Iranian Prisoner Dies After Going On Hunger Strike
Yvonne Lee - All Headline News Staff Reporter (AHN) - An Iranian student leader who went on a hunger strike to demand his release dies in prison. Authorities arrested Akbar Mohammadi in 1999 after conflict broke out between students at Tehran University and security forces. He was freed last year, but was rearrested recently, prompting his hunger strike. Justice Minister Jamal Karimirad tells Reuters, "He was under intense supervision by the prison physician. Last night his health condition deteriorated." He adds, "He insisted on going back to his cell. His condition weakened again there and he died on his way to the hospital." Authorities say they are investigating the cause of Mohammadi's death. Mohammadi's lawyer, Khalil Bahramian, says he was not given access to his client. He says he wanted to convince Mohammadi to discontinue the fast. He says, "This is a violation of international conventions and Iran's Islamic laws." A court had initially sentenced Mohammadi to death for participating in anti-government protests. His sentence was later commuted to 15 years in prison.
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