Ramin Hossein Panahi, a death Row political prisoner who has been transferred to Rajai Shahr Prison in Karaj from Sanandaj Central Prison since Aug 13, 2018, went on hunger strike by sewing his lips.

The lawyers of this political prisoner issued a statement confirming that this political prisoner had gone on hunger strike while demanding immediate annulment of the execution order against this prisoner and holding a fair trial.

This statement, a copy which has been sent to the Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN), states:

Unfortunately our client “Ramin Hussein Panahi” is not allowed any communication with the people outside jail but the family and lawyers of this prisoner have received news that Ramin Hossein Panahi, who has been suddenly and illegally transferred to Rajai Shahr prison in Karaj, has sewn his lips and gone on hunger strike for the following reasons:

1- Deprivation of his legal rights, including the need to out-of-prison health services as confirmed by the health authorities of Sanandaj Central Prison.

2. Illegal Deprivation of his right to telephone communications with family and lawyers and their visits

3- Denied of equal rights to other prisoners and lack of access to prison services.

4- Issuance of an illegal and unjust verdict which should be re-addressed by holding a fair trial within a proper legal framework.

He will continue his hunger strike until he fulfils his legal requests.

Meanwhile, according to the news received by his family, this political prisoner has been removed from Rajai Shahr Prison on August 26 and neither his lawyers nor his family have been informed of his condition.

Emphasising on the illegal nature of Ramin Hossein Panahi’s transfer to Rajai Shahr Prison, We (the lawyers of this political prisoner) urge all the relevant legal authorities authorities to restore the legal rights of this political prisoner and make sure that the charges against him are addressed within a proper legal framework in order to ensure the fairness of the verdict issued against him.

Considering the above-mentioned situation, Ramin is facing an increased risk of imminent execution in the coming days although the ongoing processing of applications, including the reinstatement of Articles 477 and 474 of the Criminal Code and pleading forgiveness, requires the suspension of the execution order with a view of providing reinstating Ramin Hossein Panahi’s legal right of appealing against the verdict or pleading forgiveness like any other prisoner.

Maziyar Tatayi

Hossein Ahmadi Niyaz

Osman Mozayan

Monday

August 27, 2018