Jailed Iranian woman declares hunger strike
6 Nov 2014 5:15 AM IST
Ghoncheh Ghavami, a 25-year-old law graduate from London, is protesting against a judicial delay in making her one-year prison sentence official, her brother said. ‘She’s been on hunger strike from Saturday,’ Iman Ghavami said in a phone interview. ‘She’s not eating any solid foods and she’s not drinking any liquids.’
Ghavami said that his sister was ‘frustrated’ at her detention without an official sentence. ‘The case is in limbo. The investigation is over and the case is closed and the verdict is decided,’ he said. ‘I don’t understand why they don’t want to issue the verdict when they have made the decision. It’s quite concerning for us. They have no legal basis to have her detained.’ Last month a court sentenced Ghavami to a year in jail, according to the family. She was arrested after attempting to attend a men’s volleyball match between Iran and Italy in Tehran in June. Female fans and women journalists were told they could not attend, leading to a brief protest. Woman are banned from attending volleyball and football matches in Iran, which officials say protects them from lewd behaviour. No reason was given for her sentencing, but Ghavami was accused of spreading anti-regime propaganda, a broad charge often used by the Iranian judiciary.
Officials have said that Ghavami was arrested for security reasons unrelated to the sporting event.Ghavami previously went on hunger strike for two weeks before her sentencing, when she was detained for months before going on trial behind closed doors.
Ghavami said that his sister was ‘frustrated’ at her detention without an official sentence. ‘The case is in limbo. The investigation is over and the case is closed and the verdict is decided,’ he said. ‘I don’t understand why they don’t want to issue the verdict when they have made the decision. It’s quite concerning for us. They have no legal basis to have her detained.’ Last month a court sentenced Ghavami to a year in jail, according to the family. She was arrested after attempting to attend a men’s volleyball match between Iran and Italy in Tehran in June. Female fans and women journalists were told they could not attend, leading to a brief protest. Woman are banned from attending volleyball and football matches in Iran, which officials say protects them from lewd behaviour. No reason was given for her sentencing, but Ghavami was accused of spreading anti-regime propaganda, a broad charge often used by the Iranian judiciary.
Officials have said that Ghavami was arrested for security reasons unrelated to the sporting event.Ghavami previously went on hunger strike for two weeks before her sentencing, when she was detained for months before going on trial behind closed doors.
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