The husband of the imprisoned lawyer and human rights activist Nasrin Sotoudeh reported that her physical condition deteriorated on the 17th day of her hunger strike. Reza Khandan posted a message on social media announcing his wife's drastic weight loss and high blood pressure fluctuations. Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh's husband, says that his wife, who weighed 53 kilograms in prison before the hunger strike, has lost around six kilograms in the past 17 days. Nasrin Sotoudeh, a lawyer and human rights activist, has gone on a hunger strike to demonstrate the "unfair" and "illegal" conditions of political prisoners in Iran.
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Reza Khandan posted a message on social media on Thursday, August 25, declaring that her blood pressure was fluctuating, and her blood sugar was dropping quickly. Reza Khandan wrote: "Nausea does not allow to take enough water and sugar, which is perilous. "Blood sugar had fallen to 44 once and 55 a few days later." Nasrin Sotoudeh, sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison and 148 lashes after being charged with "conspiracy against national security" and "spreading lies and disturbing public opinion," has been behind bars since June 2018. According to the Islamic Penal Code, 12 years of her sentence is applicable. Nasrin Sotoudeh went on a hunger strike following the Coronavirus outbreak, said to have infected some in Evin Prison.
Reza Khandan, Nasrin Sotoudeh's husband, wrote on his Facebook page five days ago in response to a collective request from lawyers for Nasrin Sotoudeh to end her hunger strike. He referred to the arrest of their daughter Mehraveh: "It is so shocking and inhumane that Nasrin can not think of an end to the hunger strike at all. The judiciary must respond to this brutal attack and this heinous act, to detain the daughter of a political prisoner and to intimidate." Mehraveh Khandan was arrested at home on Monday, August 17, and taken to the Evin Prison Courthouse, where she was released on bail after several hours of interrogation. His arrest was supposed to put more pressure on Nasrin Sotoudeh.
They noted that political prisoners were trying to convey their message to the people and "influence the authoritarian and extrajudicial behavior of the rulers" by endangering "their dear lives and health."
Two European Parliament human rights officials have also issued a statement expressing concern over Nasrin Sotoudeh's physical condition.
Heidi Hautala Vice-President for Democracy, Human Rights and Society Sakharov and Maria Arena, Chair of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Human Rights, issued a statement expressing concern over the health of Sakharov Prize winner Nasrin Sotoudeh and asked the Iranian authorities to listen to the "justice call" of this imprisoned human rights defender.
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Nasrin Sotoudeh, along with Jafar Panahi, won the Sakharov Prize in 2012. The award is presented annually by the European Union in memory of Andrei Sakharov, a Russian human rights activist, and freedom fighter, to those who have raised their voices in defense of freedom of expression and human rights and who have become victims of their protests.
About the Author
Mahtab is an Iranian Social activist determined to bring a change in society. She is a strong voice for women in Iran.
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