Journalist Reza Talesyan Jelodarza Goes on Hunger Strike Protesting ‘Lack of Medical Care’ in Prison
Reza Talesyan Jelodarza, a journalist sentenced to three years in prison, announced in a letter from Fashafuyeh Prison that he will begin a hunger strike from Sunday, the 3rd of Esfand, in protest of ‘lack of medical care’ and ‘not receiving medication.’
Mr. Jelodarza, editor-in-chief of the banned weekly publication Sobh-e Azadi and a war-wounded veteran of the Iran-Iraq War, emphasized in his note that doctors have diagnosed his illness as difficult to treat.
He wrote: “I need to receive one Avonex injection every week, but for more than 5 weeks now I have been deprived of this injection.”
He further stated that since his detention on the 13th of Dey, he has “suffered two seizures,” and despite the fact that both the ward physician and the central physician of Tehran’s Grand Prison have requested his transfer to the hospital, prison authorities have refused to do so.
Reza Jelodarza has been accused of “disturbing public opinion in cyberspace” and “propaganda activities against the Islamic Republic.” Previously, Reporters Without Borders also called for his immediate release, citing his serious medical condition.
Source: Radio Farda
