Mehrdad Bakhtiari and Siamak Nasiri, political prisoners held in Karaj Central Prison, have been transferred to solitary confinement as punishment. In protest, they have gone on a hunger strike.
A source close to the family of one of the prisoners confirmed the news to HRANA, stating: “Nasiri and Bakhtiari were placed in solitary confinement at noon on December 21 as a punitive measure. They began a hunger strike in protest against this decision.” The source added: “Nasiri suffers from kidney disease, and his confinement in solitary while on hunger strike has heightened the concerns of his family and relatives.”
Background on Siamak Nasiri:
Nasiri was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents in Karaj on August 28, 2023, and later transferred to Karaj Central Prison.
In late January 2024, he was sentenced by Branch 1 of the Karaj Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Seyed Mousa Asef Hosseini, to five years in prison for “inciting people to violence and waging war against national security.” He also received one year for “propaganda against the regime” and two years of exile to Ahvaz.
In early May 2024, the Alborz Appeals Court reduced his sentence to three years and one month in prison and upheld the two years of exile to Ahvaz.
Nasiri, aged around 36, was a Karaj resident and an employee of the gas company before his arrest.
Background on Mehrdad Bakhtiari:
Bakhtiari is the uncle of Pouya Bakhtiari, one of the victims of the November 2019 protests. He was arrested on July 11, 2022, after releasing a video about the arrest of Pouya’s mother, Nahid Shirpisheh, and images of a broken lock on their home’s door. He was initially held in Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj and later released on bail on September 3, 2022.
In early March 2023, the Karaj Revolutionary Court sentenced him to one year in prison for “propaganda against the regime,” five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” a two-year travel ban, and two years of exile to Shahrekord.
On August 7, 2024, he was arrested to serve his sentence and transferred to Ward 15 of Karaj Central Prison.
Context on Pouya Bakhtiari:
Pouya Bakhtiari, a 27-year-old protester, was killed during the November 2019 demonstrations in Mehrshahr, Karaj, after being shot in the head. According to his father, Pouya joined the protests on the second day with his mother and sister. He died before reaching the hospital. Pouya was one of the hundreds killed during the nationwide protests in 2019.
