Activist Warisha Moradi begins open-ended hunger strike

On Thursday, October 10th, Warisha Moradi, an activist in women’s rights and a member of the Free Women’s Organization in East Kurdistan (KJAR), who has been imprisoned in Evin Prison for more than 14 months, began an open-ended hunger strike. This coincides with the World Day Against the Death Penalty, in protest against the death sentence issued against her and other activists.

Warisha Moradi suffers from several health issues, including joint and back pain, and can barely walk. She has also faced severe weight loss since her imprisonment. In the last three months, she has been transferred twice to a hospital outside the prison due to her deteriorating health, but no specialized treatment was provided, and she was only examined by hospital doctors.

The second hearing for Warisha Moradi took place on October 5th in Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in the Iranian capital, Tehran. The judge refused to allow Warisha Moradi’s lawyer to present her defense orally, forcing her to submit it in writing, which constitutes a violation of the defendant’s rights.

The first hearing of Warisha Moradi’s trial was held on June 16th in Branch 15 of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran on charges of “rebellion,” during which she was not allowed to defend herself.

Warisha Moradi was arrested in the city of Sanandaj, E. Kurdistan, on August 1, 2023. After two weeks of interrogation by the Intelligence Department, she was transferred to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. During this period, she was subjected to pressure and torture to extract forced confessions. After five months, she was transferred to the women’s ward in Evin Prison.

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ANHA