AFP: US President George W. Bush wants Tehran to free
jailed Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji immediately and let him seek medical care after a month-long hunger strike, the White House said Tuesday. “Mr. Ganji, please know that as you
stand for your own liberty, America stands with you,” spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement. AFP
WASHINGTON – US President George W. Bush wants Tehran to free jailed Iranian journalist Akbar Ganji immediately and let him seek medical care after a month-long hunger strike, the White House said Tuesday.
“Mr. Ganji, please know that as you stand for your own liberty, America stands with you,” spokesman Scott McClellan said in a statement.
Ganji was sentenced in 2001 to six years over articles he wrote linking senior regime officials, including ex-president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and former intelligence minister Ali Fallahian, to the serial murders of several intellectuals and writers.
He was re-imprisoned on June 11 after being granted a short period of leave on medical grounds, and since then has been on a hunger strike — only drinking water and munching on sugar lumps.
“President Bush is saddened by recent reports that Mr. Ganjis health has been failing and deeply concerned that the Iranian government has denied him access to his family, medical treatment, and legal representation,” said McClellan.
On Monday Ganji’s wife said he had managed 31 days of hunger strike and was determined to continue until he was granted “unconditional release.”
McClellan said Ganji had been jailed “for his political views” and that his hunger strike showed “he is willing to die for his right to express his opinion.”
“The President calls on all supporters of human rights and freedom, and the United Nations, to take up Ganji’s case and the overall human rights situation in Iran,” said the spokesman.
“The President also calls on the Government of Iran to release Mr. Ganji immediately and unconditionally and to allow him access to medical assistance,” he said.
