It has been learned that Afarin Chitsaz, the
imprisoned Iranian newspaper columnist, has begun a hunger strike to protest
the extension of her two-year prison sentence, which was to end this month.
Her
attorney, Mohammad Moghimi, said, “In the past year, Ms. Chitsaz has been
hospitalized to undergo two knee operations to repair meniscus tears in both
her knees and spent some time on medical leave to recuperate. By law, her
sentence is over this month and she should be freed, but the authorities have
added three months.”
After
learning that the three-month medical leave granted to her earlier this year
would not be counted as time served, Chitsaz began her protest on September 2,
2017.
"She
has filed a complaint and I requested a review, but, unfortunately, they have
had no effect," stated Moghimi. "Because of this, my client has gone
on a hunger strike.”
According
to Iranian law, the time Chitsaz served outside the prison for medical
treatment should be deducted from her sentence, Moghimi stated. Indeed,
according to Article 502 of Iran's Criminal Procedure Regulations, "If a prisoner is suffering from physical or mental illness and his imprisonment would make his illness worse or delay his recovery, the judge can postpone the sentence being served until the prisoner regains his health after consultation with his physician.” Additionally, Article 522 of the Regulations states, "... The time spent in the hospital for treatment is taken into account as part of the prisoner's sentence.”
according to Article 502 of Iran's Criminal Procedure Regulations, "If a prisoner is suffering from physical or mental illness and his imprisonment would make his illness worse or delay his recovery, the judge can postpone the sentence being served until the prisoner regains his health after consultation with his physician.” Additionally, Article 522 of the Regulations states, "... The time spent in the hospital for treatment is taken into account as part of the prisoner's sentence.”
Chitsaz's
lawyer said that her mother, Maryam Azadpour, has now been sentenced for
telling the media about her daughter's case. ”After talking to the BBC about
Ms. Chitsaz, the judiciary opened a file on Ms. Azadpour and she was sentenced
to four months in prison by Branch 1059 of the 2nd Tehran Criminal Court, but
later it was reduced to a 1.5 million tomans ($452) fine.”
Chitsaz,
42, was a columnist for President Hassan Rouhani's official government
newspaper, Iran. She was arrested on November 2, 2015, as part of a crackdown on
journalists who support reformist and moderate causes by the Islamic
Revolutionary Guard Corps' Intelligence Organization. She was sentenced to 10
years in prison by Branch 28 of the Revolutionary Court presided by Judge
Mohammad Moghisseh in March of 2016, for "assembly and collusion against
national security" and "collaboration with enemy states."
Her
sentence was reduced upon appeal
to two years in prison, as well as a two-year ban on practicing journalism
after her release.
Moghimi
added, ”When Ms. Chitsaz called me from Evin Prison today (September 3), I
could tell from her voice that she was not feeling well.” He continued,
"I'm sure this hunger strike will have a terrible impact on her... I told
her that what she's doing is dangerous for her health, but she said she has no
other choice."
He
said that another client, political activist and former political
prisoner Heshmatollah Tabarzadi, has been
sentenced to six years in prison for allegedly criticizing Iranian officials on
social media and to foreign media outlets.
"Mr.
Tabarzadi completed his earlier prison sentence two years ago,” Moghimi said,
"Using the excuse that he had been active on social media and had talked
to foreign media, the authorities opened a new case against him and he was
sentenced to one year in prison for 'propaganda against the state' and five
years in prison for 'assembly and collusion against national security.' But we
will definitely file an appeal.”
Tabarzadi,
58, secretary general of the secular Iran Democratic Front party, was arrested
in December 2009 for protesting the execution of five political prisoners,
including Kurdish teacher Farzad Kamangar,
and sentenced to seven years in prison. After being released on June 30, 2015,
he was arrested again on May 17, 2016, but was released on bail on July 13
pending his most recent trial.
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