moharebeh' and 'Baghi.'