Journalist Hengameh Shahidi hospitalised following hunger strike

GVF -- A source close to political prisoner currently on hunger strike, Hengameh Shahidi, has told the International Campaign for Human Rights that following a deterioration of her health, the prominent journalist has been hospitalised in Evin prison clinic.

Hengameh Shahidi was released on 28 October after being granted a medical leave of absence. However, on 15 November she was returned to Evin prison after the medical leave of absence was not extended despite undergoing medical treatment. She was not told why her leave was interrupted or in fact why she had to return to prison. Shahidi began her hunger strike immediately after returning to prison, which subsequently led to a worsening of her already poor health condition.

“When the family of this political prisoner went to visit [her] this morning, after waiting for more than four hours, they weren’t able to see her due to a deterioration in her condition and her being hospitalised in the [prison] clinic,” the source told the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran. According to the source, Shahidi has been unable to contact her family due to restrictions on phone calls from the Methadone ward (for narcotics related offenses) where she is currently being held.

Shahidi‎ is a former adviser to opposition leader and 2009 presidential candidate Mahdi Karoubi. She is also a prominent pro-reform journalist and blogger having contributed to reformist newspapers such as Etemade Melli. She was arrested on 30 June 2009, just days after the massive election fraud that resulted in Ahmadinejad’s return to office for another consecutive term.

Shahidi has been sentenced to six years prison.