Second Political Prisoner Begins Hunger Strike in Protest Against Ahmadrez Jalali’s Execution Sentence
Hoshang Rezaei, a political prisoner, announced through a letter from Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj that he will begin a hunger strike in protest against the confirmation of the death sentence for Ahmadrez Jalali, a dual-national researcher.
Rezaei is the second prisoner to launch a hunger strike in support of Ahmadrez Jalali, following Farhad Meisami, a civil activist.
In a letter released on Tuesday, in which he initially described the circumstances of his arrest, pressures, and “torture” in prison, he wrote that since he has been under a death sentence for 9 years and has knowledge of the “torture and confession-extraction” process, he will begin a hunger strike to support Mr. Jalali and to “stop torture that is a thousand times worse than beatings and whipping.”
According to him, the hunger strike will begin on Wednesday, the 21st of Ordibehesht, and he will refrain from consuming any food, drinking water, or taking medication.
Hoshang Rezaei was initially sentenced to death on charges including “membership in the Kurdistan Democratic Party-Iran (KDP-I),” “espionage,” and “waging war against God,” but ultimately this sentence was reduced to 15 years imprisonment. In his letter, he rejected all these charges.
Previously, Farhad Meisami also sent a letter from Rajaee Shahr Prison announcing that he would begin a hunger strike until the execution of Ahmadrez Jalali’s death sentence is revoked.
Farhad Meisami was sentenced to five years in prison from August 2018 for his civil activism in opposition to compulsory hijab, and has been in prison without leave for more than four years.
On Tuesday, reports emerged about Mr. Meisami’s severe physical condition during his hunger strike, and his lawyer warned that his client’s life is in danger. According to the lawyer, Farhad Meisami’s blood pressure on the 19th of Ordibehesht, the third day of his dry hunger strike, was 8 over 5, which is extremely dangerous.
Mohammad Ghaeemi added: “Mr. Meisami’s condition is not good because he has a digestive disease and a dry hunger strike certainly puts him at risk.”
In his letter, Farhad Meisami urged human rights organizations to use every opportunity to prevent the execution of Mr. Jalali’s sentence, writing: “These days Ahmadrez Jalali is one of the most unprotected people on earth. Do not let them execute Jalali. No, let me correct myself: do not let them execute Jalali 100 times!”
ISNA news agency reported last week, citing “informed sources,” that Mr. Jalali’s execution sentence for the alleged charge of “espionage for Israel” would be carried out within two more weeks. The spokesperson of the Judiciary also confirmed on the 20th of Ordibehesht that this sentence will be executed.
Ahmadrez Jalali is an Iranian-born physician and university professor who holds Swedish citizenship. He was arrested in 2016 by Ministry of Intelligence agents while traveling to Iran to participate in a scientific conference, and was sentenced to death by the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges of “espionage and selling information to Israel” and “corruption on earth.” However, he has consistently denied these charges.
Source: Radio Farda
