Hunger Strike in Rejaei Shahr prison starts May 23, 2011

Number of Rejaei Shahr political prisoners who have been on interval hunger strike have announced their intention of going on a continuous hunger strike starting May 23 thru June 12 the anniversary of rigged presidential election.

Currently those on limited hunger strike add one day per week to their hunger strike. Last week they were on wet hunger strike from Sunday thru Thursday.

According to reports, Mehdi Mahmoudian, Issa Saharkhiz, Rasoul Badaghi and Kayvan Samimi are among prisoners who will participate in the hunger strike.

Continued pressure on the families of the political prisoners, banning of telephone use & solidarity with people are reasons for their hunger strike.

Reports are that Mehdi Mahmoudian who was on dry hunger strike for 3 days after being moved to solitary confinement, is in poor heath and has developed a serious kidney problem and has lost about 26 LBS.

Many of the political prisoners families and the Participation Front have asked the prisoners to end their hunger strike.

Source: Kaleme Website

Secret Executions in Khouzestan (S. Iran)

International Campaign for Human Rights reports their local sources have informed them of secret executions in recent months in Khouzestan (S. Iran) province prisons. These executions were not officially reported by Judicial authorities in Iran.

ICHRI had previously reported secret executions in Vakilabad prison in Mashhad (N.E. Iran).

Witnesses have told ICHRI they have witnessed families coming to prison to claim the bodies of the executed. Reports say that some of these executions were mass hangings and all executed were convicted on drug charges.

In some of the secret executions, families were not notified in advance and only found out when they were contacted to collect the bodies.

Secret executions mostly took place in Karoon and Sepidar prisons in Ahvaz, Dezful prison and Behbahan prison.

ICHRI has previously reported on secret executions in Birjand, Taibad, Ghezelhesar, Uromieh, Karoon and Sepidar prisons.

Source: International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran