Two Kurdish-Iranian journalists under sentence of death call off hunger strike

Reporters Without Borders is relieved to learn that imprisoned journalists Adnan Hassanpour and Abdolvahed Hiva Botimar have ended the hunger strike they began on 14 July. When he received a visit from relatives on 4 September, Botimar announced that he and Hassanpour had resumed eating after more than 50 days of consuming nothing but sweetened water.

“We now call on the judicial authorities to keep their promises and improve the conditions in which these two journalists are being held,” the press freedom organisation said. “This includes approving their request to be transferred to Marivan prison and giving them unrestricted access to their lawyers.”

Reporters Without Borders added: “We also call on the supreme court to allow a review of their trial and to quash their death sentences.”

Date Posted: 7 September 2007 Last Modified: 7 September 2007