The health of Mohammad Khodkam, a prisoner from Bukan in West Azerbaijan Province, has taken a critical turn as he enters the twenty-fifth day of his hunger strike, protesting against a harsh prison sentence and fine.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Khodkam, who began his hunger strike on 23 December 2023, has twice been transferred unconscious from the quarantine ward to the prison infirmary in Bukan in recent days.
His deteriorating condition includes a severe drop in blood pressure, significant weight loss, dizziness, nausea, and fainting.
Despite receiving medical attention when he was transferred to the infirmary, Khodkam is continuing his hunger strike.
The prison authorities and the local court have allegedly shown indifference to Khodkam’s request for a fair trial.
Following the start of his hunger strike, Khodkam was transferred to solitary confinement on 24 December and denied the right to communicate with or meet his family.
Khodkam was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department on 9 June 2023 and sentenced to 17 years in prison and fined 1.8 billion rials (approximately 3,600 USD) on drug-related charges.
The Criminal Investigation Department claimed to have found a package of drugs belonging to Khodkam near his family’s home. However, he has consistently denied these allegations since his arrest, and the authorities at the prison and the local court in Bukan have yet to respond to his request for a fair trial.
