About IFEX:

News by region:

IFEX Campaigns and Advocacy:

IFEX Email Products:

Opportunities and assistance:

Alert

Dissident journalist Akbar Ganji gravely ill in hospital after more than a month on hunger strike

(WiPC/IFEX) - WiPC is alarmed about the deteriorating health of dissident journalist Akbar Ganji, who was reportedly transferred to hospital on 17 July 2005 where he is said to be gravely ill. Ganji, who was imprisoned in April 2000 and sentenced to six years for his dissident writings, suffers from acute asthma that according to prison doctors requires medical treatment by a specialist. This request was repeatedly blocked by prison authorities until 29 May, when Ganji was granted one week's medical leave. On 7 June, a spokesman for the judiciary confirmed that Ganji was being granted extended leave from prison to receive specific treatment on the advice of a medical specialist, but Tehran's chief prosecutor overturned this decision and ordered that he be re-arrested for allegedly violating the terms of his medical leave by giving interviews to the press. Ganji returned to prison on 11 June without having received the recommended treatment, and has since been on hunger strike, taking only liquids. His weight has reportedly dropped to 55 kilograms. International PEN is calling for his immediate and unconditional release, and urges that he be granted full access to family visits and the specialist medical care that he requires.