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Christians converts on hunger strike in Evin Prison

Christians converts on hunger strike in Evin Prison

Amin Afshar-Naderi (left) and Hadi Asgari have been on hunger strike since 5 February.

There are concerns over the health of one of two Christian converts currently undertaking a hunger strike in Tehran’s Evin Prison to protest against the lack of progress in their case.

Amin Afshar-Naderi, who has been on hunger strike since 5 February, is reported to have suffered a kidney infection, while his weight has also dropped and his blood pressure fallen dangerously low.

Amin was taken to hospital on 11 February, the seventh day of his hunger strike, but later returned to prison without treatment.

His friend and fellow Christian prisoner of conscience Hadi Asgari began his own hunger strike on the day Amin was taken to hospital.

They are protesting against the lack of progress in their case, more than five months after their arrest in Firoozkooh.

The three other Christians arrested alongside them were released on bail in October and November.

But Hadi and Amin have remained in detention, spending the first 82 days in solitary confinement in Ward 209, before being moved to Ward 4.

Their families have been closely monitoring their cases, but have not been allowed to visit.

Amin was first arrested alongside another Christian convert, Kavian Fallah-Mohammadi, and their pastor, Victor Bet-Tamraz, in December 2014, as they celebrated Christmas together.

Following that arrest – on charges of “membership of a house-church” – Amin spent 40 days in solitary confinement in Ward 209, before being released on bail of 100 million tomans (around $35,000).