Political prisoner Reza Shahabi Iran: wife of hunger striking pol prisoner speaks out The wife of Reza Shahabi, imprisoned member of the Tehran and Suburb Bus Syndicate who has been on hunger strike for the past 44 days, said regarding his situation: On Saturday, 12 July, Reza after 42 days of hunger strike was transferred to the hospital. He is still on hunger strike at the hospital and today is his 44th day of hunger strike. His physical condition is critical, yet they have cuffed him to his bed and a soldier stands guard over him. He has lost some 17 kilograms of weight and the doctor says that must undergo surgery as soon as possible and he must rest not in prison but at his home. Shahabi’s wife, Mrs. Rezai, explained about the continuation of Reza Shahabi’s hunger strike: This is the fourth time during his imprisonment period that Reza has staged a hunger strike. He has been transferred to a hospital yet he still hasn’t reached the demands for which he went on hunger strike. His demands are return to Evin Prison ’s Ward 350 and a leave of absence for treatment and back surgery without the presence of agents. Yet none of them have been reached. She continued: Today my daughter went to see Reza, yet she couldn’t endure the scene of which Reza was cuffed to the bed and so she quickly returned. Reza and others like Reza who defend their rights must not be imprisoned. We must all endeavor to get Reza out of this situation. I urge all those who read my words or listened to my voice of protest to not withhold any effort to free Reza. (Facebook – July 15, 2014)