Tabarzadi's Hunger Strike and Concerns Over Kaboudvand's Condition

The Kurdistan Human Rights Organization has expressed concern over the ongoing "unlimited hunger strike" of Mohammad Sadiq Kaboudvand, the secretary-general of this organization, while Abtin Tabarzadi states that his father has gone on a hunger strike following his recent arrest. On June 4, Abtin Tabarzadi mentioned on his Facebook page that Heshmatollah Tabarzadi has indeed gone on a hunger strike after his recent arrest, as he had previously stated. The son of this political prisoner had told Radio Farda at the end of May that his father was arrested in a manner resembling "kidnapping" while leaving the house to see someone. He now states, "Judge Tharollahi confirmed this news (of the hunger strike) during his child's visit to the Evin Prosecutor's Office." The Kurdistan Human Rights Organization has also expressed concern for the health of the founder of this organization, who has been on hunger strike for two weeks. According to the organization's statement, Mohammad Sadiq Kaboudvand has been on hunger strike since May 8. The organization reports that Kaboudvand's physical condition has severely deteriorated during this time, and he is currently suffering from severe stomach pain, internal and digestive complications, persistent headaches, and extreme physical weakness. Abtin Tabarzadi has stated that his father has "committed no crime other than telling the truth." The Kurdistan Human Rights Organization also states that the "new judicial case" against Kaboudvand is a result of recent fabrications by the Ministry of Intelligence, which has been referred to the Revolutionary Court simultaneously with his hunger strike. The Revolutionary Court in Iran has sentenced the founder of the Kurdistan Human Rights Organization to 10 years for "acting against national security" through the establishment and administration of this organization and to one year for "propaganda against the regime." Kaboudvand has denied these charges, and the Kurdistan Human Rights Organization asserts that it is a civil entity that does not act against national security. Heshmatollah Tabarzadi has also been arrested multiple times over the past two decades, including after the protests following the 2009 presidential election results.