Noted Iranian Activist Begins Hunger Strike in Prison

Sepideh Qoliyan, a prominent civil rights activist imprisoned in Tehran's Evin Prison, began a hunger strike on April 3 for prison transfer.

Her demand is to be transferred to Ahvaz Prison, located closer to her hometown.

A source close to Qoliyan's family confirmed the hunger strike to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Qoliyan was initially detained during a workers' strike in November 2018 and later sentenced to 19 years and six months in prison. The sentence was reduced to five years on appeal. 

The activist was released on March 15, 2023, after being granted "amnesty". However, she was soon re-arrested after shouting outside Tehran's Evin prison, "Khamenei the Zahhak! We'll take you down into the grave." 

She referred to a mythical king who was said to have fed serpents growing out of his shoulders with young people's brains. 

In May 2023, Qoliyan was sentenced to two years imprisonment for "insulting" Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.