ICC Note: An Iranian Christian is continuing his hunger strike in protest of his prison sentence, according to reports from Mohabat News. Vahid Hakkani who is serving a prison term of over three years for his religious activities has been on a hunger strike for more than 35 days. He previously was placed in solitary confinement but now reports say that he has been moved back to the general prison area.

05/02/2014 Iran (Mohabat News) – It has been more than a month since Christian prisoner Vahid Hakkani went on a hunger strike to protest the Iranian court’s decision on his case and his fellow Christian prisoners.

According to Mohabat News, it has been more than 35 days since this Iranian Christian prisoner started his hunger strike.

Knowledgeable sources reported that after finding out about Mr. Hakkani’s hunger strike, prison authorities put him in solitary confinement to make him change his mind. Although now he is back in Ebrat (edification) ward, he has not broken his hunger strike.

As part of what prison authorities call “disciplinary punishment”, Mr. Hakkani has been banned from contacting or visiting his family.

There are concerns regarding Mr. Hakkani’s health as well. Having a history of digestive system problems, this lengthy hunger strike has severely degraded his health. His doctor suspects he may have stomach cancer.

Recently, Mr. Hakkani was transferred to the prison’s medical clinic as his health condition worsened. This raised more concerns regarding his health.

Mr. Hakkani’s hunger strike is to protest a court ruling on his case and the cases of his Christian fellow prisoners. He and three other Christians have been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
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