Prisoner in Bukan begins hunger strike in protest at court ruling

Prisoner Heidar Feyzi went on hunger strike and sewed his lips shut on 27 October in Bukan prison, West Azerbaijan Province, in protest at a recent court ruling against him.

The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Feyzi was arrested in May on charges of “financial crimes” and subsequently transferred to Bukan Prison.

After the prisoner announced his hunger strike, he was placed in a quarantine unit inside the prison and denied contact with his family, KHRN has learned.

Feyzi also undertook a nine-day hunger strike earlier this month, during which he sewed up his lips, but ended it after receiving assurances from prison authorities that his demands would be considered.

About a month ago, Feyzi was sentenced to three years in prison, along with a fine of 7 billion rials – nearly 14,000 USD – and the confiscation of his assets, all for “financial crimes”.

He considers the sentence unjust and has therefore appealed for a review of the documents and evidence supporting his case.