Zartosht Ahamdi-Ragheb on Hunger Strike Since Arrest

Civil activist, Zartosht Ahmadi-Ragheb, one of the 14 signatories who signed a letter to Ali Khamenei demanding his resignation, has been on hunger strike since his arrest on February 21.

Zartosht was transferred to the Greater Tehran Penitentiary and held in Ward 4 where he is in a worrying physical condition.

One of his relatives told Iran Human Rights: “Ward 4 of the Greater Tehran Penitentiary houses dangerous crime prisoners. Officials came for an inspection of the prison on March 5 and Zartosht complained about the poor prison conditions such as the lack of hot water. After they left, 15 violent crime prisoners close with the prison ‘advocate’ attacked Zartosht. His life is in danger.”

At the time of his arrest, security forces searched Zartosht’s house and confiscated some of his personal belongings. At the time of his arrest, Zartosht was out on bail for the 14-signature case.

Zartosht Ahmadi-Ragheb is a human rights activist and death penalty abolitionist who has previously been arrested and imprisoned several times. Zartosht is one of the 14 activists who signed a letter to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei demanding his resignation. He was a firefighter at the Tehran Fire Department for 17 years but was fired from his job for his civil activities.