Hunger strike in solitary confinement in protest against repression and executions
The collective hunger strike by political prisoners in Ghezel Hesar Prison has entered its sixth day. Despite being under extremely harsh conditions and intense pressure in solitary confinement, they continue to resist the wave of executions, forced transfers, and violent repression. The hunger strike, which began on July 26, is a response to the brutal raid by special guard forces on Hall 4, the beating of inmates, their forced transfer to solitary cells, and the secret execution of two political prisoners, Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani Eslamloo.
Iran’s Regime Executes Political Prisoners Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani
These two prisoners were active supporters of the “No to Execution Tuesdays” campaign and were accused of being members of the People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI/MEK). Their death sentences were carried out without the process of a fair trial and without informing their families. Judicial officials have even refused to reveal the location of their burial—a pattern previously observed in the cases of other executed political prisoners.
Coordinated repression aimed at breaking resistance inside the prison
According to reports, on Saturday, more than 100 security agents from the prison guard, the IRGC Intelligence Organization, and other suppression units raided the political prisoners’ ward. The inmates were shackled, blindfolded with black hoods, and transferred to solitary confinement cells. At the same time, Saeed Masouri—a prominent figure in this protest campaign—was exiled to Zahedan Prison after 25 years of incarceration.
It appears that this crackdown is part of a broader regime plan to silence the growing voice of opposition to executions within the prisons. The “No to Execution” campaign has continued for over 79 weeks in 48 prisons across the country and has now become one of the most serious protest movements within the judicial system.
Hunger strike: silent protest inside locked cells
The political prisoners of Ghezel Hesar, currently held in Unit 3 solitary cells, continue their hunger strike under extremely harsh conditions. They are deprived of family contact, medical services, fresh air, and basic human rights. According to one of their close contacts, the physical condition of some strikers has been reported as critical. However, prison officials have not only failed to take any action but are actively trying to conceal the hunger strike and censor related news.
Deadly silence from the judiciary
The regime not only refuses to respond to the protests but continues its path of repression more intensely by deliberately hiding the prisoners’ conditions, perpetuating the psychological torment of their families, and denying the legal rights of the inmates. The families of Mehdi Hassani and Behrouz Ehsani have repeatedly contacted judicial authorities to learn about the fate of their loved ones but have been met with complete silence.
