Mohammad Khodkam, a prisoner from Bukan, West Azerbaijan Province, is in critical condition as he continues his hunger strike in protest at a harsh prison sentence and fine imposed on him last December. The situation has prompted warnings from prison doctors about the dire state of his health.
The Kurdistan Human Rights Network (KHRN) has learned that Khodkam, who began his hunger strike on 23 December, has been transferred to outside medical facilities three times due to unconsciousness and several trips to the prison infirmary to receive serum.
In a brief meeting with his family, Khodkam, who has lost over 15 kilograms during the almost two months of hunger strike, expressed his determination to continue the hunger strike until a fair trial is granted, despite a significant reduction in his mobility.
Following the start of his hunger strike, Khodkam was transferred to solitary confinement on 24 December by order of the prison director and denied the right to meet with his family.
Despite his plea for a fair trial, the prison authorities have not responded to his request.
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 on 9 December 2023.
The Criminal Investigation Department claimed to have found a package of drugs belonging to Khodkam near his family’s home. However, the Kurdish civilian 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.
