Kianoush Cheraghi, a Kurdish political prisoner, has embarked on an unsettling dry hunger strike at Ilam Central Prison, driven to this extreme after the revocation of his electronic ankle tag and the brutal assault he endured during transport on 16 February. This significant act of defiance comes on the fifth day of his strike, where, in a desperate bid for justice, he has sewn his lips shut. Cheraghi had previously been released on electronic monitoring while serving a two-year sentence until a court ruling forced his return to prison on 12 February.
Originating from Dehloran in Ilam Province, Cheraghi was arrested multiple times for expressing his thoughts online—an act of simple truth that now sees him languishing behind bars. Following a court’s invalidation of his release on 25 January, he faced immediate repercussions, culminating in a violent raid by security forces upon his home. This excessive force ignited his protest, as he demanded recognition of both his rights and the violence he faced.
His situation has escalated alarmingly; health reports indicate a rapid decline as the days of his hunger strike stretch on. Cheraghi, whose previous employment was at the Dehloran Social Security Office, was initially apprehended for commemorative posts regarding the Women, Life, Freedom uprising. Convicted of “propaganda against the state” and later for “spreading false information,” he faces a looming sentence that starkly represents the oppressive measures meted out against dissenting voices in Iran.
On 24 March, Cheraghi’s plight deepened as he was once again detained and sent back to Ilam Central Prison by the Enforcement of Judgements Office, highlighting the relentless cycle of persecution he endures for simply voicing his opinions. His determination echoes far beyond prison walls, standing as a haunting reminder of the lengths individuals will go to uphold their beliefs against egregious injustices.
Kurdish political prisoner Kianoush Cheraghi is on a dry hunger strike, having sewn his lips shut in protest against the revocation of his electronic tag and abuse during transportation. Initially released under monitoring, he was forced back to prison after a court ruling. His health is declining as he continues this extreme protest, highlighting the severe repercussions faced by dissenters in Iran.
Kianoush Cheraghi’s hunger strike epitomises the struggle for freedom of expression in a repressive environment. Subjected to brutal treatment and arbitrary detentions for his views, his actions resonate with the ongoing fight against oppression faced by many in Iran. Cheraghi’s tragic narrative is a testament to the harsh realities political prisoners endure and the urgent need for justice and respect for human rights in the region.
Original Source: kurdistanhumanrights.org
