Tag: Hunger Strike

British Couple Craig and Lindsay Foreman Go on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Craig Foreman, Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Kerman, Lindsay Foreman

HRANA – Craig and Lindsay Foreman, two British citizens imprisoned in Evin Prison, have gone on strike in protest against their detention conditions and the suspension of their ability to make phone calls to their family.

According to BBC, a British couple imprisoned in Evin Prison has launched a hunger strike. The report states that Craig Foreman has been on hunger strike for approximately 12 days. Meanwhile, his 53-year-old wife, Lindsay Foreman, had temporarily suspended her strike after being promised contact with her family, but has since resumed it.

Before phone contact was cut off, the couple said in a conversation from inside Evin Prison that they would likely remain in detention for “a long time.” In this regard, Craig Foreman stated: “We are innocent people. We have committed no offence.”

Joe Bennett, the couple’s son, described the situation as “medical emergency in the making” and warned that their lives are at risk. He called for immediate action by the British government. Foreign Office Minister Hamish Falconer described the two as “innocent tourists” and called their case “an injustice.”

According to the report, in response to the continued detention of the two British citizens, a group of motorcyclists in Britain plans to hold a protest rally marking the 500th day of the couple’s detention. Supporters of the pair, including members of parliament, also intend to submit a petition to the Prime Minister’s Office calling for urgent action to secure their release.

In February 2026, Craig and Lindsay Foreman were each sentenced to 10 years in prison by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court, presided over by Judge Abolghasem Salavati, on charges of “espionage”, allegations they denied.

The British couple had been arrested in January 2025 during a motorcycle trip to Iran by intelligence forces affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the city of Kerman.

In Protest Against Executions: Report on the Fourth Day of Prisoners’ Strike in Ghezel Hesar Prison

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Executions, News
Ghezel Hesar prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike

HRANA – Today, Thursday, October 16, the hunger strike by prisoners in Karaj’s Ghezel Hesar Prison entered its fourth consecutive day. Hundreds of inmates continue refusing their food rations in protest against the escalating wave of executions. Over the past few days, at least several prisoners have been executed in this prison.

Based on information obtained by HRANA, inmates in Ward 2 of Ghezel Hesar Prison, most of whom are detained on drug-related charges, began refusing their food rations on Monday as an act of protest.

A family member of one imprisoned individual told HRANA:

“It’s been four days since I last heard from my husband. The ward’s phones have been cut off, and we’ve only heard that several people were taken for execution. We are completely deprived of any contact or information and only learn from outside sources that several prisoners are executed each day.”

Alongside the ongoing strike, several families of prisoners sentenced to death have gathered in front of the prison in recent days, calling for a halt to the executions. These gatherings have faced restrictions and pressure from security forces.

The prisoners’ protest began when 16 inmates were transferred to solitary confinement for execution. In the early days of the protest, inmates in at least Wards 1 and 2 refused their food rations and held sit-ins in the ward halls.

Since the start of these protests, at least five prisoners have been executed in Ghezel Hesar Prison.

Between October 10, 2024, and October 8, 2025, HRANA’s Statistics and Publication Department has recorded 1,537 executions in Iran. According to this data, Ghezel Hesar Prison in Karaj has accounted for the highest number of executions during this period.

The same report compares ten years of execution data in Iran, showing that 6,399 prisoners have been executed over the past decade. Execution rates in 2024 and 2025 have reached their peak, with at least 1,537 recorded cases—the highest figure in the past ten years. This represents an over 86% increase compared to the previous year (823 cases) and surpasses the ten-year annual average.

Mahvash Seydal Begins Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Iman Afshari, Mahvash Seydal

HRANA News Agency – Mahvash (Sayeh) Seydal, a political prisoner and holder of a PhD in international law, has gone on hunger and medication strike in protest against inadequate medical care.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists in Iran, Seydal, currently held in Evin Prison, began her strike due to what she describes as the authorities’ failure to provide proper medical attention.

On March 10, 2025, Seydal was formally charged in Branch 3 of the Evin Prosecutor’s Office in connection with a new case opened during her incarceration, facing accusations of property damage and disturbing public order.

She had been granted furlough on February 3, 2025. During that time, she posted on Instagram that upon reporting to Branch 1 of the Sentence Enforcement Office at Evin Prosecutor’s Office, she was physically assaulted and insulted by a security officer for refusing to wear a chador. Seydal stated that when she attempted to file a complaint, the prosecutor refused to register it.

Seydal was first arrested on October 6, 2024, by security forces and transferred to the women’s ward of Evin Prison.

Following a new conviction, her previously suspended sentence was converted into an enforceable one. She was prosecuted in Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court on charges including “spreading falsehoods” and was sentenced to two years in prison and paying a fine. One of the charges related to her reposting news about the wave of poisonings targeting schoolgirls.

In November 2023, the same court under Judge Iman Afshari had previously sentenced her to one year in prison and a fine for “spreading falsehoods with the intent to disturb public opinion,” though the prison sentence had been suspended for five years.

Seydal was initially arrested on June 21, 2023, along with several other Clubhouse activists in Tehran, reportedly due to her activity on the platform. She was released on bail from The Ministry of Intelligence’s detention facility (Ward 209 of Evin Prison) on July 23, 2023.

HRANA’s data from the past decade shows that during this ten-year period, over 2,050 political prisoners and prisoners of conscience in Iran prisons have been forced to go on hunger strike in protest of various abuses—including prolonged detention, being held in legal limbo, unfair trials, poor prison conditions, and being held in solitary confinement or alongside inmates convicted of violent crimes.

Labor Activist Morteza Seydi Goes on Hunger Strike in Evin Prison

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Morteza Seydi, مرتضی صیدی

HRANA News Agency –Morteza Seydi, a labor activist imprisoned in Evin Prison, began a hunger strike yesterday, March 25, 2025.

According to information obtained by HRANA, in the final days of the previous Iranian year, Evin Prison officials attempted to transfer Seydi from Ward 8 to Ward 7. Seydi resisted the transfer, after which prison authorities punished him by moving him to the quarantine ward. In protest, he launched a hunger strike.

Morteza Seydi was arrested on November 5, 2024, after appearing at Branch 3 of the Enforcement Unit of the Shahr-e Qods Prosecutor’s Office to begin serving his sentence. He was subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

In June 2024, Branch 2 of the Shahriar Revolutionary Court sentenced Seydi to two years in prison on charges of “forming a group under the name of a labor union with the intent to disrupt national security.”

Previously, on April 15, 2022, Seydi was arrested along with several other labor activists by security forces. He was released on bail on May 9, 2022.

Morteza Seydi has faced repeated judicial prosecution over his labor activism.

Sarvenaz Ahmadi on 17th Day of Hunger Strike in Evin Prison Over Denial of Medical Leave

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Sarvenaz Ahmadi, Sarvnaz Ahmadi, سروناز احمدی

Sarvenaz Ahmadi, a children’s rights activist imprisoned in Evin Prison who suffers from mental health issues, has entered the 17th day of her hunger strike in protest against the denial of her request for medical leave.

A source close to the case confirmed to HRANA: “Ms. Ahmadi, who recently suffered another nervous breakdown, is now on the 17th day of her medication strike. Despite her deteriorating physical and mental condition, she has refused to take her prescribed medication, including sedatives. This has caused constant headaches, insomnia, and muscle spasms, and there is a risk of further nervous attacks.”

Ahmadi previously experienced a “panic attack” during a raid by security forces on the women’s ward of Evin Prison and was transferred to a hospital. Doctors had earlier suggested that Ms. Ahmadi’s condition could be linked to epilepsy and recommended that she receive proper medical attention outside the prison.

This children’s rights activist began her hunger strike on Saturday, September 7, in protest against the denial of her medical leave request and delays in receiving her necessary medication.

Ahmadi was arrested on April 28, 2023, ahead of International Workers’ Day, along with several labor and union activists, at the home of Mohammad Habibi, a teachers’ union activist, and was transferred to Evin Prison.

Ms. Ahmadi was sentenced by Branch 15 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court to five years in prison for “assembly and collusion with the intent to disrupt national security” and one year for “propaganda against the regime,” totaling six years. However, this sentence was later reduced to three years and six months by Branch 36 of the Tehran Court of Appeals.

She had also been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests and was released on bail on December 7 of the same year.

Ahmadi holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences in Tehran and is a dedicated children’s rights activist.

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Political Prisoner Amir-Nasr Azadani Enters Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News
Amir Nasr Azadani, Dastgerd Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Isfahan, Khaneh e Isfahan, Majid Kazemi, Saeed Yaghoubi, Saleh Mir Hashemi, امیر نصر آزادانی

Amir-Nasr Azadani, a former soccer player and political prisoner currently incarcerated in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan, has embarked on a hunger strike for the fourth consecutive day while held in solitary confinement.

On April 4, 2024, Azadani was placed in solitary confinement as a punitive measure following the publication of a voice message from within the prison.

A source close to Azadani’s family disclosed to HRANA his decision to commence a hunger strike in protest against his solitary confinement.

In January 2023, the Revolutionary Court of Isfahan initially sentenced Azadani to five years for “membership in illegal groups to act against national security,” another five years for “assembly and collusion against national security,” and sixteen years for “enmity against God (Moharebeh).” Upon appeal to the Supreme Court, he was acquitted of the first two charges, leaving the prison term for the third charge intact.

During nationwide protests on November 17, 2022, security forces arrested Azadani in connection to the “Khaneh e Isfahan” case. Notably, three co-defendants in the same case, Saleh Mir Hashemi (36), Majid Kazemi (30), and Saeed Yaghoubi (37), were executed on May 19, 2023, on charges of enmity against God (Moharebeh).

 

Shahab Dalili on Fourth Day of Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, HRANA, Hunger Strike, Iran-US prisoner swap, Shahab Dalili

Shahab Dalili is now on the fourth day of a hunger strike within Evin Prison. He has been serving ten years sentence in prison since 2016 when he was arrested by security forces while leaving the country.

A family member of Dalili corroborating this information during a talk with HRANA, revealed, “Shahab Dalili initiated his hunger strike on Sunday night in response to his omission from the roster of prisoners set for release as stipulated by the recent Iran-US prisoner swap agreement.” His protest has brought about physiological effects such as reduced blood pressure, dizziness, and headaches.

Shahab Dalili and his family have made a specific appeal to the US government. They are urging the authorities to figure in the release of Dalili, who holds permanent residency in the United States, during the impending negotiations between the two nations.

Notably, in the wake of the recent prisoner swap accord, prisoners including Siamak Namazi, Emad Sharqi, Morad Tahbaz, and two unidentified US nationals, have been relocated to house arrest within a hotel.

Shahab Dalili’s ordeal began in 2016 when he traveled to Iran to attend his father’s funeral. It was during his departure back to the US that he was apprehended by security personnel. Subsequently, he was sentenced to a decade in prison on charges of “collaborating with an adversarial nation.” Nonetheless, his name remains absent from the roster of beneficiaries within the current agreement.

Jailed Rapper Saman Seydi on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Hunger Strike, Rajai Shahr Prison, Saman Seydi, Saman Yasin

Singer Saman Seydi (Yasin), arrested amid nationwide protests, went on a hunger strike in Ward 209 of Evin Prison.

An informed source told HRANA that Seydi has been on hunger strike since February 16 to protest against uncertainty in due process.

On January 28, the prison officials took Seydi to an unknown location from Rajai Shahr Prison, leaving his family unaware of his whereabouts. After a few days, he was allowed to inform his family about his relocation to Evin Prison.

On January 7, HRANA reported the prison official’s refusal to provide Seydi with adequate medical care.

On October 2, 2022, Seydi was arrested at protests in Tehran. Twenty-seven days later, he received a death sentence for allegedly “enmity against God (moharebeh), assembly and collusion to commit a crime and act against national security.” After a while, the Supreme Court revoked this verdict and delivered his case to another court branch for a retrial.

Mehdi Moghadari Goes on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Ali Moeini, Dastgerd Prison, Hunger Strike, Isfahan, Mehdi Moghadari

Imprisoned Mehdi Moghadari, a former member of Isfahan city council, went on a hunger strike in protest against judicial officials’ refusal to release him temporarily.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Mehdi Moghadari went on a hunger strike in Dastgerd Prison, Isfahan.

Suffering from rheumatism, Moghadari needs treatment. According to student activist Ali Moeini, Moghadari has been on a hunger strike for two days.

In November 2022, security forces arrested Moghadari in Isfahan and jailed him in Dastgerd Prison.

 

Imprisoned Film Director Jafar Panahi Goes on Hunger Strike

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News, Prisoners
Hunger Strike, Jafar Panahi, Tahereh Saeedi

Imprisoned film director and screenwriter Jafar Panahi went on a hunger strike in Evin Prison in protest against his prolonged incarceration and judicial official’s refusal to grant him bail.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, Jafar Panahi went on a hunger strike in Evin Prison.

His wife, Tahereh Saeedi, mentioned his prolonged incarceration and the judicial official’s refusal of his temporary release as the reason for this hunger strike.

Announcing his hunger strike, Panahi wrote in an open letter: “according to law, once my request for a retrial was accepted and my legal case was delivered to a court branch for review, I should have been released on bail immediately. While we witnessed the execution of the innocent young men of our country within 30 days, by the interference of intelligence agents, delivering my case to a court branch took over 100 days.”

A while ago, the six-year sentence against Panahi was quashed by the Supreme Court o Iran and the case was delivered to Branch 21 of the Tehran Court of Appeals for a retrial.

Panahi was sentenced to six years in prison and banned from filmmaking for 20 years and leaving the country. This verdict was upheld on appeal. On July 11, 2022, Panahi was arrested in front of Evin prison to serve his sentence.