Relatives of political prisoner blame Iran’s rulers for son’s death

Iran Focus: London, Aug. 17 – The relatives of a political prisoner who recently died while on hunger strike in one of Iran’s notorious jails have blamed the country’s clerical rulers for their son’s death. Iran Focus

London, Aug. 17 – The relatives of a political prisoner who recently died while on hunger strike in one of Iran’s notorious jails have blamed the country’s clerical rulers for their son’s death.

Student activist Akbar Mohammadi died in Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison on July 30 on the ninth day of his hunger strike. A week after beginning the protest, he refused to take liquids.

In an open letter to international human rights organisations, Mohammadi’s parents blamed “merciless” and “brutal” prison officials as well as Iran’s Judiciary for the death of their son.

They also denounced Iran’s Majlis (Parliament) deputies for refusing to take action on the matter despite being aware of Mohammadi’s frail condition.

They accused prison officials of taping their son’s mouth, tying his hands, and chaining him to a bed after the fifth day of his hunger strike.

Mohammadi was arrested and given 15 years in prison in the course of nationwide student-led protests against the government in July 1999.