Foad Fathi, a Kurdish labour activist and political prisoner from Sanandaj, Kurdistan Province, has been on hunger strike for 11 days in Evin Prison in Tehran, protesting against the targeted harassment of political prisoners, the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) reported.
Currently serving a four-year sentence in Ward 7, Hall 4 of the prison, Fathi began his strike on 14 February. His health has reportedly deteriorated due to a lung disease and interruption to his medication.
On 10 February, political prisoners in Ward 7, Hall 4 of Evin Prison protested against the restrictions imposed on them and the lack of medical services. During the protest, several prisoners convicted of financial crimes attacked the protesting political prisoners, including Fathi, beating him with an iron bar.
Reports indicate that the assault took place with the knowledge and cooperation of the ward authorities.
Fathi subsequently began a hunger strike in protest against these events and what has been characterised as the targeted harassment of political prisoners.
He was arrested by security forces in Tehran on 4 November 2023 and was taken to Evin Prison.
In December 2024, Branch 26 of the Islamic Revolutionary Court in Tehran, presided over by Judge Afshar, sentenced Fathi to four years in prison on charges of “acting against national security” through membership in the Komala Kurdistan’s Organisation of the Communist Party of Iran, and for “propaganda against the state”.
The court also imposed supplementary punishments, including a ban on leaving the country, a ban on membership in political and social groups and organisations, and a prohibition on residing in Tehran and its surrounding areas for two years.
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