Leading Iran Dissident in Solitary, On Hunger Strike

Khaleej Times:

Iran’s most prominent jailed dissident, journalist Akbar Ganji, is being held in solitary confinement and has been on a hunger strike for 16 days, his lawyer said Sunday. READ MORE

“Despite the judiciary’s denial, Ganji has been on a hunger strike to protest that he has not been allowed to seek treatment outside prison,” Yusef Molaee said in a press conference.

He said the reporter was being held in what the judiciary calls a “suite”, “which in legal terms is solitary confinement.”

Ganji was sentenced in 2001 to six years behind bars over articles he wrote linking senior regime officials, including ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, to the serial murders of several intellectuals and writers.

He had complained of suffering from chronic asthma and was granted just over a week of sick leave from May 29 before being ordered back to north Tehran’s Evin prison.

“We have been told if he hadn’t talked to the press while he was out, his leave could have been extended,” said Ganji’s wife, Masumeh Shafii.

“His situation is critical and is worsening,” she added, explaining that her husband was only drinking water and nibbling a few sugar lumps.

“He has not been allowed to have fresh air and phone calls since June 11 in punishment for his hunger strike,” she told reporters.