Imprisoned Journalist Isa Saharkhiz Ends Hunger Strike

Imprisoned journalist Isa Saharkhiz has ended his 30-day hunger strike, according a report by the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA) [Persian Link] published on February 15.

Saharkhiz went on hunger strike and had refused to take his medication to protest against “violations of law, the constitution, citizens’ rights and the rights of political and journalist prisoners.” Just before breaking his hunger strike his blood pressure had fallen to 18 over 10 and his sugar level was below 80.

Before starting his hunger strike, Saharkhiz said that high judiciary and security officials, including Tehran’s prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi, had opposed doctors’ recommendation that Saharkhiz be granted a six-month medical leave of absence sot that he could receive hospital treatment. He argued that refusal amounted to a violation of Article 3 of the bylines of Iran’s penal code. He also said that for 15 months he had been denied any medical leave, despite the fact that he was entitled to it by law.  

In January, Dowlatabadi criticized  media coverage of political prisoners who had gone on hunger strikes.