Hossein Hashemi one of the detainees of November 2019 nationwide protests is on hunger and thirst strike
4-June-2021
Category: Uncategorized
June 2, 2021
Newsgroup: Prisoners –
Breathing in Confinement: The political prisoner, Hossein Hashemi, one of the detainees of the November 2019 nationwide protests, has been on hunger and thirst strike since Tuesday, June 1, 2021, protesting his transfer to Section 4 of the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary.
Hossein Hashemi, referring to the political prisoner, Alireza Shirmohammadi who was killed by dangerous prisoners, stated that the purpose of his hunger strike was to convey his voice to the Iranian people.
He was transferred following a verbal argument with Eliassy, the supervising prosecutor of the Evin court. Eliassy had previously been threatened him of being transferred to a place where he would regret what he did.
Hossein Hashemi, who is currently on a hunger and thirst strike, has written a note stating the reasons for his strike as well as his current situation.
He writes: “This is the last thing I want to tell you. When I go into a coma, donate my lungs to Khuzestan so that it can breathe a new life after 40 years, donate my lungs to anyone who needs it in Khuzestan. Donate my heart to Sistan and Baluchestan, which my heart was always beating for its children, and for its people who are in suffer. Donate my other organs to those who love Iran. To lower class people as me, who tried a lot, but failed! And finally, donate my body to medical students to help them improve. Afterwards, when it’s of no use, burn my body in the oak forests of Zagros, where I was born, and scatter my ashes in the forests, so that I could take root in the oak trees and from the height of the mountains could stare at your happiness in years to come.”
Below is the full text of his letter:
“I have been on a hunger and thirst strike for almost 19 hours. The last thing I had was a cup of tea made with the water full of silica in Section 2 of Hall 10, of the November 2019 Political Prisoners’ Ward. Afterward, I stopped eating and drinking. Early in the morning, I was taken out of the political prisoners’ ward which I was told was for interrogation. The guard, however, was perfectly prepared for my transfer. Though the prison officials said that I had to go out of Section 2 for interrogation. I was forced to get in a van and was taken to Section 4, where prisoners of violent crimes and convicts of murder and armed robbery were being held.
About 2 years ago, Alireza Shir Mohammad Ali also was taken out of Political Prisoners’ Ward under the same pretext, after 3 days however, his death was announced.
I am Hossein Hashemi, one of the detainees of November 2019, sentenced to 6 years in prison, and I am exactly in the same position which two years ago was Alireza, with only one difference that I have gone on a hunger and thirst strike. I did this, to convey my voice to you the people of Iran, before being killed.
To all people of Iran!
Since November 2019, I have endured all types of mental and physical torture, beyond the tolerance of a human being.
I tried to live a healthy life in prison! I saved many political prisoners from the risk of drug addiction. I also quit smoking in prison to show that a change is possible even in the worst situation. A few days ago, Shapoor Ehsani Rad, gave me the last lighter with which he had lit his last cigarette as a souvenir, and said that he was happy seeing me fighting even in prison, and that it could motivate the others.
I will most likely go into a coma in about 24 hours, and this is the last thing I want to tell you. When I go into a coma, donate my lungs to Khuzestan so that it can breathe a new life after 40 years, donate my lungs to anyone who needs it in Khuzestan. Donate my heart to Sistan and Baluchestan, which my hear was always beating for its children, and for its people who are in suffer. Donate my other organs to those who love Iran. To lower class people as me, who tried a lot, but failed! And finally, donate my body to medical students to help them improve. Afterwards, when it’s of no use, burn my body in the oak forests of Zagros, where I was born, and scatter my ashes in the forests, so that I could take root in the oak trees and from the height of the mountains could stare at your happiness in years to come.”
People of Iran! I am innocent! And I have only 72 hours left to embrace death. This is my last word to you. Remember the late hero, Farzad Kamangar who said: “Do not forget! Do not turn your back to poems to songs and to your lovers!”
Hossein Hashemi, Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Section 4 of the Greater Tehran Central Penitentiary