GVF — Imprisoned political activist and journalist Mehdi Mahmoudian has begun an indefinite to protest the continued house arrest of opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi. Mahmoud has vowed to continue with his fast until the men are released from captivity.
According to opposition website Kaleme, Mahmoudian has announced that he would begin his fast on 22 Khordad (11 June), exactly three years after Iran’s widely contested presidential election.
The imprisoned journalist and member of the Participation Front political party (Mosharekat), was arrested on 16 September 2009. Mahmoudian had been responsible for exposing the abuse that had occurred in Kahrizak Detention Centre.
He was initially held at the notorious Evin Prison, but was later moved to Rajaee Shahr Prison in Karaj. Mahmoudian is currently serving a five-year jail term on charges of “assembly and collusion against the regime.”
After 2 ½ years of imprisonment, Mahmoudian was finally granted furlough during the Iranian New Year (March 2012). During this period, he sought treatment for a number of medical problems caused under harsh prison conditions, including blood pressure fluctuations as well as heart and lung problems.
Recently, political prisoner, Mohammad Reza Motamednia, ended his 42-day hunger strike against the ongoing house arrest of Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi. After learning of the strike, and through intermediaries, Mousavi called on Motamednia, who had already been hospitalised, to end his strike.
Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mahdi Karroubi spearheaded the Green Movement until mid-February 2011 when they were placed under house arrest after they had called for protests in solidarity with the Arab Spring on 14 February. The demonstrations were marred by the security forces’ violent crackdowns which left at least two dead.
Since the start of their arbitrary detention, the 2009 presidential candidates have not yet been granted a fair trial. Rights groups say their continued captivity and maltreatment is inconsistent not only with human rights provisions but also with Iran’s own constitution.