Thursday, July 07, 2005

Iran's Ganji demanding unconditional freedom

IranMania.com:
Massoumeh Shafeie, wife of imprisoned journalist Akbar Ganji, said her husband in Evin Prison is demanding an unconditional release from jail.

In a letter faxed to IRNA, Shafeie said, "Ganji is currently on hunger strike and his only demand is unconditional freedom from jail."

She further said Ganji believes he has not done anything wrong and only expressed his views.

Meanwhile, deputy Tehran prosecutor for prison affairs told reporters on Monday that Ganji has not yet requested a conditional release from prison.

Mahmoud Salarkia added, "A conditional freedom from prison depends on the request filed by the inmate and such a request has not yet been filed by Ganji."

He stressed that no inmate can determine his own fate.

Salarkia also said that he spoke to Shafeie and Ganji’s lawyer to arrange for his hospitalization. "But so far, this has not happened," he said.

Ganji's health is reportedly deteriorating due to his hunger strike.