Farhad Meysami, a civil rights activist, goes on a hunger strike in prison
Some reports indicate that Farhad Meysami, a physician and civil activist who is on a hunger strike, has announced that he will embark on a dry hunger strike.
According to news published on social media, on Wednesday, September 4, Mr. Meysami, who had been on a hunger strike since his arrest in early August, said that he had begun a hunger strike since Saturday, September 8, in protest of his continued detention and the arrest of Nasrin Sotoudeh's husband.
Farhad Meysami, 48, was arrested on charges of collusion and gathering with the intent to disrupt national security.
Mr. Meysami is accused of possessing signs with the slogan "I do not agree with compulsory hijab."
Mr. Meysami had previously attended some of the protest rallies of civil society activists. He also accompanied Nasrin Sotoudeh in her sit-in to lift the lawyer's ban on her work.
Nasrin Sotoudeh, a prominent human rights lawyer, was transferred to prison after speaking out about a number of her clients who were arrested protesting against compulsory hijab.
Like Meysami, Ms. Sotoudeh has been on a hunger strike for the past few days.
A close friend of Mr. Meysami told the Guardian that his hunger strike was due to “unfounded accusations and lack of access to the lawyer he wanted.”
Source: Voice of America
