Prisoner Stitches Lips and Goes on Hunger Strike in Urumiyeh Prison

A prisoner in Urumiyeh Prison began a hunger strike on Tuesday, November 27, by stitching his lips shut. Eighteen days have passed since the end of his one-year sentence, yet his release has been prevented, and his hunger strike is being conducted to demand his freedom from prison.

According to Hrana news agency, the news organ of the Iranian Human Rights Activists Network, on Tuesday, November 27, 2020, a prisoner in Urumiyeh Prison began a hunger strike by stitching his lips shut.

The identity of this prisoner has been confirmed by Hrana as “Hojat Kazemnezad from Ward 1-2 of Urumiyeh Prison.”

Kazemnezad was sentenced to one year in prison on charges of collective dispute, and now, eighteen days after the end of his sentence, his release has been prevented. His hunger strike is being conducted to demand his freedom from prison.

It is reported that in response to the prisoner’s and his family’s follow-ups, the court has claimed that his case file has been lost.

Hojat Kazemnezad, 33 years old and married, is held in Ward 1-2 of Urumiyeh Prison.

Many prisoners in Iran resort to hunger strikes as a last resort to achieve their demands. Many of these strikes have been in protest of neglected case problems, violation of prisoners’ rights, or prolonged legal limbo.

Source: Hrana