Lakan Prison, Rasht: The 25th Day of Manouchehr Fallah's Hunger Strike

Hengaw; Thursday, August 15, 2024

Manouchehr Fallah, a Gilaki man from the city of Rasht, Gilan, has entered the 25th day of his hunger strike in Lakan Prison. He has been sentenced by the Iranian judiciary to a total of 22 months and 17 days of imprisonment.

According to a report received by the Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, Manouchehr Fallah, a political prisoner held in Lakan Prison in Rasht, began his hunger strike on Saturday, July 22, 2024, in protest against his uncertain situation and the opening of a new case against him. His physical condition, while being deprived of medical care, is concerning. Prison authorities consider him responsible for the hunger strike of five other prisoners and have pressured him as a result.

According to informed sources, Ahmad Darvish Goftar, the judge, is seeking to attribute the charges of "waging war against God (Moharebeh) and armed rebellion (Baghi)" to Manouchehr Fallah by referring the case back for further prosecution.

This judge of Branch 1 of the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Court of Rasht has told Manouchehr Fallah's lawyer: "His charge is Moharebeh or Baghi. The prosecutor's office has made a mistake, and now I am returning the case to them so that one of these charges can be re-explained."

In December 2023, Manouchehr Fallah was sentenced by Branch 3 of the Revolutionary Court of Rasht, presided over by Judge Mehdi Rasekhi, to one year, three months, and one day in prison for "insulting Khamenei" and to seven months and sixteen days for "propaganda against the government."

This political prisoner had also gone on a hunger strike in October 2023 in protest against his continued detention and uncertain status.

Manouchehr Fallah was arrested by the Iranian security forces at Rasht Airport last July and was later transferred to the Misagh ward of Lakan Prison in this city.