Soheil Arabi Goes on Hunger Strike in Support of Arash Sadeghi

Soheil Arabi, a civil activist imprisoned in Iran, has begun a hunger strike after releasing a letter from Evin Prison in support of Arash Sadeghi, who is battling cancer while incarcerated.

According to the Campaign to Defend Political and Civil Prisoners, the imprisoned civil activist announced on Thursday, November 7, that he will not end his hunger strike until Arash Sadeghi is sent to medical facilities to continue his treatment.

An informed source also confirmed this news in a conversation with Voice of America.

In a letter released from Soheil Arabi, who is imprisoned in Evin Prison, it states: “I ask you to be the voice of Arash Sadeghi and other freedom-seeking prisoners held in prisons who are deprived of treatment.”

Mr. Arabi concluded the letter by emphasizing that “until I am certain that Arash is transferred and receives treatment, I will not eat or drink” and said that “under no circumstances will I end this strike in response to any request to break it.”

Arash Sadeghi, a civil activist prisoner who is serving a 15-year prison sentence for his activities in the field of human rights, was returned to prison last year after hand surgery without completing medical treatment procedures, and was diagnosed with bone cancer a few months ago.

Despite doctors confirming that he needs to be examined and monitored for his treatment, Iranian judicial and security authorities have not permitted him to undergo examination and treatment procedures.

In late August of this year, Amnesty International, while expressing concern about Arash Sadeghi’s health condition, released a call urging people and human rights activists around the world to respond to this political prisoner’s health situation by writing a letter to Iran’s Health Minister and to demand his unconditional release from prison.