Behnam Mousivand Begins Hunger Strike Following Transfer to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj

Behnam Mousivand, an imprisoned civil activist who was previously serving his sentence in Evin Prison, has launched a hunger strike following his transfer to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj. Behnam Mousivand was transferred to the prison clinic on Saturday, August 29th due to symptoms of coronavirus infection, and prison officials at Evin removed his belongings from Ward 8 on Monday morning. This action, combined with Mr. Mousivand’s inability to contact his family and their lack of knowledge about his health condition, has increased their concerns. According to reports, upon Mr. Mousivand’s arrival at Rajai Shahr Prison, a coronavirus test was conducted on him, and he was told that the results would be available in the coming days.

According to Hrana, the news agency of the Iranian human rights activists network, Behnam Mousivand, an imprisoned civil activist who was previously serving his sentence in Evin Prison, has been transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj.

Mr. Mousivand is currently in one of the solitary cells in the security ward of Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj and has been on a hunger strike since his transfer to this ward. According to reports, upon Mr. Mousivand’s arrival at Rajai Shahr Prison, a coronavirus test (saliva and nasal swab) was conducted on him, and he was told that the results would be available in the coming days.

Behnam Mousivand was transferred to the clinic of Evin Prison on Saturday, August 29th due to symptoms of coronavirus infection, including severe fever and chills, and loss of smell and taste. Prison officials at Evin removed his belongings from Ward 8 on Monday morning. This action, combined with Mr. Mousivand’s inability to contact his family and their lack of knowledge about his health condition, has increased their concerns.

Previously, on August 17th, Jafar Azimzadeh, an imprisoned labor activist, was transferred from Evin Prison to one of the solitary cells in the security ward of Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj under the pretext of hospital transfer following his coronavirus infection in Evin Prison and the prison clinic doctor’s assessment that his condition was urgent. Mr. Azimzadeh has also been on a hunger strike since his transfer to this ward. According to reports, upon Mr. Azimzadeh’s arrival at Rajai Shahr Prison, a coronavirus test (saliva and nasal swab) was conducted on him, and he was told that his coronavirus test results came back negative.

On Sunday, August 8th, following the results of a random testing of seventeen prisoners in Ward 8 of Evin Prison, it was revealed that twelve of the prisoners had been infected with coronavirus. On August 9th, 27 political prisoners in this ward, including Behnam Mousivand, held a sit-in and protest in the prison courtyard demanding immediate attention to the conditions that had occurred in this ward. After transferring the prisoners to the clinic of Evin Prison for further assurance, prison authorities conducted another coronavirus test (throat test) on them, and on Tuesday, August 11th, the results of the tests showed that 8 out of 12 tests came back positive again.

In September 2019, Behnam Mousivand was sentenced by Branch 28 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided by Judge Mohammad Moghise, to five years of imprisonment on the charge of “gathering and conspiracy with the intent to act against national security” and one year of imprisonment on the charge of “propaganda activity against the system.” This sentence was upheld in the appellate review by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals. Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the more severe punishment of five years imprisonment on the charge of “gathering and conspiracy with the intent to act against national security” is enforceable for him. Mr. Mousivand was finally arrested on June 15th after appearing at the enforcement unit of Evin Prosecutor’s Office and was transferred to prison to serve his sentence.

Behnam Mousivand has previously been arrested and convicted.

Source: Hrana